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Residuals Management Section

Overview

This section oversees the management of residuals, such as septage and wastewater sludge (aka biosolids). There are three main options available for managing these wastes:

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• treatment followed by use on the land
• landfilling
• incineration

Solid Waste Management Rules

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Although septage and biosolids are byproducts of wastewater treatment, these wastes are regulated as "Solid Wastes" in Vermont. Please see the Solid Waste Management Rules.

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Certifications & Plans

Either approved Sludge Management Plans or Solid Waste Management Certifications are required for all domestic wastewater treatment plants that generate biosolids. Certifications are required for the land application sites where either septage or biosolids are managed. Commercial hauler permits are required for commercial vehicles (with a rated capacity of more than one ton) used to transport these wastes.

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Requirements for Sludge Management Plans:

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Instructions:
PDF 64KB (3 pages) MS Word 28KB (3 pages)

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Cover Sheet:
PDF 62KB (1 page) MS Word 25KB (1 page)

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Increased Cost for Disposal of Sludge and Septage by Incineration

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The state legislature recently amended the law regarding tax on disposed wastes. The modified law now requires the tax to be paid for sludge or septage that is incinerated. The intent of the recent change is to tax disposal options of sludge and septage (landfilling and incineration) and not tax the beneficial use options, such land application and composting.

We have developed a list of Contract Biosolids and Septage Management Options used by Vermont facilities to assist municipalities and industries plan for management of their biosolids.

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July 2005 - Scenes before and during application of septage.

Indirect Discharge Rules

For information regarding the land application of whey and dairy washwater, please see the Indirect Discharge Rules.

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Biosolids Management Guidelines

These guidelines are intended to provide the reader with a summary of the technical elements necessary for proper management of diffuse disposal of sludges and other solid wastes. These wastes can include wastewater treatment plant sludges, septage, wood ash, sludges resulting from the production of paper, and sludges resulting from the treatment of food wastes.

Solid Waste Management Guidelines for Beneficial Use of Sewage Sludges and Similar WastesSeptember 2007 (76 pages 298 KB)

Comprehensive Wood Ash Procedure

May 1, 2008 (11 pages 103 KB PDF)

Comprehensive Short Paper Fiber Management Procedure

December 29, 2009 (14 pages 222 KB PDF)

Approved Analytical Methods

Procedure Designating Methods for Chemical and Biological Analyses for Residual Waste Management

May 17, 2011 (7 pages 385 KB PDF)

Application Forms

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Note: All application forms can be downloaded and saved prior to completion. Those that are identified as MS Word forms may also be saved after completion.

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To apply for a Solid Waste Management Certification:

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Application:

PDF (5 pages)          MS Word (5 pages)

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Application checklist:    PDF   (8 pages)

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Application Instructions:   PDF   (45 pages)

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Personal History Form:      PDF   (5 pages)

Record Check Release Form: NO LONGER REQUIRED - the Personal History Form contains information needed by DEC Waste Mgmt Div and Dept of Public Safety.

Business Disclosure Form:       PDF   (16 pages)

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Financial Capability Forms:   PDF   (23 pages)

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Sludge or Septage Facility Certification Fees: PDF (1 page)

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Quarterly Monitoring Report Forms

Part A - Signatures (includes instructions)
PDF   45K (2 pages)

MS Word    53K

Part B - Wastes Received (includes instructions)
PDF   54K (2 pages)

MS Word    126K

Part C - Final Waste Mgmt (includes instructions)
PDF   50K (2 pages)

MS Word   89K

Part D - Comments (includes instructions)
PDF   23K (2 pages)

MS Word   32K

Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure "TCLP" (includes instructions)
PDF   89K (2 pages)

Excel   19K

Waste Analysis (includes instructions)
PDF   77K (1 page)

Excel   23K

Groundwater Monitoring and Water Table Depths

Instructions for Groundwater Monitoring

PDF   8K (1 page)

Excel   17K

PDF   40K (1 page)

Soil and Plant Tissue Analysis

Instructions for Soil and Plant Tissue Analysis

PDF     13K (1 page)

Excel   18K

PDF   13K (1 page)

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Note: The above forms require legal sized (8 1/2" x 14") paper.

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If you experience problems reading or downloading the PDF forms, we'd like to know about it. Please send a brief description of the problem by e-mail to Ginny Little.

New:
Electronic Biosolids Application Rate Calculator

New Version Effective 9/16/2010

(328 kb Excel file September 13, 2010)

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Contacts

For more information, please contact staff:

Ernie Kelley

Section Chief
(802) 338-4833

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Allison Lowry

Environmental Analyst
(802) 654-8956

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Wastewater Management

Division Staff Listing

Note: Written communications to and from state officials regarding state business are considered public records and therefore may be subject to public scrutiny.

Important Links

National Biosolids Partnership

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New England Biosolids and Residuals Association

What's New?

Analytical Methods Procedure
Biosolids Management Guidelines

Quick Links

Electronic Biosolids Application Rate Calculator - New Version effective 9/16/10
(328 kb Excel file September 13, 2010)
Biosolids Application Rate Calculation Policy Memo(3 page pdf file)
Public Notices, Fact Sheets, Draft Certifications

All documents are in Adobe Acrobat PDF format unless otherwise noted

Before & After

residuals before and after
A site in Londonderry, Vermont in the summer of 1993, before septage was applied. the site has no vegetative cover and soils with low organic matter.

The same site in the summer of 1997 after septage application. The nutrients, organic matter, and increased moisture retention has promoted lush vegetative growth. The soil has reduced erosion potential.