TITLE 9. ENVIRONMENT
REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The State Water Control Board is claiming an exemption from the Administrative Process Act in accordance with § 2.2-4006 A 8 of the Code of Virginia, which exempts general permits issued by the State Water Control Board pursuant to the State Water Control Law (§ 62.1-44.2 et seq.), Chapter 24 (§ 62.1-242 et seq.) of Title 62.1, and Chapter 25 (§ 62.1-254 et seq.) of Title 62.1 if the board (i) provides a Notice of Intended Regulatory Action in conformance with the provisions of § 2.2-4007.01; (ii) following the passage of 30 days from the publication of the Notice of Intended Regulatory Action forms a technical advisory committee composed of relevant stakeholders, including potentially affected citizens groups, to assist in the development of the general permit; (iii) provides notice and receives oral and written comment as provided in § 2.2-4007.03; and (iv) conducts at least one public hearing on the proposed general permit.
Title of Regulation: 9VAC25-860. General Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Permit for Potable Water Treatment Plants (amending 9VAC25-860-10, 9VAC25-860-40, 9VAC25-860-50, 9VAC25-860-60, 9VAC25-860-70; adding 9VAC25-860-15).
Statutory Authority: § 62.1-44.15 of the Code of Virginia; § 402 of the federal Clean Water Act.
Effective Date: December 24, 2013.
Agency Contact: Elleanore M. Daub, Department of Environmental Quality, 629 East Main Street, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 698-4111, FAX (804) 698-4032, or email elleanore.daub@deq.virginia.gov.
Summary:
This regulatory action reissues the existing Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) general permit that expires on December 23, 2013. The general permit contains limitations and monitoring requirements for point source discharge of treated wastewaters from potable water treatment plants to surface waters. This general permit regulation is being reissued so that these plants may continue to discharge. Since publication of the proposed amendments, only minor clarification changes have been made.
9VAC25-860-10. Definitions.
The words and terms used in this regulation shall have the meanings defined in the State Water Control Law and 9VAC25-31, the VPDES Permit Regulation, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, except that for the purposes of this chapter:
"Department" or "DEQ" means the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
"Membrane treatment" means a pressure driven process using synthetic materials to separate constituents from water. Membranes are used for dissolved solids or suspended solids removal. Membrane treatment for dissolved solids removal includes reverse osmosis and nanofiltration. Membrane treatment for suspended solids removal includes ultrafiltration and microfiltration.
"Microfiltration" means a method of membrane treatment designed to remove particles [ up down ] to 0.1 µm in size. The treatment removes cysts, bacteria, and most (but not all) particulates.
"Municipal separate storm sewer system" or "MS4" means a conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains) (i) owned or operated by a state, city, town, county, district, association, or other public body (created by or pursuant to state law) having jurisdiction over disposal of sewage, industrial wastes, storm water, or other wastes, including special districts under state law such as a sewer district, flood control district or drainage district, or similar entity, or an Indian tribe or an authorized Indian tribal organization, or a designated and approved management agency under § 208 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) that discharges to surface waters of the state; (ii) designed or used for collecting or conveying storm water; (iii) which is not a combined sewer; and (iv) which is not part of a publicly owned treatment works (POTW).
"Nanofiltration" or "low-pressure reverse osmosis" or "membrane softening" means a method of membrane treatment designed to remove multivalent ions (softening) and removes contaminants [ up down ] to 1 nm (nanometer = 0.001 µm) in size.
"Potable water treatment plants plant" means establishments primarily an establishment engaged in distributing water for sale producing water for domestic, commercial, and or industrial use as designated by Standard Industrial Classified (SIC) Code 4941 – Water Supply (Office of Management and Budget (OMB) SIC Manual, 1987), or others as approved by the board.
"Reverse osmosis" means a method of water membrane treatment that involves the application of pressure to a concentrated solution that causes the passage of a liquid from the concentrated solution to a weaker solution across a semi-permeable membrane. The membrane allows the passage of the solvent (water) but not the dissolved solids (solutes) designed to remove salts and low-molecular weight solutes and remove all contaminants [ up down ] to 0.0001 µm (microns) in size. Reverse osmosis methods apply pressure in excess of osmotic pressure to force water through a semi-permeable membrane from a region of high salt concentration to a region of lower salt concentration.
"Total maximum daily load" or "TMDL" means a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards and an allocation of that amount to the pollutant's sources. A TMDL includes wasteload allocations (WLAs) for point source discharges, and load allocations (LAs) for nonpoint sources or natural background or both, and must include a margin of safety (MOS) and account for seasonal variations.
"Ultrafiltration" means a method of membrane treatment designed to remove particles [ up down ] to 0.01 µm in size. The treatment removes cysts, bacteria, and viruses as well as suspended solids.
9VAC25-860-15. Applicability of incorporated references based on the dates that they became effective.
Except as noted, when a regulation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set forth in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is referenced and incorporated herein, that regulation shall be as it exists and has been published as of July 1, 2012.
9VAC25-860-40. Effective date of the permit.
This general VPDES permit will become effective on December 24, 2008 December 24, 2013, and will expire on June 30, 2018. This general permit will expire five years after the effective date. This general permit is effective for any covered owner upon compliance with all the provisions of 9VAC25-860-50 and the receipt of this general permit.
9VAC25-860-50. Authorization to discharge.
A. Any owner governed by this general permit is hereby authorized to discharge to surface waters of the Commonwealth of Virginia provided that the owner files and receives acceptance by the board of the registration statement of 9VAC25-860-60, files the required permit fee, complies with the effluent limitations and other requirements of 9VAC25-860-70, and provided that:
1. The owner submits a registration statement in accordance with 9VAC25-860-60 and that registration statement is accepted by the board;
2. The owner submits the required permit fee;
3. The owner complies with the applicable effluent limitations and other requirements of 9VAC25-860-70; and
4. The board has not notified the owner that the discharge is not eligible for coverage in accordance with subsection B of this section.
B. The board will notify an owner that the discharge is not eligible for coverage under this general permit in the event of any of the following:
1. The owner has not been is required to obtain an individual permit according to in accordance with 9VAC25-31-170 B 3 of the VPDES Permit Regulation;
2. The proposed owner is proposing to discharge is not to state waters specifically named in other board regulations or policies that prohibit such discharges; and
3. The owner demonstrates that there is not a reasonable potential for toxicity by performing a toxicity screening, the results of which are to be submitted with the registration statement. The toxicity screening shall consist of a minimum of four sets (set = vertebrate and invertebrate) of acute or chronic tests that reflect the characteristics of the current effluent using the following tests and organisms.
| | For an intermittent or batch discharger
| 48 hour static acute toxicity tests
|
| | Freshwater organisms
| Pimephales promelas or Oncorhynchus mykiss (for cold water) (vertebrates)
Ceriodaphnia dubia (invertebrate)
|
| | Saltwater organisms
| Cyprinodon variegates (vertebrate)
Americamysis bahia (invertebrate)
|
| | For a continuous discharger
| |
| | Freshwater
| 7-Day Chronic Static Renewal Larval Survival and Growth Test with Pimephales promelas (vertebrate)
|
| 3-Brood Chronic Static Renewal Survival and Reproduction Test with Ceriodaphnia dubia (invertebrate)
|
| | Saltwater
| 7-Day Chronic Static Renewal Larval Survival and Growth Test with Cyprinodon variegatus (vertebrate)
|
| 7-Day Chronic Static Renewal Survival, Growth and Fecundity Test with Americamysis bahia (invertebrate)
|
Freshwater organisms are used where the salinity of the receiving water is less than 1.0%. Where the salinity of the receiving water is greater than 1.0% but less than 5.0% either freshwater or saltwater organisms may be used. Saltwater organisms are used where the salinity is greater than 5.0%.
There shall be a minimum of 30 days between sets of tests, and test procedures shall follow 40 CFR Part 136, which references the EPA guidance manuals for whole effluent toxicity testing. The data will be evaluated statistically to see if there is reasonable potential for toxicity; if such a potential exists, the facility must either continue operation under its existing individual VPDES permit, or apply for an individual VPDES permit.
Facilities that are subject to the requirements of 9VAC25-820-70 Part I G 1 (General VPDES Watershed Permit Regulation for Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus Discharges and Nutrient Trading in the Chesapeake Watershed in Virginia - Requirement to Register), are excluded from coverage under this general permit.
3. The discharge violates or would violate the antidegradation policy in the Water Quality Standards at 9VAC25-260-30;
4. The discharge is not consistent with the assumptions and requirements of an approved TMDL;
5. The facility is subject to the requirements of 9VAC25-820-70 Part I G 1 (General VPDES Watershed Permit Regulation for Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus Discharges and Nutrient Trading in the Chesapeake Watershed in Virginia - Requirement to Register); and
6. An owner applying for coverage under this general permit submits the results of representative whole effluent toxicity testing of the discharge, and the results demonstrate that there is a reasonable potential for toxicity.
B. Receipt of C. Compliance with this general permit constitutes compliance with the federal Clean Water Act and the State Water Control Law with the exceptions stated in 9VAC25-31-60 of the VPDES Permit Regulation. Approval for coverage under this general permit does not relieve any owner of the responsibility to comply with any other applicable federal, state, or local statute, ordinance, or regulation.
D. Continuation of permit coverage.
1. Any owner that was authorized to discharge under the potable water treatment plant general permit issued in 2008 and that submits a complete registration statement on or before December 24, 2013, is authorized to continue to discharge under the terms of the 2008 general permit until such time as the board either:
a. Issues coverage to the owner under this general permit; or
b. Notifies the owner that the discharge is not eligible for coverage under this general permit.
2. When the owner that was covered under the expiring or expired general permit has violated or is violating the conditions of that permit, the board may choose to do any or all of the following:
a. Initiate enforcement action based upon the 2008 general permit;
b. Issue a notice of intent to deny coverage under the reissued general permit. If the general permit coverage is denied, the owner would then be required to cease the discharges authorized by administratively continued coverage under the terms of the 2008 general permit or be subject to enforcement action for discharging without a permit;
c. Issue an individual permit with appropriate conditions; or
d. Take other actions authorized by the VPDES Permit Regulation (9VAC25-31).
9VAC25-860-60. Registration statement.
The owner/operator shall file a complete VPDES general permit registration statement for potable water treatment plants. Any owner/operator proposing a new discharge shall file the registration statement at least 60 days prior to the date planned for commencing operation of the new discharge. Any owner of an existing potable water treatment plants covered by an individual VPDES permit who is proposing to be covered by this general permit shall file the registration statement at least 180 days prior to the expiration date of the individual VPDES permit. Any owner of an existing potable water treatment plant not currently covered by a VPDES permit who is proposing to be covered by this general permit shall file the registration statement. The required registration statement shall contain the following information:
A. Deadlines for submitting registration statement. The owner seeking coverage under this general permit shall submit a complete VPDES general permit registration statement in accordance with this section, which shall serve as a notice of intent for coverage under the general VPDES permit for potable water treatment plants.
1. New facilities. Any owner proposing a new discharge shall submit a complete registration statement at least 60 days prior to the date planned for commencement of the new discharge.
2. Existing facilities.
a. Any owner covered by an individual VPDES permit who is proposing to be covered by this general permit shall submit a complete registration statement at least 270 days prior to the expiration date of the individual VPDES permit.
b. Any owner that was authorized to discharge under the general VPDES permit that became effective on December 24, 2008, and who intends to continue coverage under this general permit shall submit a complete registration statement to the board on or before October 24, 2013.
c. Any owner of a potable water treatment plant not currently covered by a VPDES permit who is proposing to be covered by this general permit shall file the registration statement.
B. Late registration statements. Registration statements for existing owners covered under subdivision A 2 b of this section will be accepted after December 24, 2013, but authorization to discharge will not be retroactive. Owners described in subdivision A 2 b of this section that submit registration statements after October 24, 2013, are authorized to discharge under the provisions of 9VAC25-860-50 D if a complete registration statement is submitted on or before December 24, 2013.
C. The required registration statement shall contain the following information:
1. Facility name and location street address (street no., route no., or other identifier), owner name, mailing address, telephone number, and the email address (if available);
2. Facility owner's name mailing address, telephone number and the email address;
3. Facility operator 2. Operator or other contact name and, mailing address and, telephone number, and email address (if available);
4. 3. The nature of the business;
5. 4. A USGS 7.5 minute topographic map or equivalent computer generated map showing the facility location extending to at least one mile beyond the property boundary and the location of the discharge point(s);
6. 5. The receiving waters of the discharge;
7. 6. The outfall number, the daily maximum actual or projected wastewater flow rate (typical (millions of gallons per day or gallons per day), typical volume, duration of discharges, and number of discharges per day/week) and the number of outfalls frequency of discharge;
8. If the type of water treatment plant is conventional, reverse osmosis, or a combination of both 7. The type of water treatment (e.g. conventional, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, or a combination of these) and, if applicable, a description of any treatment type changes since the previous registration statement was submitted;
9. If this facility currently has an 8. The number of any existing VPDES permit, and if so, the permit number that authorizes discharges from the potable water treatment plant;
10. 9. If the existing VPDES permit contains a ground water groundwater monitoring plan requirement and, if so, submit, a copy of the DEQ approved groundwater monitoring board-approved plan should be submitted;
11. Indicate if the 10. Information regarding the lining of any settling basins, or lagoons, or both whether such units are earthen lined, and if so, whether the units linings have a permeability of no greater than 10-6 cm/sec;
12. 11. The results of the any whole effluent toxicity evaluation required by the 2008 potable water treatment plant general permit regulation, 9VAC25-860-50 A 3, or the current individual permit, if not previously submitted to the department;
13. 12. A schematic drawing showing the source(s) of water used on the property and the conceptual design of the methods of treatment and disposal of wastewater;
14. 13. Information on chemicals used in the treatment, to include (i) a description of chemical chemicals, and (ii) a proposed or actual schedule and quantity of chemical usage and, if applicable, (iii) a description of any chemical or chemical usage changes since the previous registration statement was submitted;
15. 14. A description of how solids and residue from the any settling basins or lagoons are disposed;
15. Whether the facility will discharge to a MS4. If so, the name of the MS4 owner must be provided. If the owner of the potable water treatment plant is not the owner of the MS4, the facility owner shall notify the MS4 owner of the existence of the discharge and include a copy of the notification with the registration statement. The notification shall include the following information: the name of the facility, a contact person and phone number, the location of the discharge, the nature of the discharge, and the owner's VPDES general permit number;
16. If a new potable water treatment plant owner proposes to discharge within five miles upstream of another public water supply system's intake, the new potable water treatment plant owner shall notify the public water supply system's owner and include a copy of the notification with the registration statement; and
16. 17. The following certification:
"I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is to the best of my knowledge and belief true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations."
D. The registration statement shall be signed in accordance with 9VAC25-31-110.
9VAC25-860-70. General permit.
Any owner whose registration statement is accepted by the board will receive coverage under the following permit and shall comply with the requirements therein and be subject to all requirements of 9VAC25-31.
General Permit No.: VAG64
Effective Date: December 24, 2008 December 24, 2013
Expiration Date: December 23, 2013 June 30, 2018
GENERAL PERMIT FOR POTABLE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS
AUTHORIZATION TO DISCHARGE UNDER THE VIRGINIA POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM AND THE VIRGINIA STATE WATER CONTROL LAW
In compliance with the provisions of the Clean Water Act, as amended, and pursuant to the State Water Control Law and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, owners/operators owners of potable water treatment plants are authorized to discharge to surface waters within the boundaries of the Commonwealth of Virginia, except those specifically named in board regulations or policies that prohibit such discharges.
The authorized discharge shall be in accordance with this cover page, Part I ‑ Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements, and Part II - Conditions Applicable To All VPDES Permits, as set forth herein.
There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
B. Special conditions.
1. Inspection of the effluent, and maintenance of the wastewater treatment facility, shall be performed daily when discharging. Documentation of the inspection and maintenance shall be recorded in an operational log. This operational log shall be made available for review by the department personnel upon request.
2. No domestic sewage discharges to surface waters are permitted under this general permit.
3. Adding chemicals to the water or waste that may be discharged, No chemicals, other than those listed on the owner's accepted registration statement, is prohibited are allowed. Prior approval shall be obtained from Department of Environmental Quality the board before any changes are made to the chemical(s), in order to assure protection of water quality and beneficial uses of the waters receiving the discharge.
4. Monitoring frequency shall be 1/month unless a written request is sent to the appropriate regional office to reduce monitoring to 1/quarter. Upon written notification from DEQ regional office, monitoring frequency shall be reduced to 1/quarter. Should the permittee be issued a warning letter related to violation of effluent limitations, a notice of violation, or be subject of an active enforcement action, monitoring frequency shall revert to 1/month upon issuance of the letter of notice of initiation of the enforcement action, and remain in effect until the permit's expiration date. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
5. The permittee shall comply with the following solids management plan that includes:
a. A prohibition on the discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
b. A requirement to clean settling basins frequently in order to achieve effective treatment.
c. A requirement that all solids shall be handled, stored and disposed of so as to prevent a discharge to state waters.
6. If the discharge is into a municipal separate storm sewer, the permittee is required to notify the owner of the municipal separate storm sewer system of the existence of the discharge within 30 days of coverage under the general permit, and provide the following information: the name of the facility, a contact person and phone number, and the location of the discharge.
5. Owners of facilities that are a source of the specified pollutant of concern to waters where an approved total maximum daily load (TMDL) has been established shall implement measures and controls that are consistent with the assumptions and requirements of the TMDL.
7. 6. The permittee shall notify the department as soon as he knows or has reason to believe:
a. That any activity has occurred or will occur that would result in the discharge, on a routine or frequent basis, of any toxic pollutant that is not limited in this permit, if that discharge will exceed the highest of the following notification levels:
(1) One hundred micrograms per liter;
(2) Two hundred micrograms per liter for acrolein and acrylonitrile; five hundred micrograms per liter for 2,4‑dinitrophenol and for 2‑methyl‑4,6‑dinitrophenol; and one milligram per liter for antimony;
(3) Five times the maximum concentration value reported for that pollutant in the permit application general permit registration statement; or
(4) The level established by the board.
b. That any activity has occurred or will occur that would result in any discharge, on a nonroutine or infrequent basis, of a toxic pollutant that is not limited in this permit, if that discharge will exceed the highest of the following notification levels:
(1) Five hundred micrograms per liter;
(2) One milligram per liter for antimony;
(3) Ten times the maximum concentration value reported for that pollutant in the permit application general permit registration statement; or
(4) The level established by the board.
8. 7. If a DEQ-approved ground water board-approved groundwater monitoring plan was submitted with the registrations registration statement, the permittee shall continue sampling and reporting to sample and report in accordance with the plan. The approved plan shall be an enforceable part of this permit. The board or the owner, with board approval, may evaluate the groundwater monitoring data and demonstrate that revisions to or the cessation of the groundwater monitoring are appropriate.
9. 8. Compliance reporting under Part I A.
a. The quantification levels (QL) shall be as follows:
| | Effluent Characteristic | Quantification Level |
| | Chlorine | 0.10 mg/l |
| | TSS | 1.0 mg/l |
b. Reporting.
(1) Monthly average. Compliance with the monthly average limitations and/or and reporting requirements for the parameters listed in subdivision 9 8 a shall be determined as follows: all concentration data below the QL listed above shall be treated as zero. All concentration data equal to or above the QL listed in subdivision 9 8 a shall be treated as it is reported. An arithmetic average shall be calculated using all reported data for the month, including the defined zeros. This arithmetic average shall be reported on the Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) as calculated. If all data are below the QL, then the average shall be reported as "<QL." If reporting for quantity is required on the DMR and the calculated concentration is <QL, then report "<QL" for the quantity. Otherwise use the calculated concentration.
(2) Daily maximum. Compliance with the daily maximum limitations and/or reporting requirements for the parameters listed in subdivision 9 8 a above shall be determined as follows: all concentration data below the QL listed in subdivision 9 8 a above shall be treated as zero. All concentration data equal to or above the QL shall be treated as reported. An arithmetic average shall be calculated using all reported data, including the defined zeros, collected within each day during the reporting month. The maximum value of these daily averages thus determined shall be reported on the DMR as the Daily Maximum. If all data are below the QL, then the average shall be reported as "<QL." If reporting for quantity is required on the DMR and the calculated concentration is <QL, then report "<QL" for the quantity. Otherwise use the calculated concentration.
c. Any single datum required shall be reported as "<QL" if it is less than the QL in subdivision 9 8 a. Otherwise, the numerical value shall be reported.
d. The permittee shall report at least the same number of significant digits as the permit limit for a given parameter. Regardless of the rounding convention used (i.e., 5 always rounding up or to the nearest even number) by the permittee, the permittee shall use the convention consistently, and shall ensure that consulting laboratories employed by the permittee use the same convention.
10. 9. Operation and Maintenance Manual Requirement.
a. The Within 90 days after the date of coverage under this general permit, the permittee shall develop an Operation and Maintenance (O & M) Manual for the treatment works. The O & M manual shall be reviewed within 90 days of changes to the treatment system. The O & M manual shall be certified in accordance with Part II K of this permit. The O & M manual shall be made available for review by department personnel upon request.
b. This manual shall detail the practices and procedures that will be followed to ensure compliance with the requirements of this permit. The manual shall be submitted to the DEQ regional office for approval within 90 days of the date of coverage under the general permit or completion of construction. Within 30 days of a request by the department, the current O & M Manual shall be submitted to the board for review and approval. The permittee shall operate the treatment works in accordance with the approved O & M Manual. Noncompliance with the O & M Manual shall be deemed a violation of the permit.
c. This manual shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following items, as appropriate:
(1) Techniques to be employed in the collection, preservation, and analysis of effluent samples;
(2) Discussion of best management practices, if applicable;
(3) Treatment system design, treatment system operation, routine preventive maintenance of units within the treatment system, critical spare parts inventory and record keeping;
(4) A plan for the management and/or disposal of waste solids and residues, which includes a requirement to clean settling basins and lagoons (if present at the facility) in order to achieve effective treatment and a requirement that all solids shall be handled, stored, and disposed of so as to prevent a discharge to state waters; and
(5) Procedures for measuring and recording the duration and volume of treated wastewater discharged.
Any changes in the practices and procedures followed by the permittee shall be documented and submitted for staff approval within 90 days of the effective date of the changes. Upon approval of the submitted manual changes, the revised manual becomes an enforceable part of the permit. Noncompliance with the O & M Manual shall be deemed a violation of the permit.
b. If an approved O & M Manual is already on file with DEQ, the permittee shall review the existing Operations and Maintenance (O & M) Manual and notify the DEQ regional office in writing within 90 days of the date of coverage under the general permit whether it is still accurate and complete. If the O & M Manual is no longer accurate and complete, a revised O & M Manual shall be submitted for approval to the DEQ regional office within 90 days of the date of coverage under the general permit or with the above required notification. The permittee will maintain an accurate, approved operation and maintenance manual for the treatment works. This manual shall detail the practices and procedures that will be followed to ensure compliance with the requirements of the permit. The permittee shall operate the treatment works accordance with the approved O&M Manual. This manual shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following items, as appropriate:
(1) Techniques to be employed in the collection, preservation, and analysis of effluent samples;
(2) Discussion of best management practices, if applicable;
(3) Treatment works design, treatment works operation, routine preventative maintenance of units within the treatment system, critical spare parts inventory and record keeping;
(4) A plan for the management and/or disposal of waste solids and residues; and
(5) Procedures for measuring and recording the duration and volume of treated wastewater discharged.
Any changes in the practices and procedures followed by the permittee shall be documented and submitted for staff approval within 90 days of the effective date of the changes. Upon approval of the submitted manual changes, the revised manual becomes an enforceable part of the permit. Noncompliance with the O & M Manual shall be deemed a violation of the permit.
10. Owners with a daily maximum flow rate greater than or equal to 50,000 gallons per day that have not conducted whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing to demonstrate there is no reasonable potential for toxicity from their discharge shall conduct WET testing as described in subdivisions a through e of this subsection. Owners with changes in treatment technology or chemical usage that change the characteristics of the discharge and with a daily maximum flow rate greater than or equal to 50,000 gallons per day shall conduct WET testing as described in subdivisions a through e of this subsection.
a. The WET testing shall consist of a minimum of four sets (set = vertebrate and invertebrate) of acute or chronic tests that reflect the current characteristics of the treatment plant effluent using the following tests and organisms:
| | For an intermittent or batch discharger | 48 hour static acute toxicity tests |
| Freshwater organisms | Pimephales promelas or Oncorhynchus mykiss (for cold water) (vertebrates) Ceriodaphnia dubia (invertebrate) |
| Saltwater organisms | Cyprinodon variegates (vertebrate) Americamysis bahia (invertebrate) |
| | For continuous discharger |
| Freshwater | 7-Day Chronic Static Renewal Larval Survival and Growth Test with Pimephales promelas (vertebrate) |
| 3-Brood Chronic Static Renewal Survival and Reproduction Test with Ceriodaphnia dubia (invertebrate) |
| Saltwater | 7-Day Chronic Static Renewal Larval Survival and Growth Test with Cyprinodon variegatus (vertebrate) |
| 7-Day Chronic Static Renewal Survival, Growth and Fecundity Test with Americamysis bahia (invertebrate) |
Freshwater organisms are used where the salinity of the receiving water is less than [ 1.0% 1.0‰ ] (parts per thousand). Where the salinity of the receiving water is greater than [ 1.0% or equal to 1.0‰ ] but less than [ 5.0% 5.0‰ ] either freshwater or saltwater organisms may be used. Saltwater organisms are used where the salinity is greater than [ 5.0% or equal to 5.0‰ ]. There shall be a minimum of 30 days between sets of tests, and test procedures shall follow Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 136 (40 CFR Part 136), which references the EPA guidance manuals for WET testing.
b. This testing shall be completed, at a minimum, during the first year of coverage under the general permit or within one year of commencing discharge.
c. The department will evaluate all representative data statistically to see if there is reasonable potential for toxicity in the facility discharge. If such reasonable potential exists and cannot be eliminated, the owner will be notified that he must apply for an individual VPDES permit at next reissuance and a WET limit will be included in that individual permit. If the potential cause of the toxicity is eliminated during the five year term of this general permit, the owner may conduct additional WET testing to demonstrate that there is no longer reasonable potential for toxicity and an individual permit will not be required at the next reissuance.
d. If the department determines that no reasonable potential for toxicity exists in the facility discharge, no further WET testing is required unless changes in treatment technology or chemical usage are made at the plant that change the characteristics of the discharge. If there have been changes to the effluent characteristics, then four sets of WET testing, either acute or chronic tests as applicable, must be performed to recharacterize the discharge.
e. Any WET testing data will be submitted with the next required discharge monitoring report.
11. The discharges authorized by this permit shall be controlled as necessary to meet applicable water quality standards.
12. Notice of termination.
a. The owner may terminate coverage under this general permit by filing a complete notice of termination with the department. The notice of termination may be filed after one or more of the following conditions have been met:
(1) Operations have ceased at the facility and there are no longer discharges of process wastewater from the potable water treatment plant;
(2) A new owner has assumed responsibility for the facility. A notice of termination does not have to be submitted if a VPDES Change of Ownership Agreement form has been submitted;
(3) All discharges associated with this facility have been covered by an individual VPDES permit or a VPDES general permit; or
(4) Termination of coverage is being requested for another reason, provided the board agrees that coverage under this general permit is no longer needed.
b. The notice of termination shall contain the following information:
(1) Owner's name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address (if available);
(2) Facility name and location;
(3) VPDES general permit registration number for the facility; and
(4) The basis for submitting the notice of termination, including:
(a) A statement indicating that a new owner has assumed responsibility for the facility;
(b) A statement indicating that operations have ceased at the facility and there are no longer discharges from the facility;
(c) A statement indicating that all discharges have been covered by an individual VPDES permit; or
(d) A statement indicating that termination of coverage is being requested for another reason (state the reason).
c. The following certification: "I certify under penalty of law that all wastewater discharges from the identified facility that are authorized by this VPDES general permit have been eliminated, or covered under a VPDES individual or a VPDES general permit, or that I am no longer the owner of the facility, or permit coverage should be terminated for another reason listed above. I understand that by submitting this notice of termination, that I am no longer authorized to discharge wastewater in accordance with the general permit, and that discharging pollutants to surface waters is unlawful where the discharge is not authorized by a VPDES permit. I also understand that the submittal of this notice of termination does not release an owner from liability for any violations of this permit or the Clean Water Act."
d. The notice of termination shall be submitted to the department and signed in accordance with Part II K.
13. Approval for coverage under this general permit does not relieve any owner of the responsibility to comply with any other federal, state, or local statute, ordinance, or regulation.
PART II
CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL VPDES PERMITS.
A. Monitoring.
1. Samples and measurements taken as required by this permit shall be representative of the monitored activity.
2. Monitoring shall be conducted according to procedures approved under 40 CFR Part 136 or alternative methods approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, unless other procedures have been specified in this permit.
3. The permittee shall periodically calibrate and perform maintenance procedures on all monitoring and analytical instrumentation at intervals that will insure accuracy of measurements.
4. Samples taken as required by this permit shall be analyzed in accordance with 1VAC30-45, Certification for Noncommercial Environmental Laboratories, or 1VAC30-46, Accreditation for Commercial Environmental Laboratories.
B. Records.
1. Records of monitoring information shall include:
a. The date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurements;
b. The individual(s) who performed the sampling or measurements;
c. The date(s) and time(s) analyses were performed;
d. The individual(s) who performed the analyses;
e. The analytical techniques or methods used; and
f. The results of such analyses.
2. Except for records of monitoring information required by this permit related to the permittee's sewage sludge use and disposal activities, which shall be retained for a period of at least five years, the permittee shall retain records of all monitoring information, including all calibration and maintenance records and all original strip chart recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation, copies of all reports required by this permit, and records of all data used to complete the registration statement for this permit, for a period of at least three years from the date of the sample, measurement, report or request for coverage. This period of retention shall be extended automatically during the course of any unresolved litigation regarding the regulated activity or regarding control standards applicable to the permittee, or as requested by the board.
C. Reporting monitoring results.
1. The permittee shall submit the results of the monitoring required by this permit not later than the 10th day of the month after monitoring takes place, unless another reporting schedule is specified elsewhere in this permit. Monitoring results shall be submitted to the department's regional office.
2. Monitoring results shall be reported on a discharge monitoring report (DMR) or on forms provided, approved or specified by the department.
3. If the permittee monitors any pollutant specifically addressed by this permit more frequently than required by this permit using test procedures approved under 40 CFR Part 136 or using other test procedures approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or using procedures specified in this permit, the results of this monitoring shall be included in the calculation and reporting of the data submitted in the DMR or reporting form specified by the department.
4. Calculations for all limitations that require averaging of measurements shall utilize an arithmetic mean unless otherwise specified in this permit.
D. Duty to provide information. The permittee shall furnish to the department, within a reasonable time, any information that the board may request to determine whether cause exists for modifying, revoking and reissuing, or terminating this permit or to determine compliance with this permit. The board may require the permittee to furnish, upon request, such plans, specifications, and other pertinent information as may be necessary to determine the effect of the wastes from his discharge on the quality of state waters, or such other information as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes of the State Water Control Law. The permittee shall also furnish to the department upon request, copies of records required to be kept by this permit.
E. Compliance schedule reports. Reports of compliance or noncompliance with, or any progress reports on, interim and final requirements contained in any compliance schedule of this permit shall be submitted no later than 14 days following each schedule date.
F. Unauthorized discharges. Except in compliance with this permit, or another permit issued by the board, it shall be unlawful for any person to:
1. Discharge into state waters sewage, industrial wastes, other wastes, or any noxious or deleterious substances; or
2. Otherwise alter the physical, chemical or biological properties of such state waters and make them detrimental to the public health, or to animal or aquatic life, or to the use of such waters for domestic or industrial consumption, or for recreation, or for other uses.
G. Reports of unauthorized discharges. Any permittee who discharges or causes or allows a discharge of sewage, industrial waste, other wastes or any noxious or deleterious substance into or upon state waters in violation of Part II F, or who discharges or causes or allows a discharge that may reasonably be expected to enter state waters in violation of Part II F, shall notify the department of the discharge immediately upon discovery of the discharge, but in no case later than 24 hours after said discovery. A written report of the unauthorized discharge shall be submitted to the department, within five days of discovery of the discharge. The written report shall contain:
1. A description of the nature and location of the discharge;
2. The cause of the discharge;
3. The date on which the discharge occurred;
4. The length of time that the discharge continued;
5. The volume of the discharge;
6. If the discharge is continuing, how long it is expected to continue;
7. If the discharge is continuing, what the expected total volume of the discharge will be; and
8. Any steps planned or taken to reduce, eliminate and prevent a recurrence of the present discharge or any future discharges not authorized by this permit.
Discharges reportable to the department under the immediate reporting requirements of other regulations are exempted from this requirement.
H. Reports of unusual or extraordinary discharges. If any unusual or extraordinary discharge including a bypass or upset should occur from a treatment works and the discharge enters or could be expected to enter state waters, the permittee shall promptly notify, in no case later than 24 hours, the department by telephone after the discovery of the discharge. This notification shall provide all available details of the incident, including any adverse [ affects effects ] on aquatic life and the known number of fish killed. The permittee shall reduce the report to writing and shall submit it to the department within five days of discovery of the discharge in accordance with Part II I 2. Unusual and extraordinary discharges include but are not limited to any discharge resulting from:
1. Unusual spillage of materials resulting directly or indirectly from processing operations;
2. Breakdown of processing or accessory equipment;
3. Failure or taking out of service some or all of the treatment works; and
4. Flooding or other acts of nature.
I. Reports of noncompliance. The permittee shall report any noncompliance that may adversely affect state waters or may endanger public health.
1. An oral report shall be provided within 24 hours from the time the permittee becomes aware of the circumstances. The following shall be included as information that shall be reported within 24 hours under this paragraph:
a. Any unanticipated bypass; and
b. Any upset that causes a discharge to surface waters.
2. A written report shall be submitted within five days and shall contain:
a. A description of the noncompliance and its cause;
b. The period of noncompliance, including exact dates and times, and if the noncompliance has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and
c. Steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the noncompliance.
The board may waive the written report on a case‑by‑case basis for reports of noncompliance under Part II I if the oral report has been received within 24 hours and no adverse impact on state waters has been reported.
3. The permittee shall report all instances of noncompliance not reported under Parts II I 1 or 2, in writing, at the time the next monitoring reports are submitted. The reports shall contain the information listed in Part II I 2.
NOTE: The immediate (within 24 hours) reports required in Parts II G, H and I may be made to the department's regional office. Reports may be made by telephone or by fax, FAX, or online at http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/PollutionResponsePreparedness/MakingaReport.aspx. For reports outside normal working hours, leave a message may be left and this shall fulfill the immediate reporting requirement. For emergencies, the Virginia Department of Emergency Services maintains a 24-hour telephone service at 1-800-468-8892.
J. Notice of planned changes.
1. The permittee shall give notice to the department as soon as possible of any planned physical alterations or additions to the permitted facility. Notice is required only when:
a. The permittee plans alteration or addition to any building, structure, facility, or installation from which there is or may be a discharge of pollutants, the construction of which commenced:
(1) After promulgation of standards of performance under § 306 of the Clean Water Act that are applicable to such source; or
(2) After proposal of standards of performance in accordance with § 306 of the Clean Water Act that are applicable to such source, but only if the standards are promulgated in accordance with § 306 within 120 days of their proposal;
b. The alteration or addition could significantly change the nature or increase the quantity of pollutants discharged. This notification applies to pollutants that are subject neither to effluent limitations nor to notification requirements specified elsewhere in this permit; or
c. The alteration or addition results in a significant change in the permittee's sludge use or disposal practices, and such alteration, addition, or change may justify the application of permit conditions that are different from or absent in the existing permit, including notification of additional use or disposal sites not reported during the permit application process or not reported pursuant to an approved land application plan.
2. The permittee shall give advance notice to the department of any planned changes in the permitted facility or activity that may result in noncompliance with permit requirements.
K. Signatory requirements.
1. Registration statement. All registration statements shall be signed as follows:
a. For a corporation: by a responsible corporate officer. For the purpose of this section, a responsible corporate officer mean means: (i) a president, secretary, treasurer, or vice‑president of the corporation in charge of a principal business function, or any other person who performs similar policy- or decision making functions for the corporation, or (ii) the manager of one or more manufacturing, production, or operating facilities, provided the manager is authorized to make management decisions that govern the operation of the regulated facility including having the explicit or implicit duty of making major capital investment recommendations, and initiating and directing other comprehensive measures to assure long-term environmental compliance with environmental laws and regulations; the manager can ensure that the necessary systems are established or actions taken to gather complete and accurate information for permit application registration requirements; and where authority to sign documents has been assigned or delegated to the manager in accordance with corporate procedures;
b. For a partnership or sole proprietorship: by a general partner or the proprietor, respectively; or
c. For a municipality, state, federal, or other public agency: by either a principal executive officer or ranking elected official. For purposes of this section, a principal executive officer of a public agency includes (i) the chief executive officer of the agency, or (ii) a senior executive officer having responsibility for the overall operations of a principal geographic unit of the agency.
2. Reports, etc. All reports required by permits, and other information requested by the board shall be signed by a person described in Part II K 1, or by a duly authorized representative of that person. A person is a duly authorized representative only if:
a. The authorization is made in writing by a person described in Part II K 1;
b. The authorization specifies either an individual or a position having responsibility for the overall operation of the regulated facility or activity such as the position of plant manager, operator of a well or a well field, superintendent, position of equivalent responsibility, or an individual or position having overall responsibility for environmental matters for the company. (A duly authorized representative may thus be either a named individual or any individual occupying a named position); and
c. The written authorization is submitted to the department.
3. Changes to authorization. If an authorization under Part II K 2 is no longer accurate because a different individual or position has responsibility for the overall operation of the facility, a new authorization satisfying the requirements of Part II K 2 shall be submitted to the department prior to or together with any reports, or information to be signed by an authorized representative.
4. Certification. Any person signing a document under Parts II K 1 or 2 shall make the following certification:
"I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations."
L. Duty to comply. The permittee shall comply with all conditions of this permit. Any permit noncompliance constitutes a violation of the State Water Control Law and the Clean Water Act, except that noncompliance with certain provisions of this permit may constitute a violation of the State Water Control Law but not the Clean Water Act. Permit noncompliance is grounds for enforcement action; for permit termination, revocation and reissuance, or modification; or denial of a permit coverage renewal application.
The permittee shall comply with effluent standards or prohibitions established under § 307(a) of the Clean Water Act for toxic pollutants and with standards for sewage sludge use or disposal established under § 405(d) of the Clean Water Act within the time provided in the regulations that establish these standards or prohibitions or standards for sewage sludge use or disposal, even if this permit has not yet been modified to incorporate the requirement.
M. Duty to reapply. If the permittee wishes to continue an activity regulated by this permit after the expiration date of this permit, the permittee shall submit a new registration statement at least 90 60 days before the expiration date of the existing permit, unless permission for a later date has been granted by the board. The board shall not grant permission for registration statements to be submitted later than the expiration date of the existing permit.
N. Effect of a permit. This permit does not convey any property rights in either real or personal property or any exclusive privileges, nor does it authorize any injury to private property or invasion of personal rights, or any infringement of federal, state or local law or regulations.
O. State law. Nothing in this permit shall be construed to preclude the institution of any legal action under, or relieve the permittee from any responsibilities, liabilities, or penalties established pursuant to any other state law or regulation or under authority preserved by § 510 of the Clean Water Act. Except as provided in permit conditions on "bypassing" (Part II U), and "upset" (Part II V) nothing in this permit shall be construed to relieve the permittee from civil and criminal penalties for noncompliance.
P. Oil and hazardous substance liability. Nothing in this permit shall be construed to preclude the institution of any legal action or relieve the permittee from any responsibilities, liabilities, or penalties to which the permittee is or may be subject under §§ 62.1-44.34:14 through 62.1-44.34:23 of the State Water Control Law.
Q. Proper operation and maintenance. The permittee shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of treatment and control (and related appurtenances) that are installed or used by the permittee to achieve compliance with the conditions of this permit. Proper operation and maintenance also includes effective plant performance, adequate funding, adequate staffing, and adequate laboratory and process controls, including appropriate quality assurance procedures. This provision requires the operation of back-up or auxiliary facilities or similar systems that are installed by the permittee only when the operation is necessary to achieve compliance with the conditions of this permit.
R. Disposal of solids or sludges. Solids, sludges or other pollutants removed in the course of treatment or management of pollutants shall be disposed of in a manner so as to prevent any pollutant from such materials from entering state waters.
S. Duty to mitigate. The permittee shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or prevent any discharge or sludge use or disposal in violation of this permit that has a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting human health or the environment.
T. Need to halt or reduce activity not a defense. It shall not be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement action that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain compliance with the conditions of this permit.
U. Bypass.
1. "Bypass" means the intentional diversion of waste streams from any portion of a treatment facility. The permittee may allow any bypass to occur which does not cause effluent limitations to be exceeded, but only if it also is for essential maintenance to assure efficient operation. These bypasses are not subject to the provisions of Parts II U 2 and U 3.
2. Notice.
a. Anticipated bypass. If the permittee knows in advance of the need for a bypass, prior notice shall be submitted, if possible at least 10 days before the date of the bypass.
b. Unanticipated bypass. The permittee shall submit notice of an unanticipated bypass as required in Part II I.
3. Prohibition of bypass.
a. Bypass is prohibited, and the board may take enforcement action against a permittee for bypass, unless:
(1) Bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage;
(2) There were no feasible alternatives to the bypass, such as the use of auxiliary treatment facilities, retention of untreated wastes, or maintenance during normal periods of equipment downtime. This condition is not satisfied if adequate back‑up equipment should have been installed in the exercise of reasonable engineering judgment to prevent a bypass that occurred during normal periods of equipment downtime or preventive maintenance; and
(3) The permittee submitted notices as required under Part II U 2.
b. The board may approve an anticipated bypass, after considering its adverse effects, if the board determines that it will meet the three conditions listed above in Part II U 3 a.
V. Upset.
1. An upset constitutes an affirmative defense to an action brought for noncompliance with technology-based permit effluent limitations if the requirements of Part II V 2 are met. A determination made during administrative review of claims that noncompliance was caused by upset, and before an action for noncompliance, is not a final administrative action subject to judicial review.
2. A permittee who wishes to establish the affirmative defense of upset shall demonstrate, through properly signed, contemporaneous operating logs, or other relevant evidence that:
a. An upset occurred and that the permittee can identify the cause(s) of the upset;
b. The permitted facility was at the time being properly operated;
c. The permittee submitted notice of the upset as required in Part II I; and
d. The permittee complied with any remedial measures required under Part II S.
3. In any enforcement preceding the permittee seeking to establish the occurrence of an upset has the burden of proof.
W. Inspection and entry. The permittee shall allow the director, or an authorized representative, upon presentation of credentials and other documents as may be required by law, to:
1. Enter upon the permittee's premises where a regulated facility or activity is located or conducted, or where records must be kept under the conditions of this permit;
2. Have access to and copy, at reasonable times, any records that must be kept under the conditions of this permit;
3. Inspect at reasonable times any facilities, equipment (including monitoring and control equipment), practices, or operations regulated or required under this permit; and
4. Sample or monitor at reasonable times, for the purposes of assuring permit compliance or as otherwise authorized by the Clean Water Act and the State Water Control Law, any substances or parameters at any location.
For purposes of this section, the time for inspection shall be deemed reasonable during regular business hours, and whenever the facility is discharging. Nothing contained herein shall make an inspection unreasonable during an emergency.
X. Permit actions. Permits may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated for cause. The filing of a request by the permittee for a permit modification, revocation and reissuance, or termination, or a notification of planned changes or anticipated noncompliance does not stay any permit condition.
Y. Transfer of permits.
1. Permits are not transferable to any person except after notice to the department. Except as provided in Part II Y 2, a permit may be transferred by the permittee to a new owner or operator only if the permit has been modified or revoked and reissued, or a minor modification made, to identify the new permittee and incorporate such other requirements as may be necessary under the State Water Control Law and the Clean Water Act.
2. As an alternative to transfers under Part II Y 1, this Coverage under this permit may be automatically transferred to a new permittee if:
a. 1. The current permittee notifies the department [ at least within ] 30 days [ in advance ] of the [ proposed ] transfer of the title to the facility or property [ unless permission for a later date has been granted by the board ];
b. 2. The notice includes a written agreement between the existing and new permittees containing a specific date for transfer of permit responsibility, coverage, and liability between them; and
c. 3. The board does not notify the existing permittee and the proposed new permittee of its intent to [ modify or revoke and reissue deny the new permittee coverage under ] the permit. If this notice is not received, the transfer is effective on the date specified in the agreement mentioned in Part II Y 2 b.
Z. Severability. The provisions of this permit are severable, and if any provision of this permit or the application of any provision of this permit to any circumstance, is held invalid, the application of such provision to other circumstances, and the remainder of this permit, shall not be affected thereby.
VA.R. Doc. No. R12-3134; Filed June 24, 2013, 8:50 a.m.