Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0400 - Environment and Conservation
Subtitle 0400-40 - Water Resources (WPC)
Chapter 0400-40-15 - Biosolids Management
Section 0400-40-15-.02 - LAND APPLICATION [40 CFR 503 SUBPART B]
Current through September 24, 2024
(1) Applicability [40 CFR 503.10]
(2) General requirements [ 40 CFR 503.12]
(3) Contaminant limits [ 40 CFR 503.13]
Table 1 Ceiling Concentrations
Contaminant | Ceiling Concentration (milligrams per kilogram)1,2 |
Arsenic | 75 |
Cadmium | 85 |
Copper | 4300 |
Lead | 840 |
Mercury | 57 |
Molybdenum | 75 |
Nickel | 420 |
Selenium | 100 |
Zinc | 7500 |
1Dry weight basis
2 These amounts are a maximum level never to be exceeded
Table 2 Cumulative Contaminant Loading Rates
Contaminant | Cumulative Contaminant Loading Rate (kilograms per hectare) |
Arsenic | 41 |
Cadmium | 39 |
Copper | 1500 |
Lead | 300 |
Mercury | 17 |
Nickel | 420 |
Selenium | 100 |
Zinc | 2800 |
Table 3 Contaminant Concentrations
Contaminant | Monthly average concentration(milligrams per kilogram)1 |
Arsenic | 41 |
Cadmium | 39 |
Copper | 1500 |
Lead | 300 |
Mercury | 17 |
Nickel | 420 |
Selenium | 100 |
Zinc | 2800 |
1Dry weight basis
(4) Management practices [ 40 CFR 503.14]
Unstabilized Primary and Secondary Sewage Sludge | 40% |
Alkaline Stabilized Sewage Sludge | 30% |
Aerobically Digested Sewage Sludge | 30% |
Anaerobically Digested Sewage Sludge | 20% |
Composted Sewage Sludge | 10% |
These default values shall be used unless actual mineralization rates have been established with proper documentation and approved by the State Biosolids Coordinator.
Table 1 - Crop Nitrogen Requirements
CROP | EXPECTED YIELD | NITROGEN REQUIREMENT (lbs N per Acre per Year) |
Corn (grain) | 100-125 bu/ac | 120 |
125-150 bu/ac | 150 | |
Corn (silage) | 20 tons/ac | 120-150 |
Bermuda grass | 5-10 tons/ac | 200 |
Soybeans(1) | 30 bu/ac | 100 |
40 bu/ac | 150 | |
50 bu/ac | 190 | |
Wheat | 40 bu/ac | 60 |
Summer Annual Grass | 6 tons (1 cutting)* | 60-120 |
Hybrid Hay | 8 tons (4 cuttings)* | 400(2) |
Tall Fescue Hay | 3 tons (2 cuttings)* | 120 |
Orchard Grass Hay | 4 tons (2 cuttings)* | 60-120 |
Sorghum (grain) | 60 bu/ac | 60 |
Cotton | 1 bale/ac | 50 |
1.5 bales/ac | 90 | |
Other (3) | (3) | (3) |
*When less than the indicated number of harvests is expected, the total nitrogen rate shall be reduced proportionally.
(5) Operational standards-pathogens and vector attraction reduction [ 40 CFR 503.15]
(6) Frequency of Monitoring [ 40 CFR 503.16]
Table 1 Frequency of Monitoring-Land Application
Amount of Biosolids1(metric tons per calendar year) | Frequency |
Greater than zero but less than 290 | Once per year |
Equal to or greater than 290 but less than 1,500 | Once per quarter (4 times per year) |
Equal to or greater than 1,500 but less than 15,000 | Once per 60 days (6 times per year) |
Equal to or greater than 15,000 | Once per month (12 times per year) |
1Either the amount of bulk biosolids applied to the land or the amount of biosolids prepared for sale or give-away in a bag or other container for application to the land (dry weight basis).
(7) Recordkeeping [40 CFR 503.17]
"I certify, under penalty of law, that the information that will be used to determine compliance with the Class A pathogen requirements in subparagraph (3)(a) of Rule 0400-40-15-.04 and the vector attraction reduction requirement in [insert one of the vector attraction reduction requirements in parts (4)(b)1 through 8 of Rule 0400-40-15-.04 ] was prepared under my direction and supervision in accordance with the system designed to ensure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate this information. I am aware that there are significant penalties for false certification including the possibility of fine and imprisonment;"
"I certify under penalty of law, that the information that will be used to determine compliance with the Class A pathogen requirements in subparagraph (3)(a) of Rule 0400-40-15-.04 and the vector attraction reduction requirement in [insert one of the vector attraction reduction requirements in parts (4)(b)1 through 8 of Rule 0400-40-15-.04 ] was prepared under my direction and supervision in accordance with the system designed to ensure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate this information. I am aware that there are significant penalties for false certification including the possibility of fine and imprisonment;"
"I certify, under penalty of law, that the information that will be used to determine compliance with the Class A pathogen requirements in subparagraph (3)(a) of Rule 0400-40-15-.04 was prepared under my direction and supervision in accordance with the system designed to ensure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate this information. I am aware that there are significant penalties for false certification including the possibility of fine and imprisonment;" and
"I certify, under penalty of law, that the information that will be used to determine compliance with the management practices in paragraph (4) of Rule 0400-40-15-.02 and the vector attraction reduction requirement in [insert either part (4)(b)9 or 10 of Rule 0400-40-15-.04 ] was prepared under my direction and supervision in accordance with the system designed to ensure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate this information. I am aware that there are significant penalties for false certification including the possibility of fine and imprisonment;"
"I certify, under penalty of law, that the information that will be used to determine compliance with the Class B pathogen requirements in subparagraph (3)(b) of Rule 0400-40-15-.04 and the vector attraction reduction requirement in [insert one of the vector attraction reduction requirements in parts (4)(b)1 through 8 of Rule 0400-40-15-.04 if one of those requirements is met] was prepared under my direction and supervision in accordance with the system designed to ensure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate this information. I am aware that there are significant penalties for false certification including the possibility of fine and imprisonment;"
"I certify, under penalty of law, that the information that will be used to determine compliance with the management practices in paragraph (4) of Rule 0400-40-15-.02, the site restrictions in part (3)(b)5 of Rule 0400-40-15-.04, and the vector attraction reduction requirement in [insert either part (4)(b)9 or 10 of Rule 0400-40-15-.04 if one of those requirements is met] was prepared for each site on which bulk biosolids are applied under my direction and supervision in accordance with the system designed to ensure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate this information. I am aware that there are significant penalties for false certification including the possibility of fine and imprisonment;"
"I certify, under penalty of law, that the information that will be used to determine compliance with the pathogen requirements in [insert either subparagraph (3)(a) of Rule 0400-40-15-.04 or subparagraph (3)(b) of Rule 0400-40-15-.04 ] and the vector attraction reduction requirement in [insert one of the vector attraction reduction requirements in parts (4)(b)1 through 8 of Rule 0400-40-15-.04 if one of those requirements is met] was prepared under my direction and supervision in accordance with the system designed to ensure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate this information. I am aware that there are significant penalties for false certification including the possibility of fine and imprisonment;"
"I certify, under penalty of law, that the information that will be used to determine compliance with the requirement to obtain information in part (2)(c)2 of Rule 0400-40-15-.02 was prepared for each site on which bulk biosolids were applied under my direction and supervision in accordance with the system designed to ensure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate this information. I am aware that there are significant penalties for false certification including the possibility of fine and imprisonment."
"I certify, under penalty of law that the information that will be used to determine compliance with the management practices in paragraph (4) of Rule 0400-40-15-.02 was prepared for each site on which bulk biosolids were applied under my direction and supervision in accordance with the system designed to ensure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate this information. I am aware that there are significant penalties for false certification including the possibility of fine and imprisonment."
"I certify, under penalty of law, that the information that will be used to determine compliance with the site restrictions in part (3)(b)5 of Rule 0400-40-15-.04 for each site on which Class B biosolids were applied was prepared under my direction and supervision in accordance with the system designed to ensure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate this information. I am aware that there are significant penalties for false certification including the possibility of fine and imprisonment."
"I certify, under penalty of law, that the information that will be used to determine compliance with the vector attraction reduction requirement in [insert either part (4)(b)9 of Rule 0400-40-15-.04 or part (4)(b)10 of Rule 0400-40-15-.04 ] was prepared under my direction and supervision in accordance with the system designed to ensure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate this information. I am aware that there are significant penalties for false certification including the possibility of fine and imprisonment."
"I certify, under penalty of law, that the information that will be used to determine compliance with the management practice in subparagraph (4)(e) of Rule 0400-40-15-.02, the Class A pathogen requirement in subparagraph (3)(a) of Rule 0400-40-15-.04, and the vector attraction reduction requirement in [insert one of the vector attraction reduction requirements in parts (4)(b)1 through 8 of Rule 0400-40-15-.04 ] was prepared under my direction and supervision in accordance with the system designed to ensure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate this information. I am aware that there are significant penalties for false certification including the possibility of fine and imprisonment;"
(8) Reporting [ 40 CFR 503.18]
(9) Biosolids and Sewage Sludge Transportation Equipment - Transported on Public Roadways Only
(10) Reserved
(11) Reserved
(12) Appendix .02-A - Example Agronomic Rate Calculation
Agronomic Loading Rate Calculation Sheet for Nitrogen
CONSTITUENTS | mg/kg (Dry Weight) |
TKN | 39,500 |
Ammonia (N) | 7,600 |
NO3+ NO2(N) | 5 |
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 69-3-101 et seq. and 4-5-201 et seq.