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Composting Facilities

Regulation of Composting Facilities

The State Water Board and Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Water Boards) are required to protect the quality and beneficial uses of the waters of the state. The California Water Code requires that anyone who discharges waste that could affect waters of the state must submit a report of waste discharge. The Water Boards may waive this report and subsequent waste discharges with conditions. Current practice is to issue individual waste discharge requirements (WDRs) for larger composting facilities. A conditional waiver for “green waste-only” composting facilities was in effect from 1994 until 2003, when a change in law required all waivers to be either renewed or replaced with WDRs. Currently, the Water Boards are considering development of a statewide waiver with substantive conditions that would address water quality protection at composting facilities that currently exist or may be constructed.

The Water Boards do not have the ability to waive requirements on discharges to surface waters subject to the federal Clean Water Act. For discharges to surface waters, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits may be required to address either storm water or wastewater discharges.

Announcements

Staff of the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) held two informal workshops on August 31, 2011 (Chino, California) and September 1, 2011 (Sacramento, California), discussing the proposed concepts for a statewide order for composting facilities. Thank you to all those who participated. The comments and questions presented to staff during these informal workshops are appreciated and are valuable in developing a reasonable approach that both ensures water quality protection and appropriate waste and materials management practices.

Currently stakeholder workgroup meetings are being scheduled in both Northern and Southern California to further discuss and develop the concepts for a statewide order for composting facilities. Participants of the focus group are those individuals who indicated interest on the attendee sign-in sheet at each of the informal staff workshops, or those individuals who subsequently have contact Roger Mitchell. Individuals who wish to be a part of the focus group should contact Roger Mitchell as soon as possible

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News and Activities

Stakeholders Workgroup Meetings: Concepts for a Statewide Order for Composting Facilities

  • Workgroup Meetings (October sessions)
    • Southern California (Riverside)
    • Northern California (Sacramento)
      • Date/Time: October 20, 2011 (10 am – 1 pm)
      • Place: Cal/EPA Building, Conference Room 620
      • Teleconference: dial (877) 932-8821 and enter the participant code: 3684515
      • Agenda
      • Attendee Sign-in Sheet
    • Revised Draft Concepts for a Statewide Order for Composting Facilities
    • Comments Received
Note: Please email composting @waterboards.ca.gov if you have any questions, comments, or to request special accommodation for disabilities.
  • Up Coming Workgroup Meeting Dates
    • Southern California (Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board)
      • November 16, 2011 (10 am – 1 pm)
      • December 13, 2011 (10 am – 1 pm)
    • Northern California (CalEPA Building)
      • November 17, 2011 (9 am – Noon)
      • December 15, 2011 (10 am – 1 pm)

Stakeholders Workgroup Meetings: Concepts for a Statewide Order for Composting Facilities

Informal Staff Workshops: Concepts for a Statewide Order for Composting Facilities

Past Public Workshop: Regulations of Composting Facilities

Both the State Water Board and CalRecycle staff would like to engage stakeholders in a discussion to meet the diversion goals as well as protect water quality. The following questions will guide the water quality discussion:

  • What are the potential water quality impacts from composting facilities?
  • What is the effect of different operational practices and feedstocks in addressing potential water quality impacts?
  • How can potential water quality impacts be addressed?
  • What water quality protection measures are appropriate?
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(Updated 10/7/11 )

 

 
 

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