1. State of Texas Biosolids Program Perspectives
Brian Sierant
Biosolids Work Leader
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
This image is showing the tractor pulling the spreader through the grassy field, with Class B sewage sludge being distributed from the spreader onto the field.

2. Topics for Discussion Background on state authority and state rules
The Biosolids Program in Texas
Permits and Registrations
Statistics
State Regs vs. Federal Regs
Management Practices
Avoiding Application NODs
Proposed Legislation
86th Legislature
Proposed Rule Change Updates
Image shows a dung beetle moving a ball of dung.

3. Benefits of Land Applying Sewage Sludge
Source of nutrients for plant growth
Saves money from using chemical fertilizers
Lowers cost of disposal for utilities
Lowers amount of material disposed in landfills
Processing to higher standards to develop a product for distribution and sale

4. In the Beginning…
1993 – 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 503 became effective
1993 – 30 TAC Chapter 312 rules are promulgated to incorporate Part 503
Chapter 312 is updated
TCEQ authorized to administer the EPA biosolids program
Two updates. In 2005 based on legislation and in 2014 based on a rule petition

5. TCEQ Biosolids Coordinators
Central Office - Austin
Regional Offices – 16 Throughout State
Permitting Staff
Technical review and draft permits and registrations
Provide technical assistance with the permitting and registration program
Work with reporting and rule making
Legal Staff
Provide expertise on both state and federal regulations to permitting staff, the regulated community, and the public
Field Ops Investigators
Conduct site assessment evaluations for proposed sites
Inspect sites annually
Investigate complaints made by public

6. Permitting and Registration Program
State – TCEQ
Federal - TPDES
Permit
Beneficial Land Use (BLU) of Class B Biosolids
Registrations
BLU of Domestic Septage
Disposal and BLU of Water Treatment Plant Residuals
Notification
Exceptional Quality Marketing and Distribution of Class A or AB Biosolids
Biosolids Processing
Dewatering
Lime Stabilization
Composting with green waste
Heat Pelletizing
Mobile Processing Unit
Disposal of Sewage Sludge
Incineration
Image shows a cartoon picture of a document being signed.

7. Current Statistics
210+ Class A and AB Marketing and Distribution Sites
55 Class B Land Application
130 WTP Residual Land Application
50 Domestic Septage Land Application
9 Biosolid Processing (Separate from WWTP)
6 Disposal
There are two images on this slide. One shows a cartoon picture of a man holding a graph to present statistics and the other is a pie graph showing the percentages of the different types of authorizations by color.

8. This image shows a map of Texas with borders of each TCEQ region office. The map indicates with green dots, the location of each current Class B Biosolids Land Application Site. There are two areas within the image that zoom in on multiple green dots in Waller, Starr and Hidalgo Counties due to a large number of sites located within these counties. A north arrow and legend are included.

9. This image shows a map of Texas with borders of each TCEQ region office. The map indicates with blue dots, the location of each current Domestic Septage Land Application Site. A north arrow and legend are included.

10. This image shows a map of Texas with borders of each TCEQ region office. The map indicates with purple dots, the location of each current Water Treatment Residuals Land Application Site. There is one area within the image that zooms in on multiple purple dots in Collin, Rockwall, Hunt, Rains, Hopkins and Delta Counties due to a large number of sites located within these counties. A north arrow and legend are included.

11. Land Application of Class A, AB or B Biosolids
This slide contains four pictures. The top left corner picture shows a sludge hauler consisting of a tractor trailer receiving sludge. The top right corner picture shows sludge on a field that is staged so that it can be loaded into a spreader. The bottom left corner picture shows a tractor hauling a spreader that is distributing sludge onto a land application site. The bottom right corner picture shows a close-up of dried sludge on the ground.

12. Land Application of Domestic Septage
This slide contains three images. The picture on the left shows a septic hauler pumping out a residential in-ground septic tank with a hose. The picture in the top right corner shows a septic truck spaying domestic septage onto a land application site. The picture on the bottom right corner shows a septic truck injecting the septage into the soil at a land application site.

13. Processing of Biosolids
This slide contains four images. The top left corner picture shows bags of white lime stacked at a sludge processing facility. The top right corner picture shows the hopper that the lime is distributed in for sludge treatment. The bottom left corner picture shows a belt drying unit. The bottom right corner picture shows an aerial picture of a sludge compost facility.

14. Chapter 312 and Part 503 How Federal and State Rules are the Same:
Pollutant Limits
Pathogen & Vector Attraction Reduction
Site Management Practices

15. Chapter 312 and Part 503 Buffer zones and Slope Requirements
How Federal and State Rules are Different
Buffer zones and Slope Requirements
Nutrient Management Plan
Site Notification Requirements
Classification of EQ Biosolids
Quarterly Reporting
Commercial Liability and Environmental Impairment Insurance

16. Avoiding Application Deficiencies

17. Proposed Legislation Affecting Biosolids Program
SB 2070 (Menendez) and HB 3930 (Morrison)
Amend THSC Section 361 to prohibit the TCEQ from issuing a permit, registration, or other authorization to land apply grease trap waste or grit trap waste, and Section to the Health and Safety Code and add definitions of “Grease trap waste,” “Grit trap,” and “Grit trap waste.”
HB 3318 (Burns)
Require an individual permit for the land application of domestic septage and require same notice and hearing provisions, permit conditions, fees, application requirements, insurance requirements, and transportation requirements as Class B sites.
HB 3319 (Burns)
Soil monitoring samples required by the commission for a land application
unit where sewage sludge or domestic septage is applied must be collected
by a TCEQ inspector.

18. Ch. 312 Rule Proposal
Clarify the intent of existing requirements and improve readability.

19. Current Status
TCEQ website contains the following stakeholder information:
Meeting agenda
Webcast
Slideshow presentation
Meeting summary
Stakeholder comments
Future rulemaking dates

20. Future Rulemaking Dates
June 7, 2019 – Agenda backup material
Proposed rules can be viewed by public
June 26, 2019 – Commission Agenda for approval to publish
July 12, 2019 – Rules published in TX Register
30-day comment period begins
July 30, 2019 – Public hearing (TCEQ Agenda Room) at 2pm
August 12, 2019 – 30-day comment period ends

21. Future Rulemaking Dates (cont.)
August through November 2019 – Standard internal TCEQ rule procedures
November 31, 2019 – Agenda backup material
Proposed rules can be viewed by public
December 18, 2019 – Adoption by Commission and Effective date

22. Contacts and Assistance
TCEQ Land Application Team Biosolids Group Water Quality Division Phone: Brian Sierant Kellie Crouch Shelby Williams
Image shows a cartoon picture of a telephone and a snapshot of the main TCEQ webpage for the biosolids is also displayed.