Compost Sales

All compost can be picked up Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Myrtle Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant at 3220 Mr. Joe White Avenue, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Quantity Cost 1 ? 25 cubic yards $12/cubic yard Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority does provide discount prices for bulk purchases, greater than 25 cubic yards. All compost sales can be paid with either cash or check at the time of pick-up. Customers are responsible for hauling their purchase of compost. However; one of GSWSA?s employees will load the customer?s vehicle. Please contact Lisa Bellamy at (843) 234-8425 with any questions regarding the sale of compost. Compost is safe to use on residential or commercial lawn, garden, and landscaping. Compost makes a good soil amendment for lawns and landscape areas. The following data is typical The compost is made from treated sewage sludge and wood chips. Sewage sludge when composted is a valuable resource that can be used to improve plant growth and soil quality. Nutrients in composted sewage sludge can replace or supplement commercial chemical fertilizers. In addition, the organic matter in compost improves soil structure and facilitates the ability of plants to acquire nutrients, retain water, and penetrate soil. These properties stimulate the growth of vegetation, which helps reduce soil erosion and improve crop yields. When handling compost or any other commercial potting soil/fertilizer, use sanitary methods and keep out of children?s reach. Compliance with these instructions for use complies with section (e) of the Clean Water Act. Application of this product is prohibited except in accordance with the instructions on this information sheet.

The most recent sludge analysis complied with all regulatory requirements of the parameters listed in Table 3, Page 9392 of the Friday, February 19, 1993 Federal Register.

RECOMMENDED APPLICATION RATES (NON-AGRICULTURAL USE)

Turfgrass: (rate per 1000 ft.)

Establishment: 3 - 6 yards of compost tilled into top 4 - 6 inches of soil. Three cubic yards equal a 1-inch cover.

Top dressing after seeding: Spread uniform cover 1/3 to ¼ inch. Apply in spring and fall for cool season grasses.

Ornamental Planting:

• Flower Beds (annual): Incorporate 2 ? 3 inches of compost into top 4 ? 6 inches of soil.
• Permanent and Established: Work ½ to 1 inch of compost around plantings in spring and fall.
• Individual Plantings: Mix one part compost with one or two parts of soil for use as a back fill in a hole.
• Surface Mulch: Spread up to 1-inch compost over planting bed area.

RECOMMENDED APPLICATION RATES FOR AGRICULTURAL USE OR BULK SALES

• Bulk Sales - Compost product that is not sold in a bag or other container.
• Other Container - A bucket, box, carton, or a vehicle that has a load capacity of one metric ton (2205 Lbs.) or less (i.e.: A pick-up truck or trailer pulled by an automobile).

Any bulk compost product applied to agricultural land, a public contact site (i.e.: Public parks, ball fields, cemeteries, plant nurseries, turf farms, and golf courses), or a land reclamation site shall be applied at a Whole Sludge Application Rate (WSAR) that is equal to or less than the agronomic rate for the crop grown (based on the nitrogen needs of the crop).

Note: Most sewage sludge is low in Potassium and Potassium may need to be applied at an agronomic rate.

The following Bulk land application rates shall not be exceeded:

1. AWSAR - 566.2 metric tons/hectare/year (252.63 tons/acre/year or @ 1486 cubic yards of compost/acre/year)
2. Annual Application Rate (based on the Nitrogen needs of the crop grown). See example below:

EXAMPLE

Nitrogen needs of crop grown (non-irrigated soybeans), or 240 Lbs./Acre/Year divided by 0.94 Lbs. of Nitrogen/Cubic Yard of Compost = 255.29 Cubic Yards/Acre/Year.

Note: Actual Nitrogen Content may vary greatly and further analysis may need to be conducted to insure the Nitrogen needs of the crop are met and not exceeded. Contact your local Agriculture Extension Service agent for information on the Nitrogen needs of the crop.

ANNUAL WHOLE SLUDGE APPLICATION RATE (AWSAR)

The AWSAR is determined solely by calculating the metals pollutant levels applied yearly to the site. The metal with the lowest site life will determine how many years compost can be applied until the pollutant (metals) ceiling concentration is met. See the formula below:

SITE LIFE (Using the AWSAR & Agronomic rate for Soybeans from examples on previous page)

EXAMPLE #1 - AWSAR site life is 20 years [assuming the full AWSAR (252.63 dry tons/acre/year) is applied each year]

EXAMPLE #2 - Site Life based on Agronomic Rate for Crop (example - Soybeans) is 116.39. Assuming that 43.4 Dry Tons/acre/year or 255.29 cubic yards/acre/year is applied to the land for 116.39 years, then the site life based on the agronomic rate will be reached.

Therefore, since it is prohibited to apply compost at a rate greater than the agronomic rate, the Site Life for the above examples would be 116.39 years. If you have any concerns or questions on site life for the crop to be grown, please contact the GSWSA ? Myrtle Beach Wastewater Treatment Facility Superintendent for answers.

POLLUTANT METALS ANALYSIS (EPA 503.13 TABLE 3)

The following pollutant metal concentrations are from the most recent quarterly compost analysis.

NUTRIENT ANALYSIS

The following nutrient analyses are from the most recently available results. These numbers may be six (6) months or greater in time since the last nutrient sampling event, for more accurate up to date information, an additional analysis should be conducted by the applier of this product at their own expense. Due to the fact that the nutrient content in sewage sludge can vary greatly from week to week, GSWSA cannot guarantee the nutrient levels in compost received by the customer.

GSWSA compost meets the Federal 40 CFR part 503 standards for ?Class A? biosolids. If further information is needed in regards to the metals pollutant level in the compost, please contact the GSWSA - Myrtle Beach Wastewater Treatment Facility Superintendent at 234-8425.

SITE LIFE - Site Life is determined by the maximum allowable amount of an inorganic pollutant that can be applied to an area of land. When the Cumulative Pollutant Loading Rate (CPLR) for a pollutant is reached for a particular site, no more of that pollutant can be applied to the site in bulk sewage sludge.