BiosolidsBiosolidsRegulatory ComplianceRegulatory Compliance

2004 Joint RMSAWWA/RMWEAAnnual Conference

September 12-15, 2004

Wesley Carr, Environmental Protection Specialist

CDPHE/WQCD

Why do weNeed

BiosolidsRegulation?

Biosolids RegulationBiosolids Regulation

Biosolids Regulation is Biosolids Regulation is Necessary to:Necessary to:

Protect Public Health

Protect Our Natural Resources

Biosolids Regulation is Biosolids Regulation is Necessary to:Necessary to:

Biosolids Regulation Also Provides Biosolids Regulation Also Provides an Avenue for Beneficial Use…an Avenue for Beneficial Use…

Biosolids in Colorado Biosolids in Colorado are Regulated by…are Regulated by…

EPA Region 8* -

40 CFR Part 503

“The 503s…”

503s are available at:

www.epa.gov/region08/water/wastewater/biohome/biohome.html

*Presently, EPA Region 8 has the ultimate “Authority” over the program and they have implemented a mechanism to regulate facilities – the General Permit

Biosolids in Colorado Biosolids in Colorado are Also Regulated by…are Also Regulated by…

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)*-

Biosolids Regulation No. 64

Regulation 64 is available at:

www.cdphe.state.co.us/op/regs/waterqualityregs.asp

*CDPHE regulates individual application sites via NOAs (permits) which are tied to facilities/contractors

Biosolids in Colorado Biosolids in Colorado may be Regulated by…may be Regulated by…

Select

Counties

Health Departments

& Local Authorities

Contact the local authority

EPA Region 8 Biosolids Program EPA Region 8 Biosolids Program Regulations and AdministrationRegulations and Administration

EPA Region 8 EPA Region 8 General Permit - FacilitiesGeneral Permit - Facilities

Region 8 issued a General Permit effective August 16, 2002 for Colorado facilities whose operations generate, treat, and/or use/dispose of sewage sludge by means of land application, landfill, and surface disposal under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

Any of these activities require coverage under the EPA Region 8 General Permit

Basis for the General PermitBasis for the General Permit

Section 405 of the Clean Water Act40 CFR Part 503

Section 503.7 - Requirement For a Person Who Prepares Sewage Sludge

Any person who prepares sewage sludge shall ensure that the applicable requirements in this part are met when the sewage sludge is applied to the land, placed on a surface disposal site, or fired in a sewage sludge incinerator.

Category 1 – Generate but do not use or dispose

Category 2 – Use or dispose with or without treatment

Category 3 – Lagoon cleanouts

EPA Region 8 EPA Region 8 General Permit CategoriesGeneral Permit Categories

Notice of Intent (NOI) for Notice of Intent (NOI) for Coverage Under the General PermitCoverage Under the General Permit

NOI Requirements

- General Facility Information

- Biosolids Treatment Provided

- Contractor Information

- Biosolids Quality (Pathogens, Metals, VAR)

- Land Application Site Info

NOI Requirements atNOI Requirements atthe Facilitythe Facility

Processing Sewage Sludge to Produce Biosolids Requires Treatment Separate From the Wastewater Treatment Process

Examples: Aerobic Digestion

Anaerobic Digestion

Composting

NOI Requirements atNOI Requirements atThe Facility – Beneficial UseThe Facility – Beneficial Use

Must meet Table I MetalsPathogen Destruction CriteriaVector Attraction Reduction Criteria

NOI Requirements atNOI Requirements atthe Site – Beneficial Usethe Site – Beneficial Use

Similar to the State’s processSite name/ownerLocationSoils dataWaters

NOI Requirements atNOI Requirements atthe Site – Beneficial Usethe Site – Beneficial Use

Management Practices- No harm to Endangered Species- No harm to Historic Sites- Groundwater protection- Frozen/snow covered sites- Wet weather- Storage requirements

NOI Requirements atNOI Requirements atthe Site – Beneficial Usethe Site – Beneficial Use

Agronomic rates- Each cropping cycle- Soil analysis- Cropping history

NOI Requirements atNOI Requirements atthe Site – Deep Soil Monitoringthe Site – Deep Soil Monitoring

< 18” per Year Mean Annual Precip

> 18” per Year Mean Annual Precip

1/5 year application

No Irrigation

No Deep Soil Sampling

No Deep Soil Sampling

>1/5 year application

No Irrigation

No Deep Soil Sampling

Deep Soil Sampling Required

1/5 year application Irrigation

No Deep Soil Sampling

No Deep Soil Sampling

>1/5 year application Irrigation

Deep Soil Sampling Required

Deep Soil Sampling Required

NOI Requirements atNOI Requirements atthe Site – Deep Soil Monitoringthe Site – Deep Soil Monitoring

Deep Soil means 5 feet (principal root zone)

6 Locations per Field or 320 acres Sample every foot at each location down

to five feet- composite - analyze

1’

6

2’

6

3’

6

4’

66

5’

Combine the six 1’ samples in one pail, the

2’s in another, the 3’s in another, etc.

NOI Requirements atNOI Requirements atthe Site – Deep Soil Monitoringthe Site – Deep Soil Monitoring

Other NOI Requirements atOther NOI Requirements atthe Site – Similar to State’sthe Site – Similar to State’s

Phosphorous ControlSite RestrictionsMonitoringRecord KeepingReportingBDMS

State of Colorado Biosolids Program State of Colorado Biosolids Program Regulations and AdministrationRegulations and Administration

The State’s Role in Biosolids The State’s Role in Biosolids Regulation is to:Regulation is to:

…establish requirements, prohibitions, standards and concentration limitations on the use of biosolids as a fertilizer and/or organic soil amendment in a manner so as to protect the public health and prevent the discharge of pollutants into state waters.

Facility Information Biosolids Analysis Information

- Pathogen Reduction

- VAR

- Metals

- Other Physical Characteristics Site Info, Maps Soils Analyses Surface and Ground Water Information Crop/Agronomic Info Biosolids Management Plan

Beneficial Use Requires aBeneficial Use Requires aLetter of Intent (LOI)Letter of Intent (LOI)

Notice is sent to the County Health Department and Commissioners upon receipt by the Division

Health Department or Commissioners may object to the use of biosolids on a particular site

Regulation Section

64.10(A)

Receive Letter of Intent (LOI)Receive Letter of Intent (LOI)

Completeness letter sent out to applicant within 30 days of receipt

The clock stops if LOI is incomplete and restarts after the Division receives the missing information

Regulation Section

64.10(B)

Division ReviewDivision Review

NOA is either issued or denied within 30 days of being determined complete

The applicant is notified in writing if denied and the reasons for denial

Allow for a 30 – 60 day turn-aroundRegulation Section

64.10(C)

Notice of Authorization NOANotice of Authorization NOA

The applicant or other persons affected by the issuance or denial may request a hearing within 30 days of issuance or denial

Only issues of law or fact may be raised at hearing

Regulation Section

64.10(D)

Appeal of Issuance or DenialAppeal of Issuance or Denial

Issuance date Terms for modifications, revocation or termination Biosolids, soils and other monitoring requirements Grazing and cropping restrictions Reporting, record keeping and labeling requirements Public access restrictions A statement of applicable penalties

Regulation Section

64.10(E)

Minimum Terms and ConditionsMinimum Terms and Conditionsof the NOAof the NOA

NOAs do not expire unless terms and conditions have been incorporated

Exception – no NOA may allow application of biosolids in exceedences of the cumulative pollutant loading limitsRegulation Section

64.10(F)

NOA DurationNOA Duration

Regulation Section

64.12

Classification and Use of BiosolidsClassification and Use of Biosolids

Metals Based Classification

Table III, Table I

Pathogen Destruction Criteria

Class A, Class B

Vector Attraction Reduction Methods (VAR)

METALS BASED CLASSIFICATIONMETALS BASED CLASSIFICATIONMaximum Concentration mg/kg dry 64.12(A)Maximum Concentration mg/kg dry 64.12(A)

Table III Table I

Arsenic 41 75

Cadmium 39 85

Copper 1500 4300

Lead 300 840

Mercury 17 57

Molybdenum 75

Nickel 420 420

Selenium 100 100

Zinc 2800 7500

Regulation Section

64.12(B)

Pathogen Destruction CriteriaPathogen Destruction Criteria

Class A Biosolids*

Class B Biosolids*

*with respect to pathogens

Class “A” With Respect to Class “A” With Respect to PathogensPathogens Fecal < 1000 MPN/g or Salmonella s.p. < 3

MPN/4g (based on seven samples per event) AND Use one of 5 approved methods to Further

Reduce Pathogens:– Time/temp depending on solids content– pH/time then dry to at least 50% solids– Testing for enteric viruses/viable helminth ova– Testing – PFRP: composting, heat drying, heat treatment, TAD,

beta ray irradiation, gamma ray irradiation, pasteurization, other as approved by EPA Region 8

Class “B” With Respect to Class “B” With Respect to PathogensPathogens 7 samples - Geometric Mean <2,000,000 MPN/g or

CFU* (based on seven samples per event) OR Use 1 of 5 Approved PSRP methods:

– Aerobic Digestion: 40 days @ 20 °C no less than 60 days @15 °C

– Air Drying: 3 months with two months above 0 °C – Anaerobic Digestion: 15 days @ 35-55 °C no less than 60

days at 20 °C – Composting: Minimum 40 °C for 5 days with min 4 hours

at 55 °C – Lime Stabilization: Add lime to raise pH to 12 after two

hours of contact– Other as approved by EPA Region 8

Vector Attraction Reduction Vector Attraction Reduction (VAR)(VAR)

(3) 38% VSR (4) Anaerobic - bench scale test (40 days) (5) Aerobic - bench scale test (30 days) (6) Aerobic - SOUR =< 1.5mg O2/hr @ 20 °C (7) Aerobic - 14+ days @ >40 °C (avg >45 °C) (8) pH ^ 12+ for 2 hr then 11.5+ for 22hr (9) Dry to 75% when stabilized solids used (digested) (10) Dry to 90% when unstabilized solids used (undigested) (11) Sub. injection (no significant after 1hr) (12) Surface application w/incorporation (w/in 6hrs)

Regulation Section

64.12(C)

Storage of BiosolidsStorage of Biosolids

NOA Required for > 14 days– Must meet Class B and VAR– Other requirements based on % solids– Maximum of 2 years

Exemptions– CDPS permitted facilities– Designated solid waste disposal sites– Components of an ISDS– Offloading facilities (truck to spreader) & TanksRegulation Section

64.13

Regulation Section

64.14

Distribution and MarketingDistribution and Marketing

Class A Unrestricted Use (lawn)

Class A Restricted Use (containerized)

Class B Restricted Use – (agricultural)

Class “A” Unrestricted UseClass “A” Unrestricted Use

Must meet Table III MetalsMust meet Class A Pathogen CriteriaMust meet one of the VAR 3 thru 10

Class “A” Restricted Use*Class “A” Restricted Use*

Meet Table I MetalsMust meet Class A Pathogen CriteriaMust meet one of the VAR 3 thru 10Subject to Annual Pollutant Loading

Limits (APLR)

*nobody practices this

Annual Pollutant Loading LimitsAnnual Pollutant Loading Limitskg/ha (lbs/Ac)kg/ha (lbs/Ac)

Arsenic 2 (1.79)

Cadmium 1.9 (1.7)

Copper 75 (66.94)

Lead 15 (13.39)

Mercury .85 (.76)

Nickel 21 (18.74)

Selenium 5 (4.46)

Zinc 140 (124.96)

Regulation Section

64.15

Land ApplicationLand Application

Must meet Table I Metals Must meet either Class A or Class B and one of

VAR 3 thru 13 Table I subject to Cumulative Pollutant Loading

Limits No land application if metals exceed Table I limits

Cumulative Pollutant Loading Cumulative Pollutant Loading LimitsLimits

kg/ha (lbs/Ac)kg/ha (lbs/Ac)

Arsenic 41 (37)

Cadmium 39 (35)

Copper 1500 (1339)

Lead 300 (268)

Mercury 17 (15)

Nickel 420 (375)

Selenium 100 (89)

Zinc 2800 (2499)

Facility Notification RequirementsFacility Notification Requirements

Provide N concentration to applier Other info as needed to comply Written notice to permitting authority prior

to land application:

– site location– application period– facility name, address, phone, permit #– applier name, address, phone, permit #

Application Near State WatersApplication Near State Waters

No biosolids application:

– up gradient and within 1 linear mile of a public water system diversion

– up gradient and within 300’ of a Class 1 Recreational Use Reservoir– no surface application within 200’ of any surface water– within 50’ of any surface water if injected– within 33’ of any dry streambed– where soil is saturated or ponding is occurring– agricultural rate: within 100’ of a private well or 300’ of a community

well– reclamation rate: within 300’ of a private well or 1500’ of a

community well

GroundwaterGroundwater

No biosolids application when annual high groundwater table is within 5’ of the surface

Water table is determined using:

– direct observation– Soil Survey maps and/or– well completion maps with other supporting

documentation such as lack of seasonal ponding or vegetation and topography suggest adequate depth to GW

Application on Slopes: AgriculturalApplication on Slopes: Agricultural

% Slope < 6% Solids 6% or Greater

0-5% No Limitations No Limitations

>5 to 9% Incorporate within 24hrs or inject or approved SOP

No Limitations

>9 to 15% Inject or approved SOP Surface application if established vegetation or 60% crop residue or approved SOP

>15% Application prohibited Application prohibited

Application on Slopes: ReclamationApplication on Slopes: Reclamation

% Slope < 6% Solids 6% or Greater

0-5% No Limitations No Limitations

>5 to 9% Immediate incorporation or inject or approved SOP

No Limitations

>9 to 15% Subsurface Injection or approved SOP

Incorporation within 24hrs or approved SOP

>15% Application prohibited

Frozen or Snow Covered Frozen or Snow Covered GroundGround

No application where slope exceeds 6% Slope < 3%, no management practice If slope is 3 to 6 % then:

– 80% vegetative cover, or– Obtain approval based on a SOP

describing runoff containment

SoilsSoils

No application to food crops where soil pH is < 6.0 SU

Minimum suitable soil depth required:

– Irrigated land 36”– Dryland/Rangeland 18”– Land Reclamation 12”

Nutrient ManagementNutrient Management

Agricultural – apply N at agronomic rate Reclamation – may apply up to 5X agronomic

rate No application where available P >

– 100 ppm sodium bicarb– 50 ppm AB-DTPA– 170 ppm Bray P1* use Bray when pH < 6.5– State may allow application based on

NRCS Code 590

Class B Crop Harvesting Class B Crop Harvesting RestrictionsRestrictions

Food crops with harvested parts that touch biosolids or grow above surface – 14 months

Food crops with harvested parts below surface and biosolids remain on surface for 4 months prior to incorporation – 20 months

Food crops with harvested parts below surface and biosolids remain on surface for less than 4 months prior to incorporation – 38 months

Food, feed and non-food crops – 30 days

Class B Site RestrictionsClass B Site Restrictions

No domestic livestock grazing for 30 days after application

Turf may not be harvested for 1 yrHigh public exposure sites - limit access

for 1 yrLow public exposure sites – limit access

for 30 days

Monitoring & AnalysisMonitoring & AnalysisBiosolidsBiosolids

Biosolids Frequency of Sampling & Analysis

Annual Production DST/YR

Frequency

Less than 319 Once per year collected during 4th QTR

319 to 1,649 Once per quarter

1,650 to 16,499 Once per two months

16,500 + Monthly

Lagoons Prior to removal

Monitoring & AnalysisMonitoring & AnalysisSoilsSoils

Soils Frequency of Sampling & Analysis

Soil Fertility Analysis -

nitrogen, phosphorus, pH

conductivity, organic matter

Sample prior to application and once per cropping cycle thereafter

Soil Metals – As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg, Mo, Ni, Se,

Prior to application and once every 5 years thereafter

Collect 16 soil cores per 320 Acres and combine to form a 1lb sample. Use AB-DTPA extraction to determine extractable metals. (EPA Requires TRM)

Record KeepingRecord Keeping

Preparers & Appliers must develop and maintain the following information for 5 years:

– Documentation demonstrating compliance with Pathogen Destruction, VAR and Metals Criteria

– Certification Statements– Results of Biosolids and Soils

Analysis

Annual ReportAnnual Report

Preparers and Appliers must submit an Annual Self-Monitoring Report (BDMS FORMAT) containing the following:

– Documentation demonstrating compliance with Pathogen Destruction, VAR and Metals Criteria

– Certification Statements– Results of Biosolids and Soils Analysis– Total amount (DMT) and disposition of

biosolids produced in previous 12 months

Annual Reports DueAnnual Reports DueOn or BeforeOn or Before

Notification Notification of Noncomplianceof Noncompliance

Verbal notification to Division within 24 hrs AND written notification within 5 days if noncompliance may endanger public health or environment

Written notification of other instances of noncompliance shall be submitted to the Division within 30 days

Local Biosolids RegulationLocal Biosolids Regulation

Health Departments Keeping TheirHealth Departments Keeping TheirEye on BiosolidsEye on Biosolids

Tri-County Health (Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas) San Juan Basin Health (Archuletta, La Plata, San Juan) Southeast Land and Environment (Prowers, Baca, Bent and

Kiowa*) Elbert Weld El Paso

County Planning DepartmentsCounty Planning DepartmentsIndirectly InvolvedIndirectly Involved

RouttDouglas

Adams

Pueblo

Counties That Do Not AllowCounties That Do Not AllowLand Application of Biosolids Land Application of Biosolids

Kiowa Washington

Lincoln Cheyenne

USEFUL LINKSUSEFUL LINKSBiosolids Regulation No. 64Biosolids Regulation No. 64

www.cdphe.state.co.us/op/regs/waterqualityregs.asp

Biosolids Letter of Intent FormsBiosolids Letter of Intent Formswww.cdphe.state.co.us/wq/PermitsUnit/wqcdpmt.html

Colorado State University Cooperative Extension (Biosolids, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension (Biosolids, Nutrient Mgmt, Crop Fact Sheets)Nutrient Mgmt, Crop Fact Sheets)

www.ext.colostate.edu/PUBS/crops/00547.html

EPA Region 8EPA Region 8(FREE BDMS DOWNLOAD! Loads of Useful Resources!)(FREE BDMS DOWNLOAD! Loads of Useful Resources!)www.epa.gov/region08/water/wastewater/biohome/biohome.html

Biosolids Program Contacts:Biosolids Program Contacts:

Robert Brobst, P.E., Biosolids Program Coordinator

EPA Region 8 (8P-W-P)

999 18th Street, Suite 500

Denver, CO 80202

303-312-6129

brobst.bob@epa.gov

Wesley Carr, Environmental Protection Specialist

Biosolids Management Program

WQCD-P-B2

4300 Cherry Creek Drive South

Denver, CO 80246-1530

303-692-3613

wes.carr@state.co.us