A. Scope. This Section contains the following: 1. the requirements for a sewage sludge to be classified either as Exceptional Quality or Class B biosolids with respect to pathogens;2. the site restrictions for land on which Class B biosolids are applied; and3. the alternative vector attraction reduction requirements for biosolids that are applied to the land.B. Special Definitions. In addition to the terms referenced and defined at LAC 33:IX.7301.B, the following definitions apply to this Section.Aerobic Digestion- the biochemical decomposition of organic matter in sewage sludge into carbon dioxide and water by microorganisms in the presence of air.
Anaerobic Digestion- the biochemical decomposition of organic matter in sewage sludge into methane gas and carbon dioxide by microorganisms in the absence of air.
Density of Microorganisms- the number of microorganisms per unit mass of total solids (dry weight) in the sewage sludge.
Land with a High Potential for Public Exposure- land that the public uses frequently. This includes, but is not limited to, a public contact site and a reclamation site located in a populated area (e.g., a construction site located in a city).
Land with a Low Potential for Public Exposure- land that the public uses infrequently. This includes, but is not limited to, agricultural land, forest, and a reclamation site located in an unpopulated area (e.g., a strip mine located in a rural area).
Pathogenic Organisms- disease-causing organisms. These include, but are not limited to, certain bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and viable helminth ova.
pH- the logarithm of the reciprocal of the hydrogen ion concentration measured at 25°C or measured at another temperature and then converted to an equivalent value at 25°C.
Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate (SOUR)- the mass of oxygen consumed per unit time per unit mass of total solids (dry weight basis) in the sewage sludge.
Total Solids- the materials in sewage sludge that remain as residue when the sewage sludge is dried to a constant weight at 103° to 105°C.
Unstabilized Solids- organic materials in sewage sludge that have not been treated in either an aerobic or anaerobic treatment process.
Vector Attraction- the characteristic of sewage sludge that attracts rodents, flies, mosquitoes, or other organisms capable of transporting infectious agents.
Volatile Solids- the amount of the total solids in sewage sludge lost when the sewage sludge is combusted at 550°C in the presence of excess air.
C. Pathogens 1. Exceptional Quality Biosolids a. The requirement in Subparagraph C.1.b of this Section, and the requirements in Subparagraph C.1.c, d, e, f, g, or h of this Section, must be met for biosolids classified as Exceptional Quality biosolids with respect to pathogens.b. The Exceptional Quality biosolids pathogen requirements in Subparagraphs C.1.c-h of this Section must be met either prior to meeting or at the same time that the vector attraction reduction requirements in Subsection D of this Section, except the vector attraction reduction requirements in Subparagraphs D.2.d-e.ii of this Section, are met.c. Exceptional Quality Biosolids- Alternative 1 i. Either the density of fecal coliform in the biosolids shall be less than 1000 Most Probable Number per gram of total solids (dry weight basis), or the density of Salmonella sp. bacteria in the biosolids shall be less than 3 Most Probable Number per 4 grams of total solids (dry weight basis) at the time the biosolids are used or disposed, at the time the biosolids are prepared for sale or to be given away in a bag or other container for application to the land, or at the time the sewage sludge or material derived from sewage sludge is prepared to meet the requirements of Exceptional Quality biosolids, as defined in LAC 33:IX.7301.B.ii. The temperature of the sewage sludge that is used or disposed shall be maintained at a specific value for a period of time, as follows.(a). When the percent solids of the sewage sludge is 7 percent or higher, the temperature of the sewage sludge shall be 50°C or higher, the time period shall be 20 minutes or longer, and the temperature and time period shall be determined using Equation (2), except when small particles of sewage sludge are heated by either warmed gases or an immiscible liquid. Click Here To View Image
where:
D = time in days
t = temperature in degrees Celsius
(b). When the percent solids of the sewage sludge is 7 percent or higher and small particles of sewage sludge are heated by either warmed gases or an immiscible liquid, the temperature of the sewage sludge shall be 50°C or higher, the time period shall be 15 seconds or longer, and the temperature and time period shall be determined using Equation (2).(c). When the percent solids of the sewage sludge is less than 7 percent and the time period is at least 15 seconds, but less than 30 minutes, the temperature and time period shall be determined using Equation (2).(d). When the percent solids of the sewage sludge is less than 7 percent, the temperature of the sewage sludge is 50°C or higher, and the time period is 30 minutes or longer, the temperature and time period shall be determined using Equation (3). Click Here To View Image Equation (3)
where:
D = time in days
t = temperature in degrees Celsius
d. Exceptional Quality Biosolids-Alternative 2 i. Either the density of fecal coliform in the biosolids shall be less than 1000 Most Probable Number per gram of total solids (dry weight basis), or the density of Salmonella sp. bacteria in the biosolids shall be less than 3 Most Probable Number per 4 grams of total solids (dry weight basis) at the time the biosolids are used or disposed, at the time the biosolids are prepared for sale or to be given away in a bag or other container for application to the land, or at the time the sewage sludge or material derived from sewage sludge is prepared to meet the requirements of Exceptional Quality biosolids, as defined in LAC 33:IX.7301.B.ii. pH and Temperature Standards (a). The pH of the sewage sludge that is used or disposed shall be raised to above 12 and shall remain above 12 for 72 hours.(b). The temperature of the sewage sludge shall be above 52°C for 12 hours or longer during the period that the pH of the sewage sludge is above 12.(c). At the end of the 72-hour period during which the pH of the sewage sludge is above 12, the sewage sludge shall be air dried to achieve a percent solids in the sewage sludge greater than 50 percent. e. Exceptional Quality Biosolids-Alternative 3 i. Either the density of fecal coliform in the biosolids shall be less than 1000 Most Probable Number per gram of total solids (dry weight basis), or the density of Salmonella sp. bacteria in the biosolids shall be less than 3 Most Probable Number per 4 grams of total solids (dry weight basis) at the time the biosolids are used or disposed, at the time the biosolids are prepared for sale or to be given away in a bag or other container for application to the land, or at the time the sewage sludge or material derived from sewage sludge is prepared to meet the requirements of Exceptional Quality biosolids, as defined in LAC 33:IX.7301.B.ii. The sewage sludge shall be analyzed prior to pathogen treatment to determine whether the sewage sludge contains enteric viruses. (a). When the density of enteric viruses in the sewage sludge prior to pathogen treatment is less than 1 Plaque-forming Unit per 4 grams of total solids (dry weight basis), the sewage sludge is Exceptional Quality biosolids with respect to enteric viruses until the next monitoring episode for the sewage sludge.(b). When the density of enteric viruses in the sewage sludge prior to pathogen treatment is equal to or greater than 1 Plaque-forming Unit per 4 grams of total solids (dry weight basis), the sewage sludge is Exceptional Quality biosolids with respect to enteric viruses when the density of enteric viruses in the sewage sludge after pathogen treatment is less than 1 Plaque-forming Unit per 4 grams of total solids (dry weight basis) and when the values or ranges of values for the operating parameters for the pathogen treatment process that produces the sewage sludge that meets the enteric virus density requirement are documented.(c). After the enteric virus reduction in Subclause C.1.e.ii.(b) of this Section is demonstrated for the pathogen treatment process, the sewage sludge continues to be Exceptional Quality biosolids with respect to enteric viruses when the values for the pathogen treatment process operating parameters are consistent with the values or ranges of values documented in Subclause C.1.e.ii.(b) of this Section.iii. The sewage sludge shall be analyzed prior to pathogen treatment to determine whether the sewage sludge contains viable helminth ova. (a). When the density of viable helminth ova in the sewage sludge prior to pathogen treatment is less than 1 per 4 grams of total solids (dry weight basis), the sewage sludge is Exceptional Quality biosolids with respect to viable helminth ova until the next monitoring episode for the sewage sludge.(b). When the density of viable helminth ova in the sewage sludge prior to pathogen treatment is equal to or greater than 1 per 4 grams of total solids (dry weight basis), the sewage sludge is Exceptional Quality biosolids with respect to viable helminth ova when the density of viable helminth ova in the sewage sludge after pathogen treatment is less than 1 per 4 grams of total solids (dry weight basis) and when the values or ranges of values for the operating parameters for the pathogen treatment process that produces the sewage sludge that meets the viable helminth ova density requirement are documented.(c). After the viable helminth ova reduction in Subclause C.1.e.iii.(b) of this Section is demonstrated for the pathogen treatment process, the sewage sludge continues to be Exceptional Quality biosolids with respect to viable helminth ova when the values for the pathogen treatment process operating parameters are consistent with the values or ranges of values documented in Subclause C.1.e.iii.(b) of this Section.f. Exceptional Quality Biosolids- Alternative 4 i. Either the density of fecal coliform in the biosolids shall be less than 1000 Most Probable Number per gram of total solids (dry weight basis), or the density of Salmonella sp. bacteria in the biosolids shall be less than 3 Most Probable Number per 4 grams of total solids (dry weight basis) at the time the biosolids are used or disposed, at the time the biosolids are prepared for sale or to be given away in a bag or other container for application to the land, or at the time the sewage sludge or material derived from sewage sludge is prepared to meet the requirements of Exceptional Quality biosolids, as defined in LAC 33:IX.7301.B.ii. The density of enteric viruses in the biosolids shall be less than 1 Plaque-forming Unit per 4 grams of total solids (dry weight basis) at the time the biosolids are used or disposed, at the time the biosolids are prepared for sale or to be given away in a bag or other container for application to the land, or at the time the sewage sludge or material derived from sewage sludge is prepared to meet the requirements of Exceptional Quality biosolids as defined in LAC 33:IX.7301.B.iii. The density of viable helminth ova in the biosolids shall be less than 1 per 4 grams of total solids (dry weight basis) at the time the biosolids are used or disposed, at the time the biosolids are prepared for sale or to be given away in a bag or other container for application to the land, or at the time the sewage sludge or material derived from sewage sludge is prepared to meet the requirements of Exceptional Quality biosolids, as defined in LAC 33:IX.7301.B.g. Exceptional Quality Biosolids-Alternative 5i. Either the density of fecal coliform in the biosolids shall be less than 1000 Most Probable Number per gram of total solids (dry weight basis), or the density of Salmonella sp. bacteria in the biosolids shall be less than 3 Most Probable Number per 4 grams of total solids (dry weight basis) at the time the biosolids are used or disposed, at the time the biosolids are prepared for sale or to be given away in a bag or other container for application to the land, or at the time the sewage sludge or material derived from sewage sludge is prepared to meet the requirements of Exceptional Quality biosolids, as defined in LAC 33:IX.7301.B.ii. Sewage sludge that is used or disposed shall be treated in one of the Processes to Further Reduce Pathogens described in LAC 33:IX.7399.B.h. Exceptional Quality Biosolids-Alternative 6 i. Either the density of fecal coliform in the biosolids shall be less than 1000 Most Probable Number per gram of total solids (dry weight basis), or the density of Salmonella sp. bacteria in the biosolids shall be less than 3 Most Probable Number per 4 grams of total solids (dry weight basis) at the time the biosolids are used or disposed, at the time the biosolids are prepared for sale or to be given away in a bag or other container for application to the land, or at the time the sewage sludge or material derived from sewage sludge is prepared to meet the requirements of Exceptional Quality biosolids, as defined in LAC 33:IX.7301.B.ii. Sewage sludge that is used or disposed shall be treated in a process that is equivalent to a Process to Further Reduce Pathogens that has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Pathogen Equivalency Committee.iii. Requests for approval of alternative innovative processes, as a process that is equivalent to a Process to Further Reduce Pathogens, that have not yet been approved by the EPA's Pathogen Equivalency Committee shall initially be submitted to the administrative authority. The administrative authority shall then work with the EPA's Pathogen Equivalency Committee on the proper procedures for EPA's review of the request.2. Class B Biosolids a. The requirements in Subparagraph C.2.b, c, or d of this Section must be met for biosolids classified as Class B biosolids with respect to pathogens. The site restrictions in Subparagraph C.2.e of this Section must be met when biosolids that meet the Class B biosolids pathogen requirements in Subparagraph C.2.b, c, or d of this Section are applied to the land.b. Class B Biosolids- Alternative 1 i. Seven representative samples of the biosolids that are used or disposed shall be collected.ii. The geometric mean of the density of fecal coliform in the samples required by Clause C.2.b.i of this Section shall be less than either 2,000,000 Most Probable Number per gram of total solids (dry weight basis) or 2,000,000 Colony Forming Units per gram of total solids (dry weight basis).c. Class B Biosolids-Alternative 2. Biosolids that are used or disposed shall be treated in one of the Processes to Significantly Reduce Pathogens described in LAC 33:IX.7399.A.d. Class B Biosolids-Alternative 3. Biosolids that are used or disposed shall be treated in a process that is equivalent to a Process to Significantly Reduce Pathogens that has been approved by the EPA's Pathogen Equivalency Committee. Requests for approval of alternative innovative processes, as a process that is equivalent to a Process to Further Reduce Pathogens, that have not yet been approved by the EPA's Pathogen Equivalency Committee shall initially be submitted to the administrative authority. The administrative authority shall then work with the EPA's Pathogen Equivalency Committee on the proper procedures for EPA's review of the request.e. Site Restrictions i. Food crops with harvested parts that touch the biosolids/soil mixture and are totally above the land surface shall not be harvested for 14 months after application of biosolids.ii. Food crops with harvested parts below the surface of the land shall not be harvested for 20 months after application of biosolids when the biosolids remain 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 biosolids when the biosolids remain on the land surface for less than four months prior to incorporation into the soil.iv. Food crops, feed crops, and fiber crops shall not be harvested for 30 days after application of biosolids.v. Animals shall not be grazed on the land for 30 days after application of biosolids.vi. Turf grown on land where biosolids are applied shall not be harvested for one year after application of the biosolids when the harvested turf is placed on either land with a high potential for public exposure or a lawn, unless otherwise specified by the permitting authority.vii. Public access to land with a high potential for public exposure shall be restricted for one year after application of biosolids, by means approved by the administrative authority.viii. Public access to land with a low potential for public exposure shall be restricted for 30 days after application of biosolids, by means approved by the administrative authority.ix. Signs shall be posted at all entrances to the Class B biosolids land application site, having at the minimum the following content: (a). the name of the land application site or facility;(b). wording that indicates that the area is a biosolids land application site; and(c). emergency contact telephone numbers.D. Vector Attraction Reduction 1. Land Application Requirements a. One of the vector attraction reduction requirements in Subparagraphs D.2.a-j of this Section shall be met when bulk biosolids are applied to agricultural land, forest, a public contact site, or a reclamation site.b. One of the vector attraction reduction requirements in Subparagraphs D.2.a-h of this Section shall be met when bulk biosolids are applied to a lawn or a home garden.c. One of the vector attraction reduction requirements in Subparagraphs D.2.a-h of this Section shall be met when biosolids are sold or given away in a bag or other container for application to the land.2. Procedures to Attain Vector Attraction Reduction for Land Applicationa. Volatile Solids Reductioni. The mass of volatile solids in the biosolids shall be reduced by a minimum of 38 percent (see calculation procedures in Environmental Regulations andTechnology-Control of Pathogens and Vector Attraction in Sewage Sludge, EPA-625/R-92/013, 1992, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268).ii. When the 38 percent volatile solids reduction requirement in Clause D.2.a.i of this Section cannot be met for an anaerobically digested sewage sludge, vector attraction reduction can be demonstrated by digesting a portion of the previously digested sewage sludge anaerobically in the laboratory in a bench-scale unit for 40 additional days at a temperature between 30° and 37°C. When, at the end of the 40 days, the volatile solids in the sewage sludge at the beginning of that period is reduced by less than 17 percent, vector attraction reduction is achieved.iii. When the 38 percent volatile solids reduction requirement in Clause D.2.a.i of this Section cannot be met for an aerobically digested sewage sludge, vector attraction reduction can be demonstrated by digesting a portion of the previously digested sewage sludge that has a percent solids of 2 percent or less aerobically in the laboratory in a bench-scale unit for 30 additional days at 20°C. When at the end of the 30 days, the volatile solids in the sewage sludge at the beginning of that period is reduced by less than 15 percent, vector attraction reduction is achieved.b. Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate (SOUR). The specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) for sewage sludge treated in an aerobic process shall be equal to or less than 1.5 milligrams of oxygen per hour per gram of total solids (dry weight basis) at a temperature of 20°C.c. Aerobic Treatment . Sewage sludge shall be treated in an aerobic process for 14 days or longer. During that time, the temperature of the sewage sludge shall be higher than 40°C and the average temperature of the sewage sludge shall be higher than 45°C.d. Alkaline Treatment. The pH of sewage sludge shall be raised to 12 or higher by alkali addition and, without the addition of more alkali, shall remain at 12 or higher for two hours and then at 11.5 or higher for an additional 22 hours.e. Percent Solids. In order to attain vector attraction reduction through percent solids, either of the following must be met: i. the percent solids of sewage sludge that does not contain unstabilized solids generated in a primary wastewater treatment process shall be equal to or greater than 75 percent based on the moisture content and total solids prior to mixing with other materials; orii. the percent solids of sewage sludge that does contain unstabilized solids generated in a primary wastewater treatment process shall be equal to or greater than 90 percent based on the moisture content and total solids prior to mixing with other materials.f. Injection of Biosolids i. Biosolids shall be injected below the surface of the land.ii. No significant amount of biosolids shall be present on the land surface within one hour after the biosolids are injected.iii. When the biosolids that are injected below the surface of the land are Exceptional Quality biosolids with respect to pathogens, the biosolids shall be injected below the land surface within eight hours after being discharged from the pathogen treatment process.g. Incorporation of Biosolids i. Biosolids applied to the land surface shall be incorporated into the soil within six hours after application to the land, unless otherwise specified by the permitting authority.ii. When biosolids that are incorporated into the soil are Exceptional Quality biosolids with respect to pathogens, the biosolids shall be applied to the land within eight hours after being discharged from the pathogen treatment process.La. Admin. Code tit. 33, § IX-7309
Promulgated by the Department of Environmental Quality, Office of Environmental Assessment, Environmental Planning Division, LR 28:806 (April 2002), repromulgated LR 30:233 (February 2004), amended by the Office of the Secretary, Legal Affairs Division, LR 33:2395 (November 2007), LR 35:941 (May 2009).AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:2074(B)(1)(c) and (B)(3)(e).