 | Vol. 5 No. 2 Fall 1997 |
| A Newsletter About New Jersey's Water Quality Programs |
Since 1981, there has been a steady improvment in biosolids (sewage sludge) quality from domestic treatment works in New Jersey (see chart). Today, 92 percent of the domestic treatment works in New Jersey can meet the minimum requirements for land application under the federal rules (40CFR Part 503) and 69 percent can meet the "high quality" requirements for land application specified under federal rules. This demonstrates the biosolids being produced by New Jersey generators is generally low in pollutants, rich in nutrients and organic amtter, and highly suitable for recycling. This high quality is a result of both public and private clean water treatment efforts.
| Parameter | 1981* | 1990* | 1996* | USEPA** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 2.7 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 41 |
| Cadmium | 9.4 | 5.6 | 2.8 | 39 |
| Copper | 825 | 679 | 607 | 1500 |
| Lead | 210 | 100 | 71 | 300 |
| Mercury | 3.6 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 17 |
| Molybdenum | NA | 15 | 3.1 | 75 |
| Nickel | 45.8 | 31 | 23.7 | 420 |
| Selenium | NA | 2.1 | 2.5 | 100 |
| Zinc | 1110 | 826 | 830 | 2800 |
| * Median Quality (mg/kg) ** USEPA High Quality (mg/kg)
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