Posted 10/14/2007

EPA Sludge Coordinator acknowledges biosolids is simply sludge.

Subject: to NBP  -  Per USEPA it is "sewage sludge rule" NOT "biosolids" rule  - THEY ARE NOT TWO DIFFERENT
WASTES ! - "biosolids" is generic
Date:
10/13/2007 9:46:40 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]


It is time to rename the "National Biosolids Partnership" the "National Sewage Sludge Partnership" -

40 CFR Part 503 does NOT regulate the landspreading of "BIOSOLIDS"



From: [email protected]
To: "Maureen Reilly" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: You say "sewage sludge' they say 'biosolids'
Date: Fri, 5 Oct 2007 07:49:22 -0400


Hi Maureen,
The regulation governing land application of sewage sludge was
established by EPA in 1993 in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40
Part 503), under Section 405 (d) of the Clean Water Act. The term
'sewage sludge' is defined in statute as the solid, semisolid, or liquid
residue generated during treatment of domestic sewage.
The term
'biosolids' is not used in statute, but the Agency often uses the term
'biosolids' interchangeably with 'sewage sludge," which is defined in
the regulations and used in the statute.

Rick Stevens, National Biosolids Coordinator
Health and Ecological Criteria Division
Office of Science and Technology
Office of Water
202-566-1135
202-566-1139 fax
[email protected]

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EPA ADMITS PART 503 IS SEWAGE SLUDGE RULE NOT “BIOSOLIDS RULE”



http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/procure/pdf/rman-v-fr.pdf

Federal Register: September 14, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 178)] [Notices] [Page 52561-52566]

"Second, in the Specifications section of the RMAN for compost and fertilizers, EPA
revised the description of the Part 503 requirements in order to provide clarification. For
example, in the draft RMAN,
EPA referred to 40 CFR part 503 as the “Biosolids Rule.”
However, the actual title of Part 503 is “The Standards for the Use or Disposal of Sewage
Sludge,”
and not the “Biosolids Rule.” In order to avoid confusion, the term “Biosolids Rule” has been
removed from the final RMAN V for compost and fertilizers. "



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The EPA definition of sewage sludge from
Part 503.9 (w):

(w) Sewage sludge is solid, semi-solid, or liquid residue generated
during the treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment works. Sewage
sludge includes, but is not limited to, domestic septage; scum or solids
removed in primary, secondary, or advanced wastewater treatment
processes; and a material derived from sewage sludge. Sewage sludge does
not include ash generated during the firing of sewage sludge in a sewage
sludge incinerator or grit and screenings generated during preliminary
treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment works.



The waste industry tries to differentiate between sludge and biosolids by stating "biosolids" is "treated" and sewage
sludge is not treated. . .but  as you can see, that is false.   Part 503 which regulates land applied sludge -- defines
that sludge as residue generated during TREATMENT of sewage in a TREATMENT WORKS . . . .



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Let’s remember what Al Hais (formerly of EPA now a sludge promoter for WEF), said:



http://www.timesdispatch.com/frontpage/MGB215UOYSC.html



What's in a name? A lot if it's sludge

October 18, 2001



Sludge by any other name can smell as funky.

A decade ago, supporters of sludge the dark, gelatinous byproduct of sewage treatment - decided the oft-fragrant
material needed a linguistic cleansing.

The Water Environment Federation, a group representing sewage professionals, solicited suggestions for a new
name.

Suggestions for a new name included "biolife," "black gold," "sca-doo," "the end product," "humanure," "hu-doo,"
and "nutri-cake," according to John Stauber and Sheldon Rampton in their book, "Toxic Sludge Is Good for You!"



The winner was "biosolids." Proponents say it better describes the organic material that has been treated to reduce
germs and can go on farmland to improve soil.

Not everyone agrees.



"My personal view is, I don't think we should be using euphemisms," said Alan Hais, the EPA's program manager for
sludge regulations.



While EPA Web sites are rife with references to biosolids, Hais said the agency's formal regulations still use the word
sludge. Virginia regulations call the material biosolids.

And some sludge opponents use words that are even earthier.

- Rex Springston  "