Domestic EPA 503 Sewage Sludge

On July 1, 2012, KDHE returned the management of the 503 sludge program for mechanical wastewater treatment plants to EPA. KDHE retains the 503 sludge management program for Kansas wastewater treatment lagoons. Pursuant to the 503 sludge regulations, domestic wastewater treatment facilities still have to complete the testing and documentation of their 503 sludge activities, retain the records for five years and make them available for review by the regulatory agency. Unless specifically requested by EPA or KDHE, facilities classified as minor mechanicals do not have to send the annual reports to either EPA or KDHE.

If you have any questions concerning the 503 domestic sludge program contact:
Seth Draper
EPA Region 7, U. S

11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, KS 66219
Phone: 913-551-7080
Email Seth Draper

Annual Reports

EPA indicates annual reports must be submitted to their office for facilities defined as follows:

For publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) that meet the applicability requirements and sewage sludge is land applied, surface disposed, or for such facilities which operate a sewage sludge incinerator, EPA requires submission of an annual report by February 19 of each year covering the previous year. Facilities will meet the applicability requirements if the POTW design flow rate is equal to or greater than one million gallons per day, serves 10,000 people or more, or is required to have an approved pretreatment program (Class I Sludge Management Facility).

Disposal of Sludge

For additional information on disposal of sludge from Kansas wastewater treatment lagoons you may contact Mr. Rance Walker, P.E. of the Municipal Program Unit per the following contact information:
Cara Hendricks
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
1000 SW Jackson Street
Suite 420
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: 785-296-5527
Email Cara Hendricks

Industrial Wastewater Residuals

Industrial wastewater residuals, e.g., sludge, screenings, DAF waste etc., are not directly regulated under the EPA 503 sludge program. For additional information on disposal of such residuals from Kansas industries with their own wastewater treatment facilities you may contact Mr. Eric Staab, P.E. of the Industrial Program Unit per the following contact information:
Eric Staab
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
1000 SW Jackson Street
Suite 420
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: 785-296-4347
Email Eric Staab


  1. Guidance Documents