 |
 |
|
Compost made from a mixture of biosolids and yard trimmings is applied
to palm trees in Palm Beach County (left photo courtesy of
Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County). |
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|
Biosolids from a domestic wastewater treatment facility in
Tallahassee are applied to a coastal bermuda grass field (above
photo courtesy of the City of
Tallahassee). |
Domestic
Wastewater Biosolids
When domestic wastewater is treated, a solid by-product accumulates
in the wastewater treatment plant and must be removed periodically to
keep the plant operating properly. The collected material, called biosolids or more commonly “sewage sludge,” is high in
organic content, and contains moderate amounts of nutrients that are
needed by plants. These characteristics make residuals valuable as a
soil conditioner and fertilizer.
Properly treated biosolids may be used as a fertilizer supplement or
soil amendment, subject to regulatory requirements that have been
established to protect public health and the environment. These
requirements (found in Chapter 62-640, F.A.C.) include pollutant limits,
treatment to destroy harmful microorganisms, and management practices
for land application sites. Biosolids may be used by application to land
in farming and ranching operations, forest lands, and public areas such
as parks, or in land reclamation projects such as restoration of mining
properties. The highest quality of biosolids, known in Florida as “Class
AA,” are distributed and marketed like other commercial fertilizers.
Biosolids Rules and Forms
Chapter 62-640, F.A.C., was revised as of August 29, 2010. To
view information about the rulemaking effort, see the
Domestic Wastewater Residuals Rulemaking
Updates page.
Get
the following Biosolids Forms:
- DEP Form 62-640.210(2)(a), F.A.C., Treatment Facility
Biosolids Plan
- DEP Form 62-640.210(2)(b), F.A.C., Treatment Facility
Biosolids Annual Summary
- DEP Form 62-640.210(2)(c), F.A.C., Biosolids Application
Site Annual Summary
- DEP Form 62-640.210(2)(d), F.A.C., Biosolids Site Permit
Application
- DEP Form 62-640.210(2)(e), F.A.C., Biosolids Application
Site Log
Note: for facilities using existing land application
sites, provisions in the 3-30-98 version of Chapter 62-640,
F.A.C., may still be applicable through January 1, 2013.
Therefore, the following are still available for download:
Forms as Amended on 3-30-98:
- DEP Form 62-640.210(2)(a), F.A.C., Agriculture Use Plan
(MSWord
| PDF)
- DEP Form 62-640.210(2)(b), F.A.C., Residuals Annual
Summary (MSWord
| PDF)
Biosolids Related Information and Downloads
- Domestic Wastewater
Residuals: Fact Sheet for Florida's Farmers and Ranchers
This fact sheet provides an overview of residuals and other
information of interest to farmers or ranchers who beneficially use,
or who are considering beneficially using domestic wastewater
residuals. (Note: This will be updated in the near future.)
- Summary of Class AA
Biosolids 2009
(214 KB)
This reports contains information on companies, quantities and other
information regarding the distribution and marketing of class AA
residuals products in Florida.
-
Basic Residuals Calculation Spreadsheet
(MSExcel 41.5KB)
This downloadable Excel file can be used by permittees to perform
basic residuals calculations such as converting from gallons to dry
tons. This can aid the permittees in record keeping as well as
determining results to enter onto report forms. This software is only
meant as an aid and does not relieve the permittee from reporting
accurate information on Department reporting forms.
-
Residuals, Biosolids,
Sludge: What’s in a Name? An Educational Infusion Unit for Biosolids
developed by the Florida Water Environment Federation (FWEA) and DEP
As part of the FWEA Biosolids Outreach Committee, Dr. Phil Kane
(DEP-Orlando District Office) developed a biosolids infusion unit to be
used as a multidisciplinary educator’s guide for teaching students about
biosolids issues. This guide book includes several skills-training
courses to expose middle school students to “real-life” simulations such
as environmental rule making, town meetings, and exploration of the
beneficial use of biosolids as a fertilizer. This document may be
downloaded for free from
www.lulu.com/content/163583.
Links
to Other Biosolids/Residuals/Sewage Sludge Information
The following websites contain vast amounts of
information:
For Information Contact:
Maurice Barker
Biosolids Coordinator
Domestic Wastewater Section
2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3540
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400
Email:
Maurice.Barker@dep.state.fl.us
(850) 245-8605
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