Biosolids Expert Panel
Regulations
Virginia Department of Health
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Standards for the Use or Disposal of Sewage Sludge - Final EPA response to the National Research Council report Biosolids Applied to Land and the results of EPA's review of existing sewage sludge regulations
Legislation
Legislation passed by the 2007 Virginia General Assembly will impact the regulation of biosolids in Virginia.
- House Bill 2802 and Senate Bill 1339 (identical bills) amended §62.1-44.19:3 and repealed §§32.1-164.2 through 32.1-164.7 of the Code of Virginia.
These acts transfer oversight of the regulatory program for the land application of sewage sludge from VDH to DEQ, and require the addition of several other regulatory provisions related to the following:
- Permit requirements
- Land application of septage
- Landowner consent
- Local government notification
- Nutrient management plan requirements
- Public comment procedures
- Fees and fund management
- Financial assurance
- Compliance inspections
- Certification and training programs
- Permit modifications involving addition of additional land application area
- S1300 amended §62.1-44.19:3 of the Code of Virginia.
This act specifies that a locality may by ordinance require that a special exception or a special use permit be obtained to begin the storage of sewage sludge on any property in its jurisdiction. However, a locality shall not require a special exception or a special use permit to begin the storage of sewage sludge when such sewage sludge will be applied solely to the farm on which the storage facility is located.
- S1313 amended §62.1-44.19:3 of the Code of Virginia.
This act specifies that no application for a permit or variance to authorize the storage of sewage sludge shall be complete unless it contains certification from the governing body of the locality in which the sewage sludge is to be stored that the storage site is consistent with all applicable ordinances. Localities, as part of their zoning ordinances, may designate or reasonably restrict the storage of sewage sludge based on criteria directly related to the public health, safety and welfare of its citizens and the environment. Such ordinances shall not restrict the storage of sewage sludge on a farm as long as such sludge is being stored solely for land application on that farm and for a period no longer than 45 days.