[USCC] Disinfecting storm water for windrow irrigation

[Kate Kurtz]

Craig,
To ensure the absence of Fecal Coliform in the storm water you would need to
maintain a low chlorine residual.  This is what they do for swimming pools,
and many municipal water systems.  I imagine that the chlorine demand for a
storm water would be absolutely astronomical.  Also, any residual chlorine
would/could end up as chloride in the finished product (not something I want
to add to the soil in my garden).  My idea is that you could organize your
composting site so that all rainwater is "caught", and therefore eliminate
the runoff issue.  Perhaps if you created compost berms (using finished
product) around the perimeter of your site you could use the natural water
holding capabilities of compost to absorb the stormwater.  In essence, the
site would then be in somewhat of a basin, so water would not be able to
escape the site.  Also, you could build your windrows around the edges of
the site to further ensure that stormwater is used onsite and not let to run
onto neighboring property (or pool on site).  Of course it is my assumption
that rainwater falling onto or into a windrow would be completely absorbed.
Good Luck,
Kate

Kate Kurtz
Laboratory Analyst
Organics Division
Soil Control Lab
42 Hangar Way
Watsonville CA 95076
(831) 724-5422 tel
(831) 724-3188 fax
kate at compostlab.com
www.compostlab.com

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at composter.com [mailto:compost-bounces at composter.com]
On Behalf Of Craig Coker
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 7:02 AM
To: US Composting Council Compost Discussion List
Subject: [USCC] Disinfecting storm water for windrow irrigation

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Colleagues:

 

The NC Division of Water Quality is on the verge of requiring that
composters in North Carolina obtain a wastewater discharge permit for any
rainwater that comes into contact with composting, curing or product storage
areas (in lieu of a storm water discharge permit); unless the composter can
demonstrate that the captured storm water from the 25-yr, 24-hr storm can
all be reused on-site for moisture control in windrows or piles.
Hydraulically, this is generally achievable.

 

However, this raises the question of fecal coliform contamination of storm
water and the viable means to disinfect that storm water.  There is sparse
data available on fecal counts in storm water samples.  A 2003 sample by a
County yard waste composting facility in NC showed a fecal count of 43,000.
The 1997 study by E&A for Clean Washington Center at Phoenix Organic
Products (also yard waste only) indicated an average fecal count of 650,000.
I surmise the fecal is coming from animal feces in the grass clippings
and/or leaves.

 

When disinfecting equipment to prevent cross-contamination, I have used a
simple Clorox solution in a backpack sprayer, so I have been evaluating the
use of Clorox as a disinfectant for storm water.  However, I am uncertain of
the degree of residual chlorine concentration if Clorox (or similar
chlorine-based bleach) were used to disinfect a storm water irrigation
supply.  The folks at Clorox recommend a dose rate of 1 gallon of their
Ultra Clorox Germicidal Bleach (EPA Reg. No. 67619-8) per 30,000 gallons of
water for disinfecting swimming pools.  

 

Does anyone think that the residual chlorine from that level of dosing would
be detrimental to the composting process?

 

Does anyone know of other viable means for disinfecting storm water that
would not affect the composting process?

 

Many thanks,

Craig

 

Craig Coker

Coker Composting & Consulting

3331 Glade Creek Blvd.

Ste. 7

Roanoke, VA  24012

(540) 904-2698

Fax: (540) 904-6732

Cell: (540) 874-5168

craigcoker at cox.net

www.cokercompost.com

 

 

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