Biosolids CornerSnippets by Diane D. Garvey

PWEATO RECOGNIZE SUSTAINABLE LAND APPLICATION PROGRAMS -

The Biosolids Land Application Awards, alsoknown as Certificate of Accomplishment for 5, 10, 15, 20+ years of landapplication of biosolids, will be issued by the Pennsylvania Water EnvironmentAssociation (PWEA) Biosolids Committee. The intent is to acknowledgethose who beneficially utilize biosolids successfully and continually. The procedures for award of a Certificate ofAccomplishment will be much less burdensome than the lengthy application andreview process required for previous biosolids awards. It is hoped thatPWEA will issue numerous certificates and provide recognition for successfulprograms. Any municipality that hasbeen successfully land applying should contact George Boliski or Bill Toffey.

Thecontact information for George is GCBOLISKI@aol.com or by phone (814)949-2246. The contact information for Bill is william.toffey@phila.gov orby phone (215)685-6248.

PADEPDRAFTS BIOSOLIDS INITIATIVE -

In a draft initiative presented to the Governorsoffice, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP)proposed to provide increased opportunities for local oversight of biosolidsland application activities, while retaining state preemption of theprogram. The initiative also proposesfees on biosolids producers to pay for regulatory oversights. This initiative would eventually be draftedinto a bill and voted on by the legislature. Areas of the biosolids land application permitting program that would beaffected include:

a) Sitespecific Approval Process:

This procedure expands opportunitiesfor public comment under a general permit.

b) Oversight:

Increased local involvementand onsite testing at biosolids land application sites would be conduct by oneor more of the following:

CountyConservation Districts

Local MunicipalAgreements

LocalObservers

c) Enforcement

Changes to our enforcement policy would address persistent odornuisance problems arising from specific biosolids sources. PADEP may require the generator to developand implement an odor control plan to continue to obtain coverage under ageneral permit and/or submit for coverage under an individual permit. PADEP would revoke facility coverage underthe general permit if the facility is unable to mitigate odors.

d) Fees andFunding

1) ConservationDistricts Funding

· Assess an annual sewage sludge production fee, chargingall major municipal Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) in PA for each tonof biosolids produced.

· Fee schedule of $2 per dry ton capped at a $30,000maximum fee per facility would produce roughly $524,000 in annual revenues,enough to fund Conservation District efforts.

2) PADEP Biosolids Program Funding

· An annual biosolids program administration fee could becharged to all permitted biosolids generators to cover ongoing programadministration services such as permitting, site suitability determinations,facility and site inspections, annual report reviews, complaint investigations,data management, public education, and consultation with permit holders.

· A base fee of $1,000 times the number of samplingevents per year is proposed for each facility.

A3 MGD POTW that typically produces 600 dry tons per year would be charged$5,200 per year or about $1.75 to $2.00 per wet ton of biosolids.

e) Department ofHealth - PADEP Coordination of Health Effect Complaints

The Departmentof Health (DOH) has agreed to work with PADEP to develop a coordinated effortto react to health- related complaints. A draft complaint referral procedure has been developed and submitted toDOH.

f) Scientific Resource Panel

This panel would be responsible for creating status reports based onavailable scientific information and disseminating this information to PADEPand the public.