& Biosolids
Biosolids
To protect public health and the environment, federal and state laws establish standards and practices for the production and use of biosolids. In Minnesota, biosolids are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Biosolids applied to land must meet quality standards for pathogens (disease-causing organisms) and metals. Treatment is required to reduce pathogens to specified levels to prevent the spread of disease. Maximum limits for nine metals have also been established. Biosolids that do not meet the standards cannot be applied to land.
Additionally, field management practices that protect surface and ground water from runoff and leaching are required. Regulations restrict where biosolids can be applied and how much can be applied. For example, land application sites must meet specific requirements for slope, soil chemistry, and depth to water table to ensure site suitability; setbacks from water features and public contact areas must be followed; and application rates are limited to ensure that excess nitrogen is not applied.
Monitoring, record-keeping, reporting, and site approval requirements facilitate compliance with regulatory standards.