Section 545. Staging of biosolids for land application

A. Staging is the placement of biosolids on a permitted land application field, within the land application area, in preparation for commencing land application or during an ongoing application, at the field or an adjacent permitted field. Staging is not considered storage and shall not take the place of storage.

B. Staging requirements.

1. Staging of biosolids shall not commence unless the field meets the requirements for land application in accordance with Part IX (9VAC25-32-303 et seq.) of this regulation and field conditions are favorable for land application;

2. Biosolids may be staged for up to seven days from the first day biosolids are offloaded onto the staging area, with the following exceptions:

a. In areas of Karst topography, biosolids offloaded at a permitted land application field shall be land applied by the end of the business day;

b. In areas identified in the USDA soil survey as frequently flooded, biosolids offloaded at a permitted land application field shall be land applied by the end of the business day; or

c. Biosolids shall not be staged overnight on sites that have on-site storage;

3. If staged biosolids cannot be spread by the end of the seventh day of staging, the permittee shall take the following actions:

a. Biosolids shall be covered to prevent contact with precipitation;

b. The permittee shall notify the department in writing within 24 hours. Notification shall include the biosolids source or sources and amounts, location of the site, and reason for staging biosolids longer than seven days; and

c. Biosolids that have been staged for greater than seven days shall be spread or removed from the field as soon as field conditions become favorable for land application;

4. Staging shall be limited to the amount of biosolids specified in the nutrient management plan to be applied at the intended field;

5. Biosolids will be staged within the land application area of the field in which the biosolids will be applied or in a permitted field adjacent to the subject field, in a location selected to prevent runoff to waterways and drainage ditches;

6. Biosolids shall not be staged in the setback areas;

7. Biosolids shall not be staged overnight within 400 feet of an occupied dwelling unless reduced or waived through written consent of the occupant and landowner;

8. Biosolids shall not be staged overnight within 200 feet of a property line unless reduced or waived through written consent of the landowner;

9. Management practices, as described in the biosolids management plan, shall be utilized as appropriate to prevent pollution of state waters by staged biosolids;

10. Staged biosolids are to be inspected by the certified land applier daily. After precipitation events of 0.1 inches or greater inspections shall ensure that runoff controls are in good working order. Observed excessive slumping, erosion, or movement of biosolids is to be corrected within 24 hours. Any ponding at the site is to be corrected and any malodor shall be addressed in accordance with the odor control plan. The certified land applier shall maintain documentation of the inspections of staged biosolids; and

11. Staged biosolids shall be managed so as to prevent adverse impacts to water quality or public health.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 29, Issue 24, eff. September 1, 2013.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-44.15 of the Code of Virginia.