Understanding Class A and Pathogen Equivalency

1. Mark C. Meckes U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development Senior Research Microbiologist Chair: Pathogen Equivalency Committee Northwest Biosolids Management Association Annual Conference Chelan, WA September 19-21, 2010 Understanding Class A and Pathogen Equivalency

2. Overview • Wastewater sources • Classifying biosolids and treatment alternatives • Vector attraction reduction • Process equivalency • The Pathogen Equivalency Committee (PEC) • Web resources: www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pec • The road to demonstrating equivalency (the process) • Some of those on the road • Research

3. SOURCES OF WASTEWATER & ASSOCIATED MICROORGANISMS

4. Sources of microorganisms • Contributors to municipal wastewater collection systems. • Homes. • Commercial establishments. • Hospitals. • Industries. • Storm water.

5. Human pathogens • 1415 species of infectious organisms. • 538 bacteria and rickettsiae. • 217 viruses. • 307 fungi. • 287 helminths. • 66 protozoa. Source: Taylor, Latham & Woolhouse, 2001

6. AeromonasE BurkholderiaE Campylobacter Clostridium perfringensI E.coliE Pathogenic Helicobacter pyloriE Legionella Leptospira* Listeria Mycobacterium Neisseria meningitidisE Pseudomonas Salmonella Shigella StaphylococcusI StreptococcusI Vibrio cholerae* Yersinia enterocolitica Pathogenic bacteria of concern

7. Antibiotic resistant bacteria • Affect control of bacterial infections. • Caused by: • Prophylactic dosages in medicine. • Recurring infections – increased doses. • Prophylactic dosages in animal husbandry. • Discharges from manufacturing processes. • Genetic exchanges. • Competitive advantage.

8. Biosolids: Schematic Representation Treated Discharge Wastewater Clarifier Clarifier Oxidation Solids treatment • Solids treatments: • Dewater and dispose • Beneficial reuse • Energy recovery • Land application

9. CURRENT PRODUCTION & MANAGEMENT OF SLUDGE/BIOSOLIDS • Produce 7 MILLION DMT/Y • 54 % IS LAND APPLIED/BENEFICIALLY USED • 18 % IS SURFACE DISPOSED

10. Classification of sludge treatmentsFederal Regulations Federal Register Vol. 58, No. 32 February 19, 1993 Subpart D-Pathogens and Vector Attraction Reduction • Class B – Some pathogens present. Site restrictions are required. • Class A – Free of measurable pathogens. No site restrictions required. • Vector Attraction Reduction is required regardless of Class.

11. 40 CFR 503 Subpart DClass B Alternatives • Alternative 1 Monitoring of fecal coliform • Seven samples of treated sewage sludge collected at the time of use or disposal. • Geometric mean of the samples must be less than 2 million per gram dry weight. • Alternative 2 Use of a PSRP process. • Aerobic digestion • Anaerobic digestion • Composting • Lime addition • Air drying • Alternative 3 Use of processes equivalent to PSRP

12. Alternative Percentage of Total Systems 1 – Testing 27 2 – PSRP 71 3 – PSRP Equivalent 2 Class B Processing Alternatives

13. AEROBIC DIGESTION ANAEROBIC DIGESTION CHEMICAL (LIME) COMPOSTING OTHER 36 % 38 % 9 % 12 % 5 % PSRP PROCESS EMPLOYMENT

14. Class A vs.Class B

15. CLASS A Approach 1. Thermal Treatment – Batch reactors or plug flow conditions. Time at temperature restrictions based upon solids content. 2. Alkaline Treatment + heat (≥52°) 3. Prior Testing for Enteric Virus & Viable Helminth 4. Routine monitoring of each batch of treated sewage sludge. 5. Use one of the Processes to Further Reduce Pathogens (PFRP) – composting, heat drying. 6. Use PFRP Equivalent Process.

16. Microbiological standards(40 CFR 503) • Class A: At the time of use or disposal (dry weight) : • 1000 fecal coliform/g or <3 salmonellae/4g • <1pfu enterovirus/4g • <1viable helminth ova/4g • Class B: • Use of a PSRP or equivalent process or <2 million fecal coliform/g at the time of use or disposal.

17. 40 CFR 503 Subpart DClass A Alternatives • Alternative 1 (19 %) Time and temperature. • Derived from experience with fluids; all parts of sludge must meet the requirements for time and temperature. • In general these processes are limited to batch reactors or plug flow rather than continuous flow reactors. • Alternative 2 (12 %) Alkaline treatment at elevated temperature. • The process partially described here is that of N-Viro’s PFRP equivalent process. • Alternative 3 (4 %) Monitoring. • This is sometimes labeled a “self equivalency.” • Demonstration of PFRP equivalency (Alternative 6)

18. 40 CFR 503 Subpart DClass A Alternatives • Alternative 4(9 %) AKA: Orphaned sludge rule. • Limitations and/or concerns include the cost of analyses. • Limited availability of qualified laboratories. • Adequate sampling plan. • Absence of enteric viruses and helminth ova does not insure the absence of other pathogenic organisms. • Alternative 5(52 %) PFRP Processes. • Composting, pasteurization, and heat drying are most frequently used. • Limitations of Add on Processes: (Like irradiation and pasteurization) – Be aware of vector attraction concerns.

19. ALTERNATIVE 5: PFRP PROCESSES TO FURTHER REDUCE PATHOGENS

20. Pathogen Equivalency Committee Office of Science & Technology Office of Wastewater Management Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) U.S. EPA National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health Office of Research & Development Office of Water National Center for Environmental Health Regional Offices Region VIII National Exposure Research Laboratory National Homeland Security Research Center National Risk Management Research Laboratory (chair) Alternative 6 ~ Equivalent processes • Created in 1985 to provide technical expertise to permitting authorities on PFRP/PSRP Equivalencies • 11 members with direct or related expertise and diverse points of view • Microbiology • Virology • Parasitology • Medicine • Environmental engineering • Wastewater treatment • Industrial hygiene • Federal regulations

21. Requirements for Reducing Vector Attraction • Vector - Living organisms capable of transmitting a pathogen from one living organism to another. • Intent: Decrease transport of pathogens • Organisms most likely to serve as vectors • Insects • Rodents and other small mammals • Birds

22. Vector Attraction Reduction Options • Reduction in volatile solids (>38%) • Additional anaerobic digestion (<17%) • Additional aerobic digestion (<15%) • Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate ≤ 1.5mg/hr/g • Aerobic process > 40°C • Addition of Alkali pH≥12 2hr, pH≥11.5 22hr • Moisture reduction stabilized solids - 75% • Moisture reduction unstabilized solids – 90% • Subsurface injection • Incorporation within 6 hours • Daily cover (surface disposal sites only)

23. Method POTW Estimate (based on 4500) 38% VSR 1535 SOUR 669 14 Day @ 40ºC 204 pH 12 – 22hr 448 Inject 588 Incorporate 361 VAR Usage by POTWs

24. VECTOR ATTRACTION REDUCTION • THE CALCULATION OF 38 PERCENT VOLATILE SOLIDS REDUCTION IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR COMPOST • THE SOUR TEST SHOULD BE RUN ONLY ON AEROBICALLY DIGESTED LIQUID SLUDGES PROCESSED BETWEEN 10 AND 30 DEGREES; THE SOUR TEST SHOULD BE RUN AT THE TEMPERATURE AT WHICH THE SEWAGE SLUDGE WAS PROCESSED • THE SOUR TEST IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR SOLIDS; IT SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR COMPOST OR DRIED SLUDGE PRODUCTS

25. VECTOR ATTRACTION REDUCTION • PRODUCTS THAT HAVE BEEN STABILIZED BY ADDING LIME TO RAISE THE pH SHOULD BE DISTRIBUTED AND USED BEFORE pH DROPS BELOW 10.5 • HEAT-DRIED PRODUCTS SHOULD BE STORED UNDER COVER SO THAT MOISTURE IS NOT RE-INTRODUCED

26. Pathogen Equivalency Committee Office of Science & Technology Office of Wastewater Management Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) U.S. EPA National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health Office of Research & Development Office of Water National Center for Environmental Health Regional Offices Region VIII National Exposure Research Laboratory National Homeland Security Research Center National Risk Management Research Laboratory (chair) Alternative 6 ~ Equivalent processes • Created in 1985 to provide technical expertise to permitting authorities on PFRP/PSRP Equivalencies • 11 members with direct or related expertise and diverse points of view • Microbiology • Virology • Parasitology • Medicine • Environmental engineering • Wastewater treatment • Industrial hygiene • Federal regulations

27. www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pec Website Resources

28. www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pec Website Resources How to Apply page

29. www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pec Website Resources • Treatment plant where testing will occur has already been identified • Coordinator Locator page • Contact permitting authority first if applicable • A must for site-specific cases • Specific region targeted • Permitting authority will make initial contact with PEC • Contact PEC directly otherwise • General mailbox: pec@epa.gov

30. QAPP • QAPP = Quality Assurance Project Plan • Provides framework and details for sampling and analysis • Ensures the validity of the data • Now REQUIRED! • Prior agreement with PEC on QAPP will save time and $ • Head start on application

31. QAPP www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pec Website Resources • QAPP page • QAPP guidelines - annotated outline • Example QAPPs • A checklist used by the PEC to review • A list of applicable analytical methods, plus links • Equivalency Criteria page • Provides QAPP objectives • 4 necessary criteria: • Identify Critical Process Parameters • Verify Pathogen Reduction • Demonstrate scale-up • Provide Appropriate Documentation (i.e., QAPP) - Treatment time - Temperature - Chemical dosing - pH - %TS range - etc.

32. QAPP Phase www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pec Website Resources PSRP Equivalency: ≥ 2 log red. FC*; and ≤ 2,000,000 MPN or CFU/g TS FC in treated sludge PFRP Equivalency: ≥ 3 log red. enteric viruses; ≥ 2 log red. viable helminth (Ascaris) ova; ≥ 3 log red. FC*; and ≤ 1 pfu/4 g TS total enteric viruses; ≤ 3 viable helminth (Ascaris) ova/4 g TS; ≤ 1,000 MPN FC/ g TS or ≤ 3 MPN Salmonella spp./4 g TS *FC can be replaced by E. coli, Enterococcus, or Salmonella (PFRP only) • QAPP page • QAPP guidelines - annotated outline • Example QAPPs • A checklist used by the PEC to review • A list of applicable analytical methods, plus links • Equivalency Criteria page • Provides QAPP objectives • 4 necessary criteria: • Identify Critical Process Parameters • Verify Pathogen Reduction • Demonstrate scale-up • Provide Appropriate Documentation (i.e., QAPP) - Treatment time - Temperature - Chemical dosing - pH - %TS range - etc.

33. QAPP Phase www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pec Website Resources PSRP Equivalency: ≥ 2 log red. FC*; and ≤ 2,000,000 MPN or CFU/g TS FC in treated sludge PFRP Equivalency: ≥ 3 log red. enteric viruses; ≥ 2 log red. viable helminth (Ascaris) ova; ≥ 3 log red. FC*; and ≤ 1 pfu/4 g TS total enteric viruses; ≤ 3 viable helminth (Ascaris) ova/4 g TS; ≤ 1,000 MPN FC/ g TS or ≤ 3 MPN Salmonella spp./4 g TS *FC can be replaced by E. coli, Enterococcus, or Salmonella (PFRP only) • QAPP page • QAPP guidelines - annotated outline • Example QAPPs • A checklist used by the PEC to review • A list of applicable analytical methods, plus links • Equivalency Criteria page • Provides QAPP objectives • 4 necessary criteria: • Identify Critical Process Parameters • Verify Pathogen Reduction • Demonstrate scale-up • Provide Appropriate Documentation (i.e., QAPP) Issues with spiking make verification difficult at full-scale. Lab-scale verification. Use of surrogates may be necessary.

34. www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pec Website Resources How to Apply page • Application Guidelines • New Equivalency Application Package Form • Ready-made fill-in form • summary information & attachment list • Detailed line-by-line instructions

35. Autothermal Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion (ATAD) • ATAD is a two-stage, autothermal aerobic digestion process. The stages are of equal volume. Treated sludge amounting to 1/3 the volume of a stage is removed every 24 hours from the second stage as product. An equal amount then is taken from the first stage and fed to the second stage. Similarly, an equal amount of untreated sludge is then fed to the first stage. In the 24-hour period between feedings, the sludge in both stages is vigorously agitated and contacted with air. Bio-oxidation takes place and the heat produced increases the temperature. Sludge temperature in the reactors averages between 56 and 57°C for ≥ a 16-hour period, while the overall hydraulic residence time is 6 days.

36. Alkaline Stabilization • Manchak process uses quicklime to simultaneously stabilize and pasteurize biosolids. • Quicklime, or a combination of quicklime and flyash, is mixed with dewatered biosolids at a predetermined rate in a confined space. An instant exothermic reaction is created in the product wherein the pH is raised in excess of 12 after two hours of contact, in addition, the temperature is raised in excess of 70°C for > 30 minutes.

37. OxyOzonation • Operation occurs in a batch mode and under the following conditions: • sludge temperature of > 20°C • sludge solids of < 6% TSS • pH during ozonation of 2.5 - 3.1 • pH during nitrite contact of 2.6 - 3.5 • ORP after ozonation of > 100 mV • nitrite dose of ≥ 670 mg (NO2)/1 sludge or 16 g (NO2)/kg sludge solids, whichever is greater is to be mixed into the ozonated sludge. • Ozonation takes place in a pressure vessel at 60 psig.

38. On the road to equivalency

39. ID 2PAD SYSTEM TWO PHASEANAEROBIC DIGESTION

40. Sewage sludge is treated in the absence of air in an acidogenic thermophilic reactor and a mesophilic methanogenic reactor connected in series. The mean cell residence time shall be at least 2.1 days (± 0.05 d) in the acidogenic thermophilic reactor followed by 10.5 days (± 0.3 d) in the mesophilic methanogenic reactor. Feeding of each digester shall be intermittent and occurring 4 times per day every 6 hours. The mesophilic methanogenic reactor shall be fed in priority from the acidogenic thermophilic reactor. Between two consecutive feedings, temperature inside the acidogenic thermophilic reactor should be between 49°C and 55°C with 55°C maintained during at least 2.8 hours. Temperature inside the mesophilic methanogenic reactor shall be constant and at least 37°C. Lyonnaise des Eaux’s Two-Phase Thermo-Meso Feed Sequencing Anaerobic Digestion Process

41. PERFORMANCE OF 2PAD SYSTEM PILOT PLANT

43. Schwing-Bioset INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE, TIME, % AMMONIA, & PRESSURE ON ASCARIS INACTIVATION

44. PEC’S RECOMMENDATION OF The BIOSET PROCESS AS A PFRP • The sludge is held at a temperature of 55̊C or greater for a minimum of 25 minutes. • The solids content of the sludge being treated is in the range of 6% to 35%. • The ammonia content in the reactor is 1% (10,000 mg/L) on a volume basis. • The pressure in the reactor is 30 psi. • The amount of lime added is 0.55 to 0.75 lbs. lime to 1 dry lb. of sludge. • The amount of acid added is 8 to 10 lbs. per dry ton of sludge. • The pH is greater than 12.

46. CHARACTERISTICS OF BCR’s NEUTRALIZER PROCESS

47. DISINFECTION CAPABILITY OF BCR’s NEUTRALIZER PROCESS

48. Vermicomposting