1. TITLE 35: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
    2. SUBTITLE C: WATER POLLUTION
    3. CHAPTER II: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    4. PART 391
    5. DESIGN CRITERIA FOR SLUDGE APPLICATION ON LAND
    6. SUBPART A: INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITIONS
    7. SUBPART C: TRANSPORT AND STORAGE DESIGN CRITERIA
    8. SUBPART D: SLUDGE APPLICATION DESIGN CRITERIA
    9.  
    10. Section 391.101 Purpose
    11. Section 391.102 Definitions
    12. Section 391.201 Persons Requiring Permits
    13. Section 391.202 Permit Application Requirements
    14. Section 391.203 Permit Requirements
    15. Section 391.204 Public Distribution Programs
    16. SUBPART C: TRANSPORT AND STORAGE DESIGN CRITERIA
    17. Section 391.302 Sludge Storage Design
    18. Section 391.303 Off-Site Interim Storage of Liquid Anaerobic Sludge
    19. Section 391.304 Off-Site Interim Storage of Liquid Aerobic Sludge
    20. Section 391.305 Off-Site Interim Storage of Dried Sludge
    21. SUBPART D: SLUDGE APPLICATION DESIGN CRITERIA
    22. Section 391.401 Introduction
    23. Section 391.402 General Criteria
    24. Section 391.403 Application Buffer Area
    25. Section 391.405 Water Treatment Plant Sludge
    26. Section 391.410 Nutrient Loading
    27. Section 391.411 Nitrogen
    28. Section 391.412 Phosphorus
    29. Section 391.413 Potassium
    30. Section 391.420 Heavy Metal Loading
    31. Section 391.430 Site Monitoring
    32. Section 391.440 Additional Precautions
    33. Section 391.450 Land Reclamation Projects
    34. SUBPART E: SAMPLE COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
    35. Section 391.501 Sludge Sampling and Analysis
    36. Section 391.502 Collection of Sludge Samples
    37. Section 391.503 Analyses of Sludge Samples
    38. Section 391.510 Collection of Soil Samples
    39. Section 391.511 Analyses of Soil Samples
    40. Section 391.520 Groundwater Sampling and Analyses
    41. Section 391.530 Plant Tissue Sampling and Analyses
    42. Section 391.APPENDIX C Average County Crop Yields
    43. Section 391.APPENDIX D Sample Calculations of Sewage Sludge ApplicationRates
    44. Section 391.APPENDIX H Public Distribution Information Sheet
    45. Section 391.APPENDIX I Water Treatment Plant Sludge User Information Sheet

TITLE 35: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
SUBTITLE C: WATER POLLUTION
CHAPTER II: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
PART 391
DESIGN CRITERIA FOR SLUDGE APPLICATION ON LAND
SUBPART A: INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITIONS
Section
391.101 Purpose
391.102 Definitions
SUBPART B: PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR SLUDGE
GENERATORS, DISTRIBUTORS AND USERS
Section
391.201 Persons Requiring Permits
391.202 Permit Application Requirements
391.203 Permit Requirements
391.204 Public Distribution Programs
SUBPART C: TRANSPORT AND STORAGE DESIGN CRITERIA
Section
391.301 Sludge Transport Design
391.302 Sludge Storage Design
391.303 Off-Site Interim Storage of Liquid Anaerobic Sludge
391.304 Off-Site Interim Storage of Liquid Aerobic Sludge
391.305 Off-Site Interim Storage of Dried Sludge
SUBPART D: SLUDGE APPLICATION DESIGN CRITERIA
Section
391.401 Introduction
391.402 General Criteria
391.403 Application Buffer Area
391.404 Site Characteristics
391.405 Water Treatment Plant Sludge
391.410 Nutrient Loading
391.411 Nitrogen

391.412 Phosphorus
391.413 Potassium
391.420 Heavy Metal Loading
391.430 Site Monitoring
391.440 Additional Precautions
391.450 Land Reclamation Projects
SUBPART E: SAMPLE COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Section
391.501 Sludge Sampling and Analysis
391.502 Collection of Sludge Samples
391.503 Analyses of Sludge Samples
391.510 Collection of Soil Samples
391.511 Analyses of Soil Samples
391.520 Groundwater Sampling and Analyses
391.530 Plant Tissue Sampling and Analyses
APPENDIX A Applicable Board Rules From 35 Ill. Adm. Code: Subtitle C,
Chapter I
APPENDIX B Fertilizer Requirements for Illinois Crops
APPENDIX C Average County Crop Yields
APPENDIX D Sample Calculations of Sewage Sludge Application Rates
APPENDIX E Sample Calculations of Water Treatment Plant Lime Sludge
Application Rates
APPENDIX F General Buffer Area, Geological and Topographic Criteria
for Sludge Application
APPENDIX G Sludge User Information Sheet
APPENDIX H Public Distribution Information Sheet
APPENDIX I Water Treatment Plant Sludge User Information Sheet
AUTHORITY: Implementing and authorized by Section 4(g) of the
Environmental Protection Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 111 1/2 par.
1004(g)) and by 35 Ill. Adm. Code 309.155, 309.208(e), and 309.262.
SOURCE: Adopted and codified at 7 Ill. Reg. 16834, effective December 14,
1983.
SUBPART A: INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITIONS
Section 391.101 Purpose
a) The purpose of this document is to present criteria for
transporting, storing and applying sludge on land in an
environmentally acceptable manner. This document identifies

methods of sludge transportation, handling, storage, application
and monitoring to control potential environmental problems.
b) These criteria are to be used for the design and operation of
sludge management plans required to obtain permits from the
Division of Water Pollution Control. More specifically, these
criteria apply to municipal and private domestic sewage and water
treatment plants that include the land application of sludge for
final disposal.
c) These criteria apply to projects for the land application of
sludge that has been determined to be non-hazardous and non-toxic.
Hazardous or toxic sludge disposal is regulated under either the
Resource Conservation Recovery Act, 42 USC 6901 et seq. (1982 as
amended) or the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 USC 2601 et seq.
(1982 as amended) respectively, as promulgated by United States
Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). These rules do not
relieve sludge generators, users or distributors of compliance
with Federal regulations.
Section 391.102 Definitions
"Agronomic Rates for Sludge Application": An application rate of
sludge sufficient to supply that quantity of plant nutrients that
can reasonably be expected to be utilized by agricultural crops as
determined pursuant to Section 391.410.
"Application": The placement of sludge on or under the land
surface.
"Cation Exchange Capacity": The sum of exchangeable cations a
soil can absorb expressed in milli-equivalents per 100 grams of
soil as determined by the summation method for distinctly acid
soils or the sodium acetate method for neutral, calcareous or
saline soils.
"Digested Sludge": Sludge digested under either aerobic or
anaerobic conditions until the volatile content has been reduced
to the point at which the solids are relatively nonputrescible and
inoffensive.
"Dried Sludge": Sludge that has been dewatered by a mechanical
device, drying beds or other means such that it can be transported
and handled as a solid material. Normally, this will be a minimum
of 15% total solids.
"Heavy Metals": Metals with a high specific gravity, including
but not limited to cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc

(Zn), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni).
"Incorporation": To mix sludge with the soil, concurrent with
application, in the upper horizon by such means as injection,
discing, or plowing.
"Liquid Sludge": Sludge that is readily pumpable and must be
transported by a closed vessel. Normally, this will be a maximum
of 8% total solids.
"Management Scheme or Management Plan": A program devised by a
sludge generator or user that specifies how they will properly
transport, store and dispose of sludge for which they are
responsible. This would include but not be limited to on-site or
off-site storage, seasonal operation, with all proposed disposal
techniques and criteria to be followed.
"Natric Soils": Soils having 15% or more millequivalents of
exchangeable sodium within the solum.
"Off-Site Interim Storage": The storage of sludge off the
treatment plant site from where it was generated but does not
include sludge in the transporting vehicle.
"Plant Nutrients": Those forms of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium
and micro-nutrients which are absorbed by agricultural crops and
provide the necessary food for the plant's maintenance and growth.
"Public Distribution": A program by a sludge generator that
allows the general public to obtain sludge for individual use but
does not include sludge users who may be under contract with the
sludge generator or persons receiving sludge for commercial
agricultural use.
"Reclamation": The improvement of disturbed soils by addition of
sludge materials which would allow the establishment and
maintenance of vegetation.
"Sludge Distributor": A sludge user who is not a sludge generator
but who sells or gives away sludge regardless of its origin.
"Sludge Generator": A person who produces sludge by treating
water or wastewater by a treatment works or pretreatment works.
"Sludge User": A person who obtains sludge from a sludge

generator for application on his land or land under his control.
"Stabilized Sludge": The product of biological, chemical, heat or
other type of sludge treatment that results in a relatively
nonputrescible and inoffensive material.
"Utilization": The application of sludge on land for
agriculatural, horticultural, silvicultural, or other beneficial
purposes at such rates that the nutrients can be expected to be
utilized by plant growth.
SUBPART B: PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR SLUDGE
GENERATORS, DISTRIBUTORS AND USERS
Section 391.201 Persons Requiring Permits
a) Persons applying sludge on land are required to obtain a permit
unless exempted by 35 Ill. Adm. Code 309.208.
b) Persons that have not been exempted include the following:
1) All sludge generators intending to apply sludge on land
including but not limited to agricultural land, treatment
plant grounds, disturbed soils, sod farms or have a public
distribution program are required to obtain an Agency permit,
either in a separate construction and/or operating state
permit pursuant to Subpart B of 35 Ill. Adm. Code 309 for new
or existing treatment works, or as part of a National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit;
2) Sludge distributors who sell or give away sludge at a rate
exceeding the equivalent of 1500 dry tons per year are
required to obtain an Agency permit or be included as part of
a sludge management plan in a sludge generator's permit;
3) Sludge users who apply sludge to sites greater than 300 acres
under common ownership or control in any year or apply more
than 1500 dry tons of sludge per year are required to obtain
an Agency permit unless the site is specifically identified
in an Agency permitted sludge generator management plan;
4) Sludge users are required to obtain an Agency permit if
special circumstances exist such that a permit is required to
protect the environment or public health;
5) Sludge generators or users constructing or operating
permanent sludge transfer or receiving stations, permanent
liquid sludge storage facilities or permanent dried sludge
stockpile areas are required to obtain an Agency permit
unless these facilities are approved in a sludge management

plan as part of a sludge generator permit.
Section 391.202 Permit Application Requirements
a) Sludge permit applications shall include, as a minimum, the
following:
1) Schedule WPC-PS-1
2) Schedule G
3) Laboratory Analysis Sheet
4) Agronomic Calculations
5) Sludge Management Plan Narrative
The sludge management plan narrative shall include, as a
minimum, the following items:
A) method of application such as liquid or dry sludge,
incorporation or surface application and the equipment
used;
B) sludge application site characteristics such as
proximity to streams, wells and groundwater, soil types,
slopes, runoff control, distance to dwellings and roads,
crops and yields;
C) contingencies such as differences in seasonal
operations, method of sludge handling or storage,
supporting calcuations for storage facility operation
during periods when sludge cannot be land applied, and
name, location and permit numbers of landfills used
during contingency periods;
D) copy of sludge user information sheet(s) containing
information outlined in Appendix G, H or I;
E) heavy metal loadings at proposed sludge application
rate.
6) If a specific utilization site has been chosen, then a letter
of acceptance by the site owner (if different than the sludge
generator) shall be included in the application for permit.
User sheets may be signed by the site owner in lieu of a
separate letter. If sites are specifically identified in a
permit application by the generator, the following minimum
information shall be submitted:
A) the location and acreage of the sludge application site
shown on a United States Geological Survey (USGS) map or
plat map (or clear reproduction of one of these maps);
B) a soil survey map with a description of the soils as
provided by a published soil survey;
C) previous and expected crop yields for crops to be grown;
D) slope of application site;
E) depth to mean annual water table;

F) soil pH and cation exchange capacity; and
G) special considerations for sludge application rates and
operating techniques for the specific site.
b) All permit renewal applications shall identify sludge application
sites and include the information required in Subsection (a)(6)
above, unless a generator provides for sludge disposal by
contract. If a generator has developed a sludge utilization
program with numerous users, the generator shall identify the 10
largest users and provide the information in Subsection (a)(6) in
the permit renewal application.
Section 391.203 Permit Requirements
a) A sludge generator is responsible for complying with the sludge
management plan set forth in its permit. If sludge is transferred
to any person who requires off-site interim storage, or is applied
by a person other than the generator, the user shall also be
responsible for its utilization in full compliance with the
generator's sludge management plan and its permit. Sludge
generators shall be responsible for informing all the sludge users
of the sludge quality and shall recommend application rates for
the user's specific needs.
b) In order to minimize odor potential and reduce pathogen organism
content, wastewater sludges must be digested or stablized prior to
application. During situations when NPDES effluent violations may
exist and no landfill is accessible, land application of partially
stabilized sludge shall be allowed when approved by Agency permit.
c) Sludge generators with sludge utilization permits from the Agency
may sell or give away quantities of liquid or dried sludge in
excess of one equivalent semi-trailer truck load, (approximately
25 cubic yards) per year to a sludge user provided the sludge user
completes and signs an information sheet. As a minimum, the
information sheet must contain the items outlined in Appendix G, H
or I of this Part. These signed sheets are to be retained by the
sludge generator (with a copy to the user) for inspection
throughout the duration of their permit and for two years
following the expiration date of the permit. Sludge records shall
include:
1) Date of sludge shipment or application;
2) Weather conditions when delivered;
3) Location of sludge destination;
4) Amount of sludge applied or delivered;
5) Analysis of sludge pursuant to generator's permit;
d) Sludge generators with sludge utilization permits from the Agency
may sell or give away quantities of liquid or dried sludge less

than or equal to one semi-trailer truck load (approximately 25
cubic yards) per year to a sludge user without keeping records of
such users as stated in (c) above. The sludge generator shall
provide an information sheet as described in Appendix G, H or I to
each sludge user.
e) Sludge generators and users that receive permits must monitor
their sludge quality, provide soil and groundwater analyses and
(when required) report to the Agency as specified in Sections
391.430, 391.440 and 391.501 or in the permit issued by the
Agency. Sludge users that receive permits shall submit monthly
reports to the Agency which shall include the following minimal
information:
1) Permit number and name of sludge generator;
2) Date of sludge transfer;
3) Volume of sludge transferred;
4) Location of application sites;
5) Most recent chemical analysis of the sludge applied;
6) Application rate and metal loading rate;
7) Method of application.
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.
SUBPART C: TRANSPORT AND STORAGE DESIGN CRITERIA
Section 391.301 Sludge Transport Design
Sludge shall be transported from the treatment plant to the application
site or storage facilities in accordance with the following criteria:
a) Liquid sludge shall be transported in a closed vessel which shall
not allow any leakage or spillage on any public road or right of
way;
b) Pipelines transporting liquid sludge shall be made of material and
joints so as to eliminate leakage or spillage;
c) Open dump trucks may be utilized for transporting dewatered sludge
(greater than 15% total solids) if equipped and operated so as to
prevent spillage or wind-blown particles. If the travel distance
exceeds 10 miles (one way), the person transporting the sludge
shall consider covering or enclosing the vehicle to prevent
spillage or wind-blown particles;
d) Sludge transfer or receiving stations shall be designed and
constructed to prevent or contain any leakage or spillage of
sludge.
Section 391.302 Sludge Storage Design
a) General
Off-site interim storage of sludge has created odors, spillage,
leachate and other environmental problems. Consequently, the
Agency discourages sludge management plans that require off-site
interim sludge storage. Where no other feasible alternative
exists, the applicant shall consider the following criteria.
b) Specific Criteria for Off-site Interim Storage of Liquid or Dried
Sludge
1) Off-site interim storage of liquid or dried sludge shall not
exceed 8 months.
2) Provide a fence to preclude livestock and warning signs
designating the nature of the facility and advising against
trespassing.
3) Reduce visibility of storage site to general public and
maximize distance between site and any habitation.
4) Use topographic features or wind breaks to take advantage of
wind effects of dispersion and/or reducing the movement of
odorants away from the source.

5) Use wind breaks to prevent wave action in lagoons.
6) Reduce exposed surface area by designing the deepest
practical and acceptable storage facility.
7) Provide mixing equipment to maximize ease of removal of
liquid sludge from the storage facility and provide a
homogeneous mixture. Such equipment should not generate
aerosols.
8) Only sludge that is stabilized so that odor production will
not occur may be placed in off-site interim storage
facilities.
9) In the event unexpected odor conditions do occur, the
responsible party managing the off-site storage facilities
shall be prepared to install and/or operate acceptable
emergency odor control measures.
10) Off-site interim storage facilities shall not be located
proximate to potable water supplies and other facilities
subject to contamination. Facilities should not be located
in areas of porous soils and fissured rock formations. If
such location is necessary the facility shall be designed and
constructed to protect groundwater and groundwater monitoring
in accordance with Section 391.440 shall be provided.
Section 391.303 Off-Site Interim Storage of Liquid Anaerobic Sludge
The Agency will not issue a permit for the off-site interim open storage of
liquid anaerobic sludge unless the applicant submits proof that the storage
facility will not cause or threaten to allow air or water pollution. In
addition to the general criteria under Section 391.302(b), the following
items shall be addressed by the applicant in the design of closed storage
facilities.
a) Closed storage facilities shall have an air breather vent pipe(s)
capped to preclude the entrance of precipitation. Minimum height
from top of vent to ground level shall be 10 feet.
b) Appropriate signs shall be posted in the immediate vicinity of the
storage facility, which as a minimum must state, "Danger - No
Smoking."
c) Closed storage facilities shall incorporate into the vent system
adsorptive devices to minimize emissions of odorants.
d) An alarm system shall be installed in the storage container vapor
space to actuate should an explosive situation be produced in the
storage facility.
e) Electrical equipment in, on or in the immediate vicinity of the
closed storage facility shall comply with the National Electric
Code requirements adopted by the National Fire Protection
Association, 1981 for Class 1, Group D, Division 1 locations. Any

forced air ventilation equipment shall be fabricated from
nonsparking material.
f) Operating personnel access shall be provided for all closed liquid
storage facilities. Self-contained oxygen-supplying equipment
shall be available for use upon entrance into such facilities.
g) Closed liquid storage facilities must be constructed with
relatively impermeable materials such as clay, concrete, synthetic
liner or equivalent.
Section 391.304 Off-Site Interim Storage of Liquid Aerobic Sludge
In addition to the general criteria under Section 391.302(b), the following
items shall be addressed by the applicant in the design.
a) The site is isolated from residential and commercial developments.
b) The storage facility must be constructed with relatively
impermeable materials such as clay, concrete, synthetic liner or
equivalent.
c) Aeration equipment is provided and maintains a measurable amount
of dissolved oxygen.
Section 391.305 Off-Site Interim Storage of Dried Sludge
Off-site interim storage of dried sludge less than 2 months are considered
temporary storage facilities and do not require an Agency permit. Off-site
interim storage of dried sludge equal to or greater than 2 months are
considered permanent storage facilities and do require an Agency permit.
In addition to the general criteria under Section 391.302(b), the following
items shall be addressed by the applicant in the design.
a) The stockpiles are contained and runoff is controlled.
b) Leachate shall be contained and provisions made to protect
groundwater.
c) The stockpiles are not subject to flooding.
d) Sludge storage is isolated from commercial and residential
developments.
SUBPART D: SLUDGE APPLICATION DESIGN CRITERIA
Section 391.401 Introduction
Sludge shall be applied to land in accordance with the following criteria,
except as approved otherwise in a specific permit issued pursuant to Ill.
Adm. Code 309.208(f).
Section 391.402 General Criteria

a) Sludge shall be applied as soon as possible after transport to the
application site, unless storage is provided in compliance with
the sludge storage criteria.
b) Sludge shall not be applied on land:
1) During precipitation;
2) Which is saturated or with ponded water.
c) It is not recommended that sludge be applied on land:
1) When precipitation is imminent;
2) Which has received greater than 1/4 inch rainfall within the
24 hour period preceding the intended application time.
d) Sludge applied to natric soils shall be incorporated.
e) Sludge shall be applied at or below the annual nitrogen or
phosphorus agronomic rate as calculated using the nutrient loading
criteria pursuant to Section 391.410 for the crops grown or the
heavy metal loading criteria pursuant to Section 391.420.
f) Unless surface application is allowed by Section 391.404(a) or
specified in a permit, sludge shall be incorporated as soon as
possible after application to prevent odor emission and runoff
potential. Sludge shall be incorporated within 48 hours or prior
to any rainfall after application whichever is more restrictive.
g) Sludge shall not be applied to sites used for growing of
commercial truck gardening fruits and vegetables that are grown
and sold for direct human consumption. For public distribution
programs, it is not recommended that sludge be applied to sites
for individual use that may grow leafy (lettuce, spinach, Swiss
chard, etc.) or root (potatoes, carrots, horseradish, etc.)
vegetables unless the following conditions are met:
1) The application rate does not exceed 10 dry tons/acre per
year;
2) The sludge does not contain more than 10 mg Cd/Kg (dry weight
basis);
3) The sludge has been aged for approximately 3 years after
digestion or stabilization;
4) All vegetables are thoroughly washed or cooked prior to
consumption;
5) Comply with Subsection 391.402 (a), (b), (c), (d), (f), (i),
(j), (k), 391.403(d) and 301.404(d) as listed herein.
h) Liquid sludge shall not be applied by spray irrigation facilities
unless specifically permitted by the Agency. Spray irrigation
operations will be considered for permits if the applicant
demonstrates the environmental acceptability of the project with
particular attention to the following items:
1) Type of sludge digestion utilized;
2) Isolation from habitation;

3) Buffer areas from application sites;
4) Water balance and storage requirements;
5) Spray irrigation equipment design and operational procedures;
6) Sludge characteristics pursuant to Subpart E in this rule;
7) Compliance with other criteria listed in this rule.
i) Wind direction and velocity, humidity and the day of the week
shall also be considered prior to sludge transport and
applications with respect to neighboring activities.
j) Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Hazardous Waste
1) Sludge containing concentrations of Polychlorinated Biphenyls
(PCBs) equal to or greater than 10 mg/kg (dry weight basis)
must be incorporated into the soil when applied to land used
for producing animal feed, including pasture crops for
animals raised for milk. Incorporation of the sludge into
the soil is not required if it is assured that the PCB
content is less than 0.2 mg/kg (actual weight) in animal feed
or less than 1.5 mg/kg (fat basis) in milk.
2) Sludge containing concentrations of PCBs equal to or greater
than 50 mg/kg (dry weight basis) shall not be land applied
and are subject to the Toxic Substances Control Act (15
U.S.C. 2601 et seq. (1982)).
3) Sludge which exhibits the characteristics of a hazardous
waste defined in 40 CFR 261.20 (1983) shall not be land
applied unless it is performed in accordance with 40 CFR 264
Subpart M (1983) and Illinois Pollution Control Board (IPCB)
rules under Title 35, Subtitle G, Chapter I. It is the
generator's responsibility to make this determination.
k) Sludge must be properly stabilized or digested to reduce odor
potential and pathogen content of the sludge prior to land
application. Acceptable methods include but are not limited to
aerobic digestion, anaerobic digestion, composting and lime
stabilization.
1) If the treatment plant sludge digestion process units are
designed and operated within the requirements set forth in
Illinois Recommended Standards for Sewage Works, the sludge
will normally be assumed to be stablized for land
application.
2) If the sludge is to be composted or lime stabilized, the
process must be designed and operated in accordance with the
definitions of composting and lime stabilization specified in
40 CFR 257 Appendix II, Section A (1983).
3) For facilities not meeting the above requirements or for
other methods not mentioned, the Agency will require that
sludge analysis and engineering data be submitted by the
applicant to prove that stabilization and pathogen kill is

obtained.
l) If the sludge is disposed of by burial on the treatment plant
grounds, the site must be designed and operated in accordance with
the regulations adopted pursuant to Title V of the Environmental
Protection Act.
Section 391.403 Application Buffer Area
a) Sludge application with immediate incorporation or injection shall
not be done closer than 20 feet from any occupied dwelling or 10
feet from the closest edge of traveled portions of a public road
or outside roadway fence lines.
b) Sludge application with no immediate incorporation shall not be
done closer than 200 feet from any occupied dwelling or 20 feet
from the closet edge of traveled portions of a primary and
secondary public roads or 10 feet from the closest edge of lesser
utilized public roads or outside roadway fence lines.
c) Sludge application by ridge and furrow shall not be done closer
than 200 feet from any occupied dwelling or the closest edge of
traveled portions of a public road or outside roadway fence lines.
d) Sludge shall not be applied on land which lies within 150 feet
from wells used to supply potable water or other potable water
supplies and 200 feet from surface waters or intermittent streams;
or within one-fourth of a mile of any potable water supply wells
located in consolidated bedrock such as limestone or sinkhole
areas unless a 50 foot depth of non-sandy or non-gravelly
unconsolidated material exists.
e) Sludge shall not be applied or discharged to streams, waterways
which are grassed or otherwise, or those flood plains having a
return frequency mor often than a 10 year frequency.
f) Sludge application by low pressure spray irrigation systems (less
than 50 psi) shall not be done closer than 200 feet from any
occupied dwelling, closest edge of traveled portion of public
road, surface waters, waterways or floodplains as measured from
the outer boundary of the spray pattern. The wind velocity shall
be less than 15 mph during spray irrigation periods.
g) Sludge application by high pressure spray irrigation systems
(greater than 50 psi) shall not be done closer than 1000 feet from
any occupied dwelling, closest edge of traveled portion of public
road, surface waters, waterways or floodplains as measured from
the outer boundary of the spray pattern. The wind velocity shall
be less than 15 mph during spray irrigation periods.
Section 391.404 Site Characteristics
a) Sludge shall not be surface applied without incorporation to farm

land having greater than 5% slope. If the slope does exceed 5%,
surface application can be used providing the annual soil loss
does not exceed 5 tons/acre as calculated by the Universal Soil
Loss Equation found in the University of Illinois Cooperative
Extension Service Circular, "Estimating your soil erosion losses
with USLE", revised May 1980 or in USDA Agricultural Handbook
#537, "Predicting Rainfall Erosion Losses", December 1978.
b) Sludge may be incorporated on lands having slopes up to eight
percent, irrespective of soil loss. If the slope exceeds eight
percent, incorporation methods may be used providing the annual
soil loss does not exceed five tons per acre as calculated by the
Universal Soil Loss Equation.
c) For sludge applied soils having the following infiltration rates
as determined by standard percolation tests or from information
contained in soil surveys, the listed minimum soil depth to the
mean annual water table shall be adhered to:
1) Greater than 2 inches/hour -- 10 feet;
2) Less than or equal to 2 inches/hour -- 5 feet.
d) Unless otherwise allowed by Section 391.450, sludge applied land
must have a background soil pH of 6.5 or greater or liming of the
land is required prior to sludge application to raise the soil pH
to a minimum of 6.5. Note that some liming techniques of the soil
do not immediately raise the soil pH. Considerable time is
usually required. Water treatment plant lime softening sludge may
be used to raise the soil pH.
e) Pasture or hay ground that has received surface applied sludge
shall not be harvested or used for livestock grazing for a period
of at least one month after sludge application or until
precipitation of sufficient duration and intensity has occurred
and washed all sludge from the area of the plant which can be
injested by an animal, whichever time period is greater.
f) Frozen ground which is not ice or snow covered and has a slope of
5% or less may be used for winter spreading providing a 200 feet
grassy area exists between the sludge applied land and any surface
water or potable water supply well.
g) In general, sludge application shall not be applied on ice or snow
covered ground. Sludge may be applied on ice or snow covered
ground during emergency situations pursuant to an Agency permit
only under the following conditions:
1) The treatment plant site does not have adequate storage
facilities or sufficient springtime application period and
the effluent may cause violations of their NPDES limits;
2) Sludge application site shall not be fall plowed by mold
board plow unless a 200 foot grassy area exists between the
application site and any swale, waterway, surface water, or

potable water supply well;
3) Slope of the application site does not exceed 5%;
4) Runoff control measures such as vegetative fence rows around
the site, contour farming, terracing, catchment basins and
buffer areas in the direction of surface runoff;
5) Site is isolated from habitation;
6) No landfill is accessible;
7) No feasible alternative is available;
8) Other alternatives will be pursued by the generator, as
appropriate.
h) Sludge amended land shall have a crop grown and harvested
according to normal agricultural practice. Normal agricultural
practices may include fallow land, set-aside programs, pasture
land or other similar agricultural uses. Application rates shall
be based upon the nitrogen or phosphorus requirements for the
crops grown taking into account the soil nutrient level determined
by soil testing.
i) Horticultural, silvicultural, nursery, sod farm, highway median or
right-of-way or other beneficial uses of sludge on land will be
reviewed on a case-by-case determination. Conformance with other
criteria contained in this Part shall be evaluated and
incorporated in a management plan by the generator or user as
appropriate for their particular case.
j) The following numbers correspond to soil type numbers identified
on soil survey maps complied by the United States Department of
Agriculture - Soil Conservation Service. These numbers identify
soils which have characteristics such as steep slopes, shallow
soil depth, saline content or a texture that may constrain their
use for sludge application projects. Additional precautions such
as incorporation, lower application rates or groundwater
monitoring may be necessary for sludge application on these types
of soils. This list may not include every soil type in the state
that may constrain a sludge application project. The descriptions
of all soil types identified on a soil survey map should be
evaluated along with field observation and verification for
determining the acceptability of certain sludge application areas.
The following soil type numbers warrant additional consideration
for determining what constraints are required for sludge
application of these soil types:
5 93 271 472 620 956
7 98 282 501 660 977
8 100 312 504 731
25 103 316 511 741
34 120 354 513 761
49 210 389 551 768

53 224 397 581 777
54 241 417 584 779
85 250 425 585 786
88 253 427 605 903
92 264 471 606 955
Section 391.405 Water Treatment Plant Sludge
a) Lime sludge shall be applied at rates calculated using soil type,
soil pH, and type of crops grown as determined using Appendix E.
b) Water treatment plant sludge, other than lime sludge, may be land
applied provided the applicant can demonstrate, through field
testing on plots of up to 1 acre in size, that the sludge applied
will not have an adverse impact on the land for agricultural
purposes.
c) Water treatment plant sludge application projects must comply with
Section 391.301; 391.302; 391.402 (a), (b), (c), (d), (f), (h),
(j); 391.403; 391.404 (a), (b), (c), (f), (g); and 391.420.
Section 391.410 Nutrient Loading
Sludge utilization permit applications must include agronomic calculations
which specify the application rates (dry tons per acre) to be utilized by
sludge users. Unless site specific information on crop yields is
available, the applicants must use the average county crop yields shown in
Appendix C in conjunction with the fertilizer requirements specified in
Appendix B. The applicant must determine whether the sludge application
site is to be used on a short term (less than 5 years) or long term
(greater than 5 years) period and calculate the necessary nitrogen or
phosphorus agronomic rate. The applicants shall use Sections 391.411,
391.412 and 391.413 for determining the nutrient loading.
Section 391.411 Nitrogen
In the short range (five years), nitrogen in the sludge is usually
considered to be the limiting factor. The maximum loading rates of sludge
applied to the land is based on the nitrogen required for growing a crop.
Projects that apply sludge in excess of the nitrogen agronomic rate must
show what additional precautions or circumstances are present to prevent
potential surface or groundwater pollution or violations of the Act. The
following figures for nitrogen availability to plants shall be utilized in
the agronomic calculations unless additional research and site specific
information is provided:
a) Ammonia Nitrogen
1) Surface application without incorporation

A) Sandy and non-sandy soil -- 50% NH availability
B) Tight clay soil -- 25% NH availability
2) Surface application with chisel plowing, disking or
equivalent
A) Sandy soil -- 50% NH availability
B) Non-sandy soil -- 80% NH availability
3) Subsurface application (injection)
A) Sandy soil -- 50% NH availability
B) Non-sandy soil -- 100% NH availability
4) Due to additional losses such as volatilization,
nitrification, denitrification, etc., no carry over of
available ammonia nitrogen is expected. The above figures
are to be used for that particular year's application rate
calculations.
b) Organic Nitrogen
Table I
Organic Nitrogen Availability for Crops
(read down for that particular year of sludge application)
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
1st 20% 10% 5% 2.5% 1.25%
Sludge 2nd 20% 10% 5% 2.5%
Application 3rd 20% 10% 5%
Year 4th 20% 10%
5th 20%
After the 5th year crop, additional organic nitrogen is not expected to be
available to the crops from the sludge which was applied more than 5 years
past.
Section 391.412 Phosphorus
a) The phosphorus content of the soil may govern loading rates for
the sludge. It is recommended that the available phosphorus
content in soils and total phosphorus in the sludge be analyzed
every 2 years.
b) After five years of sludge application the phosphorus level in the
soil shall be monitored and sludge application shall cease if the
plant available phosphorus content in the soil exceeds 400 pounds
per acre for sandy soils or 800 pounds for non-sandy soils.
Section 391.413 Potassium
Although most sludges will not contain sufficient potassium levels for
optimum nutrient loading, the potassium concentrations in sludge shall be
analyzed for the purposes of advising sludge users.

Section 391.420 Heavy Metal Loading
a) Heavy metal loading rates on sludge application projects are
limited to prevent significant increases of heavy metals in the
food chain, phytotoxicity and water pollution. Generators shall
sample their sludge for metals in accordance with Subpart E and
accordingly limit annual and total cumulative sludge application
rates.
b) Sites which have a lifetime of sludge application less than 5
years due to metal loading rates in Subsection c below shall be
identified in a permit application. The Agency shall not issue a
permit for sludge application on such sites unless the following
items are considered in the application:
1) Groundwater monitoring;
2) Soil monitoring;
3) Plant tissue sampling and analyses;
4) Additional operational controls.
c) Soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) plays a major role in enabling
the soil to retain the heavy metals contained in the sludge.
Soils having a CEC in the range from 5 to 15 meq/100gm are
acceptable for sludge utilization providing sludge application
rates do not result in heavy metals being applied to land in
excess of those amounts listed in Table II below.
TABLE II
MAXIMUM ACCEPTABLE HEAVY
METAL LOADING RATES OVER
THE LIFE OF A PROJECT SITE
(pounds per acre)
Metal Total Annual
Pb 1000 --
Mn 900 --
Zn 500 --
Cu 250 --
Ni 100 --
Cd 10 2
d) There are some areas in Illinois which have low soil CEC (less
than 5 meq/100g) and should be avoided for sludge application
whenever possible. If a sludge management plan includes sludge
application in these areas, the sludge generator or user shall
apply only half of the heavy metal loading rates set forth in
Table II.
e) Permits may be issued which allow application of double the

amounts listed in Table II providing it is demonstrated that the
soil CEC is greater than 15 meg/100g. However, an extensive soil
survey must be performed prior to and during the sludge
application period to demonstrate the consistency of high soil CEC
values at the sludge application site.
f) The Agency may request an applicant to analyze a sludge for
elements other than those in Table II and to limit sludge
application based on other elements due to potential for
groundwater or surface water pollution, phytotoxicity, mammalian
toxicity or other environmental concerns. If the Agency
determines that metals other than those in Table II should
restrict the proposed application rate, the following loading
rates shall be utilized for the land application project:
Table III
Acceptable Loading Rates
(pounds per acre)
Metal Total Annual
Antimony 700
Arsenic 100
Chromium (trivalent) 3500 89
Chromium (hexavalent) 440 44
Mercury 7
Selenium 8
Silver 178
g) If sludge concentrations of molybdenum and/or selenium exceed 4.0
mg/kg (dry weight basis) the Agency shall restrict the crops to be
grown on land receiving applications of that sludge or shall
restrict the use of crops for livestock forage as necessary to
prevent toxicity to livestock.
h) The Agency will consider allowing loading rates greater than those
specified in this Section provided the generator or user addresses
the following items:
1) Soil testing results with particular attention to plant
available metals and phosphorus;
2) Groundwater monitoring results and adjacent groundwater use;
3) Plant tissue sampling and analyses and the ultimate use of
the crop;
4) Availability of additional application sites;
5) Hydrogeology of the application site;
6) Operational constriants of the application site;
7) Ultimate use of the application site.
Section 391.430 Site Monitoring

a) For sludge application projects less than 5 years, and with sludge
generated by treatment plants receiving minimal industrial waste
load, the agronomic rate usually results in the application of
heavy metals to the soil in low amounts that should not create
problems from a water pollution, phytotoxic and food-chain
standpoint. In general, soil testing will not be required for
these types of projects.
b) For long term projects, soil testing shall be provided by the
permittee. The number of soil tests and frequency of monitoring
will be dependent upon the quality of the sludge, sludge
application rate and continuity of soil types of the sludge
application site. If more than 100 dry tons per acre of sludge
are applied over the life of the site, the permittee shall perform
a complete soils analysis for that particular site. The soils
shall be tested for parameters including, but not limited to, CEC,
heavy metals (total and/or plant available), pH, plant available
phosphorus, organic carbon content, soluble salts by electrical
conductivity. The collection of soil samples shall be performed
in accordance with Section 391.510.
c) Except as provided in Section 391.430(a), analysis of the soil
prior to any sludge application will also be required for
determining background levels. Hydrogeologic data shall be
required for specific sites including sites with unidentified
hydrogeologic conditions.
d) The information required in Sections 391.430(b) and (c) shall be
required for projects with a sludge application rate greater than
the nitrogen agronomic rate.
Section 391.440 Additional Precautions
a) If the requirements of Subpart D cannot be met, additional
environmental precautions such as groundwater monitoring, soil
analyses, plant tissue sampling and analysis shall be included as
permit conditions as necessary to assure compliance with the
Environmental Protection Act and 35 Ill. Adm. Code, Subtitle C,
Subchapter l.
b) If groundwater monitoring is required, a minimum of 3 saturated
zone groundwater monitoring wells (1 upgradient and 2
downgradient) shall be provided at each land application site.
Additional wells may be required depending upon the size of the
site, hydrogeology, direction of groundwater movement, sludge
quality and other considerations.
1) The design, construction and operation of the groundwater
monitoring system shall be done in accordance with the
regulations adopted pursuant to Title V of the Act and

policies of the Division of Land Pollution Control.
2) The location of groundwater monitoring wells is site specific
and the hydrogeology of the particular site shall be
considered in the design.
3) The wells must be sampled monthly and analyzed for parameters
including, but not limited to, nitrates, electrical
conductivity, chlorides, pH, hardness and heavy metals.
c) Yearly plant tissue sampling and analysis may also be required to
determine the uptake characteristics and heavy metal
concentrations of the plant tissue and grain. Plant tissue
sampling and analyses shall be the responsibility of the generator
and of those utilizing the sludge.
d) The plant tissue monitoring and groundwater monitoring results of
Subsections b and c will be reviewed by the Agency to determine
future controls and frequency of monitoring.
Section 391.450 Land Reclamation Projects
a) Land reclamation projects are acceptable alternatives for sludge
application and disposal and require an Agency permit.
Reclamation would involve the retoration or improvement of land
conditions to the point where vegetation can be sustained. In
most cases, the application rate of sludge is much greater than
agronomic application rates. The applicant's design of
reclamation projects and site conditions must be comprehensive and
sufficiently detailed to comply with provisions of the Act and
this part.
b) The applicant shall include the following items in a permit
application:
1) The applicant shall state the name(s) and addresses of the
owner(s) of the site and the operator(s) of the site.
2) The applicant shall describe the site conditions including:
A) Hydrogeology;
B) Groundwater quality;
C) Soil characteristics;
D) Topography;
E) Drainage patterns;
F) Mine refuse piles.
3) The applicant shall describe the method of site preparation
including an evaluation of the following alternatives:
A) Grading;
B) Diking;
C) Terraces;
D) Sediment traps;
E) Run-on control;

F) Run-off and erosion control;
G) Stream relocation.
4) The applicant shall describe the methods for transportation
and storage included in the design in accordance with Subpart
C.
5) The applicant shall specify the distance to habitation and
potable water supplies.
6) The applicant shall specify the sludge application criteria
including:
A) Application rate;
B) Equipment;
C) Methods;
D) Nutrient and heavy metal loadings;
E) Buffer areas in accordance with Section 391.403.
7) The applicant shall specify procedures for site operation and
maintenance including:
A) Vegetation or crop grown and its ultimate use;
B) Existing ponded site water disposal or reuse;
C) Adjustment of soil and sludge mixture pH;
D) Monitoring networks;
i) Soil,
ii) Groundwater,
iii) Plant tissue.
8) The applicant shall describe its proposed recordkeeping
procedures.
9) The applicant shall determine whether its proposed project
complies with federal and state mining laws.
c) The permittee shall file an annual operating report with the
Agency and shall make such other reports as required in their
permit. The annual report shall include as a minimum the
following information:
1) Dates of sludge application;
2) Amount of sludge applied;
3) Crops grown and their ultimate use;
4) Sludge source and analyses;
5) Groundwater monitoring results;
6) Soil monitoring results;
7) Plant tissue monitoring results;
8) Precipitation events and dates;
9) Specific operating constraints.
SUBPART E: SAMPLE COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Section 391.501 Sludge Sampling and Analysis

a) Permit applications, except water treatment plant sludge
application projects, shall provide analyses for the following
parameters;
1) % total solids, % volatile solids, pH, volatile acids (if
anaerobic digestion is used);
2) Total Kjeldahl nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium;
3) Cadmium, copper, lead, manganese, nickel and zinc.
b) All analyses for Subsections (a) (2) and (3) above must be
reported in mg/kg (dry weight basis).
c) Wastewater treatment plants whose design population equivalents
are less than 1000, which have sanitary sewers not subject to
large inflow sources and do not receive any industrial process
wastewater may request an exemption from analyzing the metals
under Subsection 391.501 (a) (3) except for cadmium which must
always be analyzed. These generators shall periodically analyze
their sludge used for land application and make the necessary
calculations for nutrient and heavy metal loadings in accordance
with the following schedule:
Design Population Equivalents Frequency of Sludge Analysis
greater than 100,000 Monthly
10,000 - 100,000 Quarterly
1000-9999 Semi-annual
less than 1000 Annual
1) If a treatment plant sludge application project is limited by
heavy metal loading more frequent sludge analysis shall be
required by the Agency as necessary to assure compliance with
the Act and 35 Ill. Adm. Code, Subtitle C, Subchapter l.
2) If sludge analyses show only minor deviations in sludge
quality, the applicant may request a less frequent sludge
sampling and analysis program or compositing of samples with
less frequent analyses of samples.
d) Water treatment plant sludge permit applications shall provide
analyses for the following parameters;
1) % total solids, pH, % calcium carbonate equivalent;
2) Arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium (hexavalent), chromium
(total), copper, mercury, nickel, selenium, silver and zinc;
3) The Agency shall request an applicant to analyze water
treatment plant sludge for additional parameters and limit
sludge application rates based on these other parameters as
necessary to prevent groundwater or surface water pollution,
phytotoxicity, mammalian toxicity or other environmental

concerns.
4) If raw water or sludge analyses show only negligible amounts
of metals listed in (d)(2) above, the applicant may request
less parameters to be analyzed.
e) All analyses for Subsection (d)(2) above must be reported in mg/kg
(dry weight basis).
f) Water treatment plants shall analyze their sludge on an annual
basis. For facilities that have on-site storage lagoons, analyses
shall be performed at the time of lagoon cleanout.
Section 391.502 Collection of Sludge Samples
Collect samples during dry periods, and not sooner than 48 hours after the
last precipitation. Do not collect samples during freezing periods or
sooner than 48 hours after a thaw. Collect samples as follows:
a) Dried sludge: Collect 100 grams of dried material or a core
sample (whichever is greater) from each of 6 locations which
include the perimeter and inner portions of the drying bed or
lagoon, then composite these samples. For mechnical dewatering
facilities, collect 100 grams, 6-8 times at hourly intervals
during a normal day's operating period and composite these
samples.
b) Liquid sludge outside digester: At each of 6 locations equally
spaced along the perimeter of the storage area collect a core
sample representing the top, middle, and bottom. Composite the 6
samples and preserve according to USEPA procedures specified in
"The Handbook for Sampling and Sample Preservation for Water and
Wastewater," September 1982. Analyses are to be carried out on
properly preserved samples within the times specified.
c) Digester Contents: If analyses are required on a quarterly or
more frequent interval, samples for heavy metal analyses are to be
collected weekly and composited. If analyses are required on a
semi-annual interval, three two-month composites are required each
6 months. If analyses are required on an annual interval, three
two-month composites are required; the first composite must be
collected in the first 6 month interval. One quart of each
composited sample, preserved according to USEPA procedures
described in subsection (b) above, shall be collected for the
analyses.
d) Sample collection for all nitrogen analyses should be done
immediately before analysis and preserved according to USEPA
procedures described in subsection (b) above for water and sewage
sludge samples. Long-term composites are not acceptable.
Section 391.503 Analyses of Sludge Samples

a) It is recommended that the following parameters be analyzed
according to the referenced sections in Standard Methods for
Examination of Water and Wastewater (14th ed), or as approved in
40 CFR 136. Other analyses or methodologies are acceptable
provided equivalent results are obtainable. The permittee or
applicant shall demonstrate that equivalent results are obtainable
based on the nature of the test methodology, the nature of the
parameter and the level of statistical accuracy.
1) Ammonia nitrogen, Part 418(D)
2) Total Kjeldahl nitrogen, Part 421 (Macro-Kjeldahl Method in
15th Edition)
3) pH, part 424, glass electrode method
4) Volatile acids (total organic acids), Part 504-A,
chromatographic method
5) % total solids, Part 208-G, "Procedure", Subpart 3.a.l.
"Total Residue"
6) % volatile solids, Part 224-G, "Procedure", Subpart 3.a.2.
"Volatile Residue"
7) Phosphorus (total), Part 425-C
8) Potassium (total), Part 317-B
b) Heavy Metals
1) Metals Other Than Mercury
A) Homogenize wet sludge sample in blender, ultrasonic
homogenizer, or other suitable device.
B) An aliquot of homogenized sludge suitable to provide
5-10 grams of dry material is dried at 103
C for 48
hours.
C) Accurately weigh about 1 gram of dry sludge to the
nearest 0.1 mg and place in a "Tallform" beaker
containing 20 ml of reagent grade nitric acid.
D) Place a watch glass over the mouth of the beaker, and
warm the mixture on a hot plate, allowing the acid to
gently reflux off the watch glass.
E) Reflux the mixture until a clear solution is obtained
(45-50 minutes). Sand and other non-digestible material
present in the sample will settle out.
F) Using quantitative technique, filter the cooled,
digested sample, and make the filtrate up to 100.0 ml in
a volumetric flask.
G) Analyze according to USEPA procedures specified in
"Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Waste,"
March 1979.
H) Repeat steps (C) through (G) on two additional 1 gram
samples. It is the intent that triplicate analysis be

performed.
I) Report all results.
2) Mercury: Tentative procedure
Analyze three separate portions according to USEPA procedure
"Mercury in Sediment".
Section 391.510 Collection of Soil Samples
Soil sample collection shall be conducted so as to be representative of the
entire sludge application site.
a) Soil Plow Zone - one soil sample shall be collected per 8 acres of
sludge application site area to a depth of 12 inches. Each soil
sample shall be taken a homogeneous mixture composed of at least
10 subsamples randomly collected within the 8 acre area.
b) Soil Profiles - one soil core sample per 8 acres of land
application site shall be obtained to a depth of 5 feet using a
soil tube or soil auger type implement. Soil cores shall be
divided into 5 - one foot subsamples and each subsample shall be
analyzed separately.
c) Soil sample collection pursuant to Subsections (a) and (b) may be
modified by the Agency upon request by the applicant after
considering the quality of the sludge, sludge application rate and
continuity of soil types of the sludge application site.
Section 391.511 Analyses of Soil Samples
If the Agency requires soil sampling and analysis pursuant to Section
391.430, the method of analysis shall be performed in accordance with the
following references unless equivalent results can be obtained by other
methods. The permittee or applicant shall demonstrate that equivalent
results are obtainable based on the nature of the test methodology, the
nature of the parameter and the level of statistical accuracy.
a) Physical Testing Methods
1) Annual book of ASTM standards (1979), Part 19, American
Society for Testing and Materials, 1916 Race Street,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103; or
2) Methods of Soil Analysis - Part 1 (1965), Physical and
Mineralogical Properties, Agronomy Series No. 9, C. A. Black
(editor), American Society of Agronomy, Inc. (Publisher), 677
South Segoe Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53711.
b) Chemical Testing Methods
Methods of Soil Analysis - Part 2 (1982) 2nd edition, Chemical and
Microbiological Properties, Agronomy Series No. 9, A. L. Page
(editor), American Society of Agronomy, Inc. (Publisher).

Section 391.520 Groundwater Sampling and Analyses
a) Groundwater samples shall be collected by one of the following
methods:
1) Peristaltic pumps;
2) Submersible diaphragm pumps;
3) Bailing method using stainless steel or PVC materials;
b) Air lift or nitrogen lift pumping equipment shall not be used.
c) Groundwater samples shall be filtered at the time of collection
using a 0.45 micron filter or equivalent, however laboratory
filtration is acceptable provided it is performed within 15
minutes from the time of collection. Groundwater samples shall be
preserved and analyzed in accordance with Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and Wastewater (14th edition).
Section 391.530 Plant Tissue Sampling and Analyses
a) Plant tissue monitoring programs are sensitive to the care and
standard techniques used in the sample collection, handling and
analysis. This section presents recommended guidelines intended
to minimize error in a plant tissue monitoring program. It is
recommended that a professional agronomist or crop scientist be
consulted when developing such a program.
b) Plant tissue sampling should include as many samples as possible.
The same part of each plant should be sampled and samples should
not include dead tissue. Usually it is adequate to sample only
the portion of the plant that will be harvested. Collection of
samples is not recommended when plants are under severe moisture
or temperature stress. Leaf analysis for grain crops should be
done on samples collected prior to pollination, especially if
macro- and/or micro-nutrients will be analyzed.
c) Sample should be washed in a 0.1 to 0.3% detergent solution
followed by 2 or 3 rinsings in deionized water. Washing should be
performed quickly to avoid leaching water soluble constituents.
Most household detergents are suitable for washing plant tissues.
d) Plant tissue samples should be dried as rapidly as possible after
collection. Place the tissue samples in a clean muslin bag or
tray and place inside a forced - draft oven at 65
C for 48 hours.
e) Plant tissues samples are normally ground after drying.
Mechanical grinding mills are preferred and careful consideration
should be given to sample contamination especially when
micro-nutrient elements are to be determined. The recommended
technique is to grind the sample to about 200 mesh in an all-agate
mechanical ball mill. After grinding place the powdered plant
tissue sample in a clean bottle and dry for an additional 24 hours

at 65
C to remove moisture picked up during grinding.
f) After grinding and the second drying, a subsample can be weighed
for analysis or the bottle sealed and stored under refrigerated
conditions until the analysis can be performed.
g) It is recommended that samples be stored in sealed polyethylene
bags in a refrigerator at -5
C until they can be washed and
dried. Dried and ground plant tissue samples should not be stored
on the shelf longer than 60 days prior to analysis. However,
dried and ground samples can be stored indefinitely in a
sterilized, sealed bottle in a refrigerator at -5 C.
h) There are numerous methods available for the analysis of plant
tissue samples. Most procedures involve wet or dry ashing or the
use of an extraction procedure followed by element analysis
typically by atomic absorption, flame emission, or direct-reading
emission spectroscopy. Wet ashing by the use of nitric and/or
sulfuric acid is preferred to dry ashing in an oven to minimize
volatile losses of metals. Boron can be determined only by dry
ashing become because this element is volatilized during wet
ashing.
i) For further information on this subject the Agency suggests the
following reference: Soil Testing and Plant Analysis, Revised
Edition, (1973). Edited by Leo M. Walsh and James D. Beaton, Soil
Science Society of American, Inc., 677 South Segoe Road, Madison,
Wisconsin 53711.
Section 391.APPENDIX A Applicable Board Rules From 35 Ill. Adm.
Code: Subtitle C, Chapter I
Editor's Note: Appendix A is comprised of selected quotes from 35 Ill.
Adm. Code 309.155 and 309.208.
Section 309.155 Terms and Conditions of NPDES Permits Concerning Sewage
Sludge Disposal
In establishing the terms and conditions of each issued NPDES
permit, the Agency shall apply and ensure compliance with
applicable regulations promulgated under Section 405 of the CWA
governing the disposal of sewage sludge from treatment works.
Section 309.208 Permits for Sites Receiving Sludge for Land Application
a) A construction and an operating permit are required under this
Chapter for any site receiving sludge for land application unless:
1) The site receives only livestock wastes; or
2) The site receives only tank sludges generated from domestic
sources; or
3) The site is regulated under Parts 700 et seq. of the Board's
regulations; or
4) The site is specifically identified in an approved sludge

management scheme of an operating or NPDES permit issued by
the Agency and receives sludge exclusively from the
permittee; or
5) All of the following conditions are satisfied:
A) The site is not specifically identified in an NPDES or
operating permit of any treatment works or pretreatment
works but receives sludge from a treatment works or
pretreatment works which has a valid operating permit
issued by the Agency, or an NPDES permit with a sludge
management scheme approved by the Agency. The sludge
generator shall inform the user that this requirement
has been met; and
B) The sludge user applies the sludge to less than 121 ha
(300 acres) under common ownership or control in any
year; and
C) The sludge is transported, stored and applied by the
user in compliance with the approved sludge management
scheme of the generator from which the user receives the
sludge. Any person who intends to transport, store or
apply sludge in any manner other than that described in
the approved sludge management scheme must apply for a
permit.
b) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (1) through (5) of paragraph (a),
the Agency may require a user receiving sludge for land
application to obtain a permit under this Section when the Agency
determines that special circumstances exist such that a permit is
required to protect the environment or the public health. In
making its determination, the Agency shall consider the following
factors:
1) Where the sludge will be stored;
2) The proposed rate and method of application of the sludge to
the receiving site;
3) The quality (constituents and concentrations) of the sludge
to be applied to the receiving site; and
4) The geological and hydrological characteristics of the
receiving site, including proximity to waters of the state.
c) No permit may be required under Subsection (b) for a user
receiving sludge for land application unless the owner or operator
is notified in writing of the requirement to apply for a permit.
That notification shall include a statement of the special
circumstances requiring the site to be permitted. The requirement
of a permit is reviewable only in a permit appeal proceeding.
d) Generators and haulers of municipal water or wastewater treatment
plant sludge, which is to be applied to land and which is
regulated under this Chapter, need not obtain a special waste

hauling permit or prepare, carry and complete a manifest under
Part 706 of the Board's Special Waste Hauling regulations.
e) The Agency may establish the revise criteria in accordance with
Rule 309.262 of this Chapter for the design, operation, and
maintenance of facilities regulated under this Rule.
f) For purposes of permit issuance and approval of a sludge
management scheme, proof of conformity with Agency criteria shall
be prima facie evidence of no violation of the Act or this
Chapter. However, nonconformity with Agency criteria shall not be
grounds for permit denial, or for failure to approve a sludge
management scheme, if the applicant submits adequate information
showing that the sludge will be stored, transported and applied so
as not to cause a violation of the Act or this Chapter.
Section 391.APPENDIX B Fertilizer Requirements for Illinois Crops
The Agency in reviewing a permit application for a sludge project will
consider any recognized source of fertility recommendations for Illinois
crops, and soils. However, Table IV was prepared for the convenience of
persons planning a sludge project who do not wish to consult other
information sources with regard to fertilizer requirements for Illinois
crops. Table IV is general in nature and may not reflect an optimum
recommendation for all areas or soil types of this state, rather the
recommendation reflects the maximum rate of application consistent with
current research. With respect to nutrients, the available nitrogen rate
will dominate as the maximum permissible application rate. Note that with
most sludges and crops if the available nitrogen crop demand is met by
applying sludge as the only fertilizer, the phosphorus (P) applied with
often exceed the plant requirements. Therefore, in order to make the best
use of sludge resources, the P rate should be followed. However, it is
environmentally acceptable to apply at the nitrogen rate if other factors
so dictate. In order to obtain more accurate recommendations for
fertilizer requirements, soil testing should be done.
TABLE IV
Fertilizer Requirements for Illinois Crops
(pounds of nutrient)
Crop Avail- P P(2)0(5) K K(2)0
Table N
Corn
for
grain 1.3/bu. .24/bu. .55/bu. 0.23/bu. .28/bu.
Corn
silage 7.5/T 1.4/T 3.1/T 7.9/T 9.4/T

Wheat
(1) 2.3/bu. 0.3/bu. 0.68/bu. 1.7/bu. 2.0/bu.
Oats (1) 1.1/bu. 0.17/bu. 0.40/bu. 1.2/bu. 1.5/bu.
Barley
(1) 1.5/bu. 0.24/bu. 0.55/bu. 0.83/bu. 1.0/bu.
Rye (1) 2.2/bu. 0.15/bu. 0.69/bu. 0.75/bu. 1.8/bu.
Sorghum
for 2.0/100 0.33/100 0.75/100 0.31/100 0.38/100
grain lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs.
Grain
sorghum
for
silage 7.5/T 1.4/T 3.1/T 7.9/T 9.4/T
Tall
fescue
(3) 39/T 8.1/T 19/T 44/T 53/T
Brome-
grass
(3) 33/T 5.7/T 13/T 42/T 51/T
Sorghum
-Sudan
(3) 40/T 6.7/T 15/G 49/T 59/T
Orchard
Grass
(3) 50/T 7.2/T 17/T 52/T 63/T
Timothy
(3) 38/T 6.0/T 14/T 52/T 63/T
Reed
Canary
Grass
(3) 55/T 5.4/T 13/T 42/T 50/T
Alfalfa
(3) (2) 4.4/T 10/T 50/T 60/T
Clovers
(3) (2) 6.5/T 15/T 50/T 60/T
Soybeans (2) 0.47/bu. 1.1/bu. 2.0/bu. 2.4/bu.
(1) If straw is harvested.
(2) Legumes can obtain most of their nitrogen requirements from the air
and are normally not fertilized with nitrogen. However, if included in a
crop rotation with nitrogen using crops they will use the available
nitrogen in the soil and not fix nitrogen from the air. Therefore, it can
be assumed that they will remove as much nitrogen as corn for grain would
remove in the same rotation.
(3) Forage crops may become toxic to livestock if high concentrations of
molybdenum or selenium are present in the sludge. Refer to Section

391.420(g) for guidance.
If specific crop yield information is unavailable, consult the Illinois
Agriculture Statistics Annual Summary for the current year or utilize the
values shown in Appendix C. This publication is available from the
Illinois Cooperative Crop Reporting Service, Post Office Box 429,
Springfield, Illinois 62705. If a specific crop which you want to use in
not listed in this reference contact the University of Illinois Cooperative
Extension Service in your county for average yields of that crop.
Section 391.APPENDIX C Average County Crop Yields
(1978 - 1981)
COUNTY CORN WHEAT SOYBEANS HAY (dry)
Adams 105 45 34 2.9
Alexander 86 37 28 2.0
Bond 92 45 30 2.9
Boone 121 50 38 3.7
Brown 113 42 32 2.8
Bureau 123 51 41 3.5
Calhoun 101 44 33 3.2
Carroll 121 45 38 3.8
Cass 120 41 37 3.1
Champaign 123 54 38 3.3
Christian 125 49 39 2.9
Clark 111 43 36 2.7
Clay 83 40 28 2.2
Clinton 88 43 30 3.4
Coles 119 47 39 3.1
Cook 103 45 31 2.9
Crawford 105 42 33 2.4
Cumberland 109 45 35 2.5
DeKalb 132 53 40 3.6
DeWitt 115 48 38 3.2
Douglas 116 52 40 3.2
DuPage 114 47 35 2.9
Edgar 115 50 38 2.9
Edwards 91 43 30 2.0
Effingham 106 48 33 2.6
Fayette 93 44 29 2.5
Ford 108 46 37 3.3
Franklin 72 40 23 2.2
Fulton 107 41 36 2.9

Gallatin 91 42 29 2.1
Greene 105 48 37 3.2
Grundy 116 43 37 3.3
Hamilton 77 43 25 2.1
Hancock 116 43 36 2.9
Hardin 70 37 25 2.0
Henderson 125 41 38 3.3
Henry 123 49 41 3.7
Iroquois 109 50 36 3.6
COUNTY CORN WHEAT SOYBEANS HAY (dry)
Jackson 78 38 28 2.5
Jasper 106 45 34 2.6
Jefferson 79 41 25 2.1
Jersey 107 49 34 3.1
Jo Daviess 115 49 37 3.7
Johnson 76 36 23 2.0
Kane 128 53 39 3.4
Kankakee 112 47 37 3.1
Kendall 119 48 37 3.2
Knox 120 44 42 3.4
Lake 101 43 31 3.2
LaSalle 123 48 40 3.5
Lawrence 94 42 32 2.3
Lee 125 51 39 3.7
Livingston 114 47 38 3.5
Logan 114 49 39 3.2
McDonough 121 44 40 3.2
McHenry 118 49 36 3.5
McLean 119 50 40 3.4
Macon 125 53 39 3.2
Macoupin 114 51 35 3.0
Madison 105 46 34 3.0
Marion 85 43 29 2.3
Marshall 113 43 39 3.4
Mason 101 41 36 2.9
Massac 80 37 25 2.0
Menard 117 46 40 3.2
Mercer 123 50 41 3.5
Monroe 100 47 34 3.2
Montgomery 117 49 35 2.9
Morgan 129 51 41 3.2
Moultrie 128 52 40 3.2
Ogle 122 51 40 3.8
Peoria 113 46 39 3.2

Perry 75 39 28 2.5
Piatt 123 54 39 3.2
Pike 104 44 34 3.1
Pope 71 36 24 1.9
Pulaski 81 39 28 2.2
Putnam 116 44 40 3.4
Randolph 85 41 31 2.9
Richland 92 43 30 2.3
Rock Island 121 46 39 3.6
St. Clair 101 49 34 2.9
Saline 75 40 24 2.1
Sangamon 128 50 41 3.2
Schuyler 106 42 34 2.8
Scott 114 46 36 3.2
Shelby 118 49 36 3.0
Stark 123 47 42 3.3
Stephenson 118 50 38 3.9
COUNTY CORN WHEAT SOYBEANS HAY (dry)
Tazewell 114 46 40 3.3
Union 82 38 27 2.1
Vermilion 118 50 37 3.2
Wabash 96 42 31 2.1
Warren 128 44 42 3.2
Washington 83 45 29 2.9
Wayne 83 40 26 1.9
White 83 43 27 2.2
Whiteside 122 48 40 3.8
Will 108 49 34 3.2
Williamson 71 37 23 2.1
Winnebago 116 47 36 3.7
Woodford 118 45 41 3.3
Illinois (State) 115 45 36 3.1
Note that all crop yields are expressed in bushels per acre except for hay
which is expressed in tons/acre.
Section 391.APPENDIX D Sample Calculations of Sewage Sludge Application
Rates
I. Units and Conversions
Laboratory analyses are reported on either a wet weight
("as-received") basis or on a dry weight basis. The units for a

wet weight basis are millgrams per liter (mg/l - weight per
volume). The units for a dry weight basis are milligrams per
kilogram of solids (mg/kg - weight per weight).
Sludge represents a material in which most of the solid matter is
undissolved and the dissolved fraction is of minor importance. It
is generally simpler to perform sludge calculations by using dry
weight units. Furthermore, some calculations must ultimately be
expressed in dry weight units to be correct. For these reasons
all the sample calculations are worked on a dry weight basis.
However, since may laboratories report results on a wet weight
basis, conversion relationships are provided below. Be aware that
some laboratories report results in mg/kg on an "as-received"
basis. You should consult the laboratory to confirm this and then
convert the units to a dry weight basis. Finally, note that the
specific gravity of liquid and most dry sludges can be assumed to
be 1.0 (equal to water) and sufficient accuracy in the
calculations will be obtained.
A) The decimal equivalent (DE) of the percent total solids equals the
percentage divided by 100.
% TS = DE of Total Solids
100
Example: 5% TS>> = 0.05 DE
100
B) Wet Weight to Dry Weight Basis
mg/1 = mg/kg (dry wt. basis)
DE
Example: 1.5 mg/l Cadmium = 30 mg/kg Cadmium (dwb)
0.05 DE
C) Dry Weight to Wet Weight Basis
(mg/kg) x (DE) = mg/l (wet wt. basis)
Example: (30,000 mg/kg TKN) x (0.05) = 1500 mg/1 TKN (wwb)
D) Other useful conversions
1) ppm (wet) x 100 = ppm (dry)
%TS
2) ppm x 0.002 = 1b/ton
3) 10,000 ppm (or mg/l or mg/kg) = 1%
4) 1 acre = 43,560 square feet
5) (dry tons sludge) x 100 = wet tons sludge
%TS
6) Wet tons>> x 2000>> = gallons/acre
acre 8.345

7) 1 cubic yard of drying bed sludge is approximately equal to
0.45 dry tons.
8) 1 mg/kg = 0.002 lb/ton
II. Assumptions for Sludge Calculations
A) Sludge will be surface applied with incorporation by disking
or chisel plowing.
B) Soils are non-sandy at the application sites.
C) The sludge has been well stabilized by heat anaerobic
digestion.
D) Laboratory analysis of sludge (dwb):
5% TS
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) = 30,000 mg/kg
Ammonia Nitrogen = 10,000 mg/kg
Phosphorus = 8,000 mg/kg
Potassium = 3,500 mg/kg
Cadmium = 30 mg/kg
Copper = 2000 mg/kg
Manganese = 1000 mg/kg
Nickel = 400 mg/kg
Lead = 1000 mg/kg
Zinc = 4000 mg/kg
E) Corn for grain is grown and the average yield is 110 bushels
per acre per year.
III. Calculating Agronomic Nitrogen Application Rates of Sludge
A) Determine the availability of nitrogen forms by referring to
Section 391.411.
1) Ammonia nitrogen plant availability is 80%.
2) Organic nitrogen plant availability is 20% for the first
year and decreases as shown in Table I.
B) First Year Application Rate
1) Organic nitrogen is not a laboratory test. It is a
calculated value as shown below.
Organic N = Total Kjeldahl N - Ammonia N
Organic N = 30,000 - 10,000 = 20,000 mg/kg
2) Calculate the plant available nitrogen (PAN) in the
sludge as follows:
Ammonia Nitrogen: 10,000 x 0.8 = 8,000 mg/kg
Organic Nitrogen: 20,000 x 0.2 = 4,000 mg/kg
PAN = 8,000 + 4,000 = 12,000 mg/kg
(12,000 mg/kg PAN) x (0.002) = 24 1b PAN
dry ton
sludge
This means that each dry ton of sludge solids will have
24 pounds of nitrogen available for utilization by
plants when the sludge has been disked into the soil.

Note that if the sludge has been injected into the soil
there would have been 28 pounds of plant available
nitrogen provided. If the sludge had been surface
applied without incorporation there would have been only
18 pounds of plant available nitrogen provided.
3) Calculate the agronomic nitrogen requirement for the
corn grain crop using the yield and the values from
Appendix B - Table IV:
110 bushels x 1.3 lb. PAN = 143 lb. PAN
acre bushel acre
This means that each acre of corn with the stated yield
requires 143 pounds of plant available nitrogen for
proper growth.
4) Calculate the sludge application rate needed to provide
the required plant available nitrogen.
143= 5.96 dry tons sludge
24 acre
5) For convenience during the actual sludge application it
is usually helpful to convert the application rate into
gallons per acre.
5.96 d T x 2000 x 1 = 28,570 gallons
acre 8.345 0.05 DE acre
C) Second Year Application Rate
1) To simplify your calculations, assume that the
laboratory analysis remains the same as used for the
first year application rate calculations. However, note
that nutrients and metal concentrations in sludge will
vary, often considerably.
2) Determine the amount of organic nitrogen (O.N.) applied
during the first year that is remaining for plant uptake
during the second year by using Table I values and the
first year application of organic nitrogen.
(20,000 mg/kg 0.N.) x (0.20) =4,000 mg/kg
O.N. use up
first year
20,000 - 4,000 = 16,000mg/kg Organic N
remains for
second
year use
(16,000 mg/kg) x (10%) =1600 mg/kg O.N.
available
during second
year
lb Organic N
(16,000 mg/kg) x (0.002) = 3.2 available

dry ton
sludge
This Represents:
3.2 lb. x 5.96 dT = 19 lb. PAN
dT acre acre
Therefore, the second year crop will need:
143 - 19 = 124 lb. PAN of additional
acre nitrogen is needed.
3) Calculate the second year sludge application rate.
124>> = 5.17 dry tons sludge
24 acre
5.17 dT x 2000 x 1 = 24,780 gallons
acre 8.345 0.05 DE acre
D) Third year application rate
1) In the third year some organic nitrogen applied during
the first and second years will become available for
plant utilization ; 5% and 10% respectively from Table
I.
2) Determine the amount of organic nitrogen applied during
previous years that is available to plants during the
third year.
a) From the first year application:
(16,000 mg/kg O.N.) x (0.10) = 1600 mg/kg
O.N. used
the second
year
16,000 - 1600 = 14,400 mg/kg O.N. remaining from
the first year sludge application.
(14,400 mg/kg O.N.) x (5%) = 720 mg/kg O.N. is
available during the third year.
This represents:
(720 mg/kg) x (0.002) x (5.96dT) =8.58 lb. O.N.
acre acre
b) From the second year application:
(20,000 mg/kg O.N.) x (0.20) = 4,000 mg/kg O.N.
used
20,000 - 4,000 = 16,000 mg/kg O.N. remains
(16,000 mg/kg) x (0.10) = 1600 mg/kg O.N.
available
(1600 mg/kg) x (0.002) = 3.2lb. O.N. available
dry ton
3.2 lb O.N. x 5.17 dT = 16.5 lb. O.N. available.
dT acre acre
c) Sum the available organic nitrogen from previous years
application of sludge and subtract that sum from the

crop nitrogen requirements.
143 - (8.58 + 16.5) = 118 lb. PAN of
acre
additional nitrogen is needed.
d) Calculate the third year application rate.
118 = 4.92 dry tons sludge
24 acre
4.92 dT x 2000 x 1 = 23,580 gallons
acre 8.345 0.05 DE acre
E) Fourth year application rate
1) In the fourth year some organic nitrogen applied during
the previous three years will become available for plant
utilization; 2.5%, 5%, and 10% respectively from Table
I.
2) Determine the amount of organic nitrogen applied during
previous years that is available to plants during the
fourth year.
a) From the first year application:
(14,400 mg/kg O.N.) x (0.05) = 720 mg/kg used
during the third year.
14,400 - 720 = 13,680 mg/kg O.N. remaining
(13,680 mg/kg) x (2.5%) = 342 mg/kg O.N. available
(342 mg/kg) x (0.002) x (5.96 dT) =
acre
4 lb. O.N. available
acre
b) From the second year application:
(16,000 mg/kg O.N.) x (0.10) = 1600 mg/kg O.N.
used
16,000 - 1600 = 14,400 mg/kg O.N. remains
(14,400 mg/kg) x (0.05) = 720 mg/kg O.N. available
(720 mg/kg) x (0.002) x (5.17 dT) =
acre
7.4 lb. O.N. available
acre
c) From the third year application:
(20,000 mg/kg O.N.) x (0.20) = 4,000 mg/kg O.N.
used
20,000 - 4,000 = 16,000 mg/kg O.N. remains
(16,000 mg/kg) x (0.10) = 1600 mg/kg O.N.
available
(1600 mg/kg) x (0.002) x (4.92 dT) =
acre
15.7 lb. O.N. available
acre

d) Sum the available organic nitrogen from previous
years application of sludge and subtract that sum
from the crop nitrogen requirements.
143 - (4 + 7.4 + 15.7) = 116 lb. PAN of
acre
additional nitrogen is needed.
e) Calculate the fourth year application rate.
116 = 4.83 dry tons sludge
24 acre
4.83 dT x 2000 x 1 = 23,150 gallons
acre 8.345 0.05 DE acre
F. Fifth year application rate
1) In the fifth year some of the organic nitrogen applied
during the previous four years will become available for
plant utilization; 1.25%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10% respectively
from Table I.
2) Determine the amount of organic nitrogen applied during
previous years that is available to plants during the
fifth year.
a) From the first year application:
(13,680 mg/kg) x (0.025) = 342 mg/kg used during
the fourth year.
13,680 - 342 = 13,338 mg/kg O.N. remaining
(13,338 mg/kg) x (0.0125) = 167 mg/kg O.N.
available
(167 mg/kg) x (0.002) x (5.96 dT) =
acre
2 lb. O.N. available
acre
b) From the second year application:
(14,400 mg/kg) x (0.05) = 720 mg/kg O.N. used
14,400 - 720 = 13,680 mg/kg O.N. remaining
(13,680 mg/kg) x (0.025) = 342 mg/kg O.N.
available
(342 mg/kg) x (0.002) x (5.17 dT) =
acre
3.5 lb. O.N. available
acre
c) From the third year application:
(16,000 mg/kg) x (0.10) = 1600 mg/kg O.N. used
16,000 - 1600 = 14,400 mg/kg O.N. remaining
(14,400 mg/kg) x (0.05) = 720 mg/kg O.N. available
(720 mg/kg) x (0.002) x (4.92 dT) =
acre
7 lb. O.N available

acre
d) From the fourth year application:
(20,000 mg/kg O.N. x (0.20) = 4,000 mg/kg O.N.
used
20,000 - 4,000 = 16,000 mg/kg O.N. remaining
(16,000 mg/kg) x (0.10) = 1600 mg/kg O.N.
available
(1600 mg/kg) x (0.002) x (4.83 dT) =
acre
15.5 lb. O.N. available
acre
e) Sum the available organic nitrogen from previous
years application of sludge and subtract that sum
from the crop nitrogen requirements.
143 - (2 + 3.5 + 7 15.5) = 115 lb. PAN of
acre
additional nitrogen is needed.
f) Calculate the fifth year application rate.
115 = 4.79 dry tons sludge
24 acre
4.79 dT x 2000 x 1 = 22,960 gallons
acre 8.345 0.05 DE acre
G) During and after the sixth year there will not be any
significant amount of organic nitrogen available to the crop
from sludge applied during the first year. An equilibrium
situation was reached in this sample problem during the
fourth year since there is practically no difference between
the fourth and fifth year application rates.
A conservative operating plan would be to apply sludge at
approximately 4.8 dry tons per acre per year. Note, however,
that this would mean that additional nitrogen would be needed
from fertilizers during the first, second, and third years of
sludge application to meet the nitrogen requirement for the
crop grown.
IV. Metal Loading Rate Calculations
A) It is useful to estimate the lifetime of a site receiving
sludge on the basis of metal loadings. The method for
performing this estimation is given below assuming the sludge
chemical analysis provided the following quantities.
Percent Solids = 5% (0.05 decimal equivalent)
Cadmium 30 mg/kg
Copper 2000 mg/kg
Nickel 400 mg/kg
Lead 1000 mg/kg
Zinc 4000 mg/kg

Manganese 1000 mg/kg
Application rate 4.8 dry tons/acre/year
B) Set up and complete a table as follows:
Annual
Metal Maximum
Loading Metal
(lb/ Loading Site
Sludge Loading acre (lb/ Life
Metal Analysis Factor /year) acre) (Years)
Cadmium 30 mg/kg 0.0096 0.29 10 34
Nickel 400 mg/kg 0.0096 3.84 100 26
Copper 2000 mg/kg 0.0096 19.2 250 13
Zinc 4000 mg/kg 0.0096 38.4 500 13
Manganese 2000 mg/kg 0.0096 19.2 900 46
Lead 1000 mg/kg 0.0096 9.6 1000 104
C) The loading factor column will be the same for each metal and
is calculated as follows:
0.002 #/dry ton>> x (dry tons/acre/year) =
mg/kg
0.002 x 4.8 = 0.0096
D) Multiply the metal analysis value by the loading factor value
(0.0096) to obtain the Annual Metal Loading (lb/acre/year)
column.
Divide the maximum metal loading for each metal (from Table
II, Section 391.420) by the annual metal loading rate
(pounds/acre/year) to obtain the site lifetime.
E) This example indicates that the zinc and copper loading is
the most restrictive to the site lifetime. Therefore a site
should be used for no more than 13 years, however updated
sludge analyses and different application rates may change
these site lifetimes. Records should be kept on each site
that sludge is applied to for each year's metal loading.
Section 391.APPENDIX E Sample Calculations of Water Treatment Plant Lime
Sludge Application Rates
I. Laboratory analysis of sludge (dwb):
% Calcium Carbonate Equivalent 94.34
% Total Solids 24
pH 10.4
Arsenic 0.83 mg/kg
Barium 8.3 mg/kg
Cadmium 0.6 mg/kg
Chromium (hexavalent) 0.008 mg/kg

Chromium (total) 1.2 mg/kg
Copper 3.3 mg/kg
Mercury 0.0008 mg/kg
Nickel 8.75 mg/kg
Selenium 0.4 mg/kg
Silver 0.83 mg/kg
Zinc 6.6 mg/kg
Effective Neutralizing Value
(ENV) as calculated below 94.34
ENV = Total fineness efficiency x % calcium carbonate equivalent
100
total fineness efficiency assumed to be 100
Therefore: ENV = 100 x 94.34>> = 94.34
100
II. Compare ENV of water treatment plant lime sludge to ENV of
agricultural limestone.
Given: 1. ENV of typical agricultural
limestone = 46.35
2. ENV of water plant lime sludge
from (I.) above = 94.34
Correction factor = ENV of typical limestone
ENV of water plant sludge
= 46.35>> = 0.49 or 0.5
94.34
This means that 0.5 tons of water treatment plant lime sludge is
approximately equivalent to 1.0 tons of typical agricultural lime.
III. Lime sludge will be applied to a light-colored silty clay loam
soil having a pH of 5.0.
IV. The soil will be used for grain farming.
V. The following list of soil types are to be used with the
corresponding letters shown on Charts I and II for the respective
cropping systems:
A) Dark-colored silty clays and silty clay loams.
B) Light-and medium-colored silty clays and silty clay loams;
dark-colored silt and clay loams.
C) Light- and medium-colored silt and clay loams; dark- and
medium-colored loams; dark-colored sandy loams.
D) Light-colored loams; light- and medium-colored sandy loams;
sands.
E) Muck and peat.
Note: Color is related to organic matter. Light-colored soils
usually have less than 2.5 percent organic matter; medium-colored
soils have 2.5 to 4.5 percent organic matter; dark-colored soils
have above 4.5 percent organic matter; sands are excluded.

VI. With the above assumptions and referring to Chart I the
corresponding typical agricultural limestone application rate is 6
tons per acre.
Since 0.5 tons of water treatment lime sludge is approximately
equivalent to 1.0 ton of typical agricultural lime (calculated in
II. above) apply only 3 dry tons of water treatment plant lime
sludge per acre of farm land.
Similar metal loading rates as calculated in APPENDIX D should
then be performed based on the 3 dry ton loading rate.
Note that due to the fineness efficiency of 100, the water
treatment plant lime sludge may only be effective in raising the
soil pH for one or two years after application.
Suggested limestone rates based on soil type, pH, and cropping system.
GRAPHIC MATERIAL
See printed copy of IAC for detail
(Taken from Illinois Agronomy Handbook)
GRAPHIC MATERIAL
See printed copy of IAC for detail
Section 391.APPENDIX F General Buffer Area, Geological and Topographic
Criteria for Sludge Application
SLUDGE APPLICATION METHOD
Incorporation or Injection --------- 20 ft. from occupied dwelling. 10
ft. from closet edge of traveled
portion of public road or within
fence. 200 ft. from surface
water.
Ridge and Furrow ------------------- 200 ft. from occupied dwelling.
200 ft. from closest edge of
traveled portion of public road or
within fence. 200 ft. from
surface water.
Dewatered material or Splash ------- 200 ft. from occupied dwelling.
Plate to Land Surface 20 ft. from closest edge of
traveled portion of primary and
secondary public roads; or 10 ft.
from closest edge of lesser
utilized public roads; or within
fence. 200 ft. from surface
water.

Low Pressure Sprayers (less than 50 200 ft. from occupied dwelling.
psi) (as measured from outer 200 ft. from closest edge of
boundary of spray) traveled portion of public road.
200 ft. from surface water,
waterways or flood plains. Wind
velocity less than 15 mph.
High Pressure Sprayers (greater than 1000 ft. from occupied dwelling.
50 psi) (as measured from outer 1000 ft. from closest edge of
boundary of spray) traveled portion of public road.
1000 ft. from surface water,
waterways or flood plains. Wind
velocity less than 15 mph.
GEOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Minimum Depth of Earth Cover to the 10 ft. with rapid permeability
Mean Annual Water Table (greater than 2.0 inches/hr) 5 ft.
with moderate to slow permeability
(less than 2.0 inches/hour)
Distance from Potable 150 ft. in all instances, however,
Water Well ------------------------- if a water supply is located in a
consolidated bedrock (such as
limestone) or sinkhole area and is
within one-fourth of a mile of the
sludge application site, then 50
foot depth of non-sandy,
non-gravelly unconsolidated
material is needed for water
supply protection
TOPOGRAPHIC CONSIDERATIONS
Maximum Slope ---------------------- 8% (incorporation)*
5% (surface application)*
Application to Waterways ----------- Not allowed
Application in a flood plain ------- Only if approved by Agency after
having a flooding frequency review of project.
often than once every ten years
*May be exceeded under certain conditions. See discussion in Section

391.404.
Section 391.APPENDIX G Sludge User Information Sheet
1. Date:
2. Name of User:
3. Address of User:
4. Phone Number of User:
5. Location Where Sludge is to be Used:
6. Size of Area Where Sludge is to be Used:
7. Proximity of Site to closest: (a) Stream or other body of water
(b) Dwelling (c) Well
(d) Other Water Supply, (describe)
8. Amount of Sludge Obtained:
(Specify units)
9. Describe Use(s) of Sludge (e.g., Farmland or Agricultural, Garden,
Yard, Reclamation of Nutrient Deficient Land, Other):
10. Manner in Which Sludge is to be Applied (e.g., Spread by Truck or
dry applicator, by Hand, Worked into the Soil by Plowing,
Rototilling, Surface Application, Splash Plate, Knife injection,
other):
11. Will Sludge be Stockpiled Before Application: Yes No (Circle
One)
12. Estimated Length of Time Sludge is to be Stockpiled:
13. Type and expected yield of crops to be grown on sludge conditioned
land:
14. I desire to have the sludge applied at a rate that will satisfy my
crop's NITROGEN; PHOSPHORUS (Circle One) needs.
15. The soil pH of the land that I am applying sludge
is:
16. The average depth to the groundwater table on the site where I am
using the sludge is
ft.
How determined?
17. Limitations from Site Characteristics:
18. Has sludge been applied to land within last 5
years? Yes No (Circle One)
Name of Generator
Amount Applied
Years Applied

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE USE OF SLUDGE
The sludge that you are obtaining contains the following:
Plant Available Nitrogen (N) % and/or lbs. per dry
ton
Phosphorus (PO)
% and/or
lbs. per dry ton
Soluble Potash (KO)
% and/or
lbs. per dry ton
Cadmium (Cd)
lbs. per dry ton
Copper (Cu)
lbs. per dry ton
Lead (Pb)
lbs. per dry ton
Manganese (Mn)
lbs. per dry ton
Nickel (NI)
lbs. per dry ton
Zinc (Zn)
lbs. per dry ton
To maximize the benefits of conditioning soils with sludge and minimizing
possible adverse effects on the environment, it is required that the
following provisions be adhered to:
1. Cropping and Access Restrictions:
a. It is not recommended that leafy or root vegetables such as
lettuce, Swiss chard, potatoes, horseradish, carrots, etc.,
be grown on sludge conditioned soil.
b. Pasture or hay ground that has received sludge shall not be
harvested or used for livestock grazing for one month or
until precipitation of sufficient duration and intensity has
occurred and washed all sludge from that area of the plant
which can be injested by an animal, whichever is greater.
2. Climate Conditions:
a. Sludge application shall not be permitted on land during
precipitation.
b. Sludge application shall not be permitted on land which is
saturated or with ponded water.
c. Sludge application should not be permitted upon sites when
precipitation is imminent or which have received greater than
1/4 inch rainfall within the 24 hour period preceding the
application time.
d. Sludge application shall not be permitted on ice or snow
covered ground. Frozen ground which is not ice or snow
covered and has a slope of 5% or less may be used for winter
spreading providing a 200 feet grassy area of forage crop
exists between the sludge applied land and any surface water
or water well.
3. Buffer Area Requirements
a. Sludge shall not be applied on land which lies within 150
feet from wells or other water supplies and 200 feet from
surface waters or within one-fourth of a mile of any potable

water supply well located in consolidated bedrock or sinkhole
areas unless 50 feet of non-sandy or non-gravelly
unconsolidated material exists.
b. Sludge application by incorporation or injection shall not be
done closer than 20 feet from any occupied dwelling or 10
feet from the closest edge of traveled portions of a public
road or outside roadway fence lines.
c. Top application of sludge with no immediate incorporation
shall not be done closer than 200 feet from any occupied
dwelling or 20 feet from the closest edge of traveled
portions of a primary and secondary public roads or 10 feet
from the closest edge of lesser utilized public roads or
outside roadway fence lines.
d. Sludge application by ridge and furrow shall not be done
closer than 200 feet from any occupied dwelling or the
closest edge of traveled portions of a public road or outside
roadway fence lines.
e. Sludge shall not be applied in waterways. Application to
flood plains having a frequency of return more often than a
ten-year frequency shall not be allowed.
4. Soil and Geologic Conditions:
a. Sludge applied land must have a soil pH of 6.5 or greater and
cation exchange capacity of 5 or greater. Water treatment
plant lime sludge may be used to raise the soil pH.
b. For sludge applied soils having the following infiltration
rates/hour as determined by standard percolation tests, the
listed minimum soil depth to the mean annual water table
shall be adhered to:
Greater than 2 inches/hour -- 10 feet
Less than or equal to 2 inches/hour -- 5 feet
c. Sludge shall not be top applied (no incorporation) to farm
land having greater than 5% slope. If the slope does exceed
5% top application can be used providing the annual soil
loss, as calculated by the Universal Soil Loss Equation shall
not exceed 5 tons/acre.
d. Sludge may be incorporated on lands having slopes up to eight
percent, irrespective of soil loss. If the slope exceeds
eight percent, incorporation methods may be used providing
the annual soil loss does not exceed five tons per acre when
applying the Universal Soil Loss Equation.
5. Interim Storage and Application Restrictions:
a. Off-site interim storage of liquid sludge prior to land
application is not allowed.
b. Off-site interim storage of dried sludge in excess of 2
months is not allowed.

c. Annual sludge application shall not exceed the nitrogen
agronomic rates for the crop grown nor exceed the rate for
the most restrictive heavy metal for the site lifetime,
whichever is more restrictive. Therefore, the maximum annual
amount of sludge you can apply for your specific needs may
not exceed
dry tons/acre; gallons/acre (Circle One).
I hereby agree to adhere to the above conditions.
All blanks other than the above sign-off shall be filled in by the sludge
generator.
Section 391.APPENDIX H Public Distribution Information Sheet
1. Date:
2. Name of User:
3. Address of User:
4. Phone Number of User:
5. Location Where Sludge is to be Used:
6. Size of Area Where Sludge is to be Used:
7. Proximity of Site to closest: (a) Stream or other body of water
(b) Dwelling
(c) Well
8. Amount of Sludge Obtained:
(Specify units)
9. Describe Use(s) of Sludge (e.g., Garden, Yard, Horticultural,
Reclamation of Nutrient Deficient Land, Other):
10. Manner in Which Sludge is to be Applied and Incorporated (e.g.,
Spread by Truck or dry applicator, by Hand, Worked into the Soil
by Plowing, Rototilling, other):
Specific Requirements for Public Distribution Programs
The sludge that you are obtaining contains the following:
Plant Available Nitrogen (N)
% and/or
lbs. per dry
ton
Phosphorus (PO)
% and/or
lbs. per dry ton
Cadmium (Cd)
lbs. per dry ton and/or
mg/kg (not to
exceed 25 mg/kg)
Copper (Cu)
lbs. per dry ton
Lead (Pd)
lbs. per dry ton
Manganese (Mn)
lbs. per dry ton
Nickel (Ni)
lbs. per dry ton
Zinc (Zn)
lbs. per dry ton
1. Sludge shall not be applied to sites used for growing of

commercial truck gardening vegetables grown and sold for direct
human consumption. It is also not recommended that sludge be
applied to sites for individual use that may grow leafy (lettuce,
spinach, Swiss chard. etc.) or root vegetables (potatoes, carrots,
radishes, etc.) unless the following conditions are met:
a. the sludge does not contain more than 10 mg Cd/kg (dry weight
basis);
b. the sludge has been aged for approximately 3 years after
digestion or stabilization;
c. all vegetables are thoroughly washed or cooked prior to
consumption.
2. Sludge shall be uniformly spread on the land as soon as possible
after transport to the application site.
3. Sludge shall not be applied on land:
(1) during precipitation;
(2) which is saturated or with ponded water.
4. Sludge should not be applied on land:
(1) when precipitation is imminent;
(2) which has received greater than 1/4 inch rainfall within the
24 hour period preceding the intended application time.
5. Sludge shall be incorporated as soon as possible after application
to prevent odor emission and runoff potential. Sludge shall be
incorporated within 48 hours or prior to any rainfall after
application whichever is most restictive.
6. The application rate shall not exceed 10 dry tons/acre or
inches in depth.
7. Sludge shall not be applied on land which lies within 150 feet
from wells or other water supplies and 200 feet from surface
waters or intermittent streams.
8. Wind direction and velocity, humidity and the day of the week
shall also be considered prior to sludge transport and
applications with respect to neighboring activities.
9. Sludge amended land shall not lie fallow, but shall be seeded and
stabilized for plant growth as soon as possible after sludge
application and incorporation.
I hereby agree to adhere to the above conditions.
Section 391.APPENDIX I Water Treatment Plant Sludge User Information Sheet
1. Date:
2. Name of User:

3. Address of User:
4. Phone Number of User:
5. Location Where Sludge is to be Used:
6. Size of Area Where Sludge is to be Used:
7. Proximity of Site to closest: (a) Stream or other body of water
(b) Dwelling
(c) Well
(d) Other Water Supply, (describe)
8. Amount of Sludge Obtained:
(Specify Units)
9. Describe Use(s) of Sludge (e.g. Farmland or Agricultural, Garden,
Yard, Reclamation of Nutrient Deficient Land, Other):
10. Manner in Which Sludge is to be Applied (e.g. Spread by Truck or
dry applicator, by Hand, Worked into the Soil by Plowing,
Rototilling, Surface Application, Splash Plate, Knife injection,
other):
11. Will Sludge be Stockpiled Before Application Yes No (Circle
One)
12. Estimated Length of Time Sludge is to be Stockpiled:
13. Type and expected yield of crops to be grown on sludge conditioned
land:
14. The soil type and pH of the land that I am applying sludge is:
15. Limitations from Site Characteristics:
16. Has sludge been applied to land within last 5
years? Yes No (Circle One)
Name of Generator
Amount Applied
Years Applied
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE USE OF WATER TREATMENT
PLANT SLUDGE
The sludge that you are obtaining contains the following:
Calcium Carbonate Equivalent
%
pH
Barium (Ba)
lbs. per dry ton
Cadmium (Cd)
lbs. per dry ton
Copper (Cu)
lbs. per dry ton

Lead (Pb)
lbs. per dry ton
Nickel (Ni)
lbs. per dry ton
Selenium (Se)
lbs. per dry ton
Zinc (Zn)
lbs. per dry ton
To maximize the benefits of conditioning soils with sludge and minimizing
possible adverse effects on the environment, it is required that the
following provisions be adhered to:
1. Climate Conditions:
a. Sludge application shall not be permitted on land during
precipitation.
b. Sludge application shall not be permitted on land which is
saturated or with ponded water.
c. Sludge application should not be permitted upon sites when
precipitation is imminent or which have received greater than
1/4 inch rainfall within the 24 hour period preceding the
application time.
d. Sludge application shall not be permitted on ice or snow
covered ground. Frozen ground which is not ice or snow
covered and has a slope of 5% or less may be used for winter
spreading providing a 200 feet grassy area or forage crop
exists between the sludge applied land and any surface water
or water well.
2. Buffer Area Requirements
a. Sludge application by incorporation or injection shall not be
done closer than 20 feet from any occupied dwelling or 10
feet from the closest edge of traveled portions of a public
road or outside roadway fence lines.
b. Surface application of sludge with no immediate incorporation
shall not be done closer than 200 feet from any occupied
dwelling or 20 feet from the closest edge of traveled
portions of a primary and secondary public roads or 10 feet
from the closest edge of lesser utilized public roads or
outside roadway fence lines.
c. Sludge shall not be applied in waterways. Application to
flood plains having a frequency of return more often than a
ten-year frequency shall not be allowed.
3. Soil and Geologic Conditions:
a. Sludge shall not be top applied (no incorporation) to farm
land having greater than 5% slope. If the slope does exceed
5% top application can be used providing the annual soil
loss, as calculated by the Universal Soil Loss Equation shall
not exceed 5 tons/acre.
b. Sludge may be incorporated on lands having slopes up to eight
percent, irrespective of soil loss. If the slope exceeds
eight percent, incorporation methods may be used providing

the annual soil loss does not exceed five tons per acre when
applying the Universal Soil Loss Equation.
4. Interim Storage and Application Restrictions:
a. Off-site interim storage of liquid sludge to land application
is not allowed.
b. Off-site interim storage of dried sludge in excess of 2
months is not allowed.
I hereby agree to adhere to the above conditions.
All blanks other than the above sign-off shall be filled in by the sludge
generator.

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