[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 62 (Thursday, April 1, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15749-15753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-7770]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-6313-6]
Proposed National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
General Permit for Reverse Osmosis Desalinization Facilities in Saipan,
NPDES # MPG450000
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of proposed NPDES General Permit for Reverse Osmosis
Desalinization Facilities in Saipan.
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SUMMARY: The Reverse Osmosis units are designed to remove dissolved
solids from the water in order to provide potable water to the hotels.
The source water may be brackish groundwater or seawater. The waste
stream contains concentrated levels of total dissolved solids (TDS).
Periodically, the filters are cleaned by backwashing or by adding
chemicals to raise and lower the pH (from 2 to 12).
Due to the similarities between the discharges, a general permit is
being proposed to cover all current and future discharges from hotel RO
units meeting certain criteria (see permit).
Public comment: If you need additional information, you may contact
Mike Lee between the hours of 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. by calling
(415) 744-1484 or by writing to: CWA Standards and Permits Office,
Attn: Mike Lee (CMD-1), 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105-
3901.
All comments upon or objections to the PROPOSED PERMIT and requests
for a PUBLIC HEARING, pursuant to 40 CFR 124.12, must be transmitted or
delivered in writing to Mike Lee, at the address shown above, within 30
days of the date of this notice. An extension of the 30 day comment
period may be granted if the request for an extension adequately
explains why more time is required to prepare comments.
A final decision to set the conditions and to issue the permit, or
to deny the permit, shall be made after all comments have been
considered: Notice of the final decisions shall be sent to each person
who has transmitted or delivered written comments or requested notice
of the final permit decisions. The decisions will become effective 30
days from the date of issuance unless:
1. A later effective date is specified in the decisions; or
2. An evidentiary hearing is requested pursuant to 40 CFR 124.74;
or
3. There are no comments requesting a change to the PROPOSED
PERMIT, in which case the final decisions shall become effective
immediately upon issuance.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Description of Facilities
There are approximately eight hotels in Saipan at this time that
discharge or intend to discharge wastewater from a reverse osmosis
water treatment unit(s) into waters of the U.S. Each discharges less
than 0.5 MGD and into receiving water named Saipan Lagoon, either
directly, or through a storm water conveyance channel.
II. Applicable Water Quality Standards
Water Quality Standards for the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands were adopted on January 20, 1997. The standards
classify Garapan lagoon as a Class AA marine water. Under the CNMI
Water Quality Standards, ``It is the objective of this class that these
waters remain in their natural pristine state as nearly as possible
with an absolute minimum of pollution or alteration of water quality
from any human-caused source or actions. To the extent practicable, the
wilderness character of such areas shall be protected. No zone of
mixing will be permitted.''
Discharge in compliance with this NPDES permit should ensure
achievement of all applicable Water Quality Standards. These Standards
are designed to prevent degradation of water quality. Therefore,
compliance with this NPDES permit should prevent any ``unreasonable
degradation'' of the marine environment, and in accordance with section
403(c) of the Clean Water Act an NPDES permit may be issued.
III. Effluent limitations
Discharges from desalination processes are not subject to any
effective EPA effluent limitations guidelines. Therefore, permit
requirements were established using Best Professional Judgment (BPJ)
and specific water quality standards in order to ensure protection of
the beneficial uses of the receiving waters.
A. pH
The pH is limited in the permit between 6.5 and 8.6 standard units,
based on water quality standards for Class AA waters. According to
literature submitted by an applicant, the RO units are routinely
cleaned by the addition of certain chemicals in order to raise and
lower the pH from 2 to 12.
B. Formaldehyde
Some permit applications indicates that formalin (formaldehyde 37%)
will be used for cleaning the R/O unit. Formaldehyde is a carcinogen,
and its discharge into waters of the U.S. is prohibited.
C. Sodium Hexametaphosphate
Some permit applications indicate that Sodium Hexametaphosphate
will also be used in the process. Data searches for toxicity of Sodium
Hexametaphosphate performed on the Hazardous Substances Data Base
suggest that ``metaphosphates are toxic probably because of their
excess alkalinity rather than from simple NA excess.'' (Venugopal, B.
and T.D. Luckey, Metal Toxicity in Mammals, New York, Plenum Press,
1978, pg. 11). Wastewater with high alkalinity should have no adverse
effect once mixed with seawater unless the pH is very high. For this
reason, monitoring for pH is required and a limit for pH is in the
permit. Furthermore, a limit for total phosphorous is included, based
on the Saipan Water Quality Standards.
D. TDS
TDS testing is required in order to insure that the water quality
standard of ``no permanent change in isohaline patterns of the
receiving water'' is met. This data may be used for future modeling
studies. There is no limit set at this time. Typically, discharges are
around 50,000 mg/l.
F. Total Nitrogen, Sulfide (Undissociated), Ammonia (Un-ionized)
Data from existing reverse osmosis desalinization plants in Saipan
indicate exceedances of the water quality
[[Page 15750]]
standards for these three pollutants. Limits will therefore be included
in the permit.
G. Turbidity
The limit for turbidity, <2 ntu,="" is="" derived="" from="" cnmi="" water="" quality="" standards.="" h.="" ammonia="" the="" limit="" for="" un-ionized="" ammonia,="" .02="" mg/l,="" is="" derived="" from="" cnmi="" water="" quality="" standards.="" i.="" priority="" pollutant="" scan="" if="" the="" source="" water="" is="" contaminated,="" the="" concentrated="" waste="" water="" will="" likely="" be="" even="" more="" so.="" for="" this="" reason,="" a="" priority="" pollutant="" scan="" of="" the="" wastewater="" is="" required="" within="" the="" first="" six="" months="" of="" obtaining="" general="" permit="" coverage="" and="" once="" every="" time="" the="" location="" of="" the="" source="" water="" changes.="" j.="" whole="" effluent="" toxicity="" testing="" at="" this="" time,="" no="" bioassays="" are="" required.="" however,="" the="" permit="" may="" be="" modified="" in="" the="" future="" to="" require="" wet="" testing.="" iv.="" monitoring="" frequency="" the="" permittee="" is="" required="" to="" monitor="" at="" the="" frequency="" specified="" in="" the="" permit.="" in="" addition,="" the="" permittee="" is="" required="" to="" monitor="" everytime="" the="" units="" are="" cleaned="" due="" to="" the="" possibility="" of="" increased="" pollutant="" loading="" during="" such="" periods.="" v.="" application="" requirements="" permittees="" meeting="" the="" requirements="" specified="" in="" the="" permit="" may="" submit="" a="" notice="" of="" intent="" (noi)="" which="" includes="" the="" required="" information.="" a="" noi="" must="" be="" submitted="" at="" least="" 60="" days="" prior="" to="" intended="" discharge="" and="" again="" at="" least="" 90="" days="" prior="" to="" the="" expiration="" of="" this="" permit.="" epa,="" upon="" reviewing="" the="" information="" submitted,="" will="" decide="" either="" to="" include="" the="" applicant="" under="" the="" general="" permit="" or="" to="" issue="" the="" applicant="" an="" individual="" permit.="" the="" applicant="" may="" assume="" coverage="" by="" the="" general="" permit="" if="" epa="" does="" not="" respond="" within="" 60="" days.="" vii.="" effects="" on="" endangered="" species="" epa="" believes="" that="" discharge="" in="" compliance="" with="" this="" permit="" will="" have="" no="" effect="" on="" endangered="" species.="" endangered="" species="" in="" saipan="" which="" could="" be="" impacted="" would="" be="" the="" green="" and="" hawksbill="" sea="" turtles.="" at="" the="" present="" time="" there="" has="" been="" no="" critical="" habitat="" designated="" for="" these="" species="" in="" saipan="" lagoon.="" furthermore,="" discharges="" allowed="" under="" this="" permit="" may="" not="" be="" placed="" so="" that="" effluent="" directly="" impacts="" seagrass="" beds="" or="" live="" coral="" reef="" habitat,="" as="" these="" habitats="" are="" important="" to="" these="" species="" of="" sea="" turtles.="" viii.="" economic="" impact="" (executive="" order="" 12866)="" under="" executive="" order="" 12866="" (58="" fr="" 51735="" (october="" 4,="" 1993)),="" the="" agency="" must="" determine="" whether="" the="" regulatory="" action="" is="" ``significant''="" and="" therefore="" subject="" to="" omb="" review="" and="" the="" requirements="" of="" the="" executive="" order.="" the="" order="" defines="" ``significant="" regulatory="" action''="" as="" one="" that="" is="" likely="" to="" result="" in="" a="" rule="" that="" may="" have="" an="" annual="" effect="" on="" the="" economy="" of="" $100="" million="" or="" more="" or="" adversely="" affect="" in="" a="" material="" way="" the="" economy,="" a="" sector="" of="" the="" economy,="" productivity,="" competition,="" jobs,="" the="" environment,="" public="" health="" or="" safety,="" or="" state,="" local,="" or="" tribal="" governments="" or="" communities;="" create="" a="" serious="" inconsistency="" or="" otherwise="" interfere="" with="" an="" action="" taken="" or="" planned="" by="" another="" agency;="" materially="" alter="" the="" budgetary="" impact="" of="" entitlements,="" grants,="" user="" fees,="" or="" loan="" programs="" or="" the="" rights="" and="" obligations="" of="" recipients="" thereof;="" or="" raise="" novel="" legal="" or="" policy="" issues="" arising="" out="" of="" legal="" mandates,="" the="" president's="" priorities,="" or="" the="" principles="" set="" forth="" in="" the="" executive="" order.="" epa="" has="" determined="" that="" this="" proposed="" general="" permit="" is="" not="" a="" ``significant="" regulatory="" action''="" under="" the="" terms="" of="" executive="" order="" 12866="" and="" is="" therefore="" not="" subject="" to="" formal="" omb="" review="" prior="" to="" proposal.="" ix.="" unfunded="" mandates="" reform="" act="" section="" 201="" of="" the="" unfunded="" mandates="" reform="" act="" (umra),="" pub.="" l.="" 104-4,="" generally="" requires="" federal="" agencies="" to="" assess="" the="" effects="" of="" their="" ``regulatory="" actions''="" on="" state,="" local,="" and="" tribal="" governments="" and="" the="" private="" sector.="" umra="" uses="" the="" term="" ``regulatory="" actions''="" to="" refer="" to="" regulations.="" (see,="" e.g.,="" umra="" section="" 201,="" ``each="" agency="" shall="" *="" *="" *="" assess="" the="" effects="" of="" federal="" regulatory="" actions="" *="" *="" *="" (other="" than="" to="" the="" extent="" that="" such="" regulations="" incorporate="" requirements="" specifically="" set="" forth="" in="" law)'').="" umra="" section="" 102="" defines="" ``regulation''="" by="" reference="" to="" section="" 658="" of="" title="" 2="" of="" the="" u.s.="" code,="" which="" in="" turn="" defines="" ``regulation''="" and="" ``rule''="" by="" reference="" to="" section="" 601(2)="" of="" the="" regulatory="" flexibility="" act="" (rfa).="" that="" section="" of="" the="" rfa="" defines="" ``rule''="" as="" ``any="" rule="" for="" which="" the="" agency="" publishes="" a="" notice="" of="" proposed="" rulemaking="" pursuant="" to="" section="" 553(b)="" of="" [the="" administrative="" procedure="" act="" (apa)],="" or="" any="" other="" law="" *="" *="" *''="" as="" discussed="" in="" the="" rfa="" section="" of="" this="" notice,="" npdes="" general="" permits="" are="" not="" ``rules''="" under="" the="" apa="" and="" thus="" not="" subject="" to="" the="" apa="" requirement="" to="" publish="" a="" notice="" of="" proposed="" rulemaking.="" npdes="" general="" permits="" are="" also="" not="" subject="" to="" such="" a="" requirement="" under="" the="" clean="" water="" act="" (cwa).="" while="" epa="" publishes="" a="" notice="" to="" solicit="" public="" comment="" on="" draft="" general="" permits,="" it="" does="" so="" pursuant="" to="" the="" cwa="" section="" 402(a)="" requirement="" to="" provide="" ``an="" opportunity="" for="" a="" hearing.''="" thus,="" npdes="" general="" permits="" are="" not="" ``rules''="" for="" rfa="" or="" umra="" purposes.="" epa="" has="" determined="" that="" the="" proposed="" general="" permit="" for="" saipan="" does="" not="" contain="" a="" federal="" requirement="" that="" may="" result="" in="" expenditures="" of="" $100="" million="" or="" more="" for="" state,="" local="" and="" tribal="" governments,="" in="" the="" aggregate,="" or="" the="" private="" sector="" in="" any="" one="" year.="" the="" agency="" also="" believes="" that="" the="" proposed="" general="" permit="" will="" not="" significantly="" nor="" uniquely="" affect="" small="" governments.="" for="" umra="" purposes,="" ``small="" governments''="" is="" defined="" by="" reference="" to="" the="" definition="" of="" ``small="" governmental="" jurisdiction''="" under="" the="" rfa.="" (see="" umra="" section="" 102(1),="" referencing="" 2="" u.s.c.="" 658,="" which="" references="" section="" 601(5)="" of="" the="" rfa.)="" ``small="" governmental="" jurisdiction''="" means="" governments="" of="" cities,="" counties,="" towns,="" etc.,="" with="" a="" population="" of="" less="" than="" 50,000,="" unless="" the="" agency="" establishes="" an="" alternative="" definition.="" the="" proposed="" general="" permit="" also="" will="" not="" uniquely="" affect="" small="" governments="" because="" compliance="" with="" the="" permit="" conditions="" affects="" small="" governments="" in="" the="" same="" manner="" as="" any="" other="" entities="" seeking="" coverage="" under="" the="" proposed="" general="" permit.="" x.="" paperwork="" reduction="" act="" epa="" has="" reviewed="" the="" requirements="" imposed="" on="" regulated="" facilities="" resulting="" from="" the="" proposed="" general="" permit="" under="" the="" paperwork="" reduction="" act="" of="" 1980,="" 44="" u.s.c.="" 3501="" et="" seq.="" the="" information="" collection="" requirements="" of="" the="" proposed="" general="" permit="" have="" already="" been="" approved="" in="" previous="" submissions="" made="" for="" the="" npdes="" permit="" program="" under="" the="" provisions="" of="" the="" cwa.="" xi.="" regulatory="" flexibility="" act="" under="" the="" regulatory="" flexibility="" act,="" 5="" u.s.c.="" 601="" et="" seq.,="" epa="" is="" required="" to="" prepare="" a="" regulatory="" flexibility="" analysis="" to="" assess="" the="" impact="" of="" rules="" on="" small="" entities.="" under="" 5="" u.s.c.="" 605(b),="" no="" regulatory="" flexibility="" analysis="" is="" required="" where="" the="" head="" of="" the="" agency="" certifies="" that="" the="" rule="" will="" not="" have="" a="" significant="" economic="" impact="" on="" a="" substantial="" number="" of="" small="" entities.="" the="" agency="" takes="" the="" position="" that="" npdes="" general="" permits="" are="" not="" subject="" to="" rulemaking="" requirements="" under="" apa="" section="" 553="" or="" any="" other="" law.="" the="" requirements="" of="" apa="" section="" 553="" apply="" only="" to="" the="" issuance="" of="" ``rules,''="" which="" the="" apa="" defines="" in="" a="" manner="" that="" [[page="" 15751]]="" excludes="" permits.="" see="" apa="" section="" 551(4),="" (6)="" and="" (8).="" the="" cwa="" also="" does="" not="" require="" publication="" of="" a="" general="" notice="" of="" proposed="" rulemaking="" for="" general="" permits.="" epa="" publishes="" draft="" general="" npdes="" permits="" for="" public="" comment="" in="" the="" federal="" register="" in="" order="" to="" meet="" the="" applicable="" cwa="" procedural="" requirement="" to="" provide="" ``an="" opportunity="" for="" a="" hearing.''="" see="" cwa="" section="" 402(a),="" 33="" u.s.c.="" 1342(a).="" nevertheless,="" the="" agency="" has="" considered="" the="" potential="" impact="" of="" the="" proposed="" general="" permit="" on="" small="" entities="" in="" a="" manner="" that="" meets="" the="" requirements="" of="" the="" rfa.="" specifically,="" epa="" has="" analyzed="" the="" potential="" impact="" of="" the="" proposed="" general="" permit="" on="" small="" entities="" and="" determined="" that="" the="" permit="" will="" not="" have="" a="" significant="" economic="" impact="" on="" a="" substantial="" number="" of="" small="" entities.="" the="" permit="" requirements="" have="" been="" designed="" to="" minimize="" significant="" administrative="" and="" economic="" impacts="" on="" small="" entities="" and="" should="" not="" have="" a="" significant="" impact="" on="" regulated="" sources="" in="" general.="" moreover,="" the="" proposed="" general="" permit="" reduces="" a="" significant="" burden="" on="" regulated="" sources="" of="" applying="" for="" individual="" permits.="" xii.="" signature="" accordingly,="" i="" hereby="" find="" consistent="" with="" the="" provisions="" of="" the="" regulatory="" flexibility="" act,="" that="" this="" proposed="" general="" permit="" will="" not="" have="" a="" significant="" impact="" on="" a="" substantial="" number="" of="" small="" entities.="" authority:="" clean="" water="" act,="" 33="" u.s.c.="" 1251="" et="" seq.="" for="" the="" regional="" administrator.="" dated:="" february="" 22,="" 1999.="" michael="" g.="" schulz,="" acting="" director,="" water="" division,="" region="" 9.="" authorization="" to="" discharge="" under="" the="" national="" pollutant="" discharge="" elimination="" system="" general="" permit="" for="" the="" discharge="" of="" reverse="" osmosis="" waste="" water="" into="" marine="" waters="" of="" the="" cnmi,="" npdes="" #mpg450000="" in="" compliance="" with="" the="" provisions="" of="" the="" clean="" water="" act,="" as="" amended,="" (33="" u.s.c.="" 1251="" et="" seq.,="" the="" ``act''),="" and="" with="" the="" federal="" regulations="" at="" 40="" cfr="" 122.28,="" epa="" issues="" a="" general="" permit="" to="" cover="" discharge="" of="" reverse="" osmosis="" wastewater="" from="" facilities="" located="" in="" the="" cnmi="" meeting="" the="" following="" criteria:="" 1.="" facility="" operates="" a="" reverse="" osmosis="" (ro)="" unit="" or="" units="" designed="" specifically="" for="" the="" production="" of="" potable="" water;="" and="" 2.="" discharge="" from="" individual="" ro="" unit="" is="" less="" than="" 0.5="" million="" gallons="" per="" day="" (mgd);="" and="" 3.="" discharge="" reaches="" marine="" surface="" waters="" (i.e.="" directly,="" through="" a="" stormwater="" conveyance="" channel,="" or="" through="" an="" injection="" well="" that="" may="" mix="" with="" marine="" surface="" waters);="" and="" 4.="" an="" individual="" 401="" water="" quality="" certification="" has="" been="" obtained="" from="" the="" division="" of="" environmental="" quality,="" commonwealth="" of="" the="" northern="" mariana="" islands,="" which="" certifies="" that="" the="" discharge="" will="" not="" cause="" or="" contribute="" to="" violations="" of="" water="" quality="" standards,="" or="" impact="" seagrass="" beds="" or="" coral="" reef="" habitat.="" if="" facility="" meets="" the="" above="" criteria,="" the="" facility="" may="" apply="" for="" coverage="" under="" the="" general="" permit="" by="" submitting="" a="" complete="" notice="" of="" intent="" (noi)="" at="" least="" 90="" days="" prior="" to="" the="" planned="" date="" of="" discharge.="" the="" noi="" must="" include="" the="" following:="" 1.="" completed="" npdes="" application="" forms="" 1="" and="" form="" 2c.="" if="" previously="" applied,="" please="" send="" any="" updated="" information/changes="" to="" application;="" 2.="" a="" cover="" letter="" indicating="" that="" the="" permittee="" is="" seeking="" coverage="" under="" this="" general="" permit,="" has="" read="" this="" general="" permit="" and="" will="" comply="" with="" all="" its="" conditions;="" 3.="" individual="" water="" quality="" certification="" from="" division="" of="" environmental="" quality="" under="" section="" 401="" of="" the="" act;="" 4.="" a="" list="" of="" all="" chemicals="" used="" (both="" generic="" name="" and="" chemical="" names)="" both="" during="" typical="" water="" treatment="" and="" during="" cleaning="" of="" units;="" 5.="" name(s),="" location(s)="" and="" average="" total="" dissolved="" solids="" of="" source="" waters;="" and="" 6.="" description="" and="" location="" of="" monitoring="" stations(s).="" the="" noi="" must="" be="" submitted="" to="" usepa="" and="" commonwealth="" of="" northern="" marianas="" islands="" at="" the="" addresses="" listed="" under="" section="" 3="" of="" this="" permit.="" sixty="" (60)="" days="" after="" receipt="" of="" noi="" by="" epa,="" the="" applicant="" may="" discharge="" in="" accordance="" with="" conditions="" of="" this="" general="" permit="" and="" the="" individual="" 401="" certification="" unless="" otherwise="" notified="" by="" epa="" or="" cnmi="" deq.="" epa="" reserves="" the="" right="" to="" deny="" the="" general="" permit="" to="" anyone="" at="" anytime="" and="" require="" coverage="" under="" an="" individual="" permit.="" furthermore,="" in="" accordance="" with="" 122.28(b),="" this="" permit="" may="" be="" modified,="" revoked="" and="" reissued,="" or="" terminated="" in="" accordance="" with="" applicable="" requirements="" of="" part="" 124.="" permittees="" must="" submit="" another="" noi="" 90="" days="" prior="" to="" the="" expiration="" date="" of="" this="" general="" permit="" if="" the="" permittee="" intends="" to="" continue="" discharging="" beyond="" that="" date.="" the="" discharge="" must="" be="" in="" accordance="" with="" effluent="" limitations,="" monitoring="" requirements="" and="" other="" conditions="" set="" forth="" herein,="" in="" the="" 401="" certification,="" and="" in="" the="" attached="" epa="" region="" 9="" ``standard="" federal="" npdes="" permit="" conditions.''="" this="" permit="" and="" the="" authorization="" to="" discharge="" shall="" expire="" at="" midnight="" five="" years="" after="" effective="" date.="" 1.="" effluent="" limits="" and="" monitoring="" requirements="" a.="" effluent="" shall="" be="" sampled="" at="" the="" point="" of="" discharge,="" prior="" to="" mixing="" with="" the="" receiving="" water.="" if="" discharge="" occurs="" into="" a="" stormwater="" conveyance="" channel="" or="" pipe,="" monitoring="" shall="" be="" performed="" before="" discharge="" into="" the="" channel="" or="" pipe.="" monitoring="" shall="" be="" performed="" during="" the="" regular="" discharge="" of="" brine="" water="" and="" during="" the="" intermittent="" discharge="" of="" cleaning="" waste="" water.="">1 During the discharge of
brine water, monitoring will be performed at the frequency specified
below. During the discharge of cleaning waste water, monitoring shall
be performed every time cleaning waste water is discharged. Samples of
cleaning waste water should be identical in characteristics to that
which is discharged to the surface water. For example, if cleaning
waste water is stored or mixed with brine waste water prior to
discharge in order to reduce toxicity, samples should be taken of the
stored or mixed effluent.
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\1\ Cleaning waste water includes backwash water or any other
waste water with different chemical characteristics than the normal
brackish reject water.
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Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the permittee as
specified below:
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Limitations Monitoring requirements
Effluent characteristics --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daily max. Measurement frequency Sample type
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Flow................................. ........................ Continuous.............. N/A
Total Dissolved Solids............... ........................ Once/Quarter............ Discrete.
Total Nitrogen....................... 0.4 mg/l................ Once/Month.............. Discrete.
[[Page 15752]]
Total Phosphorous.................... 0.025 mg/l.............. Once/Month.............. Discrete.
Sulfide (undissociated).............. 0.002 mg/l.............. Once/Month.............. Discrete.
Ammonia (unionized).................. 0.02 mg/l............... Once/Month.............. Discrete.
Turbidity............................ Not > 2 NTU............. Once/Month.............. Discrete.
Total Residual Chlorine \2\.......... .01 mg/l................ Once/Day................ Discrete.
Priority Pollutant Scan.............. ........................ (\3\)................... Discrete.
pH................................... (\4\)................... Once/Day................ Discrete.
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\1\ The frequency specified below applies only to the discharge of brine water. Monitoring shall be performed
once/discharge during the discharge of cleaning waste water.
\2\ Monitoring required only if products containing chlorine are used. Non-detects shall be considered
compliance.
\3\ Permittee shall conduct priority pollutant scans on the effluent (both the cleaning waste water and the
brine water discharge) once within the first 6 months of general permit and again every time location of
source water changes.
\4\ (4) The pH of the effluent is limited between 6.5 and 8.6 standard units at all times.
b. The discharge shall be free of substances attributable to
domestic, industrial, or other controllable sources of pollutants and
shall be capable of supporting desirable aquatic life and be suitable
for recreation in and on the water.
c. The discharge shall not cause floating debris, oils, grease,
scum, or other floating materials.
d. The discharge shall be free from substances in amounts
sufficient to produce taste or odor in the water or detectable off
flavor in the flesh of fish, or in amounts sufficient to produce
objectionable odor, turbidity, or other conditions in the receiving
waters.
e. There shall be no discharge of cleaning wastes, biocides,
pathogenic organisms, toxic, radioactive, corrosive, or other
deleterious substances at levels or in combinations sufficient to be
toxic or harmful to human, animal, plant or aquatic life, or in amounts
sufficient to interfere with any beneficial use of the water.
f. There shall be no discharge of substances or conditions or
combinations thereof in concentrations which produce undesirable
aquatic life.
g. The discharge shall not cause the temperature of the receiving
water to vary by more than 1.5 deg.F (0.9 deg.C) from ambient
conditions.
h. The discharge shall not cause the dissolved oxygen level in the
receiving water to drop below 6.0 mg/l.
i. The discharge shall not cause a change in channels, basic
geometry or fresh water influx which would cause permanent changes in
isohaline patterns of more than 10% from the natural conditions or
which would otherwise adversely affect the indigenous biota and natural
sedimentary patterns.
j. The use of products containing formaldehyde is prohibited.
2. Additional Conditions
a. The permittee shall also comply with all requirements included
under their individual 401 certification.
b. If CNMI or USEPA believes, based on monitoring data, facility
inspections, or receiving water quality that a permittee's discharge
is, or may be causing or contributing to exceedances of water quality
criteria, or in any way impacting seagrass beds or live coral reef
habitat, USEPA may require the facility to obtain an individual permit.
An individual permit may include additional, or more stringent effluent
limitations, additional effluent and/or receiving water monitoring,
including whole effluent toxicity testing and/or dye/tracer studies to
determine the extent (if any) of the impacts.
3. Reporting and Monitoring
a. Reporting of Monitoring Results
Monitoring results obtained during the previous 3 months shall be
summarized for each month and submitted on forms to be supplied by the
Regional Administrator, to the extent that the information reported may
be entered on the forms. The results of all monitoring required by this
permit shall be submitted in such a format as to allow direct
comparison with the limitations and requirements of this permit. Unless
otherwise specified, discharge flows and pH shall be reported in terms
of the average value over each 30-day period and the maximum recorded
value over that 30-day period. Monitoring reports shall submitted on a
quarterly basis and be postmarked no later than the 28th day of the
month following the completed reporting period. The first report is due
thirty days after the effective date of this permit. Duplicate signed
copies of these, and all other reports required herein, shall be
submitted to the Regional Administrator and the Commonwealth at the
following addresses:
Regional Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency, Attention:
CMD-1, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
Director, Div. of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 1304, Saipan, MP
96950.
b. Twenty-Four Hour Reporting of Noncompliance
The permittee shall report any noncompliance which may endanger
health or the environment. Any information shall be provided orally
within 24 hours from the time the permittee becomes aware of the
circumstances to the following person or their office: Director, Div.
of Environmental Quality 670/664-8500 or 664-8501.
If the permittee is unsuccessful in contacting the person above,
he/she shall report by 9 a.m. on the first business day following the
noncompliance. A written submission shall also be provided within 5
days of the time the permittee becomes aware of the circumstances. The
written submission shall contain a description of the noncompliance and
its cause; the period of noncompliance, including dates and times, and,
if the noncompliance has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is
expected to continue; and steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate,
and prevent reoccurrence of the noncompliance.
c. Definitions
1. A ``discrete'' sample means any individual sample collected in
less than 15 minutes. A ``discrete'' sample for enteric virus means any
individual sample collected in less than 3 hours.
2. The ``daily maximum'' concentration means the measurement made
on any single discrete sample or composite sample.
d. Monitoring Modification
Monitoring, analytical, and reporting requirements may be modified
by the
[[Page 15753]]
Regional Administrator upon due notice.
4. EPA Region 9 Standard Conditions (Not Included)
[FR Doc. 99-7770 Filed 3-31-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
