(Biosolids Program | Marina Program | Wastewater Engineering)
What are Biosolids?
Biosolids are nutrient-rich organic materials derived from treated sewage sludge so they can be applied as a fertilizer on crop land, forested areas, and pasture land. Biosolids are treated, managed and tested so that they meet the strict standards required for land application in Virginia. The Biosolids Use Regulations(12 VAC-5-585) are implemented by VDH and mandate safeguards to protect public health when biosolids are applied to land. Biosolids may only be applied to land if they have been treated to eliminate or reduce pathogens to a level that will not pose health risks when properly applied.
What is Sewage?
Sewage is defined as water-carried wastes from homes, businesses, and industrial processing. Industrial contributions are regulated through permits that impose pre-treatment standards that limit the amounts of pollutants that may be discharged into a public sewer.
What is the difference between biosolids and sludge?
Biosolids are produced from sewage sludge. Biosolids are carefully treated and monitored and must be used in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Why do we have biosolids?
We have biosolids as a result of the wastewater treatment process. Water treatment technology has made our water safer for recreation and seafood harvesting. Even thirty years ago, many cities dumped their raw sewage directly into the nation's rivers, lakes, and bays. Local governments are now required to treat wastewater and to make the decision whether to recycle biosolids as fertilizer, incinerate it, or bury it in a landfill.
How are biosolids generated and processed?
Biosolids are created through the treatment of domestic wastewater generated from sewage treatment facilities. The treatment of biosolids actually begins before the wastewater reaches the sewage treatment process at such facilities. In many larger wastewater treatment systems, pre-treatment regulations require that industrial facilities pre-treat their wastewater to remove many hazardous contaminants before it is sent to a wastewater treatment facility. Wastewater treatment facilities monitor incoming wastewater streams to ensure their recyclability and compatibility with the treatment plant process.
Once the wastewater enters the treatment system, it goes through physical, chemical and biological processes which clean the wastewater and remove the solids. If necessary for reuse, the solids are then digested to convert organic matter to carbon dioxide, or treated with lime to raise the pH level, to control objectionable odors. Thus the wastewater treatment system processes wastewater solids to control pathogens (disease-causing organisms, such as certain bacteria, viruses and parasites) and other organisms capable of transporting disease. The Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates this aspect of biosolids treatment requirements.
Why is VDH involved in the regulation of biosolids land application?
VDH develops, implements, and enforces Virginia’s Biosolids Use Regulations. These regulations are more restrictive than the requirements set by the EPA in federal biosolids regulations, 40 C.F.R. Part 503, and are designed to protect public health. Biosolids land appliers must meet certain criteria, such as observing appropriate set-back distances from ground water sources, residences, etc. in order to maintain their permit. Click here to review Virginia's Biosolids Use Regulations.
How is land application of biosolids regulated?
VDH encourages counties/municipalities to adopt an approved local ordinance related to biosolids use to assure local monitoring and protection of county lands, as well as assure the safety and welfare of all those who live, work, and play in the county. Each locality approved to use biosolids may hire a local monitor for the program. VDH and the local monitor will closely monitor the use of biosolids on county lands as a soil amendment and enforce regulatory requirements. Each potential application site will have site specific requirements including the testing of soils and biosolids before land-application, nutrient management plans, disclosure to the public and land owner, detailed monitoring and reporting, and county-led inspections. While no evidence has been found of an urgent public health risk from exposure to land-applied biosolids, studies have found that the science used to determine federal standards needs to be updated as chemicals, treatments, and technologies have changed. Click here to learn more about Virginia’s permitting process and the federal standards for biosolids land application.
How can I find out if there are plans to use biosolids close to my house?
The local government and local monitor, when established, will be notified and aware of the schedule that the biosolids appliers intend to follow in that County. Current regulations are being revised to include requirements for posting of signs at locations near the sites that land appliers are planning to operate, several days or more prior to the start of such operations. The signs will contain contact phone numbers for additional information. Recent legislation passed by the 2005 General Assembly will require land appliers to provide 100 days notice to the local governing body of planned land application within the locality. Notification may be in the form of a list of available permitted sites within the locality and shall include the expected source of biosolids.
Are biosolids safe?
VDH’s number one priority is to protect the public’s health. We treat all public health concerns very seriously. For a number of years, VDH has been assessing both the environmental and possible health effects of biosolids. VDH is unaware of any scientific evidence to support a link between the land application of biosolids and these illnesses.
Do biosolids smell?
Biosolids may have their own distinctive odor depending on the type of treatment it has been through. Some biosolids may have only a slight musty, ammonia odor. Others have a stronger odor that may be offensive to some people. Much of the odor is caused by compounds containing sulfur and ammonia, both of which are plant nutrients.
If a biosolids spill occurs on a road, who will clean the spill up?
Spills are cleaned up by the land applier, the Virginia Department of Transportation, or the local government using their contractor, depending on the location of the spill. Spills are typically cleaned up within a few hours. Spills resulting from vehicular accidents may require a longer time to remove damaged vehicles. Complaints will be investigated as soon as possible by VDH in cooperation with local governments and enforcement actions where permit violations have occurred.
Who can I contact about complaints related to biosolids?
We appreciate feedback from the public and respect for the diverse opinions of our constituents. In fact, the State Health Commissioner established a Biosolids Working Group (BWG) in 2003, to ensure ongoing review of the public health aspects of the land application of biosolids. The BWG will also serve to establish a system for local health department review of health issues involved with biosolids applications. Such a review may lead to further inspections of a potential land application site and possible modification of the permit.
Citizens with health related concerns are encouraged to contact their health care provider or local health department. All other complaints or concerns about biosolids land application should be directed to your county’s administrative office. If you prefer to contact VDH directly, please call (804) 864-7473. You can also fax your questions to (804) 864-7475.
What are the Virginia Department of Health's regulatory responsibilities concerning boating facilities in the state?
The health department regulates the onshore sanitary facilities for boating establishments. This includes restrooms, sewage pump-out stations and sewage dump stations. (See: Sanitary Regulations for Marinas and Boat Moorings)
Why is the discharge of boat sewage overboard a public health and water quality concern?
Boat toilet waste is much more concentrated than domestic sewage. Thus, Vessel sewage contains biological contaminants that can be harmful to humans. The chemicals used to treat vessel sewage can also pose an environmental and health risk. Some potential health hazards include infectious hepatitis, diarrhea, and cholera. A single overboard discharge from a boat toilet or holding tank in a low dilution environment, such as a marina, can be detected for at least one square mile from the discharge point. Sewage acts as a fertilizer in the marine environment, leading to uncontrolled algae growth and subsequent depletion of dissolved oxygen. Low levels of dissolved oxygen can lead to the death of fish and valuable marine plant life. In addition, shellfish can concentrate microorganisms discharged to the Marine environment, thus resulting in possible ingestion of an infectious dose of such microorganisms by those eating the shellfish. Shellfish beds, swimming areas and fishing areas may have to be closed because of boat sewage contamination of those waters.
What is a sewage pump-out station, how does it work, and how should an inoperative pump-out station be reported?
A pump-out station should be available to boaters at marinas to remove the sewage from a boat sewage holding tank and discharge the sewage to an on-shore wastewater collection system. The pump intake hose should be fitted with a nozzle. The pump-out hose nozzle is inserted into a fitting on the deck of the boat. The pump suction should be sufficient to removes the sewage from the holding tank and convey it on-shore. Inoperative pump-out stations can be reported by calling the toll free number 1-800-ASK-FISH.
What are the different types of required marine sanitation devices (MSD's) for boats with an installed flush type toilet?
There are three types of Coast Guard approved MSD's as follows:
Type I - Treats sewage before discharging by macerating or chopping the solids and then adding chemicals. Must meet specific standards concerning bacteria content and may show no visible solids.
Type II - Provides a higher level of treatment than a type I MSD. Treats sewage biologically and separates the solids for pump-out or incineration.
Type III - Holding Tank - A holding tank does not allow for the discharge of sewage. The waste is contained until it can be properly disposed of at a sewage pump-out station. Holding tanks are often fitted with a Y - valve which allows for the direct discharge of the contents when offshore (the three nautical mile off-shore regulation).
The VDH recommends against the discharge of boat sewage overboard from any treatment or holding device.
How are boating facilities categorized in the state of Virginia?
Boat docking and mooring facilities are characterized as either, a marina, an other place, or as under surveillance for the purpose of establishing facility requirements and annual inspection schedules to verify compliance with the Virginia Department of Health Sanitary Regulations for Marinas and Boat Moorings (12 VAC 5- 570).
How are permits issued?
Permits are issued to applicants or owners of a pollution source, after a technical evaluation and approval of the proposed pollution control technology as described in the permit application. All other pertinent issues that have been brought to question as a result of notifications of the permit application to other agencies and the public, must be resolved by the applicant to the satisfaction of the permit issuing office, as prescribed by state and federal laws.
What is the purpose of our regulations?
The Regulations provide a mechanism to authorize the collection, treatment and disposal of wastes. The Regulations provide controls that ensure that proper levels of both public health and environmental protection will be assured through compliance with issued permits.
How are permits enforced?
Permits are enforced through a review of the results of required monitoring and testing of the performance of the permitted pollution control process and management system. Enforcement actions are taken by regulatory agencies if the monitoring results reveal that there is, or has been non-compliance with the permit standards. Enforcement actions can vary from, administrative directives to the permittee to make the necessary corrections to maintain compliance, to court orders with compliance deadlines. Failure to meet the compliance deadlines could result in fines and criminal prosecution directed at the permittee. Knowingly submitting an incorrect or falsified monitoring report, could result in severe punishment of the responsible individual, including fines and imprisonment.
Who is responsible for approval of sewage collection system and sewage treatment works designs?
For projects that will operate under a permit issued by the Virginia Department of Health the project design can be evaluated by either the On-Site Water and Wastewater Program staff or the DWE Staff and approved in cooperation with the Local Health Department Staffs. For projects that will operate under a permit issued by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), The Area Engineers in the DEQ Office of Wastewater Engineering evaluate and approve the project design and issue the approval to construct and operate the system or works. The DEQ Office of Wastewater Engineering information can be obtained at:
http://www.deq.state.va.us/wastewater/staff.html