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

Iowa Lake Water Quality Standards - Secchi disk and Chlorophyll

The Iowa DNR is proposing a rule that sets water quality criteria necessary to protect for recreational uses in lakes. In summary, the rule contains two criteria: Secchi depth of at least one meter and chlorophyll-a not to exceed 25 ug/l. The two criteria must be met at least 75% of the time in order for the lake to be considered to support recreation such as swimming.

The proposed rule 61.3(4) is as follows:

61.3(4) Lake criteria. So that the recreational uses listed in 61.3(1)“b”(1) through 61.3(1)“b”(3) can be supported, the following criteria are applicable to all lakes that have a mean depth of three meters or greater.
a. Transparency. The transparency of the lake as measured with a Secchi Disk shall be one meter or more in at least 75 percent of the measurements taken.
b. Chlorophyll-a. The concentration of chlorophyll-a in 75 percent of the samples analyzed shall not exceed 25 micrograms per liter (μg/l).
c. Water sampling used to determine whether a lake meets the transparency and chlorophyll-a criteria must meet the following:
(1) A minimum of nine sample results are required.
(2) At least three of the samples must be taken from the deepest part of the lake.
(3) All samples must be taken during the months of May through September.
(4) At least three sampling events must be conducted in any one summer recreation season.
(5) Samples must be taken in at least three summer seasons in a five-consecutive-year period.
d. Nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations are among several variables affecting lake transparency and chlorophyll-a levels; however, individual lake and watershed characteristics determine the precise amount of nutrients that can be tolerated within a lake while still attaining the above recreational use criteria. For this reason, nutrient reduction targets will be determined on a case-by-case basis as a result of lake-specific monitoring and data analysis. Lake nutrient response models, such as those used to establish Total Maximum Daily Loads for lakes with transparency or chlorophyll-a impairments, or other appropriate scientific methods will be utilized for this purpose.

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

Revised Washington Benchmarks for Industrial Stormwater Discharge

Effective January 1, 20010, the Washington Department of Ecology has issued new benchmark concentrations for industrial stormwater discharges. Dischargers subject to the revised State industrial stormwater discharge permit must collect samples of stormwater discharge at least quarterly. Different levels of Corrective Action are required if dischargers exceed any of their respective benchmarks over one or more quarters.

The revised benchmarks are:

All Facilities:
Parameter Benchmark Value
Turbidity 25 NTU
pH Between 5.0 and 9.0
Oil Visible Sheen (Yes/No)
Total Copper Western WA: 14 ug/L, Eastern WA: 32 ug/L
Total Zinc 117 ug/L

Industrial Sector Specific Benchmarks:
Chemical and Allied Products ( SIC 28), Food and Kindred Products (SIC 20)
BOD5 30 mg/L
Nitrate/Nitrite 0.68 mg/L
Phosphorus 2.0 mg/L

Primary Metals (SIC 33), Metals Mining (SIC 10), Automobile Salvage and Scrap Recycling (5015 and 5093), Metals Fabricating (SIC 34)
Total Lead 81.6 ug/L
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons 10 mg/L

Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities and Dangerous Waste Recyclers
COD 120 mg/L
Ammonia 2.1 mg/L
TSS 100 mg/L
Total Arsenic 150 ug/L
Total Cadmium 2.1 ug/L
Total Cyanide 22 ug/L
Total Lead 81.6 ug/L
Total Magnesium 64 ug/L
Total Mercury 1.4 ug/L
Total Selenium 5.0 ug/L
Total Silver 3.8 ug/L
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons 10 mg/L

Air Transportation (SIC 45)
Ammonia 2.1 mg/L
BOD5 30 mg/L
COD 120 mg/L
Nitrate/Nitrite 0.68 mg/L

Timber Product Industry (SIC 24), Paper and Allied Products (SIC 26)
COD 120 mg/L
TSS 100 mg/L

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

Wisconsin Ballast Water Discharge Permit Environmental Assessment

The Wisconsin DNR (WDNR) has recently completed its environmental assessment for the proposed issuance of a general permit to regulate the discharge of ballast water from ships into the waters of the State. This assessment, completed to comply with the Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act (WEPA) clears the way for WDNR to issue its final discharge permit.

On February 23, 2009, the WDNR public noticed a general permit for commercial vessels which includes effluent discharge standards for ballast water. This permit also included an aggressive compliance schedule for implementation. The permit specifies biological effluent discharge standards and biocide effluent limits that, based upon best professional judgment, represent the best practicable technology currently available pursuant to § NR 220.21, Wis. Adm. Code. WDNR believes a permit for regulating ballast water beyond what EPA has developed is necessary to prevent the release of additional aquatic invasive species (AIS) and protect water quality standards in Wisconsin. The 2010-11 biennial budget bill signed by Governor Doyle in July 2009 provided for statutory authority to establish a discharge performance standard for ballast water.

Wisconsin’s General Permit will require discharges of ballast water to meet numeric technology based effluent limits based upon the number of living organisms in the discharge by 2014 for all existing ocean-going ships. Vessels constructed on or after January 1, 2012 would have to meet these requirements prior to operation. The permit is intended to minimize the further release of aquatic invasive species. The general permit requires all ocean-going vessels to meet discharge standards set at 100 times more stringent than the IMO standards. This discharge standard is similar to that adopted by New York in its § 401 Water Quality Certification. Plans and specifications of the treatment systems would require approval by the Department, to confirm the treatment has been approved by the USCG or an equivalent approval process, is effective and would comply with the discharge standards.

There is an exemption in this permit when ballast water is pumped from a vessel off-ship for treatment on another vessel or to a ballast water treatment system on-shore. Additionally, the permit allows for an alternative discharge limit, if the technology is not available to meet the discharge standards by December 31, 2011.

The federal general permit (VGP), effective December 19, 2008, that applies to all discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel1 includes a technology based standard for all ocean-going vessels. This standard has been required by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for all vessels that enter the St. Lawrence Seaway since March 2008 and has proven ineffective as the introduction of aquatic invasive species has continued. On August 28, 2009, the USCG published in the federal register a new proposed ballast water discharge standard rule which requires a phased approach to ballast water discharge standards, with IMO being required in phase-one, and up to 1000 times IMO standards in phase-two. WDNR general permit contains technology based effluent limitations that represent the best practicable control technology currently available.

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

EPA OW - OPP Pesticide Assessment Methods Meetings

EPA Office of Water (OW) and Office of Pesticide Programs(OPP) have identified a need to harmonize methods used by the Offices to determine whether pesticides represent a concern for aquatic life. To address these concerns, the Agency has begun a process to explore how to build on the high quality science in both OW and OPP to develop additional tools and approaches to support a consistent and common set of effects characterization methods using best available information.

A number of regional public meetings are being planned between January 11 and 22, 2010 to solicit input on the Agency's initial thinking regarding methods, tools, and approaches that are being developed and evaluated by OPP and OW to assure that pesticide ecological effects are characterized consistently. The areas for consideration under this effort include:

• Development and evaluation of predictive tools for use in development of community level benchmarks;
• Development of aquatic life community level benchmarks with datasets that do not conform to the "1985 Guidelines'' used to derive water quality criteria;
• Derivation of aquatic life screening values for aquatic plants
  

In selecting and/or developing appropriate methodogies, EPA OW and OPP expects to consider the following criteria:

• Continue to be based upon sound science and utilize the available data,
• Be legally defensible under their respective statutory mandates,
• Be based upon methodologies that are as consistent and practical as possible,
• Be implementable at the Federal and State level.
• Be developed as quickly and efficiently as possible, and
• Reflect stakeholder input and comments.

During these meetings, EPA will also solicit input from Regional stakeholders regarding 1)additional sources of pesticide data and relevant reports, 2)white paper topics, 3) availability of data, tools, approaches, and data sets on aquatic toxicity that may be useful for this effort, 4)types of values that are used by states and/or regions for protecting aquatic life in the absence of ambient water quality criteria, and 5) examples of situations in which differences between OW and OPP assessment approaches were an issue.

Following these meetings, the Agency plans to develop a set of white papers, describing potential new tools and analytical approaches that may be used by the Agency, state pesticide and water quality agencies, and other stakeholders.

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

EPA National Study of Chemical Residues in Lake Fish Tissue

US EPA has recently release it report on bioaccumualtive chemicals in fish. The report "National Study of Chemical Residues in Lake Fish Tissue" (or National Lake Fish Tissue Study) is one of the statistically-based surveys conducted by EPA since the late 1990s.

This study is a national screening-level survey of chemical residues in fish tissue from lakes and reservoirs in the lower 48 United States, excluding the Laurentian Great Lakes and Great Salt Lake. It is unique among national assessments of fish contamination in lakes because the sampling sites were selected according to a statistical (random) design. Study results allow EPA to estimate the percentage of lakes and reservoirs in the United States with chemical concentrations in fish tissue that are above levels of potential concern for humans or for wildlife that eat fish. This study also includes the largest set of chemicals ever studied in fish. Whole fish and fillets were analyzed for 268 persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals, including mercury, arsenic, dioxins and furans, the full complement of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, and a large number of pesticides and semivolatile organic compounds.

The data showed mercury concentrations in game fish exceeding EPA recommended levels at 49 percent of lakes and reservoirs nationwide, and PCBs in game fish at levels of potential concern at 17 percent of lakes and reservoirs. These findings are based on a comprehensive national study using more data on levels of contamination in fish tissue than any previous study.

EPA is currently conducting other statistically based national aquatic surveys that include assessment of fish contamination, such as the National Rivers and Streams Assessment and the National Coastal Assessment. Sampling for the National Rivers and Streams Assessment is underway, and results from this two-year study are expected to be available in 2011. Collection of fish samples for the National Coastal Assessment will begin in 2010.

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.

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Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program - EDSP

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued the first test orders for pesticide chemicals to be screened for their potential effects on the endocrine system.

On Oct. 21, EPA made available the battery of scientific assays and test guidelines for conducting the assays, as well as a schedule for issuing test orders to manufacturers for 67 chemicals during the next four months. The data generated from the screens will provide scientific information to help EPA identify whether additional testing is necessary, or whether other steps are necessary to address potential endocrine disrupting chemicals.

Testing, conducted through the agency’s Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP), will eventually expand to cover all pesticide chemicals. The EDSP is the most comprehensive mandated testing program for hormone effects in the U.S. The program is the result of a multi-year effort that includes validation of the science through a transparent scientific review process.

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.

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