Ag Tech Biosolids Land Application Monitoring

The success of the land application project depends on the effectiveness of Ag Tech’s monitoring. Highlights of this monitoring process are as follows:

• A quadrant numbering system designed by Ag Tech using a seven-digit number to identify every parcel. These numbers are used to track applications and monitor the critical parameters.
• A flexible database has been developed to track application rates, cumulative applications and yield data.
• Trained, motivated and properly supervised employees.

AG Tech constantly monitors key critical parameters in each field where biosolids are applied. Some examples of the the monitoring program include:

Ceiling Concentration Limits (CCL)

This is the maximum concentration of each pollutant allowed in biosolids for land application. According to Part 503, biosolids containing any metal that exceeds the CCLs cannot be land applied. Each biosolids generator must periodically test the contents of the biosolids produced at their facility. This is also known as EPA Table 1.

Cumulative Pollutant Loading Rate (CPLR)

This is the maximum amount of a pollutant that can be applied to a site over its lifetime by all biosolid applications meeting ceiling concentration limits. This is also known as EPA Table 2. The cumulative levels of biosolids pollutants applied to each field must be tracked and cannot exceed the CPLR Maximums.

Annual Pollutant Loading Rate

APLR sets the maximum amount of a pollutant that can be applied during a 365-day period. This is also known as EPA Table 4. The annual cumulative levels of biosolids pollutants applied to each field must be tracked and cannot exceed the APLR Maximums.

Monthly Average Pollutant Concentrations

The monthly concentrations of biosolids pollutants applied to each field must be tracked and cannot exceed the MAPC Maximums.