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1. Pathogens and Biosolids George A. O’Connor, SWSD, UF
with input from
Jim Smith, USEPA & Ian Pepper, UA
3. What are biosolids?
4. Biosolids characteristics Nutrient-rich, mostly organic material
Useful as fertilizer or soil amendment
Improve and maintain productive soils.
Improves soil biological, chemical, and physical properties modestly
Slow-release nutrient source of N, S, P, and micronutrients
Harmless to human health or the environment when managed correctly.
5. Biosolids use 8 million dry tons produced nationally each year:
In 1988, 35% land-applied.
In 2003, 65% land-applied.
In Florida:
300,000 dry tons produced each year.
83% used beneficially.
Additional 100,000 dry tons of Class AA pellets imported annually.
6. Biosolids regulations Federal (EPA)
Title 40 CFR Part 503 (came from Clean Water Act).
State
In Florida, the Fla. Dept. of Environmental Protection enforces Chapter 62-640, Florida Administrative Code.
7. How do regulations assure safety? Controls are in place to protect public health:
Prevent contact with pathogens
Limit potential pollutant/metals impacts
Limit potential nutrient impacts
8. Pathogen controls Pathogen reduction:
Class B – “PSRP” (significantly reduce)
Class A – “PFRP” (undetectable)
Vector attraction reduction
Site restrictions (Class B):
Limited public access, setbacks, harvesting and grazing restrictions, slope, groundwater, etc.
9. Biosolids classes in Florida
10. Pathogens of Concern Bacteria
Viruses
Protozoa
Helminth worms
11. Bacterial Pathogens of Potential Concern in Biosolids Major Concern - Classic
Salmonella
Shigella
enteropathogenic E. coli
Yersinia enterocolitica
Campylobacter jejuni
Vibrio cholera
Leptospira
New issues - changes
E. coli 0157:H7
Listeria
Helicobacter
Mycobacteria
Aeromonas
Legionella
Burkholderia
Endotoxins
Antibiotic resistance
15. Dose Response DataViruses and Parasites Typically have been most concerned about effects on human health and so approach has been to reduce through some form of management the levels of pathogens to below that needed for infection. Often this has meant reducing the organisms to below the detection level with current analytical capabilities.Typically have been most concerned about effects on human health and so approach has been to reduce through some form of management the levels of pathogens to below that needed for infection. Often this has meant reducing the organisms to below the detection level with current analytical capabilities.
16. Survival Times of Pathogenson Soils and Plants While some level of treatment may occur for example in:
septic tank
hog waste lagoon
wastewater treatment plant…..etc.
Need to think about what happens in the soil or with passage over the soil and through grasses/plants…and on the way to the stream.
See here quite a difference for life of microbes in the soil or on the soil / plants.While some level of treatment may occur for example in:
septic tank
hog waste lagoon
wastewater treatment plant…..etc.
Need to think about what happens in the soil or with passage over the soil and through grasses/plants…and on the way to the stream.
See here quite a difference for life of microbes in the soil or on the soil / plants.
17. Class A Biosolids Requirements
Pathogens
Fecal coliform density <103 MPN/g or
Salmonella sp. density <3 MPN/4g
and
Vector Attraction Reduction
Treatment Alt. (Table 5-1)
Thermal (1 of 4)
High pH/ temp/dry
Other – demo
Unknown – test
PFRPs (Table5-4)
Equivalent PRFP
18. Concentration Fecal Coliform vs Probability Detecting Salmonella
19. A review of the Class A processes…
One plot applies when the total solids are > 7%; t > 50ºC and time is > 20 minutes. If the sludge particles are small and are heated by warmed gases or an immiscible liquid, the minimum time is 15 seconds.
This equation also applies when the solids <7%, t >50ºC and time is > 15 sec to <30 min.
Another plot applies for total solids < 7 %; t > 50ºC and D > 30 minutes.
A review of the Class A processes…
20. Class B Biosolids Requirements
Pathogens
Fecal coliforms
< 2 x 106 MPN/g
or
<2 x 106 CFU/g
and
Vector Attraction Reduction and Natural Attenuation
Treatment Alternatives
(Table 5-5)
Monitor indicator organisms
PSRPs (Table 5-7)
Equivalent PSRP
Site Restrictions
Crop
Time
Public access
(Table 5-6)
22. Vector Attraction Reduction Purpose
Reduce attractiveness of biosolids and pathogens to vectors (Options 1-8), or
Prevent vector contact with biosolids (Options 9-11) Options (Table 5-8)
Reduce volatile solids
Additional digestion (anaerobic or aerobic)
Reduce SOUR
Alkali addition
Drying
Inject/incorporate
23. Are pathogen requirements protective? Yes
Class A – essentially pathogen-free
Class B – contain pathogens, but additional site restrictions and management practices provide protection
Generally,
Class A = Class B + Site restrictions + Management Practices
31. Definitions “Domestic wastewater residuals.”
The solid, cake, or liquid material generated during domestic wastewater treatment.
Wastewater treatment produces effluent and residuals (a.k.a. sewage sludge, biosolids).