This rule applies to all composting facilities not exempt
under 105.2(455B,455D). Facilities exempt from permitting that do not operate
in accordance with this chapter may as a result be required to obtain a solid
waste composting permit. Composting facilities shall also operate in accordance
with all applicable city and county ordinance and permitting
requirements.
(1) The composting
facility shall be 500 feet from any existing inhabited residence, not including
the residence of the person owning/operating the compost facility, at the time
the permit application was received by the department. Composting must be done
outside of wetlands, at least 200 feet from public wells, 100 feet from private
wells, 50 feet from property lines, and 100 feet from flowing or intermittent
streams, lakes, or ponds. Composting done inside the 100-year flood plain shall
be in accordance with all local and department regulations including
567-715.
(455B). Sediment ponds, engineered wetlands or other constructed waterways for
the purpose of pollution control are excluded from this requirement.
(2) Composting shall be performed in a manner
that minimizes the formation of compost leachate by the facility.
(3) Measures shall be taken to prevent water
from running onto the facility from adjacent land and to prevent compost
leachate and runoff from leaving the composting facility. Runoff from the
composting facility must be properly managed.
(4) Facilities shall be designed,
constructed, and maintained so as to minimize ponding of water or liquids. Any
ponding that does occur shall be corrected through routine facility maintenance
within 48 hours after the termination of the event causing the
ponding.
(5) Composting must be
done on an all-weather surface of compacted soil, compacted granular
aggregates, asphalt, concrete or similar relatively impermeable material that
will permit accessibility during periods of inclement weather and prevent
contamination of surface water and groundwater.
(6) Solid waste which cannot be composted or
which is removed during processing shall be properly disposed of. Infectious
waste shall not be accepted for composting at any composting facility unless
approved by the department in writing.
(7) Solid waste materials shall be managed
through the entire process in accordance with best management practices to
minimize conditions such as odors, dust, noise, litter and vectors which may
create nuisance conditions or a public health hazard.
(8) Storage of cured or finished compost
shall be limited to 18 months. The 18-month period may be extended with prior
written approval from the department.
(9) If compost is offered for sale as a soil
conditioner or fertilizer, the compost must be registered by the department of
agriculture and land stewardship under Iowa Code chapter 200, Fertilizers and
Soil Conditioners. Sale shall be in compliance with all applicable federal and
state laws and local ordinances and regulations.
(10) Compost shall not be applied to land,
sold or given away unless the concentration of human-made inert materials such
as glass, metal, and plastic is less than 1.5 percent by dry weight.
Compost shall not be applied to land, sold or given away
unless the size of any human-made inert materials is less than 13 mm (0.512
inches).
