Land Application Site Permitting

The development of the land base needed to support day-to-day management of your biosolids is an integral component of any land application project we offer our customers. Synagro’s Technical Services team, comprising agricultural specialists, agronomists, and crop advisors, brings their special skills to bear when working with the complexities of federal, state and local regulations governing land application programs.

Synagro chooses potential land application sites based on the physical configuration of a particular location, the types of crops planted and by the regulations controlling the site. Soil types and drainage characteristics are evaluated in the site selection process to provide land which can support operations under a variety of weather conditions. Slope, proximity to surface and groundwater, travel distances, haul routes, accessibility from roadways and proximity to housing developments are several of the factors which must be considered in determining the suitability of a site to receive biosolids.

Through in-field discussions with growers interested in considering the benefits and controls on land application, our staff can obtain authorization to apply for permits. –

Once these authorizations are in hand, the work of soil sampling, field mapping, including highlighting sensitive areas where application may be restricted, e.g. property lines, wells, etc., and nutrient management planning commences. Upon completion of these tasks and assembly of specific data on the biosolids to be land applied, the Technical Services team submits the permit application to the appropriate agencies for review and approval.

Often these approval processes involve public information sessions or formal public hearings. We routinely make presentations at and/or provide information for these meetings.

When a site is approved for application, the Technical Services team works with our Operations group to establish appropriate access points to the field(s), designate unloading or staging locations at which biosolids transport vehicles can discharge, and flags required buffer zones and setbacks. We also coordinate on application rate and timing so that just the right amount of biosolids can be applied when the grower needs the product.

If you contract with Synagro to provide a full-service land application program, all these Technical Services activities are included.

Synagro has the proven ability to work with regulatory agencies to obtain regionwide or statewide approvals for multiple land application sites in Synagro’s name. These approvals enable us to add generators to the list of approved biosolids sources that can be applied to these sites without going through the entire permit development process. With these types of permits in hand, we can expedite moving your biosolids management program to beneficial use through land application.

From time to time, Synagro will work with municipalities or industries who wish to land apply biosolids on their own land or for their own account. In these cases, we contract with the generator to assemble, submit and support the permit application packages.

Synagro selects land application sites based on the physical configuration of a particular location, the types of crops planted and by the regulations controlling the site. Soil types and drainage characteristics are evaluated in the site selection process to provide land which can support operations under a variety of weather conditions. Slope, proximity to surface and groundwater, travel distances, haul routes, accessibility from roadways and proximity to housing developments are several of the factors which must be considered in determining the suitability of a site to receive biosolids.