&EPA
          United States
          Environmental Protection
          Agency
           Office of Water
           (4204)
EPA 832-B-92-005
September 1993
Domestic Septage
Regulatory Guidance
          A Guide to
          The EPA 503 Rule
                  DOMESTIC

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A CKNO WLEDGEMENT
        The authors [John Walker, Municipal Technology Branch, U.S. EPA Office
        of  Wastewater  Enforcement  and  Compliance,  and  Penny  Mascaro,
        Engineering-Science, Inc.]  gratefully acknowledge  all those persons who
        have reviewed and made comments to improve  this  guidance.  These
        reviewers include septage  haulers who land apply,  consultants, treatment
        plant operators, and regulators.
Environmental Protection Agency

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EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO
PROVIDE ACCURATE AND COMPLETE
INFORMATION  IN  THIS  GUIDANCE
DOCUMENT.  HOWEVER,  IT IS NOT
INTENDED TO SUBSTITUTE FOR THE
ACTUAL RULE.
                             Environmental Protection Agency

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                IF YOU ARE  NOT  SURE ABOUT
                ANYTHING   DISCUSSED  IN  THIS
                GUIDANCE, YOU SHOULD CHECK THE
                TEXT  OF THE COMPLETE RULE IN
                40 CFR  PART   503  ENTITLED
                "STANDARDS  FOR THE  USE  OR
                DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE SLUDGE."
               THE REGIONAL AND STATE SEPTAGE
               COORDINATORS, WHOSE NAMES ARE
               LISTED  IN  APPENDIX  A,  ARE
               AVAILABLE  TO   ANSWER  YOUR
               QUESTIONS ON THE REGULATION.
Environmental Protection Agency

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               SECTION                                       PAGE
       Overview:  A Domestic Septage Guide                                        •)

          A Guide to the Federal EPA Rule for Land Application                        1
              of Domestic Septage to Non-Public Contact Sites
          Pathogen and Vector Attraction Reduction Choices                          2
          Use/Disposal Options for Commercial and Industrial Septage                  4
          Request for Comments on Improvement of Guidance                         5

       Section 1:  Introduction                                                     7

          Why Is There New Federal Regulation of Domestic Septage?                  7
          What Is In Domestic Septage?                                            8
          Purpose of This Guidance Document                                      10

       Section 2:  Other Use and Disposal of Domestic and                           13
                 Non-Domestic Septage

          Regulation of Domestic Septage Discharged into Treatment
              Facilities, Applied to Public Contact Sites, or Disposed                  13
          Differentiating Domestic from Commercial and Industrial Septage             14
          Regulation of Non-Domestic Septage                                      15

       Section 3:  Federal Standards for the Application of Domestic                  17
                 Septage

          Introduction                                                           17
          Permits and Compliance                                                 19
          When Must I Comply With the Part 503 Regulation                         20
          Record Keeping and Reporting for Land Appliers
          Determining the Allowed Annual Rate for Applying Domestic                 22
              Septage to Non-Public Contact Sites
          Avoiding Nitrogen Contamination of Groundwater when Land                23
              Applying Domestic Septage
          Pathogen Reduction Requirements/Crop and Site Restrictions                29
          Vector Attraction  Reduction Alternatives                                  32
          How to Raise the  pH of Domestic Septage                                 37
              Using Hydrated Lime                                                ~L
              Using Quicklime                                                    39
              Using Dry Alkaline Material General                                   ^2
          Sampling and Testing to Determine the pH of Domestic Septage             ™
          Certification                                                           ^1
          Management Practices
iv                                                                    Environmental Protection Agency

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                               SECTION                                         PAGE
          Section 4: State Rules Also Apply for Land Application                     47
                     of Domestic Septage

          Deciding How to Meet Both Federal and State Rules                        43

          References                                                             53

          Figures

              7.  Record Keeping Requirements                                     21
              2.  Typical Crop Nitrogen Requirements and Corresponding              28
                 Domestic Septage Application Rates
              3.  Pathogen Reduction Alternative 1                                  30
              4.  Pathogen Reduction Alternative 2                                  31
              5.  Vector A ttraction Reduction Alternatives                           33
              6.  Examples of Crops Impacted by Domestic Septage                  35
                 Pathogen Requirements
              7.  Certification                                                     ^
              8.  Comparison of Federal and Selected State                          **1
                 Requirements for Land Application of Domestic Septage to
                 Non-Public Contact Sites

          Appendices

              A: List of State and EPA Regional Contacts  about Rules for Use        A-1
                 or Disposal of Septage
              B:  Chemical and Physical Characteristics of Domestic Septage          B-1
                 vs. Sewage Sludge
              C:  Sample Methods for Record Keeping                              C-1
              D: Types and  Sources of Safety and pH Testing  Equipment            D-1
              E:  Example  State Rules for Land Application of Domestic               E-1
                 Septage
Environmental Protection Agency

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OVERVIEW
                                              A DOMESTIC SEPTAGE GUIDE
       A GUIDE TO THE FEDERAL EPA RULE FOR LAND APPLICATION
         OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE TO NON-PUBLIC CONTACT SITES
Discussed in Relationship to State Rules and Other Federal Regulations of Septage
        PURPOSE
           FIRST
    REQUIREMENT
       FOR LAND-
       APPLYING
       DOMESTIC
        SEPTAGE
   The information in this domestic septage guidance is
provided  to help the users  and disposers of septage
understand and follow  a  new  governing Federal  rule
called "Standards for the  Use or Disposal of Sewage
Sludge" (40 CFR Part 503).

   Outlined in this overview and discussed in detail  in
this guidance are the requirements for persons who apply
domestic  septaqe to  non-pubiic  contact sites  (sites not
frequently visited by  the public).

   To meet the Federal requirements for application of
domestic  septage to non-public contact sites, the land
applier must  assure that he/she  has only  domestic
septage.
                    DOMESTIC SEPTAGE AS DESCRIBED IN THE
                    FEDERAL PART 503 REGULATION IS THE LIQUID
                    OR SOLID MATERIAL REMOVED FROM A SEPTIC
                    TANK CESSPOOL, PORTABLE TOILET, TYPE III
                    MARINE SANITATION DEVICE, OR A SIMILAR
                    SYSTEM THAT RECEIVES ONLY DOMESTIC
                    SEPTAQE (HOUSEHOLD, NON-COMMERCIAL, NON-
                    INDUSTRIAL SEWAGE).
                                                  Environmental Protection Agency

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                                                    A DOMESTIC SEPTAGE QUIDS
          SECOND
    REQUIREMENT
   Unless domestic septage is applied only to sites that
are not frequently visited by the public, called non-public
contact  sites in this  document, its  use or disposal  is
regulated under 40 CFR Part 503 as sewage sludge.
                       NON-PUBLIC CONTACT SITES INCLUDE
                       AGRICULTURAL LAND, FORESTS, AND
                       RECLAMATION SITES.
            THIRD
    REQUIREMENT
   The land applier must manage the domestic septage
so  that  pathogens  (disease-causing  organisms)  are
reduced.
                                  PATHOGEN AND VECTOR
                              ATTRACTION REDUCTION CHOICES
                       [1]  Not treat the pumped domestic septage before land
                           applying. Instead the applier must either directly
                           inject this domestic septage into the soil or
                           incorporate it into the soil surface by plowing or
                           disking within six hours after application.

                           The applier must also assure that the land owner
                           follows crop harvesting, animal grazing, and site
                           access restrictions.

                                               OR

                       [2]  Adjust the pH of the domestic septage so that it
                           remains at pH 12 or greater for at least 30 minutes
                           before land applying.

                           The applier must also assure that the land owner
                           follows crop harvesting restrictions.
Environmental Protection Agency

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                                              A DOMESTIC SEPTAGE GUIDE
      FOURTH
 REQUIREMENT
   ADDITIONAL
REQUIREMENTS
        OTHER
  SEPTAGE USE
AND DISPOSAL
      The  land applier  must  manage the  domestic
septage so that its attractiveness to vectors is reduced.
Vectors are insects and rodents that can carry pathogens
in or on their bodies and therefore transmit disease.

      Fifth, the owner  of  the  land  where  domestic
septage  has  been   applied  must  adhere  to  crop
harvesting, animal  grazing, and site access restrictions.

      Sixth, the land applier must certify that pathogen
and vector attraction reduction requirements have been
met, including crop harvesting, animal grazing, and site
access restrictions.

      Seventh,  the  number of  gallons of  domestic
septage applied per acre  of land may not be more than
needed to supply the  nitrogen required by the crop being
grown.

      Eighth, the person  who applies domestic septage
to land must also follow the applicable rules of the State
involved.

      This  document   also  provides  guidance  on
regulations that govern  the application of  domestic
septage to public contact sites as well  as its  discharge
into  facilities  for treatment prior to use or disposal.
Guidance is also given on  regulations that govern the use
or disposal of commercial and industrial septage.
                                                 Environmental Protection Agency

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                                                    A DOMESTIC SEPTAGE GUIDE
                                USE DISPOSAL OPTIONS FOR
                         DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC SEPTAGE ON
                          OTHER THAN NON-PUBLIC CONTACT SITES
                       [1]
      Septage can be discharged into treatment
      works for treatment as follows:  Domestic
      septage to septage-only treatment works, or
      both domestic and non-domestic septage to
      municipal facilities that normally treat domestic
      sewage. This discharge is permissible provided
      that a treatment facility is available which will
      accept septage of the nature that you have and
      provided that all applicable State and Federal
      rules are followed.
                                                OR
                       [2]   Septage can be placed in a landfill or other
                            surface disposal site. Again, the rules of the
                            landfill operator and applicable State and
                            Federal rules must be followed.
                                                OR
                       [3]   Septage can be incinerated. In this case, the
                            rules of the incinerator operator and the
                            applicable State and Federal rules must be
                            followed.
            STATE
   REQUIREMENTS
       Finally, State requirements for the land application
of domestic septage are discussed  generally in the last
part of this guidance document.
Environmental Protection Agency

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                                            A DOMESTIC SEPTAGE GUIDE
 REQUEST FOR         The guidance provided was up-to-date at the time
COMMENTS ON   of printing and has been reviewed by a wide spectrum of
IMPROVEMENT   individuals from regulatory to septage pumpers.  Please
 OF GUIDANCE   |et us know what you think about this document. Please
                offer  any  suggestions  you  might have  for future
                improvement using the comment sheet inside the  back
                cover of this document, or by directly contacting us at
                U.S.  EPA,  Office  of  Wastewater  Enforcement  and
                Compliance,  Municipal Technology  Branch,  (4204),
                Washington, DC 20460.
                                               Environmental Protection Agency

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                                                   Environmental Protection Agency

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SECTION 1
                                                          INTRODUCTION
    WHY IS THERE
    NEW FEDERAL
      REGULA TION
    OF DOMESTIC
        SEPTA GE?
   The new Federal regulation  for managing domestic
septage was written in response to the Clean Water Act
Amendments of 1987.  This Act required that the U.S.
Environmental  Protection  Agency  (EPA)  develop  new
rules to govern the use or disposal of sewage sludge.

   "Sewage sludge" is defined in the Part 503 regulation
to include "domestic septage". The new regulation is
called "Standards for the Use  or Disposal of Sewage
Sludge".  It contains standards which are designed  to
protect  public  health   and   the   environment   from
reasonably  anticipated adverse effects of pollutants in
sewage sludge (and domestic septage). This regulation
was  published  in the Federal Register on February 19,
1993,  Volume 58, pages 9248 to  9404.  It will also
appear in the Code of Federal Regulations as 40 CFR Part
503.  (For short we will call it the Part 503 Regulation.)
                         DOMESTIC SEPTAGE IS DEFINED IN THE PART
                         503 REGULATION AS THE LIQUID OR SOLID
                         MATERIAL REMOVED FROM A SEPTIC TANK,
                         CESSPOOL, PORTABLE TOILET, TYPE III MARINE
                         SANITATION DEVICE, OR A SIMILAR SYSTEM
                         THAT RECEIVES ONLY DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
                         (HOUSEHOLD, NON-COMMERCIAL, NON-
                         INDUSTRIAL SEWAGE).
Environmental Protection Agency

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                                                     INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS IN
 DOMESTIC
 SEPTAGE?
   Domestic septage contains many different substances
depending on  the type  of waste being treated  in the
septic system. Domestic septage contains mostly water,
sewage, inorganic materials  like  grit, and organic fecal
matter.  Small amounts of polluting substances, normal
to household  activity,  can  also be  present.   When
analyzed in  a  laboratory,  domestic septage is usually
shown to contain low levels of heavy metals and other
pollutants.

   Pumpings from portable chemical toilets and type III
marine  sanitation  devices  are  defined  as  domestic
septage in the Part  503 Regulation.  A type  III marine
sanitation device is the name given to a holding tank for
receiving sanitation  wastes  on  a boat or other water-
going vessel.  The nitrogen  content of such pumpings
may be higher than  in other domestic septage.  This is
discussed further in  Section 3 of this guidance.

   The  most common fertilizer  nutrients  contained  in
domestic septage are nitrogen and phosphorus.  These
nutrients, along with certain trace fertilizer elements and
organic matter, make domestic septage valuable for use
on agricultural lands, forests, and reclamation  sites.

   Typical physical and chemical properties of domestic
septage are shown  in  Appendix B.   For comparison,
typical pollutant contents of sewage  sludge  are also
provided in Appendix B.
                                              Environmental Protection Agency

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                                                                                        INTRODUCTION
                                                              Non-Public Contact Sites
AGRICULTURAL LAND
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                                       FORESTS
                                                                                    S/7f S
                                                                            Photographs provided by Ted Lyon,
                                                                            North Carolina Septage Coordinator
      Environmental Protection Agency

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                                                             INTRODUCTION
                        The primary purpose of this document is to provide
                        guidance to septic tank pumpers and haulers and
                        others who apply only domestic septage to non-public
                        contact sites.
      PURPOSE OF
   THIS GUIDANCE
       DOCUMENT
   This guidance to the  Part 503 Regulation calls land
application sites that are not frequently visited or used by
the public, non-public contact sites.  These  non-public
contact sites  include agricultural land,  forests,  and
reclamation sites.

   The requirements  governing  land  application  of
domestic  septage to non-public contact sites  are  less
burdensome  but not  less  protective than  the other
requirements for land application of sewage sludge in the
Part  503  Regulation.     These  less   burdensome
requirements are described in detail in Section 3 of this
guidance document.

   Land application is the spreading of domestic septage
on land at controlled rates to fertilize crops and improve
the tilth of soils. This domestic  septage  can either be
sprayed or spread on the soil surface,  or plowed, disked,
or injected into the soil.  The EPA  has  a policy that
encourages  the  beneficial  use  of  sewage   sludge,
including domestic septage.
10
                                                      Environmental Protection Agency

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                                                               INTRODUCTION
                           A second purpose of this document is to
                           provide reference to Federal rules that govern
                           other alternatives for the use or disposal of
                           septage.
                         The characteristics  of domestic  and  non-domestic
                      septage  along with other  alternatives  for  the use  or
                      disposal  of these  septage  materials  as well  as the
                      associated  governing  Federal  regulations  are  briefly
                      described in Section 2.
                                 TWO IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
                                 REGARDING SEPTAGE REGULATION:
                              [1] The Federal Part 503 Regulation does not
                                 replace any existing State regulations.


                              [2] The septage pumper and applier should
                                 check with State and local regulatory
                                 authorities concerning their septage
                                 ordinances.
Environmental Protection Agency

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                                         INTRODUCTION
     A third purpose of this guidance is to discuss the
     relationship of the Federal domestic septage
     regulation to State requirements.
   EPA's upcoming "Field Guide for Septage Treatment
and Disposal" (4) will provide useful  information about
many non-regulatory aspects of septage management.
The booklet should be available for distribution  late in
1993 from EPA's  Center For Environmental Research
Information,  26   West   Martin   Luther  King  Drive,
Cincinnati, OH 45268, Phone 513-569-7562.
                                 Photograph provided by Ted Lyon,
                                North Carolina Septage Coordinator
                                   Environmental Protection Agency

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 SECTION 2
                OTHER USE AND DISPOSAL OF DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
       REGULA TION
      OF DOMESTIC
          SEPTAGE
       DISCHARGED
             INTO
       TREATMENT
        FACILITIES,
       APPLIED TO
            PUBLIC
         CONTACT
         SITES, OR
         DISPOSED
(1)    If domestic septage is discharged into a treatment
      facility that receives only domestic septage, the
      appropriately treated domestic septage could be
      applied to either public or non-public contact sites.
      If applied to non-public  contact  sites, the less
      burdensome  rules listed  in  Section   3  of  this
      guidance would  apply unless otherwise directed
      by  a  permitting  authority.   If  used  on public
      contact sites or disposed, the applicable provisions
      of the Part 503 Regulation  or other  applicable
      rules,  which are  described below, would apply.

(2)    If domestic septage  is applied to  public contact
      sites,  its use is  covered by the  more  detailed
      provisions of the Part 503 Regulation for sewage
      sludge.  Public contact sites are defined as lands
      with a high potential for contact by the public
      such as public parks, ball  fields, cemeteries, plant
      nurseries, turf farms, and golf courses.

(3)    If domestic septage is discharged  into a  sanitary
      sewer or directly into a publicly owned treatment
      works that  also  receives municipal wastewater,
      the person discharging the domestic septage must
      first of all  follow the rules of  that  treatment
      works.    Then  the  residual solids   from  the
      treatment  of the sewage  sludge  and domestic
      septage  would   be  covered by  the  specific
      provisions of the Part 503 Regulation that apply to
      the sewage sludge use or disposal practice being
      followed  or by the other applicable  Federal  law
      and State rules described below.

(4)    If domestic septage is placed in a sewage sludge-
      only landfill (called surface disposal  in the Part
      503 Regulation), or incinerated in a  sewage sludge
      incinerator,  its   disposal  is  covered  by  the
      requirements in the Part 503 Regulation for those
      disposal practices.
Environmental Protection Agency

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              OTHER USE AND DISPOSAL OF DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
       NOTE: The
    septage user or
     disposer must
    keep records of
   septage volumes
    put into any of
    these facilities.
        DIFFEREN-
          TIATING
       DOMESTIC
           FROM
     COMMERCIAL
            AND
      INDUSTRIAL
        SEPTAGE
(5)    If domestic septage is placed in a municipal solid
      waste landfill, its disposal is  covered by the rules
      of the disposal facility which in turn must comply
      with the requirements of 40 CFR Part 258 for the
      disposal of non-hazardous wastes.

   A  separate  EPA  guidance  document  has  been
prepared to  explain the requirements of the total Part
503 Regulation.  Its title is "A Guide to EPA's Part 503
Federal  Standards for the Use or  Disposal  of  Sewage
Sludge". The rules governing the application of domestic
septage to public contact sites is the same as for the
land application of sewage sludge.  Detailed information
on septage applied to public contact sites can be found
in that guidance.

   The term "septage" has been used to refer  to many
materials pumped out of various types of waste receiving
tanks.   It  normally contains large  amounts of  grit and
grease and can have an offensive odor.

   The specific definition of domestic septage in the Part
503  Regulation  does not include  many  of the other
materials that are often called septage by the industry.
For instance, grease trap  wastes are not  classified as
domestic septage. Grease traps are used at restaurants
to prevent large amounts of grease from  entering the
public sewer system.   If you pick up restaurant grease
trap wastes  along with domestic septage in the same
truck, then the whole  truckload  is not covered by the
Part 503 sewage sludge standards.

   Commercial and industrial septage are not considered
domestic  septage.    The  factor  that  differentiates
commercial and industrial septage from domestic septage
is not the type of establishment generating the waste,
rather it is  the type of waste  being produced.   As
described above, grease trap wastes from a restaurant
are not  domestic septage, but the  sanitation  waste
residues and residues from food and normal dish cleaning
14
                                                    Environmental Protection Agency

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      REGULATION
          OF NON-
        DOMESTIC
         SEPT AGE
               OTHER USE AND DISPOSAL OF DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
from  a  restaurant are considered domestic  septage.
Likewise, only sanitation waste residues from a gasoline
station are domestic  septage, while wastes containing
petroleum are classified as non-domestic septage.

   Still another example  is  septage  from a motel  or
nursing  home  which is considered domestic  septage,
provided  it does not  include any grease trap wastes.
Dry cleaning  waste residues  are commercial  septage,
while  sanitation-only waste from such an establishment
would be considered domestic septage.

   It is important to emphasize again that any mixture of
domestic and non-domestic septage, for example in a
pumper truck or holding tank, causes the entire batch of
septage to be considered non-domestic septage and not
covered by the Part  503  Regulation.   It is up to the
individual septage pumper to determine whether to mix
domestic with  non-domestic  septage.   If not  mixed,
domestic-only  septage would  be  regulated under the
provisions of the Part 503 Regulation.  If mixed, the
septage mixture would be regulated as outlined  below.

   Hazardous  wastes  are  also  excluded from  the
definition of domestic septage.

   Septage that does not  meet the  Federal definition of
domestic septage, must be managed and disposed in
accordance with:
                       (1)    EPA's 40  CFR Part 503 if the non-domestic
                             septage   (commercial   septage,  industrial
                             septage, grease trap pumpings, or mixtures of
                             domestic  and   non-domestic  septage)  is
                             discharged for  treatment into a  treatment
                             works that also  receives domestic sewage.
Environmental Protection Agency
                                                                          15

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                 OTHER USE AND DISPOSAL OF DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
                           (2)    EPA's  40  CFR  Part  257  if   non-domestic
                                 septage is directly used or disposed in all but a
                                 municipal solid  waste [MSW] landfill.

                           (3)    EPA's  40  CFR  Part  258  if   non-domestic
                                 septage is disposed in a MSW  landfill.

                           (4)    EPA's  40 CFR Part  261   if the septage  is
                                 classified  as a hazardous waste.

                           (5)    Other applicable Federal, State, and local rules.
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16
                                                            Environmental Protection Agency

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 SECTION 3

                  FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
    INTRODUCTION      The  following  Federal  requirements  have  been
                     established  to  ensure  safe  land  application  practices.
                     These requirements pertain  only to persons who apply
                     domestic septage to non-public contact sites (agricultural
                     land, forests, and reclamation  sites.)  The requirements
                     include:

                     1)  Provisions for control of disease-causing organisms
                         called   pathogens   and   the  reduction   of  the
                         attractiveness of the domestic septage to vectors
                         like  flies,  rodents,  and  other  potential  disease
                         carrying organisms.  Note that the processes that
                         reduce the attractiveness to vectors also reduce the
                         potential for objectionable odors being generated and
                         released.

     EXAMPLES OF
          VECTORS
Environmental Protection Agency                                                      17

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FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
   2)  Limits on application rates and restrictions on crop
       harvesting, animal grazing, and site access.  Limited
       application rates minimize the addition of pollutants
       and the potential for over application of the fertilizer
       element  nitrogen,  hence  protecting  ground  and
       surface  water  from  contamination  with  excess
       nitrogen.   Restrictions on crop harvesting, animal
       grazing, and site access protect from  contact with
       pathogens while still potentially viable.

   3)  The information you must  collect, records that you
       must keep, and the certification you must make to
       assure  that  the  pathogen  and  vector attraction
       reduction requirements have  been met.

   4)  Provisions for you to notify the owner or lease holder
       of  the  land  onto  which the domestic septage is
       applied about the crop and site restrictions that  the
       land owner must obey.

       While not required by the rule, it is important that the
       septic tank pumper inform the owner or lease holder
       of how much of the crop's nitrogen requirement was
       added by the applied domestic septage.

       By  knowing  how  much  of the  crop's  nitrogen
   requirement was fulfilled  through use of the domestic
   septage, the  land  owner can  determine how much
   additional nitrogen in  the  form of chemical fertilizer, if
   any, will need to be applied.

       Where  the  pH   adjustment  is  utilized,   Federal
   requirements apply on  a  truckload by truckload  basis
   unless pH adjustment  was done in a separate treatment
   device  (e.g.,  lagoon  or  tank).   Domestic  septage
   application rate  requirements  apply to  each field site,
   adjusted to the nitrogen requirement for the crop being
   grown.
                                    Environmental Protection Agency

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            FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
 PERMITS AND
 COMPLIANCE
   In general. Federal  permits are not required for
persons  who  apply  domestic  septage  to  non-public
contact sites.

   Even though Federal permits may  not be required,
governmental authorities have the right to inspect your
                         CAUTION
                         STATE  PERMITS
                     MAY BE  REQUIRED
               land application operations along with all other Federally
               required records at any time. You can be fined and other
               penalties can be imposed if you  are not in compliance
               (correctly following the requirements) with all applicable
               Part 503 requirements.
Environmental Protection Agency
                                                       19

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                 FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
                        If the domestic septage is treated in a central facility,
                    the treatment facility may need to apply for a permit.  If
                    you operate such  a treatment facility, you should ask
                    about the possible need  for a permit  at the applicable
                    State or EPA Regional office listed in Appendix A.
     WHEN MUST I
    COMPL Y WITH
    THE PART 503
    REGULA TION?
    The Part 503 Federal rule requires that you begin to
monitor and keep records by July 20,  1 993.

    You have until February  19,  1994, before you have
to meet all the other requirements of the rule along with
the certification that you are meeting the pathogen and
vector attraction reduction requirements of the rule.
            NOTE       The Part  503 Regulation allows an extra year until
                    February 19,  1995, to be in compliance if construction
                    of new pollution control facilities is required.  Appliers of
                    domestic septage  to  non-public  contact sites will  not
                    have this extra year because EPA does not believe that
                    new pollution  control facilities  are needed to be in
                    compliance with this less burdensome Federal rule.]
         RECORD
     KEEPING AND
       REPORTING
        FOR LAND
        APPLIERS
    You  must  keep records for  five  years  after any
application of domestic septage to a site, but you are not
required to report this information.  As previously stated,
these required records may  be requested for review  at
any  time  by the permitting or enforcement  authority.
The retained records must include the information shown
in Figure  1  and a written certification  (see Figure 7).
Appendix C  contains samples of ways  to organize your
record keeping. You are not required to  use such sheets,
but they may be helpful.
20
                                 Environmental Protection Agency

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          FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
                                      Figure 1:
                         RECORD KEEPING REQUIREMENTS
                1]  The location of the site where domestic septage is
                   applied, either the street address, or the longitude
                   and latitude of the site (available from the U.S.
                   Geological Survey maps).

                2]  The number of acres to which domestic septage is
                   applied at each site.

                3]  The date and time of each domestic septage
                   application.

                4]  The nitrogen requirement for the crop or vegetation
                   grown on each site during the year. Also, while not
                   required, indicating the expected crop yield would
                   help establish the nitrogen requirement.

                5]  The gallons of septage which are applied to the site
                   during the specified 365-day period.

                6]  The certification shown in Figure 7.

                7]  A description of how the pathogen requirements are
                   met for each batch of domestic septage that is land
                   applied.

                8]  A description of how the vector attraction reduction
                   requirement is met for each batch of domestic
                   septage that is land applied.
Environmental Protection Agency
                                                                                    21

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                FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
    DETERMINING       The maximum volume of domestic septage that may
    THE ALLOWED   be applied to any site during a 365-day period depends
    ANNUAL RATE   on tne amOunt of nitrogen required by the planned crop
       nnMFSTir   anc'tne Y'6'^- ^n's maximiim volume is calculated by the
     SEPTAGE TO   following  formula, where Annual  Application Rate is
     NON-PUBLIC   represented by AAR:
       CONTACT
           SITES
       AAR(gallons/acre/year) = Pounds Nitrogen Required for Crop Yield
                                             0.0026
                       As an example, if 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre is
                    required  to grow a 100  bushel per acre crop of corn,
                    then the annual  application rate of domestic septage is
                    38,500 gallons per acre.
                  AAR = —10°   = 38,500 gallons/acre/year
                        0 . 0026
                       The primary reason for this annual rate calculation is
                    to prevent the over application of nitrogen in excess of
                    crop needs and its  potential movement through soil to
                    groundwater.  The annual application rate formula was
                    derived using assumptions to make land application very
                    workable for domestic septage haulers.  For example,
                    fractional  availability  of  nitrogen from  land-applied
                    domestic septage was assumed over a 3-year period to
                    obtain the "0.0026" factor in the annual application rate
                    formula. Also, in deriving the formula, domestic septage
                    was assumed to contain about 350 mg/kg total nitrogen
                    and 2.5% solids (about  1.4% total  nitrogen on a dry
                    weight basis).
22                                                  Environmental Protection Agency

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        FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
                    For  additional  guidance  on  avoiding   nitrogen
                contamination  of  groundwater  when  land   applying
                domestic  septage  with a  high  nitrogen  content  or
                dewatered domestic septage, see  the examples below.
     AVOIDING NITROGEN CONTAMINATION OF GROUNDWATER
            WHEN LAND APPLYING DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
        CASE
   EXAMPLE 1:
    DOMESTIC
SEPTAGE WITH
        HIGH
    NITROGEN
     CONTENT
     OPTIONS
        CASE
   EXAMPLE 2:
  DEWA TERED
    DOMESTIC
     SEPTAGE
     OPTIONS
    Portable chemical toilet and type III marine sanitation
device domestic septage wastes can contain 4 to 6 times
more  total  nitrogen than was  assumed to derive the
annual application rate formula.

    While not required  by the Part 503 Regulation,  good
practice argues that you consider reducing the volume
applied  per  acre  of  such  high  nitrogen-containing
domestic septage.   For example, if the land  owner is
expecting to grow a 100-bushel per acre corn crop, and
the domestic  septage contains  6 times  more  total
nitrogen, the gallons applied should be  reduced 6-fold
(from  38,500 to about 6,400 gallons).

    Some domestic septage servicing companies dewater
or otherwise cause solids  to  settle  out  before  land
application.  This is often done by treating the domestic
septage with lime and  temporarily storing it in a tank or
lagoon during periods when the climate or soil conditions
are not favorable for land application.
Environmental Protection Agency
                                                        23

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                 FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
   REMIX LIQUIDS
   AND SOLIDS —
         MANAGE
     MIXTURE AS
       DOMESTIC
         SEPTAGE
        MANAGE
      SEPARATED
       SOLIDS AS
         SEWAGE
         SLUDGE
    A firm that has dewatered septage in this manner,
prior to land application, has several options to consider:

A)  Remix the solids with the overlying liquid and apply
    the mixture according to the annual application rate
    formula.

    [This option is simple and easy to implement.]

    [A major drawback of this option is that much of the
    nitrogen is lost during lime treatment in an open tank
    or lagoon and the amount of available nitrogen in the
    domestic septage applied to the farmer's field will
    likely supply less nitrogen than is assumed using the
    annual application rate formula.]

B)  Separate  the liquid from the solids and manage the
    separated solids as sewage sludge, following the Part
    503  Regulation  for sewage  sludge.   The liquid
    effluent could  either go into  a  sanitary  sewer, be
    irrigated  onto  land, or  be  discharged to surface
    water, after obtaining the appropriate approvals and
    permits.

    [A major  advantage of this option for the farmer is
    that  the  application of  the  dewatered  domestic
    septage is based upon its analysis for nitrogen, and
    can  therefore supply  the  agronomic  rate  (crop
    requirement) of nitrogen.  With  this assurance, the
    farmer does not have  to guess how much nitrogen
    was  supplied  by the  septage and would not be
    tempted  to apply chemical nitrogen  to make sure
    that enough nitrogen had been supplied for his crop.]

    [A major  disadvantage of this option for the septage
    service company is the extra cost associated with
    additional requirements  for  nitrogen  and  metal
24
                                 Environmental Protection Agency

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                  FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPUCA TION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
         MANAGE
      SEPARA TED
       SOLIDS AS
       DOMESTIC
         SEPTAGE
    Jesting, pathogen and vector attraction reduction,
    management practices, record keeping, etc.]

    Scott  Harris of the Interstate Septic Systems in
    Maine says that their firm dewaters and manages the
    solids  separated from domestic septage as sewage
    sludge. Their analytical costs run about $200.00 per
    sample for a complete metal and nutrient analysis.
    They feel that the extra cost seems to be reasonable
    for the yearly 2 million gallons of domestic septage
    which they process.

C)  Separate the liquid from  the solids and manage the
    separated  solids  as domestic  septage.   If  the
    separated solids are managed as domestic septage,
    they can be land applied at an annual application rate
    based  upon the gallons of septage from which they
    were separated during treatment.

    For example, suppose that each 10,000 gallons of
    domestic septage resulted in 500 pounds of residue
    after dewatering (consisting of septage solids, tightly
    held water and added lime).  For a 100 bushel per
    acre corn crop, the annual application rate formula
    indicates  that  38,500  gallons   of  undewatered
    domestic septage  per acre is the maximum amount
    that can  be applied.  The pounds  of dewatered
    septage  that  can  be   applied  annually  can  be
    determined as follows:
    Pounds of
    dewatered
    septage that
    can be applied
Gallons of un-dewatered septage
for crop nitrogen requirement
       10,000
                     38,500
                     10,000
                 500
  Pounds of cake so/ids from
  10,OOO gallons of septage
1925 pounds
Environmental Protection Agency
                                                     25

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           FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
                  In  this example, a  maximum  of  1925  pounds of
                  dewatered domestic septage could be applied each
                  year to an acre of land for a  100 bushel  per acre
                  corn crop.

                  The effluent could either go into a sanitary sewer, be
                  irrigated  onto  a  separate area  of  land,  or  be
                  discharged   to  surface  water   after   obtaining
                  appropriate  approval   and permits   as  required.
                  Theoretically, one could apply the separated liquid
                  effluent  back to the same   land  to which  the
                  separated solids were applied - in this example the
                  38,500 gallons (less  solids)  of  domestic septage
                  effluent could be applied to the same acre that the
                  1925 pounds of solids had been applied.

                  [A major drawback to  this option is that  only a
                  relatively small quantity of dewatered solids could be
                  applied per  acre.   These solids  would likely not
                  supply the needed crop nitrogen requirement due to
                  losses of  nitrogen  during  lime treatment  and
                  dewatering.]

                  [As a result, nitrogen management on the application
                  site  would be  difficult.  Not knowing  the actual
                  nitrogen  supplied  by  the  dewatered  domestic
                  septage,  the farmer might add the full amount of
                  nitrogen  required  by  the  crop  using chemical
                  fertilizers. As a result,  over time the groundwater
                  might become contaminated with  excess nitrogen.]
26                                                   Environmental Protection Agency

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            FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
   CAUTION       You may not apply a greater volume of domestic
               septage to  land than  is  calculated  by  the  annual
               application rate formula (e.g., in Options A and C), even
               if the applied  remixed liquid  domestic septage or its
               separated solids contain less than the required amount of
               nitrogen for the crop being grown.  This is because the
               EPA Part 503 domestic septage application rate formula
               limits  more than the amount of nitrogen  added to the
               land (e.g., pollutants like heavy metals are  also indirectly
               limited by the formula). The exception to  this caution is
               if domestic  septage is treated as  sewage  sludge  in
               Option C.

                  Example domestic septage application rates are given
               in Figure 2 (corresponding to nitrogen requirements for
               various  crops  and expected yields).  These are  only
               guidance;  more  exact  information on  the amount of
               nitrogen required for the expected crop yield under local
               soil  and climatic conditions should be obtained from a
               qualified, knowledgeable person, such   as  your  local
               agricultural   extension  agent.    This  crop  nitrogen
               requirement  is then used in the annual application  rate
               formula  to calculate  the  gallons per acre of domestic
               septage that can be applied.
Environmental Protection Agency                                                      27

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            FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
                    Figure 2:           TYPICAL CROP NITROGEN
                                         REQUIREMENTS AND
                                 CORRESPONDING DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
                                         APPLICATION RATES





Corn
Oats
Barley
Grass & Hay
Sorghum
Peanuts
Wheat
Wheat
Soybeans
Cotton
Cotton
Expected Yield
(bushel/acre/
year)


100
90
70
4 tons/acre
60
40
70
150
40
1 bale/acre
1 .5 bales/acre
Nitrogen
Requirement
(Ib N/acre/year) 1


100
60
60
200
60
30
105
250
30
50
90
Annual
Application
Rate
(gallons/acre/
year)
38,500
23,000
23,000
77,000
23,000
11,500
40,400
96,100
11,500
19,200
35,000
                     1  These figures are very general and are provided for
                     illustration purposes. They should not be used to
                     determine your actual application rate. Crop fertilization
                     requirements vary greatly with soil type,  expected
                     yields, and climatic conditions are also important
                     factors in determining the appropriate volume of
                     domestic septage to apply to a particular field.
                     Different amounts of nutrients can be required by the
                     same crop grown in different parts of the country.  To
                     get more specific information on crop fertilization needs
                     specific to your location, contact local agricultural
                     extension agents.
28
Environmental Protection Agency

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                  FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
        PA THOGEN
        REDUCTION
    REQUIREMENTS
    CROP AND SITE
     RESTRICTIONS
    Domestic  septage  must  be  managed  so  that
pathogens (disease-causing organisms) are appropriately
reduced. The Part 503 Regulation offers two alternatives
from which you can pick to meet this requirement.  The
first alternative (no treatment) and its restrictions are
presented in Figure 3; the  requirements of the second
option (pH of 12 for a minimum of 30 minutes) are listed
in Figure 4.

    Please  note that both  of  the  pathogen reduction
alternatives   impose   crop  harvesting   restrictions.
However, site access controls are required unless the pH
pathogen treatment alternative is used. Remember that
you are required to inform the owner/operator of the land
where the  domestic septage has  been  applied about
these crop  harvesting  and  site  access  restriction
requirements.  This notification is required because you,
the applier  of  the domestic septage, must certify  that
these conditions are met.
Environmental Protection Agency
                                                     29

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                        FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
                                  Figure 3:
PATHOGEN REDUCTION ALTERNATIVE 11 for
Domestic Septage (Without Additional Treatment)
Applied to Non-Public Contact Sites
                                  Domestic septage is pumped from the septic tank or holding tank and
                                  land applied without treatment, and

                                  Crop Restrictions:

                                  i)    Food crops with harvested parts that touch the septage/soil
                                       mixture and are totally above ground shall not be harvested for
                                       14 months after application of domestic septage.

                                  ii)    Food crops with harvested parts below the surface of the land
                                       shall not be harvested  for 38 months after application of
                                       domestic septage.

                                  iii)   Animal feed, fiber, and those food crops that do not touch the
                                       soil surface shall not be harvested for 30 days  after application of
                                       the domestic septage.

                                  iv)   Turf grown on land where domestic septage is applied shall not
                                       be harvested for one year after application of the domestic
                                       septage when  the harvested turf is placed on either a lawn or
                                       land with a high potential for public exposure, unless otherwise
                                       specified by the permitting authority.

                                  Grazing Restrictions:

                                  i)    Animals shall not be allowed  to graze on the land for 30 days
                                       after application of domestic  septage.

                                  Site Restrictions:

                                  i)    Public access to land with a low potential for public exposure
                                       shall be restricted  for 30 days after application of domestic
                                       septage. Examples of restricted access include remoteness of
                                       site, posting with no tresspassing signs, and/or simple fencing.
                                     You must meet either of the two pathogen reduction alternatives
                                  discussed in Figure 3 or 4 (not both).
30
                          Environmental Protection Agency

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            FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
                  Figure 4:       PATHOGEN REDUCTION ALTERNATIVE 2
                                 Domestic Septage (With pH Treatment)
                                 Applied to Non-Public Contact Sites
                       for
                  The domestic septage pumped from the septic tank or holding tank has
                  had its pH raised to 12 or higher by the addition of material such as
                  hydrated lime or quicklime and, without adding more alkaline material,
                  the domestic septage remains at a pH of 1 2 or higher for at least 30
                  minutes prior to being land applied, and

                  Crop Restrictions:

                  i)    Food crops with harvested parts that touch the septage/soil
                       mixture and are totally above  ground shall not be harvested for 14
                       months after application of domestic septage.

                  ii)   Food crops with harvested parts below the surface of the land
                       shall not be harvested for  20 months after application of domestic
                       septage when the  domestic septage remains  on the land surface
                       for four months or longer prior to incorporation into  the soil.

                  iii)   Food crops with harvested parts below the surface of the land
                       shall not be harvested for  38 months after application of domestic
                       septage when the  domestic septage remains  on the land surface
                       for less than four months prior to incorporation into  the soil.

                  iv)   Animal feed, fiber, and those  food crops whose harvested parts do
                       not touch the soil surface  shall not be harvested for 30 days after
                       application of the domestic septage.

                  v)   Turf grown on land where domestic septage is applied shall not be
                       harvested for one year after application of the domestic septage
                       when the harvested turf is placed  on either a lawn or land with a
                       high potential for public exposure, unless otherwise specified by
                       the permitting authority.
                   Grazing Restrictions:

                   Site Restrictions:
None

None
                   1  You must meet either of the two pathogen reduction alternatives in
                   Figure 3 or 4 (not both).  Note, if you meet this pH 12 pathogen
                   reduction alternative, you also meet vector attraction reduction
                   alternative number 3 listed  in Figure 5.
Environmental Projection Agency
                                                      31

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                  FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
          VECTOR
    ATTRACTION
      REDUCTION
   ALTERNATIVES
   If you choose pathogen reduction alternative  1  (see
Figure  3),  land application  of the domestic  septage
without additional treatment, you also will be required to
meet one of two vector attraction reduction alternatives.
One of these alternatives is subsurface injection  of the
septage, the other is incorporation into the surface of the
soil  within 6  hours.  The  requirements  of these two
vector attraction reduction alternatives are discussed in
Figure 5.

   On the other hand, if you choose pathogen reduction
alternative 2 (pH treatment as described in Figure  4) you
also meet the requirements of vector attraction reduction
alternative 3, also shown in Figure 5.
   *'>•.; <• • -.-i'"'*•• '-';;''.-'''''v'r " • /''v'v,',;:-"r :• ', • • • > ?>:  /,;• "\ '   ,;,* V 'v; v-,-',, •
   ''. .  :,\<" -V .','V'.<"'',~   '. V' - l ,»   .-'I-:    , .„  , .-  i',i  ,• S -,-,,','  ',;, .>
                          ',- ..  ••,_ '     •  ' -   , '"'-'",'V- '''k-f1,-1-  *»"", '
                    v' ' '-.'••  -V.V•"''"''" , '  ,',•''.>',_' •'.'-, ."' ,' -' *'' *'"*.' •''',','"''""" ~'\


                                   .'ijT'V':''lS'V,,v>( r*'"" '*«%MX', '-,,-',"  ->    , ,;.v,.r?;V"; V^'*4'  't.'1'^';
                                                1 ' k " " '"'"  '" ' '"\	C'Xv'  ''••"*''~? i' ->" ','•. •,;'V':"'
32
                                     Environmental Protection Agency

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                     FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
                          Figure 5:     VECTOR ATTRACTION REDUCTION
                                      ALTERNATIVES1 for Domestic Septage
                                      applied to Non-Public Contact Land
                          VECTOR ATTRACTION REDUCTION ALTERNATIVE 1:
                          Injection

                          Domestic septage shall be injected below the surface of
                          the land, AND no significant amount of the domestic
                          septage shall be present on the land  surface within one
                          hour after the domestic septage is injected;
                                                 OR
                          VECTOR ATTRACTION REDUCTION ALTERNATIVE 2:
                          Incorporation

                          Domestic septage applied to the land surface shall be
                          incorporated into the soil surface plow layer within six
                          (6) hours after application;
                                                 OR
                          VECTOR ATTRACTION REDUCTION ALTERNATIVE 3:
                          pH Adjustment

                          The pH of domestic septage shall be raised to 12 or
                          higher by addition of alkaline material and, without the
                          addition of more alkaline material, shall remain at 12 or
                          higher for 30 minutes.
                          1
                            You must meet vector attraction reduction alternatives
                          1, 2 or 3 - only one.
               CASE        The following  are case examples of septage
          EXAMPLES    management options:
Environmental Protection Agency
                                                                                     33

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                    FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
              CASE EXAMPLE — Management of Untreated Domestic Septage
     1)    The untreated domestic septage is pumped directly into the truck's tank and
          hauled to a non-public contact site.
     2a)  The domestic septage is injected below the land surface with no significant
          amount of domestic septage remaining on the land surface within one hour after
          the domestic septage is injected (vector attraction reduction alternative  1).
                                              OR
     2b)  The domestic septage is incorporated into the soil surface within six hours after
          application to the land (vector attraction reduction alternative 2).
     3a)  If an animal feed crop like hay, a food crop like corn (which does usually not
          touch the surface of the soil), or a fiber crop like cotton is grown, a minimum
          wait of 30 days after application of the domestic septage is required before the
          crop may be harvested.
                                              OR
     3b)  A minimum wait of 30 days after application of the domestic septage is required
          before letting animals graze the pasture.
                                              OR
     3c)  If a food crop, like melons or cucumbers that touch the surface of the soil, is
          grown, a wait of  14 months after application of the domestic septage is required
          before that food crop.
                                              OR
     3d)  If you raise a food crop, like potatoes or onions which grow below the surface of
          the soil, a minimum wait of 38 months after application of the domestic septage
          is required before that food crop may be harvested.  Additional examples of the
          different kinds of crops described in 3a to 3c are listed in Figure 6.
     4)   Public access to this non-public contact site (site with a low potential for public
          exposure) must be restricted for 30 days after application of untreated domestic
          septage.  Examples of restricted access includes remoteness of site, posting with
          "no trespassing" signs, and simple fencing.
     5)   You must complete and sign the certification listed in Figure 7 about meeting the
          pathogen and vector attraction reduction requirements.
34                                                             Environmental Protection Agency

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   FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
Figure 6: EXAMPLES OF CROPS IMPACTED BY
DOMESTIC SEPTAGE PATHOGEN
REQUIREMENTS
With Harvested Parts Which...
Usually Do
Not Touch
the Ground
Peaches
Apples
Corn
Wheat
Oats
Barley
Oranges
Grapefruit
Cotton
Soybeans
Usually Touch
the Ground

Melons
Eggplant
Squash
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Celery
Strawberries
Cabbage
Lettuce
Hay
Are Below the
Ground

Potatoes
Yams
Sweet Potatoes
Rutabaga
Peanuts
Onions
Leaks
Radishes
Turnips
Beets
Environmental Protection Agency
35

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              FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
                       CASE EXAMPLE:  Management by pH Adjustment
                 The pH of domestic septage is raised to 1 2 by treatment with an
                 alkaline material such as hydrated or quicklime. Each batch of
                 domestic septage that is applied to land must have its pH at 12 for a
                 minimum of 30 minutes.  By this treatment you have met the pH part
                 of the pathogen reduction alternative 2 and vector attraction reduction
                 alternative 3.
            2a)
            2b)
            2c)
            2d>
If animal feed, a food crop like corn (that does not usually touch the
surface of the soil), or a fiber  crop like cotton is grown, a minimum
wait of 30 days after application of the domestic  septage is required
before the corn may be harvested.
                                                OR
If a feed crop, like hay is grown, a minimum of 30 days after
application of the domestic septage is required before the hay may be
harvested.  However, animals can be grazed immediately  after
application of the pH-treated domestic septage to the pasture.
                                                OR
If a food crop, like melons or cucumbers that touch the surface of the
soil is grown, a wait of 14 months after application of the domestic
septage is required before that food crop may be harvested.
                                                OR
If a food crop, like potatoes or onions which grow below the surface
of the soil, is produced, a minimum wait of 20 or 38 months after
application of the domestic septage is required before that food crop
may be harvested -- the shorter  period of time is permitted only if the
lime-treated domestic septage remained on the surface of the soil for
greater than four months  before being incorporated.
            3)   There are no animal grazing or public access restrictions in Case 2
                 where the pH of the domestic septage was raised to 12 for a
                 minimum of 30 minutes.
            4)   You must complete and sign the certification listed in  Figure 7 about
                 meeting pathogen and vector attraction reduction requirements.
36
                                                              Environmental Protection Agency

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               FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
      HOW TO
 RAISE THE pH
 OF DOMESTIC
      SEPTAGE
  The alkaline materials most commonly used by septage
haulers to raise the pH of domestic septage are hydrated
lime and quicklime. There are several methods by which
hydrated lime or quicklime can be added to the septage
for treatment in the pumper truck tank.   Methods that
septage servicing  professionals have recommended are
presented below, along  with cautions they have passed
on.  Any one of these methods may work well for you.
However, whatever method you choose,  you must test
two separate, representative samples of the batch of
lime-treated  domestic septage taken a minimum of 30
minutes apart to  verify that the pH remains at 12 or
greater for that minimum  30-minute time period.  Each
method involves  adding 20 to 40 pounds of  lime per
1000 gallons of domestic septage.
                      THE pH OF THE DOMESTIC SEPTAGE MUST
                      REMAIN AT 12 OR HIGHER FOR AT LEAST 30
                      MINUTES AFTER THE ALKALINE MATERIAL IS
                      ADDED.
                                 Using Hydrated Lime
                    One approach was described by David Pickar, whose
                  septage servicing business is in Oregon. His procedure
                  involves  slurrying  hydrated  lime  in   water  and
                  subsequently bleeding  the lime slurry  into the vacuum
                  draw line at the same time  domestic  septage is being
                  pumped into the truck.

                    He places hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) in a plastic
                  tank partly filled with water (e.g., 55-gallon open plastic
                  drum or a 100-gallon plastic tank).  He adds  about 13
Environmental Protect/on Agency
                                                       37

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                  FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
                    gallons of water to 50 pounds of lime and mixes it with
                    an electric paddle mixer to form a slurry.  The slurried
                    lime mixture is drawn off through a stop-cock valve at
                    the base of the mixing tank into 5-gallon buckets (for
                    example, plastic paint buckets).  Each bucket contains a
                    water-lime slurry with between 20 to 30 pounds of lime
                    (dry weight basis) in the mix.  The consistency of this
                    mixture  would   be  somewhat  thinner  than drywall
                    spackling compound (mud).  The 5-gallon buckets  are
                    hauled on the septage pumper truck.
                                            Reference: Register of American Manufacturers
                                                                   JWI, Inc.
38                                                    Environmental Protection Agency

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        FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
             A  "T" fixture  has previously  been fitted  into the
           pumper truck's  septage draw line.  This  "T"  fitting
           attaches in a small-diameter,  valved  polyethylene line
           (one-half inch in diameter). The line is used at the proper
           time to bleed slurried lime into the truck as the septage
           is being drawn in.

             David draws a  portion of  the septage  from a septic
           tank into the truck without  bleeding in the lime  slurry.
           He then blows back the partially pumped load of septage
           into the septic tank to break up any layers of hardened
           septage solids and grease.

             Now, at  the same time the  septage is pumped back
           into the truck for hauling and land  application, he bleeds
           the slurry into the truck from  a 5-gallon  bucket at the
           rate of one bucket per  each  1000 gallons  of septage
           pumped.

             The pH of the pumped, lime-treated  septage will have
           to be tested by the pumper to  see that enough lime has
           been added to cause it to remain at a minimum of 12 for
           30 minutes.   Suggested procedures  for sampling and
           testing the pH are described in the next subsection of
           this guidance.
                              Using Quicklime
             Tom Ferrero, whose septage servicing business is in
            Pennsylvania, uses quicklime (calcium oxide) instead of
            hydrated lime for raising the pH. He reports using a more
            dilute mixture of water and lime in his slurry than David
            Pickar (about 80 pounds of lime to 50 gallons of water).
Environmental Protection Agency

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                FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
                     CAUTION:  Quicklime is more reactive than
                     hydrated lime and it releases a lot of heat. IF
                     QUICKLIME IS USED, SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
                     MUST BE TAKEN.  Quicklime can cause bad
                     burns if  it gets onto moist skin or into your
                     eyes. Appropriate safety precautions include
                     the use  of rubberized gloves, a respirator to
                     exclude  dust, and protective eyewear and
                     clothing to keep moist skin from contacting the
                     quicklime. In addition, a fire could start if a bag
                     of quicklime gets wet and sits around.  Any fire
                     involving quicklime must be put out using a
                     carbon dioxide [C02] extinguisher, not water.
                     Water sprayed onto such a fire would only react
                     with the quicklime and release more heat. (See
                     Appendix D for additional cautions.)
                     When Tom intends to land apply the septage within an
                    hour or so after pumping, he draws the slurried lime into
                    his truck at the rate of  about 20  pounds per  1000
                    gallons of septage pumped.  He has tried drawing the
                    lime slurry into his trucks both before and after pumping
                    the  septage, but prefers  to  draw the  slurry in before
                    pumping.
40
Environmental Protection Agency

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        FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
                When Tom intends to hold the septage for some period
               of time before he land applies, he places it in a large tank
               at his business location.  He draws lime slurry into the
               tank and uses an electric mixer to uniformly raise the pH.
                Note:  Pumpers have indicated their reluctance to raise
               the  pH  in  the septic  tank either  indirectly  (as  just
               described) or directly by placing lime in the septic tank
               before pumping. This is caused by unfounded concern
               that the raised pH within the septic tank could possibly
               disrupt the  biological treatment that occurs there.  The
               fact is that only very minimal temporary disruptions of
               the biological treatment occur.
                 Tom  reports that the exact  amount of lime solids
               required per 1000 gallons of septage (generally between
               20 and 30  pounds) depends upon the solids content of
               the septage: thicker septage requires more lime to reach
               the required pH of 12.
Environmental Protection Agency

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FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
                Using Dry Alkaline Material
     Hydrated lime or quicklime can also be added in a dry
   form directly into the pumper truck at the same rate of
   approximately  20 to 30  pounds per 1000 gallons of
   domestic septage about to be pumped. The dry lime can
   be added from the top of the truck via  ports or by
   sucking dry lime into the truck using the vacuum line.
   However, when sucking  the  dry  lime  in  through  the
   vacuum line, some of the time may make its way through
   to the pump and could ultimately cause  undue wear. In
   addition, the lime may clump in the bottom of the truck
   and not mix well.  Finally, if dry quicklime powder were
   used, it could  react with any moisture in  your plastic
   draw line and release enough heat to damage the line.
                  Other Alkaline Material
     Other alkaline materials may be available for raising the
   pH of the domestic septage. These materials are often
   manufacturing byproducts.  Some of these byproducts
   contain significant levels of pollutants such as heavy
   metals.  You should  test these materials to determine
   that  you are  not adding pollutants  in  excess  of  the
   pollutant concentration levels shown in Appendix B.
                         General
     Any of these pH adjustment alternatives may work for
   you.  The key is  that enough lime or other  suitable
   alkaline material be thoroughly mixed with the septage so
   that the pH remains at 12 for a minimum of 30  minutes
   before being applied to non-public contact sites.
                                       Environmental Protection Agency

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                  FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
        SAMPLING
     AND TESTING
               TO
       DETERMINE
        THEpH OF
        DOMESTIC
         SEPTAGE
  You should not automatically assume that the lime or
pther alkaline material you have added and the method of
mixing chosen will adequately increase the pH  of  the
domestic  septage.    The  pH  must  be tested.    A
representative sample should be taken from the body of
the truckload or tank of domestic septage for testing.
For example, a sampling container could be attached to
a rod or board and dipped into the septage through  the
hatch on top of the truck or tank or through a  sampling
port.  Alternatively, a sample could be taken  from  the
rear discharge valve at the bottom of the truck's tank.
However, if the lime has settled to the bottom  of  the
tank and has not been properly mixed with the septage,
the sample  will not be representative.   Two  separate
samples should be taken 30 minutes apart, and both of
the samples must test at pH 12 or greater. If the pH is
not at 1 2 or greater for a full 30 minutes, additional lime
can be added and mixed with the septage.  However,
after mixing in the additional lime, the septage must be
at 1 2 or greater for a full 30 minutes in order to meet  the
pH requirement of the Part 503 Regulation.
Environmental Protection Agency
                                                    43

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              FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
CERTIFICATION
  The pH of the domestic septage sample can be tested
using either a pH meter or pH-sensitive colored paper.
There are several brands of suitable pH-sensitive paper.
See Appendix D for additional information  about these
materials.

  The land applier of domestic septage must sign the
certification that  the pathogen and  vector  attraction
reduction requirements of the Part  503 Regulation have
been  met and retain this  certification  in  his files for
5 years.  The  required certification is given in Figure 7.
Note that a land applier with employees must assure that
his/her employees are qualified. These employees must
be capable  of gathering the  needed information and
performing the necessary  tasks  so that the required
pathogen and vector attraction reduction requirements
are met.
                                                  Environmental Protection Agency

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                    FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
                             Figure 7:
CERTIFICATION
                             "I certify under penalty of law, that the pathogen
                             requirements in [insert either alternative 1 or 2]
                             and the vector attraction reduction requirements
                             in [insert either vector reduction alternative  1, 2
                             or 3] have/have not [circle one] been met.  This
                             determination has been made under  my direction
                             and supervision in accordance with the system
                             designed to assure that qualified personnel
                             properly gather and evaluate the information
                             used to determine that the pathogen
                             requirements and the  vector attraction reduction
                             requirements have been met. I am aware that
                             there are significant penalties for false
                             certification including  the possibility  of fine and
                             imprisonment."
                                         Signed: "Im Anna Plier"

                                         (to be signed by the person
                                         designated as responsible in the
                                         firm that applies domestic septage
                          A person is qualified if he or she has been sufficiently
                        trained to  do their job correctly.  The critical test of this
                        qualification is passing an inspection of field performance
                        and records by authorized State or Federal inspectors.
Environmental Protection Agency
                                        45

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                FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THE APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
   MANAGEMENT     There are no specific Federal management  practice
      PRACTICES   requirements for appliers of domestic septage to non-
                   public contact sites in the Part 503 Regulation.  On the
                   other hand,  many  states  have specific management
                   practice  requirements  that you must follow.   Such
                   required  practices  may include minimum  distances
                   between sites where domestic septage has been applied
                   and  drinking water wells  and surface water streams.
                   Good practice  would also  suggest a  caution  against
                   applying domestic septage to flooded, frozen, or snow-
                   covered land such that it will run-off into a wetland or
                   surface water stream. Even if the domestic septage did
                   not reach surface water,  it should  not be allowed to
                   concentrate and overload  a  portion of the field with
                   nutrients or be  allowed to collect in low areas and road
                   ditches and create a nuisance condition.
46                                                   Environmental Protection Agency

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 SECTION 4
             STA TE RULES ALSO APPL Y FOR LAND APPLICA TION OF DOMESTIC SEPTA GE
                         Although the Federal Part 503 Standards for the Use
                      or  Disposal of  Sewage  Sludge,  including  domestic
                      septage, were signed in 1992 and published on February
                      19, 1993, many states have had septage management
                      programs for years.  The Federal regulation only sets a
                      minimum national  standard  which must be met by all
                      domestic septage appliers.
                                                 c
                                    COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS
                                    DOES NOT ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH STATE
                                    REQUIREMENTS.

                                    AN IMPORTANT CAUTION IS THAT STATE
                                    PROGRAMS MAY LIKELY NOT DEFINE
                                    DOMESTIC SEPTAGE THE SAME WAY AS
                                    THE FEDERAL REGULATIONS.

                                    FURTHERMORE, THE DIFFERENT STATE
                                    REGULATIONS MAY NOT PROVIDE FOR
                                    LESS BURDENSOME REGULATION OF
                                    DOMESTIC SEPTAGE APPLIED TO NON-
                                    PUBLIC CONTACT SITES, AS DOES THE
                                    FEDERAL REGULATION.
                         In some cases the State requirements may  be more
                      restrictive or may be administered in a different manner
                      than the  Federal regulation. State programs may likely
                      not define domestic septage in the same manner  as the
                      Federal  regulation.    Furthermore,  the different  state
Environmental Protection Agency
                                                                             47

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            STATE RULES ALSO APPLY FOR LAND APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
                   regulations may not provide less burdensome regulatory
                   requirements when domestic septage is applied to non-
                   public contact sites,  as does the Federal regulation.  In
                   any  case,  appliers of domestic  septage  to  non-public
                   contact sites must meet all requirements  of both State
                   and  Federal septage regulations until a  State obtains
                   approval from EPA for administering the Federal sewage
                   sludge regulatory  program.   States  can change their
                   regulations to meet the minimum Federal standards and
                   obtain a Federally approved program at any time, but
                   they are under no obligation to do so.
       DECIDING
        HOW TO
     MEET BOTH
   FEDERAL AND
   STATE RULES
 • Knowing  exactly  which  rules  to  follow can be
   somewhat complicated.   The following  situations
   should help you to determine what you are required to
   do:

 • In all cases, appliers of domestic septage to  non-
   public contact sites have to follow the new Part 503
   Regulation for domestic septage management, as
   explained in this document.

 • If your State has its own rules governing the use or
   disposal of domestic septage and has not yet adopted
   the Federal rule, you will have to first assure that you
   are  complying with the Federal rule  and then do
   whatever else is required by the State.

   If your  State has  gained  approval  from EPA  to
administer the Federal rule, then you will only have to
follow your State's rule to meet the requirements of both
rules.  This is because  your  State, as a condition of
gaining  EPA's  approval, has  incorporated the  Federal
requirements into its rule.

   Each State has a different approach to regulating the
land application of domestic  septage.   The  current
48
                                 Environmental Protection Agency

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            STATE RULES ALSO APPLY FOR LAND APPUCA TION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
                   septage management programs of Florida and Minnesota
                   are described in  Appendix E.   The septage  program
                   requirements of these two States are presented as an
                   example of how  State  and  Federal rules may  differ.
                   Differences between these two States and the Federal
                   regulatory requirements are  summarized  in Figure 8.
                   Regulatory  requirements of  several other  states are
                   discussed in the USEPA Region 5 publication (5).
                       YOU ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO
                       CHECK WITH THE APPROPRIATE STATE
                       SEPTAGE COORDINATOR (PROVIDED IN
                       APPENDIX A) REGARDING SPECIFIC
                       REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR STATE.
Environmental Protection Agency
                                                                     49

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             STATE RULES ALSO APPLY FOR LAND APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
50
Environmental Protection Agency

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               STA TE RULES ALSO APPL Y FOR LAND APPLICA TION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
FIGURE 8: COMPARISON OF FEDERAL AND SELECTED STATE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE LAND APPLICATION OF
DOMESTIC SEPTAGE TO NON-PUBLIC CONTACT SITES

PERMITS REQUIRED
Issued By
APPLICATION RATE
Based on:




Typical Rate
(gallons/acfe/year)

Hydraulic Loading Limits
Daily Application Rate Max.

RECORD KEEPING
Reporting Required
Years to Be Retained
Required Information:
Site Location
Date of Application
Time of Application
Number of Acres
Amount of Septage Applied
Crop Grown
Weather Conditions
Certification
Depth to Water Table
Percent Vegetative Cover
PATHOGEN REDUCTION





VECTOR ATTRACTION REDUCTION




Federal
No


Crop Nitrogen
Requirement



38,500


No
No

Yes
None
Five

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
pH 12/2 hours and
harvesting
restrictions
OR
Site and harvesting
restrictions
pH 1 2/30 minutes
OR
Injection
Or
Incorporation
Minnesota 1
No


Crop Nitrogen
Requirement and
Other Nitrogen
Impacts

66,700 surface
applied or
50,000 injected
Yes
15, 000 gal/acre2
1 0,000 gal/acre 3
Yes
None
Not Specified

Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
Optional





Optional




Florida
Yes
County

Crop Nitrogen
Requirement
Max. 500 IbN/acre/yr
or 30,000
gal/acre/year



Yes


Yes
Quarterly


Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Optional





pH 12/2 hours




Environmental Protection Agency
51

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             STA TE RULES ALSO APPL Y FOR LAND APPLICA TION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
FIGURE 8 Con't COMPARISON OF FEDERAL AND SELECTED STATE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE LAND APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC
SEPTAGE TO NON-PUBLIC CONTACT SITES

CROP HARVESTING RESTRICTIONS
Human Food Crops With
Harvestable Portions That
Touch the Soil Surface But Are
Totally Above Ground
Root Crops

Other Food, Fibers or Feed
Grazing
Turf
ACCESS RESTRICTION
[Fencing, posting, remoteness, etc.l
SET BACK REQUIREMENTS
Surface Waters

Public Water Supply Well
Private Drinking Water Well
Residence
Property Boundary
Recreational Area
Intermittent Streams
Road Right-of-Ways
Holes and Channels
SOIL REQUIREMENTS
Slope

Minimum Soil Depth
Minimum Depth to Water Table
Available Water Holding Capacity
Permeability

Flooding
Federal

14 Months



20 Months E
38 Months 7
30 Days
30 Days 4
1 Year*
Required for
Non-Stablized

None

None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None

None

None
None
None
None

None
Minnesota 1

12 Months*



2 Years4

30 Days *
1 Year4

Required


Varies with site slope 8

1000ft8
200 ft "
200 ft 8
10ft8
600 ft (200 ft trails) 8
1 00 ft 8
10 ft8
Varies with site slope8

0-6% (if surface spread)
0-12% (injected)
3 ft
3 ft
6 inches to bedrock or watertable
>.2/hr (if surface spread] inches
<6/hr in at least 1 horizon inches
Free from flooding hazard
Florida

60 Days 5



Not allowed

30 Days
30 Days

Case Specific


3000 ft-Class 1 and
200 ft -other
500 ft
300ft
300ft
75 ft
None
None
None
200ft

8%

2 ft -permeable
None
None
None

None
Notes: 1 = Minnesota's entered information is guidelines, not regulation.
2 = Medium-textured soils.
3 = Fine-textured soils.
4 = Non-treated septage.
5 = Use of septage not allowed on leafy vegetables or tobacco.
6 = If septage remains on the soil surface for four months or longer.
7 = If septage remains on the soil surface for less than four months.
8 = Non-stabilized, surface spread septage.
52
Environmental Protection Agency

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 REFERENCES
                    1} Metcalf and Eddy,  1991. Wastewater Engineering:
                       Treatment,   Disposal,  and  Reuse,   McGraw-Hill
                       Publishing Co., New York, NY.
                    2) Fair, G. M., J.  C.  Geyer, & D. A. Okum.  1968.
                       Water  Purification and Wastewater Treatment and
                       Disposal  In  Water  and  Wastewater  Engineering,
                       Volume 2.
                    3) USEPA. 1984.  Handbook:  Septage Treatment and
                       Disposal, EPA-625/6-84-009. CERI, Cincinnati, OH.
                    4) USEPA.  "Field Guide for Septage Treatment and
                       Disposal. In Draft."  CERI, Cincinnati, OH.
                    5) USEPA.  June  1993.  Hauled Domestic Septage.
                       Land Application of Domestic Septage: A Region 5
                       Introspective. Chicago, IL.
                    6} State  of   Florida   Department  of  Health  and
                       Rehabilitative Services. March 17, 1992. Standards
                       for   Onsite  Sewage  Disposal  System  (Chapter
                       10D-6 FAC).
                    7) Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.  October 1 992
                       Draft. Land Application of Septage.
Environmental Protection Agency                                                    53

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i-;" /,' i»v,v:;,iSx^t;'",J:1r^;;\;;V-^'
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APPENDIX A
                                              STA TE SEPTAGE COORDINATORS
   ALABAMA
   Sam Robertson
   Environmental Program Management
    Division
   Department of Health
   434 Monroe Street
   Montgomery, AL 36130-3017
   (205) 242-5007

   ALASKA
   Deena Henkins
   Wastewater and Water
    Treatment Section
   Division  of Environmental Quality
   Department of Environmental
   Conservation
   410 Willoughby Avenue
   Juneau,  AK 99801
   (907) 465-5312

   ARIZONA
   Krista Gooch
   Office Of Waste Programs
   Solid Waste Unit
   Department of Environmental Quality
   2501 North 4th Street
   Suite 14
   Flagstaff, AZ 86004
   (602) 773-9285

   ARKANSAS
   Terry Brumelav
   Environmental Health Protection
   Bureau of Environmental
    Health  Services
   Department of Health
   State Health Building
   4815 West Markham Street
   Little Rock, AR 72205
   (501) 661-2171
CALIFORNIA
John Youngerman
Regulatory Section
Division of Water Quality
State Water Resources Control Board
P.O. Box 944213
Sacramento, CA 94244-2130
(916) 657-1013

COLORADO
Phil Hegeman
Municipal Sludge
 Management Program
Water Quality Control Division
Department of Health
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Glendale, CO 80222-1530
(303) 692-3598

CONNECTICUT
Frank Schaub
On-Site Sewage Department
State Health Services
150 Washington Street
Hartford, CT 06106
(203) 566-1259

DELAWARE
Ron Graber
Dept. of Natural Resources
 and Environmental Control
Division of Water Resources
Waste Utilization Program
89 Kings Highway
P.O. Box 1401
Dover, DE  19903
(302) 739-5731
A-1
                                                     Environmental Protection Agency

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                                               S7XITE SEPTAGE COORDINA TORS
   DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
   Dr. Mohfin R. Siddique
   DCRA Environmental
    Regulation Administration
   Water Resources Management
    Division
   2100 Martin Luther
    King, Jr. Avenue  S.E.
   Suite 203
   Washington, DC 20020
   (202) 404-1120

   FLORIDA
   Sharon Sawicki
   Bureau of Water Facilities
    Planning and Regulation
   Domestic Wastewater Section
   Department of Environmental
    Regulation
   Twin Towers Office Building
   2600 Blairstone Road
   Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400
   (904) 488-4524

   Dr. Kevin Sherman
   MRS Environmental Health (HSEH)
   Department of Health and
    Rehabilitative  Services
   1317 Winewood Boulevard
   Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700
   (904) 488-4070

   GEORGIA
   Ide Oke
   Department of Human Resources
   Division of Public Health
   #2 Peachtree Street
   5th Floor Annex
   Atlanta, GA 30303
   (404)656-2454
HAWAII
Dennis Tuland
Construction Grants Program
Wastewater Branch Department
 of Health
5 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 250-D
500 Ala Moana Boulevard
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808)  586-4294

IDAHO
Barry  Burnell
Division of Environmental Quality
Department of Health and Welfare
1410  North Hilton
Boise, ID 83706
(208)  334-5860

INDIANA
Alan Dunn
Department of Health,
 Sanitary Engineering
1330  West Michigan  Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-2874
(317)  633-0160

ILLINOIS
Doug  Ebelherr
Private Sewage Disposal Program
Department of Public  Health
525 West Jefferson Street
Third  Floor
Springfield, IL 62761
(217)  782-5830
Environmental Protection Agency
                                   A-2

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                                               STA TE SEPTAGE COORD/HA TORS
   IOWA
   Billy Chen
   Wastewater Bureau
   Department of Natural Resources
   Wallace Building
   900 East Grand Avenue
   Des Moines, IA 50309
   (515) 281-4305

   KANSAS
   Rodney Geisler, and Julie Greene
   Department of Health
    and Environment
   Building 740
   Forbes  Field
   Topeka, KA 66620
   (913) 296-5527

   KENTUCKY
   Ken Wade
   Environmental Sanitation Branch
   Division of Local Health
   Cabinet for Human Resources
   275 East Main Street
   Frankfurt, KY  40621
   (502) 564-4856

   LOUISIANA
   Bijan Sharafkhani
   Solid Waste Division
   Department of Environmental Quality
   P.O. Box 82178
   Baton Rouge,  LA  70884-2178
   (504)765-0249
MAINE
James Pollock
Department of Environmental
 Protection
Bureau of Hazardous Materials
 and Solid Waste Control
Division of Waste Facility Regulation
State House Station 17
Augusta, ME 04333
(207)  287-2651

MARYLAND
Dr. Simin Tirgari, Chief
Sewage Sludge/Compliance Division
Hazardous  and Solid Waste
 Management Administration
Department of the Environment
2500  Broening Highway
Baltimore,  MD 21224
(410)  631-3318

MASSACHUSETTS
Rick Dunn
Department of Environmental
 Protection
Division of Water Pollution Control
1 Winter Street
Boston, MA 02108
(617)  556-1130

MICHIGAN
Joan Peck
Groundwater Section of Waste
 Management
Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 30241
Lansing, Ml 48909
(517)  335-3383
A-3
              Environmental Protection Agency

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                                              STA TE SEPTAGE COORDINA TORS
   MINNESOTA
   Mark Wespetal
   Non-Point Source Section
   Division of Water Quality
   Pollution Control Agency
   520 Lafayette Road
   Saint Paul, MN  55155
   (612) 296-9322

   MISSISSIPPI
   Glen Odom
   Bureau of Pollution Control
   P.O. Box 10385
   Jackson, MS 39289-0385
   (601) 961-5159

   Ralph Turnbo
   General Sanitation Branch
   Department  of Health
   P.O. Box 1700
   Jackson, MS 39215-1700
   (601) 960-7690

   MISSOURI
   Ken Arnold
   Unit Chief of Land Application
   Water Pollution  Control Program
   Department  of Natural Resources
   P.O. Box 176
   Jefferson City,  MO 65102
   (314) 751-9155

   MONTANA
   Scott Anderson
   Water Quality Bureau
   Department  of Health and
    Environmental Sciences
   Cogswill Building, Room A206
   Helena, MT  59620
   (406) 444-2406
NEBRASKA
Steve Goans
Water Quality Division
Department of Environmental Quality
P.O.  Box 98922-8922
Statehouse Station
Lincoln, NE 68509-8922
(402) 471-4220

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Selina Makofsky
Water Supply and Pollution
 Control Division
Sludge and Septage Management
Department of Environmental Services
P.O.  Box 95
6 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-2457

NEW JERSEY
Mary Jo M. Aiello
Bureau of Pretreatment and Residuals
Department of Environmental
 Protection
CN-029
Trenton, NJ 08625
(609) 633-3823

NEW MEXICO
Delbert Bell
Groundwater Bureau
Environmental Department
P.O.  Box 26110
1190 St. Francis Drive
Santa Fe, NM 87502-6110
(505) 827-2788
Environmental Protection Agency
                                  A-4

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                                              STA TE SSPTAGE COORDINA TORS
   NEVADA
   Mahmood Azad
   Bureau of Water Pollution Control
   Department of Conservation and
    Natural Resources
   Division of Environmental Protection
   Capitol Complex
   333 West Nye Lane
   Carson City, NV 89710
   (702)  687-5870

   NEW YORK
   Ly Lim
   Residuals  Management Section
   Bureau of Resource Recovery
   Division of Solid Waste
   Department of Environmental
    Conservation
   50 Wolf Road
   Albany, NY 12233-4013
   (518)  457-7336

   NORTH CAROLINA
   Ted Lyon
   Department of Environment, Health
    and Natural Resources
   Division of Solid Waste Management
   Solid Waste Section
   Septage Management  Branch
   P.O. Box 27687
   Raleigh, NC 27611
   (919)  733-0692

   NORTH DAKOTA
   Gary Reed
   Division of Municipal Facilities
   Department of Health
   1200  Missouri Avenue
   Bismark, ND 58505
   (701)  221-5209
OHIO
Tom Grigsby
Department of Health
246 North High Street
P.O. Box 7969
Columbus, OH  43266-0118
(614) 466-1390

OKLAHOMA
Dan Hodges
Water Quality Services
Department of Health
1000 N.E. 10th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1299
(405) 271-5205

OREGON
Mark Ronayne
Department of Environmental Quality
Water Quality Division
Municipal Waste Section
811 S.W. 6th Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
(503) 229-6442

PENNSYLVANIA
Thomas Woy
Department of Environmental
 Resources
Division of Municipal &
 Residual Waste
Bureau of Waste Management
P.O. Box 8472
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8472
(717) 787-7381
A-5
              Environmental Protection Agency

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                                              STATE SEPTAGE COORDINATORS
   RHODE ISLAND
   David Chopy
   Division of Water Resources
   Department of Environmental
    Management
   291 Promenade Street
   Providence, Rl 02908-5657
   (401) 277-3961

   SOUTH CAROLINA
   Dick Hatfield, Director
   On Site Wastewater Management
    Division
   Bureau of Environmental Health
   Department of Health and
   Environmental Control
   2600 Bull Street
   Columbia, SC 29201
   (803) 935-7835

   SOUTH DAKOTA
   Bill Gyer
   Division of Environmental Regulation
   Department of Environment and
    Natural Resources
   523 East Capital Street
   Pierre, SD 57501-3181
   (605) 773-3351

   TENNESSEE
   Steve Morris
   Division of Groundwater Protection
   Department of Environment
    and Conservation
   10th Floor, LNC Tower
   401 Church Street
   Nashville, TE 37243-1533
   (615) 532-0774
TEXAS
Phyllis Wilbanks
Municipal Permits
Texas Water Commission
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, TX  78711-3087
(512) 463-8169

UTAH
John Kennington
Division of Water Quality
Department of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 144870
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4870
(801) 538-6146

VERMONT
George Desch, Chief
Agency of  Natural Resources
Department of Environmental
 Conservation
Division of Solid Waste Management
Residuals Section
103 South Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05671-0407
(803) 244-7831

VIRGINIA
Robert  W.  Hicks
Office of Environmental
 Health Services
Department of Health
Main Street Station, Suite 117
P.O. Box 2448
Richmond, VA 23218
(804) 786-3559
Environmental Protection Agency
                                  A-6

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                                                STA TE SEPTA GE COORDINA TORS
   WASHINGTON
   Kyle Dorsey
   Department of Ecology
   P.O. Box 47600
   Mailstop 7600
   Olympra, WA 98504-7600
   (206) 459-6307

   WEST VIRGINIA
   Ron Forren, Director
   Public Health Sanitation Division
   Office of Environmental Health
    Services
   815 Quarrier Street, Suite 418
   Charleston, WV 25305
   (304) 558-2981

   WISCONSIN
   Robert Steindorf
   Bureau of Wastewater Management
   Division of Environmental Quality
   101  South Webster Street GEF II
   P.O. Box 7921
   Madison, Wl  53707-7921
   (608) 266-0449

   WYOMING
   Gary Steele
   Water Quality Division
   Wyoming Department of
    Environmental Quality
   Herschler Building, 4th Floor West
   122 West 25th Street
   Cheyenne, WY 82002
   (307) 777-7075
PUERTO RICO
Victor Matta, Section Chief
Non-Hazardous Solid Waste Section
Land Pollution Control Area
Environmental Quality Board
P.O. Box 11488
Santurce, Puerto Rico 00910
(809) 767-8124

VIRGIN ISLANDS
Leonard G. Reed, Jr.,
 Assistant Director
Division of Environmental Protection
Department of Planning
 and Natural Resources
45 A. Nisky Center, Suite 231
Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802
(809) 774-5416
A-7
              Environmental Protection Agency

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                                                 REGIONAL SEPTAGE COORDINATORS
   REGION 1
   Thelma Hamilton
   Water Management Division
   Wastewater Treatment
     Management Branch
   John F. Kennedy Federal Building
   Mail Stop WMC
   Boston, MA  02203
   (617)  565-3569

   REGION 2
   Alia Ronfaeal
   NY-NJ Municipal Programs Branch
   Water Management Division
   26 Federal Plaza, Room 837
   New York, NY  10278
   (212)  264-8663

   REGION 3
   Ann Carkhuff
   Permits Enforcement Branch
   Program Development Section
   Water Management Division
   Mail Stop 3WM55
   841 Chestnut Street
   Philadelphia,  PA 19107
   (215)  597-9406

   REGION 4
   Vince Miller
   Permits Section
   Water Permits and  Enforcement Branch
   Municipal Facilities Branch
   Water Management Division
   345 Courtland  Street, N.E.
   Atlanta, GA  30365
   (404)  347-3633

   REGION 5
   John Colletti
   NPDES Permit Section
   Water Quality Branch
   Water Management Division
   5 WQP-16J
   77 West Jackson Boulevard
   Chicago, IL 60604
   (312) 886-6106
REGION 6
Gene Wossum
Water Management Division
1445 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX  75202
(214) 655-7173

REGION 7
John Dunn
Water Management Division
726 Minnesota Avenue
Kansas City, KA 66101
(913) 551-7594

REGION 8
Robert Brobst
NPDES Permit Section
Water Management Division
(Mail Stop 8WM-C)
999 18th Street
Denver, CO 80202-2466
(303) 293-1627

REGION 9
Lauren Fondahl
Pretreatment Program and
  Compliance Section
Permits and Compliance Branch
Water Management Division
(Mail Stop w-5-2)
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 744-1909

REGION 10
Dick Hetherington
Water Permits Section
Wastewater Management and
  Enforcement Branch
Water Division
Mail Stop WD134
1200 6th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 553-1941
A-8
                Environmental Protection Agency

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                                                                  U.S. EPA REGIONS
                                                  ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF STA TES
Region - State
4 - Alabama
10 - Alaska
9 - Arizona
6 - Arkansas
9 - California
8 - Colorado
1 - Connecticut
3 - Delaware
3 - District of
Columbia
4 - Florida
4 - Georgia
9 - Hawaii
10 - Idaho
5 - Illinois
Region - State
5 - Indiana
7 - Iowa
7 - Kansas
4 - Kentucky
6 - Louisiana
1 - Maine
3 - Maryland
1 - Massachusetts
5 - Michigan
5 - Minnesota
4 - Mississippi
7 - Missouri
8 - Montana
7 - Nebraska

Region - State
9 - Nevada
1 - New Hampshire
2 - New Jersey
6 - New Mexico
2 - New York
4 - North Carolina
8 - North Dakota
5 - Ohio
6 - Oklahoma
10 - Oregon
3 - Pennsylvania
1 - Rhode Island
4 - South Carolina
8 - South Dakota

Region - State
4 - Tennessee
6 - Texas
8 - Utah
1 - Vermont
3 - Virginia
1 0 - Washington
3 - West Virginia
5 - Wisconsin
8 - Wyoming
9 - American
Samoa
9 - Guam
2 - Puerto Rico
2 - Virgin Islands

Environmental Protection Agency
A-9

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APPENDIX B
  CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE VS. SEWAGE SLUDGE


Parameter


Arsenic
Cadmium
Chromium
Copper
Lead
Mercury
Molybdenum
Nickel
Selenium
Zinc
Nitrogen as N
Phosphorus as P
PH
Grease
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5)
Total Solids
(as normally spread)
Concentration
mg/kg (dry weight basis)

Domestic
Septage1
4
3
14
140
35
0.15
—
15
2
290
2%
<1%
6- 7
6 - 12%
6,480 mg/l
3.4%


Sewage
Sludge2
10
7
120
740
130
5
4
43
5
1200
2 - 7%
1 - 3%
5 - 8
5 - 10%
2000mg/l4
3 - 35%

Pollutant
Concentration
Limit (PCL)3
41
39
1200
1500
300
17
18
420
100
2800
—
—
—
—
—
—

   Notes:

   1:  Domestic septage characteristics are from Field Guide to Septage Treatment and Disposal.

   2:  Sewage sludge characteristics  are  from  the National  Sewage  Sludge Survey,  and
       Wastewater Engineering: Treatment/Disposal/Reuse.

   3:  Pollutant Concentration Limits are from Table 3 of the Standards for the Use or Disposal
       of Sewage Sludge (40 CFR Part 503). These regulatory limits apply to sewage sludge, not
       domestic septage, but is used for comparison purposes here.  Sewage sludges meeting
       these limits can be used without tracking the cumulative amount of metals applied to the
       land.

   4:  BOD5 varies greatly among sewage sludges.
B-1
Environmental Protection Agency

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APPENDIX C
                                       SAMPLE METHODS FOR RECORD KEEPING
                       There are two examples of ways that might be helpful
                    to you  for keeping your records.   The first of these
                    examples is for recording information that pertains to the
                    different fields onto which you apply domestic septage.

                       The second is an example of a daily log that might be
                    kept in  the truck as domestic septage is  pumped.  A
                    sample has also been filled in as an example of the type
                    of information you might actually record.
C-1
Environmental Protection Agency

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APPENDIX C-1
                                 EXAMPLE RECORD KEEPING OF GENERAL INFORMA TION
    SITE:   	
    REPORTING YEAR:    	
    FIELD NUMBER:       	
    CROP(S) and EXPECTED YIELD:
    NITROGEN REQUIREMENT OF CROP:
    ANNUAL APPLICATION RATE (AAR):
     pounds N per year
    	gallons per acre per year
               AAR (gallons/acre/year)  =
Nitrogen Requirement of Crop
            0.0026
    HARVESTING SCHEDULE:
DATE OF APPLICATION
TO SITE





ACREAGE OF SITE TO WHICH
SEPTAGE WAS APPLIED





GALLONS APPLIED
TO SITE TODAY





TOTAL GALLONS APPLIED
YEAR TO DATE





    I certify under penalty of law, that the pathogen requirement [insert alternative 1 or 2] and the
    vector attraction reduction requirement [insert alternative 1, 2 or 3] have/have not [circle one]
    been met. This determination has been made under my direction and supervision in accordance
    with the system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the
    information used to determine that the pathogen requirements and vector attraction reduction
    requirements have been  met.   I am aware that  there  are significant penalties for  false
    certification  including the  possibility of fine and imprisonment.

    Signature:	
    Printed Name:
         Title:
Environmental Protection Agency
                                         C-2

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APPENDIX C-2
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C-3

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Environmental Protection Agency

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-------
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C-5
                                                               Environmental Protection Agency

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APPENDIX D

                      TYPES AND SOURCES OF SAFETY AND pH TESTING EQUIPMENT


   Safety items needed:

   1.  Safety Goggles
   2.  Emergency Eyewash Station
   3.  Half-mask respirator with appropriate cartridge
   4.  Shoulder length fully coated neoprene gloves
   5.  Carbon dioxide fire extinguisher

   Some sources of these items are:

      Direct Safety Company          Prendergast Safety Equipment Co.
      7815 South 46th Street         8400 Enterprise Avenue
      Phoenix, AZ 85044             Philadelphia, PA 19153
      (800) 528-7405                (215) 937-1900
      (800) 366-9662 - fax           (215) 365-7527 - fax

   pH Indicator Paper and Meter Sources:

      Hach Company                 Fischer Scientific
      5600 Lindbergh Drive           711 Forbes Avenue
      Loveland, CO 80539            Pittsburgh, PA 1 5219-9919
      (800) 227-4224                (800) 242-3772

      Lab Safety Supply              Thomas Scientific
      P.O.  Box 1368                 P.O. Box 99
      Janesville, Wl 53547-1368      Swedesboro, NJ 08085
      (800)356-0783                (800)345-2100
                                    (609) 467-3087 - fax

   Brands of pH meters include Oakton, Fischer and Corning. Suitable meters
   cost between $50 and $150 depending  on features. Indicator paper is a
   much cheaper method of monitoring pH. A  50  foot roll of pH paper costs
   under $10.
   CAUTION:     Trade names and vendors are provided for the benefit of the reader and do
                 not imply endorsement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
D-1                                                Environmental Protection Agency

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APPENDIX E
              EXAMPLE STATE RULES FOR LAND APPLICA TION Of DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
                      Appendix E contains examples of rules and guidelines
                   from two States for governing  the use or disposal of
                   septage.  The two examples presented are rules from
                   Florida and guidelines from Minnesota.  These examples
                   are only given as an indication of how some State rules
                   currently look and how they differ from each other  and
                   from the Federal rule.  In no way are these examples
                   meant to serve  as a model of how  a State rule or
                   guideline should look.
                       THESE AND OTHER STATE REGULATIONS
                       MAY CHANGE AT ANY TIME.
                    YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THIS SUMMARY
                    OF THE FLORIDA AND MINNESOTA RULES TO
                    ENSURE YOU ARE IN COMPLIANCE  WITH THEIR
                    SEPTAGE MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS.
         FLORIDA               Regulations and Restrictions

                      Florida  regulations define septage as "a mixture of
                   sludge, fatty materials,  human feces, and wastewater
                   removed  during the  pumping of an  on-site  sewage
                   disposal  system."    Unlike  the  Federal  Part  503
                   Regulation, Florida  does not include the  contents of
                   portable toilets or holding tanks.  The Florida regulation
                   requires permits  for  both  handling and disposing of
                   septage. These permits are issued by the Department of
                   Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS) of each county.
f-7
Environmental Protection Agency

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              EXAMPLE STA TE RULES FOR LAND APPLICA TION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
    FLORIDA Con't       The Florida regulation prescribes when, where, and
                    how much septage should be applied to land,  In general,
                    these  restrictions  are more limiting than the  Federal
                    Part 503 regulation. Only septage that has been properly
                    treated by lime stabilization may be land applied.  The
                    Florida regulation defines stabilization as raising the pH
                    of the septage to at least 1 2 for a minimum of 2 hours.

                       Other Florida restrictions are as follows:

                       1.    Septage may  not  be spread  on  land  where
                            frequent public access is likely to occur, such as
                            playgrounds,  parks, golf courses, lawns and
                            hospital grounds.  Suggested suitable lands for
                            septage application include sod farms, pasture
                            lands, forests, highway shoulders and medians,
                            plant  nurseries, land reclamation  projects and
                            farmland.

                       2.    When applied to areas without vegetative cover,
                            septage must  be  incorporated  into  the soil
                            within 48  hours.

                       3.    Pasture land may not be grazed  for  30 days
                            following application of septage.

                       4.    Crops may not be harvested for hay or silage for
                            30 days following application of septage.

                       5.    Human food chain crops other than hay, silage
                            and orchard crops, may not be harvested for 60
                            days following application of septage.

                       6.    Vegetables and fruits  which come into contact
                            with the soil surface  may not be grown for  a
                            minimum of 18 months following application of
                            septage.
Environmental Protection Agency                                                  E-2

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               EXAMPLE STA TE RULES FOR LAND APPLICA WON Of DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
    FLORIDA Con't      7.   Septage may not be applied to land used for the
                            cultivation   of  tobacco,   root  crops,  leafy
                            vegetables or vegetables to be eaten raw.

                       8.   No more than 500 pounds of nitrogen may be
                            applied to each acre in any 12 month period.

                       9.   Septage may not be land  applied within  3000
                            feet of any Class I water  body  or  Outstanding
                            Florida Water.   For  surface  waters of  lesser
                            quality (except irrigation canals  and ponds),  a
                            buffer zone of 200 feet must be maintained. No
                            buffer is required around irrigation waters that
                            are located entirely on the land  application  site
                            and do not flow off the site.

                       10.  Septage may not  be applied within 500 feet of
                            any shallow public  water supply wells,  nor
                            closer than 300  feet  to  any private  drinking
                            water supply well.

                       11.  At the time of septage application, a minimum
                            of  24  inches of unsaturated soil above  the
                            ground water table must be present.

                       12.  Septage may not be applied during rain events
                            when runoff might occur.

                       1 3.  Septage application area must  have buffer zones
                            and stormwater management  structures with  a
                            capacity to  hold runoff  during flash floods.
                            Florida also requires on-site facilities for  storin
                            g septage during  periods of poor weather  and
                            equipment  failures.
E-3                                                  Environmental Protection Agency

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              EXAMPLE STA TE RULES FOR LAND APPLICA TION OF DOMESTIC SEPTA GE
    FLORIDA Con't       14.  The slope of the land application area may not
                            be more than  eight percent and a layer of
                            permeable soil at least two feet  thick  should
                            cover the surface.

                       15.  Land used  for septage  application  may  not
                            contain any hole or channel (such as subsurface
                            fractures,  solution  cavities, sink  holes,  or
                            excavated core holes) which would allow the
                            septage to contaminate the groundwater. Also,
                            septage may not be applied within a 200 foot
                            buffer  from   such   geologic  formations  or
                            features.

                       1 6.  Septage may not be applied within 300 feet of
                            any dwelling.

                       17.  Septage may  not be applied within 75  feet of
                            the property boundary or any drainage ditches.

                       An  agricultural  use plan  (AUP) for  the  septage
                    application site must be prepared, and reviewed by MRS.
                    An AUP describes how stabilized septage will be used as
                    part of planned farming operations. It includes methods
                    of application, crops to be  grown  and their fertilizer
                    requirements, erosion control measures,  access  control
                    measures, harvesting periods and information on the soil
                    and geological conditions at the site which could  limit its
                    use for septage application.  An AUP must be updated
                    every year.
Environmental Protection Agency                                                  E-4

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              EXAMPLE STA T£ RULES FOR LAND APPLICA TION OF DOMESTIC SEPTA GE
    FLORIDA Con't               Reporting and Record Keeping

                       The reporting and record keeping requirements of the
                    Florida regulations are very similar to those in the Federal
                    rule.   Records must be maintained  for five  years and
                    made available to State inspectors upon request.

                       The following information must  be included in the
                    records:

                       1.   Dates of septage application;

                       2.   Weather conditions during application;

                       3.   Location of septage application site;

                       4.   Amounts of septage applied;

                       5.   Acreage of the area where septage was applie
                            d;

                       6.   The pH of the stabilized septage applied;

                       7.   Depth to the water  table from the soil surface
                            when septage applied; and,

                       8.   Percentage of total application area covered by
                            plant growth.

                       In contrast to the Federal regulation, Florida requires
                    that  a quarterly  report  be submitted  to   the  MRS
                    summarizing the total volume of septage applied.
E-5                                                   Environmental Protection Agency

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              EXAMPLE STA TE RULES FOR LAND APPLICA TION OF DOMESTIC SEPTA GE
      MINNESOTA
                Regulatory Overview

   Minnesota's septage management program  is more
informal  than either  the  Federal  or State of  Florida
programs.  The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has
issued a document entitled Land Application of Seotaae
which explains the  State's guidelines for land applying
domestic septage. The Minnesota definition of septage
includes  the solids  and  liquids  removed during the
periodic maintenance of septic, aerobic or holding tanks,
dosing  chambers,  pit privies or  chemcial  toilets.
Industrial  wastes are  not covered  by  this  guidance
publication; these can only be land  applied under the
terms of a solid waste disposal permit.  No permits are
required in Minnesota to apply domestic septage.  No
formal regulations  have  been  adopted  to cover this
practice.
Figure E-1: MINNESOTA SEPTAGE APPLICATION SETBACKS (in fe«t)
Item Surface Spread


lime
treated
Occupied Dwellings 200
Recreational Area, 600
Residential Development &
Commercial Development
Municipal Well 1 000
Private Well 200
Property Lines & Road 10
Right of Ways
Intermittent Streams 100
not
treated
200
600


1000
200
10

100
Incorporated
Within 2 Mrs



100
300


1000
200
10

25
Incorporated
Within 24
Mrs


200
600


1000
200
10

100
Injected




100
300


1000
200
none

25
Environmental Protection Agency
                                                    £-6

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               EXAMPLE STA TE RULES FOR LAND APPLICA TION OF DOMESTIC SEPTA GE
      MINNESOTA
            Con't
   The  Minnesota  guidance  document provides the
following  controls  for  land  application of  domestic
septage:

   1.   Setbacks:   These vary  with  the method  of
        applying the septage, the time of year and if the
        septage was stabilized using alkali treatment.
        Figure  E-1  presents  the numerous set backs
        required in Minnesota.  In addition to these, the
        Minnesota   guidance   document   includes
        setbacks for surface waters, drainage tile inlets
        and sink  holes.  These setbacks vary with the
        slope of the site, the method of application and
        the time of year.
                       2.   Slope restrictions:   These are based on  the
                            method used to apply the septage and whether
                            the soil is frozen (see Figure E-2).  Minnesota
                            does  not prohibit application of  septage on
                            frozen grounds but has limited the slope of the
                            land to  be used  during the winter months.  A
                            ban on  applications  on frozen grounds  in this
                            area of the country would severely limit the use
                            of land application and would force development
                            of considerable storage capacity.
Figure E-2: MINNESOTA LAND APPLICATION OF SEPTAGE SLOPE RESTRICTIONS

Unfrozen Soil
Frozen Soil
Surface Applied
6% slope or less
2% slope or less
Injected or Incorporated
Within 24 Hours
12% slope or less
not possible
E-7
                                Environmental Protection Agency

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               EXAMPLE STA TE RULES FOR LAND APPLICA TION OF DOMESTIC SEPTA GE
       MINNESOTA
             Con't
3.    Soil criteria:   Minnesota has developed  several
      characteristics for determining a suitable soil for
      septage  application.    These  are  listed  in
      Figure E-3.
                             Figure E-3: MINNESOTA REQUIREMENTS FOR
                                       SUITABLE SOIL FOR LAND  APPLICATION
                                       OF SEPTAGE
                             Medium to fine textured soils (no sandy, peaty or mucky
                             surface textures)

                             Minimum  depth  to  watertabte  of three  feet through
                             natural or artificial drainage

                             Minimum depth to bedrock of three feet

                             Minimum of 6 inches of available water holding capacity
                             between  application  depth  and the  watertable  and
                             bedrock

                             Free from flooding hazard

                             At least one soil horizon in the upper five feet must have
                             a permeability of less than six inches per hour.

                             If septage is to be surface applied (rather than injected),
                             the soil must have a surface permeability greater than
                             0.2 inches per hour.
                               Public access controls: The guidance document
                               recommends either fencing or posting septage
                               application  sites  to  avoid  the  possibility of
                               uninformed  people contacting septage that has
                               been applied.  Remote sites are not affected by
                               this recommendation.
Environmental Protection Agency
                                                       E-8

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               EXAMPLE STATE RULES FOR LAND APPLICATION OF DOMESTIC SEPTAGE
      MINNESOTA      5.   Harvest  limitations:   These are much simpler
            Con't           than  the harvesting  options  provided in the
                            Federal regulation.  In Minnesota,  septage can
                            only be  applied to hay when the leaf area  is
                            minimal  (primarily early spring,  late fall  and
                            within one week following cutting).  Hay shoul
                            d  not be harvested for one  month  following
                            application of septage. Animals should not be
                            grazed  on pasture where septage has  been
                            spread  or  injected   for  one  year  following
                            application. Crops with edible portions that may
                            come in contact with the soil can not be planted
                            for one year following application of septage.
                            Root   crops  or  crops   for  direct  human
                            consumption can not be planted for two years
                            after application. No food chain crops  should be
                            planted within 30 days of  septage application.
                            These waiting periods are  based on non-treate
                            d septage.

                       6.   Application rates:  Minnesota  application  rates
                            for septage are  based on the nitrogen required
                            by the crop grown, residual soil nitrogen, imput
                            of nitrogen from the previous crop, and input of
                            nitrogen  from   commercial   fertilizers   and
                            manures.  The guidelines also contain  daily
                            hydraulic loading limits. Also, septage can not
                            be applied when it is raining.
E-9                                                   Environmental Protection Agency

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               EXAMPLE STA TE RULES FOR LAND APPLICA TION OF DOMESTIC SEPTA GE
      MINNESOTA       Regarding stabilization, Minnesota recommends that
            Con't    domestic septage, regardless of application method, be
                    mixed with alkaline material to raise its pH to at least 12
                    and  maintain that pH for 30  minutes before it is land
                    applied.  If the septage is not stabilized, injection  is the
                    suggested  method  of application.  Also, the soil  pH  at
                    application sites should be maintained at 6.5 to reduce
                    the potential for uptake of metals by plants.
                                Reporting and Record Keeping

                       Minnesota  has  no  reporting  or  record   keeping
                    requirements for land  application of domestic  septage.
                    However, the Minnesota guidelines do contain charts to
                    aid  the land  applier  in  keeping  track of  relevant
                    information.
Environmental Protection Agency                                                  £-10

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                                        COMMENTS REQUESTED ON THIS GUIDE
Please let us know what you think about this document.  Please offer any suggestions
you might have for future improvement using this comment sheet. Please send your
comments to us at the U.S. EPA, Office of Wastewater Enforcement and Compliance,
Municipal Technology Branch, (4204), Washington, DC 20460.


1)  Is this domestic septage guidance document useful to you?
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 EPA/832-B-92-005
                                                    iMTB
                                                   Office of Wastewater Enforcement
                                                   MUNICIPAL TECHNOLOGY BRANCH

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US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF WASTEWATER ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE
MUNICIPAL TECHNOLOGY BRANCH
(4204)
WASHINGTON, DC 20460
                     fold line

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United States
Environmental Protection Agency
(4204)
Washington, DC 20460

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Penalty for Private Use
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