Use and Disposal of Biosolids (Sewage Sludge)

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Biennial Reviews
Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey Report
Notice on Dioxin
Response to NRC/NAS Report
Relevant Documents and Links

Biennial Reviews

Included are results of EPA's statutory requirements under the Clean Water Act, Section 405(d)(2)(C), to conduct a review of the 40 CFR 503 standards not less than every two years for purposes of regulating new pollutants where sufficient data exist. The current review satifies requirements for Biennel Review Cycles 2005 and 2007.

Fact Sheet (PDF) (2 pp, 68.9 K)
2005 Biennial Review Summary (PDF) (45 pp,375 K; EPA-822-R-06-014)
2007 Biennial Review Summary (PDF) (38 pp, 256 K; EPA-822-R-09-005)

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Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey Report

The Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey is a valuable step in advancing the understanding of what is present in treated sewage sludge. The information from the survey provides important input for EPA and others to use in evaluating biosolids generated by the nation's publicly owned treatment works. It also fulfills an important commitment under the agency's four pronged strategy for pharmaceuticals and personal care products by providing the first national estimates of which pharmaceuticals, steroids and hormones may be present in sewage sludge and at what concentrations.

Fact Sheet (January 2009; EPA-822-F-08-006)
Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey Overview Report (January 2009; EPA-822-R-08-014)
Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey Sampling and Analysis Technical Report ("Technical Report") (PDF) (88 pp., 359 K, EPA-822-R-08-016)
Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey Statistical Analysis Report ("Statistical Report") (PDF) (58 pp., 373 K; EPA-822-R-08-018)
- Statistical Report Appendices (PDF) (501 pp., 1.7 MB)

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Notice on Dioxin

Land application

Decision Not to Regulate Dioxins in Land-Applied Sewage Sludge
- Press Release (October 17, 2003)
- Fact Sheet
- Federal Register Notice | Print Version (PDF) (14 pp., 148 K) (October 24, 2003)
Notice of Data Availability (NODA) (June 12, 2002)
- Federal Register | Print Version (PDF) (24 pp., 195 K) (June 12, 2002)
  - Correction to Table 5 (June 19, 2002)
- Biosolids Dioxin NODA Public Comments for Round 2 Part 503 Rulemaking Available for Viewing, provided by biosolids.org
Technical Support Documents, External Peer Review Comments, and Analytical Data Sheets
These technical support documents and external peer review comments will support the development of a final EPA action on the land application of biosolids regarding dioxins.
- Comments from Robert J. Fares (PDF) (317 K)
- Summary Report of Peer Review Comments (PDF) (970 K)
- Analytical Data: Statistical Support Document (PDF) (766 K)

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Biosolids disposed of at a surface disposal site or incinerated

Notice: EPA is giving final notice of its determination that numeric standards or management practices are not warranted for dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in sewage sludge that is disposed of at a surface disposal site or incinerated in a sewage sludge incinerator. Please note: This Federal Register Notice does not apply to Land Application
- Press Release (December 21, 2001)
- Fact Sheet (December 2001)
- Federal Register Notice (December 21, 2001) | Print Version (PDF) (9 pp., 120 K)

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