BIOSOLIDS USE AND REGULATION IN PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF

BIOSOLIDS USE AND REGULATION IN PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

What are BIOSOLIDS? Ø Nutrient-rich organic material resulting from the treatment of wastewater and residential septage Biosolids are generated from: Solids removed during the wastewater treatment process at Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) And Solids and liquids from residential septic tanks, holding tanks and other treatment units

Beneficial Uses of BIOSOLIDS v. Mine Reclamation v. Forestry v. Gardening/Landscaping v. Agricultural Use

Regulation of BIOSOLIDS ØRegulated in Pennsylvania since 1977 ØIn 1997: DEP Waste Management DEP Water Management Site Criteria Biosolids Quality

BENEFICIAL USE OF BIOSOLIDS GENERAL PERMIT COVERAGE UNDER THE GENERAL PERMIT APPLICATION SITE ü ISSUED BY DEP ü FOR GENERATORS ü SITE MEETS OF BIOSOLIDS AND SPECIFIC CRITERIA LAND APPLIERS OF ü STANDARD RESIDENTIAL CONDITIONS ü NOTICE SEPTAGE PROVIDED TO NEIGHBORS, ü SUBMITTAL OF DEP AND NOTICE OF INTENT COUNTY CONSERVATION ü APPROVED BY DEP DISTRICTS ü APPROVED BY DEP

BIOSOLIDS CLASSIFICATIONS GENERAL PERMITS EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY PAG-07 NON-EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY PAG-08 RESIDENTIAL SEPTAGE PAG-09 BASED ON: PATHOGEN REDUCTION VECTOR ATTRACTION REDUCTION POLLUTANT CONCENTRATIONS

PATHOGEN REDUCTION ALTERNATIVES PROCESS CONTROLS PROCESS MONITORING INDICATOR ORGANISMS

VECTOR ATTRACTION REDUCTION OPTIONS PROCESS CONTROLS PROCESS MONITORING SITE MANAGEMENT

POLLUTANTS • ARSENIC • CADMIUM • COPPER • LEAD • MERCURY • MOLYBDENUM • NICKEL • SELENIUM • ZINC • PCBs

NUTRIENTS • Calcium • Magnesium • Sulfur • PHOSPHORUS • Copper • Boron • POTASSIUM • Iron • Selenium ØApplication rates are based on the nitrogen need of the crop ØGreater rates may be approved for reclamation sites • NITROGEN

Exceptional Quality BIOSOLIDS Ø Application rates cannot exceed agronomic loading rate Ø Must be non-liquid and non-recognizable as human waste Ø For distribution, either in bulk or in a bag, a label or information sheet is needed.

SITE SUITABILITY PAG-08 and 09 Ø Exceptional Value Waters and Endangered and Threatened Species Ø Isolation distances from: • Residences • Water Supplies • Regional and seasonal high water table • Streams • Sinkholes • Exceptional Value Wetlands Ø Slopes Ø Conservation or Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan Ø Nutrient needs

NOTIFICATIONS PAG-08 and 09 Ø 30 Days prior to first application by a permit holder • Adjacent property owners (letters & signs) • County conservation district • DEP Ø 7 Days prior to first application by a permit holder • Occupant of the land receives an instruction sheet

SITE MANAGEMENT PAG-08 and 09 Coordination with Farmer or Operator Farm Conservation or E & S Plan Soil p. H Weather and Field Conditions Isolation Distances Transportation Storage and Staging Screening Application Access, Harvest and Grazing Restrictions

RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING PAG-07 üQuality Data üResponsible Party Certification PAG-08 üQuality Data üResponsible Party Certification PAG-09 üQuality Data üResponsible Party Certification ü 2 -Part Form § Biosolids Quality üOne Form üAmount Sold or § Application Site Given Away § Septage Quality üQuality Data üAmount and § Application Location of Bulk Maintained for 5 Site Years Applications üData Maintained üApplication Site for 5 Years Data Maintained for 5 Years Indefinitely

Questions & Complaints Northwest Region 814 -332 -6945 Northcentral Region 570 -327 -3636 Northeast Region 570 -826 -2511 Southwest Region 412 -442 -4000 Southcentral Region 717 -705 -4700 Southeast Region 610 -832 -6000