Septage Removal and Disposal
Proper removal and disposal of septage from the sewage tanks are essential components of routine SSTS maintenance.
The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has land application regulations which must be followed if you are land applying septage in Minnesota.
While MPCA does not directly regulate the land application of septage, the MPCA does require, through the SSTS licensing program, any applicable State and Local Government Unit (LGU) requirements must also be followed.
Septage removal — Minnesota requirements
- Chapter 7080 Maintenance Requirements
- Frequency of Assessment
- Removal of Material
- Toilet waste treatment devices and privies
- Additives
- Chapter 7083 Maintenance License Responsibilities
SSTS Tank Maintenance
SSTS Tank Maintenance Reporting Form
Septage storage
The storage of up to 50,000 gallons of septage is allowed if conditions identified in the MPCA Program Management Decision are met.
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Program Management Decision on Septage Storage (wq-pmd1-02) — This Program Management Decision (PMD) establishes continuity between separate rules by allowing MPCA-licensed SSTS maintainers to store up to 50,000 gallons of septage in registered underground storage tanks without a state permit, as long as the requirements in this PMD are followed.
- Note: Poured-in-place concrete tanks, up to 50,000 gallons, are also allowed under the Program Management Decision provided the concrete tanks: 1) are designed by a Minnesota licensed Professional Engineer, 2) meet the requirements of Minnesota Rules Chapter 7080.1910 [Tank Strength] and Chapter 7080.2010 [Integrity and Watertightness] and 3) are permitted by the local unit of government. The Minnesota licensed Professional Engineer shall also certify tank construction on-site and verify watertight testing of the concrete tanks to the local permitting authority.
Septage disposal
Wastewater treatment facilities
Septage may be disposed of at permitted wastewater treatment plants for further processing, only if approved by the treatment plant. The maintainer (formerly called pumper) must contact the wastewater treatment plant to determine if the plant will accept septage, the cost for dumping at the facility and associated dumping requirements at the plant.
In January 2011, the MPCA conducted a telephone survey of 218 MPCA-permitted mechanical wastewater treatment plants to determine if they accept septage. The results indicated that 47 of the 218 mechanical plants accepted septage. The map below shows the location of plants that accepted septage at the time of the survey. If you have questions regarding this map and wastewater treatment plants that accept septage, please contact Gene Soderbeck at 651-757-2743.
Wastewater treatment plants that accept septage
Map date: January 25, 2011
Federal requirements
- Federal Land Application of Septage Regulations - 40 CFR part 503
Regulates the land application of septage in Minnesota.- Basic requirements for MPCA-certified Maintainers.
- No permit or registration with EPA required.
- Federal Land Application of Solid Waste Regulations - 40 CFR Part 257
Regulates the land application of biosolids in Minnesota.
Minnesota guidelines
State guidelines incorporate Federal 503 requirements.
- Septage Management Guidelines (Land application begins on page 11.)
- SSTS Tank Maintenance Reporting Form
- University of MN OSTP SSTS Maintenance Forms
LGU guidelines
- Minnesota LGUs with Septage Ordinances
- County Office Locator
- City Office Locator
- Township Office Locator
