Section 271.931. Special definitions

The following words and terms have the following meanings and are applicable to § § 271.932 and 271.933 (relating to pathogens; and vector attraction reduction):

Aerobic digestion—The biochemical decomposition of organic matter in sewage sludge into carbon dioxide and water by microorganisms in the presence of air.

Anaerobic digestion—The biochemical decomposition of organic matter in sewage sludge into methane gas and carbon dioxide by microorganisms in the absence of air.

Density of microorganisms—The number of microorganisms per unit mass of total solids (dry weight) in the sewage sludge.

Land with a high potential for public exposure—Land that the public uses frequently. This includes, but is not limited to, a public contact site and a reclamation site located in a populated area (for example, a construction site located in a city).

Land with a low potential for public exposure—Land that the public uses infrequently. This includes, but is not limited to, agricultural land, forest and a reclamation site located in an unpopulated area (for example, a surface mine located in a rural area).

Pathogenic organisms; disease-causing organisms—These include, but are not limited to, certain bacteria, protozoa, viruses and viable helminth ova.

pH—The logarithm of the reciprocal of the hydrogen ion concentration

Specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR)—The mass of oxygen consumed per unit time per unit mass of total solids (dry weight basis) in the sewage sludge.

Total solids—The materials in sewage sludge that remain as residue when the sewage sludge is dried at 103° to 105°C.

Unstabilized solids—Organic materials in sewage sludge that have not been treated in either an aerobic or anaerobic treatment process.

Vector attraction—The characteristic of sewage sludge that attracts rodents, flies, mosquitoes or other organisms capable of transporting infectious agents.

Volatile solids—The amount of the total solids in sewage sludge lost when the sewage sludge is combusted at 1022°F (or 550°C) in the presence of excess air.

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 271.821 (relating to application for general permit).