Public Distribution of Paper Mill Wastewater Residuals, 1999 Environmental Conference Proceedings

Tracy Benzel

Benzel Soil Services

John Piotrowski

Tenneco Packaging

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