title
Accept the 2018 Annual Biosolids Land Application Report from the Department of Resource Management
body
Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board accept the 2018 Annual Biosolids Land Application Report from the Department of Resource Management.
The department is not currently recommending any changes to Chapter 25.
SUMMARY:
Solano County Code, Chapter 25 requires that a report be submitted annually to the Board of Supervisors presenting the results of the past season’s activities on the land application of Class B biosolids in Solano County. The report must also include an update on the generator’s progress toward utilizing alternative technologies for the reuse of biosolids other than land application or landfilling along with findings from the research program conducted on biosolids applied rangeland soils in Solano County. The report documenting the results of the 2018 season for the land application of biosolids in Solano County is attached. There were no major issues identified with the Biosolids program in 2018.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost of managing and overseeing the biosolids land application program is recovered through fees collected for site registration and land spreading charged to the applicant. Costs for biosolids material sampling and sample analysis are also charged to the applicant. A per acre surcharge for research, charged to the applicant, is used for conducting research activity to improve our understanding of potential impacts, if any, of the land application of biosolids. The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2018/19 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
Solano County is one of the few California counties that regulate the land application of biosolids onto farm land as a soil amendment. Since 1997, the Department of Resource Management (DRM) staff has been implementing the local biosolids land application program by enforcing the Solano County Code (SCC) Chapter 25 which incorporates the requirements contained in CFR 40, Part 503 of the federal standards. SCC Chapter 25 was amended between 1998-2012 to include various requirements such as public notification requirement for land spreading activity, wet weather restriction on biosolids land application and spreading, to prohibit the application of biosolids within the primary and secondary marsh areas, and to expand the soil and ground water testing related to biosolids land application. These amendments to Chapter 25 have provided additional public health and environmental protections regarding the use of biosolids. This program is recognized nationally, and is focused on increased public participation, research partnership and proactive enforcement of standards.
During 2018, twelve generators provided approximately 7,665 dry tons of biosolids that was land spread over 1,319 acres of farmland as soil amendment. This is an approximately 23% increase in tonnages and a 22% increase in acres applied compared to 2017. All biosolid samples were reported to meet both Class A and Class B standards for all heavy metals. All biosolids samples, as required by County Code Chapter 25, met or exceeded Class B testing requirements. Zero complaints were received during the 2018 season. For comparison, there were 4 complaints received during the 2017 season.
This report discusses the pollutant loading rates and life expectancies of registered fields and nitrogen agronomic rate applications to maximize plant uptake of the nutrients and to minimize the potential for nitrate runoff from biosolids applied fields. The report also includes a copy of the 2018 Bay Area Clean Water Agencies (BACWA) annual report that provides an update on the generator’s progress toward utilizing alternative technologies for the reuse of biosolids other than land application or landfilling.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors can also choose to not receive the 2018 Biosolids Land Application Report. This is not recommended as the report is provided in accordance with Solano County Code and details the activity of the department relative to the land application of biosolids in 2018.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
In obtaining information for this report, the department consulted with County Counsel, County Administrator’s Office, County Agricultural Department, UC Agriculture Extension, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Boards, Synagro LLC, and the biosolids stakeholder group, which includes representation from interested constituents from the Rio Vista Suisun areas of Solano County, East Bay Municipal Utilities District, Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District, Union Sanitary District and the City and County of San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. Information contained in the 2018 Annual Biosolids Land Application Report is distributed to participants in the Biosolids Stakeholder Group.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION