Waste Utilization

Waste Utilization POLLUTANTS ADDRESSED: Nutrients and Organics, Pathogens, Sediments

DESCRIPTION: Waste utilization is the application of agriculture waste or other waste on the land in an environmentally acceptable manner while maintaining or improving the natural resources.

LOAD REDUCTION MECHANISM: Organics/Nutrients Management- Organic materials in the waste are taken up by soil organisms and plants.

Pathogen Reduction- Pathogens in the waste are eliminated by soil organisms.

Sediment Reduction – Application of agriculture wastes improves soil quality, making it more cohesive.

LAND USE CLASSIFICATION: Agricultural lands Grazing lands ADDITIONAL BENEFITS: This practice improves soils and provides nutrients for crop growth.

Arid Southwest BMP

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POTENTIAL TREATMENT AREAS: Agricultural lands ALTERNATIVE MANAGEMENT MEASURES: Cover Crops Grazing Management Irrigation Management Nutrient Management PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS: Land application of waste requires an ADEQ permit.

Contact county regional flood control district.

Waste Utilization POLLUTANTS ADDRESSED: Nutrients and Organics, Pathogens, Sediments

Level 200: ACTIVE MANAGEMENT LOAD REDUCTION POTENTIAL: LOW

MEDIUM

4. Minimize the impact of odors of land-applied wastes by making application at times when temperatures are cool and when wind direction is away from neighbors. Agricultural wastes contain pathogens and other disease-causing organisms. Wastes should be utilized in a manner that minimizes their disease potential.

HIGH

ESTIMATED TIME FOR LOAD REDUCTION: IMMEDIATE

MONTHS2 YEARS

> 2 YEARS

5. Priority areas for land application of wastes should be on gentle slopes located as far as possible from waterways. When wastes are applied on more sloping land or land adjacent to waterways, other conservation practices should be installed to reduce the potential for offsite transport of waste.

EXPECTED MAINTENANCE: LOW

MEDIUM

HIGH

6. It is preferable to apply wastes on pastures and hay land soon after cutting or grazing before regrowth has occurred.

ESTIMATED COST: LOW

MEDIUM

7. Reduce nitrogen volatilization losses associated with the land application of some waste by incorporation within 24 hours.

HIGH

PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION: 1. The effect of Waste Utilization on the water budget should be considered, particularly where a shallow ground water table is present or in areas prone to runoff. Limit waste application to the volume of liquid that can be stored in the root zone.

2. Minimize the impact of odors of land-applied wastes by making application at times when temperatures are cool and when wind direction is away from neighbors. Agricultural wastes contain pathogens and other disease-causing organisms. Wastes should be utilized in a manner that minimizes their disease potential.

3. The effect of Waste Utilization on the water budget should be considered, particularly where a shallow ground water table is present or in areas prone to runoff. Limit waste application to the volume of liquid that can be stored in the root zone.

Arid Southwest BMP

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8. Minimize environmental impact of land-applied waste by limiting the quantity of waste applied to the rates determined using the practice standard Nutrient Management (590) for all waste utilization.

Riparian Planting Zone: Upland Zone and Flood flows.

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: TMDL Water Quality Study of the Virgin River Watershed, submitted to Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Quality. http://www.waterquality.utah.gov/TMDL/Duchesne_River _Watershed_TMDL.pdf