Sewage Sludge Surveys

• ​2006 Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey (TNSSS)
• 2001 National Sewage Sludge Survey
• 1988 National Sewage Sludge Survey
• Studies Related to the Sewage Sludge Surveys

Sewage sludge surveys identify the presence of pollutants in biosolids using samples taken from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). This information is used in assessing potential risk from pollutants found in biosolids to human health and the environment.

Sewage sludge that is treated and meets federal and state regulations is often termed ‘biosolids’. 40 CFR Part 503 defines sewage sludge as a solid, semisolid, or liquid residue generated during the treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment works (for example a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Domestic sewage and wastewater from homes, businesses, and industries enter WWTP where the sewage and water are separated and treated. Sewage sludge includes scum or solids removed in primary, secondary, or advanced wastewater treatment processes and any material derived from sewage sludge (e.g., a blended sewage sludge/fertilizer product) but does not include grit and screenings or ash generated by the firing of sewage sludge in an incinerator.

2006 Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey (TNSSS)

The Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey was conducted from 2006-2007 to obtain national estimates of the concentrations of pollutants identified in sewage sludge for use in assessing their potential risk to human health and the environment. EPA focused on publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) that treat more than one million gallons of wastewater per day and which collectively generate approximately 94% of the wastewater flow in the United States.

• Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey Sampling and Analysis Technical Report
• Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey Statistical Analysis Report
• TNSSS Statistical Analysis Report Appendices A-F
• Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey (TNSSS): Summary Statistics and Estimates of 95th Percentiles for 84 Additional Analytes

2001 National Sewage Sludge Survey

• Dioxins in Sewage Sludge
• 2001 National Sewage Sludge Survey Report

1988 National Sewage Sludge Survey

The results of the 1988 National Sewage Sludge Survey were used to assess potential risk to human health and the environment from pollutants found in biosolids in support of the 1993 regulation 40 CFR Part 503, Standards for the Use or Disposal of Sewage Sludge.

• Statistical Support Documentation for the 40 CFR Part 503 - Volume 1
• Statistical Support Documentation for the 40 CFR Part 503 - Volume II
• Sampling Procedures and Protocols for the National Sewage Sludge Survey

Studies Related to the Sewage Sludge Surveys​

• Occurrence of Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Wastewater from Nine Publicly Owned Treatment Works (pdf) (August 2009, EPA 821-R-09-009)
  The  primary objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs), namely pharmaceuticals, detergents, natural and synthetic hormones, and other chemicals using nine publicly owned treatment works.
• Report on the Elemental Analyses of Samples from the Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey (pdf) (April 2021, EPA 822-R-21-002)
  This report describes the sampling and analysis activities performed in a follow-up to EPA Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey (TNSSS) and presents summary level data from the elemental analyses of sewage sludge samples.