Guidelines

What guidelines for biosolids management has the department published?

The Department of Ecology has published its Biosolids Management Guidelines for Washington State, #93-80, and Managing Nitrogen from Biosolids, #99-508. Many other states also have guidance documents and a wealth of guidance has been published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Stakeholder organizations such as the Water Environment Federation, the Pacific Northwest Pollution Control Association and the Northwest Biosolids Management Association are also sources for guidelines and other information.

How are the guidelines used?

Washington has certain requirements for the adoption of rules. Our guidelines were developed with a great deal of external collaboration and represent what we believe to be sound management practices, but they do not meet the test to be considered rules. Our guidelines are a resource tool for permit managers, the regulated community, and other interested parties. Using our guidelines, these individuals can assess current practices or plan for future activities. Because they are not rules per se, our guidelines do not constitute a regulatory mandate. Put another way, biosolids managers do not have to comply with our guidelines as a matter of law. The department does use the guidelines, however, as a tool for developing permit conditions and for assessing current management practices. Activities which are inconsistent with our guidelines are more likely to receive regulatory scrutiny. If an element of the guidelines is inserted as an actual permit condition for a facility, then compliance is required once the permit becomes final. The department may draw on many different sources of information for developing permit conditions.

Where can I read or get copies of these things?

Click on the links below: