[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 40, Volume 24]

[Revised as of July 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 40CFR257.3-6]



[Page 378-379]

 

                   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 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



[[Page 379]]



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]