Section 250-RICR-150-10-3.11 - Treatment of SludgeA. This rule applies to the treatment of sludge by one of the Processes to Further Reduce Pathogens listed in § 3.29 of this Part. All sludge treatment facilities must operate under an Order of Approval and must meet the following requirements:B. Sludge Treatment Method. All methods of sludge treatment must meet one of the Processes to Further Reduce Pathogens listed in § 3.29 of this Part and must meet one of the Vector Attraction Reduction Requirements listed in § 3.30 of this Part.C. Sludge Composting Methods. When sludge is treated by composting as provided in § 3.29(A) of this Part, one of the following composting methods shall be used: 1. Aerated Static Pile. Sludge must be maintained at operating conditions of 55°C or greater for three (3) consecutive days. The sludge must remain in the active phase for a minimum of twenty one (21) days in a pile not to exceed twelve (12) feet in height. At the end of the active phase, the material must be cured for a minimum of thirty (30) days in a stockpile not to exceed twelve (12) feet in height unless the Department determines that such curing is not necessary. Such composting operations shall be provided with an appropriate leachate collection system, shall be built on an impervious surface and shall be protected from direct rainfall by a roof to reduce the amount of leachate and runoff.2. Windrow. Sludge must be maintained at operating conditions of 55°C or greater for at least fifteen (15) consecutive days during the active phase. The sludge must remain in the active phase for a minimum of twenty one (21) days in a pile, with the sludge being turned at least once every three (3) days. Height of the pile shall be compatible with the equipment used for turning the sludge. The active phase shall be followed by a curing period of at least thirty (30) days in a curing pile not to exceed twelve (12) feet in height unless the Department determines that such curing is not necessary. Such composting operations shall be provided with an appropriate leachate collection system, shall be built on an impervious surface and shall be protected from direct rainfall by a roof to reduce the amount of leachate and runoff.3. In-Vessel. Sludge must be maintained at operating conditions of 55°C or greater for three (3) consecutive days. The sludge must remain in the active phase for a minimum of fourteen (14) days. The active and curing phases are to be maintained for a total minimum period of thirty (30) days. If sludge is cured in a curing pile, the pile is not to exceed twelve (12) feet in height. D. Groundwater. A minimum of two (2) feet of soil is required between the proposed sludge treatment surface and the seasonal high groundwater table as determined by a DEM-licensed Class IV soil evaluator in accordance with the procedures described in Part 6 of this Subchapter. The determination of the seasonal high groundwater table must be witnessed by the Department. In addition, a minimum of three (3) feet of soil is required between the highest level of bedrock and the sludge treatment surface. If the applicant seeks a variance from these separation distances under § 3.22 of this Part, the applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Office of Water Resources that the sludge treatment facility or site will not generate leachate. Otherwise, the Director will require the installation of an impermeable liner system and leachate collection and treatment system or other means to prevent leachate from reaching the groundwater as a condition for the granting of such variance. E. Surface Water. No sludge shall be treated within two hundred (200) feet of any body of surface water. No sludge shall be treated within the watershed of any surface water used as a public drinking water supply. The Director may, if necessary, require continuous monitoring of any surface watercourses in the vicinity of the sludge treatment facility or site. Such monitoring shall be of a type and frequency determined by the Director on a case by case basis and shall be the responsibility of the owner or operator of the facility or site. If the applicant seeks a variance from these separation distances under § 3.22 of this Part, the applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Department that any runoff from the sludge treatment facility or site will not impact surface water as a condition for the granting of such variance.F. Drinking Water Wells. No sludge shall be treated within one thousand (1,000) feet of any private drinking water supply well or within the Wellhead Protection Area for a public drinking water supply well. Any sludge treatment facility or site shall comply with the Rhode Island Groundwater Protection Act of 1985, R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 46-13.1 and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. If the applicant seeks a variance from these separation distances under § 3.22 of this Part, the applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Department that the sludge treatment facility or site will not generate leachate as a condition for the granting of such variance.G. Distance to Property Lines. No sludge shall be composted within four hundred (400) feet of a property line. If the applicant seeks a variance from this separation distance under § 3.22 of this Part, the Director will require that the facility be completely enclosed as a condition for the granting of such variance.H. Monitoring Wells. For the purpose of monitoring groundwater conditions, the owner or operator of a sludge treatment site shall install and maintain monitoring wells of a number and type approved by the Director and at locations chosen by the Director. The owner or operator of the site is responsible for analysis of groundwater in accordance with instructions of the Director. The Director shall determine the testing and reporting frequency. If the applicant seeks a variance from this requirement, the applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Department that the sludge treatment operation will not generate leachate.I. Transportation. All transportation of sludge shall comply with § 3.14 of this Part.J. Stockpiling. All stockpiling of sludge and treated sludge shall comply with § 3.13 of this Part.K. Sludge and Bulking Agent Analysis. All sludge intended for treatment may be required to be tested using the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure for the parameters listed in § 3.31 of this Part and the results submitted to the Office of Water Resources. The Director shall determine the testing and reporting frequency. For composting facilities, any bulking agents utilized in the operation may also be required to be tested. Sludge analyses shall be the responsibility of the owner or operator of the facility that generates the sludge; bulking agent analyses shall be the responsibility of the owner or operator of the sludge composting facility.L. Condition of Sludge and Bulking Agents. All sludge intended for treatment and all bulking agents shall not meet the criteria for hazardous waste.M. Odors. Any sludge treatment facility must comply with Part 120-05-17 of this Title, and any other rules and regulations pertaining to odors.N. Treated Sludge Quality. Any treated sludge that meets all the limits established in § 3.32 of this Part shall be considered Class A Biosolids; the requirements and restrictions for the distribution and use of Class A Biosolids are listed in § 3.12(B) and (C) of this Part. Any treated sludge that does not meet the metals limits established in § 3.32 of this Part but meets the metals limits established in § 3.33 of this Part shall be considered Class B Biosolids; the requirements and restrictions for the use of Class B Biosolids are listed in § 3.12(D) of this Part. Any treated sludge that does not meet the metals limits established in § 3.33 of this Part shall be considered Class C Biosolids; the requirements and restrictions for the use and disposal of Class C Biosolids are listed in § 3.12(E) of this Part. O. Treated Sludge Analysis. Class A Biosolids must be tested for the metals and the pathogens listed in § 3.32 of this Part. Class B Biosolids and Class C Biosolids must be tested for the metals and the characteristics listed in § 3.33 of this Part. All results must be submitted to the Office of Water Resources. The Director shall determine the testing and reporting frequency. All treated sludge analysis shall be the responsibility of the owner or operator of the sludge treatment facility.P. Submissions for Approval. The following submissions are required as part of an Application for Order of Approval for a sludge treatment facility or site and must be stamped by a registered professional engineer or land surveyor. These submissions are in addition to the submission requirements listed in § 3.8 of this Part. 1. Site Plan. A site plan including all of the information listed below for all areas within the sludge treatment site shall be submitted. The site plan must be drawn to a minimum scale of one inch to one hundred feet (1"=100'). The required information includes: a. Initial ground contours at five foot intervals;b. Final proposed contours at five foot intervals;d. Proposed leachate collection and treatment systems;e. Proposed gas controls (if any);f. Buildings (where applicable);h. Surface watercourses and other wetlands; j. Groundwater monitoring wells;k. Legal boundaries of site;l. Power lines, pipelines, rights of way and other utilities;n. Weighing facilities (if any), and,2. Management Plan. The Management Plan shall include the following information: a. Detailed description of the sludge treatment method to be used and the proposed sequence of operation;b. Use of bulking agent and procedures for temperature control (if any);e. Procedures to control dust, vectors and odors;f. Provisions for the immediate treatment of all sludge;g. Provisions for the proper storage of treated sludge;h. Procedures to control erosion and sedimentation; I. Equipment to be on site during operating hours;j. Substitute equipment available;k. Communications equipment available;l. Population and service area;n. Provisions for limiting access;o. Provisions for land application and/or disposal of treated sludge;p. Weighing facilities (if any);q. Estimated life of the sludge treatment facility;r. Aesthetic considerations;s. Leachate treatment operations, and,t. Surface drainage control measures.3. Sludge and Bulking Agent Analysis. The results of the sludge and bulking agent analysis required in § 3.11(K) of this Part shall be submitted.250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-150-10-3.11