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Compost Facility

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Design Requirements:
The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process was followed in siting the Compost Facility and a Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) was issued.  The Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) and Whitman County Health Department (local jurisdictional health department) reviewed and approved the plans and specifications for the facility. The following items were specified by the reviewing agencies: an asphalt (impervious) working surface, lined storm water retention pond(s) to contain a 25 year, 24 hour storm, use appropriate BMPs to prevent contaminated run-off generated from the site during construction and dike stabilization from impacting surface waters of the state, and containment dike around the entire facility. The dike was compacted and sized to contain an entire years precipitation at the site.

 Required Permits:
  • Compost Facility Operating Permit issued by the Whitman County Health Department
  • A Notice of Construction Permit and a Title V Air Operating Permit from the Washington State Department of Ecology were required to address air emissions generated for the expansion and operation of the facility.

Monitoring Requirements:
 The finished compost material is tested annually for the following parameters:

  • Heavy metals: arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, & zinc. (By SW 846 method 6010, SW 846 method 7471)
  • Organic compounds: Organo-phosphorus pesticide screen (SW 846 method 8141)
          Chlorophenoxy herbicide screen (SW 846 method 8150)
          Organo-chlorine pesticide screen (SW 846 method 8081)
  • Fecal coliforms (SM18 9221 B&E)
 Annual Report
Annual reports to the Whitman County Health Department, and the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) are required. The reports include the following information: annual quantity in tons, or volume in cubic yards of compostables received, by type of feedstock; and quantity in tons or volume in cubic yards of finished compost produced, along with monitoring data.

 

 

 

 

 


Facilities Operations, 100 Dairy Road, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164, 509-335-9000, Contact Us