In response to the requirements of the Clean Water Act, EPA is developing comprehensive regulations for the use and disposal of sewage sludge, and published proposed regulations in the Federal Register on February 6, 1989. A portion of these regulations covers disposal and use of sludge on land. The requirements for pathogen and vector attraction reduction in the sludge to be disposed to the land are presented, and their technical bases are described. The proposed regulation is similar in approach to the current regulation but corrects its deficiencies. Instead of requiring use of specifically described processes that individually must reduce pathogen densities and vector attraction to the desired level, the proposed regulation instead sets performance goals. For example, Allowable maximum microbial densities (usually fecal indicator densities) in the final sludge product have been identified instead of describing process conditions to achieve these densities. For vector attraction reduction, performance goals could be set, but they are not independent of process type. The presentation provides scientific evidence supporting the approach taken. Publication of the regulation after consideration of public comment is expected in January 1992.

"EPA 600/D-91/033." Microfiche.