Iowa Admin. Code r. 567-105.3

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 10, November 13, 2024

Rule 567-105.3 - General requirements for all composting facilities not exempt pursuant to 105.2(455B,455D)

This rule applies to all composting facilities not exempt under 105.2(455B,455D). Facilities exempt from permitting that do not operate in accordance with this chapter may as a result be required to obtain a solid waste composting permit. Composting facilities shall also operate in accordance with all applicable city and county ordinance and permitting requirements.

(1) The composting facility shall be 500 feet from any existing inhabited residence, not including the residence of the person owning/operating the compost facility, at the time the permit application was received by the department. Composting must be done outside of wetlands, at least 200 feet from public wells, 100 feet from private wells, 50 feet from property lines, and 100 feet from flowing or intermittent streams, lakes, or ponds. Composting done inside the 100-year flood plain shall be in accordance with all local and department regulations including 567-715. (455B). Sediment ponds, engineered wetlands or other constructed waterways for the purpose of pollution control are excluded from this requirement.

(2) Composting shall be performed in a manner that minimizes the formation of compost leachate by the facility.

(3) Measures shall be taken to prevent water from running onto the facility from adjacent land and to prevent compost leachate and runoff from leaving the composting facility. Runoff from the composting facility must be properly managed.

(4) Facilities shall be designed, constructed, and maintained so as to minimize ponding of water or liquids. Any ponding that does occur shall be corrected through routine facility maintenance within 48 hours after the termination of the event causing the ponding.

(5) Composting must be done on an all-weather surface of compacted soil, compacted granular aggregates, asphalt, concrete or similar relatively impermeable material that will permit accessibility during periods of inclement weather and prevent contamination of surface water and groundwater.

(6) Solid waste which cannot be composted or which is removed during processing shall be properly disposed of. Infectious waste shall not be accepted for composting at any composting facility unless approved by the department in writing.

(7) Solid waste materials shall be managed through the entire process in accordance with best management practices to minimize conditions such as odors, dust, noise, litter and vectors which may create nuisance conditions or a public health hazard.

(8) Storage of cured or finished compost shall be limited to 18 months. The 18-month period may be extended with prior written approval from the department.

(9) If compost is offered for sale as a soil conditioner or fertilizer, the compost must be registered by the department of agriculture and land stewardship under Iowa Code chapter 200, Fertilizers and Soil Conditioners. Sale shall be in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and local ordinances and regulations.

(10) Compost shall not be applied to land, sold or given away unless the concentration of human-made inert materials such as glass, metal, and plastic is less than 1.5 percent by dry weight.

Compost shall not be applied to land, sold or given away unless the size of any human-made inert materials is less than 13 mm (0.512 inches).

Iowa Admin. Code r. 567-105.3