The City of Wilmington and Veolia North America submitted a permit application requesting a distribution and marketing permit (DM permit) to distribute and market products containing pasteurized “Class A” “Exceptional Quality” (EQ) biosolids product throughout the State of Delaware.  The EQ biosolids in the fertilizer product proposed for distribution under the DM permit are generated and stabilized at the City of Wilmington Water Pullulation Control Facility. 

The stabilization of EQ biosolids product at the City of Wilmington Water Pullulation Control Facility involves a stabilization process known as pasteurization.  To achieve the Class A/EQ biosolids certification, the biosolids are required to heated to at least 70^○ C (158^○ F) and the moisture content must be raised to at least 75% solids. 

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 of 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.  These requirements render biosolids products suitable for use as a fertilizer in agricultural and horticultural settings and for use on turfgrass.    

The permittees request 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. May 22, 2020.  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.