HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-02-minutes-biosolids-land-application-permit-presentation-from-doe2016-05-02 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
COMMISSIONERS AUDITORIUM
SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY 2:00 P.M. MAY 2, 2016
Board members present: Chairman Obie O’Brien; Vice Chairman Paul
Jewell and Commissioner Laura Osiadacz.
Others: Mandy Buchholz, Deputy Clerk of the Board; Robin Read,
Public Health Administrator; Holly Myers, Environmental Health
Supervisor; Mark Larson, Public Health Officer; Clinton Van De
Venter, HHW Supervisor; James Rivard, Waste 2 Resources Program;
Peter Severtson, Regional Biosolids Coordinator.
SPECIAL MEETING BIOSOLIDS LAND APPLICATION PRESENTATION BOCC
At 2:09 p.m. Chairman O’Brien opened a Special Meeting to
receive a presentation from Department of Ecology (DOE),
regarding biosolids in Washington State: Land Application.
Peter Severtson, Regional biosolids Coordinator questioned what
areas the Board was specifically looking for information. He
apologized that he didn’t call prior to the meeting so that he
could be sure to have all the answers pertaining to the
questions they would have included in the Power Point. Mr.
Severtson’s presentation outlined what biosolids are, how they
are regulated and what their use in agriculture is. He stated
there are a lot of misconceptions about what biosolids. He
stated that what they are is the solids removed from wastewater
plants that are dewatered and tested for pollutants and
pathogens. He explained that the mechanism for treating sewage
is biological – using managed aquatic bacterial populations and
that the bacteria consumes the solids in raw sewage as a food
source, (aerobic digestion w/water; anaerobic digestion w/o
oxygen). He stated that once those steps are complete (consuming
and digesting the solids), the bacterial biomass is settled out
of the wastewater. He reviewed picture slides of typical
biosolids storage site, belt filter press, bristleworm &
waterbear as well as rotifers and an aeration basin & clarifier.
Mr. Severtson reviewed the biosolids regulation in Washington
(WAC 173-308). Mr. Severtson reviewed the basic elements of
Washington’s biosolids Rule WAC-173-308. He stated that the
Department of Ecology may issue a single Statewide General
Permit for biosolids Management. He explained that Producers and
those who land apply biosolids are issued permit coverage under
2016-05-02 MINUTES 2
the General Permit and requires screening of all material to
3/8” or less. He explained that producers are required to sample
their biosolids and send those samples to an accredited lab,
noting there is a minimum sampling frequency with requirements
that are based on the volume generated and how the biosolids are
produced and stored. He stated that a sampling and analysis plan
is required of all treatment plants and they are required to
sample for pollutants, pathogens, and nutrients using
appropriate protocols. He explained that there are two types of
land application plans (General and Site Specific). He stated
that the General Plans set forth site selection criteria and
Site Specific plans describe how land application takes place.
He reviewed the basic elements of the soil sampling plan and
collection requirements & background sample for metals, and in
the pre-application they sample for nutrients & post-harvest
sampling when required. He outlined the determining application
rates: soil types, soil nitrogen levels, crop type, crop yields,
biosolids type, biosolids nitrogen content and reference
extension bulletins & scientific publications and or experience.
He reviewed a slide outlining the total metals vs. toxicity
characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) and concentration of
pollutants in biosolids and soil
The Board asked Staff questions and requested clarification of
some of the biosolids processing & regulations.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:43 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
DEPUTY CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Mandy Buchholz Obie O’Brien, Chairman