Texas Administrative Code › Title 30 - ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY › Part 1 - TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY › Chapter 312 - SLUDGE USE, DISPOSAL, AND TRANSPORTATION › Subchapter B - LAND APPLICATION AND STORAGE OF BIOSOLIDS AND DOMESTIC SEPTAGE › Section 312.50 - Storage and Staging of Biosolids and Domestic Septage

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of
				  this section, storage of biosolids and/or domestic septage at a land
				  application unit must not exceed 90 days. Storage is allowed only when the
				  following requirements are carried out.
(1)
				  Written authorization must be obtained from the executive director prior to
				  construction of the storage area.
(2) The storage area must be operated and
				  maintained to prevent surface water runoff and to prevent a release to
				  groundwater. Discharge of stormwater or wastewater which has come into contact
				  with biosolids and/or domestic septage is prohibited. The storage area shall be
				  designed to collect such runoff. Any runoff collected during the storage of
				  biosolids and/or domestic septage shall be disposed in a manner to prevent a
				  release to groundwater.
(3) The
				  storage area shall be designed, constructed, and operated in a manner which
				  protects human health and the environment. Biosolids and/or domestic septage
				  shall be stored away from odor receptors in order to prevent off-site dust
				  migration from the storage area and to prevent nuisance odors.
(4) For biosolids only, the storage area must
				  be lined to prevent a release to groundwater. Natural or artificial liners are
				  required for leachate control. A natural liner or equivalent barrier of one
				  foot of compacted clay with a permeability coefficient of 1 x
				  10-7 cm/sec or less must be provided. Various
				  flexible synthetic membrane lining materials may be used in lieu of soil liners
				  if prior written approval has been obtained from the executive director. The
				  applicant shall furnish certification by a licensed professional engineer or
				  licensed professional geoscientist that the completed storage area lining meets
				  the appropriate criteria described in this section prior to using the
				  facilities. The certification shall be signed, sealed, and dated by a licensed
				  professional engineer or licensed professional geoscientist.
(5) The request for the storage area shall
				  outline measures to be taken to minimize vectors and to avoid public health
				  nuisances such as odors.
(6) The
				  storage area shall be fenced, or other methods shall be used, if necessary, to
				  control access by humans or domestic livestock.
(7) For biosolids only, berms or dikes shall
				  be constructed to contain the waste without leakage.
(8) Liquid biosolids and/or domestic septage
				  must be stored in an enclosed vessel.
(9) Processing of biosolids and/or domestic
				  septage is prohibited unless a permit is obtained from the
				  commission.
(10) In the event a
				  person who prepares biosolids and/or domestic septage that is land applied or
				  who land applies biosolids and/or domestic septage, is subject to an Odor
				  Control Plan as described in §
											312.44(j)(4)
				  of this title (relating to Management Practices), that person must comply with
				  the terms of the applicable Odor Control Plan in order to store biosolids
				  and/or domestic septage at a land application unit.