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-.04 - PATHOGENS AND VECTOR ATTRACTION REDUCTION [40 CFR 503 SUBPART D]
Universal Citation: TN Comp Rules and Regs 0400-40-15-.04
Current through September 24, 2024
(1) Scope [ 40 CFR 503.30]
(a)
This rule contains the requirements for biosolids and sewage sludge to be
classified either Class A or Class B with respect to pathogens.
(b) This rule contains the site restrictions
for land on which Class B biosolids are applied.
(c) This rule contains alternative vector
attraction reduction requirements for biosolids that are applied to the
land.
(2) Special definitions [40 CFR 503.31]
"Aerobic digestion" is the biochemical decomposition of organic matter in sewage sludge into carbon dioxide and water by microorganisms in the presence of air.
"Anaerobic digestion" is the biochemical decomposition of organic matter in sewage sludge into methane gas and carbon dioxide by microorganisms in the absence of air.
"Density of microorganisms" is the number of microorganisms per unit mass of total solids (dry weight) in the biosolids or sewage sludge.
"Land with a high potential for public exposure" is land that the public uses frequently. This includes, but is not limited to, a public contact site and a reclamation site located in a populated area (e.g., a construction site located in a city).
"Land with a low potential for public exposure" is land that the public uses infrequently. This includes, but is not limited to, agricultural land, forest, and a reclamation site located in an unpopulated area (e.g., a strip mine located in a rural area).
"Pathogenic organisms" are disease-causing organisms. These include, but are not limited to, certain bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and viable helminth ova.
"pH" means the logarithm of the reciprocal of the hydrogen ion concentration measured at 25° Centigrade or measured at another temperature and then converted to an equivalent value at 25° Centigrade.
"Specific oxygen uptake rate" or "SOUR" is the mass of oxygen consumed per unit time per unit mass of total solids (dry weight basis) in the biosolids or sewage sludge.
"Total solids" are the materials in biosolids or sewage sludge that remain as residue when they are dried at 103° to 105° Celsius.
"Unstabilized solids" are organic materials in biosolids or sewage sludge that have not been treated in either an aerobic or anaerobic treatment process.
"Vector attraction" is the characteristic of biosolids or sewage sludge that attracts rodents, flies, mosquitoes, or other organisms capable of transporting infectious agents.
"Volatile solids" is the amount of the total solids in biosolids or sewage sludge lost when they are combusted at 550° Celsius in the presence of excess air.
(3) Pathogens [ 40 CFR 503.32]
(a)
Biosolids-Class A.
1. The requirement in part
2 of this subparagraph and the requirements in either parts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8
of this subparagraph shall be met for a biosolids to be classified Class A with
respect to pathogens.
2. The Class
A pathogen requirements in parts 3 through 8 of this subparagraph shall be met
either prior to meeting or at the same time the vector attraction reduction
requirements in paragraph (4) of this rule, except the vector attraction
reduction requirements in parts (4)(b)6 through 8 of this rule, are
met.
3. Class A-Alternative 1
(i) Either the density of fecal coliform in
the biosolids shall be less than 1000 Most Probable Number per gram of total
solids (dry weight basis), or the density of Salmonella sp. bacteria in the
biosolids shall be less than three Most Probable Number per four grams of total
solids (dry weight basis) at the time the biosolids are applied or disposed; at
the time the biosolids are prepared for sale or given away in a bag or other
container for application to the land; or at the time the biosolids or material
derived from biosolids are prepared to meet the requirements in subparagraph
(1)(b) of Rule 0400-40-15-.02.
(ii)
The temperature of the biosolids that are applied or disposed shall be
maintained at a specific value for a period of time.
(I) When the percent solids of the biosolids
are seven percent or higher, the temperature of the biosolids shall be 50°
Celsius or higher; the time period shall be 20 minutes or longer; and the
temperature and time period shall be determined using Equation (1), except when
small particles of sewage sludge are heated by either warmed gases or an
immiscible liquid.
Equation (1)
(II) When
the percent solids of the biosolids are seven percent or higher and small
particles of sewage sludge are heated by either warmed gases or an immiscible
liquid, the temperature of the biosolids shall be 50° Celsius or higher;
the time period shall be 15 seconds or longer; and the temperature and time
period shall be determined using Equation (1).
(III) When the percent solids of the
biosolids are less than seven percent and the time period is at least 15
seconds, but less than 30 minutes, the temperature and time period shall be
determined using Equation (1).
(IV)
When the percent solids of the biosolids are less than seven percent; the
temperature of the biosolids are 50° Celsius or higher; and the time period
is 30 minutes or longer, the temperature and time period shall be determined
using Equation (2).
Equation (2)
4. Class A-Alternative 2
(i) Either the density of fecal coliform in
the biosolids shall be less than 1000 Most Probable Number per gram of total
solids (dry weight basis), or the density of Salmonella sp. bacteria in the
biosolids shall be less than three Most Probable Number per four grams of total
solids (dry weight basis) at the time the biosolids are applied or disposed; at
the time the biosolids are prepared for sale or given away in a bag or other
container for application to the land; or at the time the biosolids or material
derived from biosolids are prepared to meet the requirements in subparagraph
(1)(b) of Rule 0400-40-15-.02.
(ii)
(I) The pH of the biosolids that are applied
or disposed shall be raised to above 12 and shall remain above 12 for 72
hours.
(II) The temperature of the
biosolids shall be above 52° Celsius for 12 hours or longer during the
period that the pH of the biosolids is above 12.
(III) At the end of the 72 hour period during
which the pH of the biosolids are above 12, the biosolids shall be air dried to
achieve a percent solids in the biosolids greater than 50 percent.
5. Class A-Alternative
3
(i) Either the density of fecal coliform in
the biosolids shall be less than 1000 Most Probable Number per gram of total
solids (dry weight basis), or the density of Salmonella sp. bacteria in
biosolids shall be less than three Most Probable Number per four grams of total
solids (dry weight basis) at the time the biosolids are applied or disposed; at
the time the biosolids are prepared for sale or given away in a bag or other
container for application to the land; or at the time the biosolids or material
derived from biosolids are prepared to meet the requirements in subparagraph
(1)(b) of Rule 0400-40-15-.02.
(ii)
(I) The biosolids shall be analyzed prior to
pathogen treatment to determine whether the biosolids contains enteric
viruses.
(II) When the density of
enteric viruses in the biosolids prior to pathogen treatment is less than one
Plaque-Forming Unit per four grams of total solids (dry weight basis), the
biosolids are Class A with respect to enteric viruses until the next monitoring
episode for the biosolids.
(III)
When the density of enteric viruses in the biosolids prior to pathogen
treatment is equal to or greater than one Plaque-Forming Unit per four grams of
total solids (dry weight basis), the biosolids are Class A with respect to
enteric viruses when the density of enteric viruses in the biosolids after
pathogen treatment is less than one Plaque-Forming Unit per four grams of total
solids (dry weight basis) and when the values or ranges of values for the
operating parameters for the pathogen treatment process that produces the
biosolids that meet the enteric virus density requirement are
documented.
(IV) After the enteric
virus reduction in item III of this subpart is demonstrated for the pathogen
treatment process, the biosolids continue to be Class A with respect to enteric
viruses when the values for the pathogen treatment process operating parameters
are consistent with the values or ranges of values documented in item III of
this subpart.
(iii)
(I) The biosolids shall be analyzed prior to
pathogen treatment to determine whether the biosolids contain viable helminth
ova.
(II) When the density of
viable helminth ova in the biosolids prior to pathogen treatment is less than
one per four grams of total solids (dry weight basis), the biosolids are Class
A with respect to viable helminth ova until the next monitoring episode for the
biosolids.
(III) When the density
of viable helminth ova in the biosolids prior to pathogen treatment is equal to
or greater than one per four grams of total solids (dry weight basis), the
biosolids are Class A with respect to viable helminth ova when the density of
viable helminth ova in the biosolids after pathogen treatment is less than one
per four grams of total solids (dry weight basis) and when the values or ranges
of values for the operating parameters for the pathogen treatment process that
produces the biosolids that meet the viable helminth ova density requirement
are documented.
(IV) After the
viable helminth ova reduction in item III of this subpart is demonstrated for
the pathogen treatment process, the biosolids continue to be Class A with
respect to viable helminth ova when the values for the pathogen treatment
process operating parameters are consistent with the values or ranges of values
documented item III of this subpart.
(iv) The use of Alternative 3 for Class A
pathogen reduction requires prior written approval from the State Biosolids
Coordinator.
6. Class
A-Alternative 4
(i) Either the density of
fecal coliform in the biosolids shall be less than 1000 Most Probable Number
per gram of total solids (dry weight basis), or the density of Salmonella sp.
bacteria in the biosolids shall be less than three Most Probable Number per
four grams of total solids (dry weight basis) at the time the biosolids are
applied or disposed; at the time the biosolids are prepared for sale or given
away in a bag or other container for application to the land; or at the time
the biosolids or material derived from biosolids are prepared to meet the
requirements in subparagraph (1)(b) of Rule 0400-40-15-.02.
(ii) The density of enteric viruses in the
biosolids shall be less than one Plaque-Forming Unit per four grams of total
solids (dry weight basis) at the time the biosolids are applied or disposed; at
the time the biosolids are prepared for sale or given away in a bag or other
container for application to the land; or at the time the biosolids or material
derived from biosolids are prepared to meet the requirements in subparagraph
(1)(b) of Rule 0400-40-15-.02, unless otherwise specified by the State
Biosolids Coordinator.
(iii) The
density of viable helminth ova in the biosolids shall be less than one per four
grams of total solids (dry weight basis) at the time the biosolids are applied
or disposed; at the time the biosolids are prepared for sale or given away in a
bag or other container for application to the land; or at the time the
biosolids or material derived from biosolids are prepared to meet the
requirements in subparagraph (1)(b) of Rule 0400-40-15-.02, unless otherwise
specified by the State Biosolids Coordinator.
(iv) The use of Alternative 4 for Class A
pathogen reduction requires prior written approval from the State Biosolids
Coordinator.
7. Class
A-Alternative 5
(i) Either the density of
fecal coliform in the biosolids shall be less than 1000 Most Probable Number
per gram of total solids (dry weight basis), or the density of
Salmonella, sp. bacteria in the biosolids shall be less than
three Most Probable Number per four grams of total solids (dry weight basis) at
the time the biosolids are applied or disposed; at the time the biosolids are
prepared for sale or given away in a bag or other container for application to
the land; or at the time the biosolids or material derived from biosolids are
prepared to meet the requirements in subparagraph (1)(b) of Rule
0400-40-15-.02.
(ii) Biosolids that
are applied or disposed shall be treated in one of the Processes to Further
Reduce Pathogens described in paragraph (5) of this rule.
8. Class A-Alternative 6
(i) Either the density of fecal coliform in
the biosolids shall be less than 1000 Most Probable Number per gram of total
solids (dry weight basis), or the density of Salmonella, sp.
bacteria in the biosolids shall be less than three Most Probable Number per
four grams of total solids (dry weight basis) at the time the biosolids are
applied or disposed; at the time the biosolids are prepared for sale or given
away in a bag or other container for application to the land; or at the time
the biosolids or material derived from biosolids are prepared to meet the
requirements in subparagraph (1)(b) of Rule 0400-40-15-.02.
(ii) Biosolids that are applied or disposed
shall be treated in a process that is equivalent to a Process to Further Reduce
Pathogens as determined by EPA Region 4.
(b) Biosolids-Class B.
1.
(i) The
requirements in either part 2, 3, or 4 of this subparagraph shall be met for
biosolids to be classified Class B with respect to pathogens.
(ii) The site restrictions in part 5 of this
subparagraph shall be met when biosolids that meet the Class B pathogen
requirements in part 2, 3, or 4 of this subparagraph are applied to the
land.
2. Class
B-Alternative 1
(i) Seven representative
samples of the biosolids that are applied or disposed shall be
collected.
(ii) The geometric mean
of the density of fecal coliform in the samples collected in subpart (i) of
this part shall be less than either 2,000,000 Most Probable Number per gram of
total solids (dry weight basis) or 2,000,000 Colony Forming Units per gram of
total solids (dry weight basis).
3. Class B-Alternative 2
Biosolids that are applied or disposed shall be treated in one of the Processes to Significantly Reduce Pathogens described in paragraph (5) of this rule.
4. Class B-Alternative 3
Biosolids that are applied or disposed shall be treated in a process that is equivalent to a Process to Significantly Reduce Pathogens, as determined by EPA Region 4.
5. Site
restrictions
(i) Food crops with harvested
parts that touch the biosolids/soil mixture and are totally above the land
surface shall not be harvested for 14 months after application of
biosolids.
(ii) Food crops with
harvested parts below the surface of the land shall not be harvested for 20
months after application of biosolids when the biosolids remain on the land
surface for four months or longer prior to incorporation into the
soil.
(iii) Food crops with
harvested parts below the surface of the land shall not be harvested for 38
months after application of biosolids when the biosolids remain on the land
surface for less than four months prior to incorporation into the
soil.
(iv) Food crops, feed crops,
and fiber crops shall not be harvested for 30 days after application of
biosolids.
(v) Animals shall not be
grazed on the land for 30 days after application of biosolids.
(vi) Turf grown on land where biosolids are
applied shall not be harvested for one year after application of the biosolids
when the harvested turf is placed on either land with a high potential for
public exposure or a lawn, unless otherwise specified by the State Biosolids
Coordinator.
(vii) Public access to
land with a high potential for public exposure shall be restricted for one year
after application of biosolids.
(viii) Public access to land with a low
potential for public exposure shall be restricted for 30 days after application
of biosolids.
(4) Vector attraction reduction [ 40 CFR 503.33]
(a)
1. One of the vector attraction reduction
requirements in parts (b)1 through 10 of this paragraph shall be met when bulk
biosolids are applied to agricultural land, forest, a public contact site, or a
reclamation site.
2. One of the
vector attraction reduction requirements in parts (b)1 through 8 of this
paragraph shall be met when bulk biosolids are applied to a lawn or a home
garden.
3. One of the vector
attraction reduction requirements in parts (b)1 through 8 of this paragraph
shall be met when biosolids are sold or given away in a bag or other container
for application to the land.
(b)
1. The
mass of volatile solids in the biosolids shall be reduced by a minimum of 38
percent (see calculation procedures in "Environmental Regulations and
Technology-Control of Pathogens and Vector Attraction in Sewage Sludge,"
EPA-625/R-92/013, 1992, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio
45268).
2. When the 38 percent
volatile solids reduction requirement in part 1 of this subparagraph cannot be
met for an anaerobically digested biosolids, vector attraction reduction can be
demonstrated by digesting a portion of the previously digested biosolids
anaerobically in the laboratory in a bench-scale unit for 40 additional days at
a temperature between 30 and 37° Celsius. When at the end of the 40 days,
the volatile solids in the biosolids at the beginning of that period are
reduced by less than 17 percent, vector attraction reduction is
achieved.
3. When the 38 percent
volatile solids reduction requirement in part 1 of this subparagraph cannot be
met for an aerobically digested biosolids, vector attraction reduction can be
demonstrated by digesting a portion of the previously digested biosolids that
have a percent solids of two percent or less aerobically in the laboratory in a
bench-scale unit for 30 additional days at 20° Celsius. When at the end of
the 30 days, the volatile solids in the biosolids at the beginning of that
period are reduced by less than 15 percent, vector attraction reduction is
achieved.
4. The specific oxygen
uptake rate (SOUR) for biosolids treated in an aerobic process shall be equal
to or less than 1.5 milligrams of oxygen per hour per gram of total solids (dry
weight basis) at a temperature of 20° Celsius.
5. Biosolids shall be treated in an aerobic
process for 14 days or longer. During that time, the temperature of the
biosolids shall be higher than 40° Celsius and the average temperature of
the biosolids shall be higher than 45° Celsius.
6. The pH of biosolids shall be raised to 12
or higher by the addition of alkaline material and, without the addition of
more alkaline material, shall remain at 12 or higher for two hours and then at
11.5 or higher for an additional 22 hours.
7. The percent solids of biosolids that do
not contain unstabilized solids generated in a primary wastewater treatment
process shall be equal to or greater than 75 percent based on the moisture
content and total solids prior to mixing with other materials.
8. The percent solids of biosolids that
contain unstabilized solids generated in a primary wastewater treatment process
shall be equal to or greater than 90 percent based on the moisture content and
total solids prior to mixing with other materials.
9.
(i)
Biosolids shall be injected below the surface of the land.
(ii) No significant amount of the biosolids
shall be present on the land surface within one hour after the biosolids are
injected.
(iii) When the biosolids
that are injected below the surface of the land are Class A with respect to
pathogens, the biosolids shall be injected below the land surface within eight
hours after being discharged from the pathogen treatment process.
10.
(i) Biosolids applied to the land surface
shall be incorporated into the soil within six hours after application to or
placement on the land, unless otherwise specified by the State Biosolids
Coordinator.
(ii) When biosolids
that are incorporated into the soil are Class A with respect to pathogens, the
biosolids shall be applied to or placed on the land within eight hours after
being discharged from the pathogen treatment process.
(5) Pathogen Treatment Processes [Appendix B to Part 503]
(a)
Processes To Significantly Reduce Pathogens (PSRP).
1. Aerobic digestion-Sewage sludge or
biosolids are agitated with air or oxygen to maintain aerobic conditions for a
specific mean cell residence time at a specific temperature. Values for the
mean cell residence time and temperature shall be between 40 days at 20°
Celsius and 60 days at 15° Celsius.
2. Air drying-Sewage sludge or biosolids are
dried on sand beds or on paved or unpaved basins. The sewage sludge or
biosolids dry for a minimum of three months. During two of the three months,
the ambient average daily temperature is above 0° Celsius.
3. Anaerobic digestion-Sewage sludge or
biosolids are treated in the absence of air for a specific mean cell residence
time at a specific temperature. Values for the mean cell residence time and
temperature shall be between 15 days at 35 to 55° Celsius and 60 days at
20° Celsius.
4.
Composting-Using either the within-vessel, static aerated pile, or windrow
composting methods, the temperature of the sewage sludge or biosolids is raised
to 40° Celsius or higher and remains at 40° Celsius or higher for five
days. For four hours during the five days, the temperature in the compost pile
exceeds 55° Celsius. Passively aerated static pile composting is not an
acceptable PSRP.
5. Lime
stabilization-Sufficient lime is added to the sewage sludge or biosolids to
raise the pH of the sewage sludge or biosolids to 12 after two hours of
contact.
(b) Processes
to Further Reduce Pathogens (PFRP).
1.
Composting-Using either the within-vessel composting method or the static
aerated pile composting method, the temperature of the sewage sludge or
biosolids is maintained at 55° Celsius or higher for three days. Passively
aerated static pile composting is not an acceptable PSRP.
Using the windrow composting method, the temperature of the sewage sludge or biosolids is maintained at 55° or higher for 15 days or longer. During the period when the compost is maintained at 55° or higher, there shall be a minimum of five turnings of the windrow.
2. Heat drying-Sewage sludge or biosolids are
dried by direct or indirect contact with hot gases to reduce the moisture
content of the sewage sludge or biosolids to 10 percent or lower. Either the
temperature of the biosolids particles exceeds 80° Celsius or the wet bulb
temperature of the gas in contact with the biosolids as the biosolids leaves
the dryer exceeds 80° Celsius.
3. Heat treatment-Liquid sewage sludge or
biosolids are heated to a temperature of 180° Celsius or higher for 30
minutes.
4. Thermophilic aerobic
digestion-Liquid sewage sludge or biosolids are agitated with air or oxygen to
maintain aerobic conditions and the mean cell residence time of the sewage
sludge or biosolids is 10 days at 55 to 60° Celsius.
5. Beta ray irradiation-Sewage sludge or
biosolids are irradiated with beta rays from an accelerator at dosages of at
least 1.0 megarad at room temperature (ca. 20° Celsius).
6. Gamma ray irradiation-Sewage sludge or
biosolids are irradiated with gamma rays from certain isotopes, such as
60 Cobalt and 137 Cesium,
at dosages of at least 1.0 megarad at room temperature (ca. 20°
Celsius).
7. Pasteurization-The
temperature of the sewage sludge or biosolids is maintained at 70° Celsius
or higher for 30 minutes or longer.
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 69-3-101 et seq. and 4-5-201 et seq.
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