Public Distribution of Paper Mill Wastewater Residuals

摘要

Wastewater treatment plant residuals from a corrugating medium mill consist of a blend of hardwood fiber rejects and biological solids. The mill historically spreasd residuals on agircultural and silvicultureal sites, but also gained regulatory approval for public distribution by presenting the results of risk assessments and pathogen reduction data. Use of risk assessment tools similar to those used for the development of teh EPA 503 municipal sludge rules and EPA Soil Screening Levels resulted in the reclassification of the sludge as "exceptional-like quality" material and an innovative regulatory approval for bublic distribution. The sludge is now being directly marketed to the public as a garden soil ocnditioner and a constituent in commercial pottiing mixes with liberal potential for other trials, easing the market development process for additinal uses. Prior to this effort, no pulp and paper mll had ever been granted this regulatory option in Wisconsin.