The term "sludge" is used to describe the solid, semisolid and liquid material produced by water and wastewater treatment processes. It includes industrial sludge and sludge mixtures, but does not include domestic septage or sludge disposed at solid waste facilities. The term "biosolids" means any sludge derived from a municipal wastewater treatment facility that meets Department standards for beneficial reuse. DES regulates the processing, transportation, and disposal/reuse of sludge and biosolids to ensure this material is utilized or disposed in an environmentally sound manner.
Whenever possible, recycling through the regulated beneficial use of biosolids for land application or composting for nutrient value and soil conditioning, is promoted by DES. These activities utilize a valuable resource that may otherwise be disposed in a solid waste landfill, thereby preserving valuable landfill capacity.
There are four different types of permits or certifications required for the proper management of sludge or biosolids: Sludge Quality Certification, Sludge Hauler Permit, Sludge Facility Permit, and Biosolids Site Permit.
Fact Sheets
- Fecal Coliform as an Indicator Organism
(Fact Sheet WD-WEB-18) - Permitting a Biosolids and/or Short Paper Fiber Site in New Hampshire (Fact Sheet WD-WEB-17)
- Permitting a Sludge Facility in New Hampshire (Fact Sheet WD-WEB-16)
- Sludge Hauling in New Hampshire (Fact Sheet WD-WEB-10)
- Sludge Quality Certification Requirements (Fact Sheet WD-WEB-12)
Download Forms
- Application for Waiver
- Sludge Facility Permit Application
- Sludge Hauler Application
- Sludge Permit Modification Application
- Sludge Quality Certification Application
- Sludge Site Permit Application
Septage Management
The term "septage" is generally used to describe the liquids and solids that are pumped from a septic tank or cesspool. The term also applies to the waste pumped out of holding tanks and from boat toilets and porta-potties. The Department regulates the removal, transportation, and disposal of septage to ensure this material is utilized or disposed in an environmentally sound manner. Whenever possible, recycling through the beneficial use of septage land application is promoted by DES. Disposal of septage at a POTW adds significantly to the generation of sludge, a residual that must also be land applied or disposed. A lagoon is only a temporary holding facility: eventually the accumulated solids must be excavated and properly utilized/disposed. Land application practices utilize nutrients that may otherwise be disposed in a publicly owned wastewater treatment facility (POTW) or lagoon.
There are four different types of permits or registrations required for the proper management of septage: Septage Hauler Permit,Septage Holding Tank Registration, Septage Facility Permit, and Septage Site Permit.
Fact Sheets
- Permitting a Septage Facility in New Hampshire
- Permitting a Septage Site in New Hampshire
- "SAG Plus" Funds For Municipal Septage Disposal Projects
-
Septage Hauling in New Hampshire
Download Forms
- Permit by Notification for Septage Holding Tank
- EQ (Exceptional Quality) Septage Certification Application
- Septage Facility Permit Application
- Septage Hauler Application
- Septage Permit Modification Application
- Septage Site Permit Application
- Septage Transfer/Storage Tank Application
- WaiverApplication
- Septic System Management for Homeowners 9:42 min
[Text version] - Septage Management for Municipalities 5:43 min
[Text version] - A Guide for the Septage Hauling Professional 7:04 min
[Text version]
Final Report on the Commission to Study the Publicly Owned Treatment Plants Needs of New Hampshire and State Laboratory Water Tests and Fees (HB 1491, Chapter Law 309:3, Laws of 2006)
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