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ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 4790
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AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
C 297 L 86 PV
State of Washington 49th Legislature 1986 Regular Session
By Senate Committee on Parks & Ecology (originally sponsored by Senators Kreidler, Bluechel and Talmadge)
Read first time 1/29/86.
AN ACT Relating to sludge; and adding a new section to chapter 70.95 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added tochapter 70.95 RCW to read as follows:
After January 1, 1988, the department of ecology may prohibit disposal of municipal sewage sludge or septic tank sludge (septage) in landfills for final disposal, except on a temporary, emergency basis, if the jurisdictional health department determines that a potentially unhealthful circumstance exists. Beneficial uses of sludge in landfill reclamation is acceptable utilization and not considered disposal.
The department of ecology shall adopt rules that provide exemptions from this section on a case-by-case basis. Exemptions shall be based on the economic infeasibility of using or disposing of the sludge material other than in a landfill.
The department of ecology, after consulting with representatives from cities, counties, special purpose districts, and operators of septic tank pump-out services, shall adopt rules for the environmentally safe use of municipal sewage sludge and septage in this state.
The department of ecology, after consulting with representatives from the pulp and paper industry and the food processing industry, may adopt rules for the environmentally safe use of appropriate industrial sludges, such as pulp and paper sludges or food processing wastes, used to improve the texture or nutrient content of soils.
The department of ecology, in conjunction with the department of social and health services and the department of agriculture, shall adopt rules establishing labeling and notification requirements for sludge material sold commercially or given away to the public. The department shall specify mandatory wording for labels and notification to warn the public against improper use of the material. The department shall submit a report to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature by January 1, 1987, on its implementation of this chapter.