PFAS in Fertilizer

When you think about fertilizer, you probably think about nutrients that help your lawn grow.

Nitrogen. Potassium. Healthy soil. A greener, stronger lawn.

But have you ever thought about what is actually in the fertilizer being applied to your yard?

That question is becoming more important as scientists and environmental agencies learn more about PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.”

PFAS are a large family of human-made chemicals that have been used for decades in products designed to resist water, grease, stains and heat. They can enter wastewater through homes, businesses and industrial facilities. Because wastewater treatment plants are designed to remove many types of waste and pathogens, but are not designed to eliminate every synthetic chemical, PFAS can end up concentrated in the solid material left behind after wastewater treatment.

That material is commonly called sewage sludge or biosolids.

And in some cases, biosolids are used as fertilizer or soil amendments.

So what does that have to do with your lawn?

Let’s break it down.

What Are Biosolids?

Biosolids are the solid material left over after wastewater is treated.

Here is the basic process:

Homes + Businesses → Wastewater Treatment Plant → Liquid Separated From Solids → Treated Biosolids

Wastewater from toilets, sinks, businesses and other sources travels to a wastewater treatment facility. The facility separates the liquid from the solids and treats the material to reduce pathogens and odors.

The resulting material can then be managed in several ways. One option is land application, where treated biosolids are used as a soil amendment or fertilizer.

The EPA recognizes that biosolids can provide nutrients and organic matter to soil. Iowa also permits regulated land application of sewage sludge under state and federal requirements.

The important part is this:

Treatment that makes biosolids safer from pathogens does not necessarily remove PFAS.

That is where the concern begins.

How Do PFAS Get Into Biosolids?

PFAS have been used in thousands of products, including some water-resistant, stain-resistant and grease-resistant products.

They can enter wastewater from both households and businesses.

When wastewater reaches a treatment plant, PFAS can remain in the wastewater stream and become concentrated in the solids.

According to the EPA, PFAS can enter sewage sludge from industrial sources as well as everyday household and commercial activities.

That means the problem isn’t necessarily something a wastewater treatment plant created.

It can be a case of chemicals going down the drain and ending up somewhere else.

Why Are PFAS Called “Forever Chemicals”?

PFAS earned that nickname because many of these chemicals are extremely persistent.

In simple terms, they don’t break down easily in the environment.

That matters when a material containing PFAS is repeatedly applied to soil.

Instead of simply disappearing after the fertilizer does its job, certain PFAS can remain in the environment and move through soil and water.

And that brings us to your lawn.

What Does This Have to Do With Lawn Fertilizer?

Here’s the connection:

If a fertilizer or soil amendment contains biosolids, you need to know what you’re putting on your soil.

Not every biosolid product contains elevated levels of PFAS, and the presence of biosolids does not automatically mean a product is dangerous.

But the concern is real enough that the EPA is actively studying PFAS in sewage sludge and developing guidance for managing potential risks. In July 2026, the EPA released draft guidance specifically addressing PFOA and PFOS in biosolids.

For homeowners, that raises a simple question:

Do you know what’s in the fertilizer being applied to your lawn?

Why Soil Health Matters

Healthy soil is more than dirt.

Your lawn’s soil is a living environment containing organic matter, microorganisms, nutrients, water and air. The goal of good lawn care should be to support that entire system, not simply make the grass green as quickly as possible.

That’s why the source of your fertilizer matters.

A fertilizer program should be designed around:

What your soil actually needs
Applying the right nutrients at the right time
Building healthy soil
Avoiding unnecessary applications
Choosing products carefully
Protecting the environment around your lawn

Good lawn care isn’t just about what you see on top of the grass.

It’s about what you’re putting into the soil underneath it.

What Should Homeowners Look For?

You don’t need to become a chemist to make better choices for your lawn.

Start by asking questions.

What is in the fertilizer?

Where does it come from?

Is it biosolid-based?

What does “organic” or “organic-based” actually mean on the product label?

And perhaps most importantly:

Does your lawn care company know what they’re applying to your property?

Those are reasonable questions to ask any lawn care provider.

What About Organic-Based Fertilizer?

You don’t need to become a chemist to make better choices for your lawn.

Start by asking questions.

What is in the fertilizer?

Where does it come from?

Is it biosolid-based?

What does “organic” or “organic-based” actually mean on the product label?

And perhaps most importantly:

Does your lawn care company know what they’re applying to your property?

Those are reasonable questions to ask any lawn care provider.

What About PFAS in Iowa?

PFAS are not just a problem somewhere else.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recognizes PFAS as chemicals of concern and has developed an action plan addressing their potential impacts on Iowa’s residents and environment. Iowa also regulates the land application of sewage sludge and maintains a tracking system for biosolids applications.

For homeowners in Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Tiffin, Solon, Cedar Rapids and surrounding communities, this is another reason to pay attention to the products being used around your home.

You may not be able to control everything that enters the environment.

But you can control what you choose to put on your own property.

The Bottom Line

PFAS are complicated, and scientists are still learning more about how these chemicals move through soil, water and the environment.

But homeowners don’t need to understand every chemical abbreviation to make a better decision.

Ask what’s in your fertilizer.

Ask where it comes from.

Ask what you’re putting into your soil.

Because lawn care isn’t just about having a green lawn.

It’s about taking care of the soil that supports it, the water that surrounds it and the environment your family lives in.

At TLC Tompkins Lawn Care, we believe lawn care should be done with that bigger picture in mind.

Healthy lawn. Healthy soil. Better choices.

That’s lawn care done right.