Biosolids Management (General Permit)
What is the purpose of this permit?
This permit implements the biosolids program, which regulates the following types of material:
- Biosolids (including septage) applied to the land
- Biosolids sold or given away in a bag or other container
- Biosolids being stored
- Biosolids transferred from one facility to another
- Sewage sludge disposed in a municipal solid waste landfill.
This general permit establishes the conditions that must be met for the above activities in the State of Washington, according to the provisions of Chapter 173-308 WAC, Biosolids Management.
Facility types required to apply for coverage under this permit include the following:
- Publicly owned treatment works
- Privately owned treatment works treating only domestic wastewater
- Industrial facilities that treat domestic wastewater separately from the industrial waste stream and generate biosolids regulated by Chapter 173-308 WAC
- Beneficial use facilities
- Composting facilities that compost non-exceptional quality biosolids and that do not have an adequate permit issued by the local health jurisdiction where the non-exceptional quality biosolids are composted
- Septage management facilities
- Other facilities designated by the Department of Ecology as a treatment works treating domestic sewage as described in the permit.
Who issues this permit?
Department of EcologyWhat activities require this permit?
This permit covers land application of biosolids and other related processes and aspects of operations related to biosolids treatment, use, and disposal.How much will this permit cost?
Fees vary depending upon size and type of facility. There is a minimum fee of $880 per facility per year. In addition, there is a one-time $2,641 review fee for new facilities.Where can I get the application for this permit?
The application is called '
Application for Coverage Under the General Permit for Biosolids Management' is online and can be accessed at
https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/ECY070124.html.
Do I need to include anything with my application?
A complete application package includes:
- Application for Coverage signed by the appropriate official.
- Confirmation that the SEPA and public notice requirements have been met.
The following components may also be required:
- Vicinity map of the facility and any associated treatment or storage facilities.
- Treatment facility schematic (basic, showing flows and processes).
- Land application plans
- Monitoring data
- Biosolids sampling plan
- Contingency plan for exceptional quality biosolids
- Temporary disposal plan
- Spill prevention/response plan.
What Can I do if I Don’t Hear Back from Ecology on my Application?
State rules allow facilities to operate under provisional approval. This means you may operate in accordance with your submitted conditions until Ecology takes action to establish Final Coverage. You do not have to wait for Ecology action on your application. Regardless of your proposed operations, you must comply with applicable requirements of the state rule and general permit.
Is the decision on my permit dependent on anything besides the information in my application?
- Submittal of a complete application package.
- Completion of public notice.
- Fulfillment of any SEPA obligations.
How long will it take to review my application?
The timeframe for issuing final coverage under the permit varies widely. Applicants should consult the applicable
regional biosolids coordinator for specifics.
What Can I do if I Don’t Hear Back from Ecology on my Application?
You do not have to wait for Ecology to review and approve your application to operate. Submitting a complete application secures “provisional approval” of coverage. Provisional approval means a facility must follow:
- State rules
- General permit conditions
- The facility proposal as outlined in the application submittal
Until Ecology advises otherwise, or until we complete our application review. After we have completed our review, we may add additional or more stringent requirements the permittee must comply with as a condition of coverage.
A facility’s proposal cannot circumvent the requirements of the rules or general permit, of which we expect managers to be knowledgeable. you must comply with the applicable requirements of the state rule and general permit. See Section 2.1.1. Provisional Approval in the general permit.
Where do I submit my application?
Applications are submitted to Ecology Regional Coordinators who are responsible for review of the documents. Applicants should consult the applicable Regional Biosolids Coordinator for specifics. For more information please go to the
Biosolids Program Contacts webpage.
How long is my permit valid?
The General Permit is a 5-year permit. Individual facilities will be covered until the General Permit expires.What is the appeal process for the permit?
An order, permit, license, or decision can be appealed within 30 days from the “date of receipt” of the decision. The appeal process is governed by RCW 43.21B and WAC 371-08. “Date of receipt” is defined in RCW 43.21B.001(2). Get more information on the Pollution Control Hearings Board web page.
Read the
Pollution Control Board’s Appeal Process web page for more details.
Notes / Comments:
The general permit has three applications, each tailored to a specific type of facility based on their operations. All three applications can be accessed on the Biosolids webpage.Permit Timeliness Results
Permit Timeliness data collection is in response to a State Auditor’s Performance Audit and RCW 43.42A. Each regulatory agency developed a plan to improve permit clarity, predictability, and timeliness. Each agency considers the customers experience to ensure permit assistance is simple to use, easy to access, and designed in a customer-friendly manner. Agencies report progress to the Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA). ORIA prepares and distributes reports, with participation from the State Auditor’s Office and Results Washington. See latest report here: https://www.oria.wa.gov/ORIA-2020-PermitTimelinessProgressReport.pdf.
All permits submitted for reporting were entered into this Regulatory Handbook. Here are the results of the performance data:
Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Process a Permit Application (Definition)Average number of days from Receipt to Complete: 262.6Maximum number of days from Receipt to Complete: 467Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Issue a Permit Decision (Definition)Average number of days from Complete Application to Decision: 48.3Maximum number of days from Complete Application to Decision: 134(Summary results based on 8 submittals in 2023)
Where can I get permitting assistance?
Web page URL:
https://ecology.wa.gov/Waste-Toxics/Reducing-recycling-waste/Biosolids/Program-contactsSubject matter expert phone: 360-789-6592
Subject matter expert email:
Emily.Kijowski@ecy.wa.govTriggering Questions:
- Do you produce or manage biosolids, sewage sludge, or septage?
* Permit information last updated 5/17/2024