Land Application of  Biosolids Program Update

By

Mark Flaharty, Ag Resource Conservationist

    The Conservation District supports and works with DEP and the York County Solid Waste Authority in monitoring and regulating the Land Application of Biosolids program in York County .  DEP permits the treatment plants and application sites. The York County Solid Waste Authority provides site inspection of land application sites and the Conservation District staff reviews the conservation plan compliance. All complaints, compliance issues and enforcement are referred to DEP for further action.

    The conservation plan must be implemented before biosolids may be applied to the permitted acres. As of 12/30/03 there were 60 farms; including 4437 acres of land, permitted to receive biosolids in the County. In the past year, we reviewed and approved four farms for conservation plan compliance.  We are continuing to work with three farms that were found partially out of compliance with their plans.  The affected portions of these farms will not be spread on again until the conservation plan is implemented.  Conservation District and NRCS staff also assisted with writing conservation plans on five farms totaling 891 acres.

    The District’s delegation agreement with DEP to provide educational information about biosolids was extended one year till June 2004. We are not sure if the state will continue to fund this program in the future. We had our Biosolids Display at two On Lot Septic System Workshops sponsored by the District held in Jackson and Dover Townships .  We also maintain a Biosolids webpage on the District website and are available as requested to provide information or speak to interested groups.

    The District has long supported the use of biosolids as a safe source of fertilizer nutrients and organic matter when managed properly.  Biosolids are an excellent source of nitrogen and phosphorous for crops and supply much needed organic matter to the soil. All biosolids are applied according to a nitrogen based nutrient management plan which includes crops planted, yield goals, nutrient needs of the crop and soil testing information for nutrient and ph levels. Biosolids tend to have varying levels of nitrogen, high levels of phosphorus and very low levels of potassium.

    The land applying of biosolids will be affected by many issues in the future. As populations increase more volume of biosolids will produced. New regulations may require higher levels of nitrogen to be removed by treatment plants, nutrient application rates limited by phosphorus levels and odor concerns be more heavily addressed. These factors would all increase the need for more acres of cropland for biosolids application and for more monitoring efforts by the agencies involved in the program.        

    If you any questions about the land application of biosolids contact Mark Flaharty at 755-2966 ext. 106.

Biosolids