Johnson Co, 40 miles south of Willow Park, requests state disaster declaration over chemical contamination in soil and well water.
- Manager
- Feb 19
- 6 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Latest Update: 14 May 2025
Summary: Johnson Co, 40 miles south of Willow Park, has requested a state disaster declaration over chemical contamination found in soil, groundwater, surface water, fish, and animal tissue. Why does this matter to Willow Park? Parker County and Johnson County are both in the same TWDB Groundwater Management Area.
• Latest Update: 18 February, 2025
Johnson Co, 40 miles south of Willow Park, requests state disaster declaration over chemical contamination in soil and well water.
Johnson County, 40 miles south of Willow Park, has requested a state disaster declaration over chemical contamination [including PFAS] found in soil, groundwater, surface water, fish, and animal tissue (including human). [1]
"Johnson County residents took to calling on local officials in 2022 after noticing issues with their health and livestock. They believe those issues are connected to biosolids fertilizer, made from Fort Worth’s sewage sludge, that was applied to nearby farmland... Now, [Johnson County] is in a state of disaster after discovering disturbing levels of contamination from PFAS — commonly known as “forever chemicals” — stemming from use of the fertilizer. [2]
Why does this matter to Willow Park? Parker County and Johnson County are both in the Texas Water Development Board, Groundwater Management Area 8. [3, maps below] In addition, PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances or "forever chemical") can migrate away from the direct application area. [3, 4]
In fact, PFAS are already an issue for the City. Since 2023, the City of Willow Park has been part of a class action law suit and has been testing for PFAS, in addition to the City's usual water testing. [4]
Willow Park Civics Sources and Resources
• Updated 14 May 2025
• Texas bill seeking to keep toxic “forever chemicals” off farmland misses key deadline, The Texas Tribune, 14 May 2025
Supporters say the bill would protect farmland in Texas. Opponents say limiting PFAS chemicals in biosolids will force water utilities to look at other disposal methods, which will lead to higher utility bills.
A bill aimed at limiting the spread of toxic chemicals on Texas farmland has hit a political wall — missing a key deadline that decreases its likelihood of passage this session.
House Bill 1674, introduced by Rep. Helen Kerwin, R-Cleburne, aims to regulate the use of fertilizers made from treated sewage, also known as biosolids, by requiring regular testing for PFAS — a group of long-lasting, harmful chemicals often called “forever chemicals.”
Supporters of the bill say it would protect agricultural land and the nation’s food supply from dangerous chemicals that don’t break down and are linked to health problems including cancer, birth defects, liver damage, and immune system disorders. However, opponents — including wastewater utilities — say the measure lacks clarity and could drive up disposal costs of biosolids without offering other alternatives to get rid of the sludge.
• Updated 10 May 2025
• After Johnson County state of disaster, lawmaker wants limits on chemicals in sewage fertilizer, Fort Worth Report, 10 May 2025
A Glen Rose lawmaker is pushing to regulate “forever chemicals” that farmers allege have contaminated their land, giving rise to a lawsuit filed by five Johnson County farmers against the company that produced fertilizer containing the chemicals.
Rep. Helen Kerwin, a Republican whose district includes all of Johnson and Somervell counties, filed the bill just over a month before her county declared a state of disaster in February. County officials said Fort Worth’s wastewater plant provided biosolids fertilizer — made from treated waste — that infused land with harmful PFAS chemicals.
Contamination has earned the attention of top Trump administration officials. In late April, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the agency would prioritize assistance to states and communities with PFAS contamination.
During an April visit to Texas with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins acknowledged her personal connection to the Johnson County contamination. Beyond Rollins’ connections to Fort Worth, Kerwin, a freshman state lawmaker, is her mother.
If Kerwin’s bill passes, Texas would be the fourth state to adopt regulations for PFAS in biosolids.
• Updated 09 May 2025
• They drove to the Capitol to testify on a bill and got a grueling lesson in Texas democracy, The Texas Tribune, 09 May 2025
The group from Johnson County waited 18 hours to testify at a hearing that started at 1 a.m. on a bill to limit toxic chemicals in fertilizer.
By the time the committee hearing began, Tony and Karen Coleman, two farmers from Johnson County, had been awake nearly 24 hours.
• Updated 01 April 2025
• Johnson County seeks disaster relief. Will it see state, federal help for forever chemicals? Fort Worth Report, 31 March 2025
• Updated 28 March 2025
• Fort Worth ends 10-year contract with fertilizer company accused of water, land contamination, Fort Worth Report, 25 March 2025
The commissioners' court believes a state disaster declaration could make federal funds available to victims. The Texan, 17 February 2025, Excerpts
Johnson County leaders are taking action to try to limit the impact of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on humans, animals, soil, and water in the county.
At a specially-called meeting on February 11, the Johnson County Commissioners Court passed a resolution asking Gov. Greg Abbott to declare an emergency due to high levels of PFAS found in soil and water in the county. Johnson County Judge Christopher Boedeker also issued a county disaster declaration.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), PFAS are widely used, long lasting chemicals that are often found in biosolids, organic matter derived from wastewater and often applied to the ground as fertilizer.
PFAS break down very slowly and can build up in people, animals, and the environment over time. According to the EPA, PFAS may have harmful health effects on humans, including decreased fertility, developmental delays in children, and increased risks of cancer.
According to the resolution, Johnson County testing of biosolids derived from the City of Fort Worth’s wastewater treatment plants revealed PFAS in the biosolids and in the soil, groundwater, surface water, fish, and animal tissue.
The biosolids had been spread in areas of Johnson County as fertilizers, in some areas since 2001, Commissioner Larry Woolley explained. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), not the county, has jurisdiction over permits for applying biosolids as fertilizer.
The TCEQ website about biosolids refers to its benefits and lists administrative code sections about biosolids requirements. Those sections refer to levels of metals and pathogens in the waste, but no specific reference to PFAS could be found.
PFAS can migrate away from the direct application area. According to Dr. Kyla Bennett, director of science policy with Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), the highest levels of PFAS were found on land with direct application of biosolids, but neighboring properties also had high levels in soils, ponds, and well water.
Fish have died, cattle have died, and calves have been still born or born with birth defects, Bennett pointed out.
[2] Fort Worth sewage sludge fertilizer leads Johnson County to declare ‘state of disaster’ Fort Worth Report, 17 February 20525 Excerpts
Johnson County residents took to calling on local officials in 2022 after noticing issues with their health and livestock. They believe those issues are connected to biosolids fertilizer, made from Fort Worth’s sewage sludge, that was applied to nearby farmland.
Now, commissioners say the 200,000-resident county south of Fort Worth is in a state of disaster after discovering disturbing levels of contamination from PFAS — commonly known as “forever chemicals” — stemming from use of the fertilizer.
• > Map of GMA 8 Major Aquifer boundaries (Below)
• > Map of GMA 8 Minor Aquifer boundaries (Below)
[4] Addressing Challenges of PFAS: Protecting Groundwater and Treating Contaminated Sources, Federal EPA, 20 September 202, Excerpts
PFAS enter the environment at sites where they are made, used, disposed of, or spilled. For example, PFAS are mobile and can be transported through rainwater run-off and enter surface water - for example lakes and ponds - or seep through the soil and migrate into large groundwater aquifers that can be important underground sources of drinking water...
This means that aggressive approaches like high temperature incineration or focused chemical reactions are needed for PFAS destruction. But the use of biochar as an adsorptive medium is a treatment option to remove PFAS from groundwater and to potentially stop the migration of PFAS chemicals in the subsurface...
[5] Index of Willow Park Water, Local to State, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 02 June 2024
• "Forever Chemicals" in Willow Park well water and Fort Worth water., Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 18 April 2024
• Willow Park rejects class action lawsuit on "forever chemicals" in our water - well and Fort Worth. Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 12 December 2023
During the 28 November 2023 Council Meeting, Agenda Item 5, approved "a resolution opting out of the Class Action lawsuit against 3M, Dupont and other PFAS manufacturers, arising out of PFAS chemicals.
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