Biosolids Management in New England

presented to Nova Scotia Ministry of Environment & Labour

Forum on Biosolids ScienceJune 13, 2005

Ned Beecher, Executive Director, NEBRA

bi s lids…biosolid n. (1990): solid organic matter recovered from a sewage treatment process and used especially as fertilizer -- usually used in plural --Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Ed.

biosolids: plural noun: organic matter recycled from sewage, especially for use in agriculture --New Oxford Dictionary of English, 1998

Outline of presentation

Biosolids management & trends U. S. New England

Examples of current operations & uses Class B: farm uses (lime treated, anaerobic) Class B: land reclamation (lime treated, anaerobic) Class A: bulk advanced alkaline treatments Class A: heat dried pellets Class A: compost

Issues & challenges

Biosolids management & trends…

United States…

About 16,000 wastewater treatment facilities. Produced ~ 6.9 million tons in 1998 (EPA, 1999) ~ 60% applied to land in 1998 (EPA, 1999)

Estimated 7.1 million tons in 2005, 66% to land? Majority is Class B land applied, but trend is to more

Class A Public scrutiny and concern increasing some Improving products & practices

History of U. S. Federal Regulations - “Part 503”

Clean Water Act Section 405 – risk-based limits for pollutants “which may adversely affect public health and the environment”

Round One (final rule 2/93) – pollutants for which information initially available; screened 350+ pollutants

Developed with input from researchers around the country Self-implementing Several management requirements Similar pathogen & vector attraction-reduction as before (Part 257) Pollutant limits based on risk assessment (metals, chemicals)

Land application: limits for 9 metals Surface disposal: limits for 3 metals Incineration: limits for 7 metals and total hydrocarbons

1996 review by National Academy of Sciences: “negligible risk” Case for Caution by Harrison et al. (1999), plus other critiques How safe to be? Risk assessment vs. precautionary

History of U. S. Federal Regulations (cont’d)

Part 503 round 2 – additional pollutants (31) examined based on new information available

Dioxins and related compounds targeted 2001 & 2002: dioxin not to be regulated for surface disposal,

incineration, and land application Inspector General: EPA does not have information to determine if

human health & environment are protected 2002 review by National Academy of Sciences: no document

harm, but persistent uncertainties and need for updated science Research proceeding (WERF, EPA bioaerosols, Sustainable Land

Application conference (JEQ)

Biosolids management & trends… New England Data (2000)

Most U. S. states have own, more stringent regulations About 600 publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities

in New England Produce approximately 434,000 dry tons of sewage

sludge. 96,000 dry tons (22%) of regional sewage sludge is

recycled as biosolids fertilizer & soil amendment products About 18% was treated to Class B standards; 82% treated

to Class A New England more densely populated, less agriculture

(from Saving Soil: Biosolids Recycling in New England, a 2001 NEBRA report from www.nebiosolids.org)

New England Data (cont’d)

Estimated 3.7 million lbs (est.) nitrogen from 96,000 dry tons recycled biosolids in 2000.

Equivalent chemical fertilizer nitrogen would have cost an estimated $1.3 million in 2000 (more now, as N fertilizer prices are up).

96,000 dry tons of biosolids would have required 350,000 cubic yards (est.) of landfill space – equivalent of 6 landfills each the size of a football field & 33 feet deep!

New England Data (2000, VT 1999)...

ME – 77% (treated for beneficial use in agriculture & general landscaping); Class B declining

VT – 75% (primarily through composting, much of this in Quebec)

NH – 30% (down from 50% in 1996 mainly due to stricter state & local land application regulations)

MA – 20% (almost all Class A material including Boston’s MWRA heat dried “Bay State Fertilizer”); this has increased since 2002 with Greater Lawrence heat dried

CT & RI – each below 10%, composted Compost markets are strong & growing

New England Biosolids Recycling Rates (2000 data)

Maine (2004 data, ME DEP)

Tot. cu.yds.compost OR NViro: 93,622 (72,693 cu. meters)

Tot. cu.yds. stockpiled: 2,618 (2,033 cu. meters)

Tot. cu.yds. landfill: 32,989 (25,614 cu. meters)

Tot. cu.yds. out-of-state: 18,114 (14,065 cu. meters)

Tot. cu.yds. other use: 0

TOTAL ALL: 168,824 cu. yds (131,084 cu. meters)

~30,000 dry tons (~27,000 metric tonnes)

Photos : New England Organics, Inc.

Spectacle Island, Harbor Islands National Park, Boston Harbor

Diverse Biosolids Uses

Bulk / Class B programs...

• 2001: Nashua changes from disposal at landfill to recycling, with new anaerobic digester• The digester complex generates electricity, reduces amount and odors of biosolids, and saves ratepayers about $750,000 a year in operating costs.• Class B biosolids used on farms• Boston also uses egg-shaped digesters and recovers energy

Bulk Class A & B, lime-treated, Concord, NH biosolids are applied to local fields growing feed corn for dairy cows.

Ogunquit, Maine specialized town truck to top-dresses Ogunquit Class B biosolids on nearby farm fields for grass hay.

Land Reclamation

a two-year-old NH reclaimed gravel pit

the “manufactured topsoil” develops a sustainable soil ecosystem

a one-year-old NH reclaimed gravel pit

Keene, NH Landfill

after capping with

manufactured topsoil

Keene, NH

September,2001 photo

(from the First Annual New England Biosolids Parade - www.nebiosolids.org)

Photo: Keene / Resource Management, Inc.

Massachusetts Water

Resources AuthorityDeer Island WWTF

Boston Harbor

Egg-shaped digesters treat the sewage sludge from

Boston and 42 other communities before it is heat-dried and pelletized

to make a fertilizer product.

(from the First Annual New England Biosolids Parade - www.nebiosolids.org)

Class A programs

Photo: MWRA

Massachusetts WaterResources Authority

and

New England Fertilizer Company (NEFCO)

Quincy, MA

Operations CommencedDecember, 1991

Biosolids Drying andPelletizing to Produce aSlow-Release Fertilizer

(from the First Annual New England Biosolids Parade - www.nebiosolids.org)

Greater LawrenceSanitary District

and

New England Fertilizer Company (NEFCO)

North Andover, MA

Operations CommencedDecember, 2002

Biosolids Drying andPelletizing to Produce aSlow-Release Fertilizer

(from the First Annual New England Biosolids Parade - www.nebiosolids.org)

Castle Island, South Boston

...some MWRA uses right close to

home...

The Esplanade along the

Charles River is fertilized

with Bay State Fertilizer.

NEFCO ships to Florida to fertilize orange trees and to the Midwest for fertilizer blending and to Colorado for use on

ranches and…

Photos : MWRA.

Innovative Earth Solutions / Soil Preparation, Inc.

Plymouth, Maine

NViro Soil (Class A alkaline treated)

Merrimack, NH biosolids compost

Merrimack, New Hampshire

Nourishing Green Parks and Fairways

New England Golf CourseThe Great Lawn, Central Park NYC

Photos: Merrimack / Agresource

Hawk Ridge in Unity, Maine

Largest private composting operation in New England

More composting...

Compostingbiosolids produces a Class A biosolids product that can be used anywhere...

Williamstown, MA

Ipswich, MA Agresource compost operation.

A Maine outdoor “windrow” biosolids compost operation.

Photo: Agresource.

LAWPCA Compost Facility

Auburn, ME1988 - present

Sited with plenty of space around it, this biosolids compost facility

has operated steadily since the late 1980s.

Lewiston-Auburn Water Pollution Control AuthorityLewiston-Auburn, ME

(from the First Annual New England Biosolids Parade - www.nebiosolids.org)

GSI Compost FacilityNear Sherbrooke, QU

September, 2002

Wastewater solids from around northern New England,

including all of the Burlington area, is composted in

Quebec and made into various soil amendments

and products.

GSI EnvironnementSherbrooke, QU

(from the First Annual New England Biosolids Parade - www.nebiosolids.org)

More compost uses...

…sports fields... A Tufts University football field is topdressed with biosolids compost.

This constructed wetland along a NH highway has soil made with biosolids compost.

…and wetlands...

Maine’s Colby College uses biosolids compost on sports turf.

Photo: Agresource.Photo: New England Organics

Current issues / concerns

Sewage sludge contains more than just human waste; it also contains…

“heavy” metals

chemicals

pathogens (disease-causing micro-organisms) mostly in Class B

Sewage sludge and biosolids can have odors

Political landscape

Some political interest at national & state levels EPA Office of Inspector General, National

Academy of Sciences reports About 17% of NH towns have severe restrictions.

A few Maine and Massachusetts towns too. Attempts nationally and in states for stopping land

application have failed (e.g. Center for Food Safety petition to EPA, but state & local regulations have gotten stricter)

Responding to concerns...

Public concerns are legitimate--people don’t know much about this specialized field and initial negative reactions are natural

People need time to absorb new information Some biosolids management programs are getting

more sensitive, involving the public more Improving practices National Biosolids Partnership - EMS

Current state of the science Large amount of research behind current biosolids management

practices & regulations EPA Risk Assessment - 503 Rule (with W-170 input) Several long-term studies: e.g. Pennsylvania land reclamation,

Rosemount farm use, Chicago Prairie Plan, King County forests Review by the National Academy of Sciences 1996 Review by the National Academy of Sciences 2002 Every decade “state-of-the-science” conference (last in 2004) BUT there are still going to some questions regarding risks of biosolids

management: currently odors/bioaerosols, ecological impacts of trace chemicals (PDBEs, endocrine disruptors)

Bottom line (my opinion)

On-going scientific research and debate are necessary and should continue, but…

…decades of experience and research have led many knowledgeable researchers to conclude that current best biosolids management practices

represent relatively low risk to public health and the environment.

But it has to be done right and assurance of that is key!

Thank you!

New England Biosolids and Residuals AssociationP. O. Box 422 / Tamworth, NH 03886 USA

phone 603-323-7654 / info@nebiosolids.orgwww.nebiosolids.org

Cooperatively promoting the environmentally sound recycling of biosolids and other residuals.

N.E. Trace Metals Averages

Nova Scotia Guidance (May 04) Trace Metals Limits (mg/kg dry weight)

Metal Exceptnl Quality

Class A / B Compare NH Standard

(regular / low metals)

Arsenic 13 75 32 / 10

Cadmium 3 20 14 / 10

Chromium 210 1060 1000 / 160

Cobalt 34 150 Not regulated

Copper 400 760 1500 / 1000

Mercury 0.8 5 10 / 7

Molybdenum 5 20 35 / 18

Nickel 62 180 200 / 98

Lead 150 500 300 / 270

Selenium 2 14 28 / 18

Zinc 700 1850 2500 / 1780

N.E. trace metals of greatest environmental concern: arsenic (As)

0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 30.00 35.00 40.00 45.00

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

Chart 3.12: Average Concentrations of Arsenic in New England Biosolids

New Hampshire

Maine

Massachusetts

Vermont

FederalStandard

Parts per million (mg/kg)

NOTE: Federal U. S. standards shown for comparison are the strictest (EQ) standards. NS guidelines EQ = 13 ppm

N.E. trace metals of greatest environmental concern: cadmium (Cd)

NOTE: Federal U. S. standards shown for comparison are the strictest (EQ) standards. NS guidelines EQ = 3 ppm.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

Chart 3.13: Average Concentrations of Cadmium in New England Biosolids

New HampshireMaineMassachusettsVermontFederal Standard

Parts per million (mg/kg)

N.E. trace metals of greatest environmental concern: lead (Pb)

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

Chart 3.14: Average Concentrations of Lead in New England Biosolids

New HampshireMaineMassachusettsVermontFederal Standard

Parts per million (mg/kg)

NOTE: Federal standards shown for comparison are the strictest (EQ) standards. NS guidelines EQ = 150 ppm.

N.E. trace metals of greatest environmental concern: mercury (Hg)

NOTE: Federal standards shown for comparison are the strictest (EQ) standards. NS guidelines EQ = 0.8 ppm.

0 3 6 9 12 15 18

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

Chart 3.15: Average Concentrations of Mercury in New England Biosolids

New HampshireMaineMassachusettsVermontFederal Standard

Parts per million (mg/kg)

Chart 3.2: Reported Averages (or Ranges) of Trace Metals Levels in Other Materials (ppm or mg/kg)

Trace Metal DairyManure (4)

Dairy Manure (3)

Feedlot Manure (2)

Pig Waste (2)

Swine Manure (3)

Poultry Litter (2)

Chicken Manure (3)

Arsenic (As) 0.26 0.88 NA 3.7 NA 30 0.66

Cadmium (Cd) 0.32 0.03 0.2 ND 0.32 ND 0.59

Chromium (Cr) 5.2 20 NA 61 NA 20 4.9

Copper (Cu) 41 11.6 2.0 501 14.3 1195 13

Lead (Pb) 6.6 2.1 0.2 ND 1 12 11.5

Mercury (Hg) 0.09 0.05 NA ND NA NA 0.04

Molybdenum(Mo) 2.5 22.1 NA 7.9 22.6 NA 95.3

Nickel (Ni) 7.8 3.3 NA 29.3 NA NA 3.9

Selenium (Se) 0.5 NA 5000 ND NA NA NA

Zinc (Zn) 215 21 8 656 60 631 297

PhosphorusFertilizer (5)

PhosphorusFertilizers

(ranges) (6)

MSW Compost(6)

Wood Ash (7) AgriculturalSoils (4)

Silty/LoamSoils (1)

Miracle-Gro®

(fertilizer)

Rite-AidCentral Vite®

(vitamins)

As 1 2 - 1200 NA 7 6 8.4

Cd 101 0.1 - 170 7.6 6.3 0.06 0.45

Cr 320 66 - 245 40 14 100 51 83

Cu 5.9 1 - 300 471 45 20 23 700 1276

Pb 5.6 7 - 225 496 39 10 28

Hg 0.1 0.01 - 1.2 4.1 0.06 0.03 0.1

Mo 7.0 40 - 2000 NA 4.7 2 5 102

Ni 303 7 43.4 19 40 26 3.2

Se NA NA 0.63 0.2 NA 12.8

Zn 1070 50 - 1450 902 537 60 600 9573

• - From Kabata-Pendias and Pendias, as reported in National Biosolids Partnership, 2000.• - From Alpert, 1999• - ASAE Standards, as reported in National Biosolids Partnership, 2000.• - From Estes, University of New Hampshire, as reported by NH Dept. of Env. Svcs• - From Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage Dist, Mi lorganite Division, as reported by NH Dept. of Environmental Services.• - From. Univ. of MN soil science department, as reported in National Biosolids Partnership, 2000.• - As reported by White Mountian Resource Mgmt, Inc. for ash from electricity generation using only native tree wood chips.NA = Not available; ND = Not detected.

Trace metals in other agricultural materials, for comparison

Calculating Accumulation of Metals in Soils From a Typical Bulk Biosolids Application

Typical chemicals of possible concern

Chemical Content of Sludge/Biosolids(from Carpenter, 2000)

Sludge is engineered to capture…• organic matter• nutrients (especially nitrogen and phosphorous)

Sludge also favors retention of • insoluble compounds• non-, or semi-volatile compounds• non-readily degradable compounds• compounds that are strongly sorbed to organic matter

In some cases, the management of wastewater treatment plants may result in sludge containing metabolites of organic matter decomposition

In many ways, the chemical quality of sludge is representative of the the chemical quality of our environment

Dioxin Concentrations in Biosolids(from Carpenter, 2000)

1 Data taken from Jones, K.C. and A.P. Stewart 1996. Dioxins and furans in sewage sludges

2 Non-detects were reported as 1/2 the detection limit when calculating TEQ values

Mean MedianSamplingyears

Number ofsamples

ppt (dry weight)

Maine 1995-1997 31 6.3 5.4

New Hampshire 1999/2000 95 5.2 3.5

Vermont 1997 28 11.2 8.6

NSSS 1988 208 831 371

Pathogens

Public concern, especially emerging pathogens Advances in detection & science A focus of the 2002 National Academy of Sciences review Continued research needed & expected Current treatment technologies likely to treat for emerging

pathogens also Most exposed are operators; public much less exposed

(although exposures may not be comparable) Be concerned about neighbors - best management needed Ensure proper treatment!

Odors/Bioaerosols

A common trigger of public concern Current research identifying specific compounds

(EPA/USDA) and potential effects

Enforcement & Oversight Critical for public confidence Independent oversight / local involvement

Reviewing policy… look at scientific summaries.

In 1996, the lead U. S. scientific body, the National Academy of Sciences, reviewed biosolids recycling and concluded:

“In summary, society produces large volumes of treated municipal wastewater and sewage sludge that must be either disposed of or reused. While no disposal or reuse option can guarantee complete safety, the use of these materials in the production of crops for human consumption, when practiced in accordance with existing federal guidelines and regulations, present negligible risk to the consumer, to crop production, and to the environment.”

U. S. National Academy of Sciences 2002 review:

“There is no documented scientific evidence that the Part 503 rule has failed to protect public health. However, additional scientific work is needed to reduce persistent uncertainty about the potential for adverse human health effects from exposure to biosolids. There have been anecdotal allegations of disease, and many scientific advances have occurred since the Part 503 rule was promulgated. To assure the public and to protect public health, there is a criticalneed to update the scientific basis of the rule to (1) ensure that the chemical and pathogen standards are supported by current scientific data and risk-assessment methods, (2) demonstrate effective enforcement of the Part 503 rule, and (3) validate the effectiveness of biosolids management practices.”

Thank you!

New England Biosolids and Residuals AssociationP. O. Box 422 / Tamworth, NH 03886 USA

phone 603-323-7654 / info@nebiosolids.orgwww.nebiosolids.org

Cooperatively promoting the environmentally sound recycling of biosolids and other residuals.