1. Water Quality Standards: Rulemaking Pipeline Adrienne Nemura Geosyntec Consultants US Conference of Mayors Water Council Washington, DC April 30, 2015

2. Chemical-specific standards for surface water Drinking water Aquatic life –Ammonia (2013) –Chloride (2015?) –Selenium (2015?) –Conductivity (2015?) –Aluminum (2016?) Human health –Toxic pollutants (2015?) –Viruses (2016?) Etc. 27 58 122

3. Chloride (2015?) New research shows chloride toxicity depends on hardness & sulfate New criteria in Iowa Provides site- specific relief Should result in fewer 303(d) listings for chloride

4. Selenium Levels in Soil by County http://mrdata.usgs.gov/geochem/doc/averages/se/usa.html

5. Selenium (2015?) Pending for over 10 years Fixes deficiencies in science –Emphasizes fish tissue levels over instream concentrations –Significant input from regulated communities But...concerns about endangered species –Fish & Wildlife Service & NGOs –Getting involved in draft NPDES permits

6. Conductivity (2015?) EPA issued guidelines for review of Appalachian coal mines –If ~ 500 microSiemens, EPA denies NPDES permit Possible expansion nationwide Risk of very stringent limits on solids discharges EPA’s Scientific Advisory Board recommends EPA demonstrate linkage between conductivity and biological communities

7. EPA also has regulations and policies for implementing standards NPDES permit limits –wastewater treatment plants –municipal storm sewer systems (MS4s) Clean Water Act § 303(d) impaired waters list Total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) Strict pollutant- by-pollutant approach Narrow regulatory relief (variance) Integrated planning for municipal wastewater and stormwater Holistic watershed & utility planning with adaptive management

8. Water Quality Standards Regulation at Office of Management & Budget (OMB) EPA intent is to “clarify” 6 areas; is clarification needed? Risks –States having to re-examine ALL water quality standards every three years Threat of EPA disapproval & promulgation of federal criteria –More difficult to apply for relief –New requirements/limitations for compliance schedules –“Antidegradation” used to set higher bars More 303(d) listings More stringent permit limits –Introduces requirement for defining “highest attainable use” 78 Fed. Reg. 54518; Sep. 4, 2013

10. Water Quality Standards: Rulemaking Pipeline US Conference of Mayors Water Council April 30, 2015 Adrienne Nemura, P.E. Ann Arbor, MI anemura@geosyntec.com (734) 476-0357