S-1375

AN ACT Relating to a sludge study task force; adding new sections to chapter 90.48 RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that:

(1) Public concerns are increasing about the expanded use and disposal of municipal sewage sludge. The results of a citizens' sludge "summit" meeting in June 1990 said the greatest need is to find and explore alternatives to current sludge uses.

(2) The current primary use of sludge in the state is land application on agricultural and forest lands. Public concerns are focused on the health issues based upon potential impacts on surface and ground water quality from land application. New federal technical standards to protect public health and the environment are due in January 1992.

(3) Alternatives to current uses of conventionally treated municipal sludge should be studied in order to broaden the options for the use and management of this resource.

(4) A pilot project to field test the study's findings is needed and a moratorium is necessary on further land application of conventionally treated municipal sludge until completion of the pilot project.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A ten-member sludge task force is formed to study alternatives to land application or disposal of conventionally treated municipal sludge. The task force shall:

(1) Conduct a literature search to review current and proposed alternative sludge treatment and end-use technologies, in the priority listed in this subsection, but not be limited to:

(a) Glassification;

(b) Incineration;

(d) Chemical stabilization; and

(e) Composting;

(2) Develop a list of commercially available end-use products containing recycled sludge or treatment residues from these alternative technologies, or both, to include, but not be limited to:

(a) Building materials;

(b) Soil enrichment;

(d) Paving materials.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The sludge task force shall consist of:

(a) A representative from each of the following agencies or organizations, selected by their respective secretaries or chairpersons: Department of ecology, department of health, department of natural resources, Puget Sound water quality authority, association of Washington cities, Washington association of counties, regional sludge management committee, and the Washington state association of sewer districts; and

(b) Two public members representing the environmental community, selected by the chairpersons of the appropriate legislative committees.

The chair will be elected from among the task force members.

(2) The department of ecology shall provide administrative support to the sludge task force.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The sludge task force shall report its findings to the legislature on or before July 1, 1992.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. (1) The department shall issue a centennial clean water act grant to fund a pilot project on the task force's selected priority use alternative or alternatives. The pilot project to be completed by December 1, 1993.

(2) The department shall submit a report by July 1, 1994, to the appropriate legislative committees of the pilot project findings, to include, but not be limited to:

(a) Health impacts;

(b) Recyclability;

(d) Disposal and use options; and

(e) Comparative handling costs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. From the effective date of this act until July 1, 1994, the land application of conventionally treated municipal sludge is unlawful.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The sum of .......... dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, from the centennial clean water fund to the department of ecology for the purposes of sections 2 through 4 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Sections 2 through 4 of this act are each added to chapter 90.48 RCW.