1. Bacteria Rulemaking Inclusion of Bacteria Limits in TPDES Permits

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

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

4. 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

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

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

7. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

16. 21-day retention time Recommend evaluating Capacities Sample Locations Wildlife impacts (birds, etc) Compliance schedule for new construction Pond Systems

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

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

19. Discussion Topics Questions Suggestions Solutions

20. Contact Us Kent Trede ktrede@tceq.state.tx.us 512.239.1747 Sherry Smith shesmith@tceq.state.tx.us 512.239.0571 Chris Linendoll clinendo@tceq.state.tx.us 512.239.4515

21. Fecal vs Residual Chlorine

22. E. coli vs Residual Chlorine

23. 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

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

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

26. 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

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

28. Thanks for coming!