Wastewater Pilot Program
 MDAR and MassDEP have developed a pilot program to collect data
to demonstrate the efficacy of Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) designed wastewater treatment areas in managing milkhouse wastewater
(MHW). MHW includes wastewater that is generated through the
processing of dairy products such as milk, cheese, ice cream, and yogurt
that are customarily disposed of by Dairy Operations. For the purposes
of the agreement between MDAR and MassDEP, it does not include bottling
operations. Non-sanitary wastewater, such as MHW, is considered to be "industrial
waste" by MassDEP regulations. Consequently,
any discharge of MHW to the ground violates MassDEP regulations to protect
groundwater.
NRCS conservation practices for managing milkhouse wastewater include the use of vegetated treatment areas, bark mound systems and bark bed systems. Vegetated treatment areas cannot be used between the months of December and March at this time.The waste treatment areas include those that are described in Waste Treatment Code 629 (“NRCS Code 629”, January 2011) and Vegetated Treatment Area Code 635 (“NRCS Code 635”, June 2006) (NRCS). Other methods also may be approved subject to agreement.
The pilot program will evaluate the effluent characteristics of MHW and the efficacy of wastewater treatment areas that are installed and maintained in accordance with the NRCS Conservation Practice Standards. Two farms ("Pilot Farms") will be monitored as part of the pilot program. Other farms (Grantee Farms") that install wastewater treatment areas to manage milkhouse wastewater will be required to participate in the pilot program.
To participate in the program, farms must execute a written agreement with
MDAR to install and maintain the wastewater treatment areas in accordance
with all requirements and standards set forth in the appropriate NRCS Code. The pilot
program will last for three years and expire in 2015. At the end of the pilot, the results
of the monitoring program will be evaluated in order to determine the extent
to which discharge to wastewater treatment areas complies with existing
regulatory requirements. As part of the agreement, MassDEP will extend
enforcement forbearance to pilot program participants for the term of the
agreement.
Farms that wish to be included in this pilot program will receive enhanced eligibility for the Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP). AEEP provides funding to agricultural operations in Massachusetts for the mitigation and/or prevention of impacts on natural resources. Any farm that is working with a federal or state agency to install a vegetated treatment areas interested in participating in the Pilot Program must complete the Milkhouse Wastewater Pilot Program Application. The application requires the farmer to install and manage the vegetated treatment area in accordance with the terms of the pilot program.
Farmers interested in discussing potential participation in the Pilot Program
should contact MDAR directly: Gerard Kennedy at 617-626-1773 or gerard.kennedy@state.ma.us |
