Information for Biosolids Managers
Policy and Science Behind the Standards for Use or Disposal of Sewage Sludge
Biosolids Analytical Methods
EPA publishes laboratory analytical methods, or test procedures that are used by industries and municipalities to analyze the chemical, physical and biological components of wastewater and other environmental samples that are required by regulations under the authority of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Many methods are published in the Code of Federal Regulations (i.e., 40 CFR Part 136).
Other CWA Methods of Interest are not Currently Approved for use at 40 CFR 136, but are nonetheless accepted methods.
EPA Biosolids Publications
Presented are EPA publicaitons that may contain valuable information related to risk assessment, control of pathogens and vector attraction reduction, biosolids management, EPA research, EPA's Office of Inspector General, and the availability of other publications.
If you have trouble accessing any content in the following documents, please contact Rick Stevens by phone 202-566-1135 or email (stevens.rick@epa.gov).
Peer Review
The Cooperative State Research Service Technical Committee W-170, with the assistance of experts from EPA, academia, environmental groups, and units of state and local government agencies, organized a Peer Review Committee which conducted a review of the Environmental Protection Agency 40 CFR Parts 257 and 503 Standards for the Disposal of Sewage Sludge Proposed Rule.
Technical Support Document
The information contained in the Technical Support Document (TSD) was used to establish general requirements, management practices, operational standards, frequency of monitoring, and recordkeeping and reporting requirements, which are essential to protect human health and the environment from pollutants in sewage sludge when sewage sludge is applied to the land.
Risk Assessment
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a comprehensive risk-based rule to protect the public health and the environment from reasonably anticipated adverse effects of pollutants that may be present in biosolids (sewage sludge). EPA uses risk-based assessments to screen pollutants and select those that may require regulation. The biosolids risk assessment process considers multiple exposure pathways for each regulated biosolids use or disposal scenario. EPA’s risk assessment methodologies for biosolids have received extensive scientific review and public input.
Pathogens and Vector Attraction Reduction
This document provides basic information about why pathogen control and vector attraction reduction in biosolids are essential for the protection of public health and the environment.
Biosolids Management
Effective and protective biosolids management options help support our Nation’s needs for clean water. Provided are EPA documents related to various biosolids management topics.
- Biosolids Generation, Use, and disposal in the United States
- Biosolids Recycling: Beneficial Technology for a Better Environment
- A Guide to the Federal EPA Rule for Land Application of Domestic Septage for Non-Public Contact Sites (Agricultural Land, Forests, and Reclamation Sites)
- Reusing Cleaned Up Superfund Sites: Ecological Use Where Waste is Left on Site
- Guide to Field Storage of Biosolids
- Guide to Septage Treatment and Disposal
- A History of Land Application as a Treatment Alternative
- POTW Sludge Sampling and Analysis Guidance Document
- Process Design Manual: Land Application of Sewage Sludge and Domestic Septage
- Use of Soil Amendments for Remediation, Revitilization, and Reuse
Emerging Technologies
The technologies in this publication can be used to help reduce the volume of residuals and produce biosolids that can be used to help improve soil fertility and tilth, while decreasing the use of inorganic fertilizers and promoteingthe conservation of energy. This document provides information regarding emerging biosolids management technologies organized into three categories: 1) embryonic technologies in the development stage and/or tested at laboratory or bench scale; 2) innovative technologies that have been tested at a full-scale demonstration site in this country; and 3) established technologies that are widely used (i.e. generally more than 25 facilities throughout the U.S.). Research needs are also identified to help guide development of innovative and embryonic technologies and improve established ones.
Emerging Technologies for Biosolids Management
EPA Research
The following publications have been produced as part of EPA's strategic long-term research plan and are published and made available by EPA’s Office of Research and Development to assist the user community and to link researchers with their clients.
- Problem Formulation for Human Health Risk Assessments of Pathogens in Land-Applied Biosolids
- Multimedia Sampling During the Application of Biosolids on a Land Test Site
- Proceedings of the Biosolids Exposure Measurement Workshop
EPA Office of Inspector General
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) produced a report on findings that describe the problems the OIG had identified in preventing and addressing contamination of surface water from hazardous chemicals passing through publicly owned treatment works and corrective actions the OIG recommended. Final determinations on matters in this report were made by EPA managers in accordance with established audit resolution procedures.
Other Publications
Other EPA publications may be available from the National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP) free of charge.
Biosolids Technology Fact Sheets
Stabilization of biosolids helps to minimize the potential for odor generation, destroys pathogens (disease causing organisms), and reduces the material’s vector attraction potential.
Belt filter presses are one of several methods used to remove water from liquid wastewater residuals.
Composting is one of several methods for treating biosolids to create a marketable end product that is easy to handle, store, and use.
External Resources
EPA continues to partner with many organizations to ensure efficient use of biosolids, advance environmentally sound recycling of biosolids, and stay abreast of continuing research. These partner organizations are but a few of the many sources for additional biosolids information and resources.