United States Environmental Protection Agency. Environmental Regulations and Technology Control of Pathogens and Vector Attraction in Sewage Sludge

Transcription

1 United States Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Regulations and Technology Control of Pathogens and Vector Attraction in Sewage Sludge

2 EPA/625/R-92/013 Revised July 2003 Environmental Regulations and Technology Control of Pathogens and Vector Attraction in Sewage Sludge (Including Domestic Septage) Under 40 CFR Part 503 This guidance was prepared by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development National Risk Management Research Laboratory Center for Environmental Research Information Cincinnati, OH Recycled/Recyclable P rinted with vegetable-based ink on paper that contains a minimum of 50% pos t-consumer fiber content processe d chlorine free.

3 Notice This report has been reviewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and approved for publication. The process alternatives, trade names, or commercial products are only examples and are not endorsed or recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Other alternatives may exist or may be developed. ii

4 Foreword The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is charged by Congress with protecting the Nation s land, air, and water resources. Under a mandate of national environmental laws, the Agency strives to formulate and implement actions leading to a compatible balance between human activities and the ability of natural systems to support and nurture life. To meet this mandate, EPA s research program is providing data and technical support for solving environmental problems today and building a science knowledge base necessary to manage our ecological resources wisely, understand how pollutants affect our health, and prevent or reduce environmental risks in the future. The National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL) is the Agency s center for investigation of technological and management approaches for preventing and reducing risks from pollution that threaten human health and the environment. The focus of the Laboratory s research program is on methods and their cost-effectiveness for prevention and control of pollution to air, land, water, and subsurface resources; protection of water quality in public water systems; remediation of contaminated sites, sediments and ground water; prevention and control of indoor air pollution; and restoration of ecosystems. NRMRL collaborates with both public and private sector partners to foster technologies that reduce the cost of compliance and to anticipate emerging problems. NRMRL s research provides solutions to environmental problems by: developing and promoting technologies that protect and improve the environment; advancing scientific and engineering information to support regulatory and policy decisions; and providing the technical support and information transfer to ensure implementation of environmental regulations and strategies at the national, state, and community levels. This publication has been produced as part of the Laboratory s strategic long-term research plan. It is published and made available by EPA s Office of Research and Development to assist the user community and to link researchers with their clients. Hugh W. McKinnon, Director National Risk Management Research Laboratory iii

5 Contents Chapter 1 Introduction What is Sewage Sludge? U.S. Regulation of Treated Sewage Sludge (Biosolids) Implementation Guidance Definitions Pathogen Equivalency Committee What is in this Document?... 6 Chapter 2 Sewage Sludge Pathogens What are Pathogens? Pathogens in Sewage Sludge General Information on Pathogens Protecting Public Health -The Part Frequently Asked Questions Chapter 3 Overview of Part 503 Subpart D Requirements, Their Applicability, and Related Requirements Introduction Pathogen Reduction Requirements Vector Attraction Reduction (VAR) Requirements [503.33] Applicability of the Requirements [ and ] Frequency of Monitoring Sampling Stockpiled or Remixed Biosolids Recordkeeping Requirements [ and ] Reporting Requirements for Sewage Sludge [ and ] Permits and Direct Enforceability [503.3] Chapter 4 Class A Pathogen Requirements Introduction Vector Attraction Reduction to Occur With or After Class A Pathogen Reduction [503.32(a)(2)] Monitoring of Fecal Coliform or Salmonella sp. to Detect Growth of Bacterial Pathogens [503.32(a)(3)-(8)] Alternative 1: Thermally Treated Sewage Sludge [503.32(a)(3)] Alternative 2: Sewage Sludge Treated in a High ph-high Temperature Process (Alkaline Treatment) [503.32(a)(4)] Alternative 3: Sewage Sludge Treated in Other Processes [503.32(a)(5)] Alternative 4: Sewage Sludge Treated in Unknown Processes [503.32(a)(6)] Alternative 5: Use of PFRP [503.32(a)(7)] Alternative 6: Use of a Process Equivalent to PFRP [503.32(a)(8)] Frequency of Testing Chapter 5 Class B Pathogen Requirements and Requirements for Domestic Septage Applied to Agricultural Land, a Forest, or a Reclamation Site Introduction Sewage Sludge Alternative 1: Monitoring of Fecal Coliform [503.32(b)(2)] Sewage Sludge Alternative 2: Use of a Process to Significantly Reduce Pathogens (PSRPs) [503.32(b)(3)] Sewage Sludge Alternative 3: Use of Processes Equivalent to PSRP [503.32(b)(4)] v

6 5.5 Site Restrictions for Land Application of Biosolids [503.32(b)(5)] Domestic Septage [503.32(c)] Chapter 6 Processes to Significantly Reduce Pathogens (PSRPs) Introduction Aerobic Digestion Anaerobic Digestion Air Drying Composting Lime Stabilization Equivalent Processes Chapter 7 Processes to Further Reduce Pathogens (PFRPs) Introduction Composting Heat Drying Heat Treatment Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion Beta Ray and Gamma Ray Radiation Pasteurization Equivalent Processes Chapter 8 Requirements for Reducing Vector Attraction Introduction Option 1: Reduction in Volatile Solids Content [503.33(b)(1)] Option 2: Additional Digestion of Anaerobically Digested Sewage Sludge [503.33(b)(2)] Option 3: Additional Digestion of Aerobically Digested Sewage Sludge [503.33(b)(3)] Option 4: Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate (SOUR) for Aerobically Digested Sewage Sludge [503.33(b)(4)] Option 5: Aerobic Processes at Greater than 40ºC [503.33(b)(5)] Option 6: Addition of Alkali [503.33(b)(6)] Option 7: Moisture Reduction of Sewage Sludge Containing No Unstabilized Solids [503.33(b)(7)] Option 8: Moisture Reduction of Sewage Sludge Containing Unstabilized Solids [503.33(b)(8)] Option 9: Injection [503.33(b)(9)] Option 10: Incorporation of Sewage Sludge into the Soil [503.33(b)(10)] Option 11: Covering Sewage Sludge [503.33(b)(11)] Option 12: Raising the ph of Domestic Sludge [503.33(b)(12)] Number of Samples and Timing Vector Attraction Reduction Equivalency Chapter 9 Sampling Procedures and Analytical Methods Introduction Laboratory Selection Safety Precautions Requirements for Sampling Equipment and Containers Sampling Frequency and Number of Samples Collected Sampling Free-Flowing Sewage Sludges Sampling Thick Sewage Sludges Sampling Dry Sewage Sludges Control of Temperature, ph, and Oxygenation After Sample Collection Samples for Microbial Tests Sample Composting and Size Reduction Packaging and Shipment Documentation Analytical Methods vi

7 9.14 Quality Assurance Chapter 10 Meeting the Quantitative Requirements of the Regulation Introduction Process Conditions Schedule and Duration of Monitoring Events Comparison of Feed Sludge and Sludge Product Samples The Effect of Sludge Processing Additives on Monitoring Collecting Representative Samples Regulatory Objectives and Number of Samples that Should be Tested Chapter 11 Role of EPA s Pathogen Equivalency Committee in Providing Guidance Under Part Introduction Overview of the PEC s Equivalency Recommendation Process Basis for PEC Equivalency Recommendations Guidance on Demonstrating Equivalency for PEC Recommendations Guidance on Application for Equivalency Recommendations Pathogen Equivalency Committee Recommendations Current Issues Chapter 12 References and Additional Resources Appendices A EPA Regional and State Biosolids Coordinators and Listing of EPA Pathogen Equivalency Members B Subpart D of the Part 503 Regulation C Determination of Volatile Solids Reduction by Digestion D Guidance on Three Vector Attraction Reduction Tests E Determination of Residence Time for Anaerobic and Aerobic Digestion F Sample Preparation for Fecal Coliform Tests and Salmonella sp. Analysis G Kenner and Clark (1974) Analytical Method for Salmonella sp. Bacteria H Method for the Recovery and Assay of Total Culturable Viruses from Sludge I Test Method for Detecting, Enumerating, and Determining the Viability of Ascaris Ova in Sludge J The Biosolids Composting Process vii

8 Acknowledgments This guidance document was produced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pathogen Equivalency Committee (PEC) whose members include Robert Bastian, Bob Brobst, John Cicmanec, G. Shay Fout, Hugh McKinnon, Mark Meckes, Frank Schaefer, Stephen Schaub, and James E. (Jim) Smith, Jr. The contributions of Jim Smith, who was instrumental in the administration, organization, and direction of this project; and of Bob Brobst, Mark Meckes, and Robert Bastian along with Greg B. Kester of the State of Wisconsin, who provided significant comments and guidance, are especially appreciated. Eliot Epstein and Nerissa Wu of E&A Environmental Consultants, Inc. in Canton, Massachusetts, prepared the document with information and comments from the PEC and from EPA and State sludge coordinators and private contributors including Joseph B. Farrell, a consultant, and Robert Reimers of Tulane University. The assistance of reviewers including John Colletti, Madolyn Dominy, Lauren Fondahl, Alia Roufaeal, and John Walker of EPA; Jeffrey G. Faust of Bio Gro; Joe Pearce of the State of North Carolina; Bob Southworth, a consultant; and all other contributors, too numerous to name, is very much appreciated. The following individuals assisted by updating guidance for analytical procedures: Appendix F: Sample Preparation for Fecal Coliform Tests and Salmonella sp. Analysis - Mark Meckes; Appendix H: Method for the Recovery and Assay of Enteroviruses from Sewage Sludge - Shay Fout; Appendix I: Analytical Method for Viable Helminth Ova - Frank Schaefer; Appendix J: Composting: Basic Concepts Related to Pathogens and Vector Attraction - Eliot Epstein of E&A Environmental Consultants and Bob Brobst of EPA s Region 8 Office in Denver, CO. viii