Ohio EPA to update OAC rules on biosolids and sewage sludge

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) recently announced its intention to update rules in the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) relating to sewage sludge and biosolids after a required five-year review of the regulations.

The Ohio EPA’s Division of Surface Water is undertaking early stakeholder outreach in connection to its proposed changes to OAC Chapter 3745-40, which deals with disposal, use, storage, transfer and treatment of the materials. Some of the changes pertain to updating the rule language, format and reference citations. The updates will require land appliers to notify the Ohio EPA if any complaints are received. Other new measures include more detailed requirements for land application management plans, adding an isolation distance between homes and stockpiles and including inert sampling as an approved screening method.

The updated rules will apply to those who generate and use biosolids, including treatment works, sludge treatment companies and contract haulers. The Ohio EPA is accepting comments from industry stakeholders, which can be submitted by mail, email and fax to the agency by Jan. 14, 2016. The Ohio EPA expects to release a draft of the rules next spring.