Bacteria Rulemaking Inclusion of Bacteria Limits in TPDES Permits

EPA Objections EPA review 303d list for bacteria February 2007 –July 2008 Approximately 100 draft permits not approved

EPA Interim Agreement 303d list Bacteria TMDL Over 5 MGD >100 cfu/100 ml New & amended permits Oyster water Effluent limits

EPA Long Term Agreement Propose rule by July 1, 2009 Adopt rule by Dec 31, 2009 Requires limits upon permit issuance Objections to any permit without bacteria limits after Jan 1, 2010

Rule Timeline Proposal – May 20, 2009 Comment Period Jun 5 – Jul 5, 2009 Adoption – Oct 28, 2009 Effective – Nov 19, 2009

Implementation Next permit action New Renewal Amendment EPA agreement allows no compliance schedule Recommend starting evaluations now

Bacteria Permit Limits Notification language in all permits E. coli for fresh water Enterococcus for salt water Limits effective at issuance No compliance schedule Possible exceptions for small facilities

E. coli Permit Limits Fresh Water Numerical limit in rule  OR Refer to WQ Standards WQ Standards changing 126 cfu current 206 cfu proposed

Enterococcus Permit Limits Salt water discharges WQ Standards not changing Numeric limit = 35 cfu

Large Domestic Facilities Interim Sampling Schedule >50 MGD – 5/week MGD – 3/week 5-20 MGD – 1/week <5 –no monitoring

Monitoring Frequencies Based on permitted flow Ultraviolet vs chlorine Increased frequency: application screening 303d segment sensitive water body

Continued Need for Chlorine Testing Retain 4.0 mg maximum 0.1 mg dechlor Regular check between bacteria samples Delay in bacteria results

Chlorine Contact Chambers Recommend evaluating now If undersized or short-circuiting Violating current regulations No compliance schedule

Sample Holding Times Standard Methods 9221 & 9222 Holding time – 6 hours Travel time issues SWQM in-stream variance

Laboratory Issues In-house testing without certification Contract lab must be NELAC certified Proximity to plant Increased workload

21-day retention time Recommend evaluating Capacities Sample Locations Wildlife impacts (birds, etc) Compliance schedule for new construction Pond Systems

Wet Weather Issues Affects a limited number of facilities Blending Other options for stand-alone facilities that can’t meet limits

Industrial Facilities Bacteria limits for domestic outfalls Commingled domestic and process outfalls Internal outfalls vs external outfalls Monitoring frequency

Discussion Topics Questions Suggestions Solutions

Contact Us Kent Trede Sherry Smith Chris Linendoll

Fecal vs Residual Chlorine

E. coli vs Residual Chlorine

Possible Limit Scenarios EPA national criteria = WQ Stds contact criterion A % of EPA/WQS criteria -- safety factor Primary contact criteria from WQS at permit issuance Individual receiving stream criterion

Current WQ Stds Freshwater E. coli 126 cfu/100 mls Saltwater Enterococci 35 cfu/100 mls

Proposed WQ Standards Freshwater E. coli 206 cfu/100 ml Saltwater Enterococci 35 cfu/100 ml

Daily Maximum Limit Current Standard E coli 394 cfu/100 ml Enterococci: 89 cfu/100 ml Proposed Standard E coli 399 cfu/100 ml Enterococci 104 cfu/100 ml

Alternate Daily Max Method Daily max = Daily avg x (3.11/1.47) = Daily avg x 2.12 SIP established ratio (pg 57)

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