Guidelines for a New Septage Land Application Site (SLAS)

Guidelines for a New Septage Land Application Site (SLAS)
The NC Septage Management Rules establish the permitting, operational, and site location requirements for Septage Land Application Sites. The rules may be accessed on the Division’s
website at: NC Septage Management Rules.
The following information is required to obtain a Permit for a Septage Land Application Site:
1. Septage Land Application Site Application A completed application for a Permit to Operate a Septage Land Application Site shall be submitted.
2. Zoning Approval Letter It is the responsibility of the permit applicant to obtain all applicable zoning approvals for the proposed site.

An approval letter from the local government unit having zoning authority over the proposed site shall be included with the permit application. The letter shall state either:
• the proposed facility complies with all applicable zoning ordinances; or
• the site is not zoned. Production of a crop in accordance with an approved Nutrient Management Plan on land permitted as a Septage Land Application Site is considered a bona fide farm purpose pursuant
to G.S. 153A-340.
Obtaining zoning approval prior to completing the remaining application requirements is strongly recommended.
3. Site Evaluation
After identifying a proposed site, the applicant shall obtain a site evaluation conducted by one of the following qualified professionals:
• Licensed Soil Scientist
• Professional Engineer
• Licensed Geologist
The NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS), local Cooperative
Extension Offices, NC field agronomists, and certified Soil & Water Conservation technical specialists may also assist in identifying qualified evaluators. Applicants should clearly indicate that the evaluation is for septage land application — not
sludge application — and that the report will be submitted to the Division of Waste
Management rather than the Division of Water Resources.
Guidelines for a New Septage Land Application Site (SLAS)
3. Site Evaluation (continued)
The site evaluation shall address all applicable Septage Management Rule requirements, including:
• site suitability,
• minimum setback distances,
• site location requirements, and
• watershed identification.
The evaluator should be provided a copy of the NC Septage Management Rules prior to
conducting the evaluation. 4. Notarized Landowner Authorization Form, if applicable
A notarized Landowner Authorization form is required if the applicant is not the sole property
owner listed on the deed. The authorization shall include signatures from all property owners and specify a defined authorization period with a start date. 5. Vicinity Map

A vicinity map (county road map) identifying the proposed site location shall be included with the permit application. 6. Aerial Photography

An aerial photograph shall be included with the permit application and used as the background for the site evaluation map. The aerial photograph shall:
• extend at least 2,500 feet in all directions from the proposed site;
• accurately depict property boundaries;
• identify the usable land application area; and
• identify all required setback features. Aerial photographs are commonly available through local tax offices or GIS departments.
7. Nutrient Management Plan
The applicant shall obtain a Nutrient Management Plan and Soil Erosion and Runoff Control Plan for the proposed site and crop stand receiving land-applied septage.
These plans shall be prepared by a qualified environmental professional. In some cases,
personnel at the local Cooperative Extension Office may be qualified to prepare these plans at no cost.
Guidelines for a New Septage Land Application Site (SLAS)
8. Soil Evaluation and Analyses
A soil sample shall be collected from each proposed disposal field. Soil analyses shall include:
• Standard Soil Fertility analyses; and
• analyses for regulated heavy metals. Refer to 15A NCAC 13B .0840(c)(10)(A) and (B) for specific requirements. The NCDA&CS Agronomic Services Laboratory can perform these analyses for regulated
sites. Copies of all soil analyses shall be included with the permit application. 9. Completion of New Site Operator’s Class
Prior to permit issuance, the permit applicant shall attend a New Site Operator’s Class.
Classes are typically conducted at the Fayetteville Regional Office, with scheduling coordinated by Section staff during permit review.
Following permit issuance, permittees shall complete a three-hour annual training requirement
prior to permit renewal each year. Annual training courses are offered at various locations throughout North Carolina by organizations including:
• NC Pumper Group & NC Portable Toilet Group – Email: [e-mail];
Phone: [phone]
• Onsite Wastewater Professionals - https://www.owpnc.com/
• NC Septic Tank Association - https://www.ncsta.net/classes
10. Grease Septage Land application of grease septage requires a permitted septage storage tank.

Permit requirements for a Septage Detention or Treatment Facility are generally similar to those for a Septage Land Application Site and include:
• application form,
• zoning approval letter,
• landowner authorization form (if applicable),
• aerial photograph, and
• vicinity map.

Guidelines for a New Septage Land Application Site (SLAS)
Additional Information
Original signed application forms, plans, and supporting documentation shall be submitted before a permit may be issued. Permit review timeframes vary depending on:
• completeness of the application,
• required revisions or additional information, and
• current staff workload.
Permit issuance commonly requires several months due to the technical review process.
Prior to permit issuance, the Division will conduct a site inspection to:
• verify setback distances,
• inspect boundary markers, and
• evaluate compliance with the Septage Management Rules. An adequate crop stand consistent with the approved Nutrient Management Plan shall be
established prior to land application activities. Use of an unpermitted Septage Land Application Site or storage tank may result in administrative penalties of up to $15,000 per violation per day pursuant to N.C. General Statute 130A-22.
A pre-operational inspection must be completed and an approved permit issued prior to any septage land application or septage detention activities. Permit forms and additional program information are available at: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/waste-management/waste-management-rules/septage.