| Mishawaka has been issued
a
permit by IDEM
(the Indiana Department of Environmental Management) for land application
of biosolids in the Indiana counties of St. Joseph, Marshall, LaPorte
and Elkhart.
In this permit, specific requirements and limitations are outlined
for the proper application, use and management of biosolids. Farmers
who participate in the program receive the biosolids free of charge.
Contact info is listed below.
Agricultural Land
Approximately 77 percent of the Biosolids applied to land in the
United States is applied to agricultural land. This includes land
used to grow food-chain crops such as corn and soybeans, land used
to grow feed crops for animals, and land used for pasture. Nutrients
in these materials help the crops to grow. Each dry ton of Biosolids
provides about $30 to $60 worth of nitrogen, phosphorus and trace
nutrients.
Forests
Biosolids and Industrial Waste Products applied to trees or forest
soils improve tree growth. The nutrients in these materials help
increase the rate at which trees grow thus shortening wood production
cycles.
Reclaimed Land
Biosolids and Industrial Waste Products also are used to help reclaim
barren lands such as mines, landfills, quarries, gravel pits, and
construction sites. The Biosolids provide nutrients and condition
the soil so that vegetation can grow on the reclaimed land. Vegetation
reduces soil erosion and helps make the land productive again.
Standards for Land Application of Biosolids
and Industrial Waste Products
Indiana’s requirements for land application of Biosolids
and Industrial Waste Products are presented in 327 Indiana Administrative
Code (IAC) Article 6.1:
Land Application of Biosolid, Industrial Waste Products, and
Pollutant-Bearing Water.
Federal Regulations for land application of Biosolids are found
at 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 503:
Standards for the Use and Disposal of Sewage Sludge
Land Application of Industrial Waste Products at 40 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) Part 257:
Criteria for Classification of Solid Waste Disposal Facilities
and Practices.
Biosolids and Industrial Waste Products that meet these standards,
which are designed to protect human health and the environment,
can be applied to the land.
Further Information
For more information about land application or biosolids and industrial
waste products, contact any of the following:
Karl Kopec or Tim Brill
Mishawaka Wastewater Treatment
Email
Karl Kopec
Email
Tim Brill
Solid Waste Permits Section, Land Application Group
Indiana Department of Environmental Management
100 North Senate Avenue
P.O. Box 6015
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6015
Environmental Helpline: 1-800-451-6027
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Science and Technology
401 M Street, S.W.
(WH-551)
Washington, D.C. 20460
Indiana Water Pollution Control Assoc.
430 North Park Avenue, Suite 210
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
Phone: (317)238-0190
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