Bacteria Rulemaking Inclusion of Bacteria Limits in TPDES
Bacteria Rulemaking Inclusion of Bacteria Limits in TPDES Permits
EPA Objections EPA review n 303 d list for bacteria n February 2007 –July 2008 n Approximately 100 draft permits not approved n
EPA Interim Agreement n n n n 303 d list Bacteria TMDL Over 5 MGD >100 cfu/100 ml New & amended permits Oyster water Effluent limits
EPA Long Term Agreement n Propose rule by July 1, 2009 n Adopt rule by Dec 31, 2009 n Requires limits upon permit issuance n Objections to any permit without bacteria limits after Jan 1, 2010
Rule Timeline Proposal – May 20, 2009 n Comment Period n n Jun 5 – Jul 5, 2009 Adoption – Oct 28, 2009 n Effective – Nov 19, 2009 n
Implementation n Next permit action n New Renewal Amendment EPA agreement allows no compliance schedule n Recommend starting evaluations now n
Bacteria Permit Limits Notification language in all permits n E. coli for fresh water n Enterococcus for salt water n Limits effective at issuance n n n No compliance schedule Possible exceptions for small facilities
E. coli Permit Limits n n Fresh Water Numerical limit in rule § OR Refer to WQ Standards changing n n 126 cfu current 206 cfu proposed
Enterococcus Permit Limits Salt water discharges n WQ Standards not changing n n Numeric limit = 35 cfu
Large Domestic Facilities n Interim Sampling Schedule n >50 MGD – 5/week 20 -50 MGD – 3/week 5 -20 MGD – 1/week <5 –no monitoring n n n
Monitoring Frequencies Based on permitted flow n Ultraviolet vs chlorine n Increased frequency: n n application screening 303 d segment sensitive water body
Continued Need for Chlorine Testing n Retain n n 4. 0 mg maximum 0. 1 mg dechlor Regular check between bacteria samples n Delay in bacteria results n
Chlorine Contact Chambers n Recommend evaluating now n If undersized or short-circuiting Violating current regulations n No compliance schedule n
Sample Holding Times Standard Methods 9221 & 9222 n Holding time – 6 hours n Travel time issues n SWQM in-stream variance n
Laboratory Issues In-house testing without certification n Contract lab must be NELAC certified n Proximity to plant n Increased workload n
Pond Systems 21 -day retention time n Recommend evaluating n n n Capacities Sample Locations Wildlife impacts (birds, etc) Compliance schedule for new construction
Wet Weather Issues Affects a limited number of facilities n Blending n Other options for stand-alone facilities that can’t meet limits n
Industrial Facilities n n Bacteria limits for domestic outfalls Commingled domestic and process outfalls Internal outfalls vs external outfalls Monitoring frequency
Discussion Topics n Questions n Suggestions n Solutions
Contact Us n Kent Trede n n n Sherry Smith n n n ktrede@tceq. state. tx. us 512. 239. 1747 shesmith@tceq. state. tx. us 512. 239. 0571 Chris Linendoll n n clinendo@tceq. state. tx. us 512. 239. 4515
Fecal vs Residual Chlorine
E. coli vs Residual Chlorine
Possible Limit Scenarios n EPA national criteria = WQ Stds contact criterion n A % of EPA/WQS criteria -- safety factor n Primary contact criteria from WQS at permit issuance n Individual receiving stream criterion
Current WQ Stds n n n Freshwater E. coli 126 cfu/100 mls n n n Saltwater Enterococci 35 cfu/100 mls
Proposed WQ Standards n n n Freshwater E. coli 206 cfu/100 ml Saltwater Enterococci 35 cfu/100 ml
Daily Maximum Limit n n n Current Standard E coli n 394 cfu/100 ml Enterococci: n 89 cfu/100 ml n n n Proposed Standard E coli n 399 cfu/100 ml Enterococci n 104 cfu/100 ml
Alternate Daily Max Method Daily max = Daily avg x (3. 11/1. 47) = Daily avg x 2. 12 SIP established ratio (pg 57)
Thanks for coming!
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