Article 1. Procedures and Requirements
9VAC25-32-303. Purpose and applicability.
Article 1
Procedures and Requirements
A. This part establishes standards, which consist of general requirements, pollutant limits, management practices, and operational standards, for the final use of biosolids or disposal of sewage sludge generated during the treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment works. Standards are included in this part for biosolids applied to the land. Also included in this part are pathogen and alternative vector attraction reduction requirements for biosolids applied to the land.
B. The standards in this part also include the frequency of monitoring and recordkeeping requirements when biosolids is applied to the land.
C. Applicability.
1. This part applies to any person who prepares biosolids or applies biosolids to the land.
2. This part applies to biosolids applied to the land.
3. This part applies to land where biosolids is applied.
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.15 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 24, eff. September 1, 2013.
9VAC25-32-305. Permits.
A. No owner shall cause or allow any land application, marketing, or distribution of biosolids except in compliance with a permit issued by the department that authorizes these activities.
B. A separate biosolids use permit shall be issued for each political jurisdiction (county or city) where land application is proposed.
C. No person shall land apply Class B biosolids on any land in Virginia unless that land has been identified in an application to issue, reissue or modify a permit and approved by the department.
D. No person shall land apply, market, or distribute biosolids in Virginia unless the biosolids source has been approved by the department.
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.15 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 24, eff. September 1, 2013; amended Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. November 23, 2022.
9VAC25-32-307. Relationship to other regulations.
A. Disposal of sewage sludge in a municipal solid waste landfill unit that complies with the requirements in the Virginia Solid Waste Management Regulation (9VAC20-81) constitutes compliance with § 405 (d) of the federal Clean Water Act.
B. Any person who prepares sewage sludge that is disposed in a municipal solid waste landfill unit shall ensure that the sewage sludge meets the requirements in 9VAC20-81 concerning the quality of materials disposed in a municipal solid waste landfill.
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.15 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 24, eff. September 1, 2013.
9VAC25-32-310. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2008; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 24, eff. September 1, 2013.
9VAC25-32-313. General requirements.
A. No person shall apply biosolids to the land except in accordance with the requirements in this article.
B. No person shall apply bulk biosolids to the land if it is likely to adversely affect a threatened or endangered species listed in 9VAC25-260-320 or § 4 of the Endangered Species Act (16 USC § 1533) or if the land application is likely to adversely affect its designated critical habitat.
C. No person shall apply bulk biosolids subject to the cumulative pollutant loading rates in 9VAC25-32-356 Table 3 to agricultural land, forest, a public contact site, or a reclamation site if any of the cumulative pollutant loading rates in 9VAC25-32-356 Table 3 has been reached.
D. No person shall apply domestic septage to agricultural land, forest, or a reclamation site during a 365-day period if the annual application rate in 9VAC25-32-356 D has been reached during that period.
E. The person who prepares bulk biosolids that is applied to agricultural land, forest, a public contact site, or a reclamation site shall provide the person who applies the bulk biosolids written notification of the concentration of total nitrogen and phosphorus (as N and P on a dry weight basis) in the bulk biosolids.
F. Before bulk biosolids subject to the cumulative pollutant loading rates in 9VAC25-32-356 Table 3 is applied to the land, the person who proposes to apply the bulk biosolids shall contact the department to determine whether bulk biosolids subject to the cumulative pollutant loading rates in 9VAC25-32-356 Table 3 has been applied to the site since July 20, 1993.
1. If bulk biosolids subject to the cumulative pollutant loading rates in 9VAC25-32-356 Table 3 has not been applied to the site since July 20, 1993, the cumulative amount of each pollutant listed in 9VAC25-32-356 Table 3 may be applied to the site in accordance with 9VAC25-32-356 B 2 a.
2. If bulk biosolids subject to the cumulative pollutant loading rates in 9VAC25-32-356 Table 3 has been applied to the site since July 20, 1993, and the cumulative amount of each pollutant applied to the site in the bulk biosolids since that date is known, the cumulative amount of each pollutant applied to the site shall be used to determine the additional amount of each pollutant that can be applied to the site in accordance with 9VAC25-32-356 B 2 a.
3. If bulk biosolids subject to the cumulative pollutant loading rates in 9VAC25-32-356 Table 3 has been applied to the site since July 20, 1993, and the cumulative amount of each pollutant applied to the site in the bulk biosolids since that date is not known, an additional amount of each pollutant shall not be applied to the site in accordance with 9VAC25-32-356 B 2 a.
G. When a person who prepares bulk biosolids provides the bulk biosolids to a person who applies the bulk biosolids to the land, the person who prepares the bulk biosolids shall provide the person who applies the biosolids notice and necessary information to comply with the requirements in this article.
H. When a person who prepares biosolids provides the biosolids to another person who prepares the biosolids, the person who provides the biosolids shall provide the person who receives the biosolids notice and necessary information to comply with the requirements in this article.
I. The person who applies bulk biosolids to the land shall provide the owner or lease holder of the land on which the bulk biosolids is applied notice and necessary information to comply with the requirements in this article.
J. Any person who prepares bulk biosolids in another state that is applied to land in Virginia shall provide written notice to the department prior to the initial application of bulk biosolids to the land application site by the applier. The notice shall include:
1. The location, by either street address or latitude and longitude, of each land application site;
2. The approximate time period bulk biosolids will be applied to the site;
3. The name, address, telephone number, and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit number (if appropriate) for the person who prepares the bulk biosolids; and
4. The name, address, telephone number, and National (or Virginia) Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit number (if appropriate) for the person who will apply the bulk biosolids.
K. Any person who applies bulk biosolids subject to the cumulative pollutant loading rates in 9VAC25-32-356 Table 3 to the land shall provide written notice, prior to the initial application of bulk biosolids to the land application site by the applier, to the department and the department shall retain and provide access to the notice. The notice shall include:
1. The location, by either street address or latitude and longitude, of the land application site; and
2. The name, address, telephone number, and Virginia Pollution Abatement permit number (if appropriate) of the person who will apply the bulk biosolids.
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.15 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 24, eff. September 1, 2013.
9VAC25-32-315. Additional and more stringent requirements.
A. On a case-by-case basis, the department may impose requirements for the use of biosolids or the disposal of sewage sludge in addition to or more stringent than the requirements in this part when necessary to protect human health and the environment from any adverse effect of a pollutant in the biosolids or sewage sludge.
B. Nothing in this part precludes the authority of another state agency, political subdivision of Virginia, or an interstate agency with respect to the use of biosolids or disposal of sewage sludge.
C. For biosolids land application where, because of site specific conditions, including soil type, identified during the permit application review process, the department determines that special requirements are necessary to protect the environment or the health, safety, or welfare of persons residing in the vicinity of a proposed land application site, the department may incorporate in the permit at the time it is issued reasonable special conditions regarding setback distances, transportation routes, slope, material source, methods of handling and application, and time of day restrictions exceeding those required by this regulation. The permit applicant shall have at least 14 days in which to review and respond to the proposed conditions.
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.15 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 24, eff. September 1, 2013; amended, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. November 23, 2022.
9VAC25-32-317. Exclusions.
A. Treatment processes. This part does not establish requirements for processes to treat domestic sewage or for processes used to treat sewage sludge prior to final use or disposal, except as provided in 9VAC25-32-675 and 9VAC25-32-685.
B. Selection of a use or a disposal practice. This part does not dictate the selection of a specific biosolids use or sewage sludge disposal practice by the owner of the wastewater treatment works.
C. Incineration of sewage sludge. This part does not establish requirements for sewage sludge fired in a sewage sludge incinerator or co-fired in an incinerator with other wastes or for the incinerator in which sewage sludge or other waste are co-fired.
D. Hazardous sewage sludge. This part does not establish requirements for the use or disposal of sewage sludge determined to be hazardous in accordance with 40 CFR Part 261 as adopted by reference in 9VAC20-60-261 or the Code of Virginia.
E. Sewage sludge with high PCB concentration. This part does not establish requirements for the use or disposal of sewage sludge with a concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) equal to or greater than 50 milligrams per kilogram of total solids (dry weight basis).
F. Incinerator ash. This part does not establish requirements for the use or disposal of ash generated during the firing of sewage sludge in a sewage sludge incinerator.
G. Grit and screenings. This part does not establish requirements for the use or disposal of grit (e.g., sand, gravel, cinders, or other materials with a high specific gravity) or screenings (e.g., relatively large materials such as rags) generated during preliminary treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment works.
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.15 of the Code of Virginia; § 402 of the Clean Water Act; 40 CFR Parts 122, 123, 124, 403, and 503.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 24, eff. September 1, 2013; amended, Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 19, eff. June 13, 2018.
9VAC25-32-320. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2008; amended, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 24, eff. September 1, 2013; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2016.
9VAC25-32-330. Variances.
A. The department may grant a variance to a procedural, design, or operational regulation by following the appropriate procedures set forth in this section.
B. Requirements for a variance. The department may grant a variance if it finds that the hardship imposed outweighs the benefits that may be received by the public and that the granting of such variance does not subject the public to unreasonable health risks or environmental pollution.
C. Application for a variance. Any owner may apply in writing for a variance. The application shall be submitted to the appropriate regional office for evaluation. The application shall include:
1. A citation of the regulation from which a variance is requested.
2. The nature and duration of variance requested.
3. A statement of the hardship to the owner and the anticipated impacts to the public health and welfare if a variance were granted.
4. Suggested conditions that might be imposed on the granting of a variance that would limit its detrimental impact on public health and welfare.
5. Other information, if any, believed to be pertinent by the applicant.
6. Such other information as may be required to make the determination in accordance with subsection B of this section.
D. Consideration of a variance.
1. The department shall act on any variance request submitted pursuant to this subsection within 90 days of receipt of request.
2. In the department's consideration of whether a biosolids use variance should be granted, the department shall consider such factors as the following:
a. The effect that such a variance would have on the adequate operation of the biosolids use facility, including public nuisance concerns;
b. The cost and other economic considerations imposed by this requirement; and
c. The effect that such a variance would have on the protection of the public health or the environment.
E. Disposition of a variance request.
1. The department may grant the variance request and if the department proposes to deny the variance it shall provide the owner an opportunity to an informal proceeding as provided in § 2.2-4019 of the Code of Virginia. Following this opportunity for an informal proceeding the department may reject any application for a variance by sending a rejection notice to the applicant. The rejection notice shall be in writing and shall state the reasons for the rejection. A rejection notice constitutes a case decision.
2. If the department proposes to grant a variance request submitted pursuant to this regulation, the applicant shall be notified in writing of this decision. Such notice shall identify the variance, the biosolids use facility involved, and shall specify the period of time for which the variance will be effective. Such notice shall provide that the variance will be terminated when the biosolids use facility comes into compliance with the applicable regulation and may be terminated upon a finding by the department that the biosolids use facility has failed to comply with any requirements or schedules issued in conjunction with the variance. The effective date of the variance shall be 15 days following its issuance.
F. Posting of variances. All variances granted for the design or operation of biosolids use facility are nontransferable. Any requirements of the variance shall become part of the permit for biosolids use subsequently granted by the department.
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.15 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2008; amended, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 24, eff. September 1, 2013; Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. November 23, 2022.
9VAC25-32-340. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2008; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 24, eff. September 1, 2013.
9VAC25-32-350. Procedures for obtaining a certificate to construct and certificate to operate.
No owner shall cause or allow the construction, expansion, modification, or operation of facilities necessary for biosolids treatment or storage except in compliance with a certificate to construct (CTC) and a certificate to operate (CTO) issued by the department in accordance with the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790).
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.15 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2008; amended, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. November 23, 2022.
9VAC25-32-355. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2008; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 24, eff. September 1, 2013.