If each load of biosolids are not tested, how do we know that the generator or hauler is not bringing in a load contaminated with a toxic chemical?
There are some safeguards against this occurring, but most rely upon the honesty of the generator, hauler or land applier. The regulatory agency makes routine, unannounced inspections of land application or biosolids processing facilities. They can, and do, take samples during these visits. There is no particular advantage to an unscrupulous waste hauler to try to dispose of illegal wastes at a biosolids management site. Such sites are regulated and regularly inspected, most of the operators of the sites haul as well as apply the biosolids. If they contaminate the site, they will be losing an outlet for the biosolids they are contracted to manage. It is unlikely that the profit they would make from illegally disposing of a chemical would make up for the loss of the site for biosolids management. When biosolids are land applied, often the land owner is different from the biosolids applier. Frequently, these land owners are farmers, who derive the majority of their income from producing
