Wednesday, January 20, 2010

North Dakota Proposed Benchmarks for Industrial Discharge

On January 15, the North Dakota Dept of Health released its proposed industrial stormwater discharge permit. One of the key requirements for North Dakota industrial dischargers is the requirement for stormwater monitoring and stormwater benchmarks. Selected industrial sectors require monitoring and need to meet benchmarks under the proposed permit, which is on public comment until February 15, 2010.

Wood and Paper Products
Applicability: Facilities with SIC code 2421-2426 (Sawing/Planning mills), 2491 (Wood
Preserving), 2493 (Reconstituted Wood Products), and 2631 (Paperboard Plants).

Benchmark Values

• pH 6.0 – 9.0 S.U.
• Total Suspended Solids 100 mg/L
• Chemical Oxygen Demand 120 mg/L
• Phenols, Total 1.0 mg/L
• Arsenic, Total 0.1685 mg/L
• Copper, Total(1) 0.0636 mg/L


Chemical and Related Products
Applicability: Facilities with SIC code 281 (Industrial Inorganic Chemicals), 282 (Plastics and Synthetic Materials), 284 (Soaps and Detergents) and 287 (Agricultural Chemicals).

Benchmark Values

• pH 6.0 – 9.0 S.U.
• Total Suspended Solids 100 mg/L
• Total Phosphorus 2.0 mg/L
• Ammonia (2) as N 15.0 mg/L
• Nitrates as Nitrogen 0.68 mg/l
• Chemical Oxygen Demand 120 mg/L
• Zinc, Total(1) 0.117 mg/L


Food and Related Products
Applicability: Facilities with SIC code 2011 (Meat Packing Plants), 2015 (Poultry Slaughtering and Processing), and 207 (Fats and Oils).

Benchmark Values

• Oil and Grease No visible sheen (15 mg/L)
• pH 6.0 – 9.0 S.U.
• Total Suspended Solids 100 mg/L
• Ammonia (2) as N 15.0 mg/L
• Nitrates as Nitrogen 0.68 mg/l
• 5-Day BOD 30 mg/L
• Chemical Oxygen Demand 120 mg/L
• Fecal Coliform 200 colonies/100mL


Primary Metal Industries
Applicability: Any facility classified as SIC code 33.

Benchmark Values

• pH 6.0 – 9.0 S.U.
• Total Suspended Solids 100 mg/L
• Lead, Total(1) 0.0816 mg/L
• Cadmium, Total(1) 0.0159 mg/L
• Arsenic, Total(1) 0.1685 mg/L
• Copper, Total(1) 0.0636 mg/L
• Zinc, Total(1) 0.117 mg/L


Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage and Disposal
Applicability: Facilities that treat, store or dispose of hazardous wastes.

Benchmark Values

• pH 6.0 – 9.0 S.U.
• Chemical Oxygen Demand 120 mg/L
• Ammonia (2) as N 15 mg/L
• Arsenic, Total(1) 0.1685 mg/L
• Cadmium, Total(1) 0.0159 mg/L
• Lead, Total(1) 0.0816 mg/L
• Silver, Total(1) 0.0318 mg/L
• Cyanide, Total(1) 0.0636 mg/L
• Mercury, Total(1) 0.0024 mg/L
• Selenium, Total(1) 0.2385 mg/L


Landfills and Land Application
Applicability: Facilities associated with waste disposal at landfills, land application sites and open dumps that receive industrial waste.

Benchmark Values

• pH 6.0 – 9.0 S.U.
• Total Suspended Solid 100 mg/L
• Chemical Oxygen Demand 120 mg/L
• Lead, Total(1) 0.0816 mg/L
• Oil and Grease No visible sheen (15 mg/L)

Automobile Salvage Yards
Applicability: Facilities engaged in dismantling or wrecking used motor vehicles for parts recycling/resale and for scrap; SIC code 5015.

Benchmark Values

• Oil and Grease No visible sheen (15 mg/L)
• pH 6.0 – 9.0 S.U.
• Total Suspended Solids 100 mg/L
• Chemical Oxygen Demand 120 mg/L
• Lead, Total(1) 0.0816 mg/L

Scrap Recycling Facilities
Applicability: Facility engaged in processing, reclaiming and distribution of metal scrap and other waste materials; SIC code 5093.

Benchmark Values

• Oil and Grease No visible sheen (15 mg/L)
• pH 6.0 – 9.0 S.U.
• Total Suspended Solids 100 mg/L
• Chemical Oxygen Demand 120 mg/L
• Copper, Total(1) 0.0636 mg/L
• Lead, Total(1) 0.0816 mg/L
• Zinc, Total(1) 0.117 mg/L


Air Transportation
Applicability: Regional and Primary commercial Airports and Air Force Bases

Benchmark Values

• pH 6.0 – 9.0 S.U.
• Ammonia(2) as N 15.0 mg/L
• Nitrates as Nitrogen 0.68 mg/l
• 5-Day BOD 30 mg/L
• Chemical Oxygen Demand 120 mg/L


Notes:
1 Hardness dependent; values given are based on a water hardness of 100 mg/L as CaCO3.
2 Ammonia is pH dependent; value given is based on a pH of 8.0 s.u.


Since the 1980s, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has collected industry-sector data on stormwater discharge. The linked presentation provides a comparison of these historic industrial stormwater results to the many of the ADEQ stormwater benchmark concentrations. The results are discussed in context of which stormwater benchmark parameters have a higher potential for exceedance of benchmark values. This presentation also discusses which of the industrial sectors have a higher potential for exceedance of their specific benchmark values.

Note: NDDH uses the same benchmark concentrations used by EPA and many other States; although the this linked presentation was specific to Minnesota, the analysis and conclusions apply to Norh Dakota.

Link to presentation slides:

Industrial Stormwater Benchmarks – Comparison of New Minnesota Benchmark Concentrations To Historic Industry-specific Testing Results


Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment.

Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website