The land application of biosolids is supported by years of scientific research and practical experience, and is regulated by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
DEQ issues permits and regulates independent biosolids land application contractors and regulates Virginia municipalities that have their own land application programs. DEQ operates under the authority of laws passed by the Virginia General Assembly and the U. S. Congress, as administered by the EPA.
These agencies maintain websites that provide an overview of their programs and describe the regulations that they administer.
Environmental Protection Agency
http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/wastewater/treatment/biosolids/
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Water/LandApplicationBeneficialReuse/LandApplication.aspx
Virginia’s Biosolids Use Regulations (which are divided into three parts) can be downloaded as PDF files by clicking on the following links:
- Biosolids_Regulations_FEE_9VAC25-20
- Biosolids_Regulations_VPA_9VAC25-32
- Biosolids_Regulations_VPDES_9VAC25-31
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
The following documents will be helpful to local governments that are interested in operating a local biosolids monitoring program.
10 Things that Local Governments Can Do to Manage Biosolids (.pdf 76KB)
Prepared by The Virginia Biosolids Council
The Virginia Biosolids Fee Guidance Manual (.pdf 124KB)
Explains how localities can be reimbursed for local biosolids oversight and monitoring.