Minnesota Administrative Rules

7041.1800 PROVISIONS FOR SEWAGE SLUDGE FROM SEPTIC TANKS.

Subpart 1.

General.

The requirements in subparts 2 to 4 for application at agronomic rates, pathogen and vector attraction reduction, monitoring, record keeping, and reporting, unless specified otherwise in a permit, shall be met by persons who prepare the sewage sludge from septic tanks which is referred to in this part as septage.

Subp. 2.

Agronomic rates.

The agronomic application rate for septage applied to agricultural land, forest, or a reclamation site for a cropping year must be calculated using the equation in this subpart unless specified otherwise by the commissioner. The commissioner may specify the rate based on an actual nitrogen analysis.

AR =

N _ 0.0026

Where,

AR = Application rate in gallons per acre for the cropping year.

N = The maximum available nitrogen application rate in pounds per acre per cropping year required by the crop based on realistic yield goals or nitrogen uptake by vegetation grown on the land minus the amount supplied by other sources such as manure or fertilizer.

Subp. 3.

Pathogen and vector attraction reduction.

To meet pathogen and vector attraction reduction requirements, the site restrictions in part 7041.1300, subpart 3, item D, must be met and either:

A.

the pH of the septage must be raised to 12 or higher for 30 minutes by alkali addition and, without the addition of more alkali, shall remain at 12 or higher for 30 minutes;

B.

the septage is injected and no significant amount of the septage is present on the land surface within one hour after it is injected; or

C.

the septage is incorporated below the surface of the land within six hours after application unless specified otherwise by the permitting authority.

Subp. 4.

Monitoring, record keeping, and reporting.

The permittee must obtain and keep on record for five years, the information required to be in compliance with this chapter including:

A.

the following certification statement for all septage applied to the land:

"I certify, under penalty of law, that the information that will be used to determine compliance with the pathogen and vector attraction reduction requirements in subpart 3, item A, B, or C [insert either subpart 3, item A, B, or C] the management practices in part 7041.1200, and the site restrictions in part 7041.1300, subpart 3, item D, has been prepared under my direction and supervision according to the system designed to ensure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information used to determine that the pathogen and vector attraction reduction requirements have been met. I am aware that there are significant penalties for false certification including the possibility of fine and imprisonment.";

B.

a description of how the pathogen and vector attraction reduction requirements are met. If alkali addition is used, records must indicate each container of septage applied is monitored for compliance with subpart 3, item A;

C.

a description of how management practices and site restrictions are met;

D.

a record of soil test data as required by part 7041.0800, site approvals, or permits;

E.

the maximum available nitrogen application rate based on the realistic yield goal of the crop or vegetation grown on the site during the cropping year;

F.

the amount of septage in gallons per acre applied that cropping year;

G.

the legal description of the land application site;

H.

the number of acres used;

I.

the date septage is applied to the land; and

J.

any other analysis or information required by the commissioner.

The information in items A to J must be recorded by the permittee on a form provided or approved by the commissioner and submitted annually to the agency no later than December 31 following the end of the cropping year.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 116.07

History:

21 SR 1642; 38 SR 1001

Published Electronically:

January 22, 2014