Title 33, Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-110
§1345 Disposal or Use of Sewage Sludge
Title 33 › CHAPTER 26 — WATER POLLUTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL › SUBCHAPTER IV — PERMITS AND LICENSES › § 1345
Summary
You must get a permit before disposing of sewage sludge if doing so could let any pollutants from the sludge enter navigable waters. The EPA must write rules for those permits and include the same kinds of criteria used for other Clean Water Act permits. States can run their own sludge permit programs if they follow the federal rules. The EPA had to publish guidelines within one year after December 27, 1977, and update them later. Those guidelines must list uses of sludge, factors to consider, and pollutant levels that make a use inappropriate. The EPA must identify toxic pollutants in sludge and set how to manage them and any numeric limits. For one group of pollutants the EPA had to propose rules by November 30, 1986, and finalize them by August 31, 1987. For other pollutants the EPA had to propose rules by July 31, 1987, and finalize them by June 15, 1988, and review the rules at least every two years. New rules must protect health and the environment and require compliance as soon as possible but no later than 12 months after publication, or 2 years if new facilities are needed. If a numeric limit is not practical, the EPA can set design, equipment, or management standards instead. Before those toxin rules were finished, the EPA had to add protective conditions to permits. Local officials decide how to handle sludge in their area, but any use or disposal covered by EPA rules must follow those rules. Clean Water Act permits for treatment plants must include sludge requirements, unless those requirements already appear in permits under certain other federal laws or in EPA‑approved state programs; the EPA had to set procedures to approve state programs by December 15, 1986. If no other permit covers a treatment plant, the EPA can issue a permit just to impose sludge rules. The EPA may also fund and run studies, demonstrations, and public information projects about safe sludge use, give grants to states and nonprofits, and collect and share information. For those projects, up to $5,000,000 was authorized for fiscal years after September 30, 1986.
Full Legal Text
Title 33, §1345
Navigation and Navigable Waters, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Permit
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter or of any other law, in any case where the disposal of sewage sludge resulting from the operation of a treatment works as defined in section 1292 of this title (including the removal of in-place sewage sludge from one location and its deposit at another location) would result in any pollutant from such sewage sludge entering the navigable waters, such disposal is prohibited except in accordance with a permit issued by the Administrator under section 1342 of this title.
(b)Issuance of permit; regulations
The Administrator shall issue regulations governing the issuance of permits for the disposal of sewage sludge subject to subsection (a) of this section and section 1342 of this title. Such regulations shall require the application to such disposal of each criterion, factor, procedure, and requirement applicable to a permit issued under section 1342 of this title.
(c)State permit program
Each State desiring to administer its own permit program for disposal of sewage sludge subject to subsection (a) of this section within its jurisdiction may do so in accordance with section 1342 of this title.
(d)Regulations
(1)Regulations
The Administrator, after consultation with appropriate Federal and State agencies and other interested persons, shall develop and publish, within one year after December 27, 1977, and from time to time thereafter, regulations providing guidelines for the disposal of sludge and the utilization of sludge for various purposes. Such regulations shall—
(A)identify uses for sludge, including disposal;
(B)specify factors to be taken into account in determining the measures and practices applicable to each such use or disposal (including publication of information on costs);
(C)identify concentrations of pollutants which interfere with each such use or disposal.
The Administrator is authorized to revise any regulation issued under this subsection.
(2)Identification and regulation of toxic pollutants
(A)On basis of available information
(i)Proposed regulations
Not later than November 30, 1986, the Administrator shall identify those toxic pollutants which, on the basis of available information on their toxicity, persistence, concentration, mobility, or potential for exposure, may be present in sewage sludge in concentrations which may adversely affect public health or the environment, and propose regulations specifying acceptable management practices for sewage sludge containing each such toxic pollutant and establishing numerical limitations for each such pollutant for each use identified under paragraph (1)(A).
(ii)Final regulations
Not later than August 31, 1987, and after opportunity for public hearing, the Administrator shall promulgate the regulations required by subparagraph (A)(i).
(B)Others
(i)Proposed regulations
Not later than July 31, 1987, the Administrator shall identify those toxic pollutants not identified under subparagraph (A)(i) which may be present in sewage sludge in concentrations which may adversely affect public health or the environment, and propose regulations specifying acceptable management practices for sewage sludge containing each such toxic pollutant and establishing numerical limitations for each pollutant for each such use identified under paragraph (1)(A).
(ii)Final regulations
Not later than June 15, 1988, the Administrator shall promulgate the regulations required by subparagraph (B)(i).
(C)Review
From time to time, but not less often than every 2 years, the Administrator shall review the regulations promulgated under this paragraph for the purpose of identifying additional toxic pollutants and promulgating regulations for such pollutants consistent with the requirements of this paragraph.
(D)Minimum standards; compliance date
The management practices and numerical criteria established under subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) shall be adequate to protect public health and the environment from any reasonably anticipated adverse effects of each pollutant. Such regulations shall require compliance as expeditiously as practicable but in no case later than 12 months after their publication, unless such regulations require the construction of new pollution control facilities, in which case the regulations shall require compliance as expeditiously as practicable but in no case later than two years from the date of their publication.
(3)Alternative standards
For purposes of this subsection, if, in the judgment of the Administrator, it is not feasible to prescribe or enforce a numerical limitation for a pollutant identified under paragraph (2), the Administrator may instead promulgate a design, equipment, management practice, or operational standard, or combination thereof, which in the Administrator’s judgment is adequate to protect public health and the environment from any reasonably anticipated adverse effects of such pollutant. In the event the Administrator promulgates a design or equipment standard under this subsection, the Administrator shall include as part of such standard such requirements as will assure the proper operation and maintenance of any such element of design or equipment.
(4)Conditions on permits
Prior to the promulgation of the regulations required by paragraph (2), the Administrator shall impose conditions in permits issued to publicly owned treatment works under section 1342 of this title or take such other measures as the Administrator deems appropriate to protect public health and the environment from any adverse effects which may occur from toxic pollutants in sewage sludge.
(5)Limitation on statutory construction
Nothing in this section is intended to waive more stringent requirements established by this chapter or any other law.
(e)Manner of sludge disposal
The determination of the manner of disposal or use of sludge is a local determination, except that it shall be unlawful for any person to dispose of sludge from a publicly owned treatment works or any other treatment works treating domestic sewage for any use for which regulations have been established pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, except in accordance with such regulations.
(f)Implementation of regulations
(1)Through section 1342 permits
Any permit issued under section 1342 of this title to a publicly owned treatment works or any other treatment works treating domestic sewage shall include requirements for the use and disposal of sludge that implement the regulations established pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, unless such requirements have been included in a permit issued under the appropriate provisions of subtitle C of the Solid Waste Disposal Act [42 U.S.C. 6921 et seq.], part C of the Safe Drinking Water Act [42 U.S.C. 300h et seq.], the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 [16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq., 1447 et seq.; 33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq., 2801 et seq.], or the Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.], or under State permit programs approved by the Administrator, where the Administrator determines that such programs assure compliance with any applicable requirements of this section. Not later than December 15, 1986, the Administrator shall promulgate procedures for approval of State programs pursuant to this paragraph.
(2)Through other permits
In the case of a treatment works described in paragraph (1) that is not subject to section 1342 of this title and to which none of the other above listed permit programs nor approved State permit authority apply, the Administrator may issue a permit to such treatment works solely to impose requirements for the use and disposal of sludge that implement the regulations established pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. The Administrator shall include in the permit appropriate requirements to assure compliance with the regulations established pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. The Administrator shall establish procedures for issuing permits pursuant to this paragraph.
(g)Studies and projects
(1)Grant program; information gathering
The Administrator is authorized to conduct or initiate scientific studies, demonstration projects, and public information and education projects which are designed to promote the safe and beneficial management or use of sewage sludge for such purposes as aiding the restoration of abandoned mine sites, conditioning soil for parks and recreation areas, agricultural and horticultural uses, and other beneficial purposes. For the purposes of carrying out this subsection, the Administrator may make grants to State water pollution control agencies, other public or nonprofit agencies, institutions, organizations, and individuals. In cooperation with other Federal departments and agencies, other public and private agencies, institutions, and organizations, the Administrator is authorized to collect and disseminate information pertaining to the safe and beneficial use of sewage sludge.
(2)Authorization of appropriations
For the purposes of carrying out the scientific studies, demonstration projects, and public information and education projects authorized in this section, there is authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1986, not to exceed $5,000,000.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Solid Waste Disposal Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(1), is title II of Pub. L. 89–272, Oct. 20, 1965, 79 Stat. 997, as amended generally by Pub. L. 94–580, § 2, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2795. Subtitle C of the Solid Waste Disposal Act is classified generally to subchapter III (§ 6921 et seq.) of chapter 82 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 6901 of Title 42 and Tables. The Safe Drinking Water Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(1), is title XIV of act July 1, 1944, as added Dec. 16, 1974, Pub. L. 93–523, § 2(a), 88 Stat. 1660, as amended. Part C of the Act is classified generally to part C (§ 300h et seq.) of subchapter XII of chapter 6A of Title 42. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 201 of Title 42 and Tables. The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, referred to in subsec. (f)(1), is Pub. L. 92–532, Oct. 23, 1972, 86 Stat. 1052, which is classified generally to chapters 32 (§ 1431 et seq.) and 32A (§ 1447 et seq.) of Title 16, Conservation, and chapters 27 (§ 1401 et seq.) and 41 (§ 2801 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 1401 of this title and Tables. The Clean Air Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(1), is act July 14, 1955, ch. 360, 69 Stat. 322, which is classified generally to chapter 85 (§ 7401 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 7401 of Title 42 and Tables.
Amendments
1987—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–4, § 406(a), designated existing provision as par. (1), inserted heading, redesignated former pars. (1) to (3) as subpars. (A) to (C), and added pars. (2) to (5). Pub. L. 100–4, § 406(f), inserted heading “
Regulations
” and aligned par. (1) with par. (3) and subpars. (A) to (C) of par. (1) with subpar. (C) of par. (2). Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100–4, § 406(b), amended subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) read as follows: “The determination of the manner of disposal or use of sludge is a local determination except that it shall be unlawful for the owner or operator of any publicly owned treatment works to dispose of sludge from such works for any use for which guidelines have been established pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, except in accordance with such guidelines.” Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 100–4, § 406(c), added subsecs. (f) and (g). 1977—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–217, § 68(a), substituted “under section 1342 of this title” for “under this section”. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–217, §§ 54(d)(1), 68(b), (c), substituted “sewage sludge subject to subsection (a) of this section and section 1342 of this title” for “sewage sludge subject to this section” and struck out “, as the Administrator determines necessary to carry out the objective of this chapter” after “permit issued under section 1342 of this title”. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 95–217, §§ 54(d)(2), 68(d), substituted “disposal of sewage sludge subject to subsection (a) of this section within its jurisdiction may do so in accordance with section 1342 of this title” for “disposal of sewage sludge within its jurisdiction may do so if upon submission of such program the Administrator determines such program is adequate to carry out the objective of this chapter”. Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 95–217, § 54(d)(3), added subsecs. (d) and (e).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Removal Credits Pub. L. 100–4, title IV, § 406(e), Feb. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 73, provided that: “The part of the decision of Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, No. 84–3530 (3d. Cir. 1986), which addresses section 405(d) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act [33 U.S.C. 1345(d)] is stayed until
August 31, 1987, with respect to—“(1) those publicly owned treatment works the owner or operator of which received authority to revise pretreatment requirements under section 307(b)(1) of such Act [33 U.S.C. 1317(b)(1)] before the date of the enactment of this section [Feb. 4, 1987], and “(2) those publicly owned treatment works the owner or operator of which has submitted an application for authority to revise pretreatment requirements under such section 307(b)(1) which application is pending on such date of enactment and is approved before
August 31, 1987. The Administrator shall not authorize any other removal credits under such Act [33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.] until the Administrator issues the
Regulations
required by paragraph (2)(A)(ii) of section 405(d) of such Act, as amended by subsection (a) of this section.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
33 U.S.C. § 1345
Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110