[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 189 (Friday, September 29, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50804-51319]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-23257]
[[Page 50803]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part XIV
Environmental Protection Agency
_______________________________________________________________________
Final National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Storm Water
Multi-Sector General Permit for Industrial Activities; Notice
Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 189 / Friday, September 29, 1995 /
Notices
[[Page 50804]]
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECITON AGENCY
[FRL-5298-3]
Final National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Storm Water
Multi-Sector General Permit for Industrial Activities
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
SUMMARY: The following provides notice for a final NPDES general
permit, accompanying response to comments, and fact sheets for storm
water discharges associated with industrial activity in the following
Regions:
Region I--the States of Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire;
Federal Indian Reservations located in Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont; and Federal
facilities located in Vermont.
Region II--the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and Federal facilities
located in Puerto Rico.
Region III--the District of Columbia and Federal facilities located
in Delaware and the District of Columbia.
Region IV--the State of Florida.
Region V--no areas.
Region VI--the States of Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and
Texas, and Federal Indian Reservations located in Louisiana, New Mexico
(except Navajo Reservation lands, which are handled by Region IX, and
Ute Mountain Reservation lands, which are handled by Region VIII and
are not being covered by this permit), Oklahoma, and Texas.
Region VII--no areas.
Region VIII--no areas.
Region IX--the State of Arizona; the Territories of Johnston Atoll,
and Midway and Wake Islands; all Federal Indian Reservations located in
Arizona, California, and Nevada; those portions of the Duck Valley,
Fort McDermitt, and Goshute Reservations located outside Nevada; those
portions of the Navajo Reservation located outside Arizona; and Federal
facilities located in Arizona, Johnston Atoll, and Midway and Wake
Islands.
Region X--the State of Idaho; Federal Indian Reservations located
in Alaska, Idaho (except Duck Valley Reservation lands, which are
handled by Region IX), Oregon (except Fort McDermitt Reservation lands,
which are handled by Region IX), and Washington; and Federal facilities
located in Idaho, and Washington.
The permit covers storm water discharges associated with industrial
activity to waters of the United States, including discharges through
large and medium municipal separate storm sewer systems, and through
other municipal separate storm sewer systems. The permit is intended to
cover discharges from the following types of industrial activities:
lumber and wood products facilities; paper and allied products
manufacturing facilities; chemical and allied products manufacturing
facilities; asphalt paving and roofing materials manufacturers and
lubricants; stone, clay, glass and concrete products facilities;
primary metals facilities; metal mines (ore mining and dressing); coal
mines; oil and gas extraction facilities; nonmetallic mines and
quarries; hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal facilities;
landfills, land application sites and open dumps; automobile salvage
yards; scrap and waste material processing and recycling facilities;
steam electric power generating facilities; railroad transportation
facilities, local and suburban transit and interurban highway passenger
transportation facilities, petroleum bulk oil stations and terminals,
motor freight transportation facilities and U.S. Postal Service
facilities; water transportation facilities; ship or boat building/
repair facilities; airports; wastewater treatment plants; food and
kindred products facilities; textile mills, apparel and other fabric
manufacturing facilities; furniture and fixture manufacturing
facilities; printing and publishing facilities; rubber and
miscellaneous plastic product and miscellaneous manufacturing
facilities; leather tanning and finishing facilities; facilities that
manufacture fabricated metal products, jewelry, silverware, and plated
ware; facilities that manufacture transportation equipment, industrial,
or commercial machinery; and facilities that manufacture electronic
equipment and components, photographic and optical goods. Military
installations must comply with the permit and monitoring requirements
for all sectors that describe industrial activities that such
installations perform. Publication of this final general permit, fact
sheets, and response to comments complies with the requirements of 40
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 124.10.
The language of the permit is provided as an appendix to the
preamble of this notice. Most conditions of the general permit are
intended to apply to all permittees, unless stated otherwise. Where
conditions vary by State, these differences are indicated in the
appendix.
ADDRESSES: Notices of Intent (NOIs) to be covered under this permit and
Notices of Termination (NOT) to terminate coverage under this permit
must be sent to Storm Water Notice of Intent (4203), 401 M Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20460. The complete administrative record is available
through the Water Docket MC-4101, Environmental Protection Agency, 401
M Street SW, Washington DC 20460. A reasonable fee may be charged for
copying. Each Regional office (see addresses listed in Part VI.G. of
this fact sheet) has an index of the complete administrative record.
DATES: This general permit shall be effective on September 29, 1995.
Deadlines for submittal of Notices of Intent (NOIs) are provided in
Section II.A. of the general permit. Today's general permit also
provides additional dates for compliance with the terms of the permits
and for submitting monitoring data where required.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: For further information on the NPDES storm
water general permit, contact the appropriate EPA Regional Office. The
name, address and phone number of the EPA Regional Storm Water
Coordinators are provided in Part VI.G. of the fact sheet.
Organization of Today's Permit
Today's permit covers storm water discharges from a wide variety of
industrial activities. Because the conditions which affect the presence
of pollutants in storm water discharges vary among industries, today's
permit contains industry-specific sections that describe the storm
water pollution prevention plan requirements, the numeric effluent
limitation requirements and the monitoring requirements for that
industry. These industry-specific sections are contained in Part XI of
today's permit and are described in Part VIII of this fact sheet. There
are also a number of permit requirements that apply to all industries.
These requirements may be found in Parts I through X. They include the
general coverage discussion, the Notice of Intent requirements and
standard permit conditions. Specifically, Parts I through VII of this
fact sheet describe these common requirements. The following is an
outline of this fact sheet.
I. Background
II. Types of Discharges Covered
A. Limitations on Coverage
III. Pollutants in Storm Water Discharges Associated with Industrial
Activities in General
IV. Summary of Options for Controlling Pollutants
V. The Federal/Municipal Partnership: The Role of Municipal
Operators of Large and Medium Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems
VI. Summary of Common Permit Conditions
[[Page 50805]]
A. Notification Requirements
1. Contents of NOIs
2. Deadlines
3. Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Operator Notification
4. Notice of Termination
B. Special Conditions
1. Prohibition of Non-storm Water Discharges
2. Releases of Reportable Quantities of Hazardous Substances and
Oil
3. Co-located Industrial Facilities
C. Common Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
1. Pollution Prevention Team
2. Description of Potential Pollution Sources
3. Measures and Controls
4. Comprehensive Site Compliance Evaluation
D. Special Requirements
1. Special Requirements for Storm Water Discharges Associated
with Industrial Activity through Large and Medium Municipal Separate
Storm Sewer Systems
2. Special Requirements for Storm Water Discharges Associated
with Industrial Activity from Facilities Subject to EPCRA Section
313 Requirements
3. Special Requirements for Storm Water Discharges Associated
with Industrial Activity from Salt Storage Facilities
4. Consistency With Other Plans
E. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
1. Analytical Monitoring Requirements
2. Compliance Monitoring
3. Alternate Certification
4. Reporting and Retention Requirements
5. Sample Type
6. Representative Discharge
7. Sampling Waiver
8. Quarterly Visual Examination of Storm Water Quality
9. SARA Title III, Section 313 Facilities
F. Numeric Effluent Limitations
1. Industry-specific Limitations
2. Coal Pile Runoff
G. Regional Offices
1. Notice of Intent Address
2. Address for Other Submittals
H. Compliance Deadlines
VII. Cost Estimates For Common Permit Requirements
A. Pollution Prevention Plan Implementation
B. Cost Estimates for EPCRA Section 313
C. Cost Estimates for Coal Piles
D. Cost Estimates for Salt Piles
VIII. Special Requirements for Discharges Associated with Specific
Industrial Activities
A. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Timber Products Facilities
1. Discharges Covered Under This Sector
2. Industry Profile/Description of Industrial Activities
3. Pollutants Contributing to Storm Water Contamination
4. Options for Controlling Pollutants
5. Special Conditions
6. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
7. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
B. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Paper and Allied Products Manufacturing Facilities
1. Discharges Covered Under This Section
2. Industry Profile
3. Pollutants in Storm Water Discharges Associated With
Industrial Activity From Paper and Allied Product Manufacturing
Facilities
4. Options for Controlling Pollutants
5. Special Conditions
6. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
7. Numeric Effluent Limitation
8. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
C. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Chemical and Allied Products Manufacturing Facilities
1. Discharges Covered Under This Section
2. Pollutants Found in Storm Water Discharges
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants
4. Special Conditions
5. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
6. Numeric Effluent Limitations
7. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
D. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Asphalt Paving and Roofing Materials Manufacturers and
Lubricant Manufacturers
1. Discharges Covered Under This Section
2. Pollutants in Storm Water Discharges Associated with Asphalt
Facilities and Lubricant Manufacturers
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants
4. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
5. Numeric Effluent Limitations
6. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
E. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Glass, Clay, Cement, Concrete, and Gypsum Product Manufacturing
Facilities
1. Discharges Covered Under This Section
2. Pollutants in Storm Water Discharges Associated with Glass,
Clay, Cement, Concrete, and Gypsum Product Manufacturing
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants
4. Special Conditions
5. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
6. Numeric Effluent Limitations
7. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
F. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Primary Metals Facilities
1. Discharges Covered Under This Section.
2. Industry Profile
3. Pollutants Found in Storm Water Discharges
4. Options for Controlling Pollutants
5. Special Conditions
6. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
7. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
G. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Metal Mining (Ore Mining and Dressing) Facilities
1. Industrial Profile
2. Pollutants Found in Storm Water Discharges From Metal Mining
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants from Metal Mines
4. Discharges Covered Under This Section
5. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
6. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
7. Numeric Effluent Limitations
H. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Coal Mines and Coal Mining-Related Facilities
1. Discharges Covered Under This Section
2. Pollutants Found in Storm Water Discharges
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants
4. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
5. Numeric Effluent Limitation
6. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
I. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Oil and Gas Extraction Facilities
1. Industry Profile
2. Pollutants in Storm Water Discharges Associated with Oil and
Gas Facilities
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants
4. Special Conditions
5. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
6. Numeric Effluent Limitation
7. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
J. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Mineral Mining and Processing Facilities
1. Industry Profile
2. Pollutants in Storm Water Discharges Associated with Mineral
Mining and Processing Facilities
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants
4. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
5. Numeric Effluent Limitation
6. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
7. Definitions
K. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
from Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, or Disposal Facilities
1. Industry Profile
2. Pollutants in Storm Water Discharges Associated With
Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, or Disposal Facilities
3. Pollutant Control Measures Required Through Other EPA
Programs
4. Options for Controlling Pollutants
5. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
6. Numeric Effluent Limitations
7. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
8. Region-specific Conditions
L. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Landfills and Land Application Sites
1. Industry Profile
2. Potential Pollutant Sources and Options for Controlling
Pollutants at Landfill and Land Application Sites
3. Pollutant Control Measures Required by Other EPA Programs
4. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans Requirements
5. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
M. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Automobile Salvage Yards
1. Industry Profile
[[Page 50806]]
2. Pollutants in Storm Water Discharges Associated with
Automobile Salvage Yards
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants
4. Pollutant Control Measures Required Through Other EPA
Programs
5. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
6. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
N. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Scrap Recycling and Waste Recycling Facilities
1. Industry Profile
2. Pollutants Found in Storm Water Discharges
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants
4. Discharges Covered under this Section
5. Special Conditions
6. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
7. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
O. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Steam Electric Power Generating Facilities, Including Coal
Handling Areas
1. Industrial Profile
2. Pollutants in Storm Water Discharges Associated With Steam
Electric Power Generating Facilities
3. Pollutant Control Measures Required Under Other EPA Programs
4. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
5. Numeric Effluent Limitations
6. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
P. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Motor Freight Transportation Facilities, Passenger
Transportation Facilities, Petroleum Bulk Oil Stations and
Terminals, Rail Transportation Facilities, and United States Postal
Service Transportation Facilities
1. Discharges Covered Under This Section
2. Pollutants Found in Storm Water Discharges from Vehicle and
Equipment Maintenance and Cleaning Operations
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants
4. Pollutant Control Measures Required Through Other EPA
Programs
5. Special Conditions
6. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
7. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
Q. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Water Transportation Facilities That Have Vehicle Maintenance
Shops and/or Equipment Cleaning Operations
1. Discharges Covered Under This Section
2. Pollutants Found in Storm Water Discharges
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants
4. Pollutant Control Measures Required Through Other EPA
Programs
5. Special Conditions
6. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
7. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
R. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Ship and Boat Building or Repairing Yards
1. Discharges Covered Under This Section
2. Pollutants Found in Storm Water Discharges
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants
4. Pollutant Control Measures Required Through Other EPA
Programs
5. Special Conditions
6. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
7. Numeric Effluent Limitation
8. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
S. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Vehicle Maintenance Areas, Equipment Cleaning Areas, or Deicing
Areas Located at Air Transportation Facilities.
1. Discharges Covered Under This Section.
2. Pollutants Found in Storm Water Discharges.
3. Special Conditions.
4. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements.
5. Numeric Effluent Limitation.
6. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements.
T. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Treatment Works.
1. Discharges Covered Under this Section.
2. Industry Profile.
3. Pollutants Found in Storm Water Discharges From Treatment
Works.
4. Options for Controlling Pollutants.
5. Special Conditions.
6. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements.
7. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements.
U. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Food and Kindred Products Facilities.
1. Discharges Covered Under this Section.
2. Industry Profile.
3. Pollutants in Storm Water Discharges Associated with Food and
Kindred Products Processing Facilities.
4. Options for Controlling Pollutants.
5. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements.
6. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements.
V. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Textile Mills, Apparel, and Other Fabric Product Manufacturing
Facilities.
1. Discharges Covered Under this Section.
2. Pollutants in Storm Water Discharges Associated with the
Manufacture of Textile Products.
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants.
4. Special Conditions.
5. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements.
6. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements.
W. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Wood and Metal Furniture and Fixture Manufacturing Facilities.
1. Discharges Covered Under This Section.
2. Industry Profile.
3. Pollutants in Storm Water Discharges Associated with
Furniture and Fixtures Manufacturing Facilities.
4. Options for Controlling Storm Water Pollutants.
5. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements.
6. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements.
X. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Printing and Publishing Facilities.
1. Industry Profile.
2. Pollutants Found in Storm Water Discharges from Printing and
Publishing Facilities.
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants.
4. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements.
5. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements.
Y. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Rubber, Miscellaneous Plastic Products, and Miscellaneous
Manufacturing Industries.
1. Discharges Covered Under This Section.
2. Pollutants Found in Storm Water Discharges.
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants.
4. Special Conditions.
5. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements.
6. Numeric Effluent Limitations.
7. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements.
Z. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Leather Tanning and Finishing Facilities.
1. Discharges Covered Under This Section.
2. Pollutants found in Storm Water Discharges from Leather
Tanning Operations.
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants.
4. Special Conditions.
5. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements.
6. Numeric Effluent Limitations.
7. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements.
AA. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Fabricated Metal Products Industry.
1. Discharges Covered under this Section.
2. Industrial Profile.
3. Storm Water Sampling Results.
4. Options for Controlling Pollutants.
5. Special Conditions.
6. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements.
7. Numeric Effluent Limitations.
8. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements.
AB. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Facilities That Manufacture Transportation Equipment,
Industrial, or Commercial Machinery.
1. Industry Profile.
2. Pollutants Found in Storm Water Discharges From Facilities
Which Manufacture Transportation Equipment, Industrial or Commercial
Machinery.
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants.
4. Special Conditions.
5. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements.
6. Numeric Effluent Limitation.
7. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements.
AC. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity
From Facilities That Manufacture Electronic and Electrical Equipment
and Components, Photographic and Optical Goods.
1. Discharges Covered Under This Section.
2. Pollutants Found in Storm Water Discharges.
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants.
4. Special Conditions.
5. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements.
6. Numeric Effluent Limitations.
7. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements.
IX. Paperwork Reduction Act
X. 401 Certification.
[[Page 50807]]
Region I
Region II
Region III
Region IV
Region VI
Region IX
Region X
XI. Regulatory Flexibility Act
XII. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
I. Background
In 1972, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (also referred to
as the Clean Water Act (CWA)) was amended to provide that the discharge
of any pollutant to waters of the United States from any point source
is unlawful, except if the discharge is in compliance with a National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
For a number of reasons, EPA and authorized NPDES States have
failed to issue NPDES permits for the majority of point source
discharges of storm water. Recognizing this, Congress added section
402(p) to the CWA in 1987 to establish a comprehensive framework for
addressing storm water discharges under the NPDES program. Section
402(p)(4) of the CWA clarifies the requirements for EPA to issue NPDES
permits for storm water discharges associated with industrial activity.
On November 16, 1990 (55 FR 47990 as amended at 56 FR 12100, Mar. 21,
1991; 56 FR 56554, Nov. 5, 1991; 57 FR 11412, Apr. 2, 1992; 57 FR
60447, Dec. 18, 1992), EPA published final regulations which defined
the term ``storm water discharge associated with industrial activity.''
These regulations also set forth NPDES permit application requirements
for storm water discharges associated with industrial activity and
storm water discharges from certain municipal separate storm sewer
systems. The regulations presented three permit application options for
storm water discharges associated with industrial activity. The first
option was to submit an individual application consisting of Forms 1
and 2F. The second option was to become a participant in a group
application. The third option was coverage under a general permit in
accordance with the requirements of an issued general permit.
The promulgation of today's general permit is in response to the
second of these three options. Group applications were submitted in two
parts. Part 1 of the application was due by September 30, 1991, and
part 2 of the application was due by October 1, 1992. In part 1 of the
application, all participants were identified and information on each
facility was included, such as industrial activities, significant
materials exposed to storm water, and material management activities.
For part 1 of the application, groups also identified sampling
subgroups to submit sampling data for part 2. Over 1,200 groups with
over 60,000 member facilities submitted part 1 applications. Upon
review of the part 1 application, if the EPA determined that the
application was an appropriate grouping of facilities with complete
information provided on each participant, and a suitable sampling
subgroup was proposed, the application was approved.
Part 2 of the application consisted of sampling data from each
member of the sampling subgroup identified in part 1 of the
application. In drafting today's general permit, EPA reviewed both
parts of the applications and formulated the permit language noticed
today. NPDES authorized States were provided the data from the group
applications. Authorized NPDES States may propose and finalize either
individual permits for each facility included in the application
located in the State, or general permits, if the State has general
permit authority.1 If the State feels additional information is
needed from the applicants, the State may ask each or any of the
applicants for more information on their facility and/or discharge.
\1\ As of December 1993, 39 of the 40 NPDES authorized State
permitting programs had the authority to issue general permits.
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EPA estimates that about 100,000 facilities nationwide discharge
storm water associated with industrial activity (not including oil and
gas exploration and production operations) as described under phase I
of the storm water program. The large number of facilities addressed by
the regulatory definition of ``storm water discharge associated with
industrial activity'' has placed a tremendous administrative burden on
EPA and States with authorized NPDES programs to issue and administer
permits for these discharges.
To provide a reasonable and rational approach to addressing this
permitting task, the Agency has developed a strategy for issuing
permits for storm water discharges associated with industrial activity.
In developing this strategy, the Agency recognized that the CWA
provides flexibility in the manner in which NPDES permits are
issued,2 and has used this flexibility to design a workable
permitting system. In accordance with these considerations, the
permitting strategy (described in more detail in 57 FR 11394) describes
a four-tier set of priorities for issuing permits for these discharges:
\2\ The court in NRDC v. Train, 396 F.Supp. 1393 (D.D.C. 1975)
aff'd, NRDC v. Costle, 568 F.2d 1369 (D.C.Cir. 1977), has
acknowledged the administrative burden placed on the Agency by
requiring permits for a large number of storm water discharges. The
courts have recognized EPA's discretion to use certain
administrative devices, such as area permits or general permits, to
help manage its workload. In addition, the courts have recognized
flexibility in the type of permit conditions that can be
established, including the use of requirements for best management
practices.
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Tier I--Baseline Permitting--One or more general permits will be
developed to initially cover the majority of storm water discharges
associated with industrial activity.
Tier II--Watershed Permitting--Facilities within watersheds shown
to be adversely impacted by storm water discharges associated with
industrial activity will be targeted for individual or watershed-
specific general permits.
Tier III--Industry-Specific Permitting--Specific industry
categories will be targeted for individual or industry-specific general
permits.
Tier IV--Facility-Specific Permitting--A variety of factors will be
used to target specific facilities for individual permits.
The general permit accompanying this fact sheet will continue Phase
1 permitting activities for storm water discharges associated with
industrial activity by providing industry-specific coverage to group
applicants in the following areas: the States of Arizona, Florida,
Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico,
Oklahoma, and Texas; the District of Columbia; Johnston Atoll, and
Midway and Wake Islands; the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; Federal
Indian Reservations in Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Idaho,
Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico,
Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah (only the Navajo and
Goshute Reservations), Vermont, and Washington; and Federal facilities
located in Arizona, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of
Columbia, Delaware, Idaho, Johnston Atoll, Midway and Wake Islands,
Vermont, and Washington.3 EPA will provide today's permit to the
NPDES authorized States and encourages such States to consider this
permit for their permitting needs.
\3\ In 5 of the 40 States that are authorized to issue NPDES
permits for municipal and industrial sources, EPA issues permits for
discharges from Federal facilities. EPA also retains authority to
issue permits on Federal Indian Reservations. However, this fact
sheet only addresses general permits as indicated above. Where EPA
is the permit issuing authority for other storm water discharges,
either individual permits or a different general permit will be
issued.
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II. Types of Discharges Covered
On November 16, 1990 (55 FR 47990), EPA promulgated the regulatory
[[Page 50808]]
definition of ``storm water discharge associated with industrial
activity'' which addresses point source discharges of storm water from
eleven major categories of industrial activities. Industrial activities
from all of these categories with the exception of construction
activities participated in the group application process. The
information contained in the group applications indicates that type and
amount of pollutants discharged in storm water varies from industrial
activity to industrial activity because of the variety of potential
pollutant sources present in different industrial activities, as well
as the variety of pollution prevention measures commonly practiced by
each of the regulated industries. To facilitate the process of
developing permit conditions for each of the 1200 group applications
submitted, EPA classified groups into 29 industrial sectors where the
nature of industrial activity, type of materials handled and material
management practices employed were sufficiently similar for the
purposes of developing permit conditions. Each of the industrial
sectors were represented by one or more groups which participated in
the group application process. Table 1 lists each of the industrial
activities covered by today's permit, and the corresponding sections of
today's fact sheet and permit which discuss the specific requirements
for that industry. EPA has further divided some of the 29 sectors into
subsectors in order to establish more specific and appropriate permit
conditions, including best management practices and monitoring
requirements.
Coverage under today's general permit is available to storm water
discharges from industrial activities represented by the group
application process. However, coverage under this permit is not
restricted to participants in the group application process. To limit
coverage under this general permit only to those who participated in
the Group application process would not be appropriate for
administrative, environmental, and national consistency reasons. The
administrative burden for EPA to develop separate general permits for
non-group members would be excessive, unnecessary, and wasteful of tax
dollars. EPA would also need to use the same information in the
development of such permits. The permits would be essentially the same.
The time spent in this process would leave many facilities unregulated
for some number of additional months. This would not address the
environmental concerns of the Clean Water Act. Likewise, group members
are not precluded from seeking coverage under other available storm
water permits such as EPA's ``baseline'' general permits for Storm
Water Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity, (57 FR 41175 and
57 FR 44412). Group members must consider, however, that the deadlines
for preparing and implementing the pollution prevention plan required
under the baseline permit have already expired for existing facilities.
Therefore, group members that seek coverage under the baseline general
permit must have a pollution prevention plan developed and implemented
prior to NOI submittal.
Unlike the baseline general permits, today's permit does not
exclude all storm water discharges subject to effluent limitation
guidelines. Four types of storm water discharges subject to effluent
limitation guidelines may be covered under today's permit if they are
not already subject to an existing or expired NPDES permit. These
discharges include contaminated storm water runoff from phosphate
fertilizer manufacturing facilities, runoff associated with asphalt
paving or roofing emulsion production, runoff from material storage
piles at cement manufacturing facilities and coal pile runoff at steam
electric generating facilities. The permit does not, however, authorize
all storm water discharges subject to effluent guidelines. Storm water
discharges subject to effluent guidelines under 40 CFR part 436 or for
mine drainage under 40 CFR part 440 are not covered under today's
permit nor are discharges subject to effluent guidelines for acid or
alkaline mine drainage under 40 CFR part 434.
Table 1.--Industrial Activities Covered by Today's General Permit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fact sheet section describing Permit section describing
Industrial activity discharges covered discharges covered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timber Products Facilities...................... VIII.A........................ XI.A.
Paper and Allied Products Manufacturing VIII.B........................ XI.B.
Facilities.
Chemical and Allied Products Manufacturing VIII.C........................ XI.C.
Facilities.
Asphalt Paving and Roofing Materials VIII.D........................ XI.D.
Manufacturers and Lubricant Manufacturers.
Glass, Clay, Cement, Concrete, and Gypsum VIII.E........................ XI.E.
Product Manufacturing Facilities.
Primary Metals Facilities....................... VIII.F........................ XI.F.
Metal Mining (Ore Mining and Dressing) VIII.G........................ XI.G.
Facilities.
Coal Mines and Coal Mining-Related Facilities... VIII.H........................ XI.H.
Oil and Gas Extraction Facilities............... VIII.I........................ XI.I.
Mineral Mining and Processing Facilities........ VIII.J........................ XI.J.
Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, or Disposal VIII.K........................ XI.K.
Facilities.
Landfills and Land Application Sites............ VIII.L........................ XI.L.
Automobile Salvage Yards........................ VIII.M........................ XI.M.
Scrap and Waste Recycling Facilities............ VIII.N........................ XI.N.
Steam Electric Power Generating Facilities, VIII.O........................ XI.O.
Including Coal Handling Areas.
Vehicle Maintenance or Equipment Cleaning Areas VIII.P........................ XI.P.
at Motor Freight Transportation Facilities,
Passenger Transportation Facilities, Petroleum
Bulk Oil Stations and Terminals, Rail
Transportation Facilities, and the United
States Postal Service.
Vehicle Maintenance Areas and/or Equipment VIII.Q........................ XI.Q.
Cleaning Operations at Water Transportation
Facilities.
Ship and Boat Building or Repairing Yards....... VIII.R........................ XI.R.
Vehicle Maintenance Areas, Equipment Cleaning VIII.S........................ XI.S.
Areas, or Deicing Area located at Air
Transportation Facilities.
Treatment Works................................. VIII.T........................ XI.T.
Food and Kindred Products Facilities............ VIII.U........................ XI.U.
Textile Mills, Apparel, and Other Fabric Product VIII.V........................ XI.V.
Manufacturing Facilities.
Wood and Metal Furniture and Fixture VIII.W........................ XI.W.
Manufacturing Facilities.
[[Page 50809]]
Printing and Publishing Facilities.............. VIII.X........................ XI.X.
Rubber, Miscellaneous Plastic Products, and VIII.Y........................ XI.Y.
Miscellaneous Manufacturing Industries.
Leather Tanning and Finishing Facilities........ VIII.Z........................ XI.Z.
Fabricated Metal Products Industry.............. VIII.AA....................... XI.AA.
Facilities That Manufacture Transportation VIII.AB....................... XI.AB.
Equipment, Industrial, or Commercial Machinery.
Facilities That Manufacture Electronic and VIII.AC....................... XI.AC.
Electrical Equipment and Components,
Photographic and Optical Goods.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. Limitations on Coverage
Because of the broad scope of today's permit, most industrial
activities currently regulated under the storm water program could be
covered by the permit. There are, however, several types of storm water
discharges which are not covered under today's permit. Storm water
discharges subject to an existing NPDES permit are not covered under
today's permit, except facilities which are currently subject to the
baseline general permit. EPA believes that in most cases these
discharges are more appropriately covered under terms and conditions of
their existing permit. These discharges may be covered under today's
permit only when the existing permit has expired and only when the
expired permit did not contain numeric effluent limitations more
stringent than those in today's permit. Owners/operators of facilities
currently covered under the baseline general permit who wish to obtain
coverage under today's general permit must submit a Notice of
Termination (NOT) to terminate coverage under the baseline general
permit with a Notice of Intent (NOI) to be covered under today's
permit. Storm water discharges that were subject to an NPDES permit
that was terminated by the permitting authority are not eligible for
coverage under today's permit. Construction activities are not eligible
for coverage under this permit. Storm water discharges that were
subject to a permit that was terminated as a result of the permittee's
request are eligible for coverage under today's permit. Storm water
discharges from industrial activities that are not addressed in the
appropriate section of Part XI. (see Table 1) of the permit are not
eligible for coverage under this permit. These types of industrial
activities were not represented in the group application process.
Therefore, EPA has no additional information with which to develop
permit requirements beyond those developed for the baseline general
permit.
(1) Storm Water Discharges Subject to New Source Performance
Standards. Section 306 of the Clean Water Act requires EPA to develop
performance standards for all new sources described in that section.
These standards apply to all facilities which go into operation after
the date the standards are promulgated. Section 511(c) of the Clean
Water Act requires the Agency to comply with the National Environmental
Policy Act prior to issuance of a permit under the authority of Section
402 of the CWA to facilities defined as a new source under Section 306.
Facilities which are subject to the performance standards for new
sources as described in this section of the fact sheet must provide EPA
with an Environmental Information Document pursuant to 40 CFR 6.101
prior to seeking coverage under this permit. This information shall be
used by the Agency to evaluate the facility under the requirements of
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in an Environmental
Review. The Agency will make a final decision regarding the direct or
indirect impact of the discharge. The Agency will follow all
administrative procedures required in this process. The permittee must
obtain a copy of the Agency's final finding prior to the submittal of a
Notice of Intent to be covered by this general permit. In order to
maintain eligibility, the permittee must implement any mitigation
required of the facility as a result of the NEPA review process.
Failure to implement mitigation measures upon which the Agency's NEPA
finding is based is grounds for termination of permit coverage. In this
way, EPA has established a procedure which allows for the appropriate
review procedures to be completed by this Agency prior to the issuance
of a permit under Section 402 of the CWA to an operator of a facility
subject to the new source performance standards of Section 306 of the
CWA. EPA believes that it has fulfilled its requirements under NEPA for
this federal action under Section 402 of the CWA.
(2) Historic Preservation. The National Historic Preservation Act
(NHPA) prohibits Federal actions that would affect a property that
either is listed on, or is eligible for listing, on the National
Historic Register. EPA therefore cannot issue NPDES permits to
discharges that will affect historic properties unless measures will be
taken such as under a written agreement between the applicant and the
State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) that outlines all measures
to be undertaken by the applicant to mitigate or prevent adverse
effects to the historic property. Therefore, under today's permit a
storm water discharge may be covered only if the discharge will not
affect a historic property that is listed or is eligible to be listed
in the National Historic Register, or the operator has obtained and is
in compliance with a written agreement signed by the State Historic
Preservation Officer (SHPO) that outlines measures to be taken to
mitigate or prevent adverse affects to the historic site.
(3) Endangered Species. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973
requires Federal Agencies such as EPA to ensure, in consultation with
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries
Service (the Services) that any actions authorized, funded, or carried
out by the Agency (e.g., EPA issued NPDES permits authorizing
discharges to waters of the United States) are not likely to jeopardize
the continued existence of any federally-listed endangered or
threatened species or adversely modify or destroy critical habitat of
such species (see 16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2), 50 CFR 402 and 40 CFR
122.49(c)). EPA completed a formal consultation with the Services on
the action of issuing this permit on April 5, 1995. The terms and
conditions of this permit reflect the results of that consultation.
Accordingly, storm water discharges that are likely to adversely
affect species identified in Addendum H of the permit are not
authorized permit coverage
[[Page 50810]]
under this storm water multi-sector industrial general permit.
Permittees are also not authorized permit coverage if the BMPs they
plan to construct and operate as a part of the required storm water
pollution prevention plan are likely to adversely affect a species
identified in Addendum H.
To be eligible for coverage under the multi-sector storm water
permit, applicants are required to review the list of species and their
locations which are contained in Addendum H of this permit and which
are described in the instructions for completing the application
requirements under this permit. If an applicant determines that none of
the species identified in the addendum are found in the county in which
the facility is located, then there is no likelihood of an adverse
affect and they are eligible for permit coverage. Applicants must then
certify that their discharges, and the construction of storm water
BMPs, are not likely to adversely affect species and will be granted
multi-sector storm water permit coverage 48 hours after the date of the
postmark on the envelope used to mail in the NOI form.
If species identified in Addendum H are found to be located in the
same county as the facility seeking storm water permit coverage, then
the applicant next must determine whether the species are in proximity
to the storm water discharges at the facility, or any BMPs to be
constructed to control storm water runoff. A species is in proximity to
a storm water discharge when the species is located in the path or down
gradient area through which or over which point source storm water
flows from industrial activities to the point of discharge into the
receiving water, and once discharged into the receiving water, in the
immediate vicinity of, or nearby, the discharge point. A species is
also in proximity if a species is located in the area of a site where
storm water BMPs are planned to be constructed. If an applicant
determines there are no species in proximity to the storm water
discharge, or the BMPs to be constructed, then there is no likelihood
of adversely affecting the species and the applicant is eligible for
permit coverage.
If species are in proximity to the storm water discharges or areas
of BMP construction, as long as they have been considered as part of a
previous ESA authorization of the applicant's activity, and the
environmental baseline established in that authorization is unchanged,
the applicant may be covered under the permit. For example, an
applicant's activity may have been authorized as part of a section 7
consultation under ESA, covered under a section 10 permit, or have
received a clearance letter. The environmental baseline generally
includes the past and present impacts of all federal, state and private
actions that were contemporaneous to an ESA authorization. Therefore,
if a permit applicant has received previous authorization and nothing
has changed or been added to the environmental baseline established in
the previous authorization, then coverage under this permit will be
provided.
In the absence of such previous authorization, if species
identified in Addendum H are in proximity to the discharges, or the
construction areas for the BMPs, then the applicant must determine
whether there is any likely adverse effect upon the species. This is
done by the applicant conducting a further examination or
investigation, or an alternative procedure, described in the
instructions in Addendum H of the permit. If the applicant determines
there is no likely adverse effect upon the species, then the applicant
is eligible for permit coverage. If the applicant determines that there
likely is, or will likely be an adverse effect, then the applicant is
not eligible for multi-sector storm water permit coverage.
All dischargers applying for coverage under this permit must
provide in the application information on the Notice of Intent form:
(1) a determination as to whether there are any species identified in
Addendum H in proximity to the storm water discharges and BMPs
construction areas, and (2) a certification that their storm water
discharges and the construction of BMPs to control storm water are not
likely to adversely affect species identified in Addendum H, or are
otherwise eligible for coverage due to a previous authorization under
the ESA. Coverage is contingent upon the applicant's providing truthful
information concerning certification and abiding by any conditions
imposed by the permit.
Dischargers who are not able to determine that there will be no
likely adverse affect to species or habitats and cannot sign the
certification to gain coverage under this multi-sector storm water
general permit, must apply to EPA for an individual NPDES storm water
permit. As appropriate, EPA will conduct ESA Sec. 7 consultation when
issuing such individual permits.
Regardless of the above conditions, EPA may require that a
permittee apply for an individual NPDES permit on the basis of possible
adverse effects on species or critical habitats. Where there are
concerns that coverage for a particular discharger is not sufficiently
protective of listed species, the Services (as well as any other
interested parties) may petition EPA to require that the discharger
obtain an individual NPDES permit and conduct an individual section 7
consultation as appropriate.
In addition, the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries for the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or his/her authorized
representative, or the U.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Service (as well as
any other interested parties) may petition EPA to require that a
permittee obtain an individual NPDES permit. The permittee is also
required to make the storm water pollution prevention plan, annual site
compliance inspection report, or other information available upon
request to the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries for the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or his/her authorized
representative, or the U.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Service Regional
Director, or his/her authorized representative.
These mechanisms allow for the broadest and most efficient coverage
for the permittee while still providing for the most efficient
protection of endangered species. It significantly reduces the number
of dischargers that must be considered individually and therefore
allows the Agency and the Services to focus their resources on those
discharges that are indeed likely to adversely affect water-dependent
listed species. Straightforward mechanisms such as these allow
applicants with expedient permit coverage, and eliminates ``permit
limbo'' for the greatest number of permitted discharges. At the same
time it is more protective of endangered species because it allows both
agencies to focus on the real problems, and thus, provide endangered
species protection in a more expeditious manner.
(4) Storm Water Discharges Associated with Inactive Mines,
Landfills, Oil and Gas Operations that Are Located on Federal Lands.
The permit does not cover storm water discharges associated with
industrial activity from inactive mines, inactive landfills, and
inactive oil and gas operations that are located on Federal lands,
unless an operator of the industrial activity can be identified. These
discharges are not eligible for coverage under this permit because they
would more appropriately be covered by the permit currently under
development by EPA intended specifically to cover these types of
discharges.
[[Page 50811]]
III. Pollutants in Storm Water Discharges Associated with Industrial
Activities in General
The volume and quality of storm water discharges associated with
industrial activity will depend on a number of factors, including the
industrial activities occurring at the facility, the nature of
precipitation, and the degree of surface imperviousness. A discussion
of these factors is provided in the proposed general permit (see FR 58
61146 Nov. 19, 1993).
IV. Summary of Options for Controlling Pollutants
Pollutants in storm water discharges from industrial plants may be
reduced using the following methods: eliminating pollution sources,
implementing Best Management Practices to prevent pollution, using
traditional storm water management practices, and providing end-of-pipe
treatment. Each of these is discussed in the proposed general permit
(see 58 FR 61146, Nov. 19, 1993).
V. The Federal/Municipal Partnership: The Role of Municipal Operators
of Large and Medium Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems
A key issue in developing a workable regulatory program for
controlling pollutants in storm water discharges associated with
industrial activity is the proper use and coordination of limited
regulatory resources. This is especially important when addressing the
appropriate role of municipal operators of large and medium municipal
separate storm sewer systems in the control of pollutants in storm
water associated with industrial activity which discharge through
municipal separate storm sewer systems. The proposed general permit
discussed several key policy factors (see 58 FR 61146).
VI. Summary of Common Permit Conditions
The following section describes the permit conditions common to
discharges from all the industrial activities covered by today's
permit. These conditions were proposed on November 19, 1993 (58 FR
61146), and reflect the baseline permit requirements established for
most regulated industries in EPA's General Permits for Storm Water
Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity [57 FR 41344-41356
September 9, 1992, and 57 FR 44438-44470 September 25, 1992]. Permit
requirements which vary from industry to industry are discussed in Part
VIII of this fact sheet.
A. Notification Requirements
General permits for storm water discharges associated with
industrial activity require the submittal of an NOI prior to the
authorization of such discharges (see 40 CFR 122.28(b)(2)(i), April 2,
1992 [57 FR 11394]). Consistent with these regulatory requirements,
today's general permit establishes NOI requirements that operate in
addition to the part 1 and part 2 group application requirements. To be
covered under this permit, facilities, including members of an approved
group, must submit an NOI and other required information within 90 days
of the effective date of this permit. The NOI form is found in Addendum
B.
1. Contents of NOIs
a. The operator's name, address, telephone number, and status as
Federal, State, private, public, or other entity.
b. Street address of the facility for which the notification is
submitted. Where a street address for the site is not available, the
location can be described in terms of the latitude and longitude of the
facility to the nearest 15 seconds, or the quarter, section, township,
and range (to the nearest quarter section) of the approximate center of
the site.
c. An indication of whether the facility is located on Federal
Indian Reservations.
d. Up to four 4-digit Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)
codes that best represent the principal products or activities provided
by the facility. For hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal
facilities, land disposal facilities that receive or have received any
industrial waste, steam electric power generating facilities, or
treatment works treating domestic sewage, a 2-character code must be
provided.
e. The permit number of any NPDES permit for any discharge
(including non-storm water discharges) from the site that is currently
authorized by an NPDES permit.
f. The name of the receiving water(s), or if the discharge is
through a municipal separate storm sewer, the name of the municipal
operator of the storm sewer and the receiving water(s) for the
discharge through the municipal separate storm sewer.
g. The analytical monitoring status of the facility (monitoring or
not).
h. For a co-permittee, if a storm water general permit number has
been issued, it should be included.
i. A certification that the operator of the facility has read and
understands the eligibility requirements for the permit and that the
operator believes the facility to be in compliance with those
requirements.
j. Identify type of permit requested (either baseline general,
multi-sector, or construction); longitude and latitude; indication of
presence of endangered species; indication of historic preservation
agreement; signed certification stating compliance with the National
Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, and the new source
performance standard requirements.
k. For any facility that begins to discharge storm water associated
with industrial activity after [insert date 270 days after permit
finalization], a certification that a storm water pollution prevention
plan has been prepared for the facility in accordance with Part IV of
this permit. (A copy of the plan should not be included with the NOI
submission.)
An NOI form is provided in Addendum B. The NOI must be signed in
accordance with the signatory requirements of 40 CFR 122.22. A complete
description of these signatory requirements is provided in the
instructions accompanying the NOI. Completed NOI forms must be
submitted to the Storm Water Notice of Intent (4203), 401 M Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20460.
2. Deadlines
Except for the special circumstances discussed below, dischargers
who intend to obtain coverage under this permit for a storm water
discharge from an industrial activity that is in existence prior to the
date 90 days after permit issuance must submit an NOI on or before the
date 90 days after permit issuance, and facilities that begin
industrial activities after the date 90 days after permit issuance are
required to submit an NOI at least 2 days prior to the commencement of
the new industrial activity.
A discharger is not precluded from submitting an NOI at a later
date. However, in such instances, EPA may bring appropriate enforcement
actions.
The storm water regulations (40 CFR 122.27) require that facilities
that discharge storm water associated with an industrial activity
submit an application for permit coverage on or before October 1, 1992,
except industrial activities owned or operated by a medium
municipality, which had until May 17, 1993. Today's permit does not
extend that application deadline. EPA intends that most of the
facilities that will seek coverage under the final version of today's
permit are: members of groups with approved applications; facilities
that submitted a Notice of
[[Page 50812]]
Intent to be covered by EPA's baseline general permit and now wish to
switch to coverage under today's permit; or have submitted a complete
individual application but have not yet received an individual permit.
EPA may deny coverage under this permit and require submittal of an
individual NPDES permit application based on a review of the
completeness and/or content of the NOI or other information (e.g.,
Endangered Species Act compliance, National Historic Preservation Act
Compliance, water quality information, compliance history, history of
spills, etc.). Where EPA requires a discharger authorized under this
general permit to apply for an individual NPDES permit (or an
alternative general permit), EPA will notify the discharger in writing
that a permit application (or different NOI) is required by an
established deadline. Coverage under this industry general permit will
automatically terminate if the discharger fails to submit the required
permit application in a timely manner. Where the discharger does submit
a requested permit application, coverage under this general permit will
automatically terminate on the effective date of the issuance or denial
of the individual NPDES permit or the alternative general permit as it
applies to the individual permittee. Compliance deadlines are discussed
in Part VI.H. of this fact sheet.
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Operator Notification
Operators of storm water discharges associated with industrial
activity that discharge through a large or medium municipal separate
storm sewer system or a municipal system designated by the
Director,4 must notify the municipal operator of the system
receiving the discharge and submit a copy of their NOI to the municipal
operator.
\4\ The terms large and medium municipal separate storm sewer
systems (systems serving a population of 100,000 or more) are
defined at 40 CFR 122.26(b) (4) and (7). Some of the cities and
counties in which these systems are found are listed in Appendices
F, G, H, and I to 40 CFR Part 122. Other municipal systems have been
designated by EPA on a case-by-case basis or have brought into the
program based upon the 1990 Census.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Notice of Termination
Where a discharger is able to eliminate the storm water discharges
associated with industrial activity from a facility, the discharger may
submit a Notice of Termination (NOT) form (or photocopy thereof)
provided by the Director.
A copy of the NOT and instructions for completing the NOT are
included in Addendum C. The NOT form requires the following
information:
a. Name, mailing address, and location of the facility for which
the notification is submitted. Where a street address for the site is
not available, the location of the approximate center of the site must
be described in terms of the latitude and longitude to the nearest 15
seconds, or the section, township and range to the nearest quarter;
b. The name, address and telephone number of the operator addressed
by the Notice of Termination;
c. The NPDES permit number for the storm water discharge associated
with industrial activity identified by the NOT;
d. An indication of whether the storm water discharges associated
with industrial activity have been eliminated or the operator of the
discharges has changed; and
e. The following certification:
I certify under penalty of law that all storm water discharges
associated with industrial activity from the identified facility
that are authorized by an NPDES general permit have been eliminated
or that I am no longer the operator of the industrial activity. I
understand that by submitting this Notice of Termination I am no
longer authorized to discharge storm water associated with
industrial activity under this general permit, and that discharging
pollutants in storm water associated with industrial activity to
waters of the United States is unlawful under the Clean Water Act
where the discharge is not authorized by an NPDES permit. I also
understand that the submittal of this notice of termination does not
release an operator from liability for any violations of this permit
or the Clean Water Act.
NOTs are to be sent to the Storm Water Notice of Termination
(4203), 401 M Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460.
The NOT must be signed in accordance with the signatory
requirements of 40 CFR 122.22. A complete description of these
signatory requirements is provided in the instructions accompanying the
NOT.
B. Special Conditions
The conditions of this permit have been designed to comply with the
technology-based standards of the CWA (BAT/BCT). Based on a
consideration of the appropriate factors for BAT and BCT requirements,
and a consideration of the factors and options discussed in this fact
sheet for controlling pollutants in storm water discharges associated
with industrial activity, the general permit lists a set of tailored
requirements for developing and implementing storm water pollution
prevention plans, and for selected discharges, effluent
limitations.5
\5\ Part I.C.2 of the general permit provides that facilities
with storm water discharges associated with industrial activity
which, based on an evaluation of site specific conditions, believe
that the appropriate conditions of this permit do not adequately
represent BAT and BCT requirements for the facility may submit to
the Director an individual application (Form 1 and Form 2F). A
detailed explanation of the reasons why the conditions of the
available general permits do not adequately represent BAT and BCT
requirements for the facility as well as any supporting
documentation must be included.
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Part VIII. of this fact sheet summarizes the options for
controlling pollutants in storm water discharges associated with
industrial activity. The permit includes numeric effluent limitations
for coal pile runoff, contaminated runoff from fertilizer manufacturing
facilities, runoff from asphalt emulsion manufacturing facilities, and
material storage pile runoff located at cement manufacturing facilities
or cement kilns.
For other discharges covered by the permit, the permit conditions
reflect EPA's decision to identify a number of best management
practices and traditional storm water management practices which
prevent pollution in storm water discharges as the BAT/BCT level of
control for the majority of storm water discharges covered by this
permit. The permit conditions applicable to these discharges are not
numeric effluent limitations, but rather are flexible requirements for
developing and implementing site specific plans to minimize and control
pollutants in storm water discharges associated with industrial
activity. This approach is consistent with the approach used in the
baseline general permits finalized on September 9, 1992 (57 FR 41236)
and September 25, 1992 (57 FR 44438). In addition, today's general
permit reflects information received through the group application
process.
EPA is authorized under 40 CFR 122.44(k)(2) to impose BMPs in lieu
of numeric effluent limitations in NPDES permits when the Agency finds
numeric effluent limitations to be infeasible. EPA may also impose BMPs
which are ``reasonably necessary * * * to carry out the purposes of the
Act'' under 40 CFR 122.44(k)(3). Both of these standards for imposing
BMPs were recognized in NRDC v. Costle, 568 F.2d 1369, 1380 (D.C. Cir.
1977). The conditions in the permit are issued under the authority of
both of these regulatory provisions. The pollution prevention or BMP
requirements in this permit operate as limitations on effluent
discharges that reflect the application of BAT/BCT. This is because the
BMPs identified require the use of source
[[Page 50813]]
control technologies which, in the context of this general permit, are
the best available of the technologies economically achievable (or the
equivalent BCT finding). See NRDC v. EPA, 822 F.2d 104, 122-23 (D.C.
Cir. 1987) (EPA has substantial discretion to impose nonquantitative
permit requirements pursuant to Section 402(a)(1)).
1. Prohibition of Non-storm Water Discharges
Today's general permit does not authorize non-storm water
discharges that are mixed with storm water except as provided below.
The only non-storm water discharges that are intended to be authorized
under today's permit include discharges from fire fighting activities;
fire hydrant flushings; potable water sources, including waterline
flushings; irrigation drainage; lawn watering; routine external
building washdown without detergents; pavement washwaters where spills
or leaks of toxic or hazardous materials have not occurred (unless all
spilled material has been removed) and where detergents are not used;
air conditioning condensate; compressor condensate; springs;
uncontaminated ground water; and foundation or footing drains where
flows are not contaminated with process materials such as solvents that
are combined with storm water discharges associated with industrial
activity.
To be authorized under the general permit, these sources of non-
storm water (except flows from fire fighting activities) must be
identified in the storm water pollution prevention plan prepared for
the facility. (Plans and other plan requirements are discussed in more
detail below). Where such discharges occur, the plan must also identify
and ensure the implementation of appropriate pollution prevention
measures for the non-storm water component(s) of the discharge.
Today's permit does not require pollution prevention measures to be
identified and implemented for non-storm water flows from fire-fighting
activities because these flows will generally be unplanned emergency
situations where it is necessary to take immediate action to protect
the public.
The prohibition of unpermitted non-storm water discharges in this
permit ensures that non-storm water discharges (except for those
classes of non-storm water discharges that are conditionally authorized
in Part III.A.2.b.) are not inadvertently authorized by this permit.
Where a storm water discharge is mixed with non-storm water that is not
authorized by today's general permit or another NPDES permit, the
discharger should submit the appropriate application forms (Forms 1,
2C, and/or 2E) to gain permit coverage of the non-storm water portion
of the discharge.
2. Releases of Reportable Quantities of Hazardous Substances and Oil
a. This general permit provides that the discharge of hazardous
substances or oil from a facility must be eliminated or minimized in
accordance with the storm water pollution plan developed for the
facility. Where a permitted storm water discharge contains a hazardous
substance or oil in an amount equal to or in excess of a reporting
quantity established under 40 CFR Part 117, or 40 CFR Part 302 during a
24-hour period, the following actions must be taken:
(1) Any person in charge of the facility that discharges hazardous
substances or oil is required to notify the National Response Center
(NRC) (800-424-8802; in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, 202-426-
2675) in accordance with the requirements of 40 CFR Part 117, and 40
CFR Part 302 as soon as they have knowledge of the discharge.
(2) The storm water pollution prevention plan for the facility must
be modified within 14 calendar days of knowledge of the release to
provide a description of the release, an account of the circumstances
leading to the release, and the date of the release. In addition, the
plan must be reviewed to identify measures to prevent the reoccurrence
of such releases and to respond to such releases, and it must be
modified where appropriate.
(3) The permittee must also submit to EPA within 14 calendar days
of knowledge of the release a written description of the release
(including the type and estimate of the amount of material released),
the date that such release occurred, the circumstances leading to the
release, and steps to be taken to modify the pollution prevention plan
for the facility.
b. Anticipated discharges containing a hazardous substance in an
amount equal to or in excess of reporting quantities are those caused
by events occurring within the scope of the relevant operating system.
Facilities that have more than 1 anticipated discharge per year
containing a hazardous substance in an amount equal to or in excess of
a reportable quantity are required to:
(1) Submit notifications of the first release that occurs during a
calendar year (or for the first year of this permit, after submittal of
an NOI); and
(2) Provide a written description in the storm water pollution
prevention plan of the dates on which such releases occurred, the type
and estimate of the amount of material released, and the circumstances
leading to the releases. In addition, the pollution prevention plan
must address measures to minimize such releases.
c. Where a discharge of a hazardous substance or oil in excess of
reporting quantities is caused by a non-storm water discharge (e.g., a
spill of oil into a separate storm sewer), that discharge is not
authorized by this permit and the discharger must report the discharge
as required under 40 CFR Part 110, 40 CFR Part 117, or 40 CFR Part 302.
In the event of a spill, the requirements of Section 311 of the CWA and
other applicable provisions of Sections 301 and 402 of the CWA continue
to apply. This approach is consistent with the requirements for
reporting releases of hazardous substances and oil that make a clear
distinction between hazardous substances typically found in storm water
discharges and those associated with spills that are not considered
part of a normal storm water discharge (see 40 CFR 117.12(d)(2)(i)).
3. Co-located Industrial Facilities
Today's general permit addresses storm water discharges from
industrial activities co-located at an industrial facility described in
the coverage section of the permit. Co-located industrial activities
occur when activities being conducted onsite meet more than one of the
descriptions in the coverage sections of Part XI. of this permit (e.g.,
a landfill at a wood treatment facility or a vehicle maintenance garage
at an asphalt batching plant). Co-located industrial activities are
authorized under today's general permit provided that the industrial
facility complies with the pollution prevention plan and monitoring
requirements for each co-located activity.
Authorizing co-located discharges allows industrial facilities to
develop pollution prevention plans that fully address all industrial
activities at the site. For example, if a wood treatment facility has a
landfill, the pollution prevention plan requirements for the wood
treatment facility will differ greatly from those needed for a
landfill. Therefore, by authorizing co-located industrial activities,
the wood treatment facility will develop a pollution prevention plan to
meet the requirements addressing the storm water discharges from the
wood treatment facility and the landfill. The facility is also subject
to applicable monitoring requirements for each type of industrial
activity as described in the applicable sections of the permit. By
[[Page 50814]]
monitoring the discharges from the different industrial activities, the
facility can better determine the effectiveness of the pollution
prevention plan requirements for controlling storm water discharges
from all activities.
C. Common Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
All facilities intended to be covered by today's general permit for
storm water discharges associated with industrial activity must prepare
and implement a storm water pollution prevention plan. The storm water
permit addresses pollution prevention plan requirements for a number of
categories of industries. The following is a discussion of the common
permit requirements for all industries; special requirements for storm
water discharges associated with industrial activity through large and
medium municipal separate storm sewer systems; special requirements for
facilities subject to EPCRA Section 313 reporting requirements; and
special requirements for facilities with outdoor salt storage piles.
These are the permit requirements which apply to discharges associated
with any of the industrial activities covered by today's permit. These
common requirements may be amended or further clarified in the
industry-specific pollution prevention plan requirements. Table 2
indicates the location of the industry-specific pollution prevention
plans. These industry-specific requirements are additive for facilities
where co-located industrial activities occur. For example, if a
facility has both a sand and gravel mining operation and a ready mix
concrete manufacturing operation, then that facility is subject to the
pollution prevention plan requirements in both Part XI.E.3. and Part
XI.J.3. of the permit.
Table 2.--Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fact sheet section describing Permit section describing PPP
Industrial activity PPP requirements requirements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timber Products Facilities...................... VIII.A.7...................... XI.A.3.
Paper and Allied Products Manufacturing VIII.B.5...................... XI.B.3.
Facilities.
Chemical and Allied Products Manufacturing VIII.C.6...................... XI.C.4.
Facilities.
Asphalt Paving and Roofing Materials VIII.D.4...................... XI.D.3.
Manufacturers and Lubricant Manufacturers.
Glass, Clay, Cement, Concrete, and Gypsum VIII.E.5...................... XI.E.3.
Product Manufacturing Facilities.
Primary Metals Facilities....................... VIII.F.6...................... XI.F.3.
Metal Mining (Ore Mining and Dressing) VIII.G.5...................... XI.G.3.
Facilities.
Coal Mines and Coal Mining-Related Facilities... VIII.H.4...................... XI.H.3.
Oil and Gas Extraction Facilities............... VIII.I.5...................... XI.I.3.
Mineral Mining and Processing Facilities........ VIII.J.4...................... XI.J.3.
Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, or Disposal VIII.K.5...................... XI.K.3.
Facilities.
Landfills and Land Application Sites............ VIII.L.5...................... XI.L.3.
Automobile Salvage Yards........................ VIII.M.5...................... XI.M.2.
Scrap and Waste Recycling Facilities............ VIII.N.5...................... XI.N.3.
Steam Electric Power Generating Facilities, VIII.O.5...................... XI.O.3.
Including Coal Handling Areas.
Vehicle Maintenance or Equipment Cleaning Areas VIII.P.5...................... XI.P.3.
at Motor Freight Transportation Facilities,
Passenger Transportation Facilities, Petroleum
Bulk Oil Stations and Terminals, Rail
Transportation Facilities, and the United
States Postal Service Transportation Facilities.
Vehicle Maintenance Areas and/or Equipment VIII.Q.5...................... XI.Q.3.
Cleaning Operations at Water Transportation
Facilities.
Ship and Boat Building or Repairing Yards....... VIII.R.6...................... XI.R.3.
Vehicle Maintenance Areas, Equipment Cleaning VIII.S.4...................... XI.S.3.
Areas, or Deicing Areas Located at Air
Transportation Facilities.
Treatment Works................................. VIII.T.5...................... XI.T.3.
Food and Kindred Products Facilities............ VIII.U.4...................... XI.U.3.
Textile Mills, Apparel, and Other Fabric Product VIII.V.5...................... XI.V.3.
Manufacturing Facilities.
Wood and Metal Furniture and Fixture VIII.W.4...................... XI.W.3.
Manufacturing Facilities.
Printing and Publishing Facilities.............. VIII.X.5...................... XI.X.3.
Rubber, Miscellaneous Plastic Products, and VIII.Y.4...................... XI.Y.3.
Miscellaneous Manufacturing Industries.
Leather Tanning and Finishing Facilities........ VIII.Z.5...................... XI.Z.3.
Fabricated Metal Products Industry.............. VIII.AA.3..................... XI.AA.3.
Facilities That Manufacture Transportation VIII.AB.5..................... XI.AB.3.
Equipment, Industrial, or Commercial Machinery.
Facilities That Manufacture Electronic and VIII.AC.5..................... XI.AC.3.
Electrical Equipment and Components,
Photographic and Optical Goods.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The pollution prevention approach in today's general permit focuses
on two major objectives: (1) to identify sources of pollution
potentially affecting the quality of storm water discharges associated
with industrial activity from the facility; and (2) to describe and
ensure implementation of practices to minimize and control pollutants
in storm water discharges associated with industrial activity from the
facility and to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of this
permit.
The storm water pollution prevention plan requirements in the
general permit are intended to facilitate a process whereby the
operator of the industrial facility thoroughly evaluates potential
pollution sources at the site and selects and implements appropriate
measures designed to prevent or control the discharge of pollutants in
storm water runoff. The process involves the following four steps: (1)
Formation of a team of qualified plant personnel who will be
responsible for preparing the plan and assisting the plant manager in
its implementation; (2) assessment of potential storm water pollution
sources; (3) selection and implementation of appropriate management
practices and controls; and (4) periodic evaluation of the
effectiveness of the plan to prevent
[[Page 50815]]
storm water contamination and comply with the terms and conditions of
this permit. The authorization to include best management practices in
the permit to control or abate the discharge of pollutants is derived
from 40 CFR 144.45(k).
EPA believes the pollution prevention approach is the most
environmentally sound and cost-effective way to control the discharge
of pollutants in storm water runoff from industrial facilities. This
position is supported by the results of a comprehensive technical
survey EPA completed in 1979.6 The survey found that two classes
of management practices are generally employed at industries to control
the nonroutine discharge of pollutants from sources such as storm water
runoff, drainage from raw material storage and waste disposal areas,
and discharges from places where spills or leaks have occurred. The
first class of management practices includes those that are low in
cost, applicable to a broad class of industries and substances, and
widely considered essential to a good pollution control program. Some
examples of practices in this class are good housekeeping, employee
training, and spill response and prevention procedures. The second
class includes management practices that provide a second line of
defense against the release of pollutants. This class addresses
containment, mitigation, and cleanup. Since publication of the 1979
survey, EPA has imposed management practices and controls in NPDES
permits on a case-by-case basis. The Agency also has continued to
review the appropriateness and effectiveness of such practices,7
as well as the techniques used to prevent and contain oil spills.8
Experience with these practices and controls has shown that they can be
used in permits to reduce pollutants in storm water discharges in a
cost-effective manner. In keeping with both the present and previous
administration's objective to attain environmental goals through
pollution prevention, pollution prevention has been and continues to be
the cornerstone of the NPDES Permitting program for storm water. EPA
has developed guidance entitled ``Storm Water Management for Industrial
Activities: Developing Pollution Prevention Plans and Best Management
Practices,'' September 1992, to assist permittees in developing and
implementing pollution prevention measures.
\6\ See ``Storm Water Management for Industrial Activities,''
EPA, September 1992, EPA-832-R-92-006.
\7\ For example, see ``Best Management Practices: Useful Tools
for Cleaning Up,'' Thron, H. Rogoshewski, P., 1982, Proceedings of
the 1982 Hazardous Material Spills Conference; ``The Chemical
Industries' Approach to Spill Prevention,'' Thompson, C., Goodier,
J. 1980, Proceedings of the 1980 National Conference of Control of
Hazardous Materials Spills; a series of EPA memorandum entitled
``Best Management Practices in NPDES Permits--Information
Memorandum,'' 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988; Review of Emergency
Systems: Report to Congress,'' EPA, 1988; and ``Analysis of
Implementing Permitting Activities for Storm Water Discharges
Associated with Industrial Activity,'' EPA, 1991.
\8\ See for example, ``The Oil Spill Prevention, Control and
Countermeasures Program Task Force Report,'' EPA, 1988; and
``Guidance Manual for the Development of an Accidental Spill
Prevention Program,'' prepared by SAIC for EPA, 1986.
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1. Pollution Prevention Team
As a first step in the process of developing and implementing a
storm water pollution prevention plan, permittees are required to
identify a qualified individual or team of individuals to be
responsible for developing the plan and assisting the facility or plant
manager in its implementation. When selecting members of the team, the
plant manager should draw on the expertise of all relevant departments
within the plant to ensure that all aspects of plant operations are
considered when the plan is developed. The plan must clearly describe
the responsibilities of each team member as they relate to specific
components of the plan. In addition to enhancing the quality of
communication between team members and other personnel, clear
delineation of responsibilities will ensure that every aspect of the
plan is addressed by a specified individual or group of individuals.
Pollution Prevention Teams may consist of one individual where
appropriate (e.g., in certain small businesses with limited storm water
pollution potential).
2. Description of Potential Pollution Sources
Each storm water pollution prevention plan must describe
activities, materials, and physical features of the facility that may
contribute significant amounts of pollutants to storm water runoff or,
during periods of dry weather, result in pollutant discharges through
the separate storm sewers or storm water drainage systems that drain
the facility. This assessment of storm water pollution risk will
support subsequent efforts to identify and set priorities for necessary
changes in materials, materials management practices, or site features,
as well as aid in the selection of appropriate structural and
nonstructural control techniques. Some operators may find that
significant amounts of pollutants are running onto the facility
property. Such operators should identify and address the contaminated
runon in the storm water pollution prevention plan. If the runon cannot
be addressed or diverted by the permittee, the permitting authority
should be notified. If necessary, the permitting authority may require
the operator of the adjacent facility to obtain a permit.
Part XI of the permit includes specific requirements for the
various industry sectors covered by today's permit. The storm water
pollution prevention plans generally must describe the following
elements:
a. Drainage. The plan must contain a map of the site that shows the
location of outfalls covered by the permit (or by other NPDES permits),
the pattern of storm water drainage, an indication of the types of
discharges contained in the drainage areas of the outfalls, structural
features that control pollutants in runoff,9 surface water bodies
(including wetlands), places where significant materials 10 are
exposed to rainfall and runoff, and locations of major spills and leaks
that occurred in the 3 years prior to the date of the submission of a
Notice of Intent (NOI) to be covered under this permit. The map also
must show areas where the following activities take place: fueling,
vehicle and equipment maintenance and/or cleaning, loading and
unloading, material storage (including tanks or other vessels used for
liquid or waste storage), material processing, and waste disposal. For
areas of the facility that generate storm water discharges with a
reasonable potential to contain significant amounts of pollutants, the
map must indicate the probable direction of storm water flow and the
pollutants likely to be in the discharge. Flows with a significant
potential to cause soil erosion also must be identified. In order to
increase the readability of the map, the inventory of the types of
discharges contained in each outfall may be kept as an attachment to
the site map.
\9\ Nonstructural features such as grass swales and vegetative
buffer strips also should be shown.
\10\ Significant materials include, but are not limited to the
following: raw materials; fuels; solvents, detergents, and plastic
pellets; finished materials, such as metallic products; raw
materials used in food processing or production; hazardous
substances designated under Section 101(14) of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA); any
chemical the facility is required to report pursuant to EPCRA
Section 313; fertilizers; pesticides; and waste products, such as
ashes, slag, and sludge that have the potential to be released with
storm water discharges. (See 40 CFR 122.26(b)(8)).
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b. Inventory of Exposed Materials. Facility operators are required
to
[[Page 50816]]
carefully conduct an inspection of the site and related records to
identify significant materials that are or may be exposed to storm
water. The inventory must address materials that within 3 years prior
to the date of the submission of a Notice of Intent (NOI) to be covered
under this permit have been handled, stored, processed, treated, or
disposed of in a manner to allow exposure to storm water. Findings of
the inventory must be documented in detail in the pollution prevention
plan. At a minimum, the plan must describe the method and location of
onsite storage or disposal; practices used to minimize contact of
materials with rainfall and runoff; existing structural and
nonstructural controls that reduce pollutants in runoff; and any
treatment the runoff receives before it is discharged to surface waters
or a separate storm sewer system. The description must be updated
whenever there is a significant change in the types or amounts of
materials, or material management practices, that may affect the
exposure of materials to storm water.
c. Significant Spills and Leaks. The plan must include a list of
any significant spills and leaks of toxic or hazardous pollutants that
occurred in the 3 years prior to the date of the submission of a Notice
of Intent (NOI) to be covered under this permit. Significant spills
include, but are not limited to, releases of oil or hazardous
substances in excess of quantities that are reportable under Section
311 of CWA (see 40 CFR 110.10 and 40 CFR 117.21) or Section 102 of the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
(CERCLA) (see 40 CFR 302.4). Significant spills may also include
releases of oil or hazardous substances that are not in excess of
reporting requirements and releases of materials that are not
classified as oil or a hazardous substance.
The listing should include a description of the causes of each
spill or leak, the actions taken to respond to each release, and the
actions taken to prevent similar such spills or leaks in the future.
This effort will aid the facility operator as she or he examines
existing spill prevention and response procedures and develops any
additional procedures necessary to fulfill the requirements of Part XI.
of this permit.
d. Non-storm Water Discharges. Each pollution prevention plan must
include a certification, signed by an authorized individual, that
discharges from the site have been tested or evaluated for the presence
of non-storm water discharges. The certification must describe possible
significant sources of non-storm water, the results of any test and/or
evaluation conducted to detect such discharges, the test method or
evaluation criteria used, the dates on which tests or evaluations were
performed, and the onsite drainage points directly observed during the
test or evaluation. Acceptable test or evaluation techniques include
dye tests, television surveillance, observation of outfalls or other
appropriate locations during dry weather, water balance calculations,
and analysis of piping and drainage schematics.\11\
\11\ In general, smoke tests should not be used for evaluating
the discharge of non-storm water to a separate storm sewer as many
sources of non-storm water typically pass through a trap that would
limit the effectiveness of the smoke test.
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Except for flows that originate from fire fighting activities,
sources of non-storm water that are specifically identified in the
permit as being eligible for authorization under the general permit
must be identified in the plan. Pollution prevention plans must
identify and ensure the implementation of appropriate pollution
prevention measures for the non-storm water discharge.
EPA recognizes that certification may not be feasible where
facility personnel do not have access to an outfall, manhole, or other
point of access to the conduit that ultimately receives the discharge.
In such cases, the plan must describe why certification was not
feasible. Permittees who are not able to certify that discharges have
been tested or evaluated must notify the Director in accordance with
Part XI. of the permit.
e. Sampling Data. Any existing data on the quality or quantity of
storm water discharges from the facility must be described in the plan,
including data collected for part 2 of the group application process.
These data may be useful for locating areas that have contributed
pollutants to storm water. The description should include a discussion
of the methods used to collect and analyze the data. Sample collection
points should be identified in the plan and shown on the site map.
f. Summary of Potential Pollutant Sources. The description of
potential pollution sources culminates in a narrative assessment of the
risk potential that sources of pollution pose to storm water quality.
This assessment should clearly point to activities, materials, and
physical features of the facility that have a reasonable potential to
contribute significant amounts of pollutants to storm water. Any such
activities, materials, or features must be addressed by the measures
and controls subsequently described in the plan. In conducting the
assessment, the facility operator must consider the following
activities: loading and unloading operations; outdoor storage
activities; outdoor manufacturing or processing activities; significant
dust or particulate generating processes; and onsite waste disposal
practices. The assessment must list any significant pollution sources
at the site and identify the pollutant parameter or parameters (i.e.,
biochemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, etc.) associated with each
source.
3. Measures and Controls
Following completion of the source identification and assessment
phase, the permit requires the permittee to evaluate, select, and
describe the pollution prevention measures, best management practices
(BMPs), and other controls that will be implemented at the facility.
BMPs include processes, procedures, schedules of activities,
prohibitions on practices, and other management practices that prevent
or reduce the discharge of pollutants in storm water runoff.
EPA emphasizes the implementation of pollution prevention measures
and BMPs that reduce possible pollutant discharges at the source.
Source reduction measures include, among others, preventive
maintenance, chemical substitution, spill prevention, good
housekeeping, training, and proper materials management. Where such
practices are not appropriate to a particular source or do not
effectively reduce pollutant discharges, EPA supports the use of source
control measures and BMPs such as material segregation or covering,
water diversion, and dust control. Like source reduction measures,
source control measures and BMPs are intended to keep pollutants out of
storm water. The remaining classes of BMPs, which involve recycling or
treatment of storm water, allow the reuse of storm water or attempt to
lower pollutant concentrations prior to discharge.
The pollution prevention plan must discuss the reasons each
selected control or practice is appropriate for the facility and how
each will address one or more of the potential pollution sources
identified in the plan. The plan also must include a schedule
specifying the time or times during which each control or practice will
be implemented. In addition, the plan should discuss ways in which the
controls and practices relate to one another and, when taken as a
whole, produce an integrated and consistent approach for preventing or
controlling potential storm water contamination problems. The permit
requirements included for the various industry sectors in Part XI
[[Page 50817]]
of today's permit generally require that the portion of the plan that
describes the measures and controls address the following minimum
components.
When ``minimize/reduce'' is used relative to pollution prevention
plan measures, EPA means to consider and implement best management
practices that will result in an improvement over the baseline
conditions as it relates to the levels of pollutants identified in
storm water discharges with due consideration to economic feasibility
and effectiveness.
a. Good Housekeeping. Good housekeeping involves using practical,
cost-effective methods to identify ways to maintain a clean and orderly
facility and keep contaminants out of separate storm sewers. It
includes establishing protocols to reduce the possibility of
mishandling chemicals or equipment and training employees in good
housekeeping techniques. These protocols must be described in the plan
and communicated to appropriate plant personnel.
b. Preventive Maintenance. Permittees must develop a preventive
maintenance program that involves regular inspection and maintenance of
storm water management devices and other equipment and systems. The
program description should identify the devices, equipment, and systems
that will be inspected; provide a schedule for inspections and tests;
and address appropriate adjustment, cleaning, repair, or replacement of
devices, equipment, and systems. For storm water management devices
such as catch basins and oil/water separators, the preventive
maintenance program should provide for periodic removal of debris to
ensure that the devices are operating efficiently. For other equipment
and systems, the program should reveal and enable the correction of
conditions that could cause breakdowns or failures that may result in
the release of pollutants.
c. Spill Prevention and Response Procedures. Based on an assessment
of possible spill scenarios, permittees must specify appropriate
material handling procedures, storage requirements, containment or
diversion equipment, and spill cleanup procedures that will minimize
the potential for spills and in the event of a spill enable proper and
timely response. Areas and activities that typically pose a high risk
for spills include loading and unloading areas, storage areas, process
activities, and waste disposal activities. These activities and areas,
and their accompanying drainage points, must be described in the plan.
For a spill prevention and response program to be effective, employees
should clearly understand the proper procedures and requirements and
have the equipment necessary to respond to spills.
d. Inspections. In addition to the comprehensive site evaluation,
facilities are required to conduct periodic inspections of designated
equipment and areas of the facility. Industry-specific requirements for
such inspections, if any, are discussed in Section VIII. of this fact
sheet. When required, qualified personnel must be identified to conduct
inspections at appropriate intervals specified in the plan. A set of
tracking or follow-up procedures must be used to ensure that
appropriate actions are taken in response to the inspections. Records
of inspections must be maintained. These periodic inspections are
different from the comprehensive site evaluation, even though the
former may be incorporated into the latter. Equipment, area, or other
inspections are typically visual and are normally conducted on a
regular basis, e.g., daily inspections of loading areas. Requirements
for such periodic inspections are specific to each industrial sector in
today's permit, whereas the comprehensive site compliance evaluation is
required of all industrial sectors. Area inspections help ensure that
storm water pollution prevention measures (e.g., BMPs) are operating
and properly maintained on a regular basis. The comprehensive site
evaluation is intended to provide an overview of the entire facility's
pollution prevention activities. Refer to Part VI.C.4. below for more
information on the comprehensive site evaluation.
e. Employee Training. The pollution prevention plan must describe a
program for informing personnel at all levels of responsibility of the
components and goals of the storm water pollution prevention plan. The
training program should address topics such as good housekeeping,
materials management, and spill response procedures. Where appropriate,
contractor personnel also must be trained in relevant aspects of storm
water pollution prevention. A schedule for conducting training must be
provided in the plan. Several sections in Part XI. of today's permit
specify a minimum frequency for training of once per year. Others
indicate that training is to be conducted at an appropriate interval.
EPA recommends that facilities conduct training annually at a minimum.
However, more frequent training may be necessary at facilities with
high turnover of employees or where employee participation is essential
to the storm water pollution prevention plan.
f. Recordkeeping and Internal Reporting Procedures. The pollution
prevention plan must describe procedures for developing and retaining
records on the status and effectiveness of plan implementation. At a
minimum, records must address spills, monitoring, and inspection and
maintenance activities. The plan also must describe a system that
enables timely reporting of storm water management-related information
to appropriate plant personnel.
g. Sediment and Erosion Control. The pollution prevention plan must
identify areas that, due to topography, activities, soils, cover
materials, or other factors have a high potential for significant soil
erosion. The plan must identify measures that will be implemented to
limit erosion in these areas.
h. Management of Runoff. The plan must contain a narrative
evaluation of the appropriateness of traditional storm water management
practices (i.e., practices other than those that control pollutant
sources) that divert, infiltrate, reuse, or otherwise manage storm
water runoff so as to reduce the discharge of pollutants. Appropriate
measures may include, among others, vegetative swales, collection and
reuse of storm water, inlet controls, snow management, infiltration
devices, and wet detention/retention basins.
Based on the results of the evaluation, the plan must identify
practices that the permittee determines are reasonable and appropriate
for the facility. The plan also should describe the particular
pollutant source area or activity to be controlled by each storm water
management practice. Reasonable and appropriate practices must be
implemented and maintained according to the provisions prescribed in
the plan.
In selecting storm water management measures, it is important to
consider the potential effects of each method on other water resources,
such as ground water. Although storm water pollution prevention plans
primarily focus on storm water management, facilities must also
consider potential ground water pollution problems and take appropriate
steps to avoid adversely impacting ground water quality. For example,
if the water table is unusually high in an area, an infiltration pond
may contaminate a ground water source unless special preventive
measures are taken. Under EPA's July 1991 Ground Water Protection
Strategy, States are encouraged to develop Comprehensive State Ground
Water Protection Programs (CSGWPP). Efforts to control storm water
should be compatible with State ground water objectives as reflected in
CSGWPPs.
[[Page 50818]]
4. Comprehensive Site Compliance Evaluation
The permit requires that the storm water pollution prevention plan
describe the scope and content of the comprehensive site evaluations
that qualified personnel will conduct to (1) confirm the accuracy of
the description of potential pollution sources contained in the plan,
(2) determine the effectiveness of the plan, and (3) assess compliance
with the terms and conditions of the permit. Note that the
comprehensive site evaluations are not the same as periodic or other
inspections described for certain industries under Part VI.C.3.d of
this fact sheet. However, in the instances when frequencies of
inspections and the comprehensive site compliance evaluation overlap
they may be combined allowing for efficiency, as long as the
requirements for both types of inspections are met. The plan must
indicate the frequency of comprehensive evaluations which must be at
least once a year, except where comprehensive site evaluations are
shown in the plan to be impractical for inactive mining sites, due to
remote location and inaccessibility. 12 The individual or
individuals who will conduct the comprehensive site evaluation must be
identified in the plan and should be members of the pollution
prevention team. Material handling and storage areas and other
potential sources of pollution must be visually inspected for evidence
of actual or potential pollutant discharges to the drainage system.
Inspectors also must observe erosion controls and structural storm
water management devices to ensure that each is operating correctly.
Equipment needed to implement the pollution prevention plan, such as
that used during spill response activities, must be inspected to
confirm that it is in proper working order.
\12\ Where annual site inspections are shown in the plan to be
impractical for inactive mining sites, due to remote location and
inaccessibility, site inspections must be conducted at least once
every 3 years.
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The results of each comprehensive site evaluation must be
documented in a report signed by an authorized company official. The
report must describe the scope of the comprehensive site evaluation,
the personnel making the comprehensive site evaluation, the date(s) of
the comprehensive site evaluation, and any major observations relating
to implementation of the storm water pollution prevention plan.
Comprehensive site evaluation reports must be retained for at least 3
years after the date of the evaluation. Based on the results of each
comprehensive site evaluation, the description in the plan of potential
pollution sources and measures and controls must be revised as
appropriate within 2 weeks after each comprehensive site evaluation,
unless indicated otherwise in Section XI of the permit. Changes in
procedural operations must be implemented on the site in a timely
manner for non-structural measures and controls not more than 12 weeks
after completion of the comprehensive site evaluation. Procedural
changes that require construction of structural measures and controls
are allowed up to 3 years for implementation. In both instances, an
extension may be requested from the Director.
D. Special Requirements
1. Special Requirements for Storm Water Discharges Associated With
Industrial Activity Through Large and Medium Municipal Separate Storm
Sewer Systems
Permittees that discharge storm water associated with industrial
activity through large or medium municipal separate storm sewer systems
13 are required to submit notification of the discharge to the
operator of the municipal separate storm sewer system. A list of these
systems is provided in Addendum D of today's notice.
\13\ Large and medium municipal separate storm sewer systems are
systems located in an incorporated city with a population of 100,000
or more, or in a county identified as having a large or medium
system (see 40 CFR 122.26(b) (4) and (7) and Appendices F through I
to Part 122). A list of these municipalities is provided in Addendum
D to today's notice.
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Facilities covered by this permit must comply with applicable
requirements in municipal storm water management programs developed
under NPDES permits issued for the discharge of the municipal separate
storm sewer system that receives the facility's discharge, provided the
discharger has been notified of such conditions. In addition,
permittees that discharge storm water associated with industrial
activity through a large or medium municipal separate storm sewer
system must make their pollution prevention plans available to the
municipal operator of the system upon request by the municipal
operator.
2. Special Requirements for Storm Water Discharges Associated With
Industrial Activity From Facilities Subject to EPCRA Section 313
Requirements
Today's permit contains special requirements for certain permittees
subject to reporting requirements under Section 313 of the EPCRA (also
known as Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
(SARA)). EPCRA Section 313 requires operators of certain facilities
that manufacture (including import), process, or otherwise use listed
toxic chemicals to report annually their releases of those chemicals to
any environmental media. Listed toxic chemicals include more than 500
chemicals and chemical classes listed at 40 CFR Part 372 (including the
recently added chemicals published November 30, 1994).
The criteria for facilities that must report under Section 313 are
given at 40 CFR 372.22. A facility is subject to the annual reporting
provisions of Section 313 if it meets all three of the following
criteria for a calendar year: it is included in SIC codes 20 through
39; it has 10 or more full-time employees; and it manufactures
(including imports), processes, or otherwise uses a chemical listed in
40 CFR 372.65 in amounts greater than the ``threshold'' quantities
specified in 40 CFR 372.25.
There are more than 300 individually listed Section 313 chemicals,
as well as 20 categories of Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) chemicals for
which reporting is required. EPA has the authority to add to and delete
from this list. The Agency has identified approximately 175 chemicals
that it is classifying for the purposes of this general permit as
``Section 313 water priority chemicals.'' For the purposes of this
permit, Section 313 water priority chemicals are defined as chemicals
or chemical categories that (1) are listed at 40 CFR 372.65 pursuant to
EPCRA Section 313; (2) are manufactured, processed, or otherwise used
at or above threshold levels at a facility subject to EPCRA Section 313
reporting requirements; and (3) meet at least one of the following
criteria: (i) are listed in Appendix D of 40 CFR Part 122 on either
Table II (organic priority pollutants), Table III (certain metals,
cyanides, and phenols), or Table V (certain toxic pollutants and
hazardous substances); (ii) are listed as a hazardous substance
pursuant to Section 311(b)(2)(A) of the CWA at 40 CFR 116.4; or (iii)
are pollutants for which EPA has published acute or chronic toxicity
criteria. A list of the water priority chemicals is provided in
Addendum F to today's notice. In today's permit, EPA is not extending
the special requirements to facilities that store liquid chemicals in
above-ground tanks or handle liquid chemicals in areas exposed to
precipitation if such facilities are not subject to EPCRA Section 313
reporting requirements.
[[Page 50819]]
a. Summary of Special Requirements. The special requirements in
today's permit for facilities subject to reporting requirements under
EPCRA Section 313 for a water priority chemical, except those that are
handled and stored only in gaseous or non-soluble liquids or solids (at
atmospheric pressure and temperature) forms (see Part VI.D.2.c below),
state that storm water pollution prevention plans, in addition to the
baseline requirements for plans, must contain special provisions
addressing areas where Section 313 water priority chemicals are stored,
processed, or otherwise handled. These requirements reflect the Best
Available Technology for controlling discharges of water priority
chemicals in storm water. The permit provides that appropriate
containment, drainage control, and/or diversionary structures must be
provided for such areas. An exemption from the special provisions for
Section 313 facilities will be granted if the facility can certify in
the pollution prevention plan that all water priority chemicals handled
or used are gaseous or non-soluble liquids or solids (at atmospheric
pressure and temperature). At a minimum, one of the following
preventive systems or its equivalent must be used: curbing, culverting,
gutters, sewers, or other forms of drainage control to prevent or
minimize the potential for storm water runon to come into contact with
significant sources of pollutants; or roofs, covers, or other forms of
appropriate protection to prevent storage piles from exposure to storm
water and wind.
In addition, the permit establishes requirements for priority areas
of the facility. Priority areas of the facility include the following:
liquid storage areas where storm water comes into contact with any
equipment, tank, container, or other vessel used for Section 313 water
priority chemicals; material storage areas for Section 313 water
priority chemicals other than liquids; truck and rail car loading and
unloading areas for liquid Section 313 water priority chemicals; and
areas where Section 313 water priority chemicals are transferred,
processed, or otherwise handled.
The permit provides that site runoff from other industrial areas of
the facility that may contain Section 313 water priority chemicals or
spills of Section 313 water priority chemicals must incorporate the
necessary drainage or other control features to prevent the discharge
of spilled or improperly disposed material and to ensure the mitigation
of pollutants in runoff or leachate. The permit also establishes
special requirements for preventive maintenance and good housekeeping,
facility security, and employee training.
In the proposed permit, EPA proposed to require facilities subject
to EPCRA Section 313 requirements to have a Registered Professional
Engineer (PE) certify their pollution prevention plans every 3 years.
However, in response to commentors' concerns, EPA has revised the
permit to eliminate the PE certification requirement. Instead, the
permit now requires facilities subject to the special requirements to
satisfy the pollution prevention plan signature requirements in Part
IV.B.1. of the permit. EPA agrees with commentors that the operator is
the most appropriate person to perform the certification. In addition,
instead of certifying the plan every 3 years, facilities subject to
EPCRA Section 313 requirements must amend the pollution prevention plan
only when significant modifications are made to the facility, such as
the addition of material handling areas or chemical storage units.
b. Requirements for Priority Areas. The permit provides that
drainage from priority areas should be restrained by valves or other
positive means to prevent the discharge of a spill or other excessive
leakage of Section 313 water priority chemicals. Where containment
units are employed, such units may be emptied by pumps or ejectors;
however, these must be manually activated. Flapper-type drain valves
must not be used to drain containment areas, as these will not
effectively control spills. Valves used for the drainage of containment
areas should, as far as is practical, be of manual, open-and-closed
design. If facility drainage does not meet these requirements, the
final discharge conveyance of all in-facility storm sewers must be
equipped to be equivalent with a diversion system that could, in the
event of an uncontrolled spill of Section 313 water priority chemicals,
return the spilled material or contaminated storm water to the
facility. Records must be kept of the frequency and estimated volume
(in gallons) of discharges from containment areas.
Additional special requirements are related to the types of
industrial activities that occur within the priority area. These
requirements are summarized below:
(1) Liquid Storage Areas. Where storm water comes into contact with
any equipment, tank, container, or other vessel used for Section 313
water priority chemicals, the material and construction of tanks or
containers used for the storage of a Section 313 water priority
chemical must be compatible with the material stored and conditions of
storage, such as pressure and temperature. Liquid storage areas for
Section 313 water priority chemicals must be operated to minimize
discharges of Section 313 chemicals. Appropriate measures to minimize
discharges of Section 313 chemicals may include secondary containment
provided for at least the entire contents of the largest single tank
plus sufficient freeboard to allow for precipitation, a strong spill
contingency and integrity testing plan, and/or other equivalent
measures. A strong spill contingency plan would typically contain, at a
minimum, a description of response plans, personnel needs, and methods
of mechanical containment (such as use of sorbents, booms, collection
devices, etc.), steps to taken for removal of spill chemicals or
materials, and procedures to ensure access to and availability of
sorbents and other equipment. The testing component of the plan would
provide for conducting integrity testing of storage tanks at set
intervals such as once every 5 years, and conducting integrity and leak
testing of valves and piping at a minimum frequency, such as once per
year. In addition, a strong plan would include a written and actual
commitment of manpower, equipment and materials required to comply with
the permit and to expeditiously control and remove any quantity of
spilled or leaked chemicals that may result in a toxic discharge.
(2) Other Material Storage Areas. Material storage areas for
Section 313 water priority chemicals other than liquids that are
subject to runoff, leaching, or wind must incorporate drainage or other
control features to minimize the discharge of Section 313 water
priority chemicals by reducing storm water contact with Section 313
water priority chemicals.
(3) Truck and Rail Car Loading and Unloading Areas. Truck and rail
car loading and unloading areas for liquid Section 313 water priority
chemicals must be operated to minimize discharges of Section 313 water
priority chemicals. Appropriate measures to minimize discharges of
Section 313 chemicals may include the placement and maintenance of drip
pans (including the proper disposal of materials collected in the drip
pans) where spillage may occur (such as hose connections, hose reels,
and filler nozzles) when making and breaking hose connections; a strong
spill contingency and integrity testing plan; and/or other equivalent
measures.
(4) Other Transfer, Process, or Handling Areas. Processing
equipment and materials handling equipment must be operated to minimize
discharges of Section 313 water priority chemicals.
[[Page 50820]]
Materials used in piping and equipment must be compatible with the
substances handled. Drainage from process and materials handling areas
must minimize storm water contact with Section 313 water priority
chemicals. Additional protection such as covers or guards to prevent
exposure to wind, spraying or releases from pressure relief vents to
prevent a discharge of Section 313 water priority chemicals to the
drainage system, and overhangs or door skirts to enclose trailer ends
at truck loading/unloading docks must be provided as appropriate.
Visual inspections or leak tests must be provided for overhead piping
conveying Section 313 water priority chemicals without secondary
containment.
c. Today's permit allows facilities to provide a certification,
signed in accordance with Part VII.G. (signatory requirements) of this
permit, that all Section 313 water priority chemicals handled and/or
stored onsite are only in gaseous or non-soluble liquid or solid (at
atmospheric pressure and temperature) forms in lieu of the additional
requirements in Part VI.E.2 of today's permit. By allowing such a
certification, EPA hopes to limit the application of the special
requirements Part IV.E.2. of the permit to those facilities with 313
water priority chemicals that truly have the potential to contaminate
storm water discharges associated with industrial activity.
3. Special Requirements for Storm Water Discharges Associated With
Industrial Activity From Salt Storage Facilities
Today's general permit contains special requirements for storm
water discharges associated with industrial activity from salt storage
facilities. Storage piles of salt used for deicing or other commercial
or industrial purposes must be enclosed or covered to prevent exposure
to precipitation, except for exposure resulting from adding or removing
materials from the pile. This requirement only applies to runoff from
storage piles discharged to waters of the United States. Facilities
that collect all of the runoff from their salt piles and reuse it in
their processes or discharge it subject to a separate NPDES permit do
not need to enclose or cover their piles. Permittees must comply with
this requirement as expeditiously as practicable, but in no event later
than 3 years from the date of permit issuance.
These special requirements have been included in today's permit
based on human health and aquatic effects resulting from storm water
runoff from salt storage piles compounded with the prevalence of salt
storage piles across the United States.
4. Consistency With Other Plans
Storm water pollution prevention plans may reference the existence
of other plans for Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC)
plans developed for the facility under Section 311 of the CWA or Best
Management Practices (BMP) Programs otherwise required by an NPDES
permit for the facility as long as such requirement is incorporated
into the storm water pollution prevention plan.
E. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
The permit contains three general types of monitoring requirements:
analytical monitoring or chemical monitoring; compliance monitoring for
effluent guidelines compliance, and visual examinations of storm water
discharges. This section provides a general description of each of
these types of monitoring. Actual monitoring requirements for a given
facility under the permit will vary depending upon the industrial
activities that occur at a facility and the criteria for determining
monitoring used to develop the permit. Table 3 lists the sections of
the permit and of this fact sheet that describe the monitoring
requirements as they apply to the specific industrial activities
eligible for coverage under the permit. These are minimum monitoring
requirements and if a permittee so chooses, he may conduct additional
sampling to acquire more data to improve the statistical validity of
the results. Through increased analytical or visual monitoring the
permittee may be able to better ascertain the effectiveness of their
pollution prevention plan.
Analytical monitoring requirements involve laboratory chemical
analyses of samples collected by the permittee. The results of the
analytical monitoring are quantitative concentration values for
different pollutants, which can be easily compared to the results from
other sampling events, other facilities, or to National benchmarks.
Section VI.E.1. describes the analytical monitoring requirements and
the process and criteria by which an industry sector or subsector was
selected for analytical monitoring. Compliance monitoring requirements
are imposed under today's permit to insure that discharges subject to
numerical effluent limitations under the storm water effluent
limitations guidelines are in compliance with those limitations. The
compliance monitoring requirements are explained in Section VI.E.2.
Visual examinations of storm water discharges are the least
burdensome type of monitoring requirement under the permit. Almost all
of the industrial activities are required to perform visual
examinations of their storm water discharges when they are occurring on
a quarterly basis. Visual examinations are described in Section VI.E.8.
Table 3.--Storm Water Monitoring Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Permit
Section of fact sheet section
Industrial activity describing monitoring describing
requirements monitoring
requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timber Products Facilities*.... VIII.A.8 XI.A.5.
Paper and Allied Products VIII.B.7 XI.B.5.
Manufacturing Facilities*.
Chemical and Allied Products VIII.C.8 XI.C.5.
Manufacturing Facilities*.
Asphalt Paving and Roofing VIII.D.5 XI.D.5.
Materials Manufacturers and
Lubricant Manufacturers*.
Glass, Clay, Cement, Concrete, VIII.E.7 XI.E.5.
and Gypsum Product
Manufacturing Facilities*.
Primary Metals Facilities*..... VIII.F.7 XI.F.5.
Metal Mining (Ore Mining and VIII.G.8 XI.G.5.
Dressing) Facilities*.
Coal Mines and Coal Mining- VIII.H.6 XI.H.5.
Related Facilities*.
Oil and Gas Extraction VIII.I.7 XI.I.5.
Facilities*.
Mineral Mining and Processing VIII.J.6 XI.J.5.
Facilities*.
Hazardous Waste Treatment, VIII.K.7 XI.K.5.
Storage, or Disposal
Facilities*.
Landfills and Land Application VIII.L.6 XI.L.5.
Sites*.
[[Page 50821]]
Automobile Salvage Yards*...... VIII.M.6 XI.M.5.
Scrap and Waste Recycling VIII.N.6 XI.N.5.
Facilities*.
Steam Electric Power Generating VIII.O.6 XI.O.5.
Facilities, Including Coal
Handling Areas*.
Vehicle Maintenance or VIII.P.6 XI.P.5
Equipment Cleaning Areas at
Motor Freight Transportation
Facilities, Passenger
Transportation Facilities,
Petroleum Bulk Oil Stations
and Terminals, Rail
Transportation Facilities, and
the United States Postal
Service Transportation
Facilities.
Vehicle Maintenance Areas and/ VIII.Q.6 XI.Q.5.
or Equipment Cleaning
Operations at Water
Transportation Facilities*.
Ship and Boat Building or VIII.R.6 XI.R.5.
Repairing Yards.
Vehicle Maintenance Areas, VIII.S.6 XI.S.5.
Equipment Cleaning Areas, or
Deicing Areas Located at Air
Transportation Facilities*.
Treatment Works*............... VIII.T.6 XI.T.5.
Food and Kindred Products VIII.U.5 XI.U.5.
Facilities*.
Textile Mills, Apparel, and VIII.V.6 XI.V.5.
Other Fabric Product
Manufacturing Facilities*.
Wood and Metal Furniture and VIII.W.5 XI.W.5.
Fixture Manufacturing
Facilities.
Printing and Publishing VIII.X.7 XI.X.5.
Facilities.
Rubber, Miscellaneous Plastic VIII.Y.7 XI.Y.5.
Products, and Miscellaneous
Manufacturing Industries*.
Leather Tanning and Finishing VIII.Z.7 XI.Z.5.
Facilities.
Fabricated Metal Products VIII.AA.7 XI.AA.5.
Industry*.
Facilities That Manufacture VIII.AB.7 XI.AB.5.
Transportation Equipment,
Industrial, or Commercial
Machinery.
Facilities That Manufacture VIII.AC.7 XI.AC.5.
Electronic and Electrical
Equipment and Components,
Photographic and Optical Goods.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Denotes a sector that contains analytical monitoring requirements for
an entire sector or a subsector.
1. Analytical Monitoring Requirements.
Today's permit requires analytical monitoring for discharges from
certain classes of industrial facilities. EPA believes that industries
may reduce the level of pollutants in storm water runoff from their
sites through the development and proper implementation of a storm
water pollution prevention plan discussed in today's permit. Analytical
monitoring is a means by which to measure the concentration of a
pollutant in a storm water discharge. Analytical results are
quantitative and therefore can be used to compare results from
discharge to discharge and to quantify the improvement in storm water
quality attributable to the storm water pollution prevention plan, or
to identify a pollutant that is not being successfully controlled by
the plan. EPA realizes there are greater cost burdens associated with
analytical monitoring in comparison to visual examinations. Today's
permit only requires analytical monitoring for the industry sectors or
subsectors that demonstrated a potential to discharge pollutants at
concentrations of concern.
To determine the industry sectors and subsectors that would be
subject to analytical monitoring requirements contained in the sections
listed in Table 3, EPA reviewed the data submitted in the group
application process. First, EPA divided the Part 1 and Part 2
application data by the industry sectors listed in Table 3. Where a
sector was found to contain a wide range of industrial activities or
potential pollutant sources, it was further subdivided into the
industry subsectors listed in Table 4. Next, EPA reviewed the
information submitted in Part 1 of the group applications regarding the
industrial activities, significant materials exposed to storm water,
and the material management measures employed. This information helped
identify potential pollutants that may be present in the storm water
discharges. Then, EPA entered into a database, the sampling data
submitted in Part 2 of the group applications. That data was arrayed
according to industrial sector and subsector for the purposes of
determining when analytical monitoring would be appropriate. Data
received by EPA prior to January 1, 1993 (three months after the
application deadline) were entered into EPA's database. Some additional
data that was submitted even after January 1, 1993 was also entered
into the database to bolster the data set for some sectors or
subsectors (e.g., the auto salvage industry). All data submitted even
later by group applicants which was not loaded into the database was
reviewed by EPA during development of the permit. EPA notes that
preliminary copies of the database were distributed to the public upon
request in advance of a complete screening of the quality of the data
set. These copies of the database contained a variety of errors that
were screened and removed prior to EPA statistical analysis and
evaluation of the results. The results of the statistical analyses are
presented in the appropriate section of the fact sheet referenced in
Table 3.
Table 4.--Sector/Subsector Division of Group Applicants for Analyses of Sampling Data
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subsector SIC code Activity represented
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector A. Timber Products
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1*.................. 2421 General Sawmills and Planning Mills.
2................... 2491 Wood Preserving.
3*.................. 2411 Log Storage and Handling.
4*.................. 2426 Hardwood Dimension and Flooring Mills.
[[Page 50822]]
2429 Special Product Sawmills, Not Elsewhere Classified.
243X Millwork, Veneer, Plywood, and Structural Wood.
244X Wood Containers.
245X Wood Buildings and Mobile Homes.
2493 Reconstituted Wood Products.
2499 Wood Products, Not Elsewhere Classified.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector B. Paper and Allied Products Manufacturing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1................... 261X Pulp Mills.
2................... 262X Paper Mills.
3*.................. 263X Paperboard Mills.
4................... 265X Paperboard Containers and Boxes.
5................... 267X Converted Paper and Paperboard Products, Except Containers and
Boxes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector C. Chemical and Allied Products Manufacturing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1*.................. 281X Industrial Inorganic Chemicals.
2*.................. 282X Plastics Materials and Synthetic Resins, Synthetic Rubber,
Cellulosic and Other Manmade Fibers Except Glass.
3................... 283X Drugs.
4*.................. 284X Soaps, Detergents, and Cleaning Preparations; Perfumes, Cosmetics,
and Other Toilet Preparations.
5................... 285X Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels, and Allied Products.
6................... 286X Industrial Organic Chemicals.
7*.................. 287X Agricultural Chemicals.
8................... 289X Miscellaneous Chemical Products.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector D. Asphalt Paving and Roofing Materials Manufacturers and Lubricant Manufacturers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1*.................. 295X Asphalt Paving and Roofing Materials.
2................... 299X Miscellaneous Products of Petroleum and Coal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector E. Glass, Clay, Cement, Concrete, and Gypsum Product Manufacturing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1................... 321X Flat Glass.
322X Glass and Glassware, Pressed or Blown.
323X Glass Products Made of Purchased Glass.
2................... 324X Hydraulic Cement.
3*.................. 325X Structural Clay Products.
326X Pottery and Related Products.
3297 Non-Clay Refractories.
4*.................. 327X Concrete, Gypsum and Plaster Products.
3295 Minerals and Earth's, Ground, or Otherwise Treated.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector F. Primary Metals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1*.................. 331X Steel Works, Blast Furnaces, and Rolling and Finishing Mills.
2*.................. 332X Iron and Steel Foundries.
3................... 333X Primary Smelting and Refining of Nonferrous Metals.
4................... 334X Secondary Smelting and Refining of Nonferrous Metals.
5*.................. 335X Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding of Nonferrous Metals.
6*.................. 336X Nonferrous Foundries (Castings).
7................... 339X Miscellaneous Primary Metal Products.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector G. Metal Mining (Ore Mining and Dressing)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1................... 101X Iron Ores.
2*.................. 102X Copper Ores.
3................... 103X Lead and Zinc Ores.
4................... 104X Gold and Silver Ores.
5................... 106X Ferroalloy Ores, Except Vanadium.
6................... 108X Metal Mining Services.
7................... 109X Miscellaneous Metal Ores.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector H. Coal Mines and Coal Mining-Related Facilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NA*................. 12XX Coal Mines and Coal Mining-Related Facilities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 50823]]
Sector I. Oil and Gas Extraction
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1*.................. 131X Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas.
2................... 132X Natural Gas Liquids.
3*.................. 138X Oil and Gas Field Services.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector J. Mineral Mining and Dressing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1*.................. 141X Dimension Stone.
142X Crushed and Broken Stone, Including Rip Rap.
148X Nonmetallic Minerals, Except Fuels.
2*.................. 144X Sand and Gravel.
3................... 145X Clay, Ceramic, and Refractory Materials.
4................... 147X Chemical and Fertilizer Mineral Mining.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector K. Hazardous Waste Treatment Storage or Disposal Facilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NA*................. NA Hazardous Waste Treatment Storage or Disposal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector L. Landfills and Land Application Sites
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NA*................. NA Landfills and Land Application Sites.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector M. Automobile Salvage Yards
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NA*................. 5015 Automobile Salvage Yards.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector N. Scrap Recycling Facilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NA*................. 5093 Scrap Recycling Facilities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector O. Steam Electric Generating Facilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NA*................. NA Steam Electric Generating Facilities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector P. Land Transportation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1................... 40XX Railroad Transportation.
2................... 41XX Local and Highway Passenger Transportation.
3................... 42XX Motor Freight Transportation and Warehousing.
4................... 43XX United States Postal Service.
5................... 5171 Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector Q. Water Transportation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NA*................. 44XX Water Transportation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector R. Ship and Boat Building or Repairing Yards
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NA.................. 373X Ship and Boat Building or Repairing Yards.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector S. Air Transportation Facilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NA*................. 45XX Air Transportation Facilities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector T. Treatment Works
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NA*................. NA Treatment Works.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector U. Food and Kindred Products
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1................... 201X Meat Products.
2................... 202X Dairy Products.
3................... 203X Canned, Frozen and Preserved Fruits, Vegetables and Food
Specialties.
4*.................. 204X Grain Mill Products.
[[Page 50824]]
5................... 205X Bakery Products.
6................... 206X Sugar and Confectionery Products.
7*.................. 207X Fats and Oils.
8................... 208X Beverages.
9................... 209X Miscellaneous Food Preparations and Kindred Products.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector V. Textile Mills, Apparel, and Other Fabric Product Manufacturing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1................... 22XX Textile Mill Products.
2................... 23XX Apparel and Other Finished Products Made From Fabrics and Similar
Materials.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector W. Furniture and Fixtures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NA.................. 25XX Furniture and Fixtures.
2434 Wood Kitchen Cabinets.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector X. Printing and Publishing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NA.................. 27XX Printing and Publishing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector Y. Rubber, Miscellaneous Plastic Products, and Miscellaneous Manufacturing Industries
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1*.................. 301X Tires and Inner Tubes.
302X Rubber and Plastics Footwear.
305X Gaskets, Packing, and Sealing Devices and Rubber and Plastics Hose
and Belting.
306X Fabricated Rubber Products, Not Elsewhere Classified.
2................... 308X Miscellaneous Plastics Products.
393X Musical Instruments.
394X Dolls, Toys, Games and Sporting and Athletic Goods.
395X Pens, Pencils, and Other Artists' Materials.
396X Costume Jewelry, Costume Novelties, Buttons, and Miscellaneous
Notions, Except Precious Metal.
399X Miscellaneous Manufacturing Industries.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector Z. Leather Tanning and Finishing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NA.................. 311X Leather Tanning and Finishing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector AA. Fabricated Metal Products
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1*.................. 342X Cutlery, Handtools, and General Hardware.
344X Fabricated Structural Metal Products.
345X Screw Machine Products, and Bolts, Nuts, Screws, Rivets, and Washer.
346X Metal Forgings and Stampings.
3471 Electroplating, Plating, Polishing, Anodizing, and Coloring.
349X Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Products.
391X Jewelry, Silverware, and Plated Ware.
2*.................. 3479 Coating, Engraving, and Allied Services.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector AB. Transportation Equipment, Industrial or Commercial Machinery
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NA.................. 35XX Industrial and Commercial Machinery.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector AC. Electronic, Electrical, Photographic and Optical Goods
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NA.................. 36XX Electronic, Electrical.
38XX Measuring, Analyzing and Controlling Instrument; Photographic and
Optical Goods.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Denotes subsector with analytical (chemical) monitoring requirements.
NA indicated those industry sectors in which subdivision into subsectors was determined to be not applicable.
To conduct a comparison of the results of the statistical analyses
to determine when analytical monitoring would be required, EPA
established ``benchmark'' concentrations for the pollutant parameters
on which monitoring results had been received. The ``benchmarks'' are
the pollutant concentrations above which EPA determined represents a
level of concern. The level of concern is a concentration at which a
storm water discharge could potentially impair, or contribute to
impairing water quality or affect human health from ingestion of
[[Page 50825]]
water or fish. The benchmarks are also viewed by EPA as a level, that
if below, a facility represents little potential for water quality
concern. As such, the benchmarks also provide an appropriate level to
determine whether a facility's storm water pollution prevention
measures are successfully implemented. The benchmark concentrations are
not effluent limitations and should not be interpreted or adopted as
such. These values are merely levels which EPA has used to determine if
a storm water discharge from any given facility merits further
monitoring to insure that the facility has been successful in
implementing a storm water pollution prevention plan. As such these
levels represent a target concentration for a facility to achieve
through implementation of pollution prevention measures at the
facility. Table 5 lists the parameter benchmark values.
As can be seen in Table 5, benchmark concentrations were determined
based upon a number of existing standards or other sources to represent
a level above which water quality concerns could arise. EPA has also
sought to develop values which can realistically be measured and
achieved by industrial facilities. Moreover, storm water discharges
with pollutant concentrations occurring below these levels would not
warrant further analytical monitoring due to their de minimis potential
effect on water quality.
The primary source of benchmark concentrations is EPA's National
Water Quality Criteria, published in 1986 (often referred to as the
``Gold Book''). For the majority of the benchmarks, EPA chose to use
the acute aquatic life, fresh water ambient water quality criteria.
These criteria represent maximum concentration values for a pollutant,
above which, could cause acute effects on aquatic life such as
mortality in a short period of time. Where acute criteria values were
not available, EPA used the lowest observed effect level (LOEL) acute
fresh water value. The LOEL values represent the lowest concentration
of a pollutant that results in an adverse effect over a short period of
time. These two acute freshwater values were selected as benchmark
concentrations if the value was not below the approved method detection
limit as listed in 40 CFR Part 136 and the value was not substantially
above the concentration which EPA believes a facility can attain
through the implementation of a storm water pollution prevention plan.
These acute freshwater values best represent, on a national basis, the
highest concentrations at which typical fresh water species can survive
exposures of pollutants for short durations (i.e., a storm discharge
event).
Acute freshwater criteria do not exist for a number of parameters
on which EPA received data. For these parameters, EPA selected
benchmark values from several other references. The benchmark
concentrations for five day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and
for pH are determined based upon the secondary wastewater treatment
regulations (40 CFR 133.102). EPA believes that the BOD5 value of
30 mg/L is a reasonable concentration below which adverse effects in
receiving waters under wet weather flow conditions should not occur.
EPA also believes, that given group application data on BOD5, this
value should be readily achievable by industrial storm water
dischargers. The benchmark value for pH is a range of 6.0-9.0 standard
units. EPA believes this level, given the group application data, is
reasonably achievable by industrial storm water dischargers and
represents and acceptable range within which aquatic life impacts will
not occur. The benchmark concentration for chemical oxygen demand (COD)
is based upon the State of North Carolina benchmark values for storm
water discharges, and is a factor of four times the BOD5 benchmark
concentration. EPA has concluded that COD is generally discharged in
domestic wastewater at four times the concentration of BOD5
without causing adverse impacts on aquatic life. EPA selected the
median concentration from the National Urban Runoff Program as the
benchmark for total suspended solids (TSS) and for nitrate plus nitrite
as nitrogen. EPA believes the median concentration, which is the mid-
point concentration (half the samples are above this level and half are
below) represents concentration above which water quality concerns may
result. For TSS a value of 100mg/L is similar to the storm water
benchmark used by North Carolina for storm water permits, and given the
group application data, should be readily achievable by industry with
implementation of BMPs, many of which are designed for the purpose of
controlling TSS. EPA also believes, given the group application data,
that there is a relationship between TSS and the amount of exposed
industrial activity and that industrial activities even in arid western
States should be able to implement BMPs that will accomplish this
benchmark. EPA selected the storm water effluent limitation guideline
for petroleum refining facilities as the benchmark for oil and grease.
Given the lack of an acute criteria, EPA selected the chronic fresh
water quality criteria as the benchmark for iron. Water quality
criteria for waterbodies in the State of North Carolina were used to
determine benchmarks for total phosphorus and for fluoride. The
concentration value for phosphorus was designed to prevent
eutrophication of fresh waterbodies from storm water runoff. The
fluoride value was designed by North Carolina to be protective of water
quality, as was the manganese value developed by Colorado. EPA believes
that each of these benchmark values represent a reasonable level below
which water quality impacts should not occur and they therefore
represent a useful level to assess whether a pollution prevention plan
is controlling pollution in storm water discharges.
For several other parameters, EPA chose a benchmark value base on a
numerical adjustment of the acute fresh water quality criteria. Where
the acute water quality criteria was below the method detection level
for a pollutant, EPA used the ``minimum level'' (ML) as the benchmark
concentration to ensure that the benchmark levels could be measured by
permittees. For a few pollutants minimum levels have been published and
these were used. For other pollutants, minimum levels need to be
calculated. EPA calculated the minimum levels using the methodology
described in the draft ``National Guidance for the Permitting,
Monitoring, and Enforcement of Water Quality-based Effluent Limitations
Set Below Analytical Detection/Quantitation Levels'' (Michael Cook,
OWEC, March 18, 1994).
Additionally, several organic compounds (ethylbenzene,
fluoranthene, toluene, and trichloroethylene) have acute fresh water
quality criteria at substantially high concentrations, much higher than
criteria developed for the protection of human health when ingesting
water or fish. In addition, trichloroethylene is a human carcinogen.
Therefore, EPA selected the human health criteria as benchmarks for
these parameters. For dimethyl phthalate and total phenols, EPA
selected benchmark concentrations based upon existing discharge
limitations and compliance data (no industry had median concentrations
above the selected benchmark for these parameters and therefore no
industry sector is required to monitor for these two pollutants).
EPA conducted statistical analyses of the group Part 2 data for
each parameter within every industry sector or subsector listed in
Table 5. The
[[Page 50826]]
pollutants, benchmark values, and source of the benchmark values are
indicated below in Table 5.
Table 5.--Parameter Benchmark Values
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parameter name Benchmark level Source
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biochemical Oxygen Demand(5)..... 30 mg/L 4
Chemical Oxygen Demand........... 120 mg/L 5
Total Suspended Solids........... 100 mg/L 7
Oil and Grease................... 15 mg/L 8
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen....... 0.68 mg/L 7
Total Phosphorus................. 2.0 mg/L 6
pH............................... 6.0-9.0 s.u. 4
Acrylonitrile (c)................ 7.55 mg/L 2
Aluminum, Total (pH 6.5-9)....... 0.75 mg/L 1
Ammonia.......................... 19 mg/L 1
Antimony, Total.................. 0.636 mg/L 9
Arsenic, Total (c)............... 0.16854 mg/L 9
Benzene.......................... 0.01 mg/L 10
Beryllium, Total (c)............. 0.13 mg/L 2
Butylbenzyl Phthalate............ 3 mg/L 3
Cadmium, Total (H)............... 0.0159 mg/L 9
Chloride......................... 860 mg/L 1
Copper, Total (H)................ 0.0636 mg/L 9
Dimethyl Phthalate............... 1.0 mg/L 11
Ethylbenzene..................... 3.1 mg/L 3
Fluoranthene..................... 0.042 mg/L 3
Fluoride......................... 1.8 mg/L 6
Iron, Total...................... 1.0 mg/L 12
Lead, Total (H).................. 0.0816 mg/L 1
Manganese........................ 1.0 mg/L 13
Mercury, Total................... l0.0024 mg/L 1
Nickel, Total (H)................ 1.417 mg/L 1
PCB-1016 (c)..................... 0.000127 mg/L 9
PCB-1221 (c)..................... 0.10 mg/L 10
PCB-1232 (c)..................... 0.000318 mg/L 9
PCB-1242 (c)..................... 0.00020 mg/L 10
PCB-1248 (c)..................... 0.002544 mg/L 9
PCB-1254 (c)..................... 0.10 mg/L 10
PCB-1260 (c)..................... 0.000477 mg/L 9
Phenols, Total................... 1.0 mg/L 11
Pyrene (PAH,c)................... 0.01 mg/L 10
Selenium, Total (*).............. 0.2385 mg/L 9
Silver, Total (H)................ 0.0318 mg/L 9
Toluene.......................... 10.0 mg/L 3
Trichloroethylene (c)............ 0.0027 mg/L 3
Zinc, Total (H).................. 0.065 mg/L 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sources:
1. ``EPA Recommended Ambient Water Quality Criteria.'' Acute Aquatic
Life Freshwater.
2. ``EPA Recommended Ambient Water Quality Criteria.'' LOEL Acute
Freshwater.
3. ``EPA Recommended Ambient Water Quality Criteria.'' Human Health
Criteria for Consumption of Water and Organisms.
4. Secondary Treatment Regulations (40 CFR 133).
5. Factor of 4 times BOD5 concentration--North Carolina benchmark.
6. North Carolina storm water benchmark derived from NC Water Quality
Standards.
7. National Urban Runoff Program (NURP) median concentration.
8. Median concentration of Storm Water Effluent Limitation Guideline (40
CFR Part 419).
9. Minimum Level (ML) based upon highest Method Detection Limit (MDL)
times a factor of 3.18.
10. Laboratory derived Minimum Level (ML).
11. Discharge limitations and compliance data.
12. ``EPA Recommended Ambient Water Quality Criteria.'' Chronic Aquatic
Life Freshwater.
13. Colorado--Chronic Aquatic Life Freshwater--Water Quality Criteria.
Notes:
(*) Limit established for oil and gas exploration and production
facilities only.
(c) carcinogen.
(H) hardness dependent.
(PAH) Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbon.
Assumptions:
Receiving water temperature--20 C.
Receiving water pH--7.8.
Receiving water hardness CaCO3 100 mg/L.
Receiving water salinity 20 g/kg.
Acute to Chronic Ratio (ACR)--10.
EPA prepared a statistical analysis of the sampling data for each
pollutant parameter reported within each sector or subsector. (Only
where EPA did not subdivide an industry sector into subsectors was an
analysis of the entire
[[Page 50827]]
sector's data performed.) The statistical analysis was performed
assuming a delta log normal distribution of the sampling data within
each sector/subsector. The analyses calculated median, mean, maximum,
minimum, 95th, and 99th percentile concentrations for each parameter.
The results of the analyses may be found in the appropriate section of
Part VIII of this Fact Sheet. From this analysis, EPA was able to
identify pollutants for further evaluation within each sector or
subsector.
EPA next compared the median concentration for each pollutant for
each sector or subsector to the benchmark concentrations listed in
Table 5. EPA also compared the other statistical results to the
benchmarks to better ascertain the magnitude and range of the discharge
concentrations to help identify the pollutants of concern. EPA did not
conduct this analysis if a sector had data for a pollutant from less
than three individual facilities. Under these circumstances, the sector
or subsector would not have this pollutant identified as a pollutant of
concern. This was done to ensure that a reasonable number of facilities
represented the industry sector or subsector as a whole and that the
analysis did not rely on data from only one facility.
For each industry sector or subsector, parameters with a median
concentration higher than the benchmark level were considered
pollutants of concern for the industry and identified as potential
pollutants for analytical monitoring under today's permit. EPA then
analyzed the list of potential pollutants to be monitored against the
lists of significant materials exposed and industrial activities which
occur within each industry sector or subsector as described in the part
I application information. Where EPA could identify a source of a
potential pollutant which is directly related to industrial activities
of the industry sector or subsector, the permit identifies that
parameter for analytical monitoring. If EPA could not identify a source
of a potential pollutant which was associated with the sector/
subsector's industrial activity, the permit does not require monitoring
for the pollutant in that sector/subsector. Industries with no
pollutants for which the median concentrations are higher than the
benchmark levels are not required to perform analytical monitoring
under this permit, with the exceptions explained below.
In addition to the sectors and subsectors identified for analytical
monitoring using the methods described above, EPA determined, based
upon a review of the degree of exposure, types of materials exposed,
special studies and in some cases inadequate sampling data in the group
applications, that industries in the following sections of today's fact
sheet also warrant analytical monitoring not withstanding the absence
of data on the presence or absence of certain pollutants in the group
applications: VIII.K.7 (hazardous waste treatment storage and disposal
facilities), and VIII.S.6 (airports which use more than 100,000 gallons
per year of glycol-based fluids or 100 tons of urea for deicing). These
industries are required to perform analytical monitoring under the
permit due to the high potential for contamination of storm water
discharge, which EPA believes was not adequately characterized by group
applicants in the information they provided in the group application
process.
All facilities within an industry sector or subsector identified
for analytical monitoring must, at a minimum, monitor their storm water
discharges during the second year of permit coverage, unless the
facility exercises the Alternative Certification described in Section
VI.E.3 of this fact sheet. At the end of the second year of permit
coverage, a facility must calculate the average concentration for each
parameter for which the facility is required to monitor. If the
permittee collects more than four samples in this period, then they
must calculate an average concentration for each pollutant of concern
for all samples analyzed. Monitoring must be conducted for the same
storm water discharge outfall in each sampling period. Where a given
storm water discharge is addressed by more than one sector/subsector's
monitoring requirements, then the monitoring requirements for the
applicable sector's/subsector's activities are cumulative. Therefore,
if a particular discharge fits under more than one set of monitoring
requirements, the facility must comply with all sets of sampling
requirements. Monitoring requirements must be evaluated on an outfall-
by-outfall basis.
If the average concentration for a pollutant parameter is less than
or equal to the benchmark value, then the permittee is not required to
conduct analytical monitoring for that pollutant during the fourth year
of the permit. If, however, the average concentration for a pollutant
is greater than the benchmark value, then the permittee is required to
conduct quarterly monitoring for that pollutant during the fourth year
of permit coverage. Analytical monitoring is not required during the
first, third, and fifth year of the permit. The exclusion from
analytical monitoring in the fourth year of the permit is conditional
on the facility maintaining industrial operations and BMPs that will
ensure a quality of storm water discharges consistent with the average
concentrations recorded during the second year of the permit.
2. Compliance Monitoring
In addition to the analytical monitoring requirements for certain
sectors, today's permit contains monitoring requirements for discharges
which are subject to effluent limitations. These discharges must be
sampled annually and tested for the parameters which are limited by the
permit. Discharges subject to compliance monitoring include: coal pile
runoff, contaminated runoff from phosphate fertilizer manufacturing
facilities, runoff from asphalt paving and roofing emulsion production
areas, material storage pile runoff from cement manufacturing
facilities, and mine dewatering discharges from crushed stone,
construction sand and gravel, and industrial sand mines located in
Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona. All samples are to
be grabs taken within the first 30 minutes of discharge where
practicable, but in no case later than the first hour of discharge.
Where practicable, the samples shall be taken from the discharges
subject to the numeric effluent limitations prior to mixing with other
discharges.
Monitoring for these discharges is required to determine compliance
with numeric effluent limitations. Furthermore, discharges covered
under today's permit which are subject to numeric effluent limitations
are not eligible for the alternative certification in Part VI.E.3. of
this fact sheet.
3. Alternate Certification
Throughout today's permit, EPA has included monitoring
requirements for facilities which the Agency believes have the
potential for contributing significant levels of pollutants to storm
water discharges. The alternative certification described below is
included in the permit to ensure that monitoring requirements are only
imposed on those facilities which do, in fact, have storm water
discharges containing pollutants at concentrations of concern. EPA has
determined that if there are no sources of a pollutant exposed to storm
water at the site then the potential for that pollutant to contaminate
storm water discharges does not warrant monitoring.
Therefore, a discharger is not subject to the analytical monitoring
[[Page 50828]]
requirements provided the discharger makes a certification for a given
outfall, on a pollutant-by-pollutant basis, that material handling
equipment or activities, raw materials, intermediate products, final
products, waste materials, by-products, industrial machinery or
operations, significant materials from past industrial activity that
are located in areas of the facility that are within the drainage area
of the outfall are not presently exposed to storm water and will not be
exposed to storm water for the certification period. Such certification
must be retained in the storm water pollution prevention plan, and
submitted to EPA in lieu of monitoring reports required under Part XI
of the permit. The permittee is required to complete any and all
sampling until the exposure is eliminated. If the facility is reporting
for a partial year, the permittee must specify the date exposure was
eliminated. If the permittee is certifying that a pollutant was present
for part of the reporting period, nothing relieves the permittee from
the responsibility to sample that parameter up until the exposure was
eliminated and it was determined that no significant materials
remained. This certification is not to be confused with the low
concentration sampling waiver. The test for the application of this
certification is whether the pollutant is exposed, or can be expected
to be present in the storm water discharge. If the facility does not
and has not used a parameter, or if exposure is eliminated and no
significant materials remain, then the facility can exercise this
certification.
The permit does not allow facilities with discharges subject to
numeric effluent limitations to submit alternative certification in
lieu of the compliance monitoring requirements in Sections VI.C.,
XI.C.6., XI.D.5., XI.E.5., and XI.J.5. The permit also does not allow
air transportation facilities subject to the analytical monitoring
requirements under Section XI.S.5. to exercise an alternative
certification.
A facility is not precluded from exercising the alternative
certification in lieu of analytical monitoring requirements in the
fourth year of permit coverage, even if that facility failed to qualify
for a low concentration waiver in year two. EPA encourages facilities
to eliminate exposure of industrial activities and significant
materials where practicable.
4. Reporting and Retention Requirements
Permittees are required to submit all analytical monitoring results
obtained during the second and fourth year of permit coverage within
three months of the conclusion of the second and fourth year of
coverage of the permit. For each outfall, one Discharge Monitoring
Report Form must be submitted per storm event sampled. For facilities
conducting monitoring beyond the minimum requirements an additional
Discharge Monitoring Report Form must be filed for each analysis. The
permittee must include a measurement or estimate of the total
precipitation, volume of runoff, and peak flow rate of runoff for each
storm event sampled. Permittees subject to compliance monitoring
requirements are required to submit all compliance monitoring results
annually on the 28th day of the month following the anniversary of the
publication of this permit. Compliance monitoring results must be
submitted on signed Discharge Monitoring Report Forms. For each
outfall, one Discharge Monitoring Report form must be submitted for
each storm event sampled.
Permittees are not required to submit records of the visual
examinations of storm water discharges unless specifically asked to do
so by the Director. Records of the visual examinations must be
maintained at the facility. Records of visual examination of storm
water discharge need not be lengthy. Permittees may prepare typed or
hand written reports using forms or tables which they may develop for
their facility. The report need only document: the date and time of the
examination; the name of the individual making the examination; and any
observations of color, odor, clarity, floating solids, suspended
solids, foam, oil sheen, and other obvious indicators of storm water
pollution.
The location for submittal of all reports is contained in the
permit. Consistent with Office of Management and Budget Circular A-105,
facilities located on the following Federal Indian Reservations, which
cross EPA Regional boundaries, should note that permitting authority
for such lands is consolidated in one single EPA Region.
a. Duck Valley Reservations lands, located in Regions IX and X, are
handled by Region IX.
b. Fort McDermitt Reservation lands, located in Regions IX and X,
are handled by Region IX.
c. Goshute Reservation lands, located in Regions VIII and IX, are
handled by Region IX.
d. Navajo Reservation lands, located in Regions VI, VIII, and IX,
are handled by Region IX.
e. Ute Mountain Reservation lands, located in Regions VI and VIII,
are handled Region VIII (no areas in Region VIII are receiving coverage
under this permit).
Pursuant to the requirements of 40 CFR 122.41(j), today's permit
requires permittees to retain all records for a minimum of 3 years from
the date of the sampling, examination, or other activity that generated
the data.
5. Sample Type
The discussion below is a general description of the sample type
required for monitoring under today's permit. Certain industries have
different requirements, however, so permittees should check the
industry-specific requirements in Part XI. of today's permit to confirm
these requirements. Grab samples may be used for all monitoring unless
otherwise stated. All such samples shall be collected from the
discharge resulting from a storm event that is greater than 0.1 inches
in magnitude and that occurs at least 72 hours from the previously
measurable (greater than 0.1 inch rainfall) storm event. The required
72-hour storm event interval may be waived by the permittee where the
preceding measurable storm event did not result in a measurable
discharge from the facility. The 72-hour requirement may also be waived
by the permittee where the permittee documents that less than a 72-hour
interval is representative for local storm events during the season
when sampling is being conducted. The grab sample must be taken during
the first 30 minutes of the discharge. If the collection of a grab
sample during the first 30 minutes is impracticable, a grab sample can
be taken during the first hour of the discharge, and the discharger
must submit with the monitoring report a description of why a grab
sample during the first 30 minutes was impracticable. A minimum of one
grab is required. Where the discharge to be sampled contains both storm
water and non-storm water, the facility shall sample the storm water
component of the discharge at a point upstream of the location where
the non-storm water mixes with the storm water, if practicable.
6. Representative Discharge
The permit allows permittees to use the substantially identical
outfalls to reduce their monitoring burden. This representative
discharge provision provides facilities with multiple storm water
outfalls, a means for reducing the number of outfalls that must be
sampled and analyzed. This may result in a substantial reduction of the
resources required for a facility to comply with analytical monitoring
requirements. When a facility has two or more outfalls
[[Page 50829]]
that, based on a consideration of industrial activity, significant
materials, and management practices and activities within the area
drained by the outfall, the permittee reasonably believes discharge
substantially identical effluents, the permittee may test the effluent
of one of such outfalls and report that the quantitative data also
applies to the substantially identical outfalls provided that the
permittee includes in the storm water pollution prevention plan a
description of the location of the outfalls and explaining in detail
why the outfalls are expected to discharge substantially identical
effluent. In addition, for each outfall that the permittee believes is
representative, an estimate of the size of the drainage area (in square
feet) and an estimate of the runoff coefficient of the drainage area
(e.g., low (under 40 percent), medium (40 to 65 percent) or high (above
65 percent)) shall be provided in the plan. Facilities that select and
sample a representative discharge are prohibited from changing the
selected discharge in future monitoring periods unless the selected
discharge ceases to be representative or is eliminated. Permittees do
not need EPA approval to claim discharges are representative, provided
they have documented their rationale within the storm water pollution
prevention plan. However, the Director may determine the discharges are
not representative and require sampling of all non-identical outfalls.
The representative discharge provision in the permit is available
to almost all facilities subject to the analytical monitoring
requirements (not including compliance monitoring for effluent
guideline limit compliance purposes) and to facilities subject to
visual examination requirements.
The representative discharge provisions described above are
consistent with Section 5.2 of NPDES Storm Water Sampling Guidance
Document (EPA 833-B-92-001, July 1992).
7. Sampling Waiver
a. Adverse Weather Conditions. The permit allows for temporary
waivers from sampling based on adverse climatic conditions. This
temporary sampling waiver is only intended to apply to insurmountable
weather conditions such as drought or dangerous conditions such as
lightning, flash flooding, or hurricanes. These events tend to be
isolated incidents and should not be used as an excuse for not
conducting sampling under more favorable conditions associated with
other storm events. The sampling waiver is not intended to apply to
difficult logistical conditions, such as remote facilities with few
employees or discharge locations which are difficult to access. When a
discharger is unable to collect samples within a specified sampling
period due to adverse climatic conditions, the discharger shall collect
a substitute sample from a separate qualifying event in the next
sampling period as well as a sample for the routine monitoring required
in that period. Both samples should be analyzed separately and the
results of that analysis submitted to EPA. Permittees are not required
to obtain advance approval for sampling waivers.
b. Unstaffed and Inactive Sites--Chemical Waiver. The permit allows
for a waiver from sampling for facilities that are both inactive and
unstaffed. This waiver is only intended to apply to these types of
facilities when the ability to conduct sampling would be severely
hindered and result in the inability to meet the time and
representative rainfall sampling specifications. This sampling waiver
is not intended to apply to remote facilities that are active and
staffed, or typical difficult logistical conditions. When a discharger
is unable to collect samples as specified in this permit, the
discharger shall certify to the Director in the DMR that the facility
is unstaffed and inactive and the ability to conduct samples within the
specifications is not possible. Permittees are not required to obtain
advance approval for this waiver.
c. Unstaffed and Inactive Sites--Visual Waiver. The permit allows
for a waiver from sampling for facilities that are both inactive and
unstaffed. This waiver is only intended to apply to these types of
facilities when the ability to conduct visual examinations would be
severely hindered and result in the inability to meet the time and
representative rainfall sampling specifications. This sampling waiver
is not intended to apply to remote facilities that are active and
staffed, or typical difficult logistical conditions. When a discharger
is unable to perform visual examinations as specified in this permit,
the discharger shall maintain on site with the pollution prevention
plan a certification stating that the facility is unstaffed and
inactive and the ability to perform visual examinations within the
specifications is not possible. Permittees are not required to obtain
advance approval for visual examination waivers.
8. Quarterly Visual Examination of Storm Water Quality
In order to provide a tool for evaluating the effectiveness of the
pollution prevention plan, the permit requires the majority of
industries covered under today's permit to perform quarterly visual
examinations of storm water discharges. EPA believes these visual
examinations will assist with the evaluation of the pollution
prevention plan. This section provides a general description of the
monitoring and reporting requirements under today's permit. The visual
examination provides a simple, low cost means of assessing the quality
of storm water discharge with immediate feedback. Most facilities
covered under today's permit are required to conduct a quarterly visual
examination of storm water discharges associated with industrial
activity from each outfall, except discharges exempted under the
representative discharge provision. The visual examination of storm
water outfalls should include any observations of color, odor, clarity,
floating solids, settled solids, suspended solids, foam, oil sheen, or
other obvious indicators of storm water pollution. No analytical tests
are required to be performed on these samples.
The examination of the sample must be made in well lit areas. The
visual examination is not required if there is insufficient rainfall or
snow-melt to runoff or if hazardous conditions prevent sampling.
Whenever practicable the same individual should carry out the
collection and examination of discharges throughout the life of the
permit to ensure the greatest degree of consistency possible in
recording observations. Grab samples for the examination shall be
collected within the first 30 minutes (or as soon thereafter as
practical, but not to exceed 1 hour) of when the runoff begins
discharging. Reports of the visual examination include: the examination
date and time, examination personnel, visual quality of the storm water
discharge, and probable sources of any observed storm water
contamination. The visual examination reports must be maintained on
site with the pollution prevention plan.
When conducting a storm water visual examination, the pollution
prevention team, or team member, should attempt to relate the results
of the examination to potential sources of storm water contamination on
the site. For example, if the visual examination reveals an oil sheen,
the facility personnel (preferably members of the pollution prevention
team) should conduct an inspection of the area of the site draining to
the examined discharge to look for obvious sources of spilled oil,
leaks, etc. If a source can be located, then this information allows
the facility
[[Page 50830]]
operator to immediately conduct a clean-up of the pollutant source,
and/or to design a change to the pollution prevention plan to eliminate
or minimize the contaminant source from occurring in the future.
To be most effective, the personnel conducting the visual
examination should be fully knowledgeable about the storm water
pollution prevention plan, the sources of contaminants on the site, the
industrial activities conducted exposed to storm water and the day to
day operations that may cause unexpected pollutant releases.
Other examples include; if the visual examination results in an
observation of floating solids, the personnel should carefully examine
the solids to see if they are raw materials, waste materials or other
known products stored or used at the site. If an unusual color or odor
is sensed, the personnel should attempt to compare the color or odor to
the colors or odors of known chemicals and other materials used at the
facility. If the examination reveals a large amount of settled solids,
the personnel may check for unpaved, unstabilized areas or areas of
erosion. If the examination results in a cloudy sample that is very
slow to settle-out, the personnel should evaluate the site draining to
the discharge point for fine particulate material, such as dust, ash,
or other pulverized, ground, or powdered chemicals.
If the visual examination results in a clean and clear sample of
the storm water discharge, this may indicate that no visible pollutants
are present. This would be a indication of a high quality result,
however, the visual examination will not provide information about
dissolved contamination. If the facility is in a sector or subsector
required to conduct analytical (chemical) monitoring, the results of
the chemical monitoring, if conducted on the same sample, would help to
identify the presence of any dissolved pollutants and the ultimate
effectiveness of the pollution prevention plan. If the facility is not
required to conduct analytical monitoring, it may do so if it chooses
to confirm the cleanliness of the sample.
While conducting the visual examinations, personnel should
constantly be attempting to relate any contamination that is observed
in the samples to the sources of pollutants on site. When contamination
is observed, the personnel should be evaluating whether or not
additional BMPs should be implemented in the pollution prevention plan
to address the observed contaminant, and if BMPs have already been
implemented, evaluating whether or not these are working correctly or
need maintenance. Permittees may also conduct more frequent visual
examinations than the minimum quarterly requirement, if they so choose.
By doing so, they may improve their ability to ascertain the
effectiveness of their plan. Using this guidance, and employing a
strong knowledge of the facility operations, EPA believes that
permittees should be able to maximize the effectiveness of their storm
water pollution prevention efforts through conducting visual
examinations which give direct, frequent feedback to the facility
operator or pollution prevention team on the quality of the storm water
discharge.
EPA believes that this quick and simple assessment will help the
permittee to determine the effectiveness of his/her plan on a regular
basis at very little cost. Although the visual examination cannot
assess the chemical properties of the storm water discharged from the
site, the examination will provide meaningful results upon which the
facility may act quickly. EPA recommends that the visual examination be
conducted at different times than the chemical monitoring, but is not
requiring this. In addition, more frequent visual examinations can be
conducted if the permittee so chooses. In this way, better assessments
of the effectiveness of the pollution prevention plan can be achieved.
The frequency of this visual examination will also allow for timely
adjustments to be made to the plan. If BMPs are performing
ineffectively, corrective action must be implemented. A set of tracking
or follow-up procedures must be used to ensure that appropriate actions
are taken in response to the examinations. The visual examination is
intended to be performed by members of the pollution prevention team.
This hands-on examination will enhance the staff's understanding of the
site's storm water problems and the effects of the management practices
that are included in the plan.
9. SARA Title III, Section 313 Facilities
Today's permit does not contain special monitoring requirements for
facilities subject to the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting
requirements under Section 313 of the EPCRA. EPA has reviewed data
submitted by facilities in the group application and determined that
storm water monitoring requirements are more appropriately based upon
the industrial activity or significant material exposed than upon a
facility's status as a TRI reporter under Section 313 of EPCRA. This
determination is based upon a comparison of the data submitted by TRI
facilities included in the group application process to data from group
application sampling facilities that were not found on the TRI list.
Table 6 summarizes the data comparison. The data indicate that there
are no consistent differences in the level of water priority chemicals
present in samples from TRI facilities when compared to the samples
from facilities not subject to TRI reporting requirements.
EPA has included a revised Appendix A that lists 44 additional
water priority chemicals that meet the definition of a section 313
water priority chemical or chemical categories requirements as defined
by EPA in the permit under Part X, Definitions.
Table 6.--Comparison of Pollutant Concentration in Grab Samples
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-TRI TRI facility
Non-TRI TRI facility Non-TRI TRI facility facility 95th 95th
Pollutant facility median concen- facility mean mean concen- percentile percentile
median concen- tration (mg/L) concen-tration tration (mg/L) concen-tration concen-tration
tration (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acrylonitrile........................................... 0.100 0.000 0.085 0.000 0.100 0.000
Aluminum................................................ 0.922 0.819 12.061 28.893 58.000 12.000
Ammonia................................................. 0.640 0.000 10.507 23.231 9.500 17.200
Antimony................................................ 0.000 0.000 0.603 0.014 2.096 0.078
Arsenic................................................. 0.000 0.000 0.231 0.008 0.170 0.033
Benzene................................................. 0.000 0.000 0.001 0.000 0.001 0.000
Beryllium............................................... 0.001 0.000 0.002 0.080 0.007 0.400
Butylbenzyl phthalate................................... 0.000 0.000 0.007 0.000 0.018 0.000
Cadmium................................................. 0.000 0.000 0.014 0.030 0.050 0.028
Chlorine................................................ 0.000 0.000 1.590 0.052 11.000 0.300
[[Page 50831]]
Chloroform.............................................. 0.000 0.000 0.083 0.001 0.022 0.006
Chromium................................................ 0.006 0.000 1.236 0.109 0.250 0.270
Copper.................................................. 0.047 0.028 1.430 0.344 2.200 1.300
Cyanide................................................. 0.000 0.000 0.021 0.007 0.008 0.020
Di-n-butyl phthalate.................................... 0.000 0.000 0.005 0.168 0.014 1.595
Dimethyl phthalate...................................... 0.000 0.000 0.005 0.000 0.016 0.000
Ethylbenzene............................................ 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.001 0.005
Hexavalent chromium..................................... 0.000 0.000 0.001 0.003 0.002 0.011
Lead.................................................... 0.020 0.006 0.556 0.480 1.900 1.100
Manganese............................................... 0.150 0.090 2.015 0.273 9.550 1.244
Mercury................................................. 0.000 0.000 0.530 0.006 0.001 0.005
Naphthalene............................................. 0.000 0.000 2.998 0.001 24.000 0.013
Nickel.................................................. 0.020 0.000 0.087 0.311 0.390 0.458
Phenols................................................. 0.000 0.000 0.063 0.019 0.100 0.075
Selenium................................................ 0.000 0.000 0.262 0.000 0.020 0.001
Silver.................................................. 0.000 0.000 0.034 0.001 0.006 0.010
Toluene................................................. 0.000 0.000 0.052 0.011 0.037 0.009
Trichloroethylene....................................... 0.000 0.000 0.004 0.040 0.001 0.030
1,1,1-Trichloroethane................................... 0.000 0.000 0.004 0.460 0.015 6.000
Xylene.................................................. 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.004 0.003 0.037
Zinc.................................................... 0.320 0.250 3.761 1.720 8.800 5.140
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F. Numeric Effluent Limitations
1. Industry-specific Limitations
Part XI. of today's permit contains numeric effluent limitations
for phosphate fertilizer manufacturing facilities, asphalt emulsion
manufacturers, cement manufacturers, coal pile runoff from steam
electric power generating facilities, and sand, gravel, and crushed
stone quarries. These limitations are required under EPA's storm water
effluent limitation guidelines in the Code of Federal Regulations at 40
CFR Part 418, Part 443, Part 411, Part 423, and Part 436. Parts
VIII.C.6., VIII.D.5., VIII.E.6., and VIII.J.5. of this fact sheet
discuss these limitations.
2. Coal Pile Runoff
Today's permit establishes effluent limitations of 50 mg/L total
suspended solids and a pH range of 6.0-9.0 for coal pile runoff. Any
untreated overflow from facilities designed, constructed, and operated
to treat the volume of coal pile runoff associated with a 10-year, 24-
hour rainfall event is not subject to the 50 mg/L limitation for total
suspended solids. Steam electric generating facilities must comply with
these limitations upon submittal of the NOI. EPA has adopted these
technology-based pH limitations in today's general permit in accordance
with setting limits on a case-by-case basis as allowed under 40 CFR
125.3 and Section 402 of the Clean Water Act. These case-by-case limits
are derived by transferring the known achievable technology from an
effluent guideline to a similar type of discharge. When developing
these technology-based limitations, variables such as rainfall pH,
sizes of coal piles, pollutant characteristics, and runoff volume were
considered. Therefore, these variables need not be considered again. As
discussed above, these pH limitations are technology-based and are not
based on water quality. All other types of facilities must comply with
this requirement as expeditiously as practicable, but in no event later
than 3 years from the date of permit issuance.
The pollutants in coal pile runoff can be classified into specific
types according to chemical characteristics. Each type relates to the
pH of the coal pile drainage. The pH tends to be of an acidic nature,
primarily as a result of the oxidation of iron sulfide in the presence
of oxygen and water. The potential influence of pH on the ability of
toxic and heavy metals to leach from coal piles is of particular
concern. Many of the metals are amphoteric with regard to their
solubility behavior. These factors affect acidity, pH, and the
subsequent leaching of trace metals: concentration and form of pyritic
sulfur in coal; size of the coal pile; method of coal preparation and
clearing prior to storage; climatic conditions, including rainfall and
temperature; concentrations of calcium carbonate and other neutralizing
substances in the coal; concentration and form of trace metals in the
coal; and the residence time of water in the coal pile.
Coal piles can generate runoff with low pH values, with the acid
values being quite variable. The suspended solids levels can be
significant, with levels of 2,500 mg/L not uncommon. Metals present in
the greatest concentrations are copper, iron, aluminum, nickel, and
zinc. Others present in trace amounts include chromium, cadmium,
mercury, arsenic, selenium, and beryllium 14.
\14\ A more complete description of pollutants in coal pile
runoff is provided in the ``Final Development Document for Effluent
Limitations Guidelines and Standards and Pretreatment Standards for
the Steam Electric Point Source Category,'' (EPA-440/1-82/029), EPA,
November 1982.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
G. Regional Offices
1. Notice of Intent Address
Notices of Intent to be authorized to discharge under this permit
should be sent to: NOI/NOT Processing Center (4203), 401 M Street,
S.W., Washington, DC 20460.
2. Address for Other Submittals
Other submittals of information required under this permit or
individual permit applications should be sent to the appropriate EPA
Regional Office:
a. ME, MA, NH, Federal Indian Reservations in CT, MA, NH, ME, RI, and
Federal Facilities in VT
EPA, Region I, Water Management Division, (WCP), Storm Water Staff,
JFK Federal Building, Boston, MA 02203
b. PR and Federal Facilities in PR
[[Page 50832]]
EPA, Region II, Water Management Division, (2WM-WPC), Storm Water
Staff, 290 Broadway, New York, NY 10007-1866
c. DC and Federal Facilities in DC and DE
EPA, Region III, Water Management Division, (3WM55), Storm Water
Staff, 841 Chestnut Building, Philadelphia, PA 19107
d. FL
EPA, Region IV, Water Management Division, Permits Section (WPEB-
7), 345 Courtland Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30365
e. LA, NM, OK, and TX and Federal Indian Reservations in LA, NM (Except
Navajo and Ute Mountain Reservation Lands), OK, and TX
EPA, Region VI, Water Management Division, (6W-EA), EPA SW MSGP,
P.O. Box 50625, Dallas, TX 75202
f. AZ, Johnston Atoll, Midway Island, Wake Island, all Federal Indian
Reservations in AZ, CA, and NV; those portions of the Duck Valley, Fort
McDermitt, and Goshute Reservations that are outside NV; those portions
of the Navajo Reservation that are outside AZ; and Federal facilities
in AZ, Johnston Atoll, Midway Island, and Wake Island.
EPA, Region IX, Water Management Division, (W-5-3), Storm Water
Staff, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
g. ID, OR, and WA; Federal Indian Reservations in AK, ID (except the
Duck Valley Reservation), OR (except the Fort McDermitt Reservation),
and WA; and Federal facilities in ID, and WA
EPA, Region X, Water Division, (WD-134), Storm Water Staff, 1200
Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
H. Compliance Deadlines
For most permittees, today's permit imposes a deadline of 270 days
following date of publication of this permit for development of
pollution prevention plans and for compliance with the terms of the
plan.
Today's general permit provides additional time if constructing
structural best management practices is called for in the plan. The
portions of a plan addressing these BMP construction requirements must
provide for compliance with the plan as soon as practicable, but in no
case later than 3 years from the effective date of the permit. However,
storm water pollution prevention plans for facilities subject to these
additional requirements must be prepared within 270 days of the date of
publication of this permit and provide for compliance with the baseline
terms and conditions of the permit (other than the numeric effluent
limitation) as expeditiously as practicable, but in no case later than
270 days after the publication date of this permit.
Facilities are not required to submit the pollution prevention
plans for review unless they are requested by EPA or by the operator of
a large or medium municipal separate storm sewer system. When a plan is
reviewed by EPA, the Director can require the permittee to amend the
plan if it does not meet the minimum permit requirements.
VII. Cost Estimates for Common Permit Requirements
The conditions of today's general permit reflects the baseline
permit requirements established in EPA's NPDES permits for Storm Water
Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity (57 FR 41175 and 57 FR
44412). The requirements found under today's permit are more specific
to the conditions found in the industries. EPA does not consider these
requirements to be more costly than the pollution prevention plan
requirements established in the baseline general permit. The following
section contains the estimates of the cost of compliance with the
baseline permit requirements.
A. Pollution Prevention Plan Implementation
Storm water pollution prevention plans for the majority of
facilities will include relatively low cost baseline controls. EPA's
analysis of storm water pollution prevention plans indicates that the
cost of developing and implementing these plans is variable and will
depend on a number of the following factors: the size of the facility,
the type and amount of significant materials stored or used at a
facility, the nature of the plant operations, the plant designs (e.g.,
the processes used and layout of a plan), and the extent to which
housekeeping measures are already employed. Table 7 provides estimates
of the range of costs for preparing and implementing the common
requirements for a storm water pollution prevention plan. It is
expected that the low cost estimates provided in Table 7 are
appropriate for the majority of smaller facilities. The high cost
estimates in Table 7 are more applicable to larger, more complex
facilities with more potential sources of pollutants. Please note that
the costs in this table exclude special requirements, such as EPCRA 313
requirements. EPA estimated the cost of preparing a storm water
pollution prevention plan for a hypothetical small business in the
automobile salvage yard industry. Based on experience and best
professional judgment, EPA estimates that a typical small automobile
salvage yard would face a one-time cost of about $874. This cost is
lower than the low end of the cost estimate provided in Table 7 because
it is based on a particular (though hypothetical) small business. Table
7 estimates are based on what EPA expects are appropriate for the
majority of small facilities. Some facilities are likely to face lower
costs, such as the hypothetical small automobile junk yard, and other
facilities are likely to face higher costs.
The cost of compliance, monitoring and preparing the PPP for the
multi-sector permit are not high when compared to the site-specific
requirements to comply with an individual permit. The Clean Water Act
does not give EPA the authority to exempt permitted facilities from
requirements designed to improve the quality of the nation's waters.
The economic ability of small businesses to comply with this permit can
be a factor to consider if water quality concerns are not applicable to
the surface water body receiving the storm water discharge.
The operators of regulated storm water discharges have to consider
the economic effects of coverage under the multi-sector permit, the
baseline general permit, or an individual NPDES permit. Coverage under
either of the two general permits is not required by EPA. The NPDES
regulations give EPA the authority to require coverage under an
individual NPDES permit, not general permits. A facility's decision to
be covered under a general permit is voluntary. Individual permits can
require numerical limits and more frequent monitoring and reporting,
along with the development and implementation of SWPPPs. The burden of
developing an SWPPP is controlled by the facility's ability to achieve
the permits goal: reduce or eliminate the discharge of pollutants to
the nation's waters.
[[Page 50833]]
Table 7.--Summary of Estimated Ranges of Costs for Compliance With Storm
Water Pollution Prevention Plans With Baseline Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Low costs High costs
---------------------------------------------------
First year Annual First year Annual
costs costs costs costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submittal of NOI.... $14 ........... $14 ...........
Notification of
Municipality....... 14 ........... 14 ...........
Plan Preparation.... 1,518 ........... 76,153 ...........
Plan Implementation. 90 294 35,400 9,371
Comprehensive Site
Compliance
Evaluation/Plan
Revision........... ........... 267 ........... 8,875
Reportable
Quantities......... (1) No
Costs ........... 8,501 ...........
---------------------------------------------------
Total......... 1,636 561 120,082 18,246
------------------------------------------------------------------------
This table identifies estimated low and high costs (in 1992 dollars) to
develop and implement storm water pollution prevention plans.
Low costs of implementing program components are zero where existing
programs or procedures is assumed adequate.
The estimated costs for plan preparation and plan revisions includes
costs of preparing/revising plan to address baseline requirements.
However, the costs of implementing special requirements, such as those
for EPCRA Section 313 facilities coal piles and salt piles are not
otherwise addressed in this table.
B. Cost Estimates for EPCRA Section 313
Table 8 provides estimates of the range of costs of preparing and
implementing a storm water pollution prevention plan for facilities
subject to the special requirements for facilities subject to EPCRA
Section 313 reporting requirements for chemicals classified as
``Section 313 water priority chemicals.'' EPA expects the majority of
facilities to have existing containment systems that meet the majority
of the requirements of this permit. High cost estimates correspond to
facilities that are expected to be required to undertake some actions
to upgrade existing containment systems to meet the requirements of
this permit.
Table 8.--Summary of Estimated Additional Costs for Compliance With
Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans for Facilities Subject to Section
313 of EPCRA for Water Priority Chemicals
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Low costs High costs
---------------------------------------------------
Costs Costs
during Annual during Annual
first 3 costs first 3 costs
years years
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plan Preparation.... $630 ........... 0 ...........
Liquid Storage Areas ........... ........... $11,200 ...........
Material Storage
Areas.............. ........... ........... 560 ...........
Loading Areas....... ........... ........... 21,000 ...........
Process Areas....... ........... ........... 11,190 ...........
Drainage/Runoff..... ........... ........... 7,750 ...........
Housekeeping/
Maintenance........ ........... ........... ........... $5,957
Facility Security... ........... ........... 3,240 ...........
Employee Training... ........... ........... ........... 1,403
Toxicity Reduction.. ........... ........... ........... 3,046
---------------------------------------------------
Totals........ 630 $0 54,940 10,406
------------------------------------------------------------------------
This table identifies estimated additional low and high costs to develop
and implement storm water pollution prevention plans for EPCRA Section
313 facilities subject to special conditions.
Low costs of implementing program components are zero where existing
programs, procedures or security is assumed adequate.
The high costs for preparing pollution prevention plans to include EPCRA
Section 313 additional requirement were addressed as part of the
estimated high costs for preparation of baseline pollution prevention
plans (see Table 7).
C. Cost Estimates for Coal Piles
The effluent limitations for coal pile runoff in the permit can be
achieved by these two primary methods: limiting exposure to coal by use
of covers or tarpaulins and collecting and treating the runoff. In some
cases, coal pile runoff may be in compliance with the effluent
limitations without covering of the pile or collection or treatment of
the runoff. In these cases, the operator of the discharge would not
have a control cost.
The use of covers or tarpaulins to prevent or minimize exposure of
the coal pile to storm water is generally expected to be practical only
for relatively small piles. Coal pile covers or tarpaulins are
anticipated to have a fixed cost of $400 and annual cost of $160.
Table 9 provides estimates of the costs of treating coal pile
runoff.15 These costs are based on a consideration of a treatment
train requiring equalization, pH adjustment, and settling, including
the costs for impoundment (for equalization), a lime feed system and
mixing tanks for pH adjustment, and a clarifier for settling. The costs
for the
[[Page 50834]]
impoundment area include diking and containment around each coal pile
and associated sumps and pumps and piping from runoff areas to the
impoundment area. The costs for land are not included. The lime feed
system employed for pH adjustment includes a storage silo, shaker,
feeder, and lime slurry storage tank, instrumentation, electrical
connections, piping, and controls.
\15\ The type and degree of treatment required to meet the
effluent limitations of this permit vary depending on factors such
as the amount of sulfur in the coal. This section describes a model
treatment scheme for estimating costs for compliance with the
effluent limitations. Dischargers may implement other less expensive
treatment approaches to enable them to discharge in accordance with
these limits where appropriate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional costs may be incurred if a polymer system is needed. In
this case, costs would include impoundment for equalization, a lime
feed system, mixing tank, and polymer feed system for chemical
precipitation, a clarifier for settling, and an acid feeder and mixing
tank to readjust the pH within the range of 6 to 9. The equipment and
system design, with the exception of the polymer feeder, acid feeder,
and final mixing tank, are essentially the same as shown in Table 9.
Two tanks are required for a treatment train with a polymer system, one
for precipitation and another for final pH adjustment with acid. The
cost of mixing is therefore twice that shown in Table 9. The polymer
feed system includes storage hoppers, chemical feeder, solution tanks,
solution pumps, interconnecting piping, electrical connections, and
instrumentation. The costs of clarification are identical to that of
Table 9. A treatment train with a polymer system requires the use of an
acid addition system to readjust the pH within the range of 6 to 9. The
components of this system include a lined acid storage tank, two feed
pumps, an acid pH control loop, and associated piping, electrical
connections, and instrumentation.
Additional information regarding the cost of these technologies can
be found in ``Development Document for Effluent Limitations Guidelines
and Standards and Pretreatment Standards for the Steam Electric Point
Source Category,'' (EPA-440/182/029), November 1982, EPA.
Table 9.--Summary of Estimated Costs for Treatment of Coal Pile Runoff
------------------------------------------------------------------------
30,000 cubic meter 120,000 cubic meter
coal pile coal pile
------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPOUNDMENT:
Installed Capital Cost.. 6,850 6,850
Operation and Maintenance ($/ Negligible Negligible
year).
LIME FEED SYSTEM:
Installed Capital Cost 138,800 255,700
($).
Operation and 5,780 10,655
Maintenance ($/year).
Energy Requirements (kwh/ 3.6 x 10**4 3.6 x 10**4
yr).
Land Requirements 5,000 5,000
(ft**2).
MIXING EQUIPMENT:
Installed Capital Cost 65,750 91,320
($).
Operation and 2,280 2,430
Maintenance ($/year).
Energy Requirements (kwh/ 1.3 x 10**3 3.3 x 10**3
yr).
Land Requirements (ft**2)... 2,000 2,000
CLARIFICATION:
Installed Capital Cost 182,650 237,450
($).
Operation and 3,200 3,650
Maintenance ($/year).
Energy Requirements (kwh/ 1.3 x 10**3 3.3 x 10**3
yr).
Land Requirements 0.1 0.1
(acres).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: ``Development Document for Effluent Limitations Guidelines and
Standards and Pretreatment Standards for the Steam Electric Point
Source Category'' (EPA-440/182/029), November 1982, EPA). Costs
estimates are in 1992 dollars.
D. Cost Estimates for Salt Piles
Salt pile covers or tarpaulins are anticipated to have a fixed cost
of $400 and an annual cost of $160 for medium-sized piles and a fixed
cost of $4,000 and an annual cost of $2,000 for very large piles.
Structures such as salt domes are generally expected to have a fixed
cost of between $30,000 for small piles ($70 to $80 per cubic yard) and
$100,000 for larger piles ($18 per cubic yard) with costs depending on
size and other construction parameters.
VIII. Special Requirements for Discharges Associated With Specific
Industrial Activities
The industry-specific requirements allow the implementation of
site-specific measures that address features, activities, or priorities
for control associated with the identified storm water discharges. This
framework provides the necessary flexibility to address the variable
risk for pollutants in storm water discharges associated with the
different types of industrial activity addressed by this permit. This
approach also assures that facilities have the opportunity to identify
procedures to prevent storm water pollution at a particular site that
are appropriate, given processes employed, engineering aspects,
functions, costs of controls, location, and age of the facility (as
contemplated by 40 CFR 125.3). The approach taken also allows the
flexibility to establish controls that can appropriately address
different sources of pollutants at different facilities.
A. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity From
Timber Products Facilities
1. Discharges Covered Under This Sector
Eligibility for coverage under this section is limited to those
facilities in the lumber and wood products industry (primary SIC Major
Group is 24), except wood kitchen cabinets manufacturers (SIC Code
2434). Permit conditions for facilities in the wood kitchen cabinets
manufacturers industry (SIC Code 2434) are discussed in the wood and
metal furniture and fixture manufacturing sector (Part XI.W of today's
permit). SIC Major group 24 represents those ``establishments engaged
in cutting timber and pulpwood, merchant sawmills, lath mills, shingle
mills, cooperage stock mills, planing mills, and plywood and veneer
mills engaged in producing lumber and wood basic materials; and
establishments engaged in wood preserving or in manufacturing finished
articles made entirely of wood or related materials.'' 16
\16\ ``Handbook of Standard Industrial Classifications,'' Office
of Management and Budget, 1987.
[[Page 50835]]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
When an industrial facility, described by the above coverage
provisions of this section, has industrial activities being conducted
onsite that meet the description(s) of industrial activities in another
section(s), that industrial facility shall comply with any and all
applicable monitoring and pollution prevention plan requirements of the
other section(s) in addition to all applicable requirements in this
section. The monitoring and pollution prevention plan terms and
conditions of this multi-sector permit are additive for industrial
activities being conducted at the same industrial facility (co-located
industrial activities). The operator of the facility shall determine
which other monitoring and pollution prevention plan section(s) of this
permit (if any) are applicable to the facility.
Wood kitchen cabinet facilities (SIC Code 2434) are excluded from
coverage under this section because EPA believes it is more appropriate
to cover manufacturers of wood cabinets with furniture manufacturing
facilities (SIC Major group 25). As indicated in the November 16, 1990,
Federal Register (55 FR 48008), ``Facilities under SIC Code 2434 and 25
are establishments engaged in furniture making.'' EPA believes that
this grouping is more appropriate due to the typical use by cabinet
makers of wood treating solutions such as mineral spirits and propenyl
butyl.17 This practice is common to wood furniture manufacturing,
but is atypical of the other industrial operations performed at
facilities in the lumber and wood products industry (SIC Major group
24).
\17\ Part 1 Storm Water Group Permit Applications. Summaries
from individual applicant descriptions including Applicant No. 1156
(Westvaco), Applicant No. 92 (Bowater), and Applicant No. 866
(Louisiana-Pacific).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Certain silvicultural activities are not required to be covered
under National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) storm
water permits (40 CFR 122.27). In accordance with 40 CFR 122.27(b),
point sources that must be covered by an NPDES permit are ``any
discernible, confined and discrete conveyance related to rock crushing,
gravel washing, log sorting, or log storage facilities, which are
operated in connection with silvicultural activities and from which
pollutants are discharged into waters of the United States.''
Discharges from nonpoint source silvicultural activities, including
harvesting operations (see 40 CFR 122.27) are not required to be
covered.
It is EPA's determination harvesting activities include: the
felling, skidding, preparation (e.g., delimbing and trimming), loading
and initial transport of forest products from an active harvest site.
An active harvest site is considered to be an area where harvesting
operations are actually on-going. EPA also interprets the definition of
harvesting operations to include incidental stacking and temporary
storage of harvested timber on the harvest site prior to its initial
transport to either an intermediate storage area or other processing
site. EPA considers this activity to be an inherent part of harvesting
operations. However, EPA does not intend the definition of active
harvesting operations to include sites that are processing, sorting, or
storing harvested timber which has been transported there from one or
more active harvesting sites. Consequently, EPA considers these site
activities a point source under 40 CFR 122.27(b)(1) and operators of
these sites must seek an NPDES permit for discharges of storm water.
Effluent guidelines have been promulgated for the Timber Products
Processing Point Source Category at 40 CFR Part 429 (46 FR 8260;
January 26, 1981). Under these regulations, effluent limitations and
standards were set for process wastewaters from any timber products
processing operation, and any plant producing insulation board with
wood as the major raw material. The definition of process wastewater
excluded ``noncontact cooling water, material storage yard runoff
(either raw material or processed wood storage) and boiler blowdown.
For the dry process hardboard, veneer, finishing, particleboard, and
sawmills and planing mills subcategories, fire control water is
excluded from the definition.'' Any discharge subject to an effluent
limitation guideline is not eligible for coverage under this section.
Even though discharges of boiler blowdown and noncontact cooling water
are not considered ``process water discharges,'' they do not fall under
the definition of storm water discharges. As such, this section does
not provide for their coverage. In addition, contact cooling waters and
water treatment wastewater discharges from steam operated sawmills will
not be covered. Finally, material storage yard runoff, exempted from
coverage under the effluent limitation guidelines, is eligible to be
covered in accordance with the terms and conditions of this section.
In addition, it should be noted that certain wood preserving wastes
have been listed under 40 CFR 261.31 as hazardous wastes from
nonspecific sources (55 FR 50450; December 6, 1990). Storm water
discharges that come in contact and/or commingle with these wastes will
be considered a hazardous waste and will not be authorized for
discharge under this section. Despite the listing of these wastes,
however, there remains a potential for storm water to become
contaminated through incidental activities such as tracking of
materials, fugitive emissions, and miscellaneous other activities.
These discharges are covered under today's permit. Wastewaters, process
residuals, preservative or protectant drippage, and spent formulations
from wood preserving processes that use chlorophenolic formulations,
creosote formulations, or arsenic and chromium formulations have been
listed as hazardous wastes. Wastes from wood surface protection were
proposed for listing under this subpart (53 FR 53282; December 30,
1988, and 58 FR 25706; April 27, 1993) but listing the wastes was
determined unnecessary in a subsequent rulemaking (59 FR 458; January
4, 1994). Storm water discharges containing these wastes are therefore
covered under today's permit.
2. Industry Profile/Description of Industrial Activities
Facilities engaged in activities classified under SIC Major Group
24 use wood as their primary raw material. Although there is diversity
among the types of final products that are produced at timber products
facilities, there are common industrial activities performed among
them. These activities are broadly classified for ease of discussion
and include the following: log storage and handling; untreated wood
lumber and residue generation activities, and untreated wood materials
storage; wood surface protection activities, and chemicals and surface
protected materials storage; wood preservation activities, and
chemicals and preserved wood material storage; wood assembly/
fabrication activities and final fabricated wood product storage; and
equipment/vehicle maintenance, repair and storage.
In many cases, more than one of these activities may be conducted
at a single facility location.
a. Log Storage and Handling. Log storage and handling activities
may occur onsite at many types of facilities covered under this section
of today's permit, such as wood collection yards and lumber processing
and veneer manufacturing facilities. However, facilities that are
primarily engaged in these activities (e.g., wood collection yards) are
most appropriately classified under SIC Code 2411.
Typical industrial activities performed include loading and
unloading of logs onto trucks or railroad cars for transport to other
facilities, log
[[Page 50836]]
sorting, and storage of logs. In addition, some cutting may be
performed such as chopping off tree branches and sectioning of tree
trunks for easier handling during transport. Although not typically
performed at wood collection facilities, chipping may be performed at
facilities serving pulp industries. Residues generated at these sites
may include bark, coarse sawdust, and wood chunks.
Significant materials that have the potential to come in contact
with storm water discharges at facilities practicing these activities
include: uncut logs (hardwood and softwoods), wood bark, wood chips,
coarse saw dust, other waste wood material, petroleum and other
products for equipment maintenance (fuels, motor oils, hydraulic oils,
lubricant fluids, brake fluids, and antifreeze), herbicides,
pesticides, and fertilizers, material handling equipment (forklifts,
loaders, vehicles, chippers, debarkers, cranes, etc.).
These log storage and handling activities described above have the
potential to discharge pollutants including bark and wood debris, total
suspended solids (TSS), and leachates.18 The leachate generated
from these operations from the decay of wood products can contain high
levels of TSS and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5).19
\18\ ``NPDES Docket No. 1085-07-22-402, NPDES Appeal No. 86-14:
In the Matter of Shee Atika, Incorporated,'' January 21, 1988.
\19\ ``Regulatory Guidance and Waste Reduction Manual for United
States Sawmills (Draft),'' EPA Office of Solid Waste, January 12,
1993.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
b. Untreated Wood Lumber and Residue Generation Activities and
Untreated Wood Materials Storage. The primary product from sawmills and
other cutting activities is lumber. However, residues such as debarked
wood chips; whole tree chips and slab wood; bark; and sawdust
constitutes approximately 25 percent of the total wood
production.20 At large saw mills, approximately 2,500 lbs of
residue is generated for each 1,000 board feet of lumber
derived.21
\20\ ``Using Best Management Practices to Prevent and Control
Pollution from Hardwood Residue Storage Sites,'' Pennsylvania
Hardwoods Development Council, May 15, 1992.
\21\ ``Regulatory Guidance and Waste Reduction Manual for United
States Sawmills (Draft),'' EPA Office of Solid Waste, January 12,
1993.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Facilities that produce untreated lumber and residues can be
classified under most of the SIC Codes in Major group 24. These
facilities include saw mill and planing mill facilities classified in
group 242; millwork, veneer, plywood and structural wood member
manufacturing facilities classified in group 243; wood container
manufacturing facilities in group 244; wood building and mobile home
manufacturing facilities in group 245; and miscellaneous wood product
manufacturers in group 249.
These facilities may engage in one or more activities such as log
washing, bark removal, milling, sawing, resawing edging, trimming,
planing, machining, air drying, and kiln drying. In addition, there may
be associated boiler operations, loading and unloading activities and
storage activates.
Effluent guidelines have been established at 40 CFR Part 429
Subparts A, I, and J for discharges from log washing, debarking and wet
storage, respectively. These discharges are considered process waters
and are subject to the effluent limitations of each subpart.
Some facilities generate residue as a product, in lieu of lumber or
other finished products, while other facilities may generate residues
as a waste product. In most cases, there are markets for these
residues. For example, chips and sawdust are used in the production of
pulp and paper and wood products manufacturing. A summary of the
residues generated and their potential uses include: bark (used in
landscaping, compost, recreational applications (trails), energy
recovery); wood chips (used in pulp and paper mill feed, landscaping,
recreational applications, fire logs, energy recovery); planer shavings
(used in particle board, livestock bedding, compost, fire logs,
domestic pet litter, energy recovery); and sawdust (used in particle
board, livestock bedding, compost, fire logs, domestic pet litter,
energy recovery.) 22
\22\ ``Regulatory Guidance and Waste Reduction Manual for United
States Sawmills (Draft),'' EPA Office of Solid Waste, January 12,
1993.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Storage activities at these sites include wet and dry storage of
logs and storage of residuals. Wet storage, called ``wet decking,'' is
a process used when logs are to be stored for an extended period of
time. Wet storage retards decaying and infestation by insects. The logs
may be stored under water in ponds or may be placed in areas where
water is continuously sprayed over them. Residuals are typically stored
dry.
Storm water discharges from lumber and residue generation and
storage may come in contact with the following types of wastes and/or
materials at the facility which can then contribute pollutants to the
storm water: uncut logs (hardwood and softwoods), wood bark, wood
chips, wood shavings, sawdust, green lumber, rough and finished lumber,
other waste wood material, nonhazardous wood ash, above and below
ground fuel storage tanks for diesel, gasoline, propane and fuel oil,
finishing chemicals (stain, lacquer, varnish, paints, water repellant,
sealants), solvents and cleaners, petroleum and other products for
equipment maintenance (fuels, motor oils, hydraulic oils, lubricant
fluids, brake fluids, and antifreeze), herbicides, pesticides, and
fertilizers, sawmill equipment, material handling equipment (Forklifts,
loaders, vehicles, chippers, debarkers, cranes, etc.), boiler water
treatment chemicals, scrap metals, scrap equipment and plastics, boiler
blowdown water, and leachate from decaying organic matter.
Pollutants resulting from lumber and residue generation and storage
activities are typically conventional in nature. Low pH levels can
result from the leachate of decaying organic materials. TSS and
BOD5 may be elevated in this leachate.23 In addition to
leachate, washed away residue particles contribute to TSS loadings.
Equipment and machinery at the facility site may result in the
discharge of oil and grease.
\23\ ``Regulatory Guidance and Waste Reduction Manual for United
States Sawmills (Draft),'' EPA Office of Solid Waste, January 12,
1993.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
c. Wood Surface Protection Activities, Chemicals and Surface
Protected Materials Storage. At many hardwood saw mills, wood surface
protection is conducted to prevent sap stain. Sap stain is the
unsightly discoloration of lumber products caused by fungus.24
Surface protection is a cosmetic fix only and differs from wood
preservation which is a practice designed to enhance the wood's
structural integrity.
\24\ ``Background Document Supporting the Proposed Listing of
Wastes from Surface Protection Processes, Part One Final Engineering
Analysis Volume 1,'' EPA Office of Solid Wastes, February 1993.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Surface protection is accomplished by one of three methods:
spraying, ranging from manual spraying with a garden hose to more
sophisticated on-line high pressure spray boxes; dipping, a batch
process where lumber is immersed then removed from the formulation; and
green chain operations, a continuous immersion operation where lumber
is pulled through the protection tanks by conveyer.25
\25\ ``Regulatory Guidance and Waste Reduction Manual for United
States Sawmills (Draft),'' EPA Office of Solid Waste, January 12,
1993.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historically, the primary chemical used in surface protection has
been commercial pentachlorophenate. Concentrated chemicals are diluted
to 0.5 to 1 percent pentachlorophenol for surface protection. This
concentration is lower than the 2 percent to 9 percent
pentachlorophenol used in wood
[[Page 50837]]
preserving. Producers of chlorophenolic formulations used in surface
protection have recently discontinued the product due to the pending
hazardous waste regulations and it is expected that stocks will soon be
exhausted. Alternatives to pentachlorophenate solutions which have been
developed and are currently used include: iodo-prophenyl butyl
carbamate, dimethyl sulfoxide, didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride
mixtures; sodium azide mixtures; iodo-prophenyl butyl carbamate,
didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride mixture; 8-quinolinol, copper (II)
chelate mixtures; iodo-prophenyl butyl carbamate mixtures; sodium
ortho-phenylphenate mixtures; 2-(thiocyanomethylthio)-benzothiozole
(TCMTB) and methylene bis (thiocyanate) mixture; and zinc naphthenate
mixtures.26
\26\ ``Regulatory Guidance and Waste Reduction Manual for United
States Sawmills (Draft),'' EPA Office of Solid Waste, January 12,
1993.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industrial activities at saw mills with the potential to
contaminate storm water include spills from surface protection areas,
storage and mixing tank areas, treated wood drippage, transport or
storage areas, maintenance and shop areas, and areas used for
treatment/disposal of wastes. Fugitive emissions from negative pressure
spraying activities and hand spraying surface protection formulations
may also result in the contamination of storm water.27
\27\ ``Background Document Support the Proposed Listing of
Wastes From Wood Preservation and Surface Protection Processes,''
EPA Office of Solid Waste, July 1987.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Significant materials that have the potential to come in contact
with storm water discharges at facilities practicing these activities
include: all of the materials stated in 3.b. above (under untreated
wood lumber and residue generation activities and untreated materials
storage) plus treated lumber, treatment chemicals, and treatment
equipment (dipping tanks, green chain, material handling equipment,
etc.).
Pollutants which result from these types of surface protection
operations may include the constituents of those surface protection
chemicals listed above, as well as aggregate parameters such as
BOD5, COD, and TSS.
d. Wood Preservation Activities, and Chemicals and Preserved Wood
Material Storage. Wood preserving is the application of chemicals to
wood and wood products to preserve the structural integrity of the
wood. Wood preserving is designed to prevent/delay the deterioration/
decay of wood through the addition of flame retardants, water
repellents, and chemicals. Wood preserving differs from wood surface
protection which is generally performed for aesthetic reasons.28
\28\ ``Background Document Supporting the Proposed Listing of
Wastes from Surface Protection Processes, Part One Final Engineering
Analysis Volume 1,'' EPA Office of Solid Wastes, February 1993.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wood preserving is accomplished by two steps. First, the moisture
content of wood is reduced to increase its permeability (this is
referred to as conditioning). Conditioning may be accomplished by: (1)
allowing wood to dry at ambient temperatures; (2) kiln drying; (3)
steaming the wood, then applying a vacuum; (4) dipping the wood in a
heated salt bath; or (5) vapor drying, and immersing the wood in a
solvent (usually naphtha or Stoddard solvent). After conditioning, wood
is impregnated with a preservative for fire retardency, insecticidal
resistance, and/or fungicidal resistance. Preservation may be
accomplished by either nonpressurized and pressurized methods. The
nonpressurized method involves dipping stock in a bath containing the
preservatives (either heated or at ambient temperatures), while
pressurized methods involve subjecting the wood to the preservative
when under pressure. After treatment, the wood stock is often subject
to cleaning in order to remove excess preservative prior to stacking
treated lumber products outside.29
\29\ ``Development Document for Effluent Limitations Guidelines
and Standards for the Timber Products Point Source Category, Final
(EPA 440/1-81/023),'' EPA, Effluent Guidelines Division, January
1981.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are a number of different avenues by which wood preserving
wastes may contaminate storm water. These may include: drippage of
condensate or preservative after pressurized treatment; washing after
preservation to remove excess preservative, which usually occurs either
in the treatment or storage areas; spills and leaks from process
equipment and preservative tanks; fugitive emissions from vapors in the
process, as well as blow outs and emergency pressure releases; and
kick-back (phenomenon where preservative leaks as it returns to normal
pressure) from the lumber.30
\30\ ``Background Document Support the Proposed Listing of
Wastes From Wood Preservation and Surface Protection Processes,''
EPA Office of Solid Waste, July 1987.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A wide variety of chemicals are used in the preservation of wood,
the most common are creosote, pentachlorophenol and inorganics.
Creosote-based preservatives are mixtures of coal-tar derivatives
and creosote solutions (creosotes fortified with insecticide additives
such as pentachlorophenol, arsenic trioxide, copper compounds or
malathion). Pentachlorophenol preservatives are typically formulations
using petroleum solvents and 5 percent total pentachlorophenol. Waxes
and resins may also be added.31 Inorganic preservatives consist of
arsenical and chromate salts and fluorides dissolved in water. The most
commonly used inorganic preservatives include: 32 chromated copper
arsenate (CCA); ammoniacal copper arsenate (ACA); acid copper chromate
(ACC); chromated zinc chloride (CZC); and fluor-chrome-arsenate-phenol
(FCAP).
\31\ ``Background Document Support the Proposed Listing of
Wastes From Wood Preservation and Surface Protection Processes,''
EPA Office of Solid Waste, July 1987.
\32\ ``Background Document Support the Proposed Listing of
Wastes From Wood Preservation and Surface Protection Processes,''
EPA Office of Solid Waste, July 1987.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Significant materials that have the potential to come in contact
with storm water discharges at facilities practicing wood preservation
include: all of the materials stated in 3.b. (untreated wood lumber and
residue generation activities and untreated wood materials storage)
plus treated lumber, treatment chemicals, and treatment equipment
(preservative, tanks, preservative contaminated material handling
equipment).
Pollutants expected to be discharged from wood preserving
facilities typically include conventional pollutants such as BOD5,
TSS and oil and grease, as well as toxics which are dependent upon the
preserving formulations used. Organic solvent components such as
benzene, toluene, xylene, and ethylbenzene can be found at
pentachlorophenol preservation operations. Phenolic compounds such as
phenol, chlorophenols, nitrophenols can be found at plants using
pentachlorophenol and creosote preservatives. The polynuclear aromatic
hydrocarbons of creosote, including anthracene, pyrene, and
phenanthrene are often contained in the entrained oils. High phenolic,
COD, and oil and grease concentrations have been noted to result from
creosote and pentachlorophenol operations. Traces of copper, chromium,
arsenic, zinc, and boron often can be found in the wastewaters of
plants which use waterborne salt preservatives.33
\33\ ``Development Document for Effluent Limitations Guidelines
and Standards for the Timber Products Point Source Category, Final
(EPA 440/1-81/023),'' EPA, Effluent Guidelines Division, January
1981.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
e. Wood Assembly/Fabrication Activities and Final Fabricated Wood
Product Storage. The industrial
[[Page 50838]]
activities conducted as part of the assembly and fabrication process
are very diverse. For the most part, industrial activities that have
the potential to come in contact with precipitation are similar to
those described under lumber and residue generation (see Section
A.3.b). However, there are a number of additional industrial activities
that differ. For example, the fabrication of fiberboard, insulation
board, and hardboard may involve the use of wax emulsions, paraffin,
aluminum sulfate, melamine formaldehyde, and miscellaneous
thermosetting resins. These chemicals may be introduced as part of the
board formation process or as a coating to maintain the board's
integrity. Generally, these additives account for less than 20 percent
of the board. In the formation of fiberboard/insulation board/
hardboards, the digestion of pulp and fiber by mechanical, thermal, and
sometimes chemical means takes place.34 Another operation which
involves resinous agents is the formation of veneer. In this process,
veneer is placed in hot ponds or vats to soften the wood. Veneer strips
are removed and often bound by glue or a resinous agent. Glues are also
used in the assembly of wood components.35 Other types of
activities include the finishing of wood products. Stains, paints,
lacquers, varnish, water repellents and sealants, etc. may be applied
to some of the wood products. Many of these materials may not have the
potential to come in contact with precipitation as most of these
processes are performed within a covered area or building.
\34\ ``Development Document for Effluent Limitations Guidelines
and Standards for the Timber Products Point Source Category, Final
(EPA 440/1-81/023),'' EPA, Effluent Guidelines Division, January
1981.
\35\ Part 1 Storm Water Group Permit Applications. Summaries
from individual applicant descriptions including Applicant No. 1156
(Westvaco), Applicant No. 92 (Bowater), and Applicant No. 866
(Louisiana-Pacific).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutants expected to be found in storm water discharges at
facilities that perform these types of industrial activities include
BOD5 and TSS. Oil and grease may be present due to material
handling equipment and transport vehicles.
f. Equipment/Vehicle Maintenance, Repair and Storage. Many of the
facilities included in the SIC Major group 24 employ the use of
material handling equipment, vehicles and other machinery. These
facilities store the equipment onsite and may also engage in
maintenance and repair activities on them. These types of activities
are performed in either covered or outdoor areas of the facility.
Associated with these activities is the storage of significant
materials such as petroleum products and other maintenance fluids such
as fuels, motor oil, hydraulic oils, lubricant fluids, brake fluids,
solvents, cleaners and antifreeze.
3. Pollutants Contributing to Storm Water Contamination
Based on the wide variety of industrial activities and significant
materials at the facilities included in this sector, EPA believes it is
appropriate to divide the timber products industry into subsectors to
properly analyze sampling data and determine monitoring requirements.
As a result, this sector has been divided into the following
subsectors: general saw mills and planning mills; wood preserving; log
storage and handling; and hardwood dimension and flooring mills,
special products saw mills, millwork, veneer, plywood and structural
wood, wood containers, wood buildings and mobile homes, reconstituted
wood products and wood products not elsewhere classified. Tables A-1
through A-4 below include data for the eight pollutants that all
facilities were required to monitor for under Form 2F. The tables also
lists those parameters that EPA has determined may merit further
monitoring.
Table A-1.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by General Sawmills and Planing Mills Facilities Submitting Part II Sampling Datai (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant # of Facilities # of Samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th Percentile 99th Percentile
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample type Grab Compii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD5........................ 34 35 74 73 48.6 47.2 0.0 0.0 440.0 660.0 18.5 18.0 169.8 151.5 400.2 322.6
COD......................... 34 34 75 72 337.0 289.6 0.0 0.0 2156.0 1804.0 115.0 165.5 1346.7 1012.2 3442.9 2170.3
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen. 35 34 75 71 0.47 0.47 0.00 0.00 1.50 2.00 0.40 0.40 1.82 1.92 3.57 3.87
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen..... 35 34 75 71 2.80 2.42 0.00 0.00 21.00 27.00 1.40 1.40 9.41 7.01 19.18 12.99
Oil & Grease................ 35 N/A 79 N/A 8.5 N/A 0.0 N/A 55.0 N/A 3.8 N/A 30.5 N/A 62.0 N/A
pH.......................... 40 N/A 84 N/A N/A N/A 4.7 N/A 9.7 N/A 7.5 N/A 9.5 N/A 10.8 N/A
Total Phosphorus............ 35 35 75 72 0.61 0.57 0.00 0.00 2.80 3.97 0.30 0.38 2.78 2.34 6.78 5.34
Total Suspended Solids...... 34 34 74 71 1459 798 1 0 18000 6460 252 400 8998 4376 36040 12921
Zinc........................ 5 5 13 12 0.448 0.362 0.050 0.11 1.7 1.2 0.32 0.29 1.359 0.842 2.456 1.307
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
Table A-2.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Wood Preserving Facilities Submitting Part II Sampling Datai (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant # of Facilities # of Samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th Percentile 99th Percentile
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample type Grab Compii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD5........................ 9 9 13 13 14.5 14.3 2.4 2.1 39.0 32.0 13.7 12.4 45.9 44.7 84.4 80.9
COD......................... 9 9 13 13 115.2 98.7 36.0 31.0 274.0 191.0 100.0 98.0 264.3 236.1 398.4 362.7
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen.. 9 9 13 13 1.05 1.47 0.30 0.20 2.20 5.20 0.90 1.10 2.29 4.74 3.36 9.06
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen..... 9 9 13 13 2.20 2.25 1.00 0.80 4.00 3.60 2.20 2.20 3.97 4.74 5.21 6.78
Oil & Grease................ 9 N/A 13 N/A 7.6 N/A 0.0 N/A 80.0 N/A 0.00 N/A 60.9 N/A 380.8 N/A
pH.......................... 8 N/A 12 N/A N/A N/A 6.0 N/A 16.0 N/A 7.0 N/A 11.4 N/A 13.5 N/A
Total Phosphorus............ 9 9 13 13 0.44 0.26 0.60 0.06 1.57 0.90 0.25 0.19 1.54 0.74 3.19 1.30
[[Page 50839]]
Total Suspended Solids...... 9 9 13 13 242 107 11 12 916 260 50 99 1025 343.8 2661 638.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
Table A-3.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Log Storage and Handling Facilities Submitting Part II Sampling Datai (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant # of Facilities # of Samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th Percentile 99th Percentile
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample type Grab Compii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD5........................ 22 24 52 56 18.7 22.6 0.0 0.0 260.0 130.0 8.3 7.3 66.4 89.3 150.7 206.6
COD......................... 21 23 51 54 286.8 262.1 0.0 0.0 1500 1500 136.0 110.0 1127.8 940.5 2713.2 2110.7
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen.. 15 17 43 46 0.17 0.19 0.0 0.0 0.82 1.10 0.09 0.11 0.74 0.74 1.61 1.48
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen..... 14 17 40 45 2.30 2.14 0.0 0.0 9.30 12.2 1.46 1.30 8.12 5.98 15.63 10.49
Oil & Grease................ 25 N/A 57 N/A 3.8 N/A 0.0 N/A 37.0 N/A 1.8 N/A 12.9 N/A 24.5 N/A
pH.......................... 25 N/A 57 N/A N/A N/A 2.8 N/A 8.3 N/A 7.0 N/A 9.3 N/A 10.5 N/A
Total Phosphorus............ 22 24 52 55 89.49 21.38 0.0 0.0 3000.00 1160 0.20 0.23 15.63 3.86 87.17 13.49
Total Suspended Solids...... 22 24 52 55 1024 566.8 0.0 0.0 16520 5192 518 164 6657 3121 25663 10723
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
Table A-4.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Hardwood Dimension and Flooring Mills; Special Products Sawmills, not Elsewhere Classified; Millwork, Veneer, Plywood and Structural
Wood; Wood Containers; Wood Buildings and Mobile Homes; Reconstituted Wood Products; and Wood Products Facilities not elsewhere classified Submitting Part II Sampling Datai (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant # of Facilities # of Samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th Percentile 99th Percentile
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample type Grab Compii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD5........................ 41 42 74 74 55.8 94.9 0.0 0.0 580.0 1925.0 13.5 17 201.8 225.8 532.8 599.6
COD......................... 41 42 74 74 366.3 239.4 636.5 0.0 3315.0 1350.0 151.5 128.0 1155.0 702.3 2417.4 1333.8
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen.. 41 42 74 74 2.78 1.43 0.0 0.0 66.00 22.5 0.25 0.31 7.49 4.81 25.93 13.03
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen..... 41 42 74 74 2.65 2.56 0.0 0.0 14.70 12.5 1.68 1.70 9.11 8.78 18.16 17.85
Oil & Grease................ 41 N/A 74 N/A 30.7 N/A 0.0 N/A 591.7 N/A 2.0 N/A 74.8 N/A 252.3 N/A
pH.......................... 40 N/A 74 N/A 7.0 N/A 3.6 N/A 9.8 N/A 7.0 N/A 9.1 N/A 10.2 N/A
Total Phosphorus............ 41 42 73 74 0.91 0.55 0.0 0.0 12.00 3.10 0.36 0.38 3.42 2.03 8.15 4.17
Total Suspended Solids...... 41 42 74 74 891 444 0.0 1.0 17000 3700 242 282 5555 2957 21438 9434
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
The descriptions of industrial activities and significant materials
exposed submitted by the group applicants in the wood preserving
subsector indicated that these facilities has a high potential to
discharge wood preservatives in their storm water discharge. These
preservatives typically contain copper and arsenic compounds. The
monitoring data which was statistically analyzed for the wood treatment
indicated the presence of both arsenic and copper in the discharges.
However, data from only eight facilities had been submitted in time for
EPA to perform a statistical analysis. EPA, therefore reviewed
additional data submitted by wood preserving facilities,and found that
copper was present in concentrations greater than the benchmark value
in 22 out of 34 observations. Arsenic was higher than bench mark in 12
out of 34 observations.
4. Options for Controlling Pollutants
There are three options for controlling pollutants at timber
products facilities: source reduction, best management practices
(BMPs), and/or end-of-pipe treatment. In evaluating the options for
controlling pollutants in discharges of storm water associated with
industrial activity, EPA must provide for compliance with the Best
Available Technology Economically Achievable (BAT) and Best
Conventional Pollutant Control Technology (BCT) requirements of Section
402(p)(3) of the Clean Water Act. The variabilities in both the
industrial activities performed on a specific site and the storm water
discharges from timber product facilities, coupled with the lack of
sufficient characterization data make it infeasible to develop effluent
limitations at this point in time. EPA believes that enabling the
owner/operator of the facility to develop BMPs based on site-specific
factors such as facility size, industrial activities performed,
climate, geographic location, hydrogeology and the environmental
setting of each facility will provide the flexibility needed to address
appropriate controls to meet the BAT/BCT requirements. Development of a
storm water pollution prevention plan that addresses exposure
minimization BMPs, will be required for all facilities that discharge
storm water from timber product facilities. EPA believes that exposure
minimization BMPs will provide appropriate levels of control for
pollutants in storm water discharges while allowing relatively
inexpensive BMPs to be implemented.
[[Page 50840]]
In some instances, however, more labor and resource intensive
structural controls such as sedimentation ponds may be appropriate. EPA
believes that the BMPs discussed below will help provide a sufficient
level of control for the types of pollutants found in discharges
associated with timber product facilities.
In developing these industry-specific BMPs both the part 1
application data for facilities that sampled were reviewed, as well as
industry-specific literature sources. The BMPs provided are separated
into those most appropriate for certain areas of a site where
pollutants may be released such as: log, lumber, and other wood product
storage areas; residue storage areas; loading and unloading and
material handling areas; chemical storage areas; and equipment/vehicle
maintenance, storage and repair areas. These types of activities can be
found at all types of timber product facilities. Table A-5 provides a
summary of the effective practices for the control of pollutants for
all timber product facilities.
Table A-5.--Effective Pollutant Control Options for All Timber Product
Facilities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity Associated BMPs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Log, Lumber, and Other Divert storm water around storage areas with
Wood Product Storage ditches, swales and/or berms.
Areas.
Locate storage areas on stable, well-drained
soils with slopes of 2-5 percent.
Line storage areas with crushed rock or
gravel or porous pavement to promote
infiltration, minimize discharge and provide
sediment and erosion control.
Stack materials to minimize surface areas of
materials exposed to precipitation.
Practice good housekeeping measures such as
frequent removal of debris.
Provide collection and treatment of runoff
with containment basins, sedimentation ponds
and infiltration basins.
Use ponds for collection, containment and
recycle for log spraying operations.
Use of silt fence and rip rap check dams in
drainage ways.
Residue Storage Areas.... Locate stored residues away from drainage
pathways and surface waters.
Avoid contamination of residues with oil,
solvents, chemically treated wood, trash,
etc.
Limit storage time of residues to prevent
degradation and generation of leachates.
Divert storm water around residue storage
areas with ditches, swales and/or berms.
Assemble piles to minimize surface areas
exposed to precipitation.
Spray surfaces to reduce windblown dust and
residue particles.
Place materials on raised pads of compacted
earth, clay, shale, or stone to collect and
drain runoff.
Cover and/or enclose stored residues to
prevent contact with precipitation using
silos, van trailers, shed, roofs, buildings
or tarps.
Limit slopes of storage areas to minimize
velocities of runoff which may transport
residues.
Provide collection and treatment of runoff
with containment basins, sedimentation ponds
and infiltration basins.
Use of silt fence and rip rap check dams in
drainage ways.
Loading and Unloading and Provide diversion berms and dikes to limit
Material Handling Areas. runon.
Cover loading and unloading areas.
Enclose material handling systems for wood
wastes.
Cover materials entering and leaving areas.
Provide good housekeeping measures to limit
debris and to provide dust control.
Provide paved areas to enable easy collection
of spilled materials.
Chemical Storage Areas... Provide secondary containment around chemical
storage areas.
Provide fluid level indicators.
Inventory of fluids to identify leakage.
Locate storage areas away from high traffic
areas and surface waters.
Develop spill prevention, containment and
countermeasure (SPCC) plans and implement.
Cover and/or enclose chemical storage areas.
Provide drip pads to allow for recycling of
spills and leaks.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sources:
NPDES Storm Water Group Application--Part 1. Received by EPA March 18,
1991, through December 31, 1992.
``Regulatory Guidance and Waste Reduction Manual for United States
Sawmills (Draft),'' EPA Office of Solid Waste, January 12, 1993.
``Background Document Supporting the Proposed Listing of Wastes From
Wood Preservation and Surface Protection Processes,'' EPA Office of
Solid Waste, July 1987.
``Chlorophenate Wood Protection, Recommendations for Design and
Operation,'' Environment Canada, December 1983.
Wood Preserving; Identification and Listing of Hazardous Wastes; Final
Rule, ``Federal Register,'' Volume 55, No. 235, December 6, 1990.
Selected pages from ``Texas Best Management Practices for
Silviculture,'' Texas Forestry Association, 1989. Submitted for
inclusion by American Pulpwood Association, Washington, D.C.
Wood surface protection and preserving facilities should consider
additional controls for their storm water discharges because of the
types of pollutants which may contaminate the discharges. Therefore,
Table A-6 contains a summary of effective practices for the control of
pollutants from timber product facilities that treat their wood. These
BMPs are to be considered in conjunction with BMPs in Table A-5.
[[Page 50841]]
Table A-6.--Additional Effective Pollutant Control Options for Timber
Product Facilities That Surface Protect or Preserve
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity Associated BMPs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wood surface protection Extend drip time in process areas before
and preserving moving to storage areas.
activities.
Pave and berm areas used by equipment that
has come in contact with treatment
chemicals.
Dedicate equipment that is used for treatment
activities to that specific purpose only to
prevent the tracking of treatment chemicals
to other areas on the site.
Locate treatment chemical loading and
unloading areas away from high traffic areas
where tracking of the chemical may occur.
Provide drip pads under conveyance equipment
from treatment process areas.
Provide frequent visual inspections of
treatment chemical loading and unloading
areas during and after activities occur to
identify any spills or leaks needing clean-
up.
Cover and/or enclose treatment areas.
Provide containment in treated wood storage
areas.
Cover storage areas to prevent contact of
treated wood products with precipitation.
Elevate stored, treated wood products to
prevent contact with runon/runoff.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sources:
NPDES Storm Water Group Application--Part 1. Received by EPA March 18,
1991 through December 31, 1992.
``Regulatory Guidance and Waste Reduction Manual for United States
Sawmills (Draft),'' EPA Office of Solid Waste, January 12, 1993.
``Background Document Supporting the Proposed Listing of Wastes From
Wood Preservation and Surface Protection Processes,'' EPA Office of
Solid Waste, July 1987.
``Chlorophenate Wood Protection, Recommendations for Design and
Operation,'' Environment Canada, December 1983.
Wood Preserving; Identification and Listing of Hazardous Wastes; Final
Rule, ``Federal Register,'' Volume 55, No. 235, December 6, 1990.
Selected pages from ``Texas Best Management Practices for
Silviculture,'' Texas Forestry Association, 1989. Submitted for
inclusion by American Pulpwood Association, Washington, D.C.
Control of sediments leaving the site should also be considered by
timber product facilities as sediments contribute to the total
suspended solids in the storm water discharges. There are several areas
of the site that may be prone to erosion due to intense industrial
activities. These areas include, but are not limited to: loading and
unloading areas, access roads, material handling areas, storage areas,
and any other areas where heavy equipment and vehicle use is prevalent.
Specific erosion and sediment controls should be implemented to
minimize the discharge of sediments from the site. Measurements that
timber facilities may consider include, but are not limited to:
stabilization measures such as seeding, mulching, chemical
stabilization, sodding, soil retaining measures and dust control and
structural measures such as sediment traps, contouring, sediment
basins, check dams and silt fences.
5. Special Conditions
a. Prohibition of Non-storm Water Discharges. Today's permit
authorizes, in addition to the discharges described in part III.A.2.,
an additional non-storm water discharge specific to the timber products
industry that, when combined with storm water, is authorized to be
discharged under this permit. To be authorized under the permit, the
sources of non-storm water must be identified in the storm water
pollution prevention plan prepared for the facility. Where these
discharges occur, the plan must identify and ensure the implementation
of appropriate pollution prevention measures for the non-storm water
components of the discharge. Authorized discharges include the
following: spray down of lumber and wood product storage yards.
Spray down of lumber and wood product in storage yards is
intermittently performed for fire control and pest control. Discharges
from spray down activities are not storm water discharges; however,
resulting discharges created as a result of spray down of raw lumber
and wood product storage yards are authorized under this section where
no chemical additives are used in the spray down waters and no
chemicals are applied to the wood during storage. EPA believes that
this practice, when performed in compliance with the terms and
conditions of this section, will not pose any additional risks to human
health and the environment because it is an industrial activity which
is performed intermittently and within the confines of an area that
should already contain controls for pollutants in storm water
discharges.
It should be noted that the following discharges are not authorized
under this section: noncontact cooling wastewater; contact cooling
wastewater; boiler blowdown and water treatment wastewater; and storm
water from areas of surface protection hand spraying activities.
This prohibition of unpermitted non-storm water discharges ensures
that these discharges are not inadvertently covered under this section
and requires the permittee to submit the appropriate NPDES permit
applications to gain coverage for the non-storm water portion of the
discharge.
6. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
Several storm water pollution prevention plan requirements are
added in the section of today's permit for the timber products
industry, in addition to the baseline conditions described in part
VI.C. of today's fact sheet. These deal with the identification and
description of potential pollutant sources, and requirements to meet
specific good housekeeping, inspection, and sediment/erosion control
measures. EPA is also recommending that several criteria be considered
during the development of the storm water pollution prevention plan.
a. Contents of the Plan
(1) Description of Potential Pollutant Sources
(a) Drainage--There are no additional requirements beyond those
described in Part VI.C.2.a. of this fact sheet.
(b) Inventory of Exposed Materials--This section will require those
facilities that have conducted activities associated with wood
preserving and wood surface protection with pentachlorophenol
formulations, creosote formulations, or arsenic/
[[Page 50842]]
chromium formulations in the past to identify: areas where soils are
contaminated, treatment equipment, and/or stored materials which remain
as a result of these operations. This section will also require the
identification of any management practices being employed to minimize
the contact of these materials with storm water runoff.
EPA has added these requirements because it is aware through
studies performed for the hazardous waste listing process that sites
where wood surface protection and wood preserving chemicals have been
used in the past continue to contribute pollutants to the storm water
discharges that come in contact with them, even once the industrial
activity has ceased.36 In particular, soils that have been
contaminated with formulation chemicals, equipment such as dipping
tanks and those used for material handling, and wastes and materials
that are still stored on the site may continue to release pollutants.
EPA is requiring the facility to identify these pollutant sources so
that appropriate controls can be implemented.
\36\ ``Background Document Supporting the Proposed Listing of
Wastes from Surface Protection Processes, Part One Final Engineering
Analysis Volume 1,'' EPA Office of Solid Wastes, February 1993.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
During the EPA process to list wastes from wood preservation and
surface protection processes, data were gathered that showed that the
concentration of constituents (of the treatment chemicals) in storm
water runoff, in some instances, were equivalent to those
concentrations found in process wastewaters. These studies also found
high concentrations of phenolic compounds, pentachlorodifluron and
phenanthrenes, and metals in soils contaminated with process residuals
at several sites. These concentrations were attributed to treated wood
drippage and precipitation washoff of treated woods.37
\37\ ``Background Document Supporting the Proposed Listing of
Wastes from Surface Protection Processes, Part One Final Engineering
Analysis Volume 1,'' EPA Office of Solid Wastes, February 1993.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where facilities have used chlorophenolic, creosote, or chromium-
copper-arsenic formulations for wood surface protection or preserving
activities onsite in the past, and information is available, EPA is
requiring that the facility inventory the following: areas where soils
are contaminated, treatment equipment, and treated materials remain.
Once these areas are identified, measures to minimize their exposure to
storm water or to limit discharge of pollutants into storm water must
be implemented. EPA is requiring this evaluation because soils,
equipment, and other materials that are contaminated by treatment
chemicals may continue to be a source of pollutants and can contribute
to the contamination of storm water runoff.
(c) Non-storm Water Discharges--There are no additional
requirements beyond those described in Part III.A.2. of this permit.
(d) Risk Identification and Summary of Potential Pollutant
Sources--There are not additional requirements beyond those described
in Part VI.C.2.f. of this fact sheet.
(2) Measures and Controls. As contained in Part VIII.A.5. of this
fact sheet, EPA has set forth a number of options which are effective
in controlling releases of pollutants to storm water discharges
associated with industrial activity. Due to the success of BMPs as a
cost effective method of pollution control, EPA is requiring that all
facilities consider the implementation of BMPs in the following areas
of the site: log, lumber and other wood product storage areas; residue
storage areas, loading and unloading areas; material handling areas;
chemical storage areas; and equipment/vehicle maintenance, storage and
repair areas. The conditions of this section also require facilities
that surface protect and/or preserve wood products to address specific
BMPs for wood surface protection and preserving activities.
EPA believes it is appropriate to require that permittees indicate
in their storm water pollution prevention plan all potential sources of
pollution. Effective pollution control measures are currently being
implemented at timber product facilities and/or are identified in
literature sources specific to timber products facilities. Additional
practices may also be found in the ``Storm Water Management for
Industrial Activities, Developing Pollution Prevention and Best
Management Practices'' (EPA 832-R-92-006), EPA, September 1992. The
determination of the appropriateness or inappropriateness of a measure
must be indicated in the facility's storm water management plan.
(a) Good Housekeeping--In addition to typical good housekeeping
measures that require the maintenance of areas which may contribute
pollutants to storm water in a clean and orderly manner, the pollution
prevention plan must specifically address good housekeeping measures
and the specific frequency of performance of these measures which are
designed to: (1) limit the discharge of wood debris; (2) minimize the
leachate generated from decaying wood materials; and (3) minimize the
generation of dust.
EPA has specified that BMPs limit the discharge of solids because
storm water discharges containing TSS and BOD5 are prevalent at
timber products facilities and can often be controlled by good
housekeeping measures.
(b) Preventive Maintenance--This section requires periodic removal
of debris from ditches, swales, diversion, containment basins, and
infiltration measures. The discharge of solids at timber product
facilities may inhibit the performance of storm water controls if they
are not maintained properly.
(c) Spill Prevention and Response Procedures--This section requires
the development of schedules for response procedures to limit the
tracking of spilled materials to other areas of the site. Specifically,
this section requires that leaks or spills of wood surface protection
or preservation chemicals be cleaned up immediately.
Requirements have been placed in this section to limit the tracking
of significant materials that have been leaked or spilled on the site
from containers, facility equipment, or onsite vehicles. Of particular
concern is the tracking of leaks or spills of treatment chemicals
outside near where storm water controls are in place. This may occur,
for example, during the filling of storage tanks. Vehicles or equipment
used to transfer materials may come into contact with any materials
spilled during the filling or emptying of tanks. As the vehicles move
to other locations at the site, such material may be tracked and
eventually lead to contamination of storm water discharges.
(d) Inspections--Facility operators must conduct visual inspections
of BMPs on a quarterly basis. Inspections must be performed quarterly
at processing areas, transport areas, and treated wood storage areas of
facilities performing wood surface protection and preservation
activities. Quarterly inspections are designed to assess the usefulness
of practices in minimizing drippage of treatment chemicals on
unprotected soils and in areas that will come in contact with storm
water discharges. In addition, all timber products facilities must
conduct daily inspections of material handling activities and unloading
and loading areas whenever activities are occurring in those areas (if
activities are not occurring in those areas, no inspection is
required).
[[Page 50843]]
Records will be required to be maintained showing that these
inspections have been performed at the required frequencies. In
addition, a set of tracking or follow-up procedures must be implemented
to ensure appropriate actions are taken based on the findings of the
inspections. These records should be developed on a case-by-case basis
depending upon the facility's needs.
(e) Employee Training--There are no additional requirements beyond
those listed in Part VI.C.3.e. of this fact sheet.
(f) Sediment and Erosion Control--This section requires that the
following areas of the plant be considered for sediment and erosion
controls: loading and unloading areas, access roads, material handling
areas, storage areas, and any other areas where heavy equipment and
vehicle use is prevalent. Sediment and erosion controls include:
stabilization measures such as seeding, mulching, chemical
stabilization, sodding, soil retaining measures; and dust control and
structural measures such as sediment traps, contouring, sediment
basins, check dams, and silt fences. This requirement is added because
part 2 storm water group permit application data showed that many of
the sites were discharging high TSS concentrations in their storm water
discharges. Identifying those areas of the site where erosion occurs
will aid the permittee in determining appropriate BMPs that will
achieve a reduction in TSS loadings.
(g) Storm Water Management--There are no additional requirements
beyond those described in Part VI.C.3.h. of this fact sheet.
(3) Comprehensive Site Compliance Evaluation. There are no
additional requirements beyond those described in Part VI.C.4. of this
fact sheet.
7. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
(a) Analytical Monitoring Requirements. Under the revised
methodology for determining pollutants of concern for the timber
products subsectors, all facilities must monitor their storm water
discharges. EPA believes that timber product facilities may reduce the
level of pollutants in storm water runoff from their sites through the
development and proper implementation of the storm water pollution
prevention plan requirements discussed in today's permit. In order to
provide a tool for evaluating the effectiveness of the pollution
prevention plan and to characterize the discharge for potential
environmental impacts, today's permit requires timber products
facilities to collect and analyze grab samples of their storm water
discharges for the pollutants listed in the applicable Tables (A-7
through A-10). The pollutants listed in Tables A-7 through A-10 were
found to be above benchmark levels for a significant portion of
facilities in the subsectors that submitted quantitative data in the
group application process. Because these pollutants have been reported
at or above benchmark levels, EPA is requiring monitoring after the
pollution prevention plan has been implemented to assess the
effectiveness of the pollution prevention plan and to help ensure that
a reduction of pollutants is realized.
Today's permit requires the wood preserving subsector to monitor
for arsenic and copper. These parameters are commonly found in wood
preservatives. The discharge data initially analyzed by EPA indicate
that these parameters are found in the storm water discharges from wood
preserving facilities. Review of additional sampling data revealed that
there was a substantial portion of the facilities discharging these
parameters in concentrations greater than the bench mark values.
Therefore, EPA has determined that monitoring of arsenic and copper is
necessary to ensure that the storm water pollution prevention plans
developed by wood preserving facilities adequately addresses sources of
these parameters.
Under the Storm Water Regulations at 40 CFR 122.26(b)(14), EPA
defined ``storm water discharge associated with industrial activity''.
The focus of today's permit is to address the presence of pollutants
that are associated with the industrial activities identified in this
definition and that might be found in storm water discharges. Under the
methodology for determining analytical monitoring requirements,
described in section VI.E.1 of this fact sheet, nitrate plus nitrite
nitrogen is above the bench mark concentrations for the wood preserving
subsector. After a review of the nature of industrial activities and
the significant materials exposed to storm water described by
facilities in this subsector, EPA has determined that the higher
concentrations of nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen are not likely to be
caused by the industrial activity, but may be primarily due to non-
industrial activities on-site. Today's permit does not require wood
preserving facilities to conduct analytical monitoring for this
parameter.
At a minimum, storm water discharges from timber products
facilities must be monitored quarterly during the second year of permit
coverage. Samples must be collected at least once in each of the
following periods: January through March; April through June; July
through September; and October through December. At the end of the
second year of permit coverage, a facility must calculate the average
concentration for each parameter listed in the applicable Tables (A-7
through A-10). If the permittee collects more than four grab samples in
this period, then they must calculate an average concentration for each
pollutant of concern for all samples analyzed.
Table A-7.--Monitoring Requirements for General Sawmills and Planing
Mills
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut-off
Pollutants of concern concentration
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)...................... 120 mg/L.
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)...................... 100 mg/L.
Zinc, Total Recoverable........................... 0.065 mg/L.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 50844]]
Table A-8.--Additional Monitoring Requirements for Wood Preservation
Facilities With Chlorophenolic Formulations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut-off
Parameter of concern concentration
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Recoverable Arsenic......................... 0.16854 mg/L.
Total Recoverable Copper.......................... 0.0636 mg/L.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table A-9.--Monitoring Requirements for Log Storage and Handling
Facilities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut-off
Parameter of concern concentration
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)...................... 100 mg/L.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table A-10.--Monitoring Requirements for Hardwood Dimension and Flooring
Mills; Special Products Sawmills; Millwork, Veneer, Plywood and
Structural Wood; Wood Containers; Wood Buildings and Mobile Homes;
Reconstituted Wood Products; and Wood Products Facilities Not Elsewhere
Classified
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut-off
Parameter of concern concentration
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)...................... 120 mg/L.
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)...................... 100 mg/L.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If the average concentration for a parameter is less than or equal
to the value listed in the appropriate Tables (A-7 through A-10), then
the permittee is not required to conduct quantitative analysis for that
parameter during the fourth year of the permit. If, however, the
average concentration for a parameter is greater than the cut-off
concentration listed in Tables (A-7 through A-10), then the permittee
is required to conduct quarterly monitoring for that parameter during
the fourth year of permit coverage. Monitoring is not required during
the first, third, and fifth year of the permit. The exclusion from
monitoring in the fourth year of the permit is conditional on the
facility maintaining industrial operations and BMPs that will ensure a
quality of storm water discharges consistent with the average
concentrations recorded during the second year of the permit.
Table A-11.--Schedule of Monitoring
2nd Year of Permit Conduct quarterly monitoring.
Coverage.
Calculate the average concentration
for all parameters analyzed during this
period.
If average concentration is greater
than the value listed in Tables A-7 through
A-10, then quarterly sampling is required
during the fourth year of the permit.
If average concentration is less
than or equal to the value listed in Tables
A-7 through A-10, then no further sampling
is required for that parameter.
4th Year of Permit Conduct quarterly monitoring for any
Coverage. parameter where the average concentration in
year 2 of the permit is greater than the
value listed in Tables A-7 through A-10.
If industrial activities or the
pollution prevention plan have been altered
such that storm water discharges may be
adversely affected, quarterly monitoring is
required for all parameters of concern.
In cases where the average concentration of a parameter exceeds the
cut-off concentration, EPA expects permittees to place special emphasis
on methods for reducing the presence of those parameters in storm water
discharges. Quarterly monitoring in the fourth year of the permit will
reassess the effectiveness of the adjusted pollution prevention plan.
The monitoring cut off concentrations listed in Tables A-7 through
A-10 are not numerical effluent limitations. These values represent a
level of pollutant discharge which facilities may achieve through the
implementation of pollution prevention plans. At least half of the
facilities that submitted Part 2 data from the applicable subsectors
reported concentrations more than or equal to the values listed in
Tables A-7 through A-10. Facilities that achieve average discharge
concentrations which are less than or equal to the values in Tables A-7
through A-10 are not relieved from the pollution prevention plan
requirements or any other requirements of the permit.
EPA realizes that if a facility is inactive and unstaffed it may be
difficult to collect storm water discharge samples when a qualifying
event occurs. Today's final permit has been revised so that inactive,
unstaffed facilities can exercise a waiver of the requirement to
conduct quarterly chemical sampling.
b. Alternative Certification. Throughout today's permit, there are
monitoring requirements for facilities which the Agency believes have
the potential for contributing significant levels of pollutants to
storm water discharges. The alternative described below is necessary to
ensure that monitoring requirements are only imposed on those
facilities that do, in fact, have storm water discharges containing
pollutants at concentrations of concern. EPA has determined that if
materials and activities are not exposed to storm water at the site,
then the potential for pollutants to contaminate storm water discharges
does not warrant monitoring.
Therefore, a discharger is not subject to the monitoring
requirements of this Part provided the discharger makes a
[[Page 50845]]
certification for a given outfall or on a pollutant-by-pollutant basis
in lieu of monitoring reports described under paragraph (c) below,
under penalty of law, signed in accordance with Part VII.G. (Signatory
Requirements), that material handling equipment or activities, raw
materials, intermediate products, final products, waste materials, by-
products, industrial machinery or operations, and significant materials
from past industrial activity that are located in areas of the facility
that are within the drainage area of the outfall are not presently
exposed to storm water and will not be exposed to storm water for the
certification period. Such certification must be retained in the storm
water pollution prevention plan and submitted to EPA in accordance with
Part VI.C of this permit. In the case of certifying that a pollutant is
not present, the permittee must submit the certification along with the
monitoring reports required under paragraph (c) below. If the permittee
cannot certify for an entire period, they must submit the date exposure
was eliminated and any monitoring required up until that date. This
certification option is not applicable to compliance monitoring
requirements associated with effluent limitations. EPA does not expect
facilities to be able to exercise this certification for indicator
parameters such as TSS and BOD.
c. Reporting Requirements. Permittees are required to submit all
monitoring results obtained during the second and fourth year of permit
coverage within 3 months of the conclusion of each year. For each
outfall, one signed Discharge Monitoring Report Form must be submitted
per storm event sampled. For facilities conducting monitoring beyond
the minimum requirements an additional Discharge Monitoring Report Form
must be filed for each analysis.
d. Sample Type. All discharge data shall be reported for grab
samples. All such samples shall be collected from the discharge
resulting from a storm event that is greater than 0.1 inches in
magnitude and that occurs at least 72 hours from the previously
measurable (greater than 0.1 inch rainfall) storm event. The required
72-hour storm event interval is waived where the preceding measurable
storm event did not result in a measurable discharge from the facility.
The required 72-hour storm event interval may also be waived where the
permittee documents that less than a 72-hour interval is representative
for local storm events during the season when sampling is being
conducted. The grab sample shall be taken during the first 30 minutes
of the discharge. If the collection of a grab sample during the first
30 minutes is impracticable, a grab sample can be taken during the
first hour of the discharge, and the discharger shall submit with the
monitoring report a description of why a grab sample during the first
30 minutes was impracticable.
If storm water discharges associated with industrial activity
commingle with process or nonprocess water, then where practicable
permittees must attempt to sample the storm water discharge before it
mixes with the non-storm water discharge.
e. Representative Discharge. When a facility has two or more
outfalls that, based on a consideration of industrial activity,
significant materials, and management practices and activities within
the area drained by the outfall, the permittee reasonably believes
discharge substantially identical effluents, the permittee may test the
effluent of one of such outfalls and report that the quantitative data
also applies to the substantially identical outfall(s) provided that
the permittee includes in the storm water pollution prevention plan a
description of the location of the outfalls and explains in detail why
the outfalls are expected to discharge substantially identical
effluent. In addition, for each outfall that the permittee believes is
representative, an estimate of the size of the drainage area (in square
feet) and an estimate of the runoff coefficient of the drainage area
[e.g., low (under 40 percent), medium (40 to 65 percent), or high
(above 65 percent)] shall be provided in the plan.
f. Quarterly Visual Examination of Storm Water Quality. Timber
products facilities shall perform and document a visual examination of
a storm water discharge associated with industrial activity from each
outfall, except discharges exempted below. The examination(s) must be
made at least once in each of the following 3-month periods: January
through March, April through June, July through September, and October
through December. The examination shall be made during daylight hours
unless there is insufficient rainfall or snow melt to produce a runoff
event.
(1) Examinations shall be made of grab samples collected within the
first 30 minutes (or as soon thereafter as practical, but not to exceed
1 hour) of when the runoff or snowmelt begins discharging. The
examinations shall document observations of color, odor, clarity,
floating solids, settled solids, suspended solids, foam, oil sheen, and
other obvious indicators of storm water pollution. The examination must
be conducted in a well lit area. No analytical tests are required to be
performed on the samples. All such samples shall be collected from the
discharge resulting from a storm event that is greater than 0.1 inches
in magnitude and that occurs at least 72 hours from the previously
measurable (greater than 0.1 inch rainfall) storm event. Where
practicable, the same individual should carry out the collection and
examination of discharges for entire permit term.
(2) Visual examination reports must be maintained onsite in the
pollution prevention plan. The report shall include the examination
date and time, examination personnel, the nature of the discharge
(i.e., runoff or snow melt), visual quality of the storm water
discharge (including observations of color, odor, clarity, floating
solids, settled solids, suspended solids, foam, oil sheen, and other
obvious indicators of storm water pollution), and probable sources of
any observed storm water contamination.
(3) When a facility has two or more outfalls that, based on a
consideration of industrial activity, significant materials, and
management practices and activities within the area drained by the
outfall, the permittee reasonably believes discharge substantially
identical effluents, the permittee may collect a sample of effluent of
one of such outfalls and report that the examination data also applies
to the substantially identical outfall(s) provided that the permittee
includes in the storm water pollution prevention plan a description of
the location of the outfalls and explains in detail why the outfalls
are expected to discharge substantially identical effluents. In
addition, for each outfall that the permittee believes is
representative, an estimate of the size of the drainage area (in square
feet) and an estimate of the runoff coefficient of the drainage area
[e.g., low (under 40 percent), medium (40 to 65 percent), or high
(above 65 percent)] shall be provided in the plan.
(4) When a discharger is unable to collect samples over the course
of the visual examination period as a result of adverse climatic
conditions, the discharger must document the reason for not performing
the visual examination and retain this documentation onsite with the
records of the visual examinations. Adverse weather conditions that may
prohibit the collection of samples include weather conditions that
create dangerous conditions for personnel (such as local flooding, high
winds, hurricane, tornadoes, electrical storms, etc.) or otherwise make
the collection of
[[Page 50846]]
a sample impracticable (drought, extended frozen conditions, etc.).
(5) EPA realizes that if a facility is inactive and unstaffed it
may be difficult to collect storm water discharge samples when a
qualifying event occurs. Today's final permit has been revised so that
inactive, unstaffed facilities can exercise a waiver of the requirement
to conduct quarterly visual examination.
B. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity From
Paper and Allied Products Manufacturing Facilities
1. Discharges Covered Under This Section
On November 16, 1990 (55 FR 47990), EPA promulgated the regulatory
definition of ``storm water discharges associated with industrial
activity.'' This definition included point source discharges of storm
water from 11 categories of facilities, including paper and allied
product manufacturing facilities that are commonly identified by
Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Major Group 26. Today's permit
establishes special conditions for the storm water discharges
associated with industrial activities at paper and allied product
manufacturing facilities. Based on an evaluation of part 1 and part 2
group application data, these facilities were determined to perform
similar operations, use similar raw materials, and employ similar
material handling and storage practices. In light of the available
information, it was determined that the storm water discharge
characteristics would be similar for facilities covered by this
section.
When an industrial facility, described by the above coverage
provisions of this section, has industrial activities being conducted
onsite that meet the description(s) of industrial activities in another
section(s), that industrial facility shall comply with any and all
applicable monitoring and pollution prevention plan requirements of the
other section(s) in addition to all applicable requirements in this
section. The monitoring and pollution prevention plan terms and
conditions of this multi-sector permit are additive for industrial
activities being conducted at the same industrial facility (co-located
industrial activities). The operator of the facility shall determine
which other monitoring and pollution prevention plan section(s) of this
permit (if any) are applicable to the facility.
2. Industry Profile
SIC Major Group 26, the production of pulp, paper, and paperboard,
is a highly diversified industry group which manufactures a variety of
products. Products include newsprint, printing and writing papers,
bleached and unbleached packaging paper, glassine, tissue papers,
vegetable parchment, greaseproof papers, bleached and unbleached
paperboard, special industrial papers, and pulp. Pulp, paper, and
paperboard is produced from wood and nonwood products such as jute,
hemp, rags, cotton linters, bagasse, and esparto. Secondary fibers, or
wastepaper, is also used to produce paper and paperboard.
Four standard manufacturing processes are involved in the
production of pulp, paper, and paperboard: (1) Raw material
preparation, (2) pulping, (3) bleaching, and (4) papermaking.
a. Raw Material Preparation. Wood is the most widely used raw
material for manufacturing pulp and paper products. Wood must be
prepared for pulping by log washing, bark removal, and chipping/sawing.
These activities are usually conducted outdoors and produce large
amounts of wood chips, sawdust, and other wood debris. If exposed to
storm water, these activities may contribute TSS and BOD5 to the
storm water discharge.
b. Pulping. Pulping involves reducing a cellulosic raw material
into a form that may be further processed to produce paper or
paperboard, or into a form that may be chemically converted. Two
pulping methods are used to reduce the raw material: mechanical pulping
and chemical pulping.
Mechanical pulping, also known as groundwood pulping, uses two
processes to produce pulp, stone groundwood and refiner groundwood.
Stone groundwood uses a grindstone to tear fiber from the side of short
logs. Refiner groundwood passes wood chips through a disc refiner. In
both processes, wood may be softened with chemicals or heat to reduce
the amount of energy required for grinding. Mechanical pulp is very
suitable for use in newspapers, catalogs, tissues, and one-time
publications.
Chemical pulping, using cooking chemicals under controlled
conditions, produces a variety of pulps for multipurposes. This process
generally produces high quality paper products. Three types of chemical
pulping are used: alkaline, sulfite, and semichemical.
Alkaline pulping, more commonly known as the kraft process,
produces a very strong pulp and is adaptable to almost all wood
species. The pulp is formed by boiling wood chips in an alkaline
solution usually containing sodium sulfate. Alkaline pulping also
provides for the successful recovery of chemicals used in the process.
This pulping technique is the most highly used pulping process
worldwide.
Sulfite pulps are generally prepared from softwoods and produce
various types of paper including tissue paper and writing paper. Wood
chips are boiled with calcium-based chemicals, magnesium-based
chemicals, or ammonia-based chemicals. Calcium was the original sulfite
liquor base, however, the spent liquor from this base was difficult and
expensive to recover. Many sulfite mills have now been converted to the
kraft process or have been shut down because of the problems of
chemical recovery and the reduced availability of softwoods.
Semichemical pulping involves the cooking of wood chips from
hardwoods with a neutral or slightly alkaline sodium sulfite solution.
Both sodium and ammonia-based chemicals are used in this process. Pulps
produced from semichemical pulping are used in the manufacture of
corrugated paperboard. Semichemical pulping mills practice chemical
recovery from the waste liquor by balancing the pH of the waste liquor.
Spent liquor is then burned in a furnace.
Some facilities use secondary fibers to produce the paper products.
Secondary fibers are wastepapers and may be used with little or no
preparation depending on their condition. The wastepaper may be blended
directly with the virgin pulps or may have to be screened and filtered
to remove dirt before being added to the pulp.
Some secondary fibers must be deinked before use. In order to
reclaim a useful pulp, all noncellulosic materials, such as ink,
fillers, and coatings, must be removed. This process uses detergents
and solvents to remove these materials. The detergents and solvents may
be stored in an area exposed to storm water.
c. Bleaching. After pulping, the pulp is brown or deeply colored.
The color results from the presence of lignins and resins or residue
from spent cooking liquor. The pulp must be bleached to produce a light
colored or white product.
A brightness scale ranging up to 100 (the brightest) is used to
determine the degree of bleaching needed. For example, newspaper and
food containers do not need a high degree of brightness so semibleached
pulps are used. For white paper products, fully-bleached pulps are
used. A bleaching sequence is followed in which specific chemicals are
sequentially added. The following sequence may be used in bleaching:
chlorination and washing; alkaline extraction and washing;
[[Page 50847]]
chlorine dioxide addition and washing; alkaline extraction and washing,
and chlorine dioxide addition and washing.
The sequence may be modified to meet specific bleaching
requirements. In general, less bleaching is required for mechanical
pulps because they contain all of the wood substrate and would require
massive amounts of bleaching. Therefore, mechanical pulps are used to
produce lower quality paper products, such as telephone directories,
newsprint, and disposable products. Chemical pulps may be brightened to
a higher degree. Hydrosulfite, hypochlorite, chlorine, oxygen, and
peroxides are used in bleaching and may be stored in areas exposed to
storm water.
d. Papermaking. After pulps have been bleached, further mixing and
blending may be necessary and noncellulosic materials may be added to
prepare the pulp for the papermaking stage. Different types of pulp may
be blended for desired effects. Softwood pulps are very strong and are
used to make high strength, tear resistant paper. These pulps may be
blended with hardwood pulps which add porosity, opacity, and
printability qualities to the paper. Other materials may be added to
the pulp such as clay, talc, or calcium carbonate to improve the
texture, brightness, or opacity of the paper. By adding resin or
starch, the paper becomes more ink or water resistant. Each of these
additives may be a source of contamination for storm water if stored
outdoors.
After noncellulosic materials have been blended with the pulp, it
is ready for papermaking. The mixture of pulp and additives is called a
pulp furnish. In making paper, fiber from a dilute pulp furnish is
placed on a fine screen, called a wire. The water is drained through,
and the fiber layer is removed, pressed and dried.
Two basic types of processes are used in papermaking: the cylinder
machine and the Fourdrinier. The cylinder machine has wire cylinders
which rotate in the dilute pulp furnish and collect fibers. The
cylinders deposit the collected fibers on a moving felt to form a
fibrous sheet. In the Fourdrinier process, the dilute pulp furnish is
placed on a continuous wire belt where the fibrous sheet is formed. The
cylinder machine is usually associated with the manufacturing of heavy
grades of paper and paperboard; the Fourdrinier process is mostly used
for producing paper, but may also be used to make paperboard.
The pressing and drying operations are similar for the two
processes. After the fibrous sheet is formed, it is transferred to two
or more presses to remove water and enhance smoothness and density. The
sheet is then dried by being passed through heated hollow iron or steel
cylinders. For a smoother finish, the sheet may be passed through a
series of rollers (calendaring) used to produce high density paper.
After the sheet is dry, coatings may be applied to increase
appearance, printability, water resistance, or texture. Coatings
consist of a high density water slurry of pigments and adhesives that
are blended together. Mixtures of starches, latices, polyvinylacetate,
and recoverable solvents are used depending on the purpose of the
coating. The coating is applied using rolls, air knives, blades, or
metering rods. High gloss and smoothness is achieved by using high
speed rollers with alternating steel and fabric-filled rolls. The
coatings, when stored exposed to storm water discharges may be a source
of contamination.
e. Wastewater Treatment. Most pulp, paper, and paperboard
facilities have onsite wastewater treatment systems for treating
process wastewater, although some facilities may discharge to a POTW.
To reduce BOD5 and TSS loads, many facilities use biological
treatment. The most common treatment process is aerated stabilization.
At nonintegrated facilities (facilities that do not produce pulp) and
secondary fibers facilities, however, primary treatment may be the only
method used. At these facilities, primary treatment is usually very
effective in reducing BOD5.
f. Activities Contributing to Storm Water Contamination. Although
there is diversity among the types of final products produced at pulp,
paper, and paperboard facilities, several industrial activities are
common to all. These activities are presented in Table B-1 Below.
Table B-1.--Common Industrial Activities at Paper and Allied Product
Manufacturing Facilities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industrial Activities
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bactericide use
Baghouse, cyclone, dust collectors
Coating
Corrugate
Creasing
Cutting
Equipment storage
Vehicle fueling
Gluing
Rail and Truck loading areas
Material handling sites
Printing
Access Railroads
Scoring
Stitching
Storage areas
Taping
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Typical activities performed at pulp, paper, and paperboard
facilities include log washing, chipping and cutting of logs, log
sorting, log storage, and loading and unloading of logs onto trucks or
railroad cars for transport to other facilities. These log storage and
handling activities may contribute bark and wood debris, TSS, and
leachates to a storm water discharge. Leachates from the decay of wood
products may contain high levels of TSS and BOD5.
Many of the facilities in SIC Major group 26 employ the use of
material handling equipment (forklifts, loaders, vehicles, chippers,
debarkers, cranes, etc.), vehicles, and other machinery. These
facilities store the equipment onsite and may also engage in equipment
maintenance and repair activities. These types of activities are
performed in either covered or outdoor areas of the facility.
Associated with these activities is the storage of significant
materials such as petroleum products and other maintenance fluids such
as fuels, motor oils, hydraulic oils, lubricant fluids, brake fluids,
and antifreeze. When exposed to storm water, these materials may cause
contamination of a storm water discharge.
The manufacturing processes at paper and allied product
manufacturing facilities are not typically exposed to storm water.
Because of the lack of industrial activities occurring outdoors, the
primary sources of storm water pollutants originate from materials
handling, storage of materials, and waste management or disposal
activities. Sources of pollutant are most often from spills and leaks
of materials at loading and unloading areas, storage areas, and waste
disposal areas. Table B-2 lists the materials that may be exposed to
storm water at paper and allied product manufacturing facilities.
Table B-2.--Common Significant Materials at Paper and Allied Product
Manufacturing Facilities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Significant Materials Onsite
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Solvents
Glues
Fuels
[[Page 50848]]
Oils
Lubricants
Alcohol
Starch
Wooden pallets
Paper rollstock
Waxes
Air emissions from solvent recovery processes
Baled waste paper
Dyes
Inks
Ammonia
Biocides
Miscellaneous materials removed during pulping
Final products
Adhesives
Paper wastes
Dust and particulates from cyclones used in paper trim activities,
resins/polymers
Clay slurries.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Pollutants in Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial
Activity From Paper and Allied Product Manufacturing Facilities
Few pollutants are expected in storm water discharges from the
manufacturing of paper and allied products, because the majority of
industrial activities occur indoors. Pollutants may be present in storm
water as a result of outdoor activities associated with the industry
such as discharges which come into contact with the following areas of
the site: loading or unloading of materials; outdoor storage of raw
materials or unpackaged products; outdoor process activities; dust or
particulate generating processes; and illicit connections or
inappropriate management practices.
The volume and quantity of storm water discharges associated with
industrial activity depend upon a number of factors, including the
nature of the industrial activities occurring at the facility, the
nature of the precipitation, and the degree of surface imperviousness.
Storm water may pick up pollutants from structures and other surfaces
as it drains from the facility. Even within a group of facilities with
similar activities and materials used, handled, stored, or produced,
the quality of the storm water can vary greatly.
The regulatory deadline for submission of the part 2 data was
October 1, 1992. Many part 2 data submittals remain incomplete and many
of those that did submit data did not identify the significant material
or industrial activity that may have contributed the pollutants to the
storm water discharge. Based on the wide variety of industrial
activities and significant materials at the facilities included in this
sector, EPA believes it is appropriate to divide the paper and allied
products manufacturing industry into subsectors to properly analyze
sampling data and determine monitoring requirements. As a result, this
sector has been divided into the following subsectors: paper mills;
paperboard mills, paperboard containers and boxes; and converted paper
and paperboard products, except containers and boxes. Tables B-2, B-3,
and B-4 below include data for the eight pollutants that all facilities
were required to monitor for under Form 2F. The tables also list those
parameters that EPA has determined merit further monitoring. A table
has not been included for paper mill facilities because less than 3
facilities submitted data in that subsector.
Table B-2.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Paperboard Mill Facilities Submitting Part II Sampling Data (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant # of Facilities # of Samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th Percentile 99th Percentile
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample type Grab Comp ii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD5........................ 9 9 10 10 164.2 77.7 2.0 0.0 1000.0 306.0 18.0 28.0 733.9 412.7 2708.8 1153.4
COD......................... 9 9 10 10 402.3 228.9 50.0 31.0 1720.0 780.0 200.0 124.5 1318.6 701.4 2729.5 1301.7
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen.. 9 9 10 10 0.86 0.84 0.00 0.13 3.19 1.85 0.50 0.62 2.83 2.78 5.38 5.31
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen..... 9 9 10 10 3.72 3.88 0.52 0.31 10.20 10.8 2.19 2.47 12.88 15.88 25.84 35.33
Oil & Grease................ 8 N/A 9 N/A 9.3 N/A 1.0 N/A 35.0 N/A 5.0 N/A 37.8 N/A 87.8 N/A
pH.......................... 9 N/A 10 N/A N/A N/A 7.1 N/A ......... N/A 7.7 N/A ......... N/A .......... N/A
Total Phosphorus............ 9 9 10 10 0.37 0.31 0.08 0.09 1.50 0.58 0.27 0.29 1.04 0.71 1.86 1.07
Total Suspended Solids...... 9 9 10 10 481 54.5 9 8.0 3390 198.0 168 36 1840 184.7 5161 370.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
Table B-3.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Paperboard Containers and Boxes Facilities Submitting Part II Sampling Data i (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant # of Facilities # of Samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th Percentile 99th Percentile
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample type Grab Comp ii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD5........................ 47 44 74 66 21.9 16.9 0.0 0.0 163.0 271.0 10.5 8.0 75.4 47.72 164.5 92.63
COD......................... 47 44 74 67 184.8 115.8 0.0 0.0 2200.0 1400.0 79.5 51.00 698.5 350.8 1663.4 738.9
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen.. 47 44 74 67 1.03 0.838 0.00 0.0 4.97 5.6 0.59 0.48 3.80 3.07 8.44 6.80
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen..... 47 44 74 67 4.23 3.61 0.00 0.0 89.60 64.9 1.94 1.90 11.42 9.69 22.99 18.4
Oil & Grease................ 47 N/A 74 N/A 4.3 N/A 0.0 N/A 61.0 N/A 1.0 N/A 18.4 N/A 44.4 N/A
pH.......................... 47 N/A 72 N/A N/A N/A 3.8 N/A 9.0 N/A 6.8 N/A 8.8 N/A 9.9 N/A
Total Phosphorus............ 46 43 73 66 0.45 0.41 0.00 0.0 10.30 10.8 0.17 0.15 1.12 0.94 2.23 1.79
Total Suspended Solids...... 47 44 74 66 141 39.55 0 0.0 2340 550 47 12.5 658 157.88 1987 413.3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
[[Page 50849]]
Table B-4.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Converted Paper and Paperboard Products, Except Containers and Boxes Manufacturing Facilities Submitting Part II Sampling Data i (mg/
L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant # of # of Samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th Percentile 99th Percentile
----------------------------- Facilities ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------
Sample type Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
----------------------------------------ii------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD5........................ 19 17 37 35 26.8 24.2 0.0 0.0 152.0 367.0 6.7 8.0 98.8 70.7 239.9 157.2
COD......................... 19 17 37 36 159.1 154.1 8.0 0.0 1300.0 1486.0 49.0 43.5 484.9 503.4 1137.2 1220.7
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen.. 19 17 37 34 0.93 0.74 0.00 0.0 5.20 2.44 0.40 0.46 3.17 2.19 6.72 3.98
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen..... 19 17 37 35 3.28 2.40 0.00 0.0 38.70 23.1 1.00 1.03 10.95 8.45 25.02 18.1
Oil & Grease................ 19 N/A 39 N/A 1.9 N/A 0.0 N/A 18.0 N/A 0.6 N/A 7.5 N/A 15.9 N/A
pH.......................... 19 N/A 39 N/A N/A N/A 4.2 N/A 8.9 N/A 7.0 N/A 8.8 N/A 9.8 N/A
Total Phosphorus............ 19 17 37 35 0.30 0.28 0.00 0.0 2.58 1.25 0.18 0.15 0.92 0.86 1.76 1.56
Total Suspended Solids...... 19 17 37 35 89 42.9 0 0.0 1240 761 16 9.0 319 160.0 893 500.8
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
4. Options for Controlling Pollutants
There are two options for reducing pollutants in storm water
discharge; end-of-pipe treatment, and implementing best management
practices (BMPs) to prevent and/or eliminate the contact between
significant materials and storm water. A comprehensive storm water
management program for a given plant may include controls from each of
these categories and should be based on a consideration of site and
facility plant characteristics. End-of-pipe treatment is effective for
the control of process waters when the types of pollutants and the
volume of water to be treated is known. However, storm water discharges
from any industry, including the paper and allied product manufacturing
industry, can be numerous, intermittent, and of various volumes.
Therefore, the channelization of storm water that comes into contact
with significant materials into a single treatment facility, or
construction of numerous treatment devices for each discharge, may be
burdensome and ineffective for treating pollutants contained in storm
water from these types of facilities. EPA believes that the most
appropriate means of storm water management at paper and allied product
manufacturing facilities can be sufficiently determined by the operator
of the facility.
EPA believes that the most effective storm water management control
for limiting the offsite discharge of pollutants in storm water is a
combination of passive and active BMPs.
Examples of BMPs range from simple housekeeping, material handling
practices, preventive maintenance, diversions practices, to more
advanced structural control such as detention and retention ponds and
infiltration devices.
The selection of the most effective BMPs will be based on site-
specific considerations such as: facility size, climate, geographic
location, hydrogeology and the environmental setting of each facility,
volume and type of discharge generated, and number of outfalls. Each
facility will be unique in that the source, type and volume of
contaminated storm water discharges will differ. In addition, the fate
and transport of pollutants in these discharges will vary. EPA believes
that the management practices discussed herein are well suited
mechanisms to prevent or control the contamination of storm water
discharges associated with the paper and allied product manufacturing
industry.
As part of the group application review process, a review of the
part 1 data was analyzed. The applications indicated that numerous BMPs
were already being implemented at many of the representative sites.
Table B-5 provides the most common practices presently being employed
and the relative percentage of facilities who are implementing them.
Table B-6 provides an additional list of BMPs that may be appropriate
for the industry. Many of the BMPs identified are examples of practices
intended to limit the exposure of significant materials and industrial
activities to storm water. Facility operators should review their
current operations and consider implementing these BMPs if they are
applicable to the site and are expected to reduce the discharge of
pollutants from the site in storm water.
Table B-5.--Best Management Practices Discussed in Part 1 Group
Applicationsi
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent of
BMP facilities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catch Basins............................................... 22.2
Diversion structures around potential contaminants......... 43.8
Spill Control Procedures, Contingency Plans (SPCC)......... 67.4
Swales, ditches, trench or graded surfaces................. 51.4
Employee training.......................................... 62.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Material Management Practices were identified in over 20 percent of
the 144 facilities in the sampling subset.
Table B-6.--Suggested Best Management Practices at Pulp and Allied
Products Manufacturing Facilities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity Suggested BMPs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outdoor loading and Confine loading/unloading activities
unloading. to a designated response and control area.
Avoid loading/unloading materials in
the rain.
Cover loading/unloading area/or
conduct these activities indoors.
Develop and implement spill plans.
Use berms or dikes around area.
[[Page 50850]]
Inspect containers for leaks or
damage prior to loading.
Use catch buckets, drop cloths, and
other spill prevention measures where liquid
materials are loaded/unloaded.
Provide paved areas to enable easy
collection of spilled materials.
Raw and/or waste material Confine storage to a designated
storage areas. area.
Store materials inside.
Cover storage areas with a roof or
tarp.
Use dikes or berms for storage tanks
and drum storage.
Cover dumpsters used for waste paper
and other materials.
Store materials on concrete pads to
allow for recycling and spills of leaks.
Expedite recycling process for
exposed scrap paper.
Develop and implement spill plans.
Provide paved areas to enable easy
collection of spilled materials.
Provide good housekeeping (i.e.,
dust and debris collection) where cyclones
are utilized.
Log, lumber and other Divert storm water around storage
wood product storage areas with ditches, swales, and/or berms.
areas.
Practice good housekeeping measures
such as frequent removal of debris.
Line storage areas with crushed rock
or gravel or porous pavement to promote
infiltration, minimize discharge and provide
sediment and erosion control.
Use ponds for collection,
containment and recycle for log spraying
operations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Special Conditions
There are no requirements beyond those described in Part VI.B. of
this fact sheet.
6. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
There are no requirements beyond those described in Part VI.C. of
this fact sheet.
a. Description of Potential Pollutant Sources. There are no
requirements beyond those described in Part VI.C. of this fact sheet.
b. Measures and Controls. There are no requirements beyond those
described in Part VI.C. of this fact sheet.
c. Comprehensive Site Compliance Evaluation. There are no
requirements beyond those described in Part VI.C. of this fact sheet.
7. Numeric Effluent Limitation.
There are no effluent limits beyond those described in Part VI.B.
of this permit.
8. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
a. Analytical Monitoring Requirements. Under the revised
methodology for determining pollutants of concern for the various
industrial sectors, only one subsector, paperboard mills, is required
to monitor storm water discharges. As discussed previously, the median
value for COD of 124.5 mg/L is higher than the benchmark value for COD
of 120 mg/L for the paperboard subsector, thus triggering monitoring
for COD. The monitoring requirements are presented in Table B-7 for
paperboard mills.
At a minimum, storm water discharges from paperboard mills must be
monitored quarterly during the second year of permit coverage.
Monitoring must be performed during each of the following periods:
January through March; April through June; July through September; and
October through December. At the end of the second year of permit
coverage, a facility must calculate the average concentration for each
parameter listed in Table B-7. If the permittee collects more than four
samples in this period, then they must calculate an average
concentration for each pollutant of concern for all samples analyzed.
Table B-7.--Paperboard Mills Monitoring Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut-off
Pollutants of concern concentration
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chemical Oxygen Demand.................................. 120 mg/L.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If the average concentration for a parameter is less than or equal
to the cut-off concentration, then the permittee is not required to
conduct quantitative analysis for that parameter during the fourth year
of the permit. If, however, the average concentration for a parameter
is greater than the cut-off concentration, then the permittee is
required to conduct quarterly monitoring for that parameter during the
fourth year of permit coverage. Monitoring is not required during the
first, third, and fifth year of the permit. The exclusion from
monitoring in the fourth year of the permit is conditional on the
facility maintaining industrial operations and BMPs that will ensure a
quality of storm water discharges consistent with the average
concentrations recorded during the second year of the permit. The
schedule for monitoring is presented in Table B-8.
Table B-8.--Schedule of Monitoring
2nd Year of Permit Conduct quarterly monitoring.
Coverage.
Calculate the average concentration
for all parameters analyzed during this
period.
If average concentration is greater
than the value listed in Table B-7, then
quarterly sampling is required during the
fourth year of the permit.
If average concentration is less
than or equal to the value listed in Table B-
7, then no further sampling is required for
that parameter.
[[Page 50851]]
4th Year of Permit Conduct quarterly monitoring for any
Coverage. parameter where the average concentration in
year 2 of the permit is greater than the
value listed in Table B-7.
If industrial activities or the
pollution prevention plan have been altered
such that storm water discharges may be
adversely affected, quarterly monitoring is
required for all parameters of concern.
In cases where the average concentration of a parameter exceeds the
cut-off concentration, EPA expects permittees to place special emphasis
on methods for reducing the presence of those parameters in storm water
discharges. Quarterly monitoring in the fourth year of the permit will
be used to reassess the effectiveness of the adjusted pollution
prevention plan.
EPA realizes that if a facility is inactive and unstaffed it may be
difficult to collect storm water discharge samples when a qualifying
event occurs. Today's final permit has been revised so that inactive,
unstaffed facilities can exercise a waiver of the requirement to
conduct quarterly chemical sampling.
(1) Sample Type. All discharge data shall be reported for grab
samples. All such samples shall be collected from the discharge
resulting from a storm event that is greater than 0.1 inches in
magnitude and that occurs at least 72 hours from the previously
measurable (greater than 0.1 inch rainfall) storm event. The required
72-hour storm event interval is waived where the preceding measurable
storm event did not result in a measurable discharge from the facility.
The required 72-hour storm event interval may also be waived where the
permittee documents that less than a 72-hour interval is representative
for local storm events during the season when sampling is being
conducted. The grab sample shall be taken during the first 30 minutes
of the discharge. If the collection of a grab sample during the first
30 minutes is impracticable, a grab sample can be taken during the
first hour of the discharge, and the discharger shall submit with the
monitoring report a description of why a grab sample during the first
30 minutes was impracticable.
If storm water discharges associated with industrial activity
commingle with process or nonprocess water, then where practicable
permittees must attempt to sample the storm water discharge before it
mixes with the non-storm water discharge.
(2) Representative Discharge. When a facility has two or more
outfalls that, based on a consideration of industrial activity,
significant materials, and management practices and activities within
the area drained by the outfall, the permittee reasonably believes
discharge substantially identical effluents, the permittee may test the
effluent of one of such outfalls and report that the quantitative data
also applies to the substantially identical outfall(s) provided that
the permittee includes in the storm water pollution prevention plan a
description of the location of the outfalls and explains in detail why
the outfalls are expected to discharge substantially identical
effluent. In addition, for each outfall that the permittee believes is
representative, an estimate of the size of the drainage area (in square
feet) and an estimate of the runoff coefficient of the drainage area
[e.g., low (under 40 percent), medium (40 to 65 percent), or high
(above 65 percent)] shall be provided in the plan.
(3) Alternative Certification. Throughout today's permit, EPA has
included monitoring requirements for facilities which the Agency
believes have the potential for contributing significant levels of
pollutants to storm water discharges. The alternative certification
described below is necessary to ensure that monitoring requirements are
only imposed on those facilities that do, in fact, have storm water
discharges containing pollutants at concentrations of concern. EPA has
determined that if materials and activities are not exposed to storm
water at the site, then the potential for pollutants to contaminate
storm water discharges does not warrant monitoring.
Therefore, a discharger is not subject to the monitoring
requirements of this Part provided the discharger makes a certification
for a given outfall on a pollutant-by-pollutant basis in lieu of
monitoring described in Table B-8 under penalty of law, signed in
accordance with Part VII.G. (Signatory Requirements) of the permit,
that material handling equipment or activities, raw materials,
intermediate products, final products, waste materials, by-products,
industrial machinery or operations, significant materials from past
industrial activity, and that are located in areas of the facility that
are within the drainage area of the outfall are not presently exposed
to storm water and will not be exposed to storm water for the
certification period. Such certification must be retained in the storm
water pollution prevention plan and submitted to EPA in lieu of
monitoring reports required under paragraph b. The permittee is
required to complete any and all sampling until the exposure is
eliminated. If the facility is reporting for a partial year, the
permittee must specify the date exposure was eliminated. If the
permittee is certifying that a pollutant was present for part of the
reporting period, nothing relieves the permittee from the
responsibility to sample that parameter up until the exposure was
eliminated and it was determined that no significant materials
remained. This certification option is not applicable to compliance
monitoring requirements associated with effluent guidelines. EPA does
not expect facilities to be able to exercise this certification for
indicator parameters, such as TSS and BOD.
b. Reporting Requirements. Permittees are required to submit all
monitoring results obtained during the second and fourth year of permit
coverage within 3 months of the conclusion of each year. For each
outfall, one Discharge Monitoring Report Form must be submitted per
storm event sampled. For facilities conducting monitoring beyond the
minimum requirements an additional Discharge Monitoring Report Form
must be filed for each analysis. The permittee must include a
measurement or estimate of the total precipitation, volume of runoff,
and peak flow rate of runoff for each storm event sampled.
c. Quarterly Visual Examination of Storm Water Quality. Quarterly
visual examinations of a storm water discharge from each outfall are
required at all paper and allied products manufacturing facilities. The
examination must be of a grab sample collected from each storm water
outfall. The examination of storm water grab samples shall include any
observations of color, odor, turbidity, floating solids, foam, oil
sheen, or other obvious indicators of storm water pollution. The
examination must be conducted in a well lit area. No analytical tests
are required to be performed on these samples.
[[Page 50852]]
The examination must be made at least once in each designated
period during daylight hours unless there is insufficient rainfall or
snow-melt to runoff. Whenever practicable, the same individual should
carry out the collection and examination of discharges throughout the
life of the permit to ensure the greatest degree of consistency
possible. Examinations shall be conducted in each of the following
periods for the purposes of inspecting storm water quality associated
with storm water runoff and snow melt: January through March; April
through June; July through September; October through December. Grab
samples shall be collected within the first 30 minutes (or as soon
thereafter as practical, but not to exceed 60 minutes) of when the
runoff begins discharging. Reports of the visual examination include:
the examination date and time, examination personnel, visual quality of
the storm water discharge, and probable sources of any observed storm
water contamination. The visual examination reports must be maintained
onsite with the pollution prevention plan.
EPA believes that this quick and simple assessment will help the
permittee to determine the effectiveness of his/her plan on a regular
basis at very little cost. Although the visual examination cannot
assess the chemical properties of the storm water discharged from the
site, the examination will provide meaningful results upon which the
facility may act quickly. The frequency of this visual examination will
also allow for timely adjustments to be made to the plan. If BMPs are
performing ineffectively, corrective action must be implemented. A set
of tracking or follow-up procedures must be used to ensure that
appropriate actions are taken in response to the examinations. The
visual examination is intended to be performed by members of the
pollution prevention team. This hands-on examination will enhance the
staff's understanding of the storm water problems on that site and the
effects of the management practices that are included in the plan.
When a facility has two or more outfalls that, based on a
consideration of industrial activity, significant materials, and
management practices and activities within the area drained by the
outfall, the permittee reasonably believes discharge substantially
identical effluents, the permittee may collect a sample of effluent
from one such outfall and report that the examination data also apply
to the substantially identical outfall(s) provided that the permittee
includes in the storm water pollution prevention plan a description of
the location of the outfalls and explains in detail why the outfalls
are expected to discharge substantially identical effluents. In
addition, for each outfall that the permittee believes is
representative, an estimate of the size of the drainage area (in square
feet) and an estimate of the runoff coefficient of the drainage area
[e.g., low (under 40 percent), medium (40 to 65 percent), or high
(above 65 percent)] shall be provided in the plan.
When a discharger is unable to collect samples over the course of
the visual examination period as a result of adverse climatic
conditions, the discharger must document the reason for not performing
the visual examination. Adverse weather conditions which may prohibit
the collection of samples include weather conditions that create
dangerous conditions for personnel (such as local flooding, high winds,
hurricane, tornadoes, electrical storms, etc.) or otherwise make the
collection of a sample impracticable (drought, extended frozen
conditions, etc.).
EPA realizes that if a facility is inactive and unstaffed it may be
difficult to collect storm water discharge samples when a qualifying
event occurs. Today's final permit has been revised so that inactive,
unstaffed facilities can exercise a waiver of the requirement to
conduct quarterly visual examination.
C. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity From
Chemical and Allied Products Manufacturing Facilities
1. Discharges Covered Under This Section
EPA regulations define ``storm water discharges associated with
industrial activity'' at 40 CFR 122.26(b)(14) in order to specify those
discharges that are required to be permitted under the NPDES program.
Category (ii) of this definition includes facilities classified as
Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code 28, Chemical and Allied
Products Manufacturing, with the exception of facilities classified as
SIC code 285--Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels, and Allied Products
Manufacturing, which are included in category (xi) of the definition.
EPA did not receive any group applications from facilities with primary
SIC code 283 (Drugs Manufacturing). Therefore, as EPA had no data on
such facilities, they are not eligible for coverage under this section
of today's permit. The following section describes facilities covered
by Part XI.C. of today's permit and the conditions and requirements of
facilities covered by Part XI.C.
For additional information on the subsectors and their industrial
activities, please see the following documents:
``Development Document for Effluent Limitations Guidelines and
Standards for the Paint Formulating Point Source Category.'' EPA-440/1-
79/049-b. 1979.
``Development Document for Interim Final Effluent Limitations
Guidelines for the Pesticide Chemicals Manufacturing Point Source
Category.'' EPA-440/1-75/060d. 1976.
``Development Document for Effluent Limitations Guidelines and New
Source Performance Standards for the Major Organic Products Segment of
the Organic Chemicals Manufacturing Point Source Category.'' EPA-440/1-
74-009a. 1974.
``Development Document for Effluent Limitations Guidelines, New
Source Performance Standards and Pretreatment Standards for Organic
Chemicals and the Plastics and Synthetic Fibers Point Source
Category.'' EPA-440/1-87/009. 1987.
``Development Document for Effluent Limitations Guidelines and New
Source Performance Standards for the Basic Fertilizer Chemicals Segment
of the Fertilizer Manufacturing Point Source Category.'' 1974.
``Development Document for Final Effluent Limitations Guidelines,
New Source Performance Standards and Pretreatment Standards for the
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Point Source Category.'' EPA-440/1-83/084.
1983.
``Development Document for Effluent Limitations Guidelines, New
Source Performance Standards and Pretreatment Standards for the
Inorganic Chemicals Manufacturing Point Source Category, Phase 2.''
EPA-440/1-84/007. 1984.
Part XI.C. of today's permit has been developed for storm water
discharges at facilities primarily engaged in the manufacture of
chemicals and allied products. This sector of industry includes
facilities which manufacture a broad range of products including
plastic and synthetic materials, detergents, paints and varnishes,
drugs, fertilizers and pesticides, adhesives, inks, explosives,
artist's inks and paints, and organic and inorganic chemicals used for
industrial purposes. Specifically, Part XI.C. of today's permit applies
to establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing:
a. Industrial inorganic chemicals (including SIC 281).
b. Plastic materials and synthetic resins, synthetic rubbers, and
cellulosic
[[Page 50853]]
and other humanmade fibers, except glass (including SIC 282).
c. Soaps and detergents; specialty cleaning, polishing, and
sanitation preparations; surface active preparations used as
emulsifiers, wetting agents, and finishing agents, including sulfonated
oils; perfumes, cosmetics, and other toilet preparations; glycerin made
from vegetable and animal fats and oils (including SIC 284).
d. Paints (in paste and ready-mixed form), varnishes, lacquers,
enamels, shellac, putties, wood fillers, and sealers, paint and varnish
removers, paint brush cleaners, and allied paint products (including
SIC 285).
e. Industrial organic chemicals (including SIC 286).
f. Nitrogenous fertilizers; phosphatic fertilizers; fertilizers,
mixing only; pesticides; and other agricultural chemicals, not
elsewhere classified (including SIC 287).
g. Industrial and household adhesives, glues, caulking compounds,
sealants, and linoleum, tile, and rubber cements from vegetable,
animal, or synthetic plastics materials (including SIC 2891).
h. Explosives (including SIC 2892).
i. Printing ink, including gravure, screen process, and
lithographic ink, and carbon black (including SIC 2893 and 2895); and,
due to the nature of manufacturing activities, EPA has included
industrial facilities represented by SIC 3952 in this category, but
only those primarily engaged in the manufacturing of ink and paints,
including china painting enamels, india and drawing ink, platinum
paints for burnt wood or leather work, paints for china painting,
artists' paints and artists' water colors.
j. Miscellaneous that are not in Sections a. through i. of this
part, such as fatty acids, essential oils, nonvegetable gelatin, sizes,
bluing, laundry sours, writing and stamp pad ink, industrial compounds,
such as boiler and heat insulating compounds, metal, oil, and water
treatment compounds, waterproofing compounds, and chemical supplies for
foundries (including SIC 2899).
When an industrial facility, described by the above coverage
provisions of this section, has industrial activities being conducted
onsite that meet the description(s) of industrial activities in another
section(s), that industrial facility shall comply with any and all
applicable monitoring and pollution prevention plan requirements of the
other section(s) in addition to all applicable requirements in this
section. The monitoring and pollution prevention plan terms and
conditions of this multi-sector permit are additive for industrial
activities being conducted at the same industrial facility (co-located
industrial activities). The operator of the facility shall determine
which other monitoring and pollution prevention plan section(s) of this
permit (if any) are applicable to the facility.
2. Pollutants Found in Storm Water Discharges
Water quality impacts caused by storm water discharges associated
with an industrial activity from Chemical and Allied Products
Manufacturing facilities are expected to vary depending on several
factors. Such factors include the geographic location and hydrology of
the site, the type of manufacturing and/or industrial activities, the
amount and type of operations and material storage occurring outside,
imperviousness of surfaces at the site, and the impact of a given
precipitation event. In addition, sources of pollutants from non-storm
water discharges such as washwaters from industrial areas, illicit
connections, and spills may increase the pollutant loading to waters of
the United States. Because there is wide variety of products and
manufacturing activities in this sector of today's permit, EPA has
subdivided the chemicals and allied products manufacturing industry
into ``subsectors.''
Part 1 of the group application required a summary of industrial
activities and the significant materials stored exposed to
precipitation. This provided useful qualitative information to EPA, but
information that is not possible to quantify reliably due to
differences in terminology and thoroughness. For the summary of
industrial activities, some participants reported their industrial
activity as ``manufacture of product X,'' rather than listing the
components of that main activity. Other participants listed some or all
general industrial actions, e.g., ``shredding'' or ``wastewater
treatment.'' (Products listed represent most of the industrial
classifications which are subject to this section of today's permit).
Table C.1. lists the general industrial actions occurring at facilities
according to part 1 of their group applications.
Table C-1.--Industrial Activities Occurring at Chemical and Allied
Product Manufacturers (as reported in Part 1 of Group Applications)
1. Storage of materials in tanks, either below or above ground.
2. Wastewater treatment, use of activated sludge process, or land
application of wastewaters.
3. Bagging of materials/products.
4. Blending and mixing of chemicals.
5. Packaging of chemicals.
6. Cooling towers.
7. Crushing, Milling, Shredding, Granulation and Grinding of materials.
8. Storage of cylinders used to contain industrial gases.
9. Distribution of products.
10. Storage of empty or full drums.
11. Equipment storage and maintenance, including vehicles.
12. Application of fertilizers or pesticides.
13. Operation of a foundry.
14. Fueling of vehicles.
15. Hazardous waste temporary storage or operation of RCRA treatment,
storage, or disposal facility.
16. Hot oil system for cooling/heat exchange.
17. Landfills or temporary refuse site.
18. Application of lime.
19. Loading/Unloading.
20. Use of machinery to process materials.
21. Material handling and warehousing.
22. Plant yard and areas of past industrial activity.
23. Access roads and rail tracks.
24. Steam boilers.
[[Page 50854]]
25. Thermal oxidation of lead.
26. Washing of drums.
27. Waste dumpster or compactor.
Table C-2 shows the subsectors and their corresponding SIC codes
and letters (from discharges covered under this section in this fact
sheet).
Part 2 of the storm water group application required that
quantitative data be submitted by a representative sampling subgroup.
Based on the wide variety of industrial activities and significant
materials at the facilities included in this sector, EPA believes it is
appropriate to divide the chemical and allied products industry into
subsectors to properly analyze sampling data and determine monitoring
requirements. As a result, this sector has been divided into the
following subsectors: industrial inorganic chemicals; plastics,
synthetics, and resins; drugs; soaps, detergents, cosmetics, perfumes;
paints, varnishes, lacquers, enamels, and allied products; industrial
organic chemicals; agricultural chemicals; and miscellaneous chemical
products. Tables C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5, C-6, C-7, and C-8 below include
data for the eight pollutants that all facilities were required to
monitor for under Form 2F. The tables also list those parameters that
EPA has determined merit further monitoring. A table has not been
included for industrial organic chemical manufacturing facilities
because less than 3 facilities submitted data in that subsector.
Table C-2.--Subsector Index
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subsector SIC Code(s)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................. ....... 281
2............................. ....... 282
3............................. ....... 284
4............................. ....... 285
5............................. ....... 286
6............................. ....... 287
7............................. ....... 289, 2891, 2892, 2893, 2894,
2899, 3952
8............................. ....... 28 i
------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Subsector 8 includes those facilities that indicated their SIC code
only as 28, without the following 1 or 2 digits.
Table C-3.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Industrial Inorganic Chemicals Manufacturing Facilities Submitting Part II Sampling Datai (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant # of Facilities # of Samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th Percentile 99th Percentile
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample type Grab Comp ii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD \5\..................... 10 10 16 16 12.1 8.872 0.0 0.0 67.0 26.0 7.0 7.5 35.0 22.8 60.4 34.3
COD......................... 10 10 16 16 101.4 63.6 20.0 0.0 350.0 320.0 80.0 36.5 269.2 185.1 453.4 334.2
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen.. 10 10 16 16 2.79 1.92 0.60 0.07 7.30 7.1 2.40 1.25 14.72 8.24 37.34 18.7
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen..... 10 10 16 16 18.71 7.09 0.00 0.0 132.00 19.4 4.09 3.15 110.69 30.8 392.88 68.3
Oil & Grease................ 9 N/A 15 N/A 1.9 N/A 0.0 N/A 18.0 N/A 0.1 N/A 9.5 N/A 39.7 N/A
pH.......................... 9 N/A 15 N/A N/A N/A 5.4 N/A 10.4 N/A 7.6 N/A 11.2 N/A 13.1 N/A
Total Phosphorus............ 10 10 16 16 0.98 0.83 0.00 0.0 6.59 6.14 0.34 0.40 3.32 3.19 7.55 7.61
Total Suspended Solids...... 10 10 16 16 156 80.4 6 0.82 790 320 99 21.5 769 658.5 2043 3258.4
Aluminum.................... 7 7 13 13 2.41 1.7 0.49 0.06 7.82 7.87 1.06 0.77 7.02 6.83 12.8 16.47
Iron........................ 5 5 11 11 3.0 2 0.5 0.1 8.8 7.6 2.2 1.2 10.6 8.7 21.7 21.7
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
Table C-4.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Plastics Materials and Synthetic Resins, Synthetic Rubbers, Cellulosic and Other Manmade Fibers Except Glass Manufacturing Facilities
Submitting Part II Sampling Datai (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant # of Facilities # of Samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th Percentile 99th Percentile
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample type Grab Comp ii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD 5....................... 16 14 41 36 11.5 11.4 0.0 1.0 66.0 66.0 6.0 6.6 34.1 34.2 62.8 64.8
COD......................... 17 15 42 38 58.1 52.6 0.0 0.0 162.0 169.0 38.5 35.5 191.7 142.6 360.6 237.7
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen.. 17 15 43 39 4.31 5.35 0.00 0.0 140.30 158.0 0.76 0.95 7.67 8.88 20.81 23.1
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen..... 17 15 42 38 3.51 3.96 0.20 0.0 47.20 56.8 1.50 1.40 9.67 10.6 20.29 22.9
Oil & Grease................ 16 N/A 42 N/A 2.0 N/A 0.0 N/A 15.0 N/A 0.0 N/A 10.2 N/A 22.4 N/A
pH.......................... 15 N/A 42 N/A N/A N/A 3.6 N/A 7.7 N/A 6.8 N/A 8.4 N/A 9.4 N/A
Total Phosphorus............ 17 15 43 39 0.40 0.41 0.00 0.0 4.20 4.40 0.11 0.07 1.45 1.56 3.60 4.27
Total Suspended Solids...... 17 15 42 38 157 94.6 0.0 0.0 2708 816 40 26.5 570 345.4 1665 845.5
Zinc........................ 14 12 36 31 0.391 0.425 0 0 2.1 2.07 0.19 0.23 1.427 1.712 3.183 4.031
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
[[Page 50855]]
Table C-5.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Soaps, Detergents, and Cleaning Preparations; Perfumes, Cosmetics, and Other Toilet Preparations Facilities Submitting Part II
Sampling Datai (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant # of Facilities # of Samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th Percentile 99th Percentile
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample type Grab Compii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD 5....................... 12 13 19 20 53.2 23.2 0.0 0.0 340.0 108.0 16.0 6.5 286.2 99.8 892.7 253.6
COD......................... 12 12 19 19 245.3 132.5 28.0 0.0 1200.0 530.0 120.0 80.0 834.2 486.8 1803.7 1015.5
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen.. 12 12 19 19 1.40 0.97 0.00 0.0 5.00 4.2 1.16 0.76 5.60 3.17 12.16 5.97
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen..... 12 12 19 19 3.48 2.3 0.80 0.0 11.40 9.0 2.60 1.4 8.90 6.93 14.73 12.2
Oil & Grease................ 12 N/A 19 N/A 4.6 N/A 0.0 N/A 40.0 N/A 0.0 N/A 21.1 N/A 42.8 N/A
pH.......................... 12 N/A 19 N/A N/A N/A 3.5 N/A 8.0 N/A 7.1 N/A 9.1 N/A 10.5 N/A
Total Phosphorus............ 12 12 19 19 1.60 0.57 0.02 0.0 9.00 1.9 0.40 0.40 8.93 2.34 28.97 5.20
Total Suspended Solids...... 13 13 20 20 313 154 6 0.0 1522 880 74 39 1519 633.2 4714 1744
Zinc........................ 6 6 7 7 1.584 0.941 0.13 0.15 4.8 2.7 0.41 0.26 7.438 3.761 20.20 99.146
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
Table C-6.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels, and Allied Products Facilities Submitting Part II Sampling Data i (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant # of Facilities # of Samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th Percentile 99th Percentile
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample type Grab Compii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD 5...................... 3 3 3 3 4.7 20.7 0.0 12.0 11.0 36.0 3.0 14.0 21.6 48.5 42.2 72.7
COD........................ 3 3 3 3 50.3 42.3 0.0 0.0 84.0 72.0 67.0 55.0 94.4 82.8 106.1 95.1
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen. 3 3 3 3 0.43 0.53 0.00 0.0 1.20 1.3 0.09 0.28 4.59 2.88 17.50 6.36
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen.... 3 3 3 3 1.27 1.56 0.30 0.60 1.90 2.78 1.62 1.30 5.24 4.57 10.52 7.70
Oil & Grease............... 3 N/A 3 N/A 4.7 N/A 0.0 N/A 9.6 N/A 4.6 N/A 14.1 N/A 20.6 N/A
pH......................... 3 N/A 3 N/A N/A N/A 6.7 N/A 7.7 N/A 7.1 N/A 8.0 N/A 8.4 N/A
Total Phosphorus........... 3 3 3 3 0.24 0.23 0.22 0.13 0.26 0.30 0.24 0.25 0.28 0.44 0.29 0.59
Total Suspended Solids..... 3 3 3 3 433 47.0 4 2.0 824 130 470 9.0 14276 429.9 104964 1815.8
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
Table C-7.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Agricultural Chemicals Manufacturing Facilities Submitting Part II Sampling Data i (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant # of Facilities # of Samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th Percentile 99th Percentile
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample type Grab Compii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD 5.................... 17 17 27 27 4.2 6.00 0.0 0.0 13.0 43.5 4.0 4.0 10.6 19.5 15.2 35.9
COD...................... 17 17 27 27 70.3 45.3 0.0 0.0 400.0 138 55.0 36.0 239.5 166.3 472.2 325.4
Nitrate + Nitrite
Nitrogen................ 12 12 22 22 43.88 19.47 0.00 0.00 315.00 85.0 3.78 3.86 220.52 119.0 898.55 409.7
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen.. 17 17 27 27 75.70 92.1 0.00 0.8 1020.00 1460.0 10.00 12.90 214.61 250.0 710.55 777.61
Oil & Grease............. 17 N/A 28 N/A 8.6 N/A 0.0 N/A 95.0 N/A 0.0 N/A 36.6 N/A 121.2 N/A
pH....................... 15 N/A 2 5N/A N/A N/A 5.3 N/A 7.8 N/A 7.1 N/A 8.0 N/A 8.5 N/A
Total Phosphorus......... 17 17 27 27 15.80 54.96 0.13 0.19 110.00 982.0 5.00 11.0 80.24 180.16 252.70 693.3
Total Suspended Solids... 17 15 27 25 434 113 0 0 5182 593.0 103 58 1734 510.8 5506 1251.8
Iron..................... 4 4 9 9 5.3 3.6 0.6 0.6 22 11 1.8 1.5 19 13.2 42.6 28.3
Lead..................... 4 4 6 6 0.094 0.042 0 0 0.167 0.104 0.1 0.03 0.348 0.119 0.652 0.193
Zinc..................... 5 5 10 10 1.527 0.862 0.075 0.063 7.7 4.2 0.58 0.40 6.997 3.116 19.075 6.915
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
Table C-8.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Miscellaneous Chemical Products Manufacturing Facilities Submitting Part II Sampling Datai (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant # of Facilities # of Samples Grab Minimum Maximum Median 95th Percentile 99th Percentile
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample type Grab Compii Grab Comp Mean Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD 5....................... 18 14 26 21 143.2 11.3 0.0 0.0 3420.0 98.0 9.0 6.0 128.6 29.3 353.6 51.4
COD......................... 19 15 28 23 70.4 63.3 0.0 19.0 394.0 382.0 42.5 41.0 180.6 150.1 300.5 247.1
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen.. 19 14 28 22 0.97 1.00 0.00 0.0 4.88 3.12 0.57 0.60 3.37 3.22 6.79 6.18
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen..... 19 15 31 23 1.61 1.34 0.00 0.0 5.50 4.1 1.40 1.10 5.83 4.25 11.27 7.45
Oil & Grease................ 20 N/A 29 N/A 4.4 N/A 0.0 N/A 23.0 N/A 2.0 N/A 16.8 N/A 32.9 N/A
pH.......................... 20 N/A 29 N/A N/A N/A 4.6 N/A 9.3 N/A 7.3 N/A 9.2 N/A 10.1 N/A
Total Phosphorus............ 20 15 29 23 0.18 0.11 0.00 0.0 1.63 0.39 0.07 0.10 0.65 0.32 1.29 0.46
[[Page 50856]]
Total Suspended Solids...... 19 15 28 23 50 47.8 0 0.0 415 350 13 8.0 246 220.5 728 687.3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants
As required in part 1 of the storm water group permit application,
participants were required to provide information regarding existing
storm water management practices and controls. Table C-9 below
identifies the material management practices for the identified
sampling facilities.
Table C-9.--Current Storm Water Management Practices Used by the
Chemical and Allied Products Manufacturing Industry (as reported in Part
1 of the group applications)i
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subsector Current management practices
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............ Unloading Boot, Catch Basin, Containment, Covering,
Curbing, Dike Diversion, Housekeeping, Inspection of
Equipment, Infiltration, Oil/Water Separator, Roof,
SPCC, Sump, Storm Water Collector for Water Reuse,
Training, Indoor Storage.
2............ Catch Basin, Covering, Dike, Indoor Storage, Pond, SPCC,
Swale, Vegetation Strip.
3............ Caps on Tank Vents, Concrete Pad, Containment, Covering,
Curbing, Dike, Diversion, Drain, Hazardous Waste
Management, Hazardous Waste Pad, Holding Tank, Indoor
Storage, Infiltration, Pond, Roof, Sealed Drums, SPCC,
Storm Water Collector, Tarp, Vaulted.
4............ Containment, Covering, Dike, Holding Tank, Infiltration,
Pond, Roof Drain, Site Inspection, SPCC, Swale,
Training, Waste Minimization.
5............ Curbing, Dike, Pond, SPCC.
6............ Catch Basin, Covering, Dike, Housekeeping, Indoor
Storage, Infiltration, Oil/Water Separator, Pond, Roof,
Site Inspection, SPCC, Sump, Swale, Sweep, Valves.
7............ Absorbent Materials, BMP Plan, Catch Basin, Concrete Pad,
Containment, Covering, Curbing, Dike, Drain, Drip Pan,
Housekeeping, Indoor Storage, Infiltration, Oil/Water
Separator, Pond, Roof, Inspection, Sloped Containment,
SPCC, Sump, Swale, Training, Valves.
8............ Catch basin, Containment, Covering, Dike, Indoor Storage,
Pond, Roof, Site Inspection, SPCC, Swale, Training.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
i The information presented in this table was received from part 1 group
applications for Sector 3.
In order to develop achievable storm water management practices and
controls, EPA has evaluated all existing management practices as well
as practices developed and implemented under the September 9, 1992,
storm water general permit. For a detailed explanation regarding
specific storm water controls and management practices, the reader may
refer to the pollution prevention plan requirements section below.
4. Special Conditions
a. Prohibition of Non-storm Water Discharges. In addition to the
discharges prohibited under Part III.A.2 of today's permit, EPA has
specified that the following types of discharges are not authorized by
this section:
(1) Inks, paints or substances (hazardous, nonhazardous, etc.)
resulting from an onsite spill including materials collected in drip
pans.
(2) Washwaters from material handling and processing areas. This
includes areas where containers, equipment, industrial machinery, and
any significant materials are exposed to storm water.
(3) Washwaters from drum, tank or container rinsing and cleaning.
EPA has included these prohibitions in order to emphasize that
spilled materials should be cleaned up and properly disposed, and that
washwaters constitute process wastewater and not storm water. These
types of discharges contribute excessive amounts of pollutants to water
bodies and must be permitted by an NPDES permit for process wastewater,
as they are not authorized by this section.
5. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
a. Contents of the Plan. Today's permit requires that all
facilities covered under this section prepare a Drainage and Site Plan.
Based on the information contained in the part 1 application, EPA has
identified and specified areas where materials are commonly handled.
EPA is requiring that the site plan detail the drainage patterns of the
runoff and identify the outfall and receiving water body. [Language on
site map not included.]
(1) Description of Potential Pollutant Sources. The Inventory of
Exposed Materials as well as Risk Identification and Summary of
Potential Pollutants Sources requirements were further defined to avoid
confusion. In addition, EPA is requiring that the information submitted
in the group application regarding pollutant sources and current
management practices be evaluated and considered when developing the
plan.
Measures and Controls. EPA has divided this section of the permit
into two parts. The first part addresses nonstructural pollution
prevention controls, while the second part addresses structural
controls.
The following requirements were established by EPA under the
nonstructural conditions to identify specific practices that must be
implemented by all permittees:
(a) Good Housekeeping--In addition to the information provided in
the group application process, EPA conducted a series of inspections to
identify areas of concern, materials exposed to storm water and current
management practices used by the chemicals and allied products
manufacturing industry. EPA also reviewed a series of existing
pollution prevention plans that were developed under the requirements
of the baseline general permit. Based on this information, EPA is
requiring that at a minimum, permittees shall consider establishing the
following good housekeeping practices:
[[Page 50857]]
(i) Schedule regular pickup and disposal of garbage and waste
materials or other measures to dispose of waste. This schedule may be
included in the plan. Individuals responsible for waste management and
disposal should be informed of the procedures established under the
plan,
(ii) Routinely inspect for leaks and conditions of drums, tanks and
containers. Ensure that spill cleanup procedures are understood by
employees,
(iii) Keep an up-to-date inventory of all materials present at the
facility. While preparing the inventory, all containers should be
clearly labeled. Hazardous containers that require special handling,
storage, use and disposal considerations should be clearly marked and
readily recognizable,
(iv) Maintain clean ground surfaces by using brooms, shovels,
vacuum cleaners or cleaning machines.
(b) Employee Training--Training should also address procedures for
equipment and containers cleaning and washing. The training should
emphasize the human hazards and the potential environmental impacts
from the discharges of washwaters. In addition, today's permit requires
that the pollution prevention plan for chemical and allied products
manufacturing facilities identify periodic dates for such training of
at least once per year. EPA recommends that facilities conduct training
annually at a minimum. However, more frequent training may be necessary
at facilities with high turnover of employees or where employee
participation is essential to the storm water pollution prevention
plan.
(c) Inspections--Qualified personnel shall conduct quarterly
inspections. A wet weather inspection (during a rainfall event) shall
be conducted in the second (April to June) and third quarters (July to
September) of each year. A dry weather inspection (no precipitation)
shall be conducted in the first (January to April) and fourth quarters
(October to December).
However, where a seasonal arid period is sustained for more than 3
months, a dry weather inspection will satisfy the wet weather
inspection requirement. This requirement will assure that permittees
conduct at least one inspection every quarter.
EPA believes that this requirement will satisfy the requirements of
this section by measuring the effectiveness of the pollution prevention
plan during dry and wet weather conditions. These inspections will
increase awareness and responsibility for storm water pollution.
Moreover, conducting these dry and wet weather inspections on a
quarterly basis will provide permittees with a tool for evaluating best
management practices, structural and nonstructural measures, good
housekeeping and spill cleaning procedures, among other pollution
prevention activities.
(d) Facility Security--Facilities should consider evaluating
existing security systems such as fencing, lighting, vehicular traffic
control, and securing of equipment and buildings and should include
existing and new system into the plan to prevent accidental or
intentional entry which could cause a discharge of pollutants to waters
of the United States.
(e) Structural Storm Water Management Controls--Under the
structural conditions, EPA has identified specific practices that
should be considered by all permittees. These structural practices are
divided into four activities/areas: material handling and storage;
management of runoff; sediment and erosion control; and sampling.
(f) Practices for Material Handling and Storage Areas--Under
material handling and storage, EPA is recommending a series of
management practices to minimize materials exposed to precipitation.
These areas were selected after evaluation of part 1 data and current
practices used by the group participants. For areas where liquid or
powdered materials are stored, facilities shall consider providing
either diking, curbing, or berms. For all other outside storage areas
including storage of used containers, machinery, scrap and construction
materials, and pallets, facilities shall consider preventing or
minimizing storm water runon to the storage area by using curbing,
culverting, gutters, sewers or other forms of drainage control. For all
storage areas, roofs, covers or other forms of appropriate protection
shall be considered to prevent exposure to weather. In areas where
liquid or powdered materials are transferred in bulk from truck or rail
cars, permittees shall consider appropriate measures to minimize
contact of material with precipitation. Permittees shall consider
providing for hose connection points at storage containers to be inside
containment areas and drip pans to be used in areas which are not in a
containment area, where spillage may occur (e.g., hose reels,
connection points with rail cars or trucks) or equivalent measures. In
areas of transfer of contained or packaged materials and loading/
unloading areas, permittees shall consider providing appropriate
protection such as overhangs or door skirts to enclose trailer ends at
truck loading/unloading docks or an equivalent.
In order to prevent facilities from discharging contaminated storm
water from areas where precipitation is contained, contained areas
should be restrained by valves or other positive means to prevent the
discharge of a spill or leak. Containment units may be emptied by pumps
or ejectors; however, these should be manually activated. Flapper-type
drain valves should not be used to drain containment areas. Valves used
for the drainage of containment areas should, as far as is practical,
be of manual, open-or-closed design. If facility drainage is not
engineered as above, the final discharge point of all in-facility
sewers should be equipped to prevent the discharge in the event of an
uncontrolled spill of materials.
(g) Management of Runoff--Under management of runoff conditions,
EPA is requiring that the plan contain a description of storm water
management practices used and/or to be used to divert, infiltrate,
reuse, or otherwise manage storm water runoff in a manner that reduces
pollutants in storm water discharges from the site.
(h) Sediment and Erosion Control--For areas with a potential for
significant soil erosion, the permittee should describe permanent
stabilization practices to be used in order to stabilize disturbed
areas. The measures will minimize the amount of sediment materials in
the discharge.
(i) Non-storm Water Discharges--There are no additional
requirements beyond those described in Part VI.C of this fact sheet.
(j) Comprehensive Site Compliance Evaluation--In accordance with 40
CFR 122.24(i)(4)(i), EPA has established that comprehensive site
compliance evaluations be conducted at least once every year. Members
of the pollution prevention team or a qualified professional designated
by the team must conduct the evaluation. Requirements for the
evaluation are listed under Part VI.C.4 of this fact sheet.
6. Numeric Effluent Limitations
a. Phosphate Fertilizer Manufacturing Runoff. Part XI.C.5.a. of
today's permit establishes numeric effluent limitations for storm water
discharges from facilities identified by SIC 287, the Phosphate
Subcategory of the Fertilizer Manufacturing Point Source Category,
which are subject to effluent limitations guidelines at 40 CFR Part
418. The term contaminated storm water runoff shall mean precipitation
runoff, which during manufacturing or processing, comes into incidental
contact with any raw
[[Page 50858]]
materials, intermediate product, finished product, by-products or waste
product. The concentration of pollutants in storm water discharges
shall not exceed the following effluent limitations included in Table
C-10 below:
Table C-10
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effluent limitations
(mg/L)
-----------------------
Average of
daily
Effluent characteristics Maximum values for
for any 1 30
day consecutive
days shall
not exceed
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Phosphorus (as P)......................... 105.0 35.0
Fluoride........................................ 75.0 25.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Facilities with discharges as described above must be in compliance
with these effluent limitations upon commencement of coverage and for
the entire term of this permit. Discharges that are associated with
industrial activities that do not contain runoff from the areas or
activities specified above are not subject to the effluent limitation
in Table C-10 above.
7. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
a. Analytical Monitoring Requirements. EPA believes that chemical
manufacturing facilities may reduce the level of pollutants in storm
water runoff from their sites through the development and proper
implementation of the storm water pollution prevention plan
requirements discussed in today's permit. Under the revised methodology
for determining pollutants of concern for the various industrial
sectors, four subsectors in the chemical and allied products
manufacturing sector must monitor their storm water discharges. The
monitoring requirements are presented in Tables C-11, C-12, C-13, and
C-14 for agricultural chemical manufacturing facilities; industrial
inorganic chemical facilities; soaps, detergents, cosmetics, and
perfume manufacturing facilities; and plastics, synthetics, and resin
manufacturing facilities. The pollutants listed in Tables C-11, C-12,
C-13, and C-14 were found to be above benchmark levels. Because these
pollutants have been reported at benchmark levels from agricultural
chemical facilities; industrial inorganic chemical facilities; soaps,
detergents, synthetics, and resin manufacturing facilities, EPA is
requiring monitoring after the pollution prevention plan has been
implemented to assess the effectiveness of the pollution prevention
plan and to help ensure that a reduction of pollutants is realized.
Under the Storm Water Regulations at 40 CFR 122.26(b)(14), EPA
defined ``storm water discharge associated with industrial activity''.
The focus of today's permit is to address the presence of pollutants
that are associated with the industrial activities identified in this
definition and that might be found in storm water discharges. Under the
methodology for determining analytical monitoring requirements,
described in section VI.E.1 of this fact sheet, nitrate plus nitrite
nitrogen is above the bench mark concentrations for the plastics,
synthetics, and resins subsector. After a review of the nature of
industrial activities and the significant materials exposed to storm
water described by facilities in this subsector, EPA has determined
that the higher concentrations of nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen are not
likely to be caused by the industrial activity, but may be primarily
due to non-industrial activities on-site. Today's permit does not
require plastics, synthetics, and resins facilities to conduct
analytical monitoring for this parameter.
At a minimum, storm water discharges from agricultural chemical
facilities; industrial inorganic chemical facilities; soaps,
detergents, cosmetics, and perfume manufacturing facilities; and
plastics, synthetics, and resin manufacturing facilities must be
monitored quarterly during the second year of permit coverage. Samples
must be collected at least once in each of the following periods:
January through March; April through June; July through September; and
October through December. At the end of the second year of permit
coverage, a facility must calculate the average concentration for each
parameter listed in Tables C-11, C-12, C-13, and C-14. If the permittee
collects more than four samples in this period, then they must
calculate an average concentration for each pollutant of concern for
all samples analyzed.
Table C-11.--Agricultural Chemicals Monitoring Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut-off
Pollutants of concern concentration
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nitrate plus Nitrite Nitrogen..................... 0.68 mg/L
Total Recoverable Lead............................ 0.0816 mg/L
Total Recoverable Iron............................ 1.0 mg/L
Total Recoverable Zinc............................ 0.065 mg/L
Phosphorus........................................ 2.0 mg/L
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table C-12.--Industrial Inorganic Chemicals Monitoring Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut-off
Pollutants of concern concentration
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Recoverable Aluminum........................ 0.75 mg/L
Total Recoverable Iron............................ 1.0 mg/L
Nitrate plus Nitrite Nitrogen..................... 0.68 mg/L
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table C-13.--Soaps, Detergents, Cosmetics, and Perfumes Monitoring
Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut-off
Pollutants of concern concentration
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nitrate plus Nitrite Nitrogen..................... 0.68 mg/L
Total Recoverable Zinc............................ 0.065 mg/L
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 50859]]
Table C-14.--Plastics, Synthetics, and Resin Manufacturing Monitoring
Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut-off
Pollutants of concern concentration
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Recoverable Zinc............................ 0.065 mg/L
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If the average concentration for a parameter is less than or equal
to the cut-off concentration, then the permittee is not required to
conduct quantitative analysis for that parameter during the fourth year
of the permit. If, however, the average concentration for a parameter
is greater than the cut-off concentration, then the permittee is
required to conduct quarterly monitoring for that parameter during the
fourth year of permit coverage. Monitoring is not required during the
first, third, and fifth year of the permit. The exclusion from
monitoring in the fourth year of the permit is conditional on the
facility maintaining industrial operations and BMPs that will ensure a
quality of storm water discharges consistent with the average
concentrations recorded during the second year of the permit. The
schedule for monitoring is presented in Table C-15.
Table C-15.--Schedule of Monitoring
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Year of Permit Conduct quarterly monitoring.
Coverage.
Calculate the average concentration
for all parameters analyzed during this
period.
If average concentration is greater
than the value listed in Tables C-11, C-12,
C-13, and C-14, then quarterly sampling is
required during the fourth year of the
permit.
If average concentration is less
than or equal to the value listed in Tables
C-11, C-12, C-13, and C-14, then no further
sampling is required for that parameter.
4th Year of Permit Conduct quarterly monitoring for any
Coverage. parameter where the average concentration in
year 2 of the permit is greater than the
value listed in Tables C-11, C-12, C-13, and
C-14.
If industrial activities or the
pollution prevention plan have been altered
such that storm water discharges may be
adversely affected, quarterly monitoring is
required for all parameters of concern.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In cases where the average concentration of a parameter exceeds the
cut-off concentration, EPA expects permittees to place special emphasis
on methods for reducing the presence of those parameters in storm water
discharges. Quarterly monitoring in the fourth year of the permit will
be used to reassess the effectiveness of the adjusted pollution
prevention plan.
EPA realizes that if a facility is inactive and unstaffed it may be
difficult to collect storm water discharge samples when a qualifying
event occurs. Today's final permit has been revised so that inactive,
unstaffed facilities can exercise a waiver of the requirement to
conduct quarterly chemical sampling.
(b). Alternative Certification. Throughout today's permit, EPA has
included monitoring requirements for facilities which the Agency
believes have the potential for contributing significant levels of
pollutants to storm water discharges. The alternative certification
described below is necessary to ensure that monitoring requirements are
only imposed on those facilities that do, in fact, have storm water
discharges containing pollutants at concentrations of concern. EPA has
determined that if materials and activities are not exposed to storm
water at the site, then the potential for pollutants to contaminate
storm water discharges does not warrant monitoring.
Therefore, a discharger is not subject to the monitoring
requirements of this Part provided the discharger makes a certification
for a given outfall or on a pollutant-by-pollutant basis in lieu of
monitoring described in Tables C-11, C-12, C-13, and C-14, that
material handling equipment or activities, raw materials, intermediate
products, final products, waste materials, by-products, industrial
machinery or operations, significant materials from past industrial
activity, and that are located in areas of the facility that are within
the drainage area of the outfall are not presently exposed to storm
water and will not be exposed to storm water for the certification
period. Such certification must be retained in the storm water
pollution prevention plan and submitted to EPA in lieu of monitoring
reports required under paragraph c. below. The permittee is required to
complete any and all sampling until the exposure is eliminated. If the
facility is reporting for a partial year, the permittee must specify
the date exposure was eliminated. If the permittee is certifying that a
pollutant was present for part of the reporting period, nothing
relieves the permittee from the responsibility to sample that parameter
up until the exposure was eliminated and it was determined that no
significant materials remained. This certification option is not
applicable to compliance monitoring requirements associated with
effluent limitations. EPA does not expect facilities to be able to
exercise this certification for indicator parameters, such as TSS and
BOD.
c. Reporting Requirements. Permittees are required to submit all
monitoring results obtained during the second and fourth year of permit
coverage within 3 months of the conclusion of each year. For each
outfall, one signed Discharge Monitoring Report Form must be submitted
to the Director per storm event sampled. For facilities conducting
monitoring beyond the minimum requirements, an additional signed
Discharge Monitoring Report Form must be filed for each analysis. The
permittee must include a measurement or estimate of the total
precipitation, volume of runoff, and peak flow rate of runoff for each
storm event sampled.
d. Sample Type. All discharge data shall be reported for grab
samples. All such samples shall be collected from the discharge
resulting from a storm event that is greater than 0.1 inches in
magnitude and that occurs at least 72 hours from the previously
measurable (greater than 0.1 inch rainfall) storm event. The required
72-hour storm event interval is waived where the preceding measurable
storm event did not result in a measurable discharge from the facility.
The required 72-hour storm event interval may also be waived where the
permittee documents that less than a 72-hour interval is representative
for local storm events during the season when sampling is being
conducted. The grab sample shall be taken during the first 30
[[Page 50860]]
minutes of the discharge. If the collection of a grab sample during the
first 30 minutes is impracticable, a grab sample can be taken during
the first hour of the discharge, and the discharger shall submit with
the monitoring report a description of why a grab sample during the
first 30 minutes was impracticable.
If storm water discharges associated with industrial activity
commingle with process or nonprocess water, then where practicable,
permittees must attempt to sample the storm water discharge before it
mixes with the non-storm water discharge.
e. Representative Discharge. When a facility has two or more
outfalls that, based on a consideration of industrial activity,
significant materials, and management practices and activities within
the area drained by the outfall, the permittee reasonably believes
discharge substantially identical effluents, the permittee may test the
effluent of one of such outfalls and report that the quantitative data
also applies to the substantially identical outfall(s) provided that
the permittee includes in the storm water pollution prevention plan a
description of the location of the outfalls and explains in detail why
the outfalls are expected to discharge substantially identical
effluent. In addition, for each outfall that the permittee believes is
representative, an estimate of the size of the drainage area (in square
feet) and an estimate of the runoff coefficient of the drainage area
[e.g., low (under 40 percent), medium (40 to 65 percent), or high
(above 65 percent)] shall be provided in the plan.
f. Compliance Monitoring Requirements. Today's permit requires
permittees with phosphate fertilizer manufacturing facilities with
contaminated storm water discharges to monitor for the presence of
phosphorus and fluoride. These monitoring requirements are necessary to
evaluate compliance with the numeric effluent limitation for these
discharges. Monitoring shall be performed upon a minimum of one grab
sample. All samples shall be collected from the discharge resulting
from a storm event that is greater than 0.1 inches in magnitude and
that occurs at least 72 hours from the previously measurable (greater
than 0.1 inch rainfall) storm event. The grab sample shall be taken
during the first 30 minutes of the discharge. If the collection of a
grab sample during the first 30 minutes is impracticable, a grab sample
can be taken during the first hour of the discharge, and the discharger
shall submit with the monitoring report a description of why a grab
sample during the first 30 minutes was impracticable. Monitoring
results shall be submitted on Discharge Monitoring Report Form(s)
postmarked no later than the 31st day of the month following collection
of the sample. Facilities which discharge through a large or medium
municipal separate storm sewer system (systems serving a population of
100,000 or more) must also submit signed copies of discharge monitoring
reports to the operator of the municipal separate storm sewer system.
Alternative Certification provisions described in Section XI.C.5 of the
permit do not apply to facilities subject to compliance monitoring
requirements in this section. Compliance monitoring is required at
least annually for discharges subject to effluent limitations.
Therefore, EPA cannot permit a facility to waive compliance monitoring.
Phosphate fertilizer manufacturing facilities are not required to
collect and analyze separate samples for the presence of total
phosphorus to satisfy the Compliance Monitoring requirements of Section
XI.C.6.c. during a year in which the facilities have collected and
analyzed samples for total phosphorus in accordance with the Analytical
Monitoring Requirements of Section XI.C.6.a. The results of all
Analytical Monitoring analyses may be reported as Compliance Monitoring
results in accordance with Section XI.C.5.d.(3) where the monitoring
methodologies are consistent.
g. Quarterly Visual Examination of Storm Water Quality. Chemical
and allied products manufacturing facilities shall perform and document
a visual examination of a storm water discharge associated with
industrial activity from each outfall, except discharges exempted
below. The examination(s) must be made at least once in each of the
following 3-month periods: January through March, April through June,
July through September, and October through December. The examination
shall be made during daylight hours unless there is insufficient
rainfall or snow melt to produce a runoff event.
(1) Examinations shall be made of grab samples collected within the
first 30 minutes (or as soon thereafter as practical, but not to exceed
1 hour) of when the runoff or snowmelt begins discharging. The
examinations shall document observations of color, odor, clarity,
floating solids, settled solids, suspended solids, foam, oil sheen, and
other obvious indicators of storm water pollution. The examination must
be conducted in a well lit area. No analytical tests are required to be
performed on the samples. All such samples shall be collected from the
discharge resulting from a storm event that is greater than 0.1 inches
in magnitude and that occurs at least 72 hours from the previously
measurable (greater than 0.1 inch rainfall) storm event. Where
practicable, the same individual should carry out the collection and
examination of discharges for entire permit term.
(2) Visual examination reports must be maintained onsite in the
pollution prevention plan. The report shall include the examination
date and time, examination personnel, the nature of the discharge
(i.e., runoff or snow melt), visual quality of the storm water
discharge (including observations of color, odor, clarity, floating
solids, settled solids, suspended solids, foam, oil sheen, and other
obvious indicators of storm water pollution), and probable sources of
any observed storm water contamination.
(3) When a facility has two or more outfalls that, based on a
consideration of industrial activity, significant materials, and
management practices and activities within the area drained by the
outfall, the permittee reasonably believes discharge substantially
identical effluents, the permittee may collect a sample of effluent of
one of such outfall and report that the examination data also applies
to the substantially identical outfall(s) provided that the permittee
includes in the storm water pollution prevention plan a description of
the location of the outfalls and explains in detail why the outfalls
are expected to discharge substantially identical effluents. In
addition, for each outfall that the permittee believes is
representative, an estimate of the size of the drainage area (in square
feet) and an estimate of the runoff coefficient of the drainage area
[e.g., low (under 40 percent), medium (40 to 65 percent), or high
(above 65 percent)] shall be provided in the plan.
(4) When a discharger is unable to collect samples over the course
of the visual examination period as a result of adverse climatic
conditions, the discharger must document the reason for not performing
the visual examination and retain this documentation onsite with the
records of the visual examinations. Adverse weather conditions that may
prohibit the collection of samples include weather conditions that
create dangerous conditions for personnel (such as local flooding, high
winds, hurricane, tornadoes, electrical storms, etc.) or otherwise make
the collection of a sample impracticable (drought, extended frozen
conditions, etc.). EPA realizes that if a facility is inactive and
[[Page 50861]]
unstaffed it may be difficult to collect storm water discharge samples
when a qualifying event occurs. Today's final permit has been revised
so that inactive, unstaffed facilities can exercise a waiver of the
requirement to conduct quarterly visual examination.
D. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity From
Asphalt Paving and Roofing Materials Manufacturers and Lubricant
Manufacturers
1. Discharges Covered Under This Section
On November 16, 1990 (55 FR 47990), EPA promulgated the regulatory
definition of ``storm water discharges associated with an industrial
activity.'' This definition includes point source discharges of storm
water from eleven major categories of facilities, including facilities
commonly identified by Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 29.
Today's permit only covers storm water discharges associated with
industrial activities at facilities which manufacture asphalt paving
mixtures and blocks (SIC code 2951), asphalt felts and coatings (SIC
code 2952), and lubricating oils and greases (SIC code 2992).
Hereinafter, facilities with primary SIC codes 2951 or 2952 will be
referred to as ``Asphalt Facilities,'' and facilities with primary SIC
code 2992 as ``Lubricant Manufacturers.''
Section XI.D of today's permit does not apply to renderers of fats
and oils, petroleum refining facilities or to oil recycling facilities.
Petroleum refining facilities are not eligible for coverage under
today's permit, because these types of facilities did not participate
in the group application process. Renderers of fats and oils are
covered under Section XI.U of today's permit. Oil recycling facilities
are covered under Section XI.N of today's permit. These facilities are
more appropriately grouped with the liquid waste recyclers covered
under Section XI.N.
When an industrial facility, described by the above coverage
provisions of this section, has industrial activities being conducted
onsite that meet the description(s) of industrial activities in another
section(s), that industrial facility shall comply with any and all
applicable monitoring and pollution prevention plan requirements of the
other section(s) in addition to all applicable requirements in this
section. The monitoring and pollution prevention plan terms and
conditions of this multi-sector permit are additive for industrial
activities being conducted at the same industrial facility (co-located
industrial activities). The operator of the facility shall determine
which other monitoring and pollution prevention plan section(s) of this
permit (if any) are applicable to the facility.
This section is applicable to storm water discharges from portable
plants. Although portable plants were not included in the group
application process the significant materials and industrial activities
conducted at these facilities are sufficiently similar to permanent
facilities to allow coverage. This section is applicable to storm water
discharges from portable plants, with the condition that a new Notice
of Intent (NOI) be submitted for each location and the pollution
prevention plan be revised accordingly with each change in location.
a. Industry Profile. Presented below are brief descriptions of the
industrial activities associated with asphalt facilities and lubricant
manufacturers. Table D-1 shows some common significant materials
exposed at these types of facilities.
Table D-1.--Activities, Pollutant Sources, and Pollutants i, ii
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity Pollutant source Pollutant
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asphalt Paving Manufacturing Facilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Material Storage and Handling. Additives, asphalt, asphalt cement, asphalt TSS, Oil and Grease, pH, COD.
concrete, asphalt products, asphalt release
agents, crushed stone, fuel, granite, granules,
gravel, limestone, lubricants, mineral spirits,
oil, quartzite rock, reclaimed asphalt pavement
(RAP), sand, sandstone, slag.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asphalt Roofing Material Manufacturers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Material Storage and Handling. Mineral spirits, asphalt, asphalt cutbacks, TSS, Oil and Grease, pH and
asphalt shingles, limestone, sand, slag, asphalt COD.
rolls, asphalt felt, talc oil and fuel.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lubricant Manufacturers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Material Storage and Handling. Oils, waste solvents, petroleum distillates, Oil and Grease, pH, TSS.
lubricants, chemical additives.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Storm water group applications, parts 1 and 2.
ii EPA. Development Document on Paving and Roofing Materials (EPA 440/1-74/049).
(1) Manufacturers of Asphalt Paving Mixtures and Blocks (SIC 2951).
Manufacturers classified in SIC 2951 store purchased asphalt in above
ground tanks. They stockpile a variety of raw materials such as sand,
gravel, crushed limestone, and recycled asphalt products (RAP). These
facilities produce asphalt concrete, and may also mold and cure asphalt
concrete products such as asphalt blocks. There are two types of
facilities associated with these activities, batch plants and drum
plants.
Batch plants receive aggregate (sand, stone, limestone, gravel,
etc.) in bulk by rail or truck. The aggregate is usually stockpiled
outside. It is then transported by a conveyor or front-end loader to a
rotary drier. When dried and heated the aggregate is transported to a
screening unit which separates the aggregate into various sizes and
deposits the graded aggregate into hot storage bins. Aggregate and
mineral filler are then weighed and transported to a mixing unit or pug
mill where they are mixed with heated asphalt cement to produce asphalt
concrete. The resulting asphalt concrete is either stored in a heated
silo or loaded directly onto trucks for transport to the job site.
At drum (cold feed) plants a measured amount of aggregate is placed
in the drum where it is dried and heated. Heated asphalt cement is
added to the
[[Page 50862]]
same drum and mixed with the aggregate to produce asphalt concrete. The
hot asphalt concrete produced by this process then goes to a surge bin
or silo for storage until it is loaded onto trucks for delivery.
Hot-mix asphalt plants are often portable. There are three types of
portable plants: portable, permanent, and semipermanent. Portable
plants move from site to site, and the significant materials and
equipment are removed upon completion of the job or project. Portable
plants remain at a site anywhere from several days to several months.
Permanent portable plants remain at a site on a permanent basis.
Like portable plants, semipermanent plants move from site to site.
They differ, however, in that they return to locations on a recurring
basis. Significant materials such as aggregate piles remain at the site
while the plant is operating elsewhere. For the purposes of this
section, semipermanent plants will be referred to as permanent plants,
given that the effect on runoff from significant materials will
essentially be the same at both sites. `Asphalt facilities' includes
both permanent and portable plants unless specified otherwise.
Facilities which manufacture asphalt concrete block feed the
asphalt/aggregate mixture into a block molding machine where the mix is
rammed, pressed or vibrated into its final form. The product is then
stacked and allowed to cure.
(2) Manufacturers of Roofing Materials (SIC 2952). Manufacturers
classified in standard industrial code 2952 typically produce bitumen-
based roofing products such as asphalt shingles, built-up roofing
(BUR), modified bitumen sheet material, asphalt saturated felts and
bitumen-based root coatings, mastics and cements.
The typical manufacturing of bitumen based roofing products, such
as shingles, BUR, modified bitumen sheet materials and asphalt
saturated felt is a continuous stationary process performed on a
roofing machine that begins with a roll of base material such as
fiberglass mat, polyester or organic felt, coated or saturated with an
asphalt or blend, surfaced with mineral granules, and concludes with a
finished product. The sequence of indoor operations builds the product
up in stages, adding different raw materials along the way and
monitoring their application.
Bitumen-based coatings, mastics and cements are produced inside in
a stationary process mixing raw materials received in bulk and
containers and blended into finished batches of product. ``Batch
processing'' is the common production method relying on the same piece
of equipment in manufacturing a variety of products. The products are
packaged in containers or stored for bulk shipment.
(3) Manufacturers of Lubricating Oils and Greases (SIC 2992).
Facilities primarily engaged in blending, compounding, and re-refining
lubricating oils and greases from purchased mineral, animal, and
vegetable materials are identified as SIC code 2992. SIC code 2992
includes manufacturers of metalworking fluids, cutting oils, gear oils,
hydraulic brake fluid, transmission fluid, and other automotive and
industrial oil and greases.
Raw materials for SIC code 2992 facilities are typically petroleum
or synthetic-based stocks and various additives. The majority of
lubricating manufacturers store base stocks and chemical additives in
tank farms or 55-gallon drums. SIC code 2992 facilities do not
manufacture these raw materials, but rather blend and compound them to
produce the product. Raw materials are proportioned according to the
type of lubricant being produced.
``Batch processing'' is the common production method relying on the
same piece of equipment in manufacturing a variety of products. For
example, in one ``batch'' a facility may combine the petroleum base
stock with additive X in a 10,000 gallon blending tank to produce
product ``A.'' Using the same blending tank, the next ``batch'' is a
mixture of the base stock and additive Y to produce product ``B.''
Batch processing allows facilities to manufacture a variety of
products. Some facilities, however, tend to specialize in producing a
particular type of lubricant (e.g., solid, synthetic, or water-based),
often to meet the demands of a specific industry.
Finished products are packaged in containers or stored for bulk
shipment. Almost all facilities have shipping and receiving areas and
are involved with marketing and interstate distribution of their
products. Most facilities have immediate access roads or rail lines at
their facility sites.
2. Pollutants in Storm Water Discharges Associated With Asphalt
Facilities and Lubricant Manufacturers.
Impacts caused by storm water discharges from asphalt facilities
and lubricant manufacturers will vary. Several factors influence to
what extent significant materials from these types of facilities and
processing operations may affect water quality. Such factors include:
geographic location; hydrogeology; the type of industrial activity
occurring outside (e.g., material storage, loading and unloading); the
type of material stored outside (e.g., asphalt, aggregate, limestone,
oil, etc.); the size of the operation; and type, duration, and
intensity of precipitation events. These and other factors will
interact to influence the quantity and quality of storm water runoff.
For example, air emissions (i.e., settled dust) may be a significant
source of pollutants at some facilities, while materials storage is a
primary source at others. In addition, sources of pollutants other than
storm water, such as illicit connections,38 spills, and other
improperly dumped materials, may increase the pollutant loadings
discharged into waters of the United States.
\38\ Illicit connections are contributions of unpermitted non-
storm water discharges to storm sewers from any of a number of
sources including sanitary sewers, industrial facilities, commercial
establishments, or residential dwellings. The probability of illicit
connections at mineral mining and processing facilities is low yet
it still may be applicable at some operations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on group application information and data, EPA has identified
the storm water pollutants and sources resulting from asphalt
facilities and lubricant manufacturers in Tables D-2 and D-3.
Based on the wide variety of industrial activities and significant
materials at the facilities included in this sector, EPA believes it is
appropriate to divide the asphalt paving and roofing materials
manufacturers and lubricating oils and greases manufacturers industry
into 2 subsectors to properly analyze sampling data and determine
monitoring requirements. As a result, this sector has been divided into
the following subsectors: asphalt paving and roofing materials and
lubricating oils and greases manufacturers. The tables below include
data for the eight pollutants that all facilities were required to
monitor under Form 2F.
[[Page 50863]]
Table D-2.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Asphalt Paving and Roofing Materials Manufacturing Facilities Submitting Part II Sampling Datai (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. of No. of samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th Percentile 99th Percentile
facilities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PollutantSample type ------------------
Grab Compii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD\5\...................... 25 22 45 41 52.5 13.9 0.0 0.0 1220.0 161.0 8.0 5.0 101.2 42.8 256.1 89.3
COD......................... 26 22 46 40 232.4 207.8 0.0 0.0 2740.0 1880.0 83.5 70.5 800.5 903.4 1897.7 2343.1
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen.. 26 22 46 41 1.02 0.84 0.00 0.0 19.0 12.0 0.44 0.41 3.43 2.15 8.17 4.08
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen..... 25 22 45 39 2.24 1.74 0.00 0.0 19.00 18.0 1.10 0.88 6.75 4.79 13.22 9.19
Oil & Grease................ 27 N/A 47 N/A 5.5 N/A 0.0 N/A 78.0 N/A 1.3 N/A 21.8 N/A 49.9 N/A
pH.......................... 27 N/A 47 N/A N/A N/A 2.4 N/A 9.6 N/A 7.2 N/A 10.1 N/A 11.8 N/A
Total Phosphorus............ 25 22 45 41 0.49 0.51 0.00 0.0 3.90 4.30 0.14 0.19 2.06 1.56 5.22 3.38
Total Suspended Solids...... 25 22 45 41 669 509.6 0 0.0 8050 3320 286 145 3570 3421 12103 13860
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
Table D-3.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by (Lubricant Oils and Greases Manufacturers) Submitting Part II Sampling Datai (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. of No. of samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th Percentile 99th Percentile
facilities -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PollutantSample type ------------------
Grab Compii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD 5............................... 13 8 15 10 10.7 6.70 0.0 0.0 47.0 22.0 4.0 4.0 36.5 22.52 75.2 40.87
COD................................. 15 10 17 12 108.7 57.66 10.0 10.0 905.0 142.6 42.0 55.1 303.0 175.5 622.2 314.1
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen.......... 13 8 15 10 0.64 0.77 0.00 0.0 2.63 2.43 0.21 0.30 5.01 2.88 17.2 5.83
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen............. 15 9 17 11 1.76 1.24 0.00 0.19 7.98 3.0 1.10 1.10 5.17 3.86 9.43 6.86
Oil & Grease........................ 16 N/A 18 N/A 7.8 N/A 0.0 N/A 55.0 N/A 2.0 N/A 32.7 N/A 82.2 N/A
pH.................................. 14 N/A 16 N/A N/A N/A 5.7 N/A 7.9 N/A 7.1 N/A 8.0 N/A 8.6 N/A
Total Phosphorus.................... 15 10 17 12 0.41 0.28 0.00 0.01 3.66 1.28 0.11 0.14 1.30 1.23 3.03 3.18
Total Suspended Solids.............. 15 10 17 12 271 206 0 2 3870 2130 20 28 696 592 2912 2283
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants
In evaluating options for controlling pollutants in storm water
discharges, EPA must achieve compliance with the technology-based
standards of the Clean Water Act [Best Available Technology (BAT) and
Best Conventional Technology (BCT)]. This section establishes
requirements for the development and implementation of a site-specific
storm water pollution prevention plan consisting of a set of BMPs that
are sufficiently flexible to address different sources of pollutants at
different sites.
Two types of BMPs which may be implemented to prevent, reduce or
eliminate pollutants in storm water discharges are those which minimize
exposure (e.g., covering, curbing, or diking) and treatment type BMPs
which are used to reduce or remove pollutants in storm water discharges
(e.g., oil/water separators, sediment basins, or detention ponds). EPA
believes exposure minimization is an effective practice for reducing
pollutants in storm water discharges from asphalt facilities and
lubricant manufacturers. Exposure minimization practices lessen the
potential for storm water to come in contact with pollutants. These
methods are often uncomplicated and inexpensive. They can be easy to
implement and require little or no maintenance. EPA also believes that
in some instances more resource intensive treatment type BMPs are
appropriate to reduce pollutant levels such as suspended solids and
oil/grease in storm water discharges associated with asphalt facilities
or lubricant manufacturers. Though these BMPs are somewhat more
resource intensive, they can be effective in reducing pollutant loads
and may be necessary depending on the type of discharge, types and
concentrations of contaminants, and volume of flow.
Table D-4 lists some BMPs which may be effective in limiting the
amount of pollutants in storm water discharges from asphalt facilities
and lubricant manufacturers. Based on part 1 information, several of
the BMPs suggested are already in place at many of the facilities. Part
1 submittals indicate that diking, curbing, or other types of diversion
occur at approximately 57 percent of the facilities. Some form of
covering is used as a BMP at 25 percent of the facilities, and
detention ponds are in place at 19 percent of the facilities. In
addition, 38 percent of the facilities submitting part 1 information
reported they had a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan in
place.
Table D-4.--Measures to Control Pollutants in Storm Water Discharges
From Asphalt Facilities and Lubricant Manufacturers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity Suggested BMPs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Material Storage, Cover material storage and handling areas
Handling, and Processing. with an awning, tarp or roof.
Practice good stockpiling practices such as:
storing materials on concrete or asphalt
pads; surrounding stockpiles with diversion
dikes or curbs; and revegetating areas used
for stockpiling in order to slow runoff.
Use curbing, diking or channelization around
material storage, handling and processing
areas to divert runon around areas where it
can come into contact with material stored
or spilled on the ground.
Utilize secondary containment measures such
as dikes or berms around asphalt storage
tanks and fuel oil tanks.
[[Page 50864]]
Use dust collection systems (i.e., baghouses)
to collect airborne particles generated as a
result of material handling operations or
aggregate drying.
Properly dispose of waste materials from dust
collection systems and other operations.
Remove spilled material and dust from paved
portions of the facility by shoveling and
sweeping on a regular basis.
Utilize catch basins to collect potentially
contaminated storm water.
Implement spill plans to prevent contact of
runoff with spills of significant materials.
Clean material handling equipment and
vehicles to remove accumulated dust and
residue.
Use a detention pond or sedimentation basin
to reduce suspended solids.
Use an oil/water separator to reduce the
discharge of oil/grease.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
EPA believes that pollution prevention is the most effective
approach for controlling contaminated storm water discharges from
asphalt facilities and lubricant manufacturers. Pollution prevention
plans allow the operator of a facility to select BMPs based on site-
specific considerations such as: facility size, climate, geographic
location, hydrogeology, the environmental setting of each facility, and
volume and type of discharge generated. This flexibility is necessary
because each facility will be unique in that the source, type and
volume of contaminated surface water discharges will differ from site
to site.
All facilities subject to this section must prepare and implement a
storm water pollution prevention plan. The establishment of a pollution
prevention plan requirement reflects EPA's decision to allow operators
of asphalt facilities and lubricant manufacturers to utilize BMPs as
the BAT/BCT level of control for the storm water discharges covered by
this section. The requirements included in pollution prevention plans
provide a flexible framework for the development and implementation of
site specific controls to minimize pollutants in storm water
discharges. This is consistent with the approach in EPA's storm water
baseline general permits finalized on September 9, 1992 (57 FR 41236).
There are two major objectives to a pollution prevention plan: (1)
To identify sources of pollution potentially affecting the quality of
storm water discharges associated with industrial activity from a
facility; and (2) to describe and ensure implementation of practices to
minimize and control pollutants in storm water discharges associated
with industrial activity from a facility. Specific requirements for a
pollution prevention plan for asphalt facilities and lubricant
manufacturers are described below. These requirements must be
implemented in addition to the baseline pollution prevention plan
provisions discussed previously.
a. Description of Potential Pollution Sources. There are no
additional requirements beyond those described in Part VI.C.2. of this
fact sheet.
b. Measures and Controls. There are no additional requirements
beyond those described in Part VI.C.3. of this fact sheet.
c. Comprehensive Site Compliance Evaluation. The storm water
pollution prevention plan must describe the scope and content of
comprehensive site evaluations that qualified personnel will conduct
to: (1) Confirm the accuracy of the description of potential pollution
sources contained in the plan; (2) determine the effectiveness of the
plan, and (3) assess compliance with the terms and conditions of
today's permit.
Comprehensive site compliance evaluations shall be conducted at
least once a year for asphalt facilities and lubricant manufacturers.
The individual or individuals who will conduct the evaluations must be
identified in the plan and should be members of the pollution
prevention team. Inspection reports must be retained for at least 3
years after the date of the evaluation.
Comprehensive site compliance evaluations shall be conducted at
least once a year at portable plant locations. Such evaluations shall
be conducted at least once at portable plant locations that are not in
operation a full year.
Based on the results of each evaluation, the description of
potential pollution sources, and measures and controls, the plan must
be revised as appropriate within 2 weeks after each evaluation. Changes
in the measures and controls must be implemented on the site in a
timely manner, but no later than 12 weeks after completion of the
evaluation.
For portable plants, the plan must be revised as appropriate as
soon as possible, but no later than 2 weeks after each evaluation. Two
weeks is adequate time for portable plants to modify their plans due to
the simpler and smaller nature of these operations in comparison to
permanent facilities.
5. Numeric Effluent Limitations
In addition to the numeric effluent limitations established under
Part V.B, part XI.D.4 of today's permit includes numeric effluent
limitations for storm water discharges resulting from the production of
asphalt paving and roofing emulsions. Discharges from areas where
production of asphalt paving and roofing emulsions occurs may not
exceed a TSS concentration of 23.0 mg/L of runoff for any one day, nor
shall the average of daily values for 30 consecutive days exceed a TSS
concentration of 15.0 mg/L of runoff. Oil and grease concentrations in
storm water discharges from these areas may not exceed 15.0 mg/L of
runoff for any 1 day, nor should the average daily values for 30
consecutive days exceed an oil and grease concentration of 10.0 mg/L of
runoff. The pH of these discharges must be within the range of 6.0 to
9.0. Facilities with such discharges must be in compliance with these
effluent limitations upon commencement of coverage and for the entire
term of the permit. These effluent limitations are in accordance with
40 CFR 443.12 and 40 CFR 443.13, Effluent Guidelines and Standards,
Paving and Roofing Materials Point Source Category, Asphalt Emulsion
Subcategory. These limitations represent the degree of effluent
reduction attainable by the application of best practicable control
technology and best available technology.
6. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
a. Analytical Monitoring Requirements. Under the revised
methodology for determining pollutants of concern for the various
industrial sectors, only asphalt paving and roofing
[[Page 50865]]
materials manufacturers are required to perform analytical monitoring
of storm water discharges. As discussed previously, the median
composite sample concentration for TSS of 145 mg/L is higher than the
benchmark value for TSS of 100 mg/L for the asphalt paving and roofing
materials subsector, thus triggering monitoring for TSS. The monitoring
requirements are presented in Table D-5 for asphalt paving and roofing
materials manufacturers.
At a minimum, storm water discharges from asphalt paving and
roofing materials manufacturers must be monitored quarterly during the
second year of permit coverage. Samples must be collected at least once
in each of the following periods: January through March; April through
June; July through September; and October through December. At the end
of the second year of permit coverage, a facility must calculate the
average concentration for each parameter listed in Table D-5. If the
permittee collects more than four samples in this period, then they
must calculate an average concentration for each pollutant of concern
for all samples analyzed.
Table D-5.--Asphalt Paving and Roofing Materials Manufacturers
Monitoring Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut-off
Pollutants of concern concentration
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Suspended Solids................................ 100 mg/L.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If the average concentration for a parameter is less than or equal
to the cut-off concentration, then the permittee is not required to
conduct quantitative analysis for that parameter during the fourth year
of the permit. If, however, the average concentration for a parameter
is greater than the cut-off concentration, then the permittee is
required to conduct quarterly monitoring for that parameter during the
fourth year of permit coverage. Monitoring is not required during the
first, third, and fifth year of the permit. The exclusion from
monitoring in the fourth year of the permit is conditional on the
facility maintaining industrial operations and BMPs that will ensure a
quality of storm water discharges consistent with the average
concentrations recorded during the second year of the permit. The
schedule for monitoring is presented in Table D-6.
Table D-6.--Schedule of Monitoring
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Year of Permit Conduct quarterly monitoring.
Coverage.
Calculate the average concentration
for all parameters analyzed during this
period.
If average concentration is greater
than the value listed in Table B-7, then
quarterly sampling is required during the
fourth year of the permit.
If average concentration is less
than or equal to the value listed in Table B-
7, then no further sampling is required for
that parameter.
4th Year of Permit Conduct quarterly monitoring for any
Coverage. parameter where the average concentration in
year 2 of the permit is greater than the
value listed in Table B-7.
If industrial activities or the
pollution prevention plan have been altered
such that storm water discharges may be
adversely affected, quarterly monitoring is
required for all parameters of concern.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In cases where the average concentration of a parameter exceeds the
cut-off concentration, EPA expects permittees to place special emphasis
on methods for reducing the presence of those parameters in storm water
discharges. Quarterly monitoring in the fourth year of the permit will
be used to reassess the effectiveness of the adjusted pollution
prevention plan.
EPA realizes that if a facility is inactive and unstaffed it may be
difficult to collect storm water discharge samples when a qualifying
event occurs. Today's final permit has been revised so that inactive,
unstaffed facilities can exercise a waiver of the requirement to
conduct quarterly chemical sampling.
(1) Sample Type. All discharge data shall be reported for grab
samples. All such samples shall be collected from the discharge
resulting from a storm event that is greater than 0.1 inches in
magnitude and that occurs at least 72 hours from the previously
measurable (greater than 0.1 inch rainfall) storm event. The required
72-hour storm event interval is waived where the preceding measurable
storm event did not result in a measurable discharge from the facility.
The required 72-hour storm event interval may also be waived where the
permittee documents that less than a 72-hour interval is representative
for local storm events during the season when sampling is being
conducted. The grab sample shall be taken during the first 30 minutes
of the discharge. If the collection of a grab sample during the first
30 minutes is impracticable, a grab sample can be taken during the
first hour of the discharge, and the discharger shall submit with the
monitoring report a description of why a grab sample during the first
30 minutes was impracticable.
If storm water discharges associated with industrial activity
commingle with process or nonprocess water, then where practicable
permittees must attempt to sample the storm water discharge before it
mixes with the non-storm water discharge.
(2) Representative Discharge. When a facility has two or more
outfalls that, based on a consideration of industrial activity,
significant materials, and management practices and activities within
the area drained by the outfall, the permittee reasonably believes
discharge substantially identical effluents, the permittee may test the
effluent of one of such outfalls and report that the quantitative data
also applies to the substantially identical outfall(s) provided that
the permittee includes in the storm water pollution prevention plan a
description of the location of the outfalls and explains in detail why
the outfalls are expected to discharge substantially identical
effluent. In addition, for each outfall that the permittee believes is
representative, an estimate of the size of the drainage area (in square
feet) and an estimate of the runoff coefficient of the drainage area
[e.g., low (under 40 percent), medium (40 to 65 percent), or high
(above 65 percent)] shall be provided in the plan.
(3) Alternative Certification. Throughout today's permit, EPA has
included monitoring requirements for facilities which the Agency
believes have the potential for contributing significant levels of
pollutants to storm water discharges. The alternative certification
described below is necessary to ensure that monitoring requirements are
only imposed on those facilities that do, in fact, have storm water
discharges containing pollutants at concentrations of concern. EPA has
[[Page 50866]]
determined that if materials and activities are not exposed to storm
water at the site, then the potential for pollutants to contaminate
storm water discharges does not warrant monitoring.
Therefore, a discharger is not subject to the monitoring
requirements of this Part provided the discharger makes a certification
for a given outfall or on a pollutant-by-pollutant basis in lieu of
monitoring described under paragraph b. below, under penalty of law,
signed in accordance with Part VII.G. (Signatory Requirements), that
material handling equipment or activities, raw materials, intermediate
products, final products, waste materials, by-products, industrial
machinery or operations, significant materials from past industrial
activity, and that are located in areas of the facility that are within
the drainage area of the outfall are not presently exposed to storm
water and will not be exposed to storm water for the certification
period. Such certification must be retained in the storm water
pollution prevention plan and submitted to EPA in lieu of monitoring
reports required under paragraph b. (below). If the permittee cannot
certify for an entire period, they must submit the date exposure was
eliminated and any monitoring required up until that date. This
certification option is not applicable to compliance monitoring
requirements associated with effluent guidelines. EPA does not expect
facilities to be able to exercise this certification for indicator
parameters, such as TSS and BOD.
b. Reporting Requirements. Permittees are required to submit all
monitoring results obtained during the second and fourth year of permit
coverage within 3 months of the conclusion of each year. For each
outfall, one Discharge Monitoring Report Form must be submitted per
storm event sampled. For facilities conducting monitoring beyond the
minimum requirements an additional Discharge Monitoring Report Form
must be filed for each analysis. The permittee must include a
measurement or estimate of the total precipitation, volume of runoff,
and peak flow rate of runoff for each storm event sampled.
EPA also believes that between quarterly visual examinations and
site compliance evaluations potential sources of contaminants can be
recognized, addressed, and then controlled with BMPs. In determining
the monitoring requirements, EPA considered the nature of the
industrial activities and significant materials exposed at these sites,
and performed a review of data provided in Part 2 group applications.
c. Quarterly Visual Examination. Quarterly visual examinations of a
storm water discharge from each outfall are required at asphalt
facilities and lubricant manufacturers. The examination must be of a
grab sample collected from each storm water outfall. The examination of
storm water grab samples shall include any observations of color, odor,
turbidity, floating solids, foam, oil sheen, or other obvious
indicators of storm water pollution. The examination must be conducted
in a well lit area. No analytical tests are required to be performed on
these samples.
The examination must be made at least once in each designated
period during daylight hours unless there is insufficient rainfall or
snow-melt to runoff. Where practicable, the same individual should
carry out the collection and examination of discharges throughout the
life of the permit to ensure the greatest degree of consistency
possible. Examinations shall be conducted in each of the following
periods for the purposes of inspecting storm water quality associated
with storm water runoff and snow melt: January through March; April
through June; July through September; October through December. Grab
samples shall be collected within the first 30 minutes (or as soon
thereafter as practical, but not to exceed 60 minutes) of when the
runoff begins discharging. Reports of the visual examination include:
the examination date and time, examination personnel, visual quality of
the storm water discharge, and probable sources of any observed storm
water contamination. The visual examination reports must be maintained
onsite with the pollution prevention plan.
EPA believes that this quick and simple assessment will help the
permittee to determine the effectiveness of his/her plan on a regular
basis at very little cost. Although the visual examination cannot
assess the chemical properties of the storm water discharged from the
site, the examination will provide meaningful results upon which the
facility may act quickly. The frequency of this visual inspection will
also allow for timely adjustments to be made to the plan. If BMPs are
performing ineffectively, corrective action must be implemented. A set
of tracking or follow-up procedures must be used to ensure that
appropriate actions are taken in response to the examinations. The
visual examination is intended to be performed by members of the
pollution prevention team. This hands-on examination will enhance the
staff's understanding of the storm water problems on that site and the
effects of the management practices that are included in the plan.
When a discharger is unable to collect samples over the course of
the visual examination period as a result of adverse climatic
conditions, the discharger must document the reason for not performing
the visual examination. Adverse weather conditions which may prohibit
the collection of samples include weather conditions that create
dangerous conditions for personnel (such as local flooding, high winds,
hurricane, tornadoes, electrical storms, etc.) or otherwise make the
collection of a sample impracticable (drought, extended frozen
conditions, etc.).
EPA realizes that if a facility is inactive and unstaffed it may be
difficult to collect storm water discharge samples when a qualifying
event occurs. Today's final permit has been revised so that inactive,
unstaffed facilities can exercise a waiver of the requirement to
conduct quarterly visual examination.
d. Compliance Monitoring Requirements. Today's permit requires
permittees with storm water discharges associated with the production
of asphalt paving or roofing emulsions to monitor for the presence of
total suspended solids, oil and grease, and for pH at least annually.
These monitoring requirements are necessary to evaluate compliance with
the numeric effluent limitation imposed on these discharges. Monitoring
shall be performed upon a minimum of one grab sample. All samples shall
be collected from the discharge resulting from a storm event that is
greater than 0.1 inches in magnitude and that occurs at least 72 hours
from the previously measurable (greater than 0.1 inch rainfall) storm
event. The grab sample shall be taken during the first 30 minutes of
the discharge. If the collection of a grab sample during the first 30
minutes is impracticable, a grab sample can be taken during the first
hour of the discharge, and the discharger shall submit with the
monitoring report a description of why a grab sample during the first
30 minutes was impracticable. Monitoring results shall be submitted on
Discharge Monitoring Report Form(s) postmarked no later than the last
day of the month following collection of the sample. For each outfall,
one Discharge Monitoring Report form must be submitted per storm event
sampled. Facilities which discharge through a large or medium municipal
separate storm sewer system (systems serving a population of 100,000 or
more) must also submit signed copies of discharge monitoring reports to
the operator of the
[[Page 50867]]
municipal separate storm sewer system. Alternative Certification
provisions described in Section XI.D.5 do not apply to facilities
subject to compliance monitoring requirements in this section.
Compliance monitoring is required at least annually for discharges
subject to effluent limitations. Therefore, EPA cannot permit a
facility to waive compliance monitoring.
Asphalt emulsion manufacturing facilities are not required to
collect and analyze separate samples for the presence of TSS to satisfy
the Compliance Monitoring requirements of Section XI.D.5.d. during a
year in which the facilities have collected and analyzed samples for
TSS in accordance with the Analytical Monitoring requirements of
Section XI.D.5.a. The results of all TSS Analytical Monitoring analyses
may also be reported as Compliance Monitoring results in accordance
with Section XI.D.5.d.(3) where the monitoring methodologies are
consistent.
E. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity From
Glass, Clay, Cement, Concrete, and Gypsum Product Manufacturing
Facilities
1. Discharges Covered Under This Section
On November 16, 1990 (55 FR 47990), EPA promulgated the regulatory
definition of ``storm water discharges associated with industrial
activity.'' This definition included point source discharges of storm
water from eleven categories of facilities. Category (ii) identifies
facilities classified as Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code
32 as having storm water discharges associated with an industrial
activity.
The following section describes the industrial activities and
permit conditions for storm water discharges associated with industrial
activity classified under Major SIC Group 32. The discussion focuses on
the industries covered by today's permit. There are industries in Major
SIC Group 32 beyond those discussed below; however, representatives of
these industries did not choose to participate in the group application
process on which this section is based. Therefore, they are not
eligible for coverage under this permit.
This section only covers storm water discharges associated with
industrial activities from facilities engaged in gypsum, cement, clay,
glass, and concrete products manufacturing.39 Facilities subject
to the requirements of this section include the following types of
manufacturing operations: flat glass, (SIC code 3211); glass
containers, (SIC code 3221); pressed and blown glass, not elsewhere
classified, (SIC code 3229); hydraulic cement, (SIC code 3241); brick
and structural clay tile, (SIC code 3251); ceramic wall and floor tile,
(SIC code 3253); clay refractories, (SIC code 3255); structural clay
products not elsewhere classified (SIC code 3259); vitreous table and
kitchen articles (SIC code 3262); fine earthenware table and kitchen
articles (SIC code 3263); porcelain electrical supplies, (SIC code
3264); pottery products, (SIC code 3269); concrete block and brick,
(SIC code 3271); concrete products, except block and brick (SIC code
3272); ready-mix concrete, (SIC code 3273); gypsum products, (SIC code
3275); minerals and earths, ground or otherwise treated, (SIC code
3295); and nonclay refractories, (SIC code 3297).
\39\ Please note that storm water discharges associated with
industrial activity from facilities identified as SIC code 323
(glass products made of purchased glass) only occur where material
handling equipment or activities, raw materials intermediate
products, final products, waste materials, by-products or industrial
machinery are exposed to storm water. SIC code 323 facilities are
only required to submit storm water permit applications when
activities or materials are exposed to storm water.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wash waters from vehicle and equipment cleaning areas are process
wastewaters. This section does not cover any storm water that combines
with process wastewater, unless the process wastewater is in compliance
with another NPDES permit. This section does not cover any discharge
subject to an existing or expired NPDES general permit. The section may
cover runoff which derives from the storage of materials used in or
derived from the cement manufacturing process 40 unless storm
water discharges are already subject to an existing or expired NPDES
permit.
\40\ These discharges are subject to effluent limitation
guidelines under 40 CFR 412.11.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discharges from several industrial activities in Major SIC Group 32
are not covered by this section. These activities are: lime
manufacturing (SIC 3274); cut stone and stone products (SIC 3281);
abrasive products (SIC 3291); asbestos products (SIC 3292); and mineral
wool and mineral wool insulation products (SIC 3297).
These types of facilities are not covered by this (or any other)
section of today's permit, because these types of industrial activities
were not represented in the group application process nor are they
believed to be sufficiently similar to industrial activities that were
included in the group application process. Because these facilities
were not included in the group application process there is no
additional information with which to develop industry-specific permit
language.
When an industrial facility, described by the above coverage
provisions of this section, has industrial activities being conducted
onsite that meet the description(s) of industrial activities in another
section(s), that industrial facility shall comply with any and all
applicable monitoring and pollution prevention plan requirements of the
other section(s) in addition to all applicable requirements in this
section. The monitoring and pollution prevention plan terms and
conditions of this multi-sector permit are additive for industrial
activities being conducted at the same industrial facility (co-located
industrial activities). The operator of the facility shall determine
which other monitoring and pollution prevention plan section(s) of this
permit (if any) are applicable to the facility.
a. Industry Profile. Part XI.E. of today's permit has been
developed for storm water discharges from glass, clay, cement,
concrete, and gypsum products manufacturers. As stated above, these
facilities are regulated under category (ii) of the definition of storm
water discharges associated with industrial activity. Part XI.E. of
today's permit addresses the industry-specific permit requirements for
storm water discharges from these industries.
There are a variety of industrial processes that occur at
manufacturing facilities covered under this section. The following
descriptions summarize basic operations occurring at each type of
industry.
(1) Glass Product Manufacturing. Facilities primarily engaged in
the manufacturing of glass and glassware, or manufacturing glass
products from purchased glass are classified under standard industrial
groups 321-323. Facilities covered by these SIC codes share several
similar steps in the manufacturing process. Such processes include the
storage of raw materials, weighing the materials, charging, melting and
forming. Although the forming processes vary greatly, the steps with a
potential exposure to storm water are somewhat homogeneous.
The first step in the glass manufacturing process is batch
preparation. This involves the selection and storage of the raw
materials that will be used in the process. Such materials may include
silica sand, limestones, feldspars, borates, soda ash, boric acid,
potash and barium carbonate. Once the desired characteristics of the
final product are
[[Page 50868]]
assessed, the composition of the batch is determined and the raw
materials are mixed together. The batch is then conveyed to the
furnaces.
Furnaces are used to melt the batch to produce glass. Most of the
furnaces in the glass manufacturing industry are fueled by natural gas
or oil. The batch is placed in the furnace and allowed to melt. Once
the glass has been melted and conditioned it is channeled to a forming
machine.
Forming operations consist of up to four major steps, the first of
which involves a further conditioning process to prepare the glass for
primary forming. Primary forming, which may include drawing, blowing,
pressing, or casting, is the second step in the forming operation. This
operation is usually followed by an annealing step. Annealing is the
process of subjecting the glass to heat and slow cooling in order to
toughen the product. The final process in the forming operation may
include one or more secondary operations. Operations such as grinding
and polishing, laminating, sealing and coating of glass are common
secondary operations. Materials used for secondary operations vary,
examples are the resins used to laminate glass to produce safety glass
products, such as car windows.
(2) Cement Manufacturing. Facilities primarily engaged in
manufacturing hydraulic cement (e.g., portland, natural, masonry, and
pozzolana cements) are identified as SIC code 3241. The manufacturing
process is generally the same for all facilities classified as SIC
3241. The three basic steps in cement manufacturing are: (1)
Proportioning, grinding, and blending raw materials; (2) heating raw
materials to produce a hard, stony substance known as ``clinker''; and
(3) combining the clinker with other materials and grinding the mixture
into a fine powdery form.
The first step in cement manufacturing is proportioning, grinding
and blending raw materials. The primary raw material is lime. Lime is
typically obtained from limestone, cement rock, oyster shell marl, and
chalk. Other ingredients in cement manufacturing may include silica,
alumina, and iron. The blending and grinding of these raw materials is
achieved through either ``wet'' processing or ``dry'' processing. Wet
processing operations use water when grinding and blending raw
materials, and dry processing operations grind and blend raw materials
in a dried state. Until they are fed into kilns for clinker production,
materials ground from wet processing are stored in slurry tanks, while
dry processing materials are stored in silos.
Kilns typically are coal, gas, or oil fired. In the kiln raw
materials are commonly heated to a temperature of 1600 degrees Celsius
(2900 degrees Fahrenheit). At these extreme temperatures, clinker is
formed as raw materials begin to fuse and harden. Air is then used to
cool clinker emerging from the kiln.
The final stage of the process involves adding small amounts of
gypsum or stone (used to control setting times) to the clinker and
grinding the mixture into a fine powdery form. The powdery product is
then cooled before storage, bagging, and shipping.
There are facilities classified as SIC 3241 which only perform the
final grinding step in the cement manufacturing process. These
facilities do not have kilns to heat raw materials, and so obtain
clinker from manufacturing plants.
(3) Clay Product Manufacturing. Facilities primarily engaged in
manufacturing clay products, including brick, tile (clay or ceramic),
or pottery products are classified as standard industrial groups 325
and 326. Although clay product manufacturing facilities produce a wide
variety of final products, there are several similar processing steps
shared by most facilities in this industry: (1) Storage and preparation
of raw materials; (2) forming; (3) drying; (4) firing; and (5) cooling.
Manufacturers classified as standard industrial groups 325 and 326
typically use clay (common, silt, kaolin and/or phyllite) and shale
(mud, red, blue and/or common) as their primary raw materials. However,
some industries supplement these materials with slag (cinders), cement
and lime. Raw materials are generally stored outside.
Raw materials are crushed and ground prior to manufacturing. Stones
are removed, and particles of raw materials are screened to ensure they
are the correct size. Water is then added to raw materials in mixing
chambers and ``mud'' is formed. The mud is molded into the desired
product during the forming stage. Depending on the final product, one
of several different methods will be used when forming mud into the
desired shape. The most common methods use pressure or hydraulic
machines to shape products.
Following the forming process, products are left to dry. Drying is
necessary to reduce the moisture content prior to firing. A common
method for reducing moisture content is air drying clay products in a
controlled environment (e.g., a drying chamber). When the drying
process is complete, the clay is ready for firing in kilns.
There are two basic types of kilns: the periodic kiln and the
tunnel kiln. With a periodic kiln, products are fired for a specified
period of time and then promptly removed. With a tunnel kiln, products
pass through the kiln on conveyor belts, and by the time the clay
reaches the end of the kiln, the firing process is complete. The
primary source of energy for most firing kilns is natural gas. Natural
gas is typically supplemented with coal, sawdust, or oil. Fired
products may then be glazed with salt or other materials for special
applications.
(4) Concrete Products. Facilities primarily engaged in
manufacturing concrete products, including ready-mixed concrete, are
identified as SIC group 327. Although concrete product facilities in
SIC group 327 produce a variety of final products, they all have common
raw materials and activities.
Concrete products manufacturers combine cement, aggregate, and
water to form concrete. Aggregate generally consists of: sand, gravel,
crushed stone, cinder, shale, slag, clay, slate, pumice, vermiculite,
scoria, perlite, diatomite, barite, limonite, magnetite, or ilmenite.
Admixtures including fly ash, calcium chloride, triethanolamine,
calcium salt, lignosulfunic acid, vinosol, saponin, keratin, sulfonated
hydrocarbon, fatty acid glyceride, vinyl acetate, and styrene copolymer
of vinyl acetate may be added to obtain desired characteristics, such
as slower or more rapid curing times.
Typically, aggregate is received in bulk quantities by rail, truck,
or barge. It is stored outside, and kept moist, until it is conveyed to
distribution bins. The first stage in the manufacturing process is
proportioning cement, aggregate, admixtures and water, and then
transporting the product to a rotary drum, or pan mixer.
To form concrete block and brick, the mixture is then fed into an
automatic block molding machine that rams, presses, or vibrates the
mixture into its final form. The final product is then stacked on iron
framework cars where it cures for 4 hours. Decorative blocks may be
produced by adding colors to the mix, or splitting the surface into
desired shapes.
Precast concrete products, may contain steel structural members for
increased strength. These products include transformer pads, meter
boxes, pilings, utility vaults, steps, cattle guards, and balconies.
After being mixed in a central mixer, concrete is poured into forms or
molded in the same manner as concrete block and
[[Page 50869]]
brick. Forms are often coated with a release oil to aid stripping. The
concrete ``sets'' or cures in the forms for a number of hours
(depending upon the type of admixtures used). When the concrete has
cured, the forms are removed. Forms are washed for reuse, and the
concrete products are stored until they can be shipped.
In addition to the permanent concrete product facilities, there are
a number of portable ready mix concrete operations which operate on a
temporary basis. The portable plants are typically dedicated to
providing ready mix concrete to one construction project. Portable
plants have the same significant materials and industrial activities as
permanent facilities. Therefore, portable concrete plants are eligible
for coverage under Part XI.E. of today's permit.
(5) Gypsum Products Manufacturing. Facilities primarily engaged in
manufacturing plaster, wallboard, and other products composed wholly or
partially of gypsum (except plaster of paris and papier-mache) are
classified as SIC code 3275.
The gypsum product manufacturing process begins with calcining the
gypsum: finely ground raw gypsum (referred to as ``land plaster'') is
fed into imp mills or calcining kettles where extreme heat removes 75
percent of the gypsum's molecular moisture. The result is a dry powder
called stucco, which is cooled and conveyed to storage bins.
To produce wallboard, stucco is fed into pin mixers where it is
blended with water and other additives to produce a slurry. The slurry
is then applied to continuous sheets of paper to form wallboard. In
addition to producing wallboard, some facilities may combine stucco
with additives (excluding water) to produce plaster. Plaster is then
bagged or bulked and shipped off site for purchase.
EPA considers calcining the first step in gypsum product
manufacturing. Many facilities with a primary SIC code of 3275 may have
mining/quarry and crushing activities at their sites. Please note,
however, that because these activities are not considered part of the
manufacturing operations, storm water discharges from mining/quarry and
crushing are not covered under Part XI.E. of the today's permit.
Discharges associated with gypsum mining activities are addressed under
Part XI.J. of today's permit and VIII.J. of the fact sheet.
2. Pollutants in Storm Water Discharges Associated With Glass, Clay,
Cement, Concrete, and Gypsum Product Manufacturing
Impacts caused by storm water discharges from gypsum, concrete,
clay, glass, and concrete manufacturing operations will vary. Several
factors influence to what extent industrial activities and significant
materials from these types of facilities and processing operations can
affect water quality. Such factors include: geographic location;
hydrogeology; the type of industrial activity occurring outside (e.g.,
material storage, loading and unloading, or vehicle maintenance); the
type of material stored outside (e.g., aggregate, limestone, clay,
concrete, etc.); the size of the operation; and type, duration, and
intensity of precipitation events. These and other factors will
interact to influence the quantity and quality of storm water runoff.
For example, air emissions (i.e., settled dust) may be a significant
source of pollutants at some facilities, while material storage is a
primary source at others. In addition, sources of pollutants other than
storm water, such as illicit connections,41 spills, and other
improperly dumped materials, may increase the pollutant loadings
discharged into waters of the United States.
\41\ Illicit connections are contributions of unpermitted non-
storm water discharges to storm sewers from any of a number of
sources including sanitary sewers, industrial facilities, commercial
establishments, or residential dwellings.
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Table E-1, Potential Sources of Pollutants in Storm Water
Discharges Associated with Glass, Clay, Cement, Concrete, and Gypsum
Manufacturing, summarizes the industrial activities indicated in the
part 1 group applications for facilities covered under this section of
today's permit. Table E-1 also lists the likely sources of
contamination of storm water that are associated with this activity.
The third column of the table lists the pollutants or the indicator
parameters for the pollutants which may be present in the storm water
discharges associated with the industrial activity. The table is
limited to the industrial activities which are commonly exposed to
storm water. Industrial activities which predominantly occur indoors,
such as glass forming, are not listed in Table E-1.
Table E-1.--Potential Sources of Pollutants in Storm Water Discharges Associated With Glass, Clay, Cement,
Concrete, and Gypsum Manufacturing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity Pollutant source Pollutants/indicators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Material Storage at Glass Exposed or spilled: sand, soda ash, limestone, TSS, COD, oil and grease, pH,
Manufacturing Facilities. cullet, and petroleum products. lead.
Materials Storage at Clay Exposed: ceramic parts, pryophyllite ore, shale, TSS, pH, COD, oil and grease,
Products Manufacturing ball clay, fire clay, kaolin, tile, silica, aluminum, lead, zinc.
Facilities. graphite, coke, coal, brick, sawdust, waste oil,
and used solvents.
Material Handling at Clay Exposed: ceramic parts, liquid chemicals, TSS, pH, oil and grease, TKN,
Products Manufacturing ammonia, waste oil, used solvents, pryophyllite COD, BOD, aluminum, lead,
Facilities Including: Loading/ ore, shale, ball clay, fire clay, kaolin, tile, zinc.
Unloading. alumina, silica, graphite, coke, coal, olivine,
magnesite magnesium carbonate, brick, sawdust,
and wooden pallets.
Forming/Drying Clay Products.. Clay, shale, slag, cement, and lime.............. TSS, pH.
Material Storage at Cement Exposed: kiln dust, limestone, shale, coal, TSS, pH, COD, potassium,
Manufacturing Facilities. clinker, gypsum, clay, slag, and sand. sulfate.
Material Handling at Cement Exposed: kiln dust, limestone, shale, coal, TSS, pH, COD, potassium,
Manufacturing Facilities. clinker, gypsum, clay, slag, anhydrite, and sand. sulfate, oil and grease.
Crushing/Grinding at Cement Settled dust and ground limestone, cement, oyster TSS, pH.
Manufacturing Facilities. shell, chalk, and clinker.
Material Storage at Concrete Exposed: aggregate (sand and gravel), concrete, TSS, COD, pH.
Product Manufacturing shale, clay, limestone, slate, slag, and pumice.
Facilities.
[[Page 50870]]
Material Handling at Concrete Exposed: aggregate, concrete, shale, clay, slate, TSS, COD, pH, lead, iron,
Product Manufacturing slag, pumice, and limestone as well as spills or zinc.
Facilities. leaks of cement, fly ash, admixtures and
baghouse settled dust.
Mixing Concrete............... Spilled: aggregate, cement, and admixture........ TSS, pH, COD, lead, iron
zinc.
Casting/Forming Concrete Concrete, aggregate, form release agents, TSS, pH, oil and grease, COD,
Products. reinforcing steel, latex sealants, and BOD.
bitumastic coatings.
Vehicle and Equipment Washing Residual: aggregate, concrete, admixture, oil and TSS, pH, COD, oil and grease.
at Concrete Product grease.
Manufacturing Facilities.
Crushing/Grinding of Gypsum Exposed or spilled: gypsum rock and dust......... TSS, pH.
Rock.
Material Storage at Gypsum Exposed: gypsum rock, synthetic gypsum, recycled TSS, COD, pH.
Manufacturing Facilities. gypsum and wallboard, stucco, perlite ore/
expanded perlite, and coal.
Material Handling at Gypsum Exposed or spilled: gypsum rock, synthetic TSS, pH, COD.
Manufacturing Facilities gypsum, recycled gypsum and wallboard, stucco,
(including bagging and perlite ore/expanded perlite, and coal.
packaging).
Equipment/Vehicle Maintenance. Gasoline, diesel, fuel, and fuel oil............. Oil and grease, BOD, COD.
Parts cleaning................................... COD, BOD, oil and grease, pH.
Waste disposal of solvents, oily rags, oil and Oil and grease, lead, iron,
gas filters, batteries, coolants, and degreasers. zinc, aluminum, COD, pH.
Fluid replacement including lubricating fluids, Oil and grease, arsenic,
hydraulic fluid, oil, transmission fluid, lead, cadmium, chromium,
radiator fluids, solvents, and grease. COD, and benzene.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The activities common to the facilities covered under Part XI.E. of
today's permit are material storage and material handling operations.
All facilities covered under this section handle and store nonmetallic
minerals. These minerals are typically loaded and unloaded in areas of
the site that are exposed to storm water. The minerals are often stored
outdoors until they are utilized in the industrial processes. Handling
and storing these minerals outdoors may result in the discharge of a
portion of the materials in storm water runoff. The presence of the
nonmetallic minerals in the storm water is measured by the total
suspended solids (TSS) test. Many of the minerals processed by the
facilities are calcareous, such as limestone or chalk. The presence of
these materials can elevate the pH of the storm water discharged from
the site.
Vehicle fueling, repair, maintenance and cleaning occurs at many
facilities covered under this section. Facilities will fuel, repair and
maintain vehicles used to transport significant materials to, from or
around the facility. Facilities may also perform maintenance on process
or material handling equipment such as mixers or conveyors. The
fueling, maintenance and repair activities may result in leaks or
spills of oil from the vehicles and equipment. The spilled material may
be carried off of the site in the storm water discharge.
Ready mix concrete facilities will frequently wash out the mixers
of the trucks after concrete has been delivered to a job site. The wash
out water contains unhardened concrete. Facilities will often wash down
the exterior of their vehicles. The wash off water may contain cement,
sand, gravel, clay, or other materials. The wash water from the
vehicles should be either treated and discharged from the site through
a sanitary sewer or NPDES permitted discharge or collected in a recycle
pond where the heavy solids settle out and the water is recycled back
to be used in the plant. Pollutants from the wash water may settle out
on the site before it is treated or recycled. These pollutants may come
into contact with storm water and be discharged from the site.
Based on the wide variety of industrial activities and significant
materials at the facilities included in this sector, EPA believes it is
appropriate to divide the glass, clay, cement concrete and gypsum
product industry into subsectors to properly analyze sampling data and
determine monitoring requirements. As a result, this sector has been
divided into the following subsectors: manufacturers of flat glass,
glass and glassware, pressed or blown glass products made of purchased
glass; hydraulic cement manufacturers; manufacturers of clay products,
pottery and related products (including nonclay refractories); and
concrete, gypsum and plaster product manufacturers (including ground
minerals and earth). Tables E-2, E-3, E-4 and E-5 below include data
for the eight pollutants that all facilities were required to monitor
for under Form 2F. The tables also list those parameters that EPA has
determined merit further monitoring.
Table E-2.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Flat Glass, Glass and Glassware, Pressed or Blown Glass Products Made of Purchased Glass Manufacturing Facilities Submitting Part II
Sampling Datai (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. of No. of samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th percentile 99th percentile
facilities -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant Sample type ------------------
Grab Compii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD5................................ 9 9 17 17 9.4 7.76 0.0 0.0 45.0 16.0 5.0 7.0 27.8 17.56 49.5 25.01
COD................................. 9 9 17 17 84.6 95.81 14.0 7.0 317.0 512.0 56.0 51.0 245.3 307.6 440.7 605.3
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen.......... 9 9 17 17 0.99 0.87 0.00 0.0 7.21 4.79 0.56 0.55 2.76 3.01 5.23 6.20
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen............. 9 9 17 17 2.01 1.73 0.67 0.0 4.92 4.47 1.50 1.80 4.42 4.44 6.58 6.82
Oil & Grease........................ 9 N/A 16 N/A 2.7 N/A 0.0 N/A 29.0 N/A 0.0 N/A 15.4 N/A 49.5 N/A
pH.................................. 9 N/A 18 N/A N/A N/A 4.6 N/A 9.8 N/A 7.9 N/A 10.5 N/A 11.8 N/A
Total Phosphorus.................... 9 9 17 17 0.39 0.31 0.10 0.0 1.50 0.83 0.33 0.23 0.91 0.71 1.43 1.06
[[Page 50871]]
Total Suspended Solids.............. 9 9 17 17 60 110.6 6 0.0 230 800 40 19.0 215 450 453 1314
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
Table E-3.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Hydraulic Cement Manufacturing Facilities Submitting Part II Sampling Datai (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. of facilities No. of samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th percentile 99th percentile
Pollutant Sample type -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grab Compii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD5.................. 4 4 7 7 7.8 5.3 0.0 0.0 40.2 27.0 0.0 0.0 42.5 27.99 95.2 60.6
COD................... 4 4 7 7 277.3 55.2 0.0 15.0 1411.0 136.0 38.8 40.0 1350.7 173.0 4198.2 323.1
Nitrate + Nitrite
Nitrogen............. 4 4 7 7 0.78 3.40 0.23 0.10 1.77 17.5 0.66 0.67 1.82 15.44 2.75 49.7
Total Kjeldahl
Nitrogen............. 4 4 7 7 1.85 1.16 0.00 0.0 7.15 2.81 0.56 1.03 12.77 5.20 41.07 11.15
Oil & Grease.......... 4 N/A 7 N/A 1.5 N/A 0.0 N/A 5.0 N/A 0.0 N/A 9.6 N/A 22.8 N/A
pH.................... 4 N/A 6 N/A N/A N/A 7.2 N/A 11.2 N/A 8.1 N/A 12.3 N/A 14.2 N/A
Total Phosphorus...... 4 4 7 7 1.00 0.18 0.00 0.01 3.88 0.53 0.16 0.05 18.43 1.14 143.86 3.72
Total Suspended Solids 4 4 7 7 2528 300.6 10 6.0 17085 1368 82 57 7499 1709 40323 6791
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
Table E-4.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Structural Clay Products, Pottery, and Related Products Manufacturing Facilities Submitting Part II Sampling Datai (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. of No. of samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th percentile 99th percentile
facilities ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant Sample type ------------------
Grab Compii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD5........................... 18 18 23 22 10.4 10.7 0.0 0.0 47.0 42.0 9.3 9.1 30.2 32.3 50.2 54.32
COD............................ 18 18 23 22 91.1 77.9 0.0 0.0 620.0 420.0 39.0 37.5 324.3 273.7 703.1 592.4
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen..... 16 16 21 20 0.76 0.76 0.00 0.00 1.80 2.30 0.40 0.56 2.53 2.20 4.65 3.75
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen........ 18 18 23 22 1.93 1.40 0.00 0.00 13.00 6.70 1.10 0.82 6.02 4.94 10.59 9.06
Oil & Grease................... 18 N/A 23 N/A 1.46 N/A 0.00 N/A 9.0 N/A 0.0 N/A 7.9 N/A 17.6 N/A
pH............................. 18 N/A 23 N/A N/A N/A 5.0 N/A 9.0 N/A 7.0 N/A 9.2 N/A 10.1 N/A
Total Phosphorus............... 16 16 21 20 0.31 0.28 0.00 0.0 1.70 1.42 0.12 0.14 1.22 1.14 2.75 2.43
Total Suspended Solids......... 18 18 23 22 177 203 4 0.0 1300 1440 73 50 747 1065 2055 3745
Aluminum....................... 8 8 8 8 3.96 6.48 0.3 0 14 42 2.7 1.1 16.51 24.18 37.73 74.09
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
Table E-5.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Concrete, Gypsum and Plaster Products Manufacturing Facilities Submitting Part II Sampling Datai (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. of No. of samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th percentile 99th percentile
facilities --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant Sample type ------------------
Grab Compii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD5....................... 155 153 211 207 14.0 5.84 0.0 0.0 1300.0 74.0 4.0 3.4 33.5 19.4 71.0 35.9
COD........................ 156 154 213 208 81.6 62.4 0.0 0.0 700.0 510.0 51.0 43.5 251.6 190.8 472.7 350.6
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen. 147 145 203 198 1.27 0.85 0.00 0.0 48.00 22.20 0.57 0.52 4.16 2.91 9.45 6.05
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen.... 147 144 204 198 2.45 1.39 0.00 0.0 101.00 17.30 1.20 1.00 6.21 3.91 12.08 6.87
Oil & Grease............... 157 N/A 214 N/A 4.6 N/A 0.0 N/A 130.0 N/A 1.4 N/A 15.5 N/A 34.5 N/A
pH......................... 146 N/A 199 N/A N/A N/A 2.0 N/A 12.3 N/A 8.9 N/A 12.1 N/A 13.8 N/A
Total Phosphorus........... 156 153 213 207 1.00 0.74 0.00 0.00 18.00 10.70 0.30 0.25 3.54 2.60 9.61 6.51
Total Suspended Solids..... 154 154 211 208 1322 374.5 0 0.0 61000 3340 250 170 3872 1724 12482 4636
Iron....................... 8 8 8 8 10.4 7.1 0.2 1 29 14 5.4 6.5 72.2 23.1 224.3 41.9
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants
There are a number of options for eliminating or minimizing the
presence of pollutants in storm water discharges from glass, clay,
cement or concrete product manufacturing facilities. In evaluating the
options for controlling pollutants in the storm water discharges
associated with the industrial activities
[[Page 50872]]
covered under this section, EPA must comply with the requirements of
Section 402(p)(3) of the Clean Water Act which require the compliance
with the Best Available Technology (BAT) and Best Conventional
Technology (BCT).
EPA believes that it is infeasible to develop effluent limitations
for storm water discharges associated with glass, clay, cement, or
concrete manufacturing beyond those already established in the Effluent
Limitation Guidelines. There are significant variations from site to
site on the industrial activity and significant materials exposed to
storm water. The data collected to date is inadequate to characterize
these variations. Therefore, EPA believes that the requirement for a
facility operator to develop a pollution prevention plan which
considers the specific conditions at his or her site satisfies the BAT/
BCT requirements. The pollution prevention plan will call for the
implementation of best management practices that minimize contact
between the storm water and pollutant sources or which remove
pollutants from the storm water before it is discharged from the site.
Table E-6 lists the pollution prevention measures or best management
practices which are most applicable to facilities classified in major
SIC Group 32. The table is organized by the specific industrial
activities which may introduce pollutants to storm water. The right
column lists corresponding BMPs which may be considered.
Table E-6.--Measures to Control Pollutants in Storm Water Discharges
From Glass, Clay, Cement, Concrete, and Gypsum Facilities i
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity Associated BMPs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Storing dry bulk Store materials in an enclosed silo or
materials including: building.
sand, gravel, clay,
cement, fly ash, kiln
dust, and gypsum.
Cover material storage piles with a tarp or
awning.
Divert runon around storage areas using
curbs, dikes, diversion swales or positive
drainage away from the storage piles.
Install sediment basins, silt fence,
vegetated filter strips, or other sediment
removal measures downstream/downslope.
Only store washed sand and gravel outdoors.
Handling bulk materials Use dust collection systems (e.g., bag
including: sand, gravel, houses) to collect airborne particles
clay, cement, fly ash, generated as a result of handling
kiln dust, and gypsum. operations.
Remove spilled material and settled dust from
paved portions of the facility by shoveling
and sweeping on a regular basis.
Periodically clean material handling
equipment and vehicles to remove accumulated
dust and residue.
Install sediment basins, silt fence,
vegetated filter strips, or other sediment
removal measures downstream/downslope.
Mixing operations........ Use dust collection systems (e.g., bag
houses) to collect airborne particles
generated as a result of mixing operations.
Remove spilled material and settled dust from
the mixing area by shoveling and sweeping on
a regular basis.
Clean exposed mixing equipment after mixing
operations are complete.
Install sediment basins, silt fence,
vegetated filter strips, or other sediment
removal measures downstream/downslope.
Vehicle and equipment Designate vehicle and equipment wash areas
washing. that drain to recycle ponds or process
wastewater treatment systems.
Train employees on proper procedure for
washing vehicles and equipment including a
discussion of the appropriate location for
vehicle washing.
Conduct vehicle washing operation indoors or
in a covered area.
Clean wash water residue from portions of the
site that drain to storm water discharges.
Dust Collection.......... Maintain dust collection system and baghouse.
Properly remove and recycle or dispose of
collected dust to minimize exposure of
collected dust to.
Pouring and curing pre- Pour and cure precast products in a covered
cast concrete products. area.
Clean forms before storing outdoors.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
i From ``Storm Water Management for Industrial Activities: Developing
Pollution Prevention Plans and Best Management Practices,'' (EPA 832-R-
92-006) EPA, 1992, and proposed pollution prevention plans submitted
by group applicants.
In addition to the activity-specific best management practices
listed in Table E-6 above, there are structural practices that may be
effective in reducing the pollutants found in the storm water
discharges from facilities in Major SIC Group 32. This section does not
specifically require that these structural measures be installed;
however, the permittee must consider measures such as these at the
facility. The structural measures include: vegetative filter strips,
grassed swales, detention ponds, retention ponds or recycle ponds.
These structural measures remove pollutants from the storm water which
is carrying them off site. The measures listed above are effective in
removing the heavy suspended solids which are common in the storm water
discharges from clay, cement, concrete, and gypsum facilities.
Vegetated filter strips are gently sloped areas covered with either
natural or planted vegetation. Vegetated filter strips remove
pollutants from storm water by a filtering action. Vegetated filter
strips can be located along the down slope perimeter of the industrial
activity but not in areas of concentrated flow. Grassed swales are
similar to vegetated filter strips. Within Major SIC Group 32, four
percent of the designated sampling facilities indicated in their part 1
group applications that they had vegetated filter strips at their
facilities. Grassed swales also remove pollutants from storm water
flows by a filtering action. A grassed swale consists of a broad, grass
lined ditch or swale with gradual slopes or check dams to reduce the
velocity of flow. Unlike vegetated filter strips, grassed swales can
remove pollutants from concentrated storm water runoff. Over 13 percent
of the
[[Page 50873]]
designated samplers in Major SIC Group 32 indicated that there were
grass lined swales at their facility.
Retention ponds and detention ponds are storm water management
measures used to control the quantity and quality of storm water
discharged from a site. A detention pond is a pond which temporarily
detains the storm water discharged from an area. While detained in the
pond, the heavy suspended particles in the storm water settle to the
bottom of the pond. The result is a discharge from the detention pond
with a TSS concentration which is lower than the influent concentration
to the pond. Retention ponds retain the storm water within the pond
with no discharge except for when extreme rainfall events occur. The
water collected in the retention pond either evaporates, infiltrates,
or is used as process water on site. Twenty seven percent of the
designated samplers in Major SIC Group 32 indicated that there was a
pond on their site which was used as a storm water management measure.
4. Special Conditions
a. Prohibition of Non-storm Water Discharges. The prohibited non-
storm water discharges under this section are the same as those
described under section V1.B.2 of this fact sheet with one exception.
Part XI.E.2. of today's permit clarifies that the discharges of
pavement washwaters from facilities covered under Part XI.E. of the
permit are authorized under this section after the accumulated fly ash,
cement, aggregate, kiln dust, clay, concrete or other dry significant
materials handled at the facility have been removed from the pavement
by sweeping, vacuuming, combination thereof or other equivalent
measures, or the washwaters are conveyed into a BMP designed to remove
solids prior to discharge, such as sediments basins, retention basins,
and other equivalent measures. Where practicable pavement washwater
shall be directed to process wastewater treatment or recycling systems.
The clarification is made for this sector because EPA believes that a
primary source of pollutants in the storm water discharges from
facilities covered under this sector are spilled materials or settled
dust from material handling processes. A primary focus of the pollution
prevention plan requirements for these industries are good housekeeping
measures, in particular, sweeping the paved portions of the site
surrounding the material handling areas. Washing the paved areas
without first sweeping or otherwise removing the accumulated solids may
result in the discharge of these pollutants in the washwater unless the
washwater is contained onsite or otherwise collected without discharge.
5. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
a. Contents of the Plan.
(1) Description of Potential Pollutant Sources. All facilities
covered by today's permit must prepare a description of the potential
pollutant sources at the facility which complies with the common
requirements described in Part VI.C.2. of this fact sheet. In addition
to these requirements, facilities covered by this section must provide
the following additional information in their pollution prevention
plan.
Facilities covered under Part XI.E. of today's permit must identify
on the site map the location of any: bag house or other air pollution
control device; any sedimentation or process waste water recycling pond
and the areas which drain to the pond. The location of the bag house or
air pollution control equipment is required because this equipment
stores the particulates or dust that are removed from the air in and
around the material handling equipment. There is a potential that the
collected dust or particulates could come into contact with storm
water. Therefore the site map must indicate the location of this
potential source. The site map for the facility must clearly indicate
the portion of the facility which drains to sedimentation or recycle
ponds that receive process wastewater. This information is necessary to
illustrate the portion of the site where runoff is already controlled.
The site map must also indicate the outfall locations and the types of
discharges contained in the drainage areas of the outfalls (e.g. storm
water and air conditioner condensate). In order to increase the
readability of the map, the inventory of the types of discharges
contained in each outfall may be kept as an attachment to the site map.
The site map for these facilities must also indicate the portion of the
site where regular sweeping or other equivalent good housekeeping
measures will be implemented to prevent the accumulation of spilled
materials or settled dust.
(2) Measures and Controls. Part VI.C.3. of today's fact sheet
describes a number of measures and controls which are effective in
controlling the discharge of pollutants in storm water discharged from
a number of types of industrial activities including those facilities
in Major SIC Group 32. The following section describes BMPs which EPA
believes are particularly effective in controlling the pollutants
discharged from glass, clay, cement, concrete or gypsum manufacturing
facilities. Facilities covered under Part XI.E. are required to
consider each of these BMPs or its equivalent in their pollution
prevention plan.
(a) Good Housekeeping--Today's permit requires that the pollution
prevention plans for facilities covered under this section must
specifically address measures to minimize the discharge of spilled
cement, sand, kiln dust, fly ash, settled dust or other significant
materials in storm water from paved portions of the site that are
exposed to storm water. Measures used to minimize the presence of these
materials may include regular sweeping, or other equivalent measures.
The plan shall indicate the frequency of sweeping or other measures.
The frequency shall be determined based upon consideration of the
amount of industrial activity occurring in the area and frequency of
precipitation. This requirement is established in an effort to minimize
the discharge of solids from these types of facilities. Sweeping to
prevent the discharge of solids must be considered in the pollution
prevention plan because it is a cost effective measure well suited to
the dry, granular, and powder-like materials used at the facilities
covered under this section.
This section also requires that facilities minimize the exposure of
fine solids such as cement, fly ash, baghouse dust, and kiln dust to
storm water. The pollution prevention plan shall consider storing these
materials in enclosed silos, hoppers, or other containers, in
buildings, or in covered areas of the facility. Fine solids are a
particular concern because the small particles are readily suspended by
storm water and carried off of the site.
(b) Preventative Maintenance--There are no additional preventative
maintenance requirements beyond these described in Part VI.C.3 of this
fact sheet.
(c) Spill Prevention and Response--There are no additional spill
prevention and response requirements for facilities in the glass, clay,
cement, concrete or gypsum products industries beyond those described
in Part VI.C.3.c. of this fact sheet.
(d) Inspections--Facilities in the glass, clay, cement, concrete,
and gypsum products industries are required to conduct self inspections
at a frequency which they determine to be adequate to ensure proper
implementation of their pollution prevention plan, but not less
frequently than once per month. Monthly inspections are necessary for
the facility to be able to assess the effectiveness of
[[Page 50874]]
the pollution prevention plan. Less frequent inspections may allow
facilities to delay inspections until after periods of high activity
when the greatest potential for exposure of materials occurs. This
section requires that the inspections take place while the facility is
in operation because this is the only time when potential pollutant
sources (such as malfunctioning dust control equipment or non-storm
water discharges from equipment washing operations) may be evident. The
inspectors must observe several portions of the site which EPA believes
are potential sources of pollutants in storm water including: material
handling areas, above ground storage tanks, hoppers or silos, dust
collection/containment systems, vehicle washing, and equipment cleaning
areas.
(e) Employee Training--In addition to the requirements described in
Part VI.C.3.e. of this fact sheet, the pollution prevention plan
training requirements for facilities in the glass, clay, cement,
concrete, and gypsum industries require that the employee training
program address procedures for equipment and vehicle washing. This is
because these are common activities in these industries which result in
process wastewater which may be discharged into the storm water
conveyance system. Training programs should focus on where and how
equipment should be cleaned at the facility so that there will be no
unpermitted discharge of wash water to the storm water conveyance
system. EPA recommends that facilities conduct training annually at a
minimum. However, more frequent training may be necessary at facilities
with high turnover of employees or where employee participation is
essential to the storm water pollution prevention plan.
(f) Recordkeeping and Internal Reporting Procedures--There are no
additional recordkeeping and internal reporting procedure requirements
for facilities in the stone, clay, glass or concrete products
industries beyond than those described in Part VI.C.3.f. of this fact
sheet.
(g) Non-storm Water Discharges--There are no additional non-storm
water discharge certification requirements for facilities in the stone,
clay, glass or concrete products industries beyond those described in
Part VI.C.2.d. of this fact sheet with the exception of facilities
engaged in production of concrete products. These facilities must
include in the certification a description of measures which insure
that process wastewater which results from washing of trucks, mixers,
transport buckets, forms or other equipment are discharged in
accordance with NPDES requirements or are recycled. These nonprocess
wastewater discharges are common to this industry. However, these
discharges are not eligible for coverage under this section and it is
necessary to assess the facility for the presence of these discharges
so that steps may be taken to eliminate the discharges or to cover the
process discharges with a separate permit.
A number of facilities in the concrete products industry maintain
wash water recycle/retention ponds which receive the process wastewater
from equipment cleaning and other operations. These ponds may also
receive a portion or all of the runoff from the industrial site. These
facilities are required to provide an estimate of the depth of the 24-
hour duration storm event that would be required to cause the recycle/
retention pond to overflow and discharge to the waters of the United
States. Methods to make this estimate can include, but are not limited
to, the original design calculations for the recycle/retention pond or
historical observation.
(h) Sediment and Erosion Control--There are no additional sediment
and erosion control requirements for facilities in the stone, clay,
glass, or concrete products industries beyond those described in Part
VI.C.3.g. of this fact sheet.
(i) Management of Runoff--There are no additional requirements for
management of runoff at facilities in the stone, clay, glass, or
concrete products industries beyond than those described in Part
VI.C.3.h. of this fact sheet.
(3) Comprehensive Site Compliance Evaluation. Facilities in the
glass, clay, cement, concrete, and gypsum product sector must perform
an annual site compliance evaluation as described in Part VI.C.4. of
this fact sheet. For facilities in the concrete product manufacturing
industries, the evaluation must specifically address the following
portions of the site: above ground storage tanks, hoppers or silos;
dust collection/containment systems; truck wash down; and equipment
cleaning areas. Because these areas are the most likely sources of
pollutants, these portions of the site must be thoroughly evaluated.
6. Numeric Effluent Limitations
Part XI.E.4. of today's permit establishes numeric effluent
limitations for storm water discharges from storage areas for materials
used or produced at cement manufacturing facilities. Discharges from
these areas may not exceed a maximum TSS concentration of 50 mg/L. The
pH of the discharges from these areas must be within the range of 6.0
to 9.0. Untreated discharges from the facility which are a result of a
storm with a rainfall depth greater than the 10-year, 24-hour storm
event are not subject to this limitation. These effluent limitations
are in accordance with 40 CFR 411.32 and 40 CFR 411.37. Effluent
Guidelines and Standards, Cement Manufacturing Point Source Category,
Materials Storage Piles Runoff Subcategory. These limitations represent
the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of best
practicable control technology and best conventional pollutant control
technology. Dischargers subject to these numeric effluent limitations
must be in compliance with the limits upon commencement of and for the
entire term of this permit. Discharges that are associated with
industrial activities that do not contain runoff from material storage
areas at cement manufacturing facilities are not subject to the
effluent limitation described above.
7. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
a. Analytical Monitoring Requirements. EPA believes that glass,
clay, cement, concrete, and gypsum product manufacturing may reduce the
level of pollutants in storm water runoff from their sites through the
development and proper implementation of the storm water pollution
prevention plan requirements discussed in today's permit. In order to
provide a tool for evaluating the effectiveness of the pollution
prevention plan, requires two of the four subsectors within the glass,
clay, cement, concrete and gypsum product manufacturing sector to
perform analytical monitoring.
The clay product subsector includes brick and structural clay tile
manufacturers (SIC 3251), ceramic wall and floor tile manufacturers
(SIC 3253), clay refractories (SIC 3255), manufacturers of structural
clay products, not elsewhere classified (SIC 3259), manufacturers of
vitreous china table and kitchen articles (SIC 3232), manufacturers of
fine earthenware table and kitchen articles (SIC 3263), manufacturers
of porcelain electrical supplies (SIC 3264), pottery products (SIC
3269) and non-clay refractories (3297). Data submitted by group
applicants within this subsector show that a significant portion of the
facilities discharge aluminum concentrations higher than bench mark
values. Therefore facilities with these industrial activities must
monitor for the pollutant identified in Table E-7.
The concrete and gypsum subsector includes concrete block and brick
manufacturers (SIC 3271), concrete
[[Page 50875]]
products manufacturers (SIC 3272), ready mix concrete manufacturers
(SIC 3273), gypsum product manufacturers (SIC 3275) and manufacturers
of mineral and earth products (SIC 3295). Data submitted by group
applicants within this subsector show that a significant portion of the
facilities discharge total suspended solids and iron in concentrations
higher than bench mark values. Therefore facilities with these
industrial activities must monitor for pollutants identified in Table
E-8.
The glass product subsector includes flat glass manufacturers (SIC
3211), glass container manufacturers (SIC 3221), pressed and blown
glass and glassware manufacturer (SIC 3229), and manufacturers of glass
products made of purchased glass (SIC 3231). Monitoring data submitted
by facilities within this subsector do not indicate that these
facilities are likely to discharge storm water with pollutant
concentrations greater than the bench marks. Therefore, this sector is
not subject to analytical monitoring requirements under this permit.
The cement manufacturing subsector includes manufacturers of
hydraulic cement (SIC 3241). This subsector is not subject to the
analytical monitoring requirements under Section XI.E.5.a this permit.
However, because these facilities are subject to numerical effluent
limitations they are subject to compliance monitoring described in
section XI.E.5.d of the permit.
At a minimum, storm water discharges from clay and gypsum, and
concrete product manufacturing must be monitored quarterly (January
through March, April through June, July through September and October
through December) during the second year of permit coverage. At the end
of the second year of permit coverage, a facility must calculate the
average concentration for each parameter listed in Tables E-7 and E-8.
If the permittee collects more than four samples in this period, then
they must calculate an average concentration for all parameters
analyzed, not simply a minimum of four selected analysis.
Table E-7.--Clay Product Industry Monitoring Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut-off
Pollutants of concern concentration
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Recoverable Aluminum............................... 0.75 mg/L.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table E-8.--Concrete and Gypsum Product Industry Monitoring Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut-off
Pollutants of concern concentration
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)............................. 100 mg/L.
Total Recoverable Iron................................... 1.0 mg/L.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If the average concentration for a parameter is less than or equal
to the value listed in Tables E-7 or E-8, then the permittee is not
required to conduct quantitative analysis for that parameter during the
fourth year of the permit. If, however, the average concentration for a
parameter is greater than the cut-off concentration listed in Tables E-
7 or E-8, then the permittee is required to conduct quarterly (in the
same quarterly periods listed above) monitoring for that parameter
during the fourth year of permit coverage. Monitoring is not required
during the first, third, and fifth year of the permit. The exclusion
from monitoring in the fourth year of the permit is conditional on the
facility maintaining industrial operations and BMPs that will ensure a
quality of storm water discharges consistent with the average
concentrations recorded during the second year of the permit.
Table E-9.--Schedule of Monitoring
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Year of Permit Coverage............. Conduct quarterly monitoring.
Calculate the average concentration for all parameters
analyzed during this period.
If average concentration is greater than the value listed in
Table E-7 or E-8, then quarterly sampling is required during the
fourth year of the permit.
If average concentration is less than or equal to the value
listed in Table E-7 or E-8, then no further sampling is required for
that parameter.
4th Year of Permit Coverage............. Conduct quarterly monitoring for any parameter where the
average concentration in year 2 of the permit is greater than the
value listed in Table E-7 or E-8.
If industrial activities or the pollution prevention plan
have been altered such that storm water discharges may be adversely
affected, quarterly monitoring is required for all parameters of
concern.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In cases where the average concentration of a parameter exceeds the
cut-off concentration, EPA expects permittees to place special emphasis
on methods for reducing the presence of those parameters in storm water
discharges. Quarterly monitoring in the fourth year of the permit will
reassess the effectiveness of the adjusted pollution prevention plan.
EPA realizes that if a facility is inactive and unstaffed it may be
difficult to collect storm water discharge samples when a qualifying
event occurs. Today's final permit has been revised so that inactive,
unstaffed facilities can exercise a waiver of the requirement to
conduct quarterly chemical sampling.
b. Alternative Certification. Throughout today's permit, there are
monitoring requirements for facilities which the Agency believes have
the potential for contributing significant levels of pollutants to
storm water discharges. The alternative described below is necessary to
ensure that monitoring requirements are only imposed on those
facilities that do, in fact, have storm water discharges containing
pollutants at concentrations of concern. EPA has determined that if
materials and activities are not exposed to storm water at the site,
then the potential for pollutants to contaminate storm water discharges
does not warrant monitoring.
Therefore, a discharger is not subject to the monitoring
requirements of this Part provided the discharger makes a certification
for a given outfall, or on a pollutant-by-pollutant basis, in lieu of
sampling required under Part XI E.5 of today's permit, that material
handling equipment or activities, raw materials, intermediate products,
final products, waste materials, by-products, industrial machinery or
operations, significant materials from past industrial activity that
are located in areas of the facility that are within the drainage area
of the outfall are not presently exposed to storm water and will not be
exposed to storm water for the certification period. Such certification
must be retained in the storm water pollution prevention plan and
submitted to EPA in lieu of monitoring reports required under Part XI
E.5.b. The permittee is required to
[[Page 50876]]
complete any and all sampling until the exposure is eliminated. If the
facility is reporting for a partial year, the permittee must specify
the exposure was eliminated. If the permittee is certifying that a
pollutant was present for part of the reporting period, nothing
relieves the permittee from the responsibility to sample that parameter
up until the exposure was eliminated and it was determined that no
significant materials remained.
This certification is not to be confused with the low concentration
sampling waiver. The test for the application of this certification is
whether the pollutant is exposed, or can be expected to be present in
the storm water discharge. If the facility does not and has not used a
parameter, or if exposure is eliminated and no significant materials
remain, then the facility can exercise this certification. In the case
of certifying that a pollutant is not present, the permittee must
submit the certification along with the monitoring reports required
under paragraph (b) below. If the permittee cannot certify for an
entire period, they must submit the date exposure was eliminated and
any monitoring required up until that date. This certification option
is not applicable to compliance monitoring requirements associated with
effluent limitations. EPA does not expect facilities to be able to
exercise this certification for indicator parameters, such as TSS and
BOD.
c. Reporting Requirements. Permittees are required to submit all
monitoring results obtained during the second and fourth year of permit
coverage within 3 months of the conclusion of each year. For each
outfall, one signed Discharge Monitoring Report Form must be submitted
per storm event sampled. For facilities conducting monitoring beyond
the minimum quarterly requirements an additional Discharge Monitoring
Report Form must be filed for each analysis.
d. Sample Type. All discharge data shall be reported for grab
samples. All such samples shall be collected from the discharge
resulting from a storm event that is greater than 0.1 inches in
magnitude and that occurs at least 72 hours from the previously
measurable (greater than 0.1 inch rainfall) storm event. The required
72-hour storm event interval is waived where the preceding measurable
storm event did not result in a measurable discharge from the facility.
The required 72-hour storm event interval may also be waived where the
permittee documents that less than a 72-hour interval is representative
for local storm events during the season when sampling is being
conducted. The grab sample shall be taken during the first 30 minutes
of the discharge. If the collection of a grab sample during the first
30 minutes is impracticable, a grab sample can be taken during the
first hour of the discharge, and the discharger shall submit with the
monitoring report a description of why a grab sample during the first
30 minutes was impracticable.
If storm water discharges associated with industrial activity
commingle with process or nonprocess water, then where practicable
permittees must attempt to sample the storm water discharge before it
mixes with the non-storm water discharge.
e. Representative Discharge. When a facility has two or more
outfalls that, based on a consideration of industrial activity,
significant materials, and management practices and activities within
the area drained by the outfall, the permittee reasonably believes
discharge substantially identical effluents, the permittee may test the
effluent of one of such outfalls and report that the quantitative data
also applies to the substantially identical outfall(s) provided that
the permittee includes in the storm water pollution prevention plan a
description of the location of the outfalls and explains in detail why
the outfalls are expected to discharge substantially identical
effluent. In addition, for each outfall that the permittee believes is
representative, an estimate of the size of the drainage area (in square
feet) and an estimate of the runoff coefficient of the drainage area
(e.g., low (under 40 percent), medium (40 to 65 percent), or high
(above 65 percent)) shall be provided in the plan.
f. Quarterly Visual Examination of Storm Water Quality. Quarterly
visual examinations of storm water discharges from each outfall are
required. Note that this requirement applies to all facilities and not
just those subject to the analytical monitoring requirements under Part
VI.E.7. of this fact sheet. The examination must be of a grab sample
collected from each storm water outfall. The examination of storm water
grab samples shall include any observations of color, odor, clarity,
floating solids, settled solids, suspended solids, foam, oil sheen, or
other obvious indicators of storm water pollution. The examination must
be conducted in a well lit area. No analytical tests are required to be
performed on these samples.
The examination must be made at least once every 3 months (January
through March, April through June, July through September, and October
through December) during permit coverage. Examinations shall be made
during daylight unless there is insufficient rainfall or snow-melt to
produce runoff. Whenever practicable, the same individual should carry
out the collection and examination of discharges throughout the life of
the permit to ensure the greatest degree of consistency possible. Grab
samples shall be collected within the first 30 minutes (or as soon
thereafter as practical, but not to exceed 60 minutes) of when the
runoff begins discharging. Reports of the visual examination include:
the examination date and time, examination personnel, visual quality of
the storm water discharge, and probable sources of any observed storm
water contamination. The visual examination reports must be maintained
onsite with the pollution prevention plan.
EPA believes that this quick and simple assessment will allow the
permittee to approximate the effectiveness of his/her plan on a regular
basis at very little cost. Although the visual examination cannot
assess the chemical properties of the storm water discharged from the
site, the examination will provide meaningful results upon which the
facility may act quickly. The frequency of this visual examination will
also allow for timely adjustments to be made to the plan. If BMPs are
performing ineffectively, corrective action must be implemented. A set
of tracking or follow-up procedures must be used to ensure that
appropriate actions are taken in response to the examination. The
visual examination is intended to be performed by members of the
pollution prevention team. This hands-on examination will enhance the
staff's understanding of the storm water problems on that site and the
effects of the management practices that are included in the plan.
When a discharger is unable to collect samples over the course of
the monitoring period as a result of adverse climatic conditions, the
discharger must document the reason for not performing the visual
examination. Adverse weather conditions which may prohibit the
collection of samples include weather conditions that create dangerous
conditions for personnel (such as local flooding, high winds,
hurricane, tornadoes, electrical storms, etc.) or otherwise make the
collection of a sample impracticable (drought, extended frozen
conditions, etc.).
EPA realizes that if a facility is inactive and unstaffed it may be
difficult to collect storm water discharge samples when a qualifying
event occurs. Today's final permit has been revised so that inactive,
unstaffed facilities can exercise a waiver of the requirement to
conduct quarterly visual examination.
[[Page 50877]]
g. Compliance Monitoring Requirements. Today's permit requires
permittees with discharges of runoff from material storage at cement
manufacturing facilities to monitor for the presence of TSS and pH.
These monitoring requirements are necessary to evaluate compliance with
the numeric effluent limitation established for these discharges.
Monitoring shall be performed upon a minimum of one grab sample. All
samples shall be collected from the discharge resulting from a storm
event that is greater than 0.1 inches in magnitude and that occurs at
least 72 hours from the previously measurable (greater than 0.1 inch
rainfall) storm event. The grab sample shall be taken during the first
30 minutes of the discharge. If the collection of a grab sample during
the first 30 minutes is impracticable, a grab sample can be taken
during the first hour of the discharge, and the discharger shall submit
with the monitoring report a description of why a grab sample during
the first 30 minutes was impracticable. Monitoring results shall be
submitted on Discharge Monitoring Report Form(s) postmarked no later
than the 31st day of the month following collection of the sample.
Facilities which discharge through a large or medium municipal separate
storm sewer system (systems serving a population of 100,000 or more)
must also submit signed copies of discharge monitoring reports to the
operator of the municipal separate storm sewer system. Alternative
Certification provisions described in Section VI.E.5 do not apply to
facilities subject to compliance monitoring requirements in this
section. Compliance monitoring is required at least annually for
discharges subject to effluent limitations. Therefore, EPA cannot
permit a facility to waive compliance monitoring.
F. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity From
Primary Metals Facilities
1. Discharges Covered Under This Section
On November 16, 1990 (55 FR 47990), the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated the regulatory definition of
``storm water discharges associated with industrial activity.'' This
definition included point source discharges of storm water from 11
categories of industrial facilities. This section of today's permit
includes storm water discharges associated with industrial activity
from primary metals facilities. These facilities are commonly
identified by Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code 33. The SIC
codes eligible for coverage under this section of today's permit
include the following:
a. Steel works, blast furnaces, and rolling and finishing mills,
including: steel wiredrawing and steel nails and spikes; cold-rolled
steel sheet, strip, and bars; and steel pipes and tubes (SIC 331).
b. Iron and steel foundries, including: gray and ductile iron,
malleable iron, steel investment, and steel foundries, not elsewhere
classified (SIC 332).
c. Primary smelting and refining of nonferrous metals, including:
primary smelting and refining of copper and primary production of
aluminum (SIC 333).
d. Secondary smelting and refining of nonferrous metals (SIC 334).
e. Rolling, drawing, and extruding of nonferrous metals, including:
rolling, drawing, and extruding of copper; aluminum extruded products;
rolling, drawing, and extruding of nonferrous metals, except copper and
aluminum; and drawing and insulating of nonferrous wire (SIC 335).
f. Nonferrous foundries (castings), including: aluminum die-
castings, nonferrous die-castings, except aluminum, aluminum foundries,
copper foundries, and nonferrous foundries, except copper and aluminum
(SIC 336).
g. Miscellaneous primary metal products, not elsewhere classified,
including metal heat treating (SIC 339).
Group applications were received from facilities representing each
of the categories of industry eligible for coverage under this section.
A large number of group applications also included facilities
identified by other SIC codes. These facilities may be covered in
whole, or in part, by other sections of today's permit. In other cases,
SIC codes may have been assigned improperly. The special conditions
reflected in this section of today's permit relate to specific
operations taking place at a facility. These operations should be used
as the basis for determining permit requirements appropriate for that
particular facility.
Although there are many activities common to some or all of the
facilities covered by this section, some of the operations discussed
are unique to a particular industry group. Due to the broad range of
activities conducted by facilities in this category, it would be
impossible to identify all activities occurring at facilities covered
by this section. This fact sheet attempts to describe the major
activities representative of many of the facilities addressed by this
section and provides examples of concerns associated with storm water
discharges from primary metals facilities. All materials present and
industrial activities taking place at a facility that have a potential
impact on storm water discharges must be addressed by the facility's
pollution prevention plan, whether or not the material or activity is
specifically addressed by this section.
When an industrial facility, described by the above coverage
provisions of this section, has industrial activities being conducted
onsite that meet the description(s) of industrial activities in another
section(s), that industrial facility shall comply with any and all
applicable monitoring and pollution prevention plan requirements of the
other section(s) in addition to all applicable requirements in this
section. The monitoring and pollution prevention plan terms and
conditions of this multi-sector permit are additive for industrial
activities being conducted at the same industrial facility (co-located
industrial activities). The operator of the facility shall determine
which other monitoring and pollution prevention plan section(s) of this
permit (if any) are applicable to the facility.
2. Industry Profile
Facilities in the primary metals industry conduct a wide range of
activities. The SIC manual lists seven industry groups (three-digit SIC
codes), and 27 industry numbers (four-digit SIC codes) within the
sector. Of these, facilities representing 21 four-digit SIC codes
submitted group applications.
Due to the large number of alternate processes available for many
activities conducted within the primary metals industry it is very
difficult to characterize ``typical'' facilities. Facilities within the
same industry can employ quite dissimilar processes to arrive at a
similar product. Differences can be found in the types of raw
materials, furnaces or ovens, casting processes, the degree of
mechanization, and any finishing operations which may be employed by a
particular facility. Considerable differences can also be seen between
facilities based on their customers needs. Some facilities may operate
as a job shop, providing finished parts to other companies. Other
facilities could conduct more limited operations and pass the product
on to other facilities that provide finishing operations exclusively.
These differences in specific processes, as well as in the general
scale and scope of individual operations can make facilities with the
same or similar SIC codes quite different. Due to the difficulty in
subdividing the industry into distinct facility types, the following
[[Page 50878]]
discussion briefly describes the full range of activities potentially
employed by members of this industry. Despite the substantial diversity
within the industry group, there are a number of general operations
which characterize the majority of industrial processes.
Facilities in the primary metals industry are typically involved in
one or more of the following general operations: raw material storage
and handling; furnace and oven related processes; preparation of molds,
casts, or dies; metal cleaning, treating and finishing; and waste
handling and disposal.
a. Raw Material Storage and Handling Activities. Due to the nature
of the primary metals industry, large quantities of raw materials are
required for many operations. The extent to which these materials are
stored outside exposed to precipitation will depend on the specific
operations taking place at a facility, the size of the operation, as
well as the storage space available that is covered. Some of the most
common materials used are metals, fuels, fluxes, refractories, sand,
and an assortment of solvents, acids, and other chemicals.
The primary raw material for all facilities in the industry is the
source of metal to be used or processed. For steel works, smelters, and
blast furnaces, the raw material could be metallic ores, scrap, dross,
or foundry returns. Foundries may use scrap materials, borings,
turnings, metal ingots, pigs or a mixture of these and other materials.
Rolling mills, heat treaters, and metal finishing operations will
generally use billets, slabs, blooms, bars, pigs or other cast metal
pieces as their primary raw material. These may be produced at another
part of the same facility, or purchased from another source. Some of
these materials may arrive with protective or incidental coatings of
oil, oxides, or other impurities. Due to the large size and volume of
some of these materials they may be stored outside.
Energy sources for facilities within the industry are also quite
varied. While steel mills with coking operations may use coal as the
fuel for firing coke ovens, coal would also be the raw material that
would be converted to coke. Some iron and steel foundries or mini-mills
may use coke as a fuel only, or may use electric arc furnaces for
melting. Smaller foundries (ferrous or nonferrous) may use gas-fired or
electric induction furnaces.
A variety of fluxes are often added to the molten metal to allow
impurities to be removed as slag or dross. In the iron and steel
industry, limestone is probably the most common flux used. Others
include dolomite, soda ash, fluorspar, and calcium carbide. Nonferrous
operations may use other fluxing agents or none at all.
During the melting process, refractories are used to line and
protect the furnaces. These refractories have limited lives and must be
replaced periodically. The life of the refractory will depend on the
type of furnace as well as the material being melted. Some large
furnaces require almost constant patching of the refractory materials
and thus large quantities may be stored for future use.
Another common material used in casting operations is sand. Many
foundries will use sands of different types to produce the molds and
cores for the production of castings. Although some facilities are able
to recycle their sand, others must dispose of some or all of the used
sand and thus require large amounts of fresh sand as a raw material.
There are also a large number of sand additives and binders which may
be used to control the properties of the mold produced. ``Wet'' sand
may contain clay, seacoal, bentonite, wood flour, phenol, iron oxide,
and numerous other acids and chemicals, some of which may be toxic.
Other processes related to finishing operations can require a wide
variety of solvents, chemicals, and acids. Many facilities involved in
cleaning, treating, painting, or other finishing operations may store
these products in tanks or drums which may be exposed to precipitation.
b. Furnace, Rolling, and Finishing Operations. The majority of
processes within the primary metals industry are conducted inside.
These activities include all types of furnace operations, rolling
operations, as well as all kinds of metal finishing activities. Many of
these operations, however, generate significant quantities of
particulate matter which, if not properly controlled, can result in
exposure to precipitation.
There are many different types of furnaces. Each has advantages and
limitations and are used for different types of metals. Facilities may
use coal, coke, or gas fired furnaces as well as electric arc or
induction furnaces.
Coke ovens, or batteries, generally use coal fired furnaces to heat
coal in the absence of oxygen to drive off volatiles. The resultant
product is coke which is subsequently used in other furnace operations.
Blast furnaces are usually operated on a continuous basis with coke,
iron ore, and fluxes charged at the top of a vertical shaft while
molten pig iron and slag are tapped at different levels below.
Sintering plants burn coke breeze (particles too small to use for
charging in cupola or blast furnaces) mixed with iron ore, flue dust,
or other products to fuse them into materials that can then be charged
with regular coke in a furnace. Cupola furnaces are used by ferrous
foundries and operate in essentially the same manner as blast furnaces,
allowing a range of scrap steel and iron to be charged with coke and
fluxes at the top of the furnace.
Basic oxygen process furnaces use a mixture of molten iron and
scrap as the charge. High-purity oxygen is injected into the furnace
where it combines with impurities in the charge materials and provides
heat to melt the charge of scrap.
There are two types of electric furnaces in use. Electric arc
furnaces operate in a batch fashion and are often used by steel mini-
mills. Scrap metal is placed in the furnace along with three electrodes
which provide the energy to melt the charge. Electric induction
furnaces are generally smaller than other types described above and
require that cleaner metals be used.
Gas-fired furnaces are often used by nonferrous foundries. They are
generally small and require relatively clean metals for melting.
One trait that all types of furnaces share is the generation of
significant emissions, including particulate emissions. Blast furnaces,
sintering plants, and cupola furnaces, all fired by coke, have
particularly high particulate emissions. These furnaces are capable of
handling a relatively ``dirty'' charge, with significant impurities
which can lead to a variety of emissions problems. For these reasons,
these types of furnaces will have emissions controls such as baghouses,
wet scrubbers, or electrostatic precipitators. Electric arc furnaces
are also able to melt fairly ``dirty'' scrap and can also have
significant levels of particulate emissions.
At the other end of the spectrum are smaller electric induction and
gas fired furnaces which generally require a very clean charge.
Although this reduces the volume of emissions concerns significantly,
they are also less likely to have as extensive pollution control and
thus fugitive emissions of particulates may be significant.
The effectiveness of emissions control equipment in controlling
particulate generation will depend on the furnace operation, the raw
materials used, the type of control equipment in place, and the degree
to which it is operating properly. Fugitive emissions, faulty or
improperly maintained equipment, and ``dirty'' raw materials can all
contribute to particulate emissions that may not be captured by
pollution control
[[Page 50879]]
equipment, and may be exposed to precipitation.
Another category of operations are rolling, drawing, and extruding
operations. Facilities involved in these operations will often use
furnaces similar to those described above. The metal will often be
heated, and then passed through a series of rollers which alter its'
dimensions, making it longer, flatter, etc. This process generally
involves large amounts of contact cooling water which can contain high
levels of suspended solids and oil and grease.
c. Preparation of Molds, Pouring, Cooling, and Shakeout. Foundry
operations and die-casters will generally prepare the molds, casts, or
dies that will determine the ultimate shape of the product to be
produced. There are a number of possible operations with significant
differences between them. These include sand casting, investment
casing, and die casting.
Sand casting operations involve a number of possible steps and a
range of materials. Casts are shaped in two sections which form the
outside of the part to be produced. Cores can also be used to form
inner surfaces of the parts. A variety of sands may be used and can be
combined with clay and a number of other additives to give the mold the
desired properties. Once the casting has cooled, it is placed on a
vibrating screen which shakes loose the majority of the sand. The
casting is then ready for cleaning and finishing operations. At some
facilities the used sand may be recycled or some or all of the sand may
need to be disposed of and replaced.
Investment casting involves the formation of a wax replica of the
part to be produced, usually in a metal die. A series of wax parts may
be attached to a ``tree.'' Once a tree is completed, it is coated with
a ceramic cast in a series of dipping operations. The wax may then be
removed from the cast in a furnace or the metal can be poured in
directly. As in sand casting, the casting is allowed to cool before the
cast is removed. A separate wax form and ceramic shell must be made for
each part to be produced.
Die-castings employ a more direct route from molten metal to
finished part. A metal die is produced and molten metal in injected
under pressure into it. Once it has cooled, the casting is removed and
is ready for finishing operations. Unlike sand casting or investment
casting, the die can be used over and over to produce more parts.
Like most foundry operations, molds are generally prepared indoors.
There are, however, particulate emissions associated with the pouring
and cooling of molten metal.
d. Metal Cleaning, Treating, and Finishing. Almost all operations
in the primary metals industry result in metal products which require
some degree of finishing. The type of finishing activities undertaken
depend on the material being treated, as well as the properties desired
in the final part and can include both mechanical and chemical
operations.
Castings generally come out of their molds with metal sprues and
other imperfections which must be removed. This can be done through
grinding, cutting, or blasting with sand, shot, or grit. Other possible
operations include drilling, threading, or dimensioning. A combination
of these operations is often necessary.
Some facilities such as rolling mills will use a descaling process
to remove oxides and other residues which can form on the surfaces of
metallic products. Typical operations include blasting with water or
sand. This produces large quantities of scale and other particulate
matter which may contain other residual products such as oil.
Heat treating is another operation which can involve furnaces for
controlled heating and cooling of large quantities of metal. A variety
of media may be used to cool metals at different rates. Oil, water, and
liquid salt baths may all be used depending on the properties desired
in the finished product. Acid pickling may be used to remove unwanted
material from the surface of metal. Other cleaning and finishing
operations may involve a wide range of solvents, acids, or other
chemicals. All of these processes can generate toxic wastes in the form
of sludges, particulates, or spent baths. In addition, residuals from
these operations left on the metal surface may become exposed to storm
water if materials are transported or stored outside.
e. Waste Handling and Disposal. Wastes are generated from numerous
sources within the primary metals industry. Some types of waste are
found at a majority of facilities while others may be specific to a
particular activity. Some of the common waste products include used
sand, cores, butts, refractory rubble, machining and finishing wastes,
slag, dross, and collected particulates such as baghouse dust.
Sand casting operations which are not able to fully recycle their
sand may generate large volumes of waste or ``burnt'' sand. ``Wet''
sands may contain any one of a number of additives, depending on the
specific type of casting being produced. Other related wastes include
the cores and butts used in the sand casing process.
Most casting operations will produce a product which requires some
degree of machining and finishing. The wastes produced will depend
mainly on the material being finished and whether a mechanical or
chemical process is used. Machining waste can include fines, turnings,
or cuttings as well as shot, grit, and scale from blasting operations.
Chemical finishing can result in waste solvents, acids, and pickling
sludges and baths which contain metal wastes.
The metal melting process results in the production of slag from
ferrous, or dross from nonferrous materials. The content and volume of
these wastes produced will vary depending on the charge material, and
any fluxing agents or additives that may be used. In general, slag is
produced in greater quantities and will be more likely to be stored
outside, however there is the possibility of exposure of both types of
waste to precipitation.
Particulate matter generated in furnaces and during machining is
another source of waste with significant potential for storm water
contamination. These waste streams may be segregated at larger
facilities or combined, but the concerns are essentially the same. The
dusts are collected in baghouses, electrostatic precipitators, wet
scrubbers, or in cyclones and disposed of. If the pollution control
equipment is inadequate, or not operating effectively, there is
potential for storm water contamination from these types of waste.
3. Pollutants Found in Storm Water Discharges
Impacts caused by storm water discharges from primary metals
facilities will vary. A number of factors will influence to what extent
the activities at a particular facility will affect water quality.
These include: geographic location, hydrogeology, the amounts and types
of materials stored outside, the types of processes taking place
outside, the size of the operation, as well as the characteristics of a
particular storm event. These and other factors will interact to affect
the quantity and quality of storm water runoff. For example,
particulate emissions from furnaces or ovens may be a significant
source of pollutants at some facilities, while outdoor material storage
such as scrap piles may be a primary source at others. In addition,
sources of pollution other than storm
[[Page 50880]]
water, such as illicit connections,\42\ spills, and other improperly
dumped materials, may contribute significant levels of pollutants into
waters of the United States.
\42\ Illicit connections are contributions of unpermitted non-
storm water discharges into storm sewers from any number of sources
including sanitary sewers, industrial facilities, commercial
establishments, or residential dwellings.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A summary of industrial activities conducted by primary metals
facilities in the group application process is listed in Table F-1. The
table also lists the sources of pollutants related to the activity and
what the specific pollutants of concern are. The table is limited to
those activities which are generally conducted outside, or that have
potential to contribute pollutants to storm water discharges. Many
processes in the primary metals industry are conducted inside and are
therefore not represented in Table F-1.
Table F-1.--Pollutants of Concern for Major Activities Within the Primary Metals Industry
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity Source Pollutants
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raw material storage and Metal product stored outside such as foundry Residual or protective Oil
handling. returns, scrap metal, turnings, fines, ingots, and Grease, Metals, TSS,
bars, pigs, wire. COD, TSS.
Outdoor storage or handling of fluxes............ pH (limestone).
Storage piles, bins, or material handling of coke TSS, pH, metals.
or coal.
Storage or handling of casting sand or refractory TSS.
Vehicle Maintenance........... Vehicle fueling and maintenance or outdoor Oil and grease.
storage tanks and drums of gas, diesel,
kerosene, lubricants, solvents.
Waste materials--handling, Slag or dross stored or disposed of outside in Metals, pH.
storage, and disposal. piles or drums.
Fly ash, particulate emissions, dust collector TSS.
sludges and solids, baghouse waste.
Storage and disposal of waste sand or refractory TSS, metals, misc. ``wet''
rubble in piles outside. sand additives.
Machining waste--fines, turnings, oil, borings, TSS, metals, oil and grease.
gates, sprues, scale.
Obsolete equipment stored outside................ Oil and grease.
Landfilling or open pit disposal of wastes onsite See Part VIII.L.
Furnace operations and Losses during charging of coke ovens or sintering TSS, particulates, metals,
pollution control equipment. plants and from particulate emissions. volatiles, pH.
Particulate emissions from blast furnaces, TSS, metals.
electric arc furnaces, induction furnaces.
Fugitive emissions from poorly maintained or TSS, metals.
malfunctioning baghouses, scrubbers,
electrostatic precipitators, cyclones.
Wastewater treatment operations exposed to See Part VIII.T.
precipitation.
Rolling, casting, and Exposure of wastewater used for cooling or Oil and grease, pH, TSS,
finishing operations. descaling related to rolling. metals, COD.
Storage of products outside after painting, pH, solvents, metals.
pickling, or cleaning operations.
Casting cooling or shakeout exposed to TSS, metals.
precipitation or wind.
Losses of particulate matter from machining Metals, TSS.
operations (grinding, drilling, boring, cutting)
through deposition or storage of products
outside.
Plant yards................... Areas of the facility with unstabilized soils TSS.
subject to erosion.
Illicit discharges............ Improper connection of floor, sink, or process Dependent on source.
wastewater drains.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Although operations at primary metals facilities may vary
considerably, the elements with potential impact on storm water
discharges are fairly uniform and consistent. Facilities may include
considerable areas of raw and waste material storage such as coal,
coke, metal, ores, sand, scale, scrap, and slag. Processes generally
involve furnaces for heating and melting metals or for producing coke,
any of which may result in significant particulate emissions. Due to
the nature of their operations some facilities will have large areas of
exposed soil and heavy vehicle traffic which can lead to erosion.
a. Raw Material Storage and Handling Activities. Raw materials with
potential effects on storm water discharges fall into a number of
distinct categories.
Sands used for the production of molds or cores can contribute to
TSS loadings. Piles of materials may be washed away directly, or spills
and windblown losses may occur during handling and process related
activities.
Metal raw materials can come in numerous forms including billet,
slab, pig, bar. These materials have the potential to corrode which can
result in the loss of metal to a solution, i.e., water. The following
metals are referred to as the galvanic (or electromotive) series and
have a tendency to corrode and become soluble in water; magnesium,
aluminum, cadmium, zinc, steel or iron, cast iron, chromium, tin, lead,
nickel, soft and silver solder, copper, stainless steel, silver, gold,
platinum, brass and bronze. For some metals, the extent and rate of
corrosion is dependent on whether it occurs in an oxygen-starved or
oxygen-abundant atmosphere. If materials are coated in oil to prevent
corrosion, or residual chemicals used to clean or treat the metal are
present, these can also be a source of pollution easily picked up by
storm water runoff.
Scrap metals come in a variety of forms including machining waste
such as turnings, shavings, filings, borings or as post consumer waste
in a variety of forms. These materials can contribute metals, oil and
grease, suspended solids, and other pollutants to storm water
[[Page 50881]]
runoff depending on their makeup and origin.
Runoff related to storage and handling of coal and coke can
contribute suspended solids, metals, as well as oil and grease to
runoff. These can be released from piles, hoppers, or bins through
handling or wind-blown losses. Significant losses can also occur during
handling with conveyors, trucks, or while preparing charges for the
furnace or sintering operations.
Fluxes such as limestone may be stored in piles, bins, or hoppers
outside or become exposed to precipitation during unloading and
handling activities. Limestone can increase the pH of storm water.
Fluxes can also contribute to loadings of suspended solids (TSS) or
have other effects depending on their makeup.
A variety of acids and solvents may be stored in drums or tanks for
use in metal treating and cleaning operations. Leaks and spills from
tanks and drums or during handling can result in discharges with storm
water. These materials can affect pH of storm water and may be toxic.
b. Process Activities. Many processes can contribute pollutants to
storm water discharges. These can include all types of furnaces, metal
finishing activities, as well as material handling equipment.
Furnaces of all types can generate particulate emissions. The
quantity and character of these emissions can vary greatly depending on
the type of furnace, the material being melted, the fuel used, and any
pollution control equipment that may be in place. In general, large
coke-fired and electric arc furnaces capable of handling fairly dirty
charge products will have higher emissions, but are also more likely to
have sophisticated pollution control such as wet scrubbers, baghouses,
and electrostatic precipitators. Smaller gas fired or electric
induction furnaces generally require a fairly clean charge and have
less emissions, but might also have less sophisticated controls.
Settling of these emissions on roofs and plant yards are very likely to
be washed away in storm water runoff. These particulates can contain a
wide range of constituents which can contribute metals and suspended
solids to discharges.
Material handling equipment such as conveyors, trucks, and
forklifts can all contribute drippings of oil and grease as well as
hydraulic fluids. This equipment may also generate or release
particulate matter related to the materials being handled. Pallets,
hoppers, drums, and storage bins may all contain residual materials
which may become exposed to storm water.
Metal finishing operations can be divided in two general types.
Mechanical operations such as grinding, blasting, boring, chipping,
cutting, and descaling can all produce metal fines, chips, and turnings
which may contribute metals and suspended solids to discharges.
Residuals of oil or other materials on the finished goods or waste
products can also contribute pollutants. Other finishing operations
include acid pickling, solvent cleaning, and all types of heat treating
activities. Materials that have been treated or finished may have
residual chemicals on them such as pickling baths, oil or liquid salt
quench media, or solvents. Exposure of these materials could contribute
to pH, metals, or oil and grease in storm water discharges.
Stationary process equipment may also produce a substantial amount
of residual particulate material that tends to accumulate on and around
the equipment. Many materials used for primary metals production are
conducive to this type of buildup. This will typically occur around
rotating machinery, moving parts, bearings, conveyors and at the output
of the equipment, e.g., storage containers. Particulate material that
accumulates can become a source of contamination if it comes in contact
with either precipitation or storm water runoff.
c. Waste Material Storage, Handling, and Disposal. Waste materials
are generated in large volume from many of the facilities in this
industry. These wastes can include used sand, cores and butts,
refractories, slag and dross, baghouse or cyclone dusts, scrubber dusts
and sludges, machining wastes, and obsolete equipment. There is
potential for pollution from many of these sources if not properly
stored, handled, and disposed of.
Used sands, cores, butts, and refractory rubble are all potential
sources of TSS. Due to the large volumes potentially generated and
their generally benign nature, these materials are often stored
outside. The exposure of these materials to molten metal also presents
the possibility of contamination with metals which may also get washed
away with storm water.
Wastes related to pollution control equipment are particularly
susceptible to being discharged with storm water if not properly
controlled. These wastes could originate from baghouses, cyclones,
electrostatic precipitators or scrubbers. These may be in place to
control emissions from a large variety of ovens and furnaces, as well
as mechanical or chemical metal finishing operations. These dusts and
sludges typically contain an assortment of metals, metal oxides, and
other particulate matter. The size of particulates that are able to be
captured will vary from one type of equipment to the next and will
depend on proper operation and maintenance.
Machining and finishing waste which is not collected as described
above may also be generated in significant quantities. This material is
typically metallic fines and particulate matter but may contain cutting
oil or other materials as well. If stored outside in piles, drums,
hoppers, or other containers these materials can contribute metals,
TSS, or oil to precipitation and storm water runoff.
d. Erosion and Sediment Loss. Erosion from plant yards is another
potential source of storm water contamination from primary metals
facilities. Areas of vehicle traffic related to material handling,
loading, unloading, material storage areas etc. may all have exposed
soils with the potential for erosion. These soils can contribute to TSS
loadings in storm water discharges. Exposed surfaces also limit the
potential for housekeeping measures such as sweeping, making spills of
other materials (particulate or liquid) harder to clean up and more
likely to be washed away with storm water. The large size of many
primary metals facilities makes this a concern. For example: one group
application consists of 5 facilities with a total land area of 623
acres. Of this, approximately 105 acres (16.9 percent) were impervious
surfaces (buildings, paved areas), leaving 83 percent of the total area
potentially susceptible to erosion. Vehicle traffic, material handling,
and storage activities taking place in unstabilized areas can all lead
to erosion.
e. Group Application Monitoring Data. Based on the wide variety of
industrial activities and significant materials at the facilities
included in this sector, EPA believes it is appropriate to divide the
primary metals industry into subsectors to properly analyze sampling
data and determine monitoring requirements. As a result, this sector
has been divided into the following subsectors: steel works, blast
furnaces, and mills (SIC 331); iron and steel foundries (SIC 332);
primary smelting and refining of nonferrous metals (SIC 333); secondary
smelting and refining of nonferrous metals (SIC 334); nonferrous
rolling and drawing (SIC 335); nonferrous foundries (SIC 336); and
miscellaneous primary metals products (SIC 339). Tables F-2, F-3, F-4,
and F-5 below include data for the eight pollutants that all facilities
were required to monitor for under Form 2F.
[[Page 50882]]
The tables also list those parameters that EPA has determined may merit
further monitoring. Tables are not included for primary smelting and
refining of nonferrous metals manufacturing facilities; secondary
smelting and refining of nonferrous metals manufacturing facilities;
and miscellaneous primary metal products facilities subsectors because
less than three facilities submitted data for each of these subsectors.
Table F-2.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Steel Works, Blast Furnaces, and Rolling and Finishing Mills Submitting Part II Sampling Data i (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. of No. of samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th percentile 99th percentile
facilities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant Sample type ------------------
Grab Comp ii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD5.............................. 9 8 17 15 17.2 16.3 1.0 1.0 60.0 60.0 10.0 9.30 59.3 59.3 119.4 128.2
COD............................... 9 8 17 15 100.2 74.7 19.0 9.0 340.0 235.0 62.0 55.0 287.9 215.4 514.6 380.6
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen........ 9 8 16 14 2.01 1.41 0.08 0.09 15.30 9.5 0.51 0.40 7.03 4.62 18.5 11.6
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen........... 9 8 17 15 1.81 1.32 0.00 0.64 4.30 2.7 1.60 1.10 4.17 2.29 6.15 2.96
Oil & Grease...................... 9 N/A 17 N/A 3.1 N/A 0.0 N/A 16.4 N/A 2.0 N/A 9.9 N/A 18.4 N/A
pH................................ 9 N/A 17 N/A N/A N/A 5.4 N/A 9.4 N/A 7.5 N/A 9.5 N/A 10.5 N/A
Total Phosphorus.................. 9 8 17 15 0.51 0.28 0.01 0.02 2.26 0.80 0.42 0.20 2.89 1.08 8.55 2.29
Total Suspended Solids............ 9 8 17 15 173 82 0 0 866 717 66 39 1123 346 4141 1030
Aluminum.......................... 3 3 5 5 3.24 1.9 0.3 0.3 7.9 6 2.8 1.1 15.51 7.1 35.7 15.24
Zinc.............................. 7 6 14 11 1.556 1.208 0 0 16 9.3 0.29 0.37 5.471 5.73 16.48 19.445
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
Table F-3.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Iron and Steel Foundries Submitting Part II Sampling Data i (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. of No. of samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th percentile 99th percentile
facilities ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant Sample type ------------------
Grab Comp ii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD 5........................... 31 30 64 56 35.8 57.6 0.0 0.0 1200.0 2500.0 11.0 10.0 79.8 64.0 176.7 133.2
COD............................. 32 31 64 57 287.9 118.3 0.0 0.0 3600.0 640.0 108.5 76.0 1046.0 339.1 2731.7 605.9
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen...... 31 30 64 56 0.77 0.86 0.00 0.02 5.90 4.50 0.58 0.62 2.17 3.02 3.84 6.03
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen......... 31 30 64 57 3.50 3.18 0.00 0.0 30.00 24.0 2.00 1.81 11.05 9.84 21.84 18.7
Oil & Grease.................... 31 N/A 64 N/A 6.5 N/A 0.0 N/A 140.0 N/A 0.0 N/A 24.1 N/A 69.3 N/A
pH.............................. 31 N/A 65 N/A N/A N/A 2.6 N/A 10.3 N/A 7.6 N/A 10.1 N/A 11.4 N/A
Total Phosphorus................ 31 30 65 57 1.79 0.40 0.00 0.00 76.00 4.00 0.28 0.22 3.67 1.65 10.33 3.73
Total Suspended Solids.......... 31 30 65 57 594 228 0 1.0 6300 1200 138 123 2644 1000 8264 2417
Aluminum........................ 4 4 11 11 5.99 5.38 0 0 20 21.4 4.49 3.3 47.24 17.51 141.97 33.1
Copper.......................... 27 26 57 50 7.919 5.155 0 0 210 140 0.08 0.04 6.629 3.362 31.253 15.875
Iron............................ 4 3 8 7 9.2 10.1 0.2 0.4 26.3 30.4 8.6 8.1 62 54.5 170.5 134.8
Pyrene.......................... 3 3 4 4 .08 0.02 0 0 0.29 0.07 0.01 0 0.58 ......... 2.37 .........
Zinc............................ 29 28 62 54 18.35 14.395 0.01 0.047 430 330 0.57 0.46 23.162 14.843 96.353 52.671
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
Table F-4.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding of Nonferrous Metals Manufacturing Facilities Submitting Part II Sampling Data i (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. of No. of samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th percentile 99th percentile
facilities ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant Sample type ------------------
Grab Comp ii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD 5.............................. 8 6 20 10 38.4 32.0 5.5 2.2 150.0 110.0 22.0 18.5 126.4 126.6 252.5 282.8
COD................................ 8 8 20 20 138.9 80.6 0.0 0.0 495.0 230.0 93.5 50.8 480.5 269.3 950.7 503.5
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen......... 7 7 19 19 1.75 3.71 0.10 0.30 5.61 19.1 1.60 1.80 7.58 11.8 16.76 24.52
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen............ 8 8 20 20 4.71 6.45 0.34 0.0 30.00 42.0 2.95 1.65 15.68 19.77 32.73 48.67
Oil & Grease....................... 8 N/A 20 N/A 2.5 N/A 0.0 N/A 20.0 N/A 1.1 N/A 8.2 N/A 15.9 N/A
pH................................. 8 N/A 20 N/A N/A N/A 4.1 N/A 8.0 N/A 6.2 N/A 8.6 N/A 9.9 N/A
Total Phosphorus................... 8 8 20 20 0.12 0.10 0.00 0.0 0.50 0.30 0.09 0.06 0.38 0.31 0.68 0.56
Total Suspended Solids............. 8 8 20 20 45 58 0 0 429 310 7 8 182 310 531 1043
Copper............................. 8 8 20 20 0.931 0.822 0 0 8.8 3.4 0.13 0.14 5.106 6.501 20.38 29.326
Zinc............. 8 8 20 20 0.525 0.417 0.021 0.04 2.3 1.9 0.3 0.3 1.806 1.189 3.637 2.085
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
Table F-5.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Nonferrous Foundries (Castings) Submitting Part II Sampling Data i (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. of No. of samples Mean Minimum Maximum Median 95th percentile 99th percentile
facilities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollutant Sample type ------------------
Grab Comp ii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD 5............................. 14 14 30 27 14.7 12.8 0.0 3.0 51.0 47.0 10.5 8.0 38.6 29.6 63.1 46.3
COD............................... 14 14 30 27 125.1 82.8 0.0 7.0 1400.0 510.0 50.5 32.0 390.9 260.1 907.0 535.7
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen........ 13 13 28 25 0.99 0.85 0.00 0.00 3.60 2.08 0.74 0.77 2.80 2.12 4.64 3.32
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen........... 13 13 28 25 2.29 2.17 0.15 0.58 22.00 9.70 1.30 1.40 6.34 5.08 12.06 8.19
Oil & Grease...................... 14 N/A 30 N/A 4.2 N/A 0.0 N/A 47.0 N/A 0.5 N/A 16.7 N/A 35.5 N/A
pH................................ 14 N/A 29 N/A N/A N/A 2.8 N/A 8.0 N/A 6.5 N/A 8.8 N/A 10.1 N/A
Total Phosphorus.................. 14 14 30 26 0.26 0.13 0.00 0.0 1.50 0.96 0.07 0.05 1.17 0.52 3.26 1.26
Total Suspended Solids............ 14 14 29 26 145 111 0 0 2100 1100 20 37 536 563 1521 1761
Copper............................ 14 14 30 27 0.494 0.672 0 0 4.2 7 0.26 0.2 1.861 2.532 4.122 6.122
Zinc.............................. 13 13 28 25 1.435 1.494 0 0 9.36 10.1 0.36 0.5 6.429 5.424 18.489 13.307
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
[[Page 50883]]
Although there are a wide range of pollutants which may be of
concern for primary metals facilities, monitoring requirements for
these facilities have been determined based on industry subgroups which
exceed benchmarks for certain pollutants. As Tables F-2 through F-5
illustrate, there are a variety of pollutants which must be addressed
at primary metals facilities.
4. Options for Controlling Pollutants
There are five main areas of concern related to primary metals
facilities. These are raw material storage and handling; waste material
storage, handling, and disposal; furnace, oven, and related pollution
control activities; rolling, extruding, casting, and finishing
operations; plant yards; and illicit connections.
Table F-6 summarizes the primary sources of pollution in each of
these categories and potential Best Management Practices (BMPs)
associated with each.
Table F-6.--Potential Best Management Practices for Sources Within the Primary Metals Industry
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source Potential best management practices
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metal product stored outside such as foundry Store all wastes indoors or in sealed drums, covered dumpsters,
returns, scrap metal, turnings, fines, etc.
ingots, bars, pigs, wire.
Minimize raw material storage through effective inventory
control.
Minimize runon from adjacent properties and stabilized areas to
areas with exposed soil with diversion dikes, berms, curbing,
concrete pads, etc.
Outdoor storage or handling of fluxes........ Store fluxes in covered hoppers, silos, or indoors and protect
from wind-blown losses.
Stabilize areas surrounding storage and material handling areas
and establish schedule for sweeping.
Storage piles, bins, or material handling of Where possible store coke and coal under cover or indoors and
coke or coal. protect from wind-blown losses.
Prevent or divert runon from adjacent areas with swales, dikes,
or curbs.
Minimize quantities of coke or coal stored onsite through
implementation of effective inventory control.
Trap particulates originating in coke or coal storage or handling
areas with filter fabric fences, gravel outlet protection,
sediment traps, vegetated swales, buffer strips of vegetation,
catch-basin filters, retention/detention basins or equivalent.
Storage or handling of casting sand.......... Store raw sand in silos, covered hoppers, or indoor whenever
possible.
Prevent or divert runon from adjacent areas with swales, dikes,
or curbs.
Minimize quantities of sand stored onsite through implementation
of effective inventory control.
Tarp or otherwise cover piles.
Trap particulates originating in coke or coal storage or handling
areas with filter fabric fences, gravel outlet protection,
sediment traps, vegetated swales, buffer strips of vegetation,
catch-basin filters, retention/detention basins or equivalent.
Vehicle fueling and maintenance.............. See Part VIII.P.
Outdoor storage tanks or drums of gas, Store tanks and drums inside when possible.
diesel, kerosene, lubricants, solvents.
Establish regular inspection of all tanks and drums for leaks,
spills, corrosion, damage, etc.
Utilize effective inventory control to reduce the volume of
chemicals stored onsite.
Prevent runon to and runoff from tank and drum storage areas,
provide adequate containment to hold spills and leaks.
Prepare and train employees in dealing with spills and leaks
properly, use dry clean-up methods when possible.
Slag or dross stored or disposed of outside Collect waste waters used for granulation of slag--these are not
in piles or drums. allowed under this section.
Store slag and dross indoors, under cover, or in sealed
containers.
Establish regular disposal of slag or dross to minimize
quantities stored and handled onsite.
Minimize runon to slag storage areas with diversion dikes, berms,
curbing, vegetated swales.
Trap particulates originating in slag storage areas with filter
fabric fences, gravel outlet protection, sediment traps,
vegetated swales, buffer strips of vegetation, catch-basin
filters, retention/detention basins or equivalent.
Fly ash, particulate emissions, dust Store all dusts and sludges indoors to prevent contact with storm
collector sludges and solids, baghouse dust. water or losses due to wind.
Establish regular disposal schedule to minimize quantities of
pollutants stored and handled onsite.
Storage and disposal of waste sand or Move piles under cover or tarps whenever possible.
refractory rubble in piles outside.
Establish regular disposal schedule to minimize quantities stored
onsite.
Stabilize areas of waste product storage and perform regular
sweeping of area.
Scrap processing activities (shredding etc.). See Part VIII.N.
Machining waste stored outside or exposed to Store all wastes indoors or in sealed drums, covered dumpsters,
storm water--fines, turnings, oil, borings, etc.
gates, sprues, scale.
Stabilize areas of waste product storage and perform regular
sweeping and cleaning of any residues.
[[Page 50884]]
Consider using booms, oil/water separators, sand filters, etc.
for outfalls draining areas where oil is potentially present.
Minimize runon from adjacent properties and stabilized areas to
areas with exposed soil with diversion dikes, berms, curbing,
concrete pads, etc.
Obsolete equipment stored outside............ Where possible, dispose of unused equipment properly, or move
indoors.
Cover obsolete equipment with a tarp or roof.
Consider using booms, oil/water separators, sand filters, etc.
for outfalls draining areas where oil is potentially present.
Minimize runoff coming into contact with old equipment through
berms, curbs, or placement on a concrete pad.
Material losses from handling equipment such Schedule frequent inspections of equipment for spills or leakage
as conveyors, trucks, pallets, hoppers, etc. of fluids, oil, or fuel.
Inspect for collection of particulate matter on and around
equipment and clean. Where possible cover these areas to prevent
losses to wind and precipitation.
Store pallets, hoppers, etc. which have residual materials on
them under cover, with tarps, or inside.
Losses during charging of coke ovens or Cover any exposed areas related to furnace charging/material
sintering plants. handling activities.
Stabilize areas around all material handling areas and establish
regular sweeping.
Route runoff from particulate generating operations to sediment
traps, vegetated swales, buffer strips of vegetation, catch-
basin filters, retention/detention basins or equivalent.
Particulate emissions from blast furnaces, Establish schedule for inspection and maintenance of all
electric arc furnaces, induction furnaces pollution control equipment--check for any particulate
and fugitive emissions from poorly deposition from leaks, spills, or improper operation of
maintained or malfunctioning baghouses, equipment and remedy.
scrubbers, electrostatic precipitators, Route runoff from particulate generating operations to sediment
cyclones. traps, vegetated swales, buffer strips of vegetation, catch-
basin filters, retention/detention basins or equivalent.
Storage of products outside after painting, Store all materials inside or under cover whenever possible.
pickling, or cleaning operations. Prevent runon to product storage areas through curbs, berms,
dikes, etc.
Consider using booms, oil/water separators, sand filters, etc.
for outfalls draining areas where oil is potentially present.
Remove residual chemicals from intermediate or finished products
before storage or transport outside.
Casting cooling or shakeout operations Perform all pouring, cooling, and shakeout operations indoors in
exposed to precipitation or wind. areas with roof vents to trap fugitive particulate emissions.
Recycle into process as much casting sand as possible.
Landfilling or open pit disposal of wastes See Part VIII.L.
onsite.
Losses of particulate matter from machining Store all intermediate and finished products inside or under
operations (grinding, drilling, boring, cover.
cutting) through deposition or storage of Consider using booms, oil/water separators, sand filters, etc.
products outside. for outfalls draining areas where oil is potentially present.
Clean products of residual materials before storage outside.
Stabilize storage areas and establish sweeping schedule.
Areas of the facility with unstabilized soils Minimize runon from adjacent properties and stabilized areas to
subject to erosion. areas with exposed soil with diversion dikes, berms, vegetated
swales, etc.
Stabilize all high traffic areas including all vehicle entrances,
exits, loading, unloading, and vehicle storage areas.
Conduct periodic sweeping of all traffic areas.
Trap sediment originating in unstabilized areas. Filter fabric
fences, gravel outlet protection, sediment traps, vegetated
swales, buffer strips of vegetation, catch-basin filters,
retention/detention basins or equivalent.
Inspect and maintain all BMPs on a regular basis.
Provide employee training on proper installation and maintenance
of sediment and erosion controls.
Improper connection of floor, sink, or Inspect and test all floor, sink, and process wastewater drains
process wastewater drains. for proper connection to sanitary sewer and remove any improper
connections to storm sewer or waters of the United States.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Special Conditions
The following section identifies special conditions that are
applicable to permittees applying for coverage under Part XI.F. of
today's permit.
a. Prohibition of Non-storm Water Discharges. This section requires
primary metals facilities to certify that certain non-storm water
discharges are not occurring at their facilities. A list of common non-
storm water discharges that are not authorized by this section has been
identified. These discharges are prohibited due to the likelihood these
discharges will contain substantial pollutant concentrations. This list
is included in the permit only to add more specificity to the general
non-storm water prohibition included in Part III.A. of the permit. The
following non-storm water discharges are not authorized by this
section: waste discharges to floor drains or sinks connected to the
facilities storm sewer or storm drainage system; water originating from
vehicle and equipment washing; steam cleaning wastewater; process
wastewater; wash-water originating from cleaning plant floor areas or
material receiving areas; wastewater from wet scrubbers; boiler
blowdown; contact or noncontact cooling water; discharges originating
from dust control spray water;
[[Page 50885]]
discharges originating from the cleaning out of oil/water separators or
sumps; discharges from bermed areas with a visible oily sheen or other
visible signs of contamination; discharges resulting from casting
cleaning or casting quench operations; discharges from slag quench or
slag rinsing operations; and discharges from wet sand reclamation
operations.
This final list of non-storm water discharges does not include
discharges from oil/water separators and sumps, as was proposed. EPA
intended to include only discharges originating from the cleaning or
maintenance of these devices in this list.
The operators of non-storm water discharges must seek coverage
under a separate NPDES permit if discharging to either a municipal
separate storm sewer system or to waters of the United States.
6. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
a. Contents of the Plan. All facilities covered by this section
must identify a pollution prevention team, prepare a description of all
potential pollutant sources at the facility, and identify measures and
controls appropriate for the facility. These items must comply with the
common requirements described in Part VI.C. of this fact sheet. In
addition to these requirements, facilities covered by Part XI.F. of
today's permit must provide the following additional information in
their pollution prevention plan.
(1) Description of Potential Pollutant Sources. Facilities must
identify on the site map the location of any and all pollution control
equipment such as baghouses, wet scrubbers, electrostatic
precipitators, etc. as well as any uncontrolled stack emissions which
may be located onsite. The site map must also indicate the outfall
locations and the types of discharges contained in the drainage areas
of the outfalls (e.g. storm water and air conditioner condensate). In
order to increase the readability of the map, the inventory of the
types of discharges contained in each outfall may be kept as an
attachment to the site map. Due to the hazardous nature of pollutants
generated in this industry, and the potential for deposition of
particulate matter from emissions, these emissions can be a significant
contributor to pollutants at a facility and should be identified.
(2) Measures and Controls. There are typically five types of
activity and materials present at facilities in the primary metals
industry with potential impacts on storm water discharges. These have
been discussed in today's fact sheet and include: raw materials storage
and handling; process activities related to furnace operations,
casting, rolling, and extruding; waste material storage, handling, and
disposal; erosion from unstabilized plant areas; and illicit
discharges, spills, and leaks. Each of these areas that is applicable
to a facility must be identified in the pollution prevention plan and
evaluated with regard to the BMPs discussed.
(a) Good Housekeeping--This section requires that facilities
implement measures to limit the amount of spilled, settled, and leaked
materials which are washed away by storm water. These materials include
coal dust or coke breeze, metal fines from finishing operations,
particulate emissions from furnaces and ovens, as well as dust and dirt
from plant yards. In paved or other impervious areas sweeping is an
easy and effective way to reduce these pollutants. Sweeping frequency
should be determined based on the rates of accumulation of a particular
material and its potential impact on storm water discharges. Where
significant particulates are generated in unstabilized areas of the
plant, other measures may be necessary.
The large number of particulate generating processes and the makeup
of these pollutants makes this an especially important aspect of
pollution prevention at many facilities. Permittees must consider the
storage of all such products under roof, in silos or covered hoppers,
or under tarps to minimize exposure of particulates to precipitation
and wind-blown losses.
Unstabilized areas at a site which may be related to material
handling and storage or vehicle and equipment traffic should be
considered for paving. These areas can build up significant levels of
particulates from materials and material handling as well as soil and
dust particles. Paving these areas allow good housekeeping measures to
be practiced and make spills easier to clean up.
(b) Source Controls--Permittees must consider preventative measures
to minimize the exposure of significant materials to storm water. Due
to the large volumes of materials used in the primary metals industry,
they are a significant potential source of pollutants in storm water
discharges. Storage of a wide range of materials outside is common
among many facilities and measures should be taken to reduce the
potential for contamination of storm water.
Measures include moving materials inside, under roof or cover,
removing waste materials from the premises, and establishing scheduled
removal of wastes to minimize storage onsite. Other measures to prevent
runoff from contacting materials include swales, berms, dikes, or curbs
to divert runoff away from significant materials or processes.
Source controls offer the most effective way to reduce pollutants
in storm water discharges and are generally easier to implement than
treatment measures.
(c) Preventive Maintenance--Facilities must incorporate into their
plan the inspection and maintenance of all equipment which could lead
to releases of pollutants. This includes all particulate emissions
control equipment, storage tanks and piping systems, and any other
material handling equipment which could fail and release pollutants.
All particulate pollution control equipment must be maintained to
operate properly and effectively to control settling of particulate
matter. The inspection of emissions control is particularly important
as failures may not be immediately obvious and could lead to
significant releases of particulate matter. Leaks or blockage in ducts,
overflows of dust collection systems, or mechanical breakdown of
scrubbers could all lead to heavy particulate emission which can be
easily washed away by storm water discharges. Other potential losses
include leaking tanks or valves which could contain a variety of acids,
solvents, or other chemicals.
(d) Spill Prevention and Response Procedures--There are no
additional requirements beyond those described in Part VI.C. of this
fact sheet.
(e) Inspections--Primary metals facilities are required to conduct
self inspections of all storage, process, and plant yard areas at least
quarterly. These inspections will allow the effectiveness of the
pollution prevention plan to be monitored. The potential for problems
which could affect storm water are extremely varied and can have
significant impacts over a short time period. These inspections are
necessary to ensure that problems are identified and remedied as
quickly as possible. Points of particular importance include pollution
control equipment, material handling areas, and waste collection and
disposal areas. Tanks, drums, silos, bins, and hoppers are other areas
of potential concern.
(f) Employee Training--There are no additional requirements beyond
those described in Part VI.C. of this fact sheet. EPA recommends that
facilities conduct training annually at a minimum. However, more
frequent training may be necessary at facilities with high turnover of
employees or where employee participation is essential to
[[Page 50886]]
the storm water pollution prevention plan.
(g) Recordkeeping and Internal Reporting Procedures--There are no
additional requirements beyond those described in Part VI.C. of this
fact sheet.
(h) Non-storm Water Discharges--There are no additional
requirements beyond those described in Part VI.C. of this fact sheet.
(i) Sediment and Erosion Control--There are no additional
requirements beyond those described in Part VI.C. of this fact sheet.
(j) Management of Runoff--Facilities shall consider implementation
of a range of management practices to control or treat storm water
runoff. These include vegetative buffer strips or swales, filter fences
and other types of filters, oil/water separators, and all types of
settling basins and ponds. These practices allow the capture of
pollutants from storm water before it leaves the site.
Due to the large size of many primary metals facilities, source
controls may not be practical. In some cases, it may not be feasible to
cover or otherwise protect large areas of material storage or exposed
plant yards. Deposition of particulates from furnace or other process
emissions may be relatively diffuse over a large area of the facility,
and very difficult to control. In these cases management practices such
as settling basins, retention or detention ponds, or recycle ponds can
provide effective treatment of runoff. For smaller areas, filter
fabric, booms, or other types of filters may be appropriate. In areas
where oil and grease is a concern, oil/water separators may be
appropriate and should be considered.
b. Comprehensive Site Compliance Evaluation. The storm water
pollution prevention plan must describe the scope and content of
comprehensive site evaluations that qualified personnel will conduct to
1) confirm the accuracy of the description of potential pollution
sources contained in the plan, 2) determine the effectiveness of the
plan, and 3) assess compliance with the terms and conditions of the
permit. Comprehensive site compliance evaluations should be conducted
on an annual basis. The individual or individuals that will conduct the
evaluations must be identified in the plan and should be members of the
pollution prevention team. Evaluation reports must be retained for at
least 3 years after the date of the compliance evaluation that the
permit expires.
Based on the results of each evaluation, the description of
potential pollution sources, and measures and controls, the plan must
be revised as appropriate within 2 weeks after each evaluation. Changes
in the measures and controls must be implemented on the site in a
timely manner, and never more than 12 weeks after completion of the
evaluation.
7. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
a. Analytical Monitoring Requirements. EPA believes that primary
metals facilities may reduce the level of pollutants in storm water
runoff from their sites through the development and proper
implementation of the storm water pollution prevention plan
requirements discussed in today's permit. In order to provide a tool
for evaluating the effectiveness of the pollution prevention plan and
to characterize the discharge for potential environmental impacts, the
permit requires some primary metals facilities to collect and analyze
samples of their storm water discharges for the pollutants listed in
Table F-7. Data submitted to EPA has been analyzed at the 3-digit SIC
code level. Industry subgroups that had pollutant levels above
benchmark levels are required to monitor for those pollutants. Because
these pollutants have been reported at benchmark levels from primary
metals facilities, EPA is requiring monitoring after the pollution
prevention plan has been implemented to assess the effectiveness of the
pollution prevention plan and to help ensure that a reduction of
pollutants is realized.
Under the Storm Water Regulations at 40 CFR 122.26(b)(14), EPA
defined ``storm water discharge associated with industrial activity''.
The focus of today's permit is to address the presence of pollutants
that are associated with the industrial activities identified in this
definition and that might be found in storm water discharges. Under the
methodology for determining analytical monitoring requirements,
described in section VI.E.1 of this fact sheet, nitrate plus nitrite
nitrogen is above the bench mark concentrations for the non-ferrous
rolling and drawing and the non-ferrous foundries subsectors and pyrene
is above the bench mark concentrations for the iron and steel foundries
subsector. After a review of the nature of industrial activities and
the significant materials exposed to storm water described by
facilities in these subsectors, EPA has determined that the higher
concentrations of nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen and pyrene are not
likely to be caused by the industrial activity, but may be primarily
due to non-industrial activities on-site. Today's permit does not
require non-ferrous rolling and drawing, the non-ferrous foundries or
iron and steel foundries facilities to conduct analytical monitoring
for these parameters.
At a minimum, storm water discharges from selected primary metals
facilities must be monitored quarterly during the second year of permit
coverage. At the end of the second year of permit coverage, a facility
must calculate the average concentration for each parameter that they
were required to monitor as listed in Tables F-7 through F-10, after
taking into account possible waivers based on the alternative
certification. If the permittee collects more than four samples in this
period, then they must calculate an average concentration for each
pollutant of concern for all samples analyzed.
Table F-7.--Steel Works, Blast Furnaces, and Rolling and Finishing Mills
(SIC 331) Monitoring Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut-off
Pollutants of concern concentration
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Recoverable Aluminum............................ 0.75 mg/L
Total Recoverable Zinc................................ 0.065 mg/L
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table F-8.--Iron and Steel Foundries (SIC 332) Monitoring Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut-off
Pollutants of concern concentration
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Recoverable Aluminum............................ 0.75 mg/L
Total Suspended Solids (TSS).......................... 100 mg/L
Total Recoverable Copper.............................. 0.0636 mg/L
Total Recoverable Iron................................ 1 mg/L
Total Recoverable Zinc................................ 0.065 mg/L
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table F-9.--Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding of Non-Ferrous Metals (SIC
335) Monitoring Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut-off
Pollutants of concern concentration
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Recoverable Copper.............................. 0.0636 mg/L
Total Recoverable Zinc................................ 0.065 mg/L
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table F-10.--Non-Ferrous Foundries (SIC 336) Monitoring Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut-off
Pollutants of concern concentration
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Recoverable Copper.............................. 0.0636 mg/L
Total Recoverable Zinc................................ 0.065 mg/L
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If the average concentration for a parameter is less than or equal
to the value listed in Tables F-7 through F-10, then the permittee is
not required to
[[Page 50887]]
conduct quantitative analysis for that parameter during the fourth year
of the permit. If, however, the average concentration for a parameter
is greater than the cut-off concentration listed in Tables F-7 through
F-10, then the permittee is required to conduct quarterly monitoring
for that parameter during the fourth year of permit coverage.
Monitoring is not required during the first, third, and fifth year of
the permit. The exclusion from monitoring in the fourth year of the
permit is conditional on the facility maintaining industrial operations
and BMPs that will ensure a quality of storm water discharges
consistent with the average concentrations recorded during the second
year of the permit. The schedule for monitoring is presented in Table
F-11.
Table F-11.--Schedule of Monitoring
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Year of Permit Conduct quarterly monitoring.
Coverage.
Calculate the average concentration
for all parameters analyzed during this
period.
If average concentration is greater
than the value listed in Tables F-7 through
F-10, then quarterly sampling is required
during the fourth year of the permit.
If average concentration is less
than or equal to the value listed in Tables
F-7 through F-10, then no further sampling
is required for that parameter.
4th Year of Permit Conduct quarterly monitoring for any
Coverage. parameter where the average concentration in
year 2 of the permit is greater than the
value listed in Tables F-7 through F-10.
If industrial activities or the
pollution prevention plan have been altered
such that storm water discharges may be
adversely affected, quarterly monitoring is
required for all parameters of concern.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In cases where the average concentration of a parameter exceeds the
cut-off concentration, EPA expects permittees to place special emphasis
on methods for reducing the presence of those parameters in storm water
discharges. Quarterly monitoring in the fourth year of the permit will
reassess the effectiveness of the adjusted pollution prevention plan.
The monitoring cut off concentrations listed in Tables F-7 through
F-10 are not numerical effluent limitations. These values represent a
level of pollutant discharge which facilities may achieve through the
implementation of pollution prevention plans. At least half of the
facilities which submitted Part 2 data, reported concentrations greater
than or equal to the values listed in Tables F-7 through F-10.
Facilities that achieve average discharge concentrations which are less
than or equal to the values in Tables F-7 through F-10 are not relieved
from the pollution prevention plan requirements or any other
requirements of the permit.
EPA realizes that if a facility is inactive and unstaffed it may be
difficult to collect storm water discharge samples when a qualifying
event occurs. Today's final permit has been revised so that inactive,
unstaffed facilities can exercise a waiver of the requirement to
conduct quarterly chemical sampling.
(1) Sample Type. All discharge data shall be reported for grab
samples. All such samples shall be collected from the discharge
resulting from a storm event that is greater than 0.1 inches in
magnitude and that occurs at least 72 hours from the previously
measurable (greater than 0.1 inch rainfall) storm event. The required
72-hours storm event interval is waived where the preceding measurable
storm event did not result in a measurable discharge from the facility.
The 72-hour storm event interval may also be waived where the permittee
documents that less than a 72-hour interval is representative for local
storm events during the season when sampling is being conducted. The
grab sample shall be taken during the first 30 minutes of the
discharge. If the collection of a grab sample during the first 30
minutes is impracticable, a grab sample can be taken during the first
hour of the discharge, and the discharger shall submit with the
monitoring report a description of why a grab sample during the first
30 minutes was impracticable. If storm water discharges associated with
industrial activity commingle with process or nonprocess water, then
where practicable permittees must attempt to sample the storm water
discharge before it mixes with the non-storm water discharge.
(2) Representative Discharge. When a facility has two or more
outfalls that, based on a consideration of industrial activity,
significant materials, and management practices and activities within
the area drained by the outfall, the permittee reasonably believes
discharge substantially identical effluents, the permittee may test the
effluent of one of such outfalls and report that the quantitative data
also applies to the substantially identical outfall(s) provided that
the permittee includes in the storm water pollution prevention plan a
description of the location of the outfalls and explains in detail why
the outfalls are expected to discharge substantially identical
effluent. In addition, for each outfall that the permittee believes is
representative, an estimate of the size of the drainage area (in square
feet) and an estimate of the runoff coefficient of the drainage area
(e.g., low (under 40 percent), medium (40 to 65 percent), or high
(above 65 percent)) shall be provided in the plan.
(3) Alternative Certification. Throughout today's permit, EPA has
required monitoring requirements for facilities which the Agency
believes have the potential for contributing significant levels of
pollutants to storm water discharges. The alternative described below
is necessary to ensure that monitoring requirements are only imposed on
those facilities that do, in fact, have storm water discharges
containing pollutants at concentrations of concern. EPA has determined
that if materials and activities are not exposed to storm water at the
site, then the potential for pollutants to contaminate storm water
discharges does not warrant monitoring.
Therefore, a discharger is not subject to the monitoring
requirements of this Part provided the discharger makes a certification
for a given outfall, or on a pollutant-by-pollutant basis in lieu of
monitoring described in Tables F-10 through F-13, under penalty of law,
signed in accordance with Part VII.G. of the pursuit (Signatory
Requirements), that material handling equipment or activities, raw
materials, intermediate products, final products, waste materials, by-
products, industrial machinery or operations, significant materials
from past industrial activity that are located in areas of the facility
that are within the drainage area of the outfall are not presently
exposed to storm water and will not be exposed to storm water for the
certification period. Such certification must be retained in the storm
water pollution prevention plan and submitted to EPA along with
[[Page 50888]]
the monitoring reports required under paragraph b. below. If the
permittee cannot certify for an entire period, they must submit the
date exposure was eliminated and any monitoring required up until that
date. This certification option is not applicable to compliance
monitoring requirements associated with effluent limitations. EPA does
not expect facilities to be able to exercise this certification for
indicator parameters, such as TSS and BOD.
b. Reporting Requirements. Permittees are required to submit all
monitoring results obtained during the second and fourth year of permit
coverage within 3 months of the conclusion of each year. For each
outfall, one Discharge Monitoring Report must be submitted per storm
event sampled. For facilities conducting monitoring beyond the minimum
quarterly requirements an additional Discharge Monitoring Report Form
must be filed for each analysis.
c. Quarterly Visual Examination of Storm Water Quality. Quarterly
visual inspections of a storm water discharge from each outfall are
required at primary metals facilities. The examination must be of a
grab sample collected from each storm water outfall. The examination of
storm water grab samples shall include any observations of color, odor,
clarity, floating solids, settled solids, suspended solids, foam, oil
sheen, or other obvious indicators of storm water pollution. The
examination must be conducted in a well lit area. No analytical tests
are required to be performed on these samples.
The examination must be made at least once per quarter during the
term of the permit during daylight unless there is insufficient
rainfall or snow-melt to runoff. Whenever practicable, the same
individual should carry out the collection and examination of
discharges throughout the life of the permit to ensure the greatest
degree of consistency possible. Grab samples shall be collected within
the first 30 minutes (or as soon thereafter as practical, but not to
exceed 1 hour) of when the runoff begins discharging. Reports of the
visual examination include: the examination date and time, examination
personnel, visual quality of the storm water discharge, and probable
sources of any observed storm water contamination. The visual
examination reports must be maintained onsite with the pollution
prevention plan.
When a discharger is unable to collect samples over the course of
the visual examination period as a result of adverse climatic
conditions, the discharger must document the reason for not performing
the visual examination. Adverse weather conditions which may prohibit
the collection of samples include weather conditions that create
dangerous conditions for personnel (such as local flooding, high winds,
hurricane, tornadoes, electrical storms, etc.) or otherwise make the
collection of a sample impracticable (e.g., drought, extended frozen
conditions, etc.).
EPA realizes that if a facility is inactive and unstaffed it may be
difficult to collect storm water discharge samples when a qualifying
event occurs. Today's final permit has been revised so that inactive,
unstaffed facilities can exercise a waiver of the requirement to
conduct quarterly visual examination.
EPA believes that this quick and simple assessment will allow the
permittee to approximate the effectiveness of his/her plan on a regular
basis at very little cost. Although the visual examination cannot
assess the chemical properties of the storm water discharged from the
site, the examination will provide meaningful results upon which the
facility may act quickly. The frequency of this visual examination will
also allow for timely adjustments to be made to the plan. If BMPs are
performing ineffectively, corrective action must be implemented. A set
of tracking or follow-up procedures must be used to ensure that
appropriate actions are taken in response to the examinations. The
visual examination is intended to be performed by members of the
pollution prevention team. This hands-on examination will enhance the
staff's understanding of the storm water problems on that site and the
effects of the management practices that are included in the plan.
G. Storm Water Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity From
Metal Mining (Ore Mining and Dressing) \43\ Facilities
1. Industrial Profile
On November 16, 1990 (55 FR 47990), the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated the regulatory definition of
``storm water discharges associated with industrial activity.'' This
definition included point source discharges of storm water from eleven
major categories of facilities, including: ``(i) facilities subject to
storm water effluent limitations guidelines, new source performance
standards, or toxic pollutant effluent standards under 40 CFR
subchapter N * * * .'' and ``* * * (iii) facilities classified as
Standard Industrial Classifications 10 through 14 (metal mining
industry) including active or inactive mining operations (except for
areas of coal mining operations no longer meeting the definition of a
reclamation area under 40 CFR 434.11(l) because the performance bond
issued to the facility by the appropriate SMCRA authority has been
released, or except for areas of noncoal mining operations which have
been released from applicable State or Federal reclamation requirements
after December 17, 1990) and oil and gas exploration, production,
processing, or treatment operations, or that has come into contact
with, any overburden, raw material, intermediate products, finished
products, by-products or waste products located on the site of such
operations.''
\43\ For the purposes of this part of the fact sheet, the term
``metal mining'' includes all ore mining and/or dressing and
beneficiating operations, whether performed at mills operated in
conjunction with the mines served or at mills, such as custom mills,
operated separately.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This section of today's general permit only applies to the portions
of categories (i) and (iii) identified by 40 CFR Part 440 and the metal
mining industry (Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code 10). SIC
code 10 includes establishments primarily engaged in mining, developing
mines, or exploring for metallic minerals (ores). This group also
includes all ore dressing and beneficiating operations, whether
performed at mills operated in conjunction with the mines served or at
mills, such as custom mills, operated separately. Common activities at
these mills include: crushing, grinding, and separation by gravity
concentration, magnetic separation, electrostatic separation,
flotation, or leaching 44. The following is a listing of the types
of mining/milling facilities that are covered under SIC code 10: Iron
Ores (SIC Code 1011); Copper Ores (SIC Code 1021); Lead and Zinc Ores
(SIC Code 1031); Gold Ores (SIC Code 1041); Silver Ores (SIC Code
1044); Ferroalloy Ores, Except Vanadium (SIC Code 1061); Uranium-
Radium-Vanadium Ores (SIC Code 1094); and Miscellaneous Metal Ores, Not
Elsewhere Classified (SIC Code 1099).
\44\ For more information on metal mines/mills see EPA, Effluent
Guidelines Division. November 1982. ``Development Document for
Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Ore Mining and
Dressing Point Source Category.'' EPA 440/1-82/061.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This section does not cover any discharge subject to effluent
limitation guidelines, including storm water that combines with process
wastewater and mine drainage. Storm water that does not come into
contact with any overburden, raw material, intermediate product,
finished product, by-product, or waste product located on the site of
[[Page 50889]]
the operation is not subject to permitting under this section according
to Section 402(l)(2) of the Clean Water Act. Storm water discharges
associated with industrial activity from inactive mining operations
occurring on Federal lands where an operator cannot be identified
cannot be covered by this permit.
Storm water discharges from mining claims where no mining
activities have been undertaken (including no historic activities)
except minimal activities undertaken for the purpose of maintaining a
mining claim do not need to be covered by a permit. (This applies to
Federal and private lands.)
This section is applicable to all phases of mining operations,
whether active or inactive, as long as there is exposure to significant
materials. This includes land disturbance activities such as the
expansion of current extraction sites, active and inactive mining
stages, and reclamation activities.
When an industrial facility, described by the above coverage
provisions of this section, has industrial activities being conducted
onsite that meet the description(s) of industrial activities in another
section(s), that industrial facility shall comply with any and all
applicable monitoring and pollution prevention plan requirements of the
other section(s) in addition to all applicable requirements in this
section. The monitoring and pollution prevention plan terms and
conditions of this multi-sector permit are additive for industrial
activities being conducted at the same industrial facility (co-located
industrial activities). The operator of the facility shall determine
which other monitoring and pollution prevention plan section(s) of this
permit (if any) are applicable to the facility.
There are typically three phases to a mining operation: the
exploration and construction phase; the active phase; and the
reclamation phase. The exploration and construction phase entails
exploration and a certain amount of land disturbance to determine the
financial viability of a site. Construction includes building of site
access roads, and removal of overburden and waste rock to expose
minable ore. These land-disturbing activities are significant potential
sources of storm water contaminants. The active phase includes each
step from extraction through production of a saleable product. The
active phase may include periods of inactivity due to the seasonal
nature of these metal mining activities. The final phase of reclamation
is intended to return the land to its pre-mining state.
Because of the land-disturbing nature of the ore mining and
dressing industry, contaminants of concern generated by industrial
activities in this industry include total suspended solids (TSS), total
dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, pH, and heavy metals. Table G-1
lists potential pollutant source activities, and related pollutants
associated with ore mining and dressing facilities.
Table G-1.--Activities, Pollutant Sources, and Pollutants
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity Pollutant source Pollutant
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Site Preparation.............. Road Construction...................... Dust, TSS, TDS, turbidity.
Removal of Overburden.................. Dust, TSS, TDS, turbidity.
Removal of waste rock to expose the Dust, TSS, TDS, turbidity.
metal.
Mineral Extraction............ Blasting activities.................... Dust, TSS, nitrate/nitrite.
Beneficiation Activities...... Milling................................ Dust, TSS, TDS, pH, turbidity, fines,
heavy metals.
Flotation.............................. Dust, TSS, TDS, pH, turbidity, fines,
chemical reagents, acids, heavy
metals.
Gravity Concentration.................. TSS, TDS, pH, turbidity, heavy metals.
Amalgamation........................... Dust, TSS, TDS, pH, turbidity, heavy
metals, mercury.
Waste Rock Storage..................... Dust, TSS, TDS, turbidity, pH, heavy
metals.
Raw Material Loading................... Dust, TSS, TDS, turbidity, heavy
metals.
Processing materials unloading......... Diesel fuel, oil, gasoline, chemical
reagents.
Raw or Waste Material Transportation... Dust, TSS, TDS, turbidity, heavy
metals.
Leaching...................... Heap leach piles....................... Dust, TSS, TDS, turbidity, pH, heavy
metals, cyanide.
Other Activities.............. Sedimentation pond upsets.............. TSS, TDS, turbidity, pH, heavy metals.
Sedimentation pond sludge removal and Dust, TSS, TDS, turbidity, pH, heavy
disposal. metals.
Air emission control device cleaning... Dust, TSS, TDS, turbidity.
Equipment/Vehicle Maintenance. Fueling activities..................... Diesel fuel, gasoline, oil.
Parts cleaning......................... Solvents, oil, heavy metals, acid/
alkaline wastes.
Waste disposal of oily rags, oil and Oil, heavy metals, solvents, acids
gas filters, batteries, coolants,
degreasers.
Fluid replacement including hydraulic Oil, arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium,
fluid, oil, transmission fluid, benzene, TCA, TCE, PAHs, solvents.
radiator fluids, and grease.
Reclamation Activities........ Site preparation for stabilization..... Dust, TSS, TDS, turbidity, heavy
metals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sources: Storm Water Group Applications, Parts 1 and 2 and EPA. ``Development Document for Effluent Limitations
Guidelines and Standards for the Ore Mining and Dressing Point Source Category.'' (EPA 440/1-82/061) November
1982.
Industrial activities, significant materials, and material
management practices associated with ore mining and dressing methods
are typically similar, varying only in the type of rock being mined.
Examples of mineral commodities obtained from ore mining and dressing
facilities include: iron; copper; lead; zinc; gold; silver; ferroalloy
ores such as molybdenum, manganese, chromium, cobalt, nickel, and
tungsten; uranium; radium; vanadium; aluminum; antimony; bauxite;
platinum; tin; and titanium. Industrial activities include, ``. . . but
[are] not limited to, storm water discharges from industrial plant
yards; immediate access roads and rail lines used or traveled by
carriers of raw materials, manufactured products, waste material, or
by-products used or created by the facility; material handling sites;
refuse sites; sites used for the application or disposal of process
wastewaters (as defined at 40 CFR Part 401); sites used for the storage
and maintenance of material handling
[[Page 50890]]
equipment; sites used for residual treatment, storage, or disposal;
shipping and receiving areas; manufacturing buildings; storage areas
(including tank farms) for raw materials and intermediate and finished
materials; and areas where industrial activity has taken place in the
past and significant materials remain and are exposed to storm water''
(40 CFR 122.26(b)(14)). The most common industrial activities at
metallic mine sites include extraction of the metal, material crushing,
and product separation. While all of these industrial activities can
occur at metal mines, storm water discharges from some of the areas
listed cannot be covered by this permit (see Part VIII.G.4. Discharges
Covered Under This Section).
Significant materials include, ``. . . but [are] not limited to:
raw materials, fuels, materials such as solvents, detergents, and
plastic pellets; finished materials such as metallic products; . . .
hazardous substances designated under Section 101(14) of CERCLA; any
chemical facilities required to report pursuant to Section 313 of title
III of SARA; fertilizers; pesticides; and waste products such as ashes,
slag, and sludge that have the potential to be released with storm
water discharge'' (40 CFR 122.26(b)(12)). Significant materials
commonly found at mining facilities include: overburden; waste rock;
sub-ore piles; tailings; petroleum-based products; solvents and
detergents; manufactured products; and other waste materials.
Materials management practices are defined as those practices
employed to diminish contact by significant materials with
precipitation and storm water runon, or practices utilized to reduce
the offsite discharge of contaminants. To this end, sediment ponds,
discharge diversion techniques, as well as methods of dispersion, are
used to minimize impacts of significant materials on storm water. For
mine sites requiring additional sources of water for processing
operations, rainfall events as well as storm water runon will be
managed for use in dust suppression, processing, and washing
activities. Many mine sites are already equipped with sedimentation
ponds and other established process wastewater treatment methods in
order to meet effluent limitation guidelines. Additional storm water
management practices used at mineral mining facilities include:
discharge diversions; drainage/storm water conveyances; runoff
dispersion; sediment control and collection practices; vegetation/soil
stabilization; capping contaminated sources; and treatment.
Metals are recovered by three basic extraction techniques: surface
mining; underground mining; and placer mining. Each type of extraction
method may be followed by varying methods of beneficiation and
processing. Presented below are brief descriptions of the industrial
activities, significant materials, and materials management practices
associated with these four extraction processes and associated
beneficiation activities. Due to similarities in mining operations for
many of the minerals within this sector, industrial activities,
significant materials, and materials management practices are fairly
uniform across this sector. Unique practices are noted.
a. Surface Mining. Many mining facilities access metal deposits
using surface extraction techniques such as strip mining, open-pit,
open-cut, and open-cast. Surface mining is more economical than
underground especially when the ore body is large and near the surface.
(1) Industrial Activities. Extraction activities include removal of
overburden and waste rock to access metal deposits. These land-
disturbing activities generate piles of topsoil and other overburden as
well as waste rock, which are typically stored beside, or within, the
pit or quarry. In addition, land disturbance, drilling, blasting,
stripping, and materials handling activities create large amounts of
dust that are either dispersed by local wind patterns or collected in
air pollution control mechanisms. At closure, overburden and waste rock
may or may not be used to reclaim the pit or quarry depending on
Federal, State, and local requirements. In addition, access roads and
rail spurs, and associated loading and unloading areas, are found
onsite.
Following extraction, the mined materials may be transferred to a
nearby beneficiation/processing facility. At an ore beneficiation
facility, the valuable metals are separated from the less valuable rock
to yield a product which is higher in metal content. To accomplish
this, the ore must be crushed and ground small enough so that each
particle contains mostly the mineral to be recovered or mostly the less
valuable, or gangue, material. Valuable minerals are separated from the
gangue by gravity concentration, magnetic separation, electrostatic
separation, flotation, and leaching.
(2) Significant Materials. Significant materials generated by most
extraction activities at surface mines include overburden piles, waste
rock piles, ore and subore piles, and materials spilled from loading
and unloading activities. Other exposed materials that can be generated
at these types of operations (as well as other metal mines), include:
tailings from flotation and other separation stages; soils impacted by
fugitive dust emissions; settling ponds that receive process
wastewaters; dredged sediment disposal areas; as well as raw material
and product storage. Dust and particulate matter collected in air
pollution control mechanisms may also be disposed of in onsite waste
piles.
(3) Materials Management Practices. Materials management practices
at surface mines are typically designed to control dust emissions and
soil erosion from extraction activities, and offsite transport of
significant materials. Settling ponds and impoundments are commonly
used to reduce total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids
(TDS), and other contaminants in process generated wastewaters. These
controls may also be used to manage storm water runoff and runon with
potentially few alterations to onsite drainage systems. Few sampling
facilities indicated the presence of traditional BMPs. Only 29 percent
of the sampling facilities have ponds or impoundments as a storm water
control.
Tailings impoundments are used to manage tailings generated at
facilities engaged in flotation or heavy media separation operations.
These impoundments are used to manage beneficiation/processing
wastewaters generated at the facility and may also be used to manage
storm water runoff.
b. Underground Mining. Underground mining techniques are used to
access metals located too far underground to access economically from
the surface. Though typically a more expensive form of extraction,
advantages to underground mining operations include year-round
operation, less noise (applicable to facilities located near
residential areas), and less surface land disturbance. The two main
underground mining methods are stoping and caving. Both of these
methods can be used in several variations depending on the
characteristics of the ore body. Common stoping methods include cut-
and-fill, square cut (timbered), shrinkage, and open. Caving methods
include undercut, block, and sub-level. Underground mining is usually
independent of surface mining, but sometimes underground mining
precedes or follows surface mining.
(1) Industrial Activities/Significant Materials. Industrial
activities that may be associated with storm water discharges include:
loading/unloading activities; haul roads; products and materials
storage; waste piles; and processing activities. Exposed materials
[[Page 50891]]
associated with surface beneficiation and processing facilities at
underground mines are similar to those associated with surface mining
facilities.
(2) Materials Management Practices. Materials management practices
for significant materials at the surface of underground mining
facilities are similar to those materials management practices used at
surface mining operations. However, waste rock or mill tailings are in
some cases being returned to the mine as fill for the mined-out areas
or may be directed to a disposal basin.
c. Placer Mining. Placer mining is used to mine alluvial sands and
gravels containing valuable metallic minerals. Placer deposits are
usually mined exclusively for gold material but smaller amounts of
platinum, tin, and tungsten may also be recovered. There are three main
placer mining techniques including dredge, hydraulic, and open cut
methods.
(1) Industrial Activities. The industrial activities at dredging
placer mines excavate underwater gold deposits by bucketline, dragline,
or by suction. The excavation devices dig, wash, and screen gold values
which are then recovered using gravity concentration methods. Hydraulic
placer mines characteristically use high pressure water jets to
excavate value-laden gravel banks. The most commonly used placer mining
extraction method is the open cut. It involves stripping away topsoil
and overburden to expose the auriferous gravels. The gold bearing
gravels are excavated in sections and pushed to a placer wash plant for
processing. Gravitational concentration is the common beneficiating
technique at placer mines.
(2) Significant Materials. Significant materials generated at
placer operations include overburden, mine development rock, ore, sub-
ore piles, mine waste dumps, tailings ponds and piles. Potential
natural constituents include mercury, arsenic, bismuth, antimony,
thallium, pyrite, and pyrrhotite. After settling, the liquid portion of
the slurry is returned to the mill as process water and the remaining
slurried waste is pumped to tailings. In placer operations, however,
tailings are disposed of in streams or on land.
(3) Materials Management Practices. Settling ponds are used to
manage process wastewaters and are in some cases being used to manage
contaminated storm water runoff. Few materials management practices
were indicated in the part 1 group applications.
d. Inactive Mine Sites. Inactive ore mining and dressing operations
are those where industrial activities are no longer occurring. When
active, mineral extraction could have occurred from surface mines,
solution mines, placer operations, or underground mines. These sites
are included in this section because significant materials may remain
onsite. These materials, if exposed, are potential sources of storm
water contamination. Until an inactive metals mine and/or beneficiation
operation has been reclaimed under applicable State or Federal laws
after December 17, 1990, the site is considered associated with an
``industrial activity'' and is subject to the conditions of this
section. Due to the seasonal nature of this industry, mine sites can
become temporarily inactive for extended periods of time. Temporarily
inactive sites are not viewed the same as permanently inactive sites.
2. Pollutants Found in Storm Water Discharges From Metal Mining
The volume of storm water discharges and the type and
concentrations of pollutants found in storm water discharges from
active and inactive metal mining facilities will vary according to
several factors. Such factors include: geographic location;
hydrogeology; the physical and chemical characteristics of the ores
extracted; the physical and chemical characteristics of the waste rock
and overburden removed; how the ore was extracted (e.g., open pit,
underground, solution or dredging); the type of industrial activities
occurring onsite (e.g., extraction, crushing, washing, milling,
reclamation, etc.); the size of the operation; type, duration, and
intensity of precipitation events; temperature ranges and variations;
and the types of pollutant control measures used at the site. Each of
these, and other factors will interact to influence the quantity and
quality of storm water runoff. For example, air emissions (i.e., dust)
may be a significant source of pollutants at some facilities, while
roads constructed of waste rock may be a primary source at others. In
addition, sources of pollutants other than storm water, such as illicit
connections, spills, and other improperly dumped materials, may
increase the pollutant loadings discharged into waters of the United
States.
Based on the wide variety of industrial activities and significant
materials at the facilities included in this sector, EPA believes it is
appropriate to divide the metal mining (ore mining and dressing)
industry into subsectors to properly analyze sampling data and
determine monitoring requirements. As a result, this sector has been
divided into the following subsectors: iron ore; copper ores; lead and
zinc ores, gold and silver ores; ferroalloy ores, except vanadium;
metal mining services; and miscellaneous metal ores (including uranium-
radium-vanadium ores). Table G-2 below includes data for the eight
pollutants that all facilities were required to monitor for under Form
2F. The table also lists those parameters that EPA has determined merit
further monitoring.
A table has not been included for the following subsectors because
less than 3 facilities submitted data in that subsector; iron ores;
lead and zinc ores; gold and silver ores; ferroalloy ores, except
vanadium; metal mining services; and miscellaneous metal ores
(including uranium-radium-vanadium ores).
Table G-2.--Statistics for Selected Pollutants Reported by Copper Ore Mining Facilities Submitting Part II Sampling Data i (mg/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. of facilities No. of samples Minimum Maximum Median 95th percentile 99th percentile
PollutantSample type -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grab Comp ii Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp Grab Comp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOD5........................ 4 1 7 1 11.0 18.0 0.0 18.0 27.0 18.0 11.0 18.0 43.6 ........ 81.9 ........
COD......................... 4 2 7 4 234.7 360.0 0.0 160.0 630.0 740.0 160.0 270.0 1448.6 888.2 3835.9 1386.6
Nitrate + Nitrite Nitrogen.. 4 1 5 2 1.84 1.50 0.00 1.40 5.30 1.60 1.40 1.50 6.35 1.75 11.5 1.86
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen..... 3 1 4 2 3.98 3.70 1.20 1.50 7.00 5.90 3.85 3.70 13.60 14.63 25.55 28.30
Oil & Grease................ 3 N/A 5 N/A 1.0 N/A 0.0 N/A 5.0 N/A 0.0 N/A .......... N/A ........... N/A
pH.......................... 5 N/A 13 N/A N/A N/A 4.5 N/A 8.2 N/A 7.8 N/A 9.7 N/A 10.7 N/A
Total Phosphorus............ 5 3 10 5 2.17 7.54 0.00 0.00 14.00 7.00 0.11 0.17 13.53 7.93 68.67 28.25
Total Suspended Solids...... 4 2 6 4 18113 580 0 330 100000 850 2135 570 350477 1159 4050366 1596
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Applications that did not report the units of measurement for the reported values of pollutants were not included in these statistics. Values reported as non-detect or below detection limit
were assumed to be 0.
ii Composite samples.
[[Page 50892]]
3. Options for Controlling Pollutants From Metal Mines
There are two options for reducing pollutants in storm water
discharges; end-of-pipe treatment and implementing Best Management
Practices to prevent and/or eliminate pollution. Discharges from mining
operations are in some ways dissimilar to other types of industrial
facilities. Mining facilities are often in remote locations and may
operate only seasonally or intermittently, yet need year-round controls
because significant materials remain exposed to precipitation when
reclamation is not completed. These characteristics make resource
intensive end-of-pipe management controls less desirable. A
comprehensive storm water management program for a given plant may
include controls from each of these categories. Development of
comprehensive control strategies should be based on a consideration of
site and facility plant characteristics.
a. End-of-Pipe Treatment. At many ore mining and dressing
facilities, it may be appropriate to collect and treat the runoff from
targeted areas of the facility. This approach was taken with 11
industrial subcategories within the ore mining and dressing industry,
subject to national effluent limitation guidelines mill process
wastewater and mine drainage. There are several areas where effluent
limitation guidelines influence the permitting strategy for storm water
discharges: whenever storm water and mill process wastewater and mine
drainage combine, the storm water discharge is also subject to effluent
limitation guidelines; to meet the numeric effluent limitation
guidelines, most, if not all, facilities must collect and temporarily
store onsite runoff from targeted areas of the plant; the effluent
limitation guidelines do not apply to discharges whenever rainfall
events, either chronic or catastrophic, cause an overflow of storage
devices designed, constructed, and maintained to contain a 10-year, 24-
hour storm; and most technology-based treatment standards, used for
treating discharges subject to effluent limitation guidelines, are
based on relatively simple technologies such as settling of solids,
neutralization, and drum filtration.
For storm water discharges that are not covered by the effluent
limitations guidelines, BMPs may be an appropriate means for limiting
pollutant contributions. However, in cases of poor quality storm water
discharges (e.g., low pH, high metals, etc.), treatment may be
necessary to protect receiving waters.
b. Best Management Practices. Effective storm water management
controls for limiting the offsite discharge of storm water pollutants
from ore mining and dressing facilities are source reduction BMPs.
Source reduction BMPs are methods by which discharges of contaminants
are controlled with little or no required maintenance. Examples of
these types of controls include source reduction diversion dikes,
vegetative covers, and berms. Source reduction practices are typically
(but not always) low in cost and relatively easy to implement. In some
instances, more resource intensive treatment BMPs, including
sedimentation ponds, may be necessary depending upon the type of
discharge, types and concentrations of contaminants, and volume of
flow.
The selection of the most effective BMPs will be based on site-
specific considerations such as: facility size, climate, geographic
location, hydrogeology and the environmental setting of each facility,
and volume and type of discharge generated. Each facility will be
unique in that the source, type, and volume of contaminated storm water
discharges will differ. In addition, the fate and transport of
pollutants in these discharges will vary. The management practices
discussed herein are well suited mechanisms to prevent or control the
contamination of storm water discharges associated with mining
activity.
The following four categories describe best management practice
options for reducing pollutants in storm water discharges from ore
mining and dressing facilities: discharge diversions; sediment and
erosion control; capping of contaminated sources; treatment.
Because ore mining and dressing is largely a land disturbance
activity, BMPs that minimize erosion and sedimentation will be most
effective if installed at the inception of operations and maintained
throughout active operations and reclamation of the site. From the
construction of access and haul roads, to closure and reclamation
activities, implementation of BMPs is often essential to minimizing
long-term environmental impacts to an area.
Part 1 group application data indicates that few storm water BMPs
have been implemented at sampling facilities. The group application
process did not require a description of BMP locations, and did not
require applicants to describe the number of identical BMPs implemented
at each site. As a result, the effectiveness of BMPs, for storm water
management, at these facilities cannot be evaluated.
Many BMPs were not listed by facilities because they have been
implemented to treat waters subject to effluent limitation guidelines,
and are not exclusively used for storm water management. For instance,
29 percent of the sampling subgroup reported using ponds for sediment
control and collection. Since some facilities classified as SIC Code 10
are subject to effluent limitation guidelines, sedimentation ponds may
be implemented at greater proportions than indicated in part 1 of the
group applications.
Because BMPs described in the part 1 data are limited, EPA is
providing an overview of supplementary BMPs for use at ore mining and
dressing facilities. However, due to the site-specific nature of
facilities within this sector, BMPs cited do not preclude the use of
other viable BMP options. Table G-3 summarizes BMP options as they
apply to land disturbance activities at ore mining and dressing
facilities. Sources of BMP information include: ``Sediment and Erosion
Control: An Inventory of Current Practices--Draft,'' EPA, April 20,
1990; ``Storm Water Management for Industrial Activities: Developing
Pollution Prevention Plans and Best Management Practices,'' EPA,
September, 1992, (EPA 832-R-92-006); ``Best Management Practices for
Mining in Idaho,'' Idaho Department of Lands, November 1992; and
``Erosion & Sediment Control Handbook,'' Goldman et al., McGraw-Hill
Book Company, 1986.
[[Page 50893]]
Table G-3.--Summary of Mine Areas and Applicable Best Management Practices
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land-disturbed Discharge Conveyance Sediment control
area diversions systems Runoff dispersion & collection Vegetation Containment Treatment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Haul Roads and Dikes, Curbs, Channels, Check Dams, Rock Gabions, Riprap, Seeding, Willow
Access Roads. Berms. Gutters, Outlet Native Rock Cutting
Culverts, Protection, Retaining Walls, Establishment.
Rolling Dips, Level Spreaders, Straw Bale
Road Sloping, Stream Barriers,
Roadway Water Alteration, Drop Sediment Traps/
Deflectors. Structures. Catch Basins,
Vegetated Buffer
Strips.
Pits/Quarries or Dikes, Curbs, Channels, Gutters Serrated Slopes, Sediment Settling Seeding.......... Plugging and Chemical/Physical
Underground Mines. Berms. Benched Slopes, Ponds, Straw Grouting. Treatment.
Contouring, Bale Barrier,
Stream Siltation Berms.
Alteration.
Overburden, Waste Dikes, Curbs, Channels, Gutters Serrated Slopes, Plastic Matting, Topsoiling, Capping.......... Chemical/Physical
Rock and Raw Berms. Benched Slopes, Plastic Netting, Seedbed Treatment,
Material Piles. Contouring, Erosion Control Preparation, Artificial
Stream Blankets, Mulch- Seeding. Wetlands.
Alteration. straw,
Compaction,
Sediment/
Settling Ponds,
Silt Fences,
Siltation Berms.
Reclamation....... Dikes, Curbs, Channels, Gutters Check Dams, Rock Gabions, Riprap, Topsoiling, Capping, Plugging Chemical/Physical
Berms. Outlet and Native Rock Seedbed and Grouting. Treatment,
Protection, Retaining Walls, Preparation, Wetlands.
Level Spreaders, Biotechnical Seeding, Willow
Serrated Slopes, Stabilization, Cutting
Benched Slopes, Straw Bale Establishment.
Contouring, Barriers,
Drain Fields, Sediment Traps/
Stream Catch Basins,
Alteration, Drop Vegetative
Structures. Buffer Strips,
Silt Fences,
Siltation Berms,
Brush Sediment
Barriers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Haul Roads and Access Roads--Placement of haul roads or access
roads should occur as far as possible from natural drainage areas,
lakes, ponds, wetlands or floodplains where soil will naturally be less
stable for heavy vehicle traffic. If a haul road must be constructed
near water, as little vegetation as possible should be removed from
between the road and the waterway, as vegetation is a useful buffer
against erosion and is an efficient sediment collection mechanism. The
width and grade of haul or access roads should be minimal and should be
designed to match natural contours of the area. Construction of haul
roads should be supplemented by BMPs that divert runoff from road
surfaces, minimize erosion, and direct flow to appropriate channels for
discharge to treatment areas.
Pits or Quarries--Excavation of a pit or quarry must be accompanied
by BMPs to minimize impacts to area surface waters. As discussed in
construction of haul roads, as little vegetation as possible should be
removed from these areas during excavation activities to minimize
exposed soils. In addition, stream channels and other sources of water
that may discharge into a pit or quarry should be diverted around that
area to prevent contamination.
BMPs can be used to control total suspended solids levels in runoff
from unvegetated areas. These can include sediment/settling ponds,
check dams, silt fences, and straw bale barriers.
Overburden, Waste Rock, and Raw Material Piles--Overburden,
topsoil, and waste rock, as well as raw material and intermediate and
final product stockpiles should be located away from
[[Page 50894]]
surface waters and other sources of water, and from geologically
unstable areas. If this is not practicable, surface water should be
diverted around the piles. As many piles as possible should be
revegetated, (even if only on a temporary basis.) At closure, remaining
units should be reclaimed.
Reclamation Activities--When a mineral deposit is depleted and
operations cease, a mine site must be reclaimed according to
appropriate State or Federal standards. Closure activities typically
include restabilization of any disturbed areas such as access or haul
roads, pits or quarries, sedimentation ponds or work-out pits, and any
remaining waste piles. Overburden and topsoil stockpiles may be used to
fill in a pit or quarry (where practical.) Recontouring and
revegetation should be performed to stabilize soils, and prevent
erosion.
Major reclamation activities such as recontouring roads and filling
in a pit or quarry can only be performed after operations have ceased.
However, reclamation activities such as stabilization of banks, and
reseeding and revegetation should be implemented in mined out portions,
or inactive areas of a site as active mining moves to new areas.
EPA recognizes that quarries are frequently converted into
reservoirs, or recreational areas, after the mineral deposit is
depleted. However, this does not preclude the reclamation of disturbed
areas above the quarry rim.
(1) Discharge Diversions. Discharge diversions provide the first
line of defense in preventing the contamination of discharges, and
subsequent contamination of receiving waters of the United States.
Discharge diversions are temporary or permanent structures installed to
divert flow, store flow, or limit storm water runon and runoff.
These diversion practices have several objectives. First, diversion
structures can be designed to prevent otherwise uncontaminated (or less
contaminated) water from crossing disturbed areas or areas containing
significant amounts of contaminated materials, where contact may occur
between runon and significant materials. These source reduction
measures may be particularly effective for metal mining facilities to
prevent runon of uncontaminated discharges from contacting exposed
materials and/or reduce the flow across disturbed areas, thereby
lessening the potential for erosion. Second, diversion structures can
be used to collect or divert waters for later treatment, if necessary.
The usefulness of these control measures are limited by such factors as
the size of the area to be controlled and the type and nature of
materials exposed and precipitation events.
Diversion dikes, curbs, and berms are temporary or permanent
diversion structures that prevent runoff from passing beyond a certain
point, and divert runoff away from its intended path. Dikes, curbs or
berms may be used to surround and isolate areas of concern at metal
mining sites, diverting flow around piles of overburden, waste rock,
and storage areas, to minimize discharge contact with contaminated
materials and to limit discharges of contaminated water from confined
areas. The BMPs described below may be useful for storm water diversion
at metal mining sites.
Channels or Gutters--Channels or gutters collect storm water runoff
and direct its flow. Channels or gutters may act to divert runoff away
from a potential source of contamination, but may also be used to
channel runoff to a collection and/or treatment area including settling
ponds, basins or work-out pits.
Open Top Box Culverts and Waterbars--These structures are temporary
or permanent structures that divert water from a roadway surface. Open
top box culverts may be used on steeply graded, unpaved roads in place
of pipe culverts to divert surface runoff and flow from inside ditches
onto the downhill slope of a road. These structures are typically made
of wood and should periodically be monitored and repaired if necessary.
Rolling Dips and Road Sloping--Rolling dips and road sloping are
permanent water diversion techniques installed using natural contours
of the land during road construction. These BMPs prevent water
accumulation on road surfaces and divert surface runoff toward road
ditches, which then convey the storm water to ponds or other management
areas.
Roadway Surface Water Deflector--A roadway surface water deflector
is another technique to prevent accumulation of water on road surfaces.
The structure uses a conveyor belt sandwiched between two pieces of
treated wood and placed within the road to deflect water. This is a
useful technique for steeply graded, unpaved roads.
Culverts--Culverts are permanent surface water diversion mechanisms
used to convey water off or underneath a road. Made of corrugated
metal, they must extend across the entire width of the road and beyond
the fill slope. Additional erosion control mechanisms may need to be
installed at the discharge end of the culvert.
Drainage systems are most effective when used in conjunction with
runoff dispersion devices designed to slow the flow of water discharged
from a site. These devices also aid storm water infiltration into the
soil and flow attenuation. Some examples of velocity dissipation
devices include check dams, rock outlet protection, level spreaders,
and serrated and benched slopes.
Check Dams--Check dams are small temporary dams constructed across
swales or drainage ditches to reduce the velocity of runoff flows,
thereby reducing erosion and failure of the swale or ditch. This
slowing reduces erosion and gullying in the channel and allows
sediments to settle.
Rock Outlet Protection--Rock protection placed at the outlet end of
culverts, channels, or ditches reduces the depth, velocity, and
destructive energy of water such that the flow will not erode the
downstream reach.
Level Spreaders--Level spreaders are outlets for dikes and
diversions consisting of an excavated depression constructed at zero
grade across a slope. Level spreaders diffuse storm water point sources
and release it onto areas stabilized by existing vegetation.
Serrated Slopes and Benched Slopes--These runoff dispersion methods
break up flow of runoff from a slope, decreasing its ability to erode.
Serrated and benched slopes provide flat areas that allow water to
infiltrate, and space for vegetation to grow and reinforce soils.
Contouring--Surface contouring is the establishment of a rough soil
surface amenable to revegetation, through creating horizontal grooves,
depressions, or steps that run with the contour of the land. Surface
roughening aids in the establishment of vegetative cover by reducing
runoff velocity and giving seed an opportunity to take hold and grow.
Drain Fields--Drain fields are used to prevent the accumulation of
water and/or ground water at a site, by diverting infiltrating sources
through gravity flow or pumping.
Stream Alteration--Altering or channelizing the path of a stream to
bypass all or some disturbed areas on a site allows additional mining
activities and avoids contamination of stream water by disturbed lands.
This practice is complicated, however, by the need to restore the
channel when mining operations end.
Drop Structures--Drop structures are large angular rocks placed in
a V-shaped pattern to slow the velocity of storm water runoff. These
structures are typically reinforced by logs or large rocks imbedded in
the streambanks.
[[Page 50895]]
(2) Erosion and Sediment Controls. Erosion and sediment controls
limit movement and retain sediments from being transported offsite.
Several structural collection devices have been developed to remove
sediment from runoff before it leaves the site. Several methods of
removing sediment from site runoff involve diversion mechanisms
previously discussed, supplemented by a trapping or storage device.
Structural practices typically involve filtering diffuse storm water
flows through temporary structures such as straw bale dikes, silt
fences, brush barriers or vegetated areas.
Structural practices are typically low in cost. However, structural
practices require periodic removal of sediment to remain functional. As
such, they may not be appropriate for permanent use at inactive mines.
However, these practices may be effectively used as temporary measures
during active operation and/or prior to the final implementation of
permanent measures.
(a) Structural Practices.
(i) Sediment/Settling Ponds--Sediment ponds function as sediment
traps by containing runoff for long periods of time, allowing suspended
solids to settle. These structures can achieve a high removal rate of
sediment for both process wastewater and storm water discharges.
Discharge ponds may also be designed to act as surge ponds which
are designed to contain storm surges and then completely drain in about
24 to 40 hours, and remain dry during times of no rainfall. They can
provide pollutant removal efficiencies that are similar to those of
detention ponds.\45\
\45\ ``Urban Targeting and BMP Selection,'' EPA, Region V,
November 1990.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ii) Gabions, Riprap, and Native Rock Retaining Walls--These BMPs
are all forms of slope stabilization. Gabions consist of rocks (riprap)
contained by rectangular wire boxes or baskets for use as permanent
erosion control structures. Riprap consists of loose rocks placed along
embankments to prevent erosion.
(iii) Biotechnical Stabilization--Biotechnical stabilization uses
live brush imbedded in the soils of a steep slope to prevent erosion.
This method relies on the premise that the imbedded vegetation will
eventually root and help stabilize the slope.
(iv) Straw Bale Barrier--Straw bales may be used as temporary
berms, barriers, or diversions, capturing sediments, filtering runoff.
When installed and maintained properly, these barriers remove
approximately 67 percent of the sediment load.\46\
\46\ ``Sediment and Erosion Control: An Inventory of Current
Practices--Draft,'' EPA, April 20, 1990, page IV-14.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(v) Sediment Traps or Catch Basins--These temporary or permanent
structures are useful for catching and storing sediment laden storm
water runoff and are particularly useful during construction activities
to contain runoff. The effectiveness of these BMPs is better in smaller
drainage basin areas. Sediment traps are less than 50 percent effective
in removing sediment from storm water runoff.\47\
\47\ ``Sediment and Erosion Control: An Inventory of Current
Practices--Draft,'' EPA, April 20, 1990, page IV-26.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(vi) Vegetated Buffer Strips--The installation of vegetated buffer
strips will reduce runoff and prevent erosion at a removal efficiency
rate of 75 to 99 percent depending upon the ground cover.\48\
\48\ ``Sediment and Erosion Control: An Inventory of Current
Practices--Draft,'' EPA, April 20, 1990, page IV-7.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(vii) Silt Fence/Filter Fence--A low fence made of filter fabric,
wire and steel posts, should be used on small ephemeral drainage areas
where storm water collects or leaves a mine site. Silt fences remove 97
percent of the sediment load and are easier to maintain and remove
without creating lasting impacts to the environment.\49\
\49\ ``Sediment and Erosion Control: An Inventory of Current
Practices--Draft,'' EPA, April 20, 1990, page IV-15.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(viii) Siltation Berms--Siltation berms are typically placed on the
downslope side of a disturbed area to act as an impermeable barrier for
the capture and retention of sediments in surface water runoff. Plastic
sheeting is typically used to cover the berm. The berm and the plastic
sheeting may require periodic maintenance and repair.
(ix) Brush Sediment Barriers--Brush barriers are temporary sediment
barriers composed of tree limbs, weeds, vines, root mat, soil, rock and
other cleared materials placed at the toe of a slope. A brush barrier
is effective only for small drainage areas, usually less than \1/4\
acre, where the slope is minimal.
(b) Stabilization--Stabilization practices involve establishing a
sustainable ground cover by permanent seeding, mulching, sodding, and
other such practices. A vegetative cover reduces the potential for
erosion of a site by: absorbing the kinetic energy of raindrops which
would otherwise impact soil; intercepting water so it can infiltrate
into the ground instead of running off and carrying contaminated
discharges; and by slowing the velocity of runoff to promote onsite
deposition of sediment. Stabilization controls are often the most
important measures taken to prevent offsite sediment movement, and can
provide a six-fold reduction in the discharge of suspended sediment
levels.\50\ Permanent seeding has been found to be 99 percent effective
in controlling erosion for disturbed land areas.\51\ Many states
require that topsoil be segregated from other overburden for use during
reclamation. While stored, topsoil stockpiles should be vegetated. This
temporary form of vegetation can often be used for other piles of
stored materials and for intermittent/seasonal operations.
\50\ ``Performance of Current Sediment Control Measures at
Maryland Construction Sites,'' January 1990, Metropolitan Washington
Council of Governments, page X.
\51\ ``Sediment and Erosion Control: An Inventory of Current
Practices--Draft,'' EPA, April 20, 1990, page IV-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Typically, the costs of stabilization controls are low relative to
other discharge mitigation practices. Given the limited capacity to
accept large volumes of runoff, and potential erosion problems
associated with large concentrated flows, stabilization controls should
typically be used in combination with other management practices. These
measures have been documented as particularly appropriate for mining
sites.
(i) Topsoiling, Seedbed Preparation--The addition of a layer of
topsoil or plant growth material provides an improved soil medium for
plant growth. Seedbed preparation may include the addition of topsoil
ingredients to be mixed in with soils used for seedbed preparation.
(ii) Broadcast Seeding and Drill Seeding--Seeding and vegetative
planting are methods used to revegetate an area. Broadcast seeding
spreads seeds uniformly, by hand or machine, to steep sloped or rocky
areas, flat surfaces, and areas with limited access.
(iii) Willow Cutting Establishment--Willow cutting establishment
describes a method of soil stabilization useful for stream banks and
other areas located adjacent to water. Similar to biotechnical
stabilization, willow cuttings are used to promote growth in an area
needing stabilization. Willow cuttings are typically used to reinforce
a streambank or other moist area.
(iv) Plastic Matting, Plastic Netting, and Erosion Control
Blankets--These BMPs are used to protect bare soils to control dust and
erosion. Mats and blankets help to promote vegetative growth by
maintaining moisture and heat within the soil.
[[Page 50896]]
(v) Mulch-straw or Wood Chips--Mulches and wood chips are useful
temporary covers for bare or seeded soils, with an erosion control
effectiveness rating of 75 to 98 percent.\52\ Like matting, mulch-straw
or wood chips help soils retain moisture and warmth to promote
vegetative growth.
\52\ ``Sediment and Erosion Control: An Inventory of Current
Practices--Draft,'' EPA, April 20, 1990.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(vi) Compaction--Soil compaction using a roller or other heavy
equipment increases soil ``strength'' by increasing its density. More
dense soil is less prone to erosion and long-term soil settlement.
(3) Capping. In some cases, the elimination of a pollution source
through capping contaminant sources may be the most cost effective
control measure for discharges from inactive ore mining and dressing
facilities. Depending on the type of management practices chosen the
cost to eliminate the pollutant source may be very high. Once
completed, however, maintenance costs will range from low to
nonexistent.
Capping or sealing of waste materials is designed to prevent
infiltration, as well as to limit contact between discharges and
potential sources of contamination. Ultimately, capping should reduce
or eliminate the contaminants in discharges. In addition, by reducing
infiltration, the potential for seepage and leachate generation may
also be lessened.
EPA has identified a wide variety of best management practices
(BMPs) that may be used to mitigate discharges of contaminants at
active and inactive metal mines. Many of the practices focus on
sediment and erosion control and are similar to BMPs used in the
construction industry. These controls to prevent erosion and control
sedimentation are the most effective if they are installed at the
inception of operations and maintained throughout active operations and
reclamation of the site. For more details on the use and implementation
of these practices the reader is encouraged to obtain a copy of one or
more of the many good sediment and erosion control books available on
the market.\53\ In some cases (e.g., low pH and/or high metals
concentrations), BMPs, and sediment and erosion controls may not be
adequate to produce an acceptable quality of storm water discharge.
Under those circumstances additional physical or chemical treatment
systems may be necessary to protect the receiving waters.
\53\ ``Best Management Practices for Mining in Idaho,'' Idaho
Department of State Lands, November 1992; ``Storm Water Management
for Construction Activities: Developing Pollution Prevention Plans
and Best Management Practices,'' EPA, September 1992 (EPA 832-R-92-
005); and ``Erosion & Sediment Control Handbook,'' Goldman et al.,
McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1986.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Treatment. Treatment practices are those methods of control
which normally are thought of as being applied at the ``end of the
pipe'' to reduce the concentration of pollutants in water before it is
discharged. This is in contrast to many BMPs, where the emphasis is on
keeping the water from becoming contaminated. Treatment practices may
be required where flows are currently being affected by exposed
materials and other BMPs are insufficient to meet discharge goals.
These practices are usually the most resource intensive, as they often
require significant construction costs, and monitoring and maintenance
on a frequent and regular basis. Treatment options may range from high
maintenance controls to low maintenance controls. High maintenance
treatment techniques require manpower to operate and maintain the BMP.
Low maintenance cost techniques have initial capital costs but operate
with low long-term maintenance after being implemented. At a few sites,
treatment measures other than high maintenance measures may be
appropriate to address specific pollutants.
(a) Chemical/Physical Treatment--An example of a high maintenance
technology that is found at many active metal mining facilities is
chemical/physical treatment. The most common type of chemical/physical
treatment involves the addition of lime or other such caustics to
neutralize the discharges and/or precipitate metals. Metals may be
removed from wastewater by raising the pH of the wastewater to
precipitate them out as hydroxides.
(b) Oil/Water Separators--Another example of a high maintenance
treatment technology is an oil/water separator. An American Petroleum
Institute (API) oil/water separator or similar type of treatment device
which acts to skim oil and settle sludge can be used to remove oil from
water.
(c) Artificial Wetlands--This type of BMP system can be an
effective system for improving water quality either alone or in
conjunction with other treatment practices. Wetland processes are able
to filter sediments, and absorb and retain chemical and heavy metal
pollutants through biological degradation, transformation, and plant
uptake.
Natural wetlands should not be considered as part of the treatment
system because they are considered to be waters of the United States.
The necessary controls, or BMPs, must be provided prior to discharging
the storm water runoff to natural wetlands or other receiving waters.
In summary, a wide variety of BMPs are available for use at active
and inactive metallic mining and milling facilities. These measures
range from simple low cost, low maintenance source reduction practices
such as diversion structures to high cost, maintenance intensive
practices such as wetlands treatment. Clearly, the selection of a
practice or group of practices will be site-specific depending on
conditions and potential impacts as well as the resources available at
each site. A specific best available technology (or technologies)
cannot be determined because of the differences between sites and the
quantities and characteristics of their discharges.
(4) Discharges Covered Under This Section
Coverage under this section of today's permit is limited to all
storm water discharges from inactive metal mining facilities and storm
water discharges from the following areas of active metal mining
facilities: topsoil piles; offsite haul/access roads if off active
area; onsite haul roads if not constructed of waste rock or spent ore,
and mine water is not used for dust control; runoff from tailings dams/
dikes when not constructed of waste rock/tailings and no process fluids
are present; concentration building, if no contact with material piles;
mill site, if no contact with material piles; chemical storage area;
docking facility, if no excessive contact with waste product; explosive
storage; reclaimed areas released from reclamation bonds prior to
December 17, 1990; and partially/inadequately reclaimed areas or areas
not released from reclamation bonds.
Storm water discharges, or mine drainage discharges, which are
subject to existing effluent limitations guidelines addressing storm
water (or a combination of storm water and non-storm water) cannot be
covered by this section. The effluent limitations guidelines that apply
to active metal mining operations are contained in 40 CFR Part 440, Ore
Mining and Dressing Point Source Category. These effluent guidelines
include specific numeric limitations for mine drainage and discharges
from mills, or ``no discharge'' requirements. Table G-4 identifies the
discharge and source of the discharge from active metal mining
facilities, that are subject to process wastewater limitations, mine
drainage limitations, and storm water reporting requirements. Storm
water discharges that are eligible
[[Page 50897]]
for coverage under today's permit are identified under the coverage
section of the permit. At all metal mining facilities, coverage under
this section does not include adit drainage or contaminated springs or
seeps. Table G-4 clarifies the applicability of the Effluent
Limitations Guidelines found in 40 CFR Part 440. This table does not
expand or redefine these Effluent Limitations Guidelines.
Table G-4.--Applicability of 40 CFR Part 440 Effluent Limitations
Guidelines to Storm Water Runoff From Active Ore (Metal) Mining and
Dressing Sites
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discharge/source of Applicable ELG, if
discharge any (see key) Note/comment
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land application area MD PW--if Process fluids
runoff. present.
Crusher area............ MD PW--if Process fluids
present.
Piles (seepage and/or
runoff):
Spent ore........... MD PW--if Process fluids
present.
Surge/Ore........... MD PW--if Process fluids
present.
Waste rock/ MD
overburden.
Topsoil............. SW
Drainage:
Pit drainage MD
(unpumped).
Pit drainage MD
(removed by
pumping).
Mine water from MD
underground mines
(unpumped), adit
discharges.
Mine water from MD
underground mines
(pumped).
Seeps/French drains. MD PW--if Process fluids
present.
Roads constructed of
waste rock or spent
ore:
Onsite haul roads... MD
Offsite haul/access SW (if off Active Area).
roads.
Roads not constructed of
waste rock or spent
ore:
Onsite haul roads... SW MD--if dust control with
MD water.
Offsite haul/access SW
roads.
Milling/concentrating:
Tailings impoundment/ PW
pile.
Runoff from tailings MD PW--if Process fluids
dams/dikes when present.
constructed of
waste rock/tailings.
Runoff from tailings SW PW--if Process fluids
dams/dikes when not present.
constructed of
waste rock/tailings.
Heap leach pile PW
runoff/seepage.
Pregnant pond PW
(barren and surge
ponds also).
Polishing pond...... PW
Concentration SW If storm water only, and
building. no contact with piles.
Concentrate pile PW
(product storage).
Mill site........... SW Same as concentration
bldg.
Ancillary areas:
Office/ UC Unless mixed with SW
administrative from industrial area,
building and then SW.
housing.
Chemical storage SW
area.
Docking facility.... SW Excessive contact with
waste product could
constitute MD.
Explosive storage... SW
Fuel storage (oil SW
tanks/coal piles).
Vehicle/equipment SW
maintenance area/
building.
Parking areas....... SW UC if only employee and
visitor type parking.
Power plant......... SW
Truck wash area..... SW Excessive contact with
waste product could
constitute MD.
Reclamation-related
areas:
Any disturbed area MD SW if inactive area.
(unreclaimed).
Reclaimed areas UC
released from
reclamation bonds
after Dec. 17 1990.
Reclaimed areas SW
released from
reclamation bonds
prior to Dec. 17
1990.
Partially/ SW
inadequately
reclaimed areas or
areas not released
from reclamation
bond.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
KEY: UC--Unclassified; Not Subject to Storm Water Program or 40 CFR Part
440 Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELG); MD--Subject to 40 CFR Part
440 ELG for mine drainage; PW--Subject to 40 CFR Part 440 ELG for mill
discharge or process (including zero discharge ELG); SW--Storm water
runoff from these sources are subject to the Storm Water Program, but
are not subject to 40 CFR 440 ELG unless mixed with discharges subject
to the 440 CFR 440 ELG that are not regulated by another permit prior
to mixing. Non-storm water discharges from these sources are subject
to NPDES permitting and may be subject to the effluent limitation
guidelines under 40 CFR 440.
Temporarily inactive (e.g., winter closure, and portions of active
mines that are no longer being mined, and where reclamation has not
begun) mines will be permitted as an active mine. The following
definitions apply to this section and are intended to provide
clarification as to what is considered active, inactive, and
temporarily inactive:
The following definitions are only for this section of today's
permit and are not intended to supersede the definitions of active and
inactive mining facilities established by 40 CFR 122.26(b)(14)(iii):
``Active Metal Mining Facility'' is a place where work or other
related
[[Page 50898]]
activity to the extraction, removal, or recovery of metal ore is being
conducted. With respect to surface mines, an ``active metal mining
facility'' does not include any area of land on or in which grading has
been completed to return the earth to a desired contour and reclamation
work has begun.
``Inactive Metal Mining Facility'' means a site or portion of a
site where metal mining and/or milling activities occurred in the past
but is not an active metal mining facility, as defined in this permit
and that portion of the facility does not have an active mining permit
issued by the applicable (federal or state) government agency that
authorizes mining at the site.
``Temporarily Inactive Metal Mining Facility'' means a site or
portion of a site where metal mining and/or milling activities occurred
in the past, but currently are not being actively undertaken, and the
facility has an active mining permit issued by the applicable (federal
or state) governmental agency that authorizes mining at the site.
Operators of storm water discharges from mining related industrial
activities such as vehicle maintenance, or power plants should refer to
the appropriate sections of today's permit for specific guidance or
requirements. Clearing, grading, and excavation activity that disturbs
5 or more acres during the exploration or preparation for beginning
active mining operations cannot be covered by this section. Coverage
for this type of pre-mining activity can be covered by EPA's general
permit for storm water discharges from construction activities or an
applicable State-issued permit. Land disturbance activities associated
with the active mining operations such as expansion of existing pits,
can be covered by this section.
5. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
All facilities subject to this section must prepare and implement a
storm water pollution prevention plan. The establishment of a pollution
prevention plan requirement reflects EPA's decision to allow operators
of ore mining and dressing facilities to utilize BMPs as the BAT/BCT
level of control for the storm water discharges covered by this
section. The requirements included in pollution prevention plans
provide a flexible framework for the development and implementation of
site specific controls to minimize pollutants in storm water
discharges. This approach is consistent with the approach used in the
baseline general permits finalized on September 9, 1992 (57 FR 41236).
Pollution prevention can be an effective approach for controlling
contaminated storm water discharges from metal mining facilities.
Pollution prevention plans allow the operator of a facility to select
BMPs based on site-specific considerations such as: facility size;
climate; geographic location; hydrogeology; the environmental setting
of each facility; and volume and type of discharge generated. This
flexibility is necessary because each facility will be unique in that
the source, type, and volume of contaminated surface water discharges
will differ from site to site. In addition, EPA believes that the
adoption of BMPs reduces environmental impacts by minimizing land
disturbed areas susceptible to storm water runoff. Early implementation
and maintenance of BMPs facilitates ongoing reclamation activities,
reducing final reclamation costs associated with site closure. BMPs are
also effective at temporarily or permanently inactive mine sites.
There are two major objectives to a pollution prevention plan: 1)
to identify sources of pollution potentially affecting the quality of
storm water discharges associated with industrial activity from a
facility; and 2) to describe and ensure implementation of practices to
minimize and control pollutants in storm water discharges associated
with industrial activity from a facility.
Specific requirements for a pollution prevention plan for ore
mining and dressing facilities are described below. These requirements
must be implemented in addition to the baseline pollution prevention
plan provisions discussed previously.
a. Active and Temporarily Inactive Metal Mining Facilities.
(1) Description of Mining Activities. The storm water pollution
prevention plan shall provide a narrative description of the mining and
associated activities taking place at the site which affect or may
affect storm water runoff intended to be covered by this section. The
narrative description shall report the total acreage within the mine
site, an estimate of the acreage of land currently disturbed, and an
estimate of the total acreage that will be disturbed throughout the
life of the mine. A general description of the mining site relative to
major transportation routes and communities shall also be provided.
(2) Description of Potential Pollution Sources. Each storm water
pollution prevention plan must describe activities, materials, and
physical features of the facility that may contribute to storm water
runoff or, during periods of dry weather, result in dry weather flows
and mine pumpout. This assessment of storm water pollution will support
subsequent efforts to identify and set priorities for necessary changes
in materials, materials management practices, or site features, as well
as aid in the selection of appropriate structural and nonstructural
control techniques. In addition to the baseline general requirements
storm water pollution prevention plans must describe the following
elements:
(a) Drainage--The plan must contain a map of the site that shows
the pattern of storm water drainage, structural features that control
pollutants in storm water runoff 54 and process wastewater
discharges (including mine drainage), surface water bodies (including
wetlands), places where significant materials 55 are exposed to
rainfall and runoff, and locations of major spills and leaks that
occurred in the 3 years prior to the date of the submission of a Notice
of Intent (NOI) to be covered under this permit. The map also must show
areas where the following activities take place: fueling, vehicle and
equipment maintenance and/or cleaning, loading and unloading, material
storage (including tanks or other vessels used for liquid or waste
storage), material processing, waste disposal, haul roads, access
roads, and rail spurs. The site map must also indicate the outfall
locations and the types of discharges contained in the drainage areas
of the outfalls (e.g. storm water and air conditioner condensate). In
order to increase the readability of the map, the inventory of the
types of discharges contained in each outfall may be kept as an
attachment to the site map.
\54\ Nonstructural features such as grass swales and vegetative
buffer strips also should be shown.
\55\ Significant materials include, ``* * * but [are] not
limited to: raw materials, fuels, materials such as solvents,
detergents, and plastic pellets; finished materials such as metallic
products; * * * hazardous substances designated under section
101(14) of CERCLA; any chemical facilities required to report
pursuant to section 313 of title III of SARA; fertilizers;
pesticides; and waste products such as ashes, slag, and sludge that
have the potential to be released with storm water discharge'' (40
CFR 122.26(b)(12)). Significant materials commonly found at mining
facilities include: overburden; raw materials; waste rock piles;
tailings; petroleum based products; solvents and detergents; heap
leach pads; tailings piles/ponds, both proposed and existing; and
manufactured products, waste materials or by-products used or
created by the facility.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) Inventory of Exposed Materials--Facility operators are required
to carefully conduct an inspection of the site and related records to
identify significant materials that are or may be exposed to storm
water. The inventory
[[Page 50899]]
must address materials that within 3 years prior to the date of the
submission of a Notice of Intent (NOI) to be covered under this permit
have been handled, stored, processed, treated, or disposed of in a
manner to allow exposure to storm water. Findings of the inventory must
be documented in detail in the pollution prevention plan. At a minimum,
the plan must describe the method and location of onsite storage or
disposal; practices used to minimize contact of materials with rainfall
and runoff; existing structural and nonstructural controls that reduce
pollutants in storm water runoff; existing structural controls that
limit process wastewater discharges; and any treatment the runoff
receives before it is discharged to surface waters or a separate storm
sewer system. The description must be updated whenever there is a
significant change in the types or amounts of materials, or material
management practices, that may affect the exposure of materials to
storm water.
In addition, any existing ore or waste rock/overburden
characterization data, including results of testing for acid rock
generation potential must be included in the pollution prevention plan.
The intent is to get an idea of the pollutants (e.g., heavy metals)
that may be present in the ore and waste rock/overburden.
(3) Measures and Controls. Following completion of the source
identification and assessment phase, the permittee must evaluate,
select, and describe the pollution prevention measures, best management
practices (BMPs), and other controls that will be implemented at the
facility. The permittee must assess the applicability of the following
BMPs for their site: discharge diversions, drainage/storm water
conveyance systems, runoff dispersions, sediment control and collection
mechanisms, vegetation/soil stabilization, capping of contaminated
sources, and treatment of storm water discharges. In addition, BMPs
include processes, procedures, schedules of activities, prohibitions on
practices, and other management practices that prevent or reduce the
discharge of pollutants in storm water runoff.
The pollution prevention plan must discuss the reasons each
selected control or practice is appropriate for the facility and how
each will address the potential sources of storm water pollution. The
plan also must include a schedule specifying the time or times during
which each control or practice will be implemented. In addition, the
plan should discuss ways in which the controls and practices relate to
one another and, when taken as a whole, produce an integrated and
consistent approach for preventing or controlling potential storm water
contamination problems.
Under the inspection requirements of the pollution prevention plan,
operators of active facilities are required to conduct monthly visual
inspections of BMPs and designated equipment and mine areas. Owner/
operators of temporarily inactive mining sites are required to conduct
quarterly inspections. If weather conditions make the mine site
inaccessible, the quarterly inspection will not be required. Active
mining sites have frequent inspection periods because members of the
pollution prevention team will be onsite, and the fact that they are
active means there is a greater potential for pollution. The
inspections shall include: (1) an assessment of the integrity of storm
water discharge diversions, conveyance systems, sediment control and
collection systems, and containment structures; (2) visual inspections
of vegetative BMPs, serrated slopes, and benched slopes to determine if
soil erosion has occurred; and (3) visual inspections of material
handling and storage areas and other potential sources of pollution for
evidence of actual or potential pollutant discharges of contaminated
storm water.
Under the employee training requirements of the pollution
prevention plan, facility operators are required to conduct employee
training programs at least annually. The intent of this frequency is to
provide a reminder to the employees of the requirements of the storm
water pollution prevention plan.
(4) Non-storm Water Discharges. Each pollution prevention plan must
include a certification, signed by an authorized individual, that
discharges from the site have been tested or evaluated for the presence
of non-storm water discharges, including discharges that are subject to
40 CFR Part 440. The certification must describe possible significant
sources of non-storm water, the results of any test and/or evaluation
conducted to detect such discharges, the test method or evaluation
criteria used, the dates on which tests or evaluations were performed,
and the onsite drainage points directly observed during the test or
evaluation. Pollution prevention plans must identify and ensure the
implementation of appropriate pollution prevention measures for the
non-storm water discharge.
Under the non-storm water discharge section of the pollution
prevention plan, EPA will allow non-storm water discharges that mix
with storm water under this section provided that the plan includes a
certification that any non-storm water discharge which mixes with storm
water is subject to a separate NPDES permit that applies applicable
effluent limitations prior to the mixing of non-storm water and storm
water. In such cases, the certification shall identify the non-storm
water discharge(s), the applicable NPDES permit(s), the effluent
limitations placed on the non-storm water discharge by the NPDES
permit(s), and the point(s) at which the limitations are applied. In
addition, Part III.A.2 of today's permit discusses non-storm water
discharges that may be eligible for coverage under the permit.
b. Inactive Metal Mining Facilities
(1) Pollution Prevention Team. The storm water pollution prevention
plan must identify specific individual(s) who are responsible for the
development, implementation, maintenance, and revision of the pollution
prevention plan. The plan shall clearly identify the responsibilities
of each team member. The activities and responsibilities of the team
shall address all aspects of the storm water pollution prevention plan
at the inactive facility. Members of the pollution prevention team do
not have to be permanently located at the inactive facility, such as
the requirement for any active facility.
(2) Description of Mining Activities. The storm water pollution
prevention plan shall provide a narrative description of the mining and
associated activities that took place at the site. The narrative
description shall report the approximate dates of operation, total
acreage within the mine site and/or processing site, an estimate of the
total acreage disturbed, and the activities (reclamation, etc.) that
are currently taking place at the facility. A general description of
the mining site relative to major transportation routes and communities
shall also be provided.
(3) Description of Potential Pollution Sources. Each storm water
pollution prevention plan must describe activities, materials, and
physical features of the facility that may contribute to storm water
runoff or, during periods of dry weather, result in dry weather flows.
This assessment of storm water pollution will support subsequent
efforts to identify and set priorities for necessary changes in
materials, materials management practices, or site features, as well as
aid in the selection of appropriate structural and nonstructural
control techniques. In addition to the baseline general requirements
storm water pollution prevention plans must describe the following
elements:
[[Page 50900]]
(3) Drainage--The plan must contain a map of the site that shows
the pattern of storm water drainage, structural features that control
pollutants in storm water runoff 56 and process wastewater
discharges (including mine drainage), surface water bodies (including
wetlands), places where significant materials