Code of Maine Rules › 06 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › 096 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - GENERAL › Chapter 420 - SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT RULES: SEPTAGE MANAGEMENT RULES › Section 096-420-6 - Operating Requirements for Septage Land Application Sites

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
The following operating requirements apply to septage land
				  application sites:
A.
Approved
				Wastes.
Only wastes described in this subsection and approved in the
				license may be applied to a septage land application site:
(1) Septage. Septage as defined in this
				Chapter may be land applied. The Department may require that septage from
				non-residential sources be tested for heavy metals, volatile organic compounds,
				semi-volatile organic compounds, or any other potentially hazardous
				substances.
(2) Contaminated
				Grease. Contaminated grease may be applied to a septage land application site,
				subject to the following conditions:
(a)
				Sampling and Analysis. Sewage contaminated grease must be sampled and analyzed
				in accordance with Appendix A. Analysis results must not exceed limits
				established in Appendix A.
(b)
				Pathogen and Vector Attraction Reduction. Contaminated grease to be land
				applied must meet the septage utilization site pathogen reduction and vector
				attraction reduction requirements in subsection 6(B).
(c) Operating Requirements. The following
				operating requirements must be followed when contaminated grease is land
				applied:
(i) Contaminated grease must be
				either injected into the soil or applied to the land surface and immediately
				incorporated into a minimum of eight (8) inches of soil by plowing. The plowed
				area must be re-seeded with a conservation grass seed mixture within
				twenty-four (24) hours after plowing.
(ii) Contaminated grease may be applied at a
				rate not to exceed 12,000 gallons per acre per year. Contaminated grease may be
				co-applied with septage provided that the total volume of contaminated grease
				and septage does not exceed 12,000 gallons per acre per year.
(3) Grit and Spent
				Septic System Beds. Grit and spent septic system beds may be applied to a
				septage land application site, subject to the following conditions:
(a) Alkaline Mixing. Grit or spent septic
				system beds to be land applied must be thoroughly mixed with alkaline material
				at a ratio of 7:1 (grit : alkaline material) by weight.
(b) Operating Requirements.
(i) Grit or spent septic system beds must be
				applied evenly to the land surface at a depth not to exceed three (3) inches
				and must be immediately incorporated into a minimum of eight (8) inches of soil
				by plowing. The plowed area must be re-seeded with a conservation grass seed
				mixture within twenty-four (24) hours after plowing.
(ii) The natural drainage of the soil may not
				be significantly altered by the disposal of grit or spent septic system
				beds
(iii) No area of a septage
				land application site may be used for disposal of grit or spent septic system
				beds more than once every five years.
(iv) Septage may not be applied to an area of
				a septage land application site during the year in which grit or spent septic
				system beds has been applied.