Regulations: Title 27, Environmental Protection--Division 2, Solid Waste

Chapter 3. Criteria for All Waste Management Units, Facilities, and Disposal Sites

Subchapter 2. Siting and Design

Article 1.[Reserved by SWRCB]

Article 2. SWRCB - Waste Classification and Management

(a) Concept—This article contains a waste classification system which applies to solid wastes that cannot be discharged directly or indirectly to waters of the state and which therefore must be discharged to waste management units (Units) for treatment, storage, or disposal in accordance with the requirements of this division. Wastes which can be discharged directly or indirectly (e.g., by percolation) to waters of the state under effluent or concentration limits that implement applicable water quality control plans (e.g., municipal or industrial effluent or process wastewater) are not subject to the SWRCB-promulgated provisions of this division. This waste classification system shall provide the basis for determining which wastes may be discharged at each class of Unit. Waste classifications are based on an assessment of the potential risk of water quality degradation associated with each category of waste.

(1) The waste classifications in this article shall determine where the waste can be discharged unless the waste does not consist of or contain municipal solid waste (MSW) and the discharger establishes to the satisfaction of the RWQCB that a particular waste constituent or combination of constituents presents a lower risk of water quality degradation than indicated by classification according to this article.

(2) Discharges of wastes identified in section 20210 or section 20220 of this article shall be permitted only at Units which have been approved and classified by the RWQCB in accordance with the criteria established in Article 3 of this subchapter, and for which WDRs have been prescribed or waived pursuant to Article 4, Subchapter 3, Chapter 4 of this subdivision (section 21710 et seq.). Table 2.1 (of this article) presents a summary of discharge options for each waste category.

(b) Dedicated Units/Cells For Certain Wastes—The following wastes shall be discharged only at dedicated Units [or dedicated landfill cells (e.g., ash monofill cell)] which are designed and constructed to contain such wastes:

(1) wastes which cause corrosion or decay, or otherwise reduce or impair the integrity of containment structures;

(2) wastes which, if mixed or commingled with other wastes can produce a violent reaction (including heat, pressure, fire or explosion), can produce toxic byproducts, or can produce any reaction product(s) which:

(A) requires a higher level of containment;

(B) is a restricted waste; or

(C) impairs the integrity of containment structures.

(c) Waste Characterization—Dischargers shall be responsible for accurate characterization of wastes, including determinations of whether or not wastes will be compatible with containment features and other wastes at a Unit under  (b), and whether or not wastes are required to be managed as hazardous wastes under Chapter 11 of Division 4.5 of Title 22 of this code.

(d) Management of Liquids at Landfills and Waste Piles—The following requirements apply to discharges of liquids at Class II waste piles and at Class II and Class III landfills, except as otherwise required for MSW landfills by more-stringent state and federal requirements under SWRCB Resolution No. 93-62 (Section 2908, Title 23 of this code) (see 40CFR258.28) [Note: see also definitions of "leachate" and "landfill gas condensate" in section 20164]:

(1) [Reserved.];

(2) wastes containing free liquids shall not be discharged to a Class II waste pile. Any waste that contains liquid in excess of the moisture holding capacity of the waste in the Class II landfill, or which contains liquid in excess of the moisture holding capacity as a result of waste management operations, compaction, or settlement shall only be discharged to a surface impoundment or to another Unit with containment features equivalent to a surface impoundment; and

(3) liquids or semi solid waste (i.e., waste containing less than 50 percent solids, by weight), other than dewatered sewage or water treatment sludge as described in section 20220(c), shall not be discharged to Class III landfills. Exceptions may be granted by the RWQCB if the discharger can demonstrate that such discharge will not exceed the moisture holding capacity of the landfill, either initially or as a result of waste management operations, compaction, or settlement, so long as such discharge is not otherwise prohibited by applicable state or federal requirements.

Note:

Authority cited:
Section 1058, Water Code.

Reference:
Section 13172, Water Code; Section 43103, Public Resources Code.

Designated waste, as defined in California Water Code section 13173, shall be discharged only at Class I waste management units (for information regarding Class I Units, see Chapter 15, Division 3, Title 23 of this code) or at Class II waste management units which comply with the applicable SWRCB-promulgated provisions of this subdivision and have been approved by the RWQCB for containment of the particular kind of waste to be discharged. Decomposable wastes in this category can be discharged to Class I or II land treatment units.

Note:

Authority cited: 
Section 1058, Water Code. 

Reference: 
Section 13172, Water Code; Section 43103, Public Resources Code.

Table 2.1

(a) Definition—Nonhazardous solid waste means all putrescible and nonputrescible solid, semi solid, and liquid wastes, including garbage, trash, refuse, paper, rubbish, ashes, industrial wastes, demolition and construction wastes, abandoned vehicles and parts thereof, discarded home and industrial appliances, manure, vegetable or animal solid and semi solid wastes and other discarded waste (whether of solid or semi solid consistency); provided that such wastes do not contain wastes which must be managed as hazardous wastes, or wastes which contain soluble pollutants in concentrations which exceed applicable water quality objectives, or could cause degradation of waters of the state (i.e., designated waste).

(b) Units That Receive—Except as provided in Section 20200(d) (for liquids), nonhazardous solid waste may be discharged at any classified landfill which is authorized to accept such waste, provided that:

(1) the discharger shall demonstrate that codisposal of nonhazardous solid waste with other waste shall not create conditions which could impair the integrity of containment features and shall not render designated waste hazardous (e.g., by mobilizing hazardous constituents); and

(2) the discharger shall ensure, to the maximum extent feasible, that the Unit receives only those wastes that are approved for being discharged at that Unit. [Note: see also CIWMB Section 20870]

(c) Dewatered Sludge—Dewatered sewage or water treatment sludge may be discharged at a Class III landfill under the following conditions, unless DTSC determines that the waste must be managed as hazardous waste:

(1) the landfill is equipped with a leachate collection and removal system (LCRS);

(2) the sludge contains at least 20 percent solids (by weight) if primary sludge, or at least 15 percent solids if secondary sludge, mixtures of primary and secondary sludges, or water treatment sludge; and

(3) a minimum solids to liquid ratio of 5:1 by weight shall be maintained to ensure that the codisposal will not exceed the initial moisture holding capacity of the nonhazardous solid waste. The actual ratio required by the RWQCB shall be based on site specific conditions.

(d) Ash—Incinerator ash may be discharged at a Class III landfill unless DTSC determines that the waste must be managed as hazardous waste.

Note:

 Authority cited:
Section 1058, Water Code. 

Reference: 
Section 13172, Water Code; Section 43103, Public Resources Code.

(a) Defined—Inert waste is that subset of solid waste that does not contain hazardous waste or soluble pollutants at concentrations in excess of applicable water quality objectives, and does not contain significant quantities of decomposable waste.

(b) Units That Accept—Inert wastes do not need to be discharged at classified Units.

(c) WDRs Optional—The RWQCB can prescribe individual or general WDRs for discharges of inert wastes.

Note:

Authority cited: 
Section 1058, Water Code.

 Reference: 
Section 13172, Water Code; Section 43103, Public Resources Code.

Last updated: March 21, 2008