Texas City's Fertilizer Provider Exits Amid Toxic Chemical Scandal

Fort Worth, Texas, has cut ties with the fertilizer company Synagro due to contamination fears related to harmful PFAS chemicals, following lawsuits from ranchers alleging livestock illness and crop damage.

In a significant move, Fort Worth, Texas, has decided to terminate its contract with Synagro, a fertilizer provider backed by Goldman Sachs. The decision arises amid escalating concerns over “forever chemicals”—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—identified in the sewage sludge-based fertilizer distributed by the firm.

Recently, Fort Worth initiated legal action against several manufacturers of these harmful substances, claiming contamination of local water supplies. Reports reveal that ranchers in Johnson County, located south of Fort Worth, have filed lawsuits against Synagro, arguing that the application of its fertilizer on adjacent farmland has resulted in health issues for their livestock and damage to their crops.

The sewage sludge, processed by Synagro and initially sourced from the Fort Worth sewage treatment facility, is under scrutiny, as it has been implicated in a growing number of studies indicating that such fertilizers can carry toxic PFAS chemicals.

In light of these developments, Johnson County has launched a criminal investigation into Synagro's operations, intensifying the pressure on the company to address their practices. As public awareness of PFAS contamination continues to rise, the implications for agricultural practices and farmer livelihoods remain profound, signaling a potential shift in how fertilizers are sourced and utilized moving forward.