Ensuring an effective and safe biosolids program is

Ensuring an effective and safe biosolids program is one of the highest priorities of DEP. The land application of biosolids is a regulated process that is closely monitored and has been in place for many years. Education and public involvement are essential for the successful implementation of the biosolids program. A successful biosolids program begins with the help of a well informed citizenry, through a process that goes beyond the “one-way” communication of traditional public hearings. The following presentation will help explain some of the main highlights of the current regulations regarding the land application of biosolids.

Biosolids are a nutrient rich organic material that is generated from the treatment of wastewater and residential septage. The material used to produce biosolids are: Solids removed during the wastewater treatment process at sewage treatment plants or STPs Solids and liquids from residential septic tanks, holding tanks and other treatment units. Residential septage should not include any commercial or industrial wastes or wastewaters.

Once they have undergone thorough treatment, the biosolids product has many uses including: Mine Reclamation The use of biosolids at mine reclamation sites promotes re-vegetation by providing nutrients and organic matter essential in the soil regeneration process. Forestry The use of biosolids in forestry has been found to promote rapid timber growth, allowing quicker and more efficient harvest of an important natural resource. Gardening/Landscaping Only exceptional quality biosolids can be sold or distributed for use on lawns and home gardens. Agricultural Use The use of biosolids on agricultural land has been found to produce significant improvements in crop growth and yield. This also reduces the farmers fertilization costs and replenishes the organic matter normally depleted over time.

There are currently three statewide biosolids General Permits issued by DEP that contain biosolids quality and end-use standards. The General Permits are available to generators of biosolids and land appliers of residential septage. To receive coverage under the General Permit, the person seeking coverage must submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) for coverage under the General Permit. The NOI must then be approved by DEP. Once coverage is obtained, the permittee is then responsible for locating sites that meet the specific site criteria spelled out in the regulations and the General Permit. Notice must then be provided to the land owners adjacent to the site, DEP and county conservation districts thirty days prior to the first time the site is used. Once DEP receives the notice, the site is reviewed and typically deemed suitable or unsuitable within 30 days.

The three categories of biosolids that are recognized in Pennsylvania are: Exceptional Quality (PAG-07) Exceptional quality biosolids are typically generated at STPs or biosolids preparers, such as commercial composters, and are the highest quality biosolids with few use restrictions. Biosolids (PAG-08) Biosolids are also generated at STPs, but have more use restrictions since they are not required to meet the same quality criteria as the exceptional quality biosolids. Residential Septage (PAG-09) Residential septage is removed from septic tanks screened and treated using lime prior to land application. Residential septage has land use restrictions similar to biosolids permitted under the PAG-08.

Biosolids quality and the issuance of coverage under the General Permit is based on three criteria: Pathogen reduction, Vector attraction reduction (VAR), and Pollutant concentrations.

Pathogen reduction is the reduction of disease causing organisms through process controls and site management practices. The pathogen reduction criteria can be met in three ways—process controls, process monitoring, or indicator organism monitoring. Process controls, are the use of certain processes know to reduce pathogens, such as time and temperature in a digester or compost pile. Process monitoring is the use of data to demonstrate that a process is meeting specific criteria, such as monitoring the p. H of a lime-stabilized biosolids. Indicator organism monitoring involves the monitoring of certain organisms, such as fecal coliform or salmonella, to demonstrate that a process has provided sufficient pathogen destruction.

Vector attraction reduction involves minimizing the characteristics of the biosolids that makes it attractive to vectors, such as flies, mosquitoes and rodents. VAR can be met through process controls, process monitoring or site management practices. Process controls and process monitoring are similar to the requirements for pathogen reduction. Site management practices rely on creating a soil/biosolids barrier by incorporating or injecting the biosolids.

Pollutant concentrations must also be monitored. There are no pollutant monitoring requirements for residential septage. The pollutants that are regulated in biosolids are: Arsenic, Cadmium, Copper, Lead, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Selenium, Zinc and PCBs. These pollutants were determined to have both human health and environmental affects in certain concentrations. Therefore, concentration limits were placed on these constituents to prevent any detriment to human health and the environment. Prior to the issuance of coverage under the General Permit, the generator must also complete a hazardous waste determination, which involves performing an analysis of the biosolids for several hazardous constituents.

Biosolids also contain several nutrients essential for plant growth. The main nutrient of concern is nitrogen. Application rates are based on the nitrogen need of the crop receiving the biosolids. This prevents the migration of excess nitrogen, in the form of nitrate, from getting into the groundwater. Additional amounts of biosolids may be applied at reclamation sites where the need for nitrogen and organic matter is much greater.

In addition to application at the agronomic loading rate, exceptional quality biosolids must also be nonliquid and non-recognizable as human waste and must be applied in accordance with the label or information sheet provided with the biosolids.

Sites receiving biosolids (other than EQ) or residential septage must meet specific site requirements: Land application permitted under a General Permit cannot occur in exceptional value watersheds. These sites must be covered under Individual Permits. Land application cannot affect endangered or threatened species that may exist at the proposed site. A Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Index (PNDI) must be completed prior to land application. Application is not permitted within specific distances from residences, water supplies, groundwater tables, streams, sinkholes and exceptional value wetlands and cannot occur on areas exceeding a 25% slope for agriculture and 35% for mine reclamation. (Continued)

Sites receiving biosolids (other than EQ) or residential septage must also meet specific site requirements (continued): Areas of a proposed site that do not have an implemented farm conservation or erosion and sedimentation control plan cannot be used for the land application of biosolids. Finally, the nutrient needs of the site must be evaluated. If a farm generates enough manure to provide the nutrient needs of the farm, then biosolids cannot be applied to the site unless a management plan has been developed.

Once the permittee determines the site is suitable, notifications must be provided to all adjacent landowners, the county conservation district and DEP thirty days prior to the first time the site is used for biosolids application. This notification also includes posting signs around the proposed land application site. . At least seven days prior to first application by a permit holder, the occupant of the land must also receive an instruction sheet that describes the restrictions and limitations of biosolids use.

There also several site management criteria that must be evaluated prior to and during application at a site. These include, insuring that the farm conservation plan or erosion and sedimentation control plan is implemented, soil p. H is maintained at about 6. 0, the isolation distances are being maintained and that the access, harvest and grazing restrictions are being met. DEP and the county conservation districts actively inspect these sites during application to ensure that these requirements are being met.

In addition to site management, each permit holder is responsible for maintaining proper records. These records must demonstrate that the biosolids being applied meet the specific quality criteria outlined in the permits and that the site management criteria were met during application. This data must be maintained from 5 years to indefinitely, depending on the permit and whether the information concerns biosolids quality or the application site. DEP also receives this data yearly. The information is reviewed and is made available for public review.

The DEP regional offices are responsible for the permitting and inspection activities that occur in their respective areas. Regional contacts are as follows: Northwest Region: 814 -332 -6848 Northcentral Region: 570 -327 -3655 Northeast Region: 570 -830 -3082 Southwest Region: 412 -442 -4150 Southcentral Region: 717 -705 -4786 Southeast Region: 610 -832 -6091 Questions or concerns can be directed to the DEP regional office where the application or generation site is located.