NaturalLawn of America, Inc. (NatrualLawn) submitted a permit application requesting a distribution and marketing permit to sell fertilizer products containing heat dried “Class A” “Exceptional Quality” (EQ) biosolids product throughout the State of Delaware.  The EQ biosolids in the fertilizer products proposed for distribution by NaturalLawn in the State of Delaware are generated at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago’s (MWRDC) Stickney Water Reclamation Plant and stabilized at the Metropolitan Biosolids Management, LLC (MBM) heat drying facility, both of which are located in Cicero, IL. 

The stabilization of EQ biosolids product at the MBM facility involves a stabilization process known as heat drying.  To achieve the Class A/EQ biosolids certification, the biosolids are required to heated to at least 80^○ C (176^○ F) and the moisture content be raised to at least 90% solids.  Additionally, the product is required to meet State and Federal “pollutant concentration standards” for metals and vector attraction reduction requirements. These requirements render biosolids products suitable for use as a fertilizer for agricultural, horticultural, and use for lawns and gardens. 

To assure compliance with State and Federal regulatory requirements, finished biosolids product will be required to be sampled for specific bacterial, chemical and nutrient parameters.  Additionally, the stabilization process and metal limits for the product will be required to meet or exceed both Federal and State requirements for production of a “Class A” “Exceptional Quality” biosolids product, approved for public use and contact. 

NaturalLawn requests issuance of a distribution and marketing permit in the State of Delaware for their biosolids product under the Department’s Guidance and Regulations Governing the Land Treatment of Wastes, Part III, B., Regulations Governing the Land Treatment of Sludges and Sludge Products which allows for such activity pending public notice.

Copies of the permit application referenced above are available by contacting:

Brian Churchill
Surface Water Discharges Section
89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901
302-739-9946
Brian.Churchill@Delaware.gov

A public hearing on the above application will NOT be held unless the Secretary of DNREC determines that a public hearing is in the public interest or if a written meritorious objection to the application is received by 4:30 p.m. September 17, 2019.  A public hearing request shall be deemed meritorious if it exhibits a familiarity with the application and provides a reasoned statement of the action’s probable impact.