(Left) Compost made from a mixture of biosolids and yard trimmings is applied to palm trees in Palm Beach County (photo courtesy of Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County).
	(Above) Biosolids from a domestic wastewater treatment facility in Tallahassee are applied to a coastal bermuda grass field (photo courtesy of the City of Tallahassee).

Domestic Wastewater Biosolids

 

When domestic wastewater is treated, a solid by-product accumulates in the wastewater treatment plant and must be removed periodically to keep the plant operating properly. The collected material, called biosolids or more commonly “sewage sludge,” is high in organic content, and contains moderate amounts of nutrients that are needed by plants. These characteristics make biosolids valuable as a soil conditioner and fertilizer.

Properly treated biosolids may be used as a fertilizer supplement or soil amendment, subject to regulatory requirements that have been established to protect public health and the environment. These requirements (found in Chapter 62-640, F.A.C.) include pollutant limits, treatment to destroy harmful microorganisms, and management practices for land application sites. Biosolids may be used by application to land in farming and ranching operations, forest lands, and public areas such as parks, or in land reclamation projects such as restoration of mining properties. The highest quality of biosolids, known in Florida as “Class AA,” are distributed and marketed like other commercial fertilizers.

Biosolids Rules and Forms

• Chapter 62-640, F.A.C., Biosolids (as amended on 8/29/10)

Revisions to Chapter 62-640, F.A.C., became effective on August 29, 2010. To view information about the rulemaking effort, see the Domestic Wastewater Residuals Rulemaking Updates page.

New! – Training Aid: Overview of the New Biosolids Rule (393 KB)

   Get the following Biosolids Forms:

• DEP Form 62-640.210(2)(a), F.A.C., Treatment Facility Biosolids Plan
• DEP Form 62-640.210(2)(b), F.A.C., Treatment Facility Biosolids Annual Summary
• DEP Form 62-640.210(2)(c), F.A.C., Biosolids Application Site Annual Summary
• DEP Form 62-640.210(2)(d), F.A.C., Biosolids Site Permit Application
• DEP Form 62-640.210(2)(e), F.A.C., Biosolids Application Site Log

Note: for facilities using existing land application sites, provisions in the March 30, 1998 version of Chapter 62-640, F.A.C., may still be applicable through January 1, 2013. Therefore, the following are still available for download:

• Chapter 62-640, F.A.C., Domestic Wastewater Residuals, as amended on 3-30-98

Forms as Amended on 3-30-98:

• DEP Form 62-640.210(2)(a), F.A.C., Agriculture Use Plan (MSWord | PDF)
• DEP Form 62-640.210(2)(b), F.A.C., Residuals Annual Summary  (MSWord | PDF)

Links to References, Guidance, and Other Useful Information for Chapter 62-640, F.A.C.

(Links open in a new browser window.)

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40 CFR Part 503 EPA SW-846 Process Design Manual for Sludge Treatment and Disposal Process Design Manual for Land Application of Sewage Sludge and Domestic Septage POTW Sludge Sampling and Analysis Guidance Document Process Design Manual for Land Application of Sewage Sludge and Domestic Septage Recommended Standards for Wastewater Facilities Handbook, Septage Treatment and Disposal Control of Pathogens and Vector Attraction in Sewage Sludge Design Criteria for Mechanical, Electric, and Fluid System and Component Reliability-MCD-05 A Plain English Guide to the Part 503 Biosolids Regulations Guidance for Controlling Potential Risks to Workers Exposed to Class B Biosolids Guide to Field Storage of Biosolids General Manual, Title 190, Part 402 – Nutrient Management FL NRCS Field Office Technical Guide – Nutrient Management, Code 590 FL NRCS Field Office Technical Guide – Waste Utilization, Code 633 Soil Testing – UF/IFAS Circular 239 Extension Soil Testing Laboratory (ESTL) Analytical Procedure and Training Manual - UF/IFAS Circular 1248 Section 618.27 of the National Soil Survey Handbook Chapter 576, Florida Statutes (F.S.)

Chapter 5E-1, F.A.C. U.S. Composting Council (USCC) Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) Program 5-20-2010 DEP Rules DEP Forms Florida Administrative Code Florida Statutes Florida Agencies FDOACS Bureau of Animal Disease Control FDOACS Fertilizer Section FDOACS Office of Water Policy FDOACS BMP Programs UF/IFAS Extension Service University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences FL Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA) Certified Nutrient Management Planners (TSPs) Florida Phosphorus Index (P-Index) UF/IFAS Florida Phosphorus Index Series: P-Index Guidance for each Florida County UF/IFAS Standardized Fertilization Recommendations for Agronomic Crops (SL-129) Part 651 - Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook NRCS Web Soil Survey

Biosolids Related Information and Downloads
 

• Domestic Wastewater Residuals: Fact Sheet for Florida's Farmers and Ranchers
  This fact sheet provides an overview of biosolids and other information of interest to farmers or ranchers who beneficially use, or who are considering beneficially using domestic wastewater biosolids. (Note: This will be updated in the near future.)
• Summary of Class AA Biosolids 2011 (917 KB)
  This reports contains information on companies, quantities of biosolids distributed and marketed, and other information regarding the distribution and marketing of class AA biosolids products in Florida.
• Basic Residuals Calculation Spreadsheet (MSExcel 41.5KB)
  This downloadable Excel file can be used by permittees to perform basic biosolids calculations such as converting from gallons to dry tons. This can aid the permittees in record keeping as well as determining results to enter onto report forms. This software is only meant as an aid and does not relieve the permittee from reporting accurate information on Department reporting forms.
• Residuals, Biosolids, Sludge: What’s in a Name? An Educational Infusion Unit for Biosolids developed by the Florida Water Environment Federation (FWEA) and DEP
  As part of the FWEA Biosolids Outreach Committee, Dr. Phil Kane (DEP-Orlando District Office) developed a biosolids infusion unit to be used as a multidisciplinary educator’s guide for teaching students about biosolids issues. This guide book includes several skills-training courses to expose middle school students to “real-life” simulations such as environmental rule making, town meetings, and exploration of the beneficial use of biosolids as a fertilizer. This document may be downloaded for free from www.lulu.com/content/163583.

Links to Other Agencies Biosolids/Residuals/Sewage Sludge Information

The following websites contain vast amounts of information:

National Biosolids Partnership (NBP)

How the NBP EMS Program Benefited Orange County Utilities in Orlando, FL

EPA Office of Wastewater Management - Biosolids

EPA Pathogen Equivalency Committee

For Information Contact:

Maurice Barker
Biosolids Coordinator
Domestic Wastewater Section
2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3540
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400
Email: Maurice.Barker@dep.state.fl.us
(850) 245-8605

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