WAC 173-308-210   Bulk biosolids applied to agricultural land, forest land, a public contact site, or a land reclamation site.  (1) Bulk biosolids applied to agricultural land, forest land, a public contact site, or a land reclamation site must meet the requirements for a significant reduction in manufactured inerts in WAC 173-308-205.

     (2) Pollutant concentrations.

     (a) The concentration of a pollutant in bulk biosolids that are applied to agricultural land, forest land, a public contact site, or a land reclamation site may not exceed the allowable ceiling limit in Table 1 of WAC 173-308-160.

     (b) If the concentration of a pollutant in bulk biosolids that are applied to agricultural land, forest land, a public contact site, or a land reclamation site exceeds the pollutant concentration limits in Table 3 of WAC 173-308-160, then the total cumulative loading rate for each pollutant may not exceed the limit in Table 2 of WAC 173-308-160, and the requirements in WAC 173-308-160(2) must be met.

     (3) Pathogens. Bulk biosolids that are applied to agricultural land, forest land, a public contact site, or a land reclamation site must be Class A for pathogens, or they must be Class B for pathogens and the site management and access restrictions in subsection (5) of this section must be met.

     (4) Vector attraction reduction. Bulk biosolids that are applied to agricultural land, forest land, a public contact site, or a land reclamation site must meet one of the vector attraction reduction requirements in WAC 173-308-180 (1) through (6) before they are applied to the land, or the requirements of (a) or (b) of this subsection must be met.

     (a) Injection. The biosolids must be injected below the surface of the land and the following requirements must be met, as applicable.

     (i) No significant amount of the biosolids may be present on the land surface within one hour after the biosolids are injected.

     (ii) When the biosolids are Class A for pathogens, the biosolids must be injected below the land surface within eight hours after being discharged from the pathogen treatment process.

     (b) Incorporation. Biosolids must be incorporated into the soil within six hours after application to the land. When biosolids that are incorporated into the soil are Class A with respect to pathogens, the biosolids must be applied to the land within eight hours after being discharged from the pathogen treatment process.

     (5) Site management and access restrictions.

     (a) Class B biosolids. The site management and access restrictions in (a) and (b) of this subsection are applicable to biosolids that are Class B for pathogens.

     (i) Food crops, feed crops, and fiber crops must not be harvested for a minimum of thirty days after the last application of biosolids.

     (ii) Food crops with harvested parts that touch the biosolids/soil mixture and are totally above the land surface must not be harvested for a minimum of fourteen months after the last application of biosolids.

     (iii) Food crops with harvested parts below the surface of the land must not be harvested for a minimum of twenty months after the last application of biosolids when the biosolids remain on the land surface for four months or longer prior to incorporation into the soil.

     (iv) Food crops with harvested parts below the surface of the land must not be harvested for thirty-eight months after application of biosolids when the biosolids remain on the land surface for less than four months prior to incorporation into the soil.

     (v) Livestock must not be allowed to graze on the land for a minimum of thirty days after the last application of biosolids.

     (vi) Turf grown on land where biosolids are applied must not be harvested for a minimum of one year after the last application of the biosolids unless otherwise specified by the department.

     (vii) Public access to land with a high potential for public exposure must be restricted for a minimum of one year after the last application of biosolids.

     (viii) Public access to land with a low potential for public exposure must be restricted for a minimum of thirty days after the last application of biosolids.

     (ix) Biosolids must not be applied to the land within one hundred feet (30.5 meters) of a well unless otherwise approved in a permit issued in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.

     (x) During the time when access is restricted, signs must be posted around the application site at all significant points of access and at least every 1/2 mile (805 meters) around the perimeter of the site. Unless the department has approved the substitution of "no trespassing" signs for informational signs, signs must contain at least the following:

     (A) The name and address or phone number of the generator and if different, the person who applies.

     (B) The names, addresses, and phone numbers of the regulatory and permitting authorities.

     (C) The material that is being applied (biosolids or a more detailed description).

     (D) Notice that access is restricted, and if desired, the date after which access is no longer restricted.

     (E) If applicable, a notice on limitations regarding the harvest of edible plants from the site.

     It is a violation of these rules for any person to remove a sign posted in accordance with the requirements of this subsection during the period when access is restricted.

     (b) Nonexceptional quality biosolids. The following site management restrictions are applicable to nonexceptional quality biosolids when they are applied to agricultural land, forest land, a public contact site, or a land reclamation site:

     (i) Bulk biosolids may not be applied to land that is thirty-three feet (10 meters) or less from surface waters of the state, unless otherwise specified by the department.

     (ii) Bulk biosolids may not be applied to the land so that they enter a wetland or waters of the state, unless approved in a permit issued by the department or by EPA with the approval of the department.



[Statutory Authority: Chapters 70.95J and 70.95 RCW. 07-12-010 (Order 06-06), § 173-308-210, filed 5/24/07, effective 6/24/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.95J.020 and 70.95.255. 98-05-101 (Order 97-30), § 173-308-210, filed 2/18/98, effective 3/21/98.]