Land Application of Sewage Sludge and Domestic Septage EPA/625/R-95/001 September 1995
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United States Office of Research and EPA/625/R-95/001 Environmental Protection Development September 1995 Agency Washington, DC 20460 1EPA Process Design Manual Land Application of Sewage Sludge and Domestic Septage EPA/625/R-95/001 September 1995 Process Design Manual Land Application of Sewage Sludge and Domestic Septage U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development National Risk Management Research Laboratory Center for Environmental Research Information Cincinnati, Ohio Notice This document has been reviewed in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s peer and administrative review policies and approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. ii Contents Page Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Overview . 1 1.2 Sewage Sludge Regulations. 1 1.3 Objectives of Manual . 2 1.4 Scope of Manual. 3 Chapter 2 Overview of Sewage Sludge Land Application Practices 2.1 Introduction . 5 2.2 Application to Agricultural Lands . 5 2.2.1 Purpose and Definition . 5 2.2.2 Advantages of Agricultural Land Application . 5 2.2.3 Limitations of Agricultural Land Application. 7 2.3 Application to Forest Lands . 7 2.3.1 Purpose and Definition . 7 2.3.2 Advantages of Forest Land Application. 7 2.3.3 Limitations of Forest Land Application . 8 2.4 Land Application at Reclamation Sites. 8 2.4.1 Purpose and Definition . 8 2.4.2 Advantages of Land Application at Reclamation Sites . 9 2.4.3 Limitations of Land Application at Reclamation Sites. 9 2.5 Land Application at Public Contact Sites, Lawns, and Home Gardens . 9 2.5.1 Purpose and Definition . 9 2.5.2 Advantages of Land Application at Public Contact Sites, Lawns, and Home Gardens. 9 2.5.3 Limitations of Land Application at Public Contact Sites, Lawns, and Home Gardens . 10 2.6 References . 10 Chapter 3 Overview of the Part 503 Regulatory Requirements for Land Application of Sewage Sludge 3.1 General . 11 3.2 Pollutant Limits . 11 3.2.1 Ceiling Concentration Limits . 12 iii Contents Page 3.2.2 Pollutant Concentration Limits . 13 3.2.3 Cumulative Pollutant Loading Rates (CPLRs) . 13 3.2.4 Annual Pollutant Loading Rates (APLRs) . 14 3.2.5 Why Organic Pollutants Were Not Included in Part 503 . 14 3.3 Management Practices . 14 3.4 Operational Standards for Pathogens and Vector Attraction Reduction . 15 3.4.1 Pathogen Reduction Requirements. 15 3.4.2 Vector Attraction Reduction Requirements . 20 3.5 Frequency of Monitoring . 22 3.6 Recordkeeping and Reporting . 22 3.7 Sewage Sludge Quality and the Part 503 Requirements . 22 3.7.1 Exceptional Quality (EQ) Sewage Sludge. 22 3.7.2 Pollutant Concentration (PC) Sewage Sludge . 24 3.7.3 Cumulative Pollutant Loading Rate (CPLR) Sewage Sludge. 24 3.7.4 Annual Pollutant Loading Rate (APLR) Sewage Sludge . 24 3.8 References . 26 Chapter 4 Characteristics of Sewage Sludge 4.1 Introduction . 27 4.2 Sewage Sludge Quantity . 27 4.3 Total Solids Content . 29 4.4 Volatile Solids Content . 29 4.5 pH . 29 4.6 Organic Matter . 29 4.7 Pathogens . 31 4.8 Nutrients . 32 4.8.1 Nitrogen . 32 4.8.2 Phosphorous, Potassium, and Other Nutrients. 33 4.9 Metals . 33 4.10 Organic Chemicals . 34 4.11 Hazardous Pollutants (If Any). 34 4.12 Types of Sewage Sludge . 35 4.12.1 Primary Sewage Sludge . 35 4.12.2 Secondary Sewage Sludge . 35 4.12.3 Tertiary Sewage Sludge. 35 4.12.4 Domestic Septage . 35 iv Contents Page 4.13 Effects of Wastewater and Sludge Treatment Processes on Sewage Sludge Characteristics. 35 4.14 Effects of Pretreatment and Pollution Prevention Programs on Sewage Sludge Characteristics. 37 4.15 References . 37 Chapter 5 Site Evaluation and Selection Process 5.1 General . 39 5.2 Part 503 Requirements. 39 5.2.1 Protection of Surface Water and Wetlands. 39 5.2.2 Protection of Threatened and Endangered Species. 40 5.2.3 Site Restrictions . 40 5.3 Planning and Selection Process. ..