The Kentucky regulations for land application of sewage sludge, or biosolids, are in 401 KAR Chapter 45. Sewage sludge is defined as a special waste in accordance with
KRS 224.50-760. In addition to sewage sludge, the special waste category includes water treatment plant sludge, utility coal ash, gas and oil drilling muds and other wastes of “high volume, low hazard”. Chapter 45 of Title 401 applies to all types of special waste. Standards for land application are found in
401 KAR 45:100.
There are four types of permits for managing sewage sludge by means other than disposal at a landfill.
The four permit types are:
- Landfarming
- Composting
- Storage and Treatment, and
- Sludge Giveaway
Incineration of sewage sludge is not addressed in the special waste regulations. For questions concerning incineration, contact the
KY Division for Air Quality.
In addition to these four types, landfarming and composting are further divided into Type A and Type B, depending upon the concentration of pollutants, or “heavy metals” contained in the sludge. A total of three forms are required to be completed when applying for a Type A or Type B Special Waste Landfarming permit in Kentucky:
- DEP 7021A, Notice of Intent to Apply for a Landfarming or Composting Permit;
- DEP 7021B, Application for a Landfarming Facility Permit; and
- DEP 7094J, Past Performance Information.
To apply for a biosolids composting permit, the above three forms are also required, except using DEP 7094D, Application for a Special Waste Composting Facility Permit, instead of DEP 7021B.
In addition to the landfarming or composting facility options in
401 KAR 45:100, KY regulations also allow for a less formal permit category type known as a registered permit-by-rule (RPBR). Under
401 KAR 45:070, two options for biosolids management are provided: sludge giveaway, using application form, DEP7059D, Sludge Giveaway, and alternative methods such as lime stabilization or heat drying, using form DEP7059G, Storage and Treatment of Special Waste. Only one form is required for either of these options.
The RPBR regulation
401 KAR 45:070 describes the application process. Operational standards for the sludge giveaway are in
401 KAR 45:100, Section 8, and for storage and treatment facilities, the standards are in
401 KAR 45:100, Section 10.