[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 21]
[Revised as of July 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR257.3-6]

[Page 372-373]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
                   CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                           AGENCY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 257--CRITERIA FOR CLASSIFICATION OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES AND PRACTICES--Table of Contents
 
    Subpart A--Classification of Solid Waste Disposal Facilities and 
                                Practices
 
Sec. 257.3-6  Disease.

    (a) Disease Vectors. The facility or practice shall not exist or 
occur unless the on-site population of disease vectors is minimized 
through the periodic application of cover material or other techniques 
as appropriate so as to protect public health.
    (b) Sewage sludge and septic tank pumpings (Interim Final). A 
facility or practice involving disposal of sewage sludge or septic tank 
pumpings shall not exist or occur unless in compliance with paragraphs 
(b) (1), (2) or (3) of this section.
    (1) Sewage sludge that is applied to the land surface or is 
incorporated into the soil is treated by a Process to Significantly 
Reduce Pathogens prior to application or incorporation. Public access to 
the facility is controlled for at least 12 months, and grazing by 
animals whose products are consumed by humans is prevented for at least 
one month. Processes to Significantly Reduce Pathogens are listed in 
appendix II, section A. (These provisions do not apply to sewage sludge 
disposed of by a trenching or burial operation.)
    (2) Septic tank pumpings that are applied to the land surface or 
incorporated into the soil are treated by a Process to Significantly 
Reduce Pathogens (as listed in appendix II, section A), prior to 
application or incorporation, unless public access to the facility is 
controlled for at least 12 months and unless grazing by animals whose 
products are consumed by humans is prevented for at least one month. 
(These provisions do not apply to septic tank pumpings disposed of by a 
trenching or burial operation.)
    (3) Sewage sludge or septic tank pumpings that are applied to the 
land surface or are incorporated into the soil are treated by a Process 
to Further Reduce Pathogens, prior to application or incorporation, if 
crops for direct human consumption are grown within 18 months subsequent 
to application or incorporation. Such treatment is not

[[Page 373]]

required if there is no contact between the solid waste and the edible 
portion of the crop; however, in this case the solid waste is treated by 
a Process to Significantly Reduce Pathogens, prior to application; 
public access to the facility is controlled for at least 12 months; and 
grazing by animals whose products are consumed by humans is prevented 
for at least one month. If crops for direct human consumption are not 
grown within 18 months of application or incorporation, the requirements 
of paragraphs (b) (1) and (2) of this section apply. Processes to 
Further Reduce Pathogens are listed in appendix II, section B.
    (c) As used in this section:
    (1) Crops for direct human consumption means crops that are consumed 
by humans without processing to minimize pathogens prior to distribution 
to the consumer.
    (2) Disease vector means rodents, flies, and mosquitoes capable of 
transmitting disease to humans.
    (3) Incorporated into the soil means the injection of solid waste 
beneath the surface of the soil or the mixing of solid waste with the 
surface soil.
    (4) Periodic application of cover material means the application and 
compaction of soil or other suitable material over disposed solid waste 
at the end of each operating day or at such frequencies and in such a 
manner as to reduce the risk of fire and to impede vectors access to the 
waste.
    (5) Trenching or burial operation means the placement of sewage 
sludge or septic tank pumpings in a trench or other natural or man-made 
depression and the covering with soil or other suitable material at the 
end of each operating day such that the wastes do not migrate to the 
surface.

[44 FR 53460, Sept. 13, 1979; 44 FR 54708, Sept. 21, 1979]