Land Application of Sewage Sludge

1. 1 Land Application of Sewage Sludge Commission on the Future of Virginia�s Environment May 28, 2002

2. 2 DEQ�s Role VPDES Permit required for sewage treatment works Permits contain Sludge Management Plans (SMP) SMP identifies sludge management method use (land application by generator or contractor) disposal (landfilling, incineration, surface disposal) DEQ approves the SMP through VPDES permit issuance to sludge generators

3. 3 DEQ�s Legal Authority Clean Water Act, �405(d) 40 CFR Part 503 State Water Control Law, �62.1-44.19:3 VPDES Permit Regulation sludge application requirements EPA technical standards (503 rule)

4. 4 Sludge Generator Options & Obligations Options Land apply themselves (VPDES permit) Contract for land application (contractor secures a VDH permit) Disposal Obligation Responsible for the quality of the sludge that is land applied unless the contractor alters the quality of the sludge prior to land application

5. 5 VPDES permit conditions�...when land applied by generators Sludge quality standards and monitoring metals, pathogen reduction and vector attraction reduction levels, and nutrients Soil monitoring - pH, nutrients, and metals Ground water monitoring for �frequent sites� where sludge is applied more than once every three years Sludge quality data to site owners Notice to adjoining landowners

6. 6 VPDES permit conditions�...when land applied by generators cont�d. Annual reports on sludge monitoring and soil monitoring data facilities discharging > 1MGD Recordkeeping requirements Site management requirements buffers, slope restrictions, nutrient loading, timing, etc consistent with EPA standards and VDH Biosolids Use Regulations

7. 7 VPDES permit conditions�... when land applied by contractors Sludge quality standards and monitoring metals, pathogen reduction and vector attraction reduction levels Provide sludge quality data to contractors Recordkeeping requirements Annual reports on sludge monitoring data facilities discharging > 1 MGD Additional requirements imposed on contractor by VDH

8. 8 Environmental benefits�..when properly applied and managed Provides essential plant nutrients Enhances moisture retention Improves soil fertility and productivity Reduces soil erosion and runoff Saves diminishing landfill space

9. 9 Sludge Quality Standards Agronomic application rates based on nitrogen content usually less than once every three years (infrequent) Timing of application only during the growing season not when the ground is frozen or saturated Methods of application surface application, incorporation or injection Environmental Protection Measures

10. 10 Buffer requirements minimum distances from occupied dwellings, wells or springs, property lines, surface waters, improved roadways, rock outcrops or sinkholes, and agricultural drainage ditches Slope restrictions - < 15% pH management requirements limit lime-stablized sludge application rates to prevent plant micronutrient deficiencies (Mn or Mg) Storage requirements adequate to accommodate periods when sludge cannot be applied (inclement weather, non-growing season) liner specifications and freeboard specifications Environmental Protection Measures