biosolids use and regulation in pennsylvania pennsylvania department of environmental protection

BIOSOLIDSBIOSOLIDS

USE AND REGULATION IN PENNSYLVANIA

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

What are What are BIOSOLIDSBIOSOLIDS??

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)AndSolids and liquids from residential septic tanks, holding tanks and other treatment units

Beneficial Uses of Beneficial Uses of BIOSOLIDSBIOSOLIDS

Mine Reclamation Forestry

Gardening/LandscapingAgricultural Use

Regulation of Regulation of BIOSOLIDSBIOSOLIDS

Regulated in Pennsylvania since 1977

In 1997:

DEP Waste DEP Water Management Management

Site Criteria Biosolids Quality

BENEFICIAL USEOF BIOSOLIDS

GENERAL PERMIT

COVERAGE UNDERTHE GENERAL

PERMIT

APPLICATIONSITE

ISSUED BY DEP

STANDARD CONDITIONS

FOR GENERATORS OF BIOSOLIDS AND LAND APPLIERS OF RESIDENTIAL SEPTAGE

SUBMITTAL OF NOTICE OF INTENT

APPROVED BY DEP

SITE MEETS SPECIFIC CRITERIA

NOTICE PROVIDED TO NEIGHBORS, DEP AND COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICTS

APPROVED BY DEP

BIOSOLIDS CLASSIFICATIONS

EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY

NON-EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY

RESIDENTIAL SEPTAGE

BASED ON: PATHOGEN REDUCTION VECTOR ATTRACTION REDUCTION POLLUTANT CONCENTRATIONS

PAG-07

PAG-08

PAG-09

GENERAL PERMITS

PATHOGEN REDUCTION ALTERNATIVES

PROCESS CONTROLS

PROCESS MONITORING

INDICATOR ORGANISMS

PROCESS CONTROLS

PROCESS MONITORING

SITE MANAGEMENT

VECTOR ATTRACTION REDUCTION OPTIONS

POLLUTANTSPOLLUTANTS•ARSENIC

•CADMIUM•COPPER

•LEAD•MERCURY

•MOLYBDENUM•NICKEL

•SELENIUM•ZINC

•PCBs

NUTRIENTSNUTRIENTS

•NITROGEN

•PHOSPHORUS

•POTASSIUM

•Calcium•Magnesium•Sulfur•Copper•Boron•Iron•Selenium

Application rates are based on the nitrogen need of the cropGreater rates may be approved for reclamation sites

Exceptional Quality Exceptional Quality BIOSOLIDSBIOSOLIDS

Application rates cannot exceed agronomic loading rate

Must be non-liquid and non-recognizable as human waste

For distribution, either in bulk or in a bag, a label or information sheet is needed.

SITE SUITABILITYSITE SUITABILITY Exceptional Value Waters and Endangered and Threatened Species Isolation distances from:

• Residences• Water Supplies• Regional and seasonal high water table• Streams• Sinkholes• Exceptional Value Wetlands

Slopes Conservation or Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan Nutrient needs

PAG-08 and 09

NOTIFICATIONSNOTIFICATIONS

30 Days prior to first application by a permit holder

• Adjacent property owners (letters & signs)

• County conservation district

• DEP

7 Days prior to first application by a permit holder

• Occupant of the land receives an instruction sheet

PAG-08 and 09

Coordination with Farmer or Operator

Storage and Staging

Isolation Distances

Soil pH

Application

Screening

Weather and Field Conditions

Transportation

Farm Conservation or E & S Plan

Access, Harvest and Grazing Restrictions

SITE MANAGEMENTSITE MANAGEMENTPAG-08 and 09

RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTINGRECORDKEEPING AND REPORTINGPAG-07 PAG-08 PAG-09Quality Data

Responsible Party Certification

Amount Sold or Given Away

Amount and Location of Bulk Applications

Data Maintained for 5 Years

Quality Data

Responsible Party Certification

2-Part Form Biosolids Quality Application Site

Quality Data Maintained for 5 Years

Application Site Data Maintained Indefinitely

Quality Data

Responsible Party Certification

One Form Septage

Quality Application

Site

Data Maintained for 5 Years

Questions & ComplaintsQuestions & ComplaintsNorthwest Region814-332-6945

Northcentral Region570-327-3636

Northeast Region570-826-2511

Southwest Region412-442-4000

Southcentral Region717-705-4700

Southeast Region610-832-6000