(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, storage of sludge at a beneficial land application site shall not exceed 90 days. Storage is allowed only when the following requirements are carried out:
- (1) Written authorization must be obtained from the executive director prior to construction of the storage area.
- (2) The storage area must be operated and maintained to prevent surface water runoff and to prevent a release to ground water. Discharge of storm water or wastewater which has come into contact with sewage sludge is prohibited. The storage area shall be designed to collect such runoff. Any runoff collected during the storage of sewage sludge shall be disposed in a manner to prevent a release to ground water.
- (3) The storage area shall be designed, constructed, and operated in a manner which protects public health and the environment.
- (4) The storage area must be lined to prevent a release to ground water. Natural or artificial liners are required for leachate control. A natural liner or equivalent barrier of one foot of compacted clay with a permeability coefficient of 1 x 10[sup]-7[/sup] cm/sec or less, shall be provided. Various flexible synthetic membrane lining materials may be used in lieu of soil liners if prior written approval has been obtained from the executive director.
- (5) The application shall outline measures to be taken to minimize vectors and to avoid public health nuisances such as odors.
- (6) The storage area shall be fenced or other methods shall be used, if necessary to control access by humans or domestic animals.
- (7) Berms or dikes shall be constructed to contain the waste without leakage.
- (8) Liquid sludge must be stored in an enclosed vessel.
- (9) Processing of sludge is prohibited unless a permit is obtained from the commission.
- (b) Up to an additional 90 days of storage will be allowed with the prior approval of the appropriate TNRCC regional office, for reasons associated with application area flooding, saturated soils, or frozen soils.
- (c) Staging of sewage sludge on-site, prior to land application, is allowable without executive director approval. Staging of sewage sludge may only occur for a maximum of seven calendar days.
Source Note:The provisions of this §312.50 adopted to be effective October 13, 1995, 20 TexReg 7840.