Approved by the WEF Executive Committee January 25, 1996

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has a worldwide membership of over 41,000 professionals dedicated to preserving and enhancing the global water environment. WEF disseminates information on numerous technical issues including the responsible management of solids produced by the treatment of wastewaters before these treated effluents are returned to the environment. Biosolids is defined by WEF as "primarily organic solid product, produced by wastewater treatment processes, that can be beneficially recycled." Beneficial recycling includes land application to improve soil characteristics, heat and energy recovery, and production of useful products. The Residuals and Biosolids Committee of WEF has adopted a goal of making biosolids recycling publicly acceptable throughout the globe by the year 2000. This goal is ambitious but achievable, and will represent the culmination of efforts that have been ongoing for over two decades.

Countries throughout the globe are in the process of adopting new or refined regulations for biosolids recycling. Because of extensive research showing benefits, the Clean Water Act encourages the beneficial use of appropriately generated and treated materials such as biosolids. The U.S. EPA and other federal agencies have adopted policies strongly supporting the beneficial use of biosolids in a variety of settings including farms and home gardens. These policies clearly recognize that biosolids can be a valuable resource to increase crop production by supplying nutrients to plants and improving soil characteristics.

Biosolids Safety And Value Is Proven
During the development of the 40 CFR Part 503 Regulation for the Use or Disposal of Sewage Sludge (Biosolids) (1993), U.S. EPA reviewed extensive data throughout the world, including findings from thousands of field trials and laboratory experiments, on the human health and environmental impacts from the use or disposal of biosolids. Field trials on biosolids have been conducted in the United States and other countries for at least 40 years. Some biosolids sites have undergone repeated application with monitoring of biosolids for nearly 30 years. Information gathered from these field trials and biosolids sites demonstrates no environmental degradation or human health impacts when used in accordance with federal criteria. Indeed, the noted beneficial effects are that both the plant and animal ecosystem have been significantly improved via increased soil fertility due to biosolids applications. Such applications have resulted in macro and micro nutrients additions to the soil, increased organic matter content of the soil along with increased moisture delivery to the ecosystem. No documented negative human health impacts have been experienced when biosolids that meet all of the requirements of Part 503 have been land applied under good management practices.

Leadership Is Needed
WEF encourages countries, provinces, and states to exercise leadership in designing environmentally protective, easily implemented biosolids management programs. In the United States, WEF requests that state regulatory officials consider the following six recommendations in establishing a biosolids regulatory program:

1. Obtain authority from U.S. EPA to manage biosolids and issue biosolids permits solely through a state program. This can be accomplished either through an NPDES mechanism (40 CFR Parts 122-124) or through an alternative state permitting program (40 CFR Part 501). State regulatory officials know the biosolids situation and issues in their state and, therefore, are in a better position to manage the program than EPA. State input is needed on local issues, including, but not limited to, management practices, agronomic rates, and buffers. In addition, regulatory efficiency is increased in that only one set of permits is issued and one set of reports submitted.
2. Use the term "biosolids" to replace all references to wastewater sludge which can be beneficially recycled. Use of this term provides a significant advantage with respect to perception. The public and water quality professionals need to be aware of the benefits of using this organic and nutrient-rich material. Using the term "biosolids" in laws, regulations, and guidelines will help communicate to the public that the product from wastewater treatment can be used in many beneficial ways.
3. Utilize the 40 CFR Part 503 as the basis for state standards. Additional or more stringent requirements should be justified by documented site-specific conditions that create greater exposure, impacts and risks than those used in the risk assessment developed for Part 503. In determining the need for additional requirements, regulators should consider holistically the impacts of biosolids on human health and the environment. For example, in the case of land application, holistic consideration would include an evaluation of the potential human health and environmental impacts as a result of more stringent regulations causing shifts to the use of chemical fertilizers and animal manures. Regulations should emphasize that biosolids programs which are managed in accordance with all applicable requirements set forth in 40 CFR Part 503 are safe. Regulations should preserve a local community's choice of biosolids management options, so long as they are in compliance with 40 CFR Part 503.
4. Adopt the Part 503 approach that allows biosolids meeting the most stringent 40 CFR Part 503 standards for pollutant concentrations and pathogen reduction, along with vector attraction reduction, to be utilized without further regulation, like other commercial fertilizer products. This approach is vital to encourage the recycling of the nutrients and organic material in biosolids. It ensures the safe beneficial utilization of biosolids without need for additional regulatory oversight.
5. Promote public awareness and acceptance of biosolids recycling. WEF and others have been active in promoting beneficial use to municipal wastewater treatment facility operators, but this effort must be expanded to include farmers, nursery workers, landscapers, home gardeners, local public officials, professional and environmental groups and the general public. State programs should include public participation and dissemination of information to help promote understanding and support for biosolids recycling programs.
6. Support and promote efforts by local agencies, WEF Member Associations, citizens and community leaders, and other stakeholders to promote biosolids recycling. Regulatory officials should work in partnership with municipal agencies, and organizations such as WEF, to promote research and development, implementation and public education. There are many examples of successful programs where well-conceived efforts to provide the public with information played a key role in obtaining public support.

Working together, we can generate increased awareness and acceptance of biosolids recycling as we move into the 21st century.