March 2013 

 Building on Success:  WEF’s Water, Science & Engineering Center and National Biosolids Partnership Effort  

In demonstrating WEF’s commitment to its role as a national leader on biosolids issues, WEF has integrated the National Biosolids Partnership (NBP) management activities, as well as the NBP Biosolids Management Program (BMP), also known as the Environmental Management System (EMS) for biosolids into the WEF Science & Engineering Center.  Staffing of WEF’s Biosolids efforts are being lead by: 

• Action plans to achieve biosolids objectives and progress in achieving those plans are well documented.
• Operational control points and process controls are well developed.
• A good review of communications systems occurred as part of review for emergency exercises in April 2012.

Biogas Investment Tax Credit Act of 2013 

On March 7, the Biogas Investment Tax Credit Act of 2013 (HR 860) introduced by Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI) and John Lewis (D-GA) was referred to the Subcommittee on Energy for further deliberation.  The bill is an effort to make qualified biogas property eligible for the energy credit and to permit new clean renewable energy bonds to finance qualified biogas property.  The Act would provide a 30 percent investment tax credit for qualifying biogas technologies, and would add biogas to the list of renewables that already receive a 30 percent federal investment tax credit.  

New LOOP Brand Epitomizes Green Innovation 

Focusing on sustainability at the product level with innovative solutions for reuse where nothing is wasted is a very green initiative.  To that end, Washington’s King County launched its new brand, Loop at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show.  The use of Loop as a soil amendment with products such as GroCo compost provides for the natural nutrient environmental circle, hence the name “Loop.” The product is rich in nutrients, making it a superior source of plant food over synthetic fertilizers, and has the proven ability to improve soil structure thereby reducing runoff and erosion. Loop is a safe product that is held to rigorous standards by both the EPA and the State of Washington.  

Court Allows Publishing of Kern County Ruling
 On March 12, the Fifth District Court of Appeal granted the request of its co-Plaintiffs and several amici to publish the opinion affirming the preliminary injunction regarding the unanimous decision by the court, which ruled that Kern County’s ban on land application of biosolids likely exceeded the County’s police powers due to the impacts of the ban on public utilities outside of county that must manage biosolids through recycling, and conflicted with the state’s Integrated Waste Management Act (IWMA). (see, http://www.casaweb.org/news/court-appeal-grants-casa-s-request-publish-opinion-kern-county-biosolids-case)  

WA State Department of Ecology Files for Appeal in Wahkiakum County Case 

On March 11, the Washington State Department of Ecology filed an appeal regarding the Cowlitz County Superior Court’s decision to uphold the Wahkiakum County biosolids ordinance that does not allow land application of Class B Biosolids.   (see, http://www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2013/081.html) 

Study Performed to Gather Perceptions of Quality of Life Near Land Application Sites  

A recent study provided a qualitative evaluation of people’s perceptions of health and quality of life near land application sites.  Amy Lowman, one of the study's authors cautioned that the findings were based on interviews with only 34 people, and better tracking would be needed to document connections between land application of solids and illnesses.  The authors maintain that identification of those surveyed were found through community contacts, and that although the authors did not ask for referrals of those who had problems with land application of solids, they none-the-less recognize that people with negative opinions of the practice may share local social networks, which could lead to negative perspectives being over-represented.   

The study was not designed to quantify the prevalence or incidence of symptoms or health impacts in populations near land application sites.  The survey concluded that the involvement of community members in decision-making about land application of solids will strengthen environmental health protections. 

The broad weight of scientific evidence and opinion supports recycling biosolids to land as an environmentally responsible method of reuse when managed utilizing best practices and in compliance with the Part 503 rule.  Federal policies supporting and promoting the beneficial recycling of biosolids are based upon science demonstrating the safety and benefits of such recycling (see, “Land Application and Composting of Biosolids: Q&A/Fact Sheet,” Water Environment Federation (WEF), May 2010).   

In commenting on the study, Dr. Eileen O’Neill, WEF’s Deputy Executive Director, stated that  “it is important to note that the overarching conclusion of monitoring and research to date continues to be that no documented negative human health impacts have been experienced when biosolids meet all of the requirements of Part 503 and when good management practices are followed.”    

"Land Application of Treated Sewage Sludge: Community Health and Environmental Justice," was published online March 11.  The authors of the study are associated with the UNC, Gillings School of Global Public Health contact: David Pesci, director of communications, (919) 962-2600 or dpesci@unc.edu 

Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP), the journal in which the report was published, is supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (US DHHS).  However, as noted in the journal’s disclaimer, publication of articles in EHP does not mean that NIEHS condones, endorses, approves, or recommends any conclusions within the publication, and opinions are those of the individual(s) and do not reflect the views of the NIEHS.  The Editor-in-Chief of the magazine is Hugh A. Tilson, PhD, tilsonha@niehs.nih.gov 

MD Waste-to-Energy Incinerator Permits on Path to Final Approval, Foes Say   

The March 26 Fredrick, MD News-Post reported that the Maryland Department of the Environment has extended the comment period from March 20 to May 20 on the proposed incinerator's water, air, and waste disposal permits. Opponents say the deal is all but sealed, but the Department denies that. After May 20, the Department will decide whether to issue permits for the incinerator to the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority. The authority needs the three permits before it can build the facility in Frederick County to burn up to 1,500 tons of garbage a day. At this point, the Department of the Environment has made only a tentative determination to issue the disposal permits. The permits would only be denied if the Department finds the authority's facility does not meet emission standards, and would not make a determinations based on public opinion. 

To view the NBP News Center, click here  

To view biosolids contacts across the nation, click here  

2013 WEF Residuals and Biosolids 2013: Emerging Opportunities for Sustainable Resource Recovery Technical Program  

Biosolids 101 – Fundamentals of Practice
Sunday, May 5, 2013 | 8:30am - 5:00pm

Using Appropriate Economic Methodologies for Evaluation of Cost-Saving Projects
Sunday, May 5, 2013 | 1:30pm - 5:00pm

503 Biosolids Jeopardy
Sunday, May 5, 2013 | 1:30pm - 5:00pm

WEF Webinar: MACT to Meet the New EPA SSI Regulations  

• October 31, 2012: Biosolids 101 – Fundamentals of Practice 
• July 25, 2012: Compliance and Testing Requirements to Meet the Sewage Sludge Incineration MACT Standards – Part 2 
• April 25, 2012: Thermal Hydrolysis Comes to America – DC Water’s Blue Plains Digestion Project 
• January 11, 2012:: When Opportunity Knocks, How Can Municipalities and POTWs Partner with the Biofuels Industry