Section 391.204  Public Distribution Programs

a)         General

            Public distribution programs are acceptable to the Agency under certain conditions and shall be included in a generator's sludge management plan. Sludge can be used by the general public as a soil amendment provided the public is properly informed of the nature of the material they are utilizing.  Information sheets are necessary for all public distribution programs describing the constituents in the sludge, how to properly apply the sludge and must contain the items outlined in APPENDIX H.

b)         Specific Requirements

1)         Sludge which contains more than 25 mg Cd/kg (dry weight basis) shall not be distributed to the general public.

2)         Sludge application rates for public distribution programs shall not exceed 10 dry tons per acre per year.

3)         Information sheets as described in APPENDIX H shall be provided to all persons receiving sludge under public distribution programs.  Information sheets must be retained by the sludge generator as specified in Sections 391.203(c) and (d).

4)         The Agency does not recommend that leafy or root crop vegetables (such as lettuce, Swiss chard, spinach, potatoes, carrots, horseradish, etc.) be grown on sludge amended land.

5)         The sludge must be transported, stored and applied in accordance with Subpart C and D.

6)         Only dried sludge shall be distributed to the general public.