[USCC] Composting animal blood

[William (Bill) Carter]

John and all,

My previous reply underplayed the importance of an impervious surface on
which to do the initial handling of blood and other liquid biological
byproducts. These materials have an obvious tendency to penetrate soil
immediately upon unloading, hence the standard practice of pouring
materials like blood or paunch manure onto a thick mat of sawdust or
other fine absorbent material to stabilize the free liquid before
further handling. To require a paved, impervious surface or vessel for
this initial mixing may be warranted.

Once the blood is absorbed, then moving the non-flowing matrix onto a
non-paved surface of very limited infiltration capacity for blending and
composting may be allowable, depending on the applicable rules and
permit requirements.

           - Bill Carter


Bill Carter
Water Quality Monitoring & Assessment    MC 165
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, TX  78711-3087
Phone:  512-239-6771
Fax:  512-239-4410
wcarter at tceq.state.tx.us