California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 7 - Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
Chapter 3.1 - Compostable Materials Handling Operations and Facilities Regulatory Requirements
Article 7 - Environmental Health Standards
Section 17868.3 - Pathogen Reduction

Universal Citation: 14 CA Code of Regs 17868.3

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) Compost shall not exceed the maximum acceptable pathogen concentrations described in Subdivision (b) of this section. Compost that contains any pathogens in amounts that exceed these pathogen reduction requirements shall be designated for additional processing, disposal, or other use as approved by local, state or federal agencies having appropriate jurisdiction. Test results of samples must be received by the operator prior to removing compost from the composting operation or facility where it was produced.

(b) Operators that produce compost shall ensure that:

(1) The density of fecal coliform in compost, that is or has at one time been active compost, shall be less than 1,000 Most Probable Number per gram of total solids (dry weight basis), and the density of Salmonella sp. bacteria in compost shall be less than three (3) Most Probable Number per four (4) grams of total solids (dry weight basis).

(2) At enclosed or within-vessel composting process operations and facilities, active compost shall be maintained at a temperature of 55 degrees Celsius (131 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher for a pathogen reduction period of 3 days.
(A) Due to variations among enclosed and within-vessel composting system designs, including tunnels, the operator shall submit a system-specific temperature monitoring plan with the permit application to meet the requirements of Subdivision (b)(2) of this section.

(3) If the operation or facility uses a windrow composting process, active compost shall be maintained under aerobic conditions at a temperature of 55 degrees Celsius (131 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher for a pathogen reduction period of 15 days or longer. During the period when the compost is maintained at 55 degrees Celsius or higher, there shall be a minimum of five (5) turnings of the windrow.

(4) If the operation or facility uses an aerated static pile composting process, all active compost shall be covered with 6 to 12 inches of insulating material, and the active compost shall be maintained at a temperature of 55 degrees Celsius (131 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher for a pathogen reduction period of 3 days.

(c) Compost operations and facilities that utilize a windrow composting process or an aerated static pile composting process shall be monitored as follows to ensure that the standards in Subdivision (b) of this section are met:

(1) Each day during the pathogen reduction period, at least one temperature reading shall be taken per every 150 feet of windrow, or fraction thereof, or for every 200 cubic-yards of active compost, or fraction thereof.

(2) Temperature measurements for pathogen reduction shall be measured as follows:
(A) Windrow composting processes and agitated bays shall be monitored twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) inches below the pile surface;

(B) Aerated static pile composting processes shall be monitored twelve (12) to eighteen (18) inches from the point where the insulation cover meets the active compost.

(d) Alternative methods of compliance to meet the pathogen reduction requirements of this section may be approved by the EA if the EA determines that the alternative method will provide equivalent pathogen reduction.

1. New section filed 6-30-95; operative 7-30-95 (Register 95, No. 26).
2. Amendment of subsections (a) and (b)(1) filed 4-7-97 as an emergency; operative 4-7-97 (Register 97, No. 15). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 8-5-97 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
3. Amendment of subsections (a) and (b)(1) refiled 4-7-97 as an emergency; operative 4-7-97 (Register 97, No. 31). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 12-1-97 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
4. Certificate of Compliance as to 4-7-97 order transmitted to OAL 11-25-97 and filed 1-9-98 (Register 98, No. 2).
5. Amendment of subsections (a), (b)(1)-(2) and (c) filed 4-4-2003; operative 4-4-2003 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2003, No. 14).
6. Change without regulatory effect amending subsections (a), (b)(2)(A), (c) and (d) filed 8-23-2005 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2005, No. 34).
7. Amendment of subsection (a), repealer of subsection (b), subsection relettering, amendment of newly designated subsection (c) and new subsection (d) filed 11-10-2015; operative 1-1-2016 (Register 2015, No. 46).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 40502, 43020 and 43021, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 43020 and 43021, Public Resources Code.

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