TITLE 9. ENVIRONMENT
REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The
State Water Control Board is claiming an exemption from Article 2 of the
Administrative Process Act in accordance with (i) § 2.2-4006 A 3,
which excludes regulations that consist only of changes in style or form or
corrections of technical errors and (ii) in accordance with § 2.2-4006 A 4
c of the Code of Virginia, which excludes regulations that are necessary to
meet the requirements of federal law or regulations, provided such regulations
do not differ materially from those required by federal law or regulation. The
State Water Control Board will receive, consider, and respond to petitions by
any interested person at any time with respect to reconsideration or revision.
Title of Regulation: 9VAC25-31. Virginia Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Permit Regulation (amending 9VAC25-31-10, 9VAC25-31-25,
9VAC25-31-40, 9VAC25-31-100, 9VAC25-31-120, 9VAC25-31-130, 9VAC25-31-170,
9VAC25-31-190, 9VAC25-31-200, 9VAC25-31-220, 9VAC25-31-280, 9VAC25-31-380,
9VAC25-31-800).
Statutory Authority: § 62.1-44.15 of the Code of
Virginia; § 402 of the federal Clean Water Act; 40 CFR Parts 122, 123,
124, 403, and 503.
Effective Date: October 1, 2020.
Agency Contact: Elleanore Daub, Department of
Environmental Quality, 1111 East Main Street, Suite 1400, P.O. Box 1105,
Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 698-4067, FAX (804) 698-4178, or email elleanore.daub@deq.virginia.gov.
Summary:
The amendments (i) incorporate the June 12, 2019, National
Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System (NPDES) Applications and Program
Updates rule that applies to 40 CFR 122.21 and 40 CFR 124, which
modernizes and clarifies permit applications by including items such as email
information and North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes;
(ii) conform throughout the regulation "storm water" (two words) to
"stormwater" (one word) to be consistent with the NPDES Multi-Sector
General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity;
(iii) make two definitions consistent with 40 CFR 122.26; (iv) update the 40
CFR reference being incorporated to July 1, 2019; (v) include a reference to Virginia
Environmental Laboratory Accredited Program requirements; (vi) update a
reference to wastewater works operator license regulations; and (vii) correct
citations throughout the regulation.
Part I
Definitions and General Program Requirements
9VAC25-31-10. Definitions.
"Act" means Federal Water Pollution Control Act,
also known as the Clean Water Act (CWA), as amended, 33 USC § 1251 et
seq.
"Administrator" means the Administrator of the
United States Environmental Protection Agency, or an authorized representative.
"Animal feeding operation" or "AFO" means
a lot or facility (other than an aquatic animal production facility) where the
following conditions are met: (i) animals (other than aquatic animals) have
been, are, or will be stabled or confined and fed or maintained for a total of
45 days or more in any 12-month period, and (ii) crops, vegetation forage
growth, or post-harvest residues are not sustained in the normal growing season
over any portion of the lot or facility.
"Applicable standards and limitations" means all
state, interstate, and federal standards and limitations to which a discharge,
a sewage sludge use or disposal practice, or a related activity is subject
under the CWA (33 USC § 1251 et seq.) and the law, including effluent limitations,
water quality standards, standards of performance, toxic effluent standards or
prohibitions, best management practices, pretreatment standards, and standards
for sewage sludge use or disposal under §§ 301, 302, 303, 304, 306, 307, 308,
403, and 405 of CWA.
"Approval authority" means the Director of the
Department of Environmental Quality.
"Approved POTW Pretreatment Program" or
"Program" or "POTW Pretreatment Program" means a program
administered by a POTW that meets the criteria established in Part VII
(9VAC25-31-730 et seq.) of this chapter and which has been approved by the
director or by the administrator in accordance with 9VAC25-31-830.
"Approved program" or "approved state"
means a state or interstate program which that has been approved
or authorized by EPA under 40 CFR Part 123.
"Aquaculture project" means a defined managed water
area which that uses discharges of pollutants into that
designated area for the maintenance or production of harvestable freshwater,
estuarine, or marine plants or animals.
"Average monthly discharge limitation" means the
highest allowable average of daily discharges over a calendar month, calculated
as the sum of all daily discharges measured during a calendar month divided by
the number of daily discharges measured during that month.
"Average weekly discharge limitation" means the
highest allowable average of daily discharges over a calendar week, calculated
as the sum of all daily discharges measured during a calendar week divided by
the number of daily discharges measured during that week.
"Best management practices" or "BMPs"
means schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, maintenance
procedures, and other management practices to implement the prohibitions listed
in 9VAC25-31-770 and to prevent or reduce the pollution of surface waters. BMPs
also include treatment requirements, operating procedures, and practices to
control plant site run-off, spillage or leaks, sludge or waste disposal, or
drainage from raw material storage.
"Biosolids" means a sewage sludge that has received
an established treatment and is managed in a manner to meet the required
pathogen control and vector attraction reduction, and contains concentrations
of regulated pollutants below the ceiling limits established in 40 CFR Part 503
and 9VAC25-31-540, such that it meets the standards established for use of
biosolids for land application, marketing, or distribution in accordance with
this chapter. Liquid biosolids contains less than 15% dry residue by weight.
Dewatered biosolids contains 15% or more dry residue by weight.
"Board" means the Virginia State Water Control
Board or State Water Control Board.
"Bypass" means the intentional diversion of waste
streams from any portion of a treatment facility.
"Class I sludge management facility" means any POTW
identified under Part VII (9VAC25-31-730 et seq.) of this chapter as being
required to have an approved pretreatment program and any other treatment works
treating domestic sewage classified as a Class I sludge management facility by
the regional administrator, in conjunction with the director, because of the
potential for its sludge use or disposal practices to adversely affect public
health and the environment.
"Concentrated animal feeding operation" or
"CAFO" means an AFO that is defined as a Large CAFO or as a Medium
CAFO, or that is designated as a Medium CAFO or a Small CAFO. Any AFO may be
designated as a CAFO by the director in accordance with the provisions of
9VAC25-31-130 B.
1. "Large CAFO." An AFO is defined as a Large CAFO
if it stables or confines as many or more than the numbers of animals specified
in any of the following categories:
a. 700 mature dairy cows, whether milked or dry;
b. 1,000 veal calves;
c. 1,000 cattle other than mature dairy cows or veal calves.
Cattle includes but is not limited to heifers, steers, bulls and
cow/calf pairs;
d. 2,500 swine each weighing 55 pounds or more;
e. 10,000 swine each weighing less than 55 pounds;
f. 500 horses;
g. 10,000 sheep or lambs;
h. 55,000 turkeys;
i. 30,000 laying hens or broilers, if the AFO uses a liquid
manure handling system;
j. 125,000 chickens (other than laying hens), if the AFO uses
other than a liquid manure handling system;
k. 82,000 laying hens, if the AFO uses other than a liquid
manure handling system;
l. 30,000 ducks, if the AFO uses other than a liquid manure
handling system; or
m. 5,000 ducks if the AFO uses a liquid manure handling
system.
2. "Medium CAFO." The term Medium CAFO includes any
AFO with the type and number of animals that fall within any of the ranges
below that has been defined or designated as a CAFO. An AFO is defined as a
Medium CAFO if:
a. The type and number of animals that it stables or confines
falls within any of the following ranges:
(1) 200 to 699 mature dairy cattle, whether milked or dry;
(2) 300 to 999 veal calves;
(3) 300 to 999 cattle other than mature dairy cows or veal
calves. Cattle includes but is not limited to heifers, steers, bulls and
cow/calf pairs;
(4) 750 to 2,499 swine each weighing 55 pounds or more;
(5) 3,000 to 9,999 swine each weighing less than 55 pounds;
(6) 150 to 499 horses;
(7) 3,000 to 9,999 sheep or lambs;
(8) 16,500 to 29,999 laying hens or broilers, if the AFO uses
a liquid manure handling system;
(9) 37,500 to 124,999 chickens (other than laying hens), if
the AFO uses other than a liquid manure handling system;
(10) 25,000 to 81,999 laying hens, if the AFO uses other than
a liquid manure handling system;
(11) 10,000 to 29,999 ducks, if the AFO uses other than a
liquid manure handling system;
(12) 1,500 to 4,999 ducks, if the AFO uses a liquid manure
handling system; and
b. Either one of the following conditions are met:
(1) Pollutants are discharged into surface waters of the state
through a man-made ditch, flushing system, or other similar man-made device; or
(2) Pollutants are discharged directly into surface waters of
the state that originate outside of and pass over, across, or through the
facility or otherwise come into direct contact with the animals confined in the
operation.
3. "Small CAFO." An AFO that is designated as a CAFO
and is not a Medium CAFO.
"Concentrated aquatic animal production facility"
means a hatchery, fish farm, or other facility which that meets
the criteria of this definition, or which that the board
designates under 9VAC25-31-140. A hatchery, fish farm, or other facility is a
concentrated aquatic animal production facility if it contains, grows, or holds
aquatic animals in either of the following categories:
1. Cold water fish species or other cold water aquatic animals
in ponds, raceways, or other similar structures which discharge at least 30
days per year but does not include:
a. Facilities which produce less than 9,090 harvest weight
kilograms (approximately 20,000 pounds) of aquatic animals per year; and
b. Facilities which feed less than 2,272 kilograms
(approximately 5,000 pounds) of food during the calendar month of maximum
feeding; or
2. Warm water fish species or other warm water aquatic animals
in ponds, raceways, or other similar structures which discharge at least 30
days per year, but does not include:
a. Closed ponds which discharge only during periods of excess
run-off; or
b. Facilities which produce less than 45,454 harvest weight
kilograms (approximately 100,000 pounds) of aquatic animals per year.
Cold water aquatic animals include, but are not limited
to, the Salmonidae family of fish (e.g., trout and salmon).
Warm water aquatic animals include, but are not limited
to, the Ictaluridae, Centrarchidae and Cyprinidae families of fish (e.g.,
respectively, catfish, sunfish and minnows).
"Contiguous zone" means the entire zone established
by the United States under Article 24 of the Convention on the Territorial Sea
and the Contiguous Zone (37 FR 11906).
"Continuous discharge" means a discharge which
occurs without interruption throughout the operating hours of the facility,
except for infrequent shutdowns for maintenance, process changes, or other
similar activities.
"Control authority" refers to the POTW if the
POTW's pretreatment program submission has been approved in accordance with the
requirements of 9VAC25-31-830 or the approval authority if the submission has
not been approved.
"Co-permittee" means a permittee to a VPDES permit
that is only responsible for permit conditions relating to the discharge for
which it is the operator.
"CWA" means the Clean Water Act (33 USC § 1251 et
seq.) (formerly referred to as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or
Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972) Public Law 92-500, as
amended by Public Law 95-217, Public Law 95-576, Public Law 96-483, Public Law
97-117, and Public Law 100-4.
"CWA and regulations" means the Clean Water Act
(CWA) and applicable regulations promulgated thereunder. For the purposes of
this chapter, it includes state program requirements.
"Daily discharge" means the discharge of a
pollutant measured during a calendar day or any 24-hour period that reasonably
represents the calendar day for purposes of sampling. For pollutants with
limitations expressed in units of mass, the daily discharge is calculated as
the total mass of the pollutant discharged over the day. For pollutants with
limitations expressed in other units of measurement, the daily discharge is
calculated as the average measurement of the pollutant over the day.
"Department" or "DEQ" means the
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
"Designated project area" means the portions of
surface within which the permittee or permit applicant plans to confine the
cultivated species, using a method or plan or operation (including, but not
limited to, physical confinement) which, on the basis of reliable
scientific evidence, is expected to ensure that specific individual organisms
comprising an aquaculture crop will enjoy increased growth attributable to the
discharge of pollutants and be harvested within a defined geographic area.
"Direct discharge" means the discharge of a
pollutant.
"Director" means the Director of the Department of
Environmental Quality or an authorized representative.
"Discharge," when used without qualification, means
the discharge of a pollutant.
"Discharge," when used in Part VII (9VAC25-31-730
et seq.) of this chapter, means "indirect discharge" as defined in
this section.
"Discharge of a
pollutant" means:
1. Any addition of any pollutant or combination of pollutants
to surface waters from any point source; or
2. Any addition of any pollutant or combination of pollutants
to the waters of the contiguous zone or the ocean from any point source other
than a vessel or other floating craft which is being used as a means of
transportation.
This definition includes additions of pollutants into surface
waters from: surface run-off which that is collected or channeled
by man; discharges through pipes, sewers, or other conveyances owned by a
state, municipality, or other person which that do not lead to a
treatment works; and discharges through pipes, sewers, or other conveyances,
leading into privately owned treatment works. This term does not include an
addition of pollutants by any indirect discharger.
"Discharge Monitoring Report" or "DMR"
means the form supplied by the department or an equivalent form developed by
the permittee and approved by the board, for the reporting of self-monitoring
results by permittees.
"Draft permit" means a document indicating the
board's tentative decision to issue or deny, modify, revoke and reissue,
terminate, or reissue a permit. A notice of intent to terminate a permit, and a
notice of intent to deny a permit are types of draft permits. A denial of a
request for modification, revocation and reissuance, or termination is not a
draft permit. A proposed permit is not a draft permit.
"Effluent limitation" means any restriction imposed
by the board on quantities, discharge rates, and concentrations of pollutants which
that are discharged from point sources into surface waters, the waters
of the contiguous zone, or the ocean.
"Effluent limitations guidelines" means a
regulation published by the administrator under § 304(b) of the CWA to
adopt or revise effluent limitations.
"Environmental Protection Agency" or
"EPA" means the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
"Existing source" means any source which that
is not a new source or a new discharger.
"Facilities or equipment" means buildings,
structures, process or production equipment or machinery which that
form a permanent part of a new source and which that will be used
in its operation, if these facilities or equipment are of such value as to
represent a substantial commitment to construct. It excludes facilities or
equipment used in connection with feasibility, engineering, and design studies
regarding the new source or water pollution treatment for the new source.
"Facility or activity" means any VPDES point source
or treatment works treating domestic sewage or any other facility or activity
(including land or appurtenances thereto) that is subject to regulation under
the VPDES program.
"General permit" means a VPDES permit authorizing a
category of discharges under the CWA and the law within a geographical area.
"Hazardous substance" means any substance
designated under the Code of Virginia and 40 CFR Part 116 pursuant to § 311
of the CWA.
"Incorporated place" means a city, town, township,
or village that is incorporated under the Code of Virginia.
"Indian country" means (i) all land within the
limits of any Indian reservation under the jurisdiction of the United States
government, notwithstanding the issuance of any patent, and including
rights-of-way running through the reservation; (ii) all dependent Indian
communities with the borders of the United States whether within the originally
or subsequently acquired territory thereof, and whether within or without the
limits of a state; and (iii) all Indian allotments, the Indian titles to which
have not been extinguished, including rights-of-way running through the same.
"Indirect discharge" means the introduction of
pollutants into a POTW from any nondomestic source regulated under § 307(b),
(c) or (d) of the CWA and the law.
"Indirect discharger" means a nondomestic
discharger introducing pollutants to a POTW.
"Individual control strategy" means a final VPDES
permit with supporting documentation showing that effluent limits are consistent
with an approved wasteload allocation or other documentation that shows that
applicable water quality standards will be met not later than three years after
the individual control strategy is established.
"Industrial residual" means solid or semisolid
industrial waste including solids, residues, and precipitates separated or
created by the unit processes of a device or system used to treat industrial
wastes.
"Industrial user" or "user" means a
source of indirect discharge.
"Industrial wastes" means liquid or other wastes
resulting from any process of industry, manufacture, trade, or business, or
from the development of any natural resources.
"Interference" means an indirect discharge which
that, alone or in conjunction with an indirect discharge or discharges
from other sources, both: (i) inhibits or disrupts the POTW, its treatment
processes or operations, or its sludge processes, use, or disposal; and
(ii) therefore is a cause of a violation of any requirement of the POTW's VPDES
permit (including an increase in the magnitude or duration of a violation) or
of the prevention of biosolids use or sewage sludge disposal in compliance with
the following statutory provisions and regulations or permits issued thereunder
(or more stringent state or local regulations): Section 405 of the Clean Water
Act, the Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA) (including Title II, more commonly
referred to as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (42 USC § 6901
et seq.), and including state regulations contained in any state sludge
management plan prepared pursuant to Subtitle D of the SWDA) the Clean Air Act
(42 USC § 701 et seq.), the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 USC § 2601 et
seq.), and the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (33 USC § 1401
et seq.).
"Interstate agency" means an agency of two or more
states established by or under an agreement or compact approved by Congress, or
any other agency of two or more states having substantial powers or duties
pertaining to the control of pollution as determined and approved by the
administrator under the CWA and regulations.
"Land application" means, in regard to sewage,
biosolids, and industrial residuals, the distribution of treated wastewater of
acceptable quality, referred to as effluent, or stabilized sewage sludge of
acceptable quality, referred to as biosolids, or industrial residuals by
spreading or spraying on the surface of the land, injecting below the surface
of the land, or incorporating into the soil with a uniform application rate for
the purpose of fertilizing crops or vegetation or conditioning the soil. Sites
approved for land application of biosolids in accordance with this chapter are
not considered to be treatment works. Bulk disposal of stabilized sludge or
industrial residuals in a confined area, such as in landfills, is not land
application. For the purpose of this chapter, the use of biosolids in
agricultural research and the distribution and marketing of exceptional quality
biosolids are not land application.
"Land application area" means, in regard to an AFO,
land under the control of an AFO owner or operator that is owned, rented, or
leased to which manure, litter, or process wastewater from the production area
may be applied.
"Land application area" means, in regard to
biosolids, the area in the permitted field, excluding the setback area, where
biosolids may be applied.
"Local ordinance" means an ordinance adopted by
counties, cities, or towns in accordance with § 62.1-44.16 or 62.1-44.19:3 of
the Code of Virginia.
"Log sorting facilities" and "log storage
facilities" mean facilities whose discharges result from the holding of
unprocessed wood, for example, logs or roundwood with bark or after removal of
bark held in self-contained bodies of water (mill ponds or log ponds) or stored
on land where water is applied intentionally on the logs (wet decking).
"Major facility" means any VPDES facility or
activity classified as such by the regional administrator in conjunction with
the board.
"Malodor" means an unusually strong or offensive
odor associated with biosolids or sewage sludge as distinguished from odors
normally associated with biosolids or sewage sludge.
"Man-made" means constructed by man and used for
the purpose of transporting wastes.
"Manure" means manure, bedding, compost and raw
materials or other materials commingled with manure or set aside for disposal.
"Maximum daily discharge limitation" means the
highest allowable daily discharge.
"Municipal separate storm sewer" means a conveyance
or system of conveyances, including (including roads with
drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches,
man-made channels, or storm drains, drains): (i) owned or
operated by a state, city, town, borough, county, parish, district,
association, or other public body (created by or pursuant to state law) having
jurisdiction over disposal of sewage, industrial wastes, storm water stormwater,
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 CWA,
that discharges to surface waters of the state; (ii) designed or used for
collecting or conveying storm water stormwater; (iii) that is not
a combined sewer; and (iv) that is not part of a publicly owned treatment works
(POTW).
"Municipality" means a city, town, county,
district, association, or other public body created by or under state law and
having jurisdiction over disposal of sewage, industrial wastes, or other
wastes, or an Indian tribe or an authorized Indian tribal organization, or a
designated and approved management agency under § 208 of the CWA.
"National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System"
or "NPDES" means the national program for issuing, modifying,
revoking and reissuing, terminating, monitoring and enforcing permits, and
imposing and enforcing pretreatment requirements under §§ 307, 402, 318, and
405 of the CWA. The term includes an approved program.
"National pretreatment standard,"
"pretreatment standard," or "standard," when used in Part
VII (9VAC25-31-730 et seq.) of this chapter, means any regulation containing
pollutant discharge limits promulgated by the EPA in accordance with §
307(b) and (c) of the CWA, which applies to industrial users. This term
includes prohibitive discharge limits established pursuant to 9VAC25-31-770.
"New discharger" means any building, structure,
facility, or installation:
1. From which there is or may be a discharge of pollutants;
2. That did not commence the discharge of pollutants at a
particular site prior to August 13, 1979;
3. Which That is not a new source; and
4. Which That has never received a finally
effective VPDES permit for discharges at that site.
This definition includes an indirect discharger which
commences discharging into surface waters after August 13, 1979. It also
includes any existing mobile point source (other than an offshore or coastal
oil and gas exploratory drilling rig or a coastal oil and gas developmental
drilling rig) such as a seafood processing rig, seafood processing vessel, or
aggregate plant, that begins discharging at a site for which it does not have a
permit, and any offshore or coastal mobile oil and gas exploratory drilling rig
or coastal mobile oil and gas developmental drilling rig that commences the
discharge of pollutants after August 13, 1979.
"New source," except when used in Part VII
(9VAC25-31-730 et seq.) of this chapter, means 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 CWA which that are applicable to such source; or
2. After proposal of standards of performance in accordance
with § 306 of the CWA which that are applicable to such source,
but only if the standards are promulgated in accordance with § 306 of the CWA
within 120 days of their proposal.
"New source," when used in Part VII of this
chapter, means any building, structure, facility, or installation from which
there is or may be a discharge of pollutants, the construction of which
commenced after the publication of proposed pretreatment standards under §
307(c) of the CWA which that will be applicable to such source if
such standards are thereafter promulgated in accordance with that section,
provided that:
1. a. The building, structure, facility, or installation is
constructed at a site at which no other source is located;
b. The building, structure, facility, or installation totally
replaces the process or production equipment that causes the discharge of pollutants
at an existing source; or
c. The production of wastewater generating processes of the
building, structure, facility, or installation are substantially independent of
an existing source at the same site. In determining whether these are substantially
independent, factors such as the extent to which the new facility is integrated
with the existing plant, and the extent to which the new facility is engaged in
the same general type of activity as the existing source should be considered.
2. Construction on a site at which an existing source is
located results in a modification rather than a new source if the construction
does not create a new building, structure, facility, or installation meeting
the criteria of subdivision 1 b or c of this definition but otherwise alters,
replaces, or adds to existing process or production equipment.
3. Construction of a new source as defined under this
subdivision has commenced if the owner or operator has:
a. Begun, or caused to begin, as part of a continuous on-site
construction program:
(1) Any placement, assembly, or installation of facilities or
equipment; or
(2) Significant site preparation work including clearing,
excavation, or removal of existing buildings, structures, or facilities which
that is necessary for the placement, assembly, or installation of new
source facilities or equipment; or
b. Entered into a binding contractual obligation for the
purchase of facilities or equipment which that are intended to be
used in its operation within a reasonable time. Options to purchase or
contracts which that can be terminated or modified without
substantial loss, and contracts for feasibility, engineering, and design
studies do not constitute a contractual obligation under this subdivision.
"Overburden" means any material of any nature,
consolidated or unconsolidated, that overlies a mineral deposit, excluding
topsoil or similar naturally occurring surface materials that are not disturbed
by mining operations.
"Owner" means the Commonwealth or any of its
political subdivisions including, but not limited to, sanitation
district commissions and authorities, and any public or private institution,
corporation, association, firm or company organized or existing under the laws
of this or any other state or country, or any officer or agency of the United
States, or any person or group of persons acting individually or as a group
that owns, operates, charters, rents, or otherwise exercises control over or is
responsible for any actual or potential discharge of sewage, industrial wastes,
or other wastes to state waters, or any facility or operation that has the
capability to alter the physical, chemical, or biological properties of state
waters in contravention of § 62.1-44.5 of the Code of Virginia.
"Owner" or "operator" means the owner or
operator of any facility or activity subject to regulation under the VPDES
program.
"Pass through" means a discharge which that
exits the POTW into state waters in quantities or concentrations which that,
alone or in conjunction with a discharge or discharges from other sources, is a
cause of a violation of any requirement of the POTW's VPDES permit (including
an increase in the magnitude or duration of a violation).
"Permit" means an authorization, certificate,
license, or equivalent control document issued by the board to implement the
requirements of this chapter. Permit includes a VPDES general permit. Permit
does not include any permit which that has not yet been the
subject of final agency action, such as a draft permit or a proposed permit.
"Person" means an individual, corporation,
partnership, association, a governmental body, a municipal corporation, or any
other legal entity.
"Point source" means any discernible, confined, and
discrete conveyance including, but not limited to, any pipe, ditch,
channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock,
concentrated animal feeding operation, landfill leachate collection system,
vessel, or other floating craft from which pollutants are or may be discharged.
This term does not include return flows from irrigated agriculture or
agricultural storm water stormwater run-off.
"Pollutant" means dredged spoil, solid waste,
incinerator residue, filter backwash, sewage, garbage, sewage sludge,
munitions, chemical wastes, biological materials, radioactive materials (except
those regulated under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 USC § 2011
et seq.)), heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, cellar dirt and
industrial, municipal, and agricultural waste discharged into water. It does
not mean:
1. Sewage from vessels; or
2. Water, gas, or other material that is injected into a well
to facilitate production of oil or gas, or water derived in association with
oil and gas production and disposed of in a well if the well used either to
facilitate production or for disposal purposes is approved by the board, and if
the board determines that the injection or disposal will not result in the
degradation of ground or surface water resources.
"POTW treatment plant" means that portion of the
POTW which that is designed to provide treatment (including
recycling and reclamation) of municipal sewage and industrial waste.
"Pretreatment" means the reduction of the amount of
pollutants, the elimination of pollutants, or the alteration of the nature of
pollutant properties in wastewater prior to or in lieu of discharging or
otherwise introducing such pollutants into a POTW. The reduction or alteration
may be obtained by physical, chemical, or biological processes, process
changes or by other means, except as prohibited in Part VII of this chapter.
Appropriate pretreatment technology includes control equipment, such as
equalization tanks or facilities, for protection against surges or slug
loadings that might interfere with or otherwise be incompatible with the POTW.
However, where wastewater from a regulated process is mixed in an equalization
facility with unregulated wastewater or with wastewater from another regulated
process, the effluent from the equalization facility must meet an adjusted
pretreatment limit calculated in accordance with Part VII of this chapter.
"Pretreatment requirements" means any requirements
arising under Part VII (9VAC25-31-730 et seq.) of this chapter including the
duty to allow or carry out inspections, entry or monitoring activities; any
rules, regulations, or orders issued by the owner of a publicly owned treatment
works; or any reporting requirements imposed by the owner of a publicly owned
treatment works or by the regulations of the board. Pretreatment requirements
do not include the requirements of a national pretreatment standard.
"Primary industry category" means any industry
category listed in the NRDC settlement agreement (Natural Resources Defense
Council et al. v. Train, 8 E.R.C. 2120 (D.D.C. 1976), modified 12 E.R.C. 1833
(D.D.C. 1979)); also listed in 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix A.
"Privately owned treatment works" or
"PVOTW" means any device or system which that is (i)
used to treat wastes from any facility whose operator is not the operator of
the treatment works and (ii) not a POTW.
"Process wastewater" means any water which that,
during manufacturing or processing, comes into direct contact with or results
from the production or use of any raw material, intermediate product, finished
product, byproduct, or waste product. Process wastewater from an AFO means
water directly or indirectly used in the operation of the AFO for any of the
following: spillage or overflow from animal or poultry watering systems;
washing, cleaning, or flushing pens, barns, manure pits, or other AFO
facilities; direct contact swimming, washing, or spray cooling of the animals;
or dust control. Process wastewater from an AFO also includes any water that comes
into contact with any raw materials, products, or byproducts including manure,
litter, feed, milk, eggs, or bedding.
"Production area" means that part of an AFO that
includes the animal confinement area, the manure storage area, the raw
materials storage area, and the waste containment areas. The animal confinement
area includes but is not limited to open lots, housed lots, feedlots,
confinement houses, stall barns, free stall barns, milkrooms, milking centers,
cowyards, barnyards, medication pens, walkers, animal walkways, and stables.
The manure storage area includes but is not limited to lagoons, runoff
ponds, storage sheds, stockpiles, under house or pit storages, liquid
impoundments, static piles, and composting piles. The raw materials storage
areas includes but is not limited to include feed silos, silage
bunkers, and bedding materials. The waste containment area includes but is
not limited to settling basins, and areas within berms and diversions that
separate uncontaminated storm water stormwater. Also included in
the definition of production area is any egg washing or egg processing
facility, and any area used in the storage, handling, treatment, or disposal of
mortalities.
"Proposed permit" means a VPDES permit prepared
after the close of the public comment period (and, when applicable, any public
hearing and administrative appeals) which is sent to EPA for review before
final issuance. A proposed permit is not a draft permit.
"Publicly owned treatment works" or
"POTW" means a treatment works as defined by § 212 of the CWA,
which is owned by a state or municipality (as defined by § 502(4) of the CWA).
This definition includes any devices and systems used in the storage,
treatment, recycling, and reclamation of municipal sewage or industrial wastes
of a liquid nature. It also includes sewers, pipes, and other conveyances only
if they convey wastewater to a POTW treatment plant. The term also means the
municipality as defined in § 502(4) of the CWA, which has jurisdiction over the
indirect discharges to and the discharges from such a treatment works.
"Recommencing discharger" means a source which
recommences discharge after terminating operations.
"Regional administrator" means the Regional
Administrator of Region III of the Environmental Protection Agency or the
authorized representative of the regional administrator.
"Rock crushing and gravel washing facilities" means
facilities which that process crushed and broken stone, gravel,
and riprap.
"Schedule of compliance" means a schedule of
remedial measures included in a permit, including an enforceable sequence of
interim requirements (for example, actions, operations, or milestone events)
leading to compliance with the law, the CWA and regulations.
"Secondary industry category" means any industry
category which that is not a primary industry category.
"Secretary" means the Secretary of the Army, acting
through the Chief of Engineers.
"Septage" means the liquid and solid material
pumped from a septic tank, cesspool, or similar domestic sewage treatment
system, or a holding tank when the system is cleaned or maintained.
"Setback area" means the area of land between the
boundary of the land application area and adjacent features where biosolids or
other managed pollutants may not be land applied.
"Severe property damage" means substantial physical
damage to property, damage to the treatment facilities which causes them to
become inoperable, or substantial and permanent loss of natural resources which
can reasonably be expected to occur in the absence of a bypass. Severe property
damage does not mean economic loss caused by delays in production.
"Sewage from vessels" means human body wastes and
the wastes from toilets and other receptacles intended to receive or retain
body wastes that are discharged from vessels and regulated under § 312 of CWA.
"Sewage sludge" means any solid, semisolid, or
liquid residue removed during the treatment of municipal wastewater or domestic
sewage. Sewage sludge includes, but is not limited to, solids removed
during primary, secondary, or advanced wastewater treatment, scum, domestic
septage, portable toilet pumpings, type III marine sanitation device pumpings,
and sewage sludge products. Sewage sludge does not include grit or screenings,
or ash generated during the incineration of sewage sludge.
"Sewage sludge use" or "disposal
practice" means the collection, storage, treatment, transportation,
processing, monitoring, use of biosolids, or disposal of sewage sludge.
"Significant industrial user" or "SIU"
means:
1. Except as provided in subdivisions 2 and 3 of this
definition:
a. All industrial users subject to categorical pretreatment
standards under 9VAC25-31-780 and incorporated by reference in 9VAC25-31-30;
and
b. Any other industrial user that: discharges an average of
25,000 gallons per day or more of process wastewater to the POTW (excluding
sanitary, noncontact cooling and boiler blowdown wastewater); contributes a
process wastestream which makes up 5.0% or more of the average dry weather
hydraulic or organic capacity of the POTW treatment plant; or is designated as such
by the control authority, on the basis that the industrial user has a
reasonable potential for adversely affecting the POTW's operation or for
violating any pretreatment standard or requirement.
2. The control authority may determine that an industrial user
subject to categorical pretreatment standards under 9VAC25-31-780 and 40 CFR chapter
Chapter I, subchapter Subchapter N is a nonsignificant
categorical industrial user rather than a significant industrial user on a
finding that the industrial user never discharges more than 100 gallons per day
(gpd) of total categorical wastewater (excluding sanitary, noncontact cooling
and boiler blowdown wastewater, unless specifically included in the
pretreatment standard) and the following conditions are met:
a. The industrial user, prior to control authority's finding,
has consistently complied with all applicable categorical pretreatment
standards and requirements;
b. The industrial user annually submits the certification
statement required in 9VAC25-31-840 together with any additional information
necessary to support the certification statement; and
c. The industrial user never discharges any untreated
concentrated wastewater.
3. Upon a finding that an industrial user meeting the criteria
in subdivision 1 b of this definition has no reasonable potential for adversely
affecting the POTW's operation or for violating any pretreatment standard or
requirement, the control authority may at any time, on its own initiative or in
response to a petition received from an industrial user or POTW, and in
accordance with Part VII (9VAC25-31-730 et seq.) of this chapter, determine
that such industrial user is not a significant industrial user.
"Significant materials" means, but is not limited
to: raw materials; fuels; materials such as solvents, detergents, and plastic
pellets; finished materials such as metallic products; raw materials used in
food processing or production; hazardous substances designated under § 101(14)
of CERCLA (42 USC § 9601(14)); any chemical the facility is required to report
pursuant to § 313 of Title III of SARA (42 USC § 11023); fertilizers;
pesticides; and waste products such as ashes, slag and sludge that have the
potential to be released with storm water stormwater discharges.
"Silvicultural point source" means any discernible,
confined and discrete conveyance related to rock crushing, gravel washing, log
sorting, or log storage facilities which that are operated in
connection with silvicultural activities and from which pollutants are
discharged into surface waters. The term does not include nonpoint source
silvicultural activities such as nursery operations, site preparation,
reforestation and subsequent cultural treatment, thinning, prescribed burning,
pest and fire control, harvesting operations, surface drainage, or road
construction and maintenance from which there is natural run-off. However, some
of these activities (such as stream crossing for roads) may involve point
source discharges of dredged or fill material which may require a CWA § 404
permit.
"Site" means the land or water area where any
facility or activity is physically located or conducted, including adjacent
land used in connection with the facility or activity.
"Sludge-only facility" means any treatment works
treating domestic sewage whose methods of biosolids use or sewage sludge
disposal are subject to regulations promulgated pursuant to the law and §
405(d) of the CWA, and is required to obtain a VPDES permit.
"Source" means any building, structure, facility,
or installation from which there is or may be a discharge of pollutants.
"Standards for biosolids use or sewage sludge
disposal" means the regulations promulgated pursuant to the law and § 405(d)
of the CWA which that govern minimum requirements for sludge
quality, management practices, and monitoring and reporting applicable to
sewage sludge or the use of biosolids or disposal of sewage sludge by any
person.
"State" means the Commonwealth of Virginia.
"State/EPA agreement" means an agreement between
the regional administrator and the state which coordinates EPA and state
activities, responsibilities and programs including those under the CWA and the
law.
"State Water Control Law" or "Law" means
Chapter 3.1 (§ 62.1-44.2 et seq.) of Title 62.1 of the Code of Virginia.
"Storm water" means storm water "Stormwater"
means stormwater run-off, snow melt run-off, and surface run-off and
drainage.
"Storm water "Stormwater"
discharge associated with industrial activity" means the discharge from
any conveyance which that is used for collecting and conveying storm
water stormwater and which that is directly related to
manufacturing, processing, or raw materials storage areas at an
industrial plant. The term does not include discharges from facilities or
activities excluded from the VPDES program under 9VAC25-31. For the
categories of industries identified in this definition, the term includes,
but is not limited to, storm water stormwater discharges from
industrial plant yards; immediate access roads and rail lines used or traveled
by carriers of raw materials, manufactured products, waste material, or
byproducts used or created by the facility; material handling sites; refuse
sites; sites used for the application or disposal of process wastewaters; sites
used for the storage and maintenance of material handling equipment; sites used
for residual treatment, storage, or disposal; shipping and receiving areas;
manufacturing buildings; storage areas (including tank farms) for raw
materials, and intermediate and final products; and areas where industrial
activity has taken place in the past and significant materials remain and are
exposed to storm water stormwater. For the purposes of this
definition, material handling activities include the storage, loading and
unloading, transportation, or conveyance of any raw material, intermediate
product, final product, byproduct, or waste product. The term excludes areas
located on plant lands separate from the plant's industrial activities, such as
office buildings and accompanying parking lots lots, as long as
the drainage from the excluded areas is not mixed with storm water stormwater
drained from the above described areas. Industrial facilities (including
industrial facilities that are federally, state, or municipally owned or
operated that meet the description of the facilities listed in subdivisions 1
through 10 of this definition) include those facilities designated under the
provisions of 9VAC25-31-120 A 1 c or under 9VAC25-31-120 A 7 a (1) or (2) of
the VPDES Permit Regulation. The following categories of facilities are
considered to be engaging in industrial activity for purposes of this
subsection:
1. Facilities subject to storm water stormwater
effluent limitations guidelines, new source performance standards, or toxic
pollutant effluent standards under 40 CFR Subchapter N (except facilities with
toxic pollutant effluent standards that are exempted under category 10) 10
of this definition);
2. Facilities classified as Standard Industrial
Classifications (SIC) 24 (except 2434), 26 (except 265 and 267), 28
(except 283) 283 and 285), 29, 311, 32 (except 323), 33, 3441,
373 (Office of Management and Budget (OMB) SIC Manual, 1987);
3. Facilities classified as Standard Industrial
Classifications SIC 10 through 14 (mineral industry) (OMB SIC
Manual, 1987) including active or inactive mining operations (except for
areas of coal mining operations no longer meeting the definition of a
reclamation area under 40 CFR 434.11(l) because the performance bond issued to
the facility by the appropriate SMCRA Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) (30 USC § 1201 et seq.) authority has been
released, or except for areas of non-coal mining operations which that
have been released from applicable state or federal reclamation requirements
after December 17, 1990) and oil and gas exploration, production, processing,
or treatment operations, or transmission facilities that discharge storm
water stormwater contaminated by contact with or that has come into
contact with, any overburden, raw material, intermediate products, finished
products, byproducts, or waste products located on the site of such operations;
operations (inactive mining operations are mining sites that are not
being actively mined, but which have an identifiable owner/operator owner
or operator; inactive mining sites do not include sites where mining claims
are being maintained prior to disturbances associated with the extraction,
beneficiation, or processing of mined materials, nor sites where minimal
activities are undertaken for the sole purpose of maintaining a mining claim);
4. Hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facilities,
including those that are operating under interim status or a permit under
Subtitle C of RCRA (42 USC § 6901 et seq.);
5. Landfills, land application sites, and open dumps that
receive or have received any industrial wastes (waste that is received from any
of the facilities described under this subsection) including those that are
subject to regulation under Subtitle D of RCRA (42 USC § 6901 et seq.);
6. Facilities involved in the recycling of materials,
including metal scrapyards, battery reclaimers, salvage yards, and automobile
junkyards, including but limited to those classified as Standard Industrial
Classification SIC 5015 and 5093;
7. Steam electric power generating facilities, including coal
handling sites;
8. Transportation facilities classified as Standard
Industrial Classifications SIC 40, 41, 42 (except 4221-25), 43, 44,
45, and 5171 which that have vehicle maintenance shops, equipment
cleaning operations, or airport deicing operations. Only those portions of the
facility that are either involved in vehicle maintenance (including vehicle rehabilitation,
mechanical repairs, painting, fueling, and lubrication), equipment cleaning
operations, airport deicing operations, or which that are
otherwise identified under subdivisions 1 through 7 or 9 and 10 of this
definition are associated with industrial activity;
9. Treatment works treating domestic sewage or any other
sewage sludge or wastewater treatment device or system, used in the storage
treatment, recycling, and reclamation of municipal or domestic sewage,
including land dedicated to the disposal of sewage sludge that are located
within the confines of the facility, with a design flow of 1.0 mgd or more, or
required to have an approved pretreatment program. Not included are farm lands,
domestic gardens, or lands used for sludge management where sludge is
beneficially reused and which are not physically located in the confines of the
facility, or areas that are in compliance with § 405 of the CWA; and
10. Facilities under Standard Industrial Classifications
SIC 20, 21, 22, 23, 2434, 25, 265, 267, 27, 283, 30, 31 (except 311),
323, 34 (except 3441), 35, 36, 37 (except 373), 38, 39, and 4221-25.
"Submission" means: (i) a request by a POTW for
approval of a pretreatment program to the regional administrator or the
director; (ii) a request by POTW to the regional administrator or the director
for authority to revise the discharge limits in categorical pretreatment
standards to reflect POTW pollutant removals; or (iii) a request to the EPA by
the director for approval of the Virginia pretreatment program.
"Surface waters" means:
1. All waters which are currently used, were used in the past,
or may be susceptible to use in interstate or foreign commerce, including all
waters which that are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide;
2. All interstate waters, including interstate wetlands;
3. All other waters such as intrastate lakes, rivers, streams
(including intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs,
prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes, or natural ponds the use, degradation,
or destruction of which would affect or could affect interstate or foreign
commerce including any such waters:
a. Which That are or could be used by interstate
or foreign travelers for recreational or other purposes;
b. From which fish or shellfish are or could be taken and sold
in interstate or foreign commerce; or
c. Which That are used or could be used for
industrial purposes by industries in interstate commerce;
4. All impoundments of waters otherwise defined as surface
waters under this definition;
5. Tributaries of waters identified in subdivisions 1 through
4 of this definition;
6. The territorial sea; and
7. Wetlands adjacent to waters (other than waters that are
themselves wetlands) identified in subdivisions 1 through 6 of this definition.
Waste treatment systems, including treatment ponds or lagoons
designed to meet the requirements of the CWA and the law, are not surface
waters. Surface waters do not include prior converted cropland. Notwithstanding
the determination of an area's status as prior converted cropland by any other
agency, for the purposes of the Clean Water Act, the final authority regarding
the Clean Water Act jurisdiction remains with the EPA.
"Total dissolved solids" means the total dissolved
(filterable) solids as determined by use of the method specified in 40 CFR
Part 136.
"Toxic pollutant" means any pollutant listed as
toxic under § 307(a)(1) of the CWA or, in the case of sludge use or
disposal practices, any pollutant identified in regulations implementing §
405(d) of the CWA.
"Treatment facility" means only those mechanical
power driven devices necessary for the transmission and treatment of pollutants
(e.g., pump stations, unit treatment processes).
"Treatment works" means any devices and systems
used for the storage, treatment, recycling or reclamation of sewage or liquid
industrial waste, or other waste or necessary to recycle or reuse water,
including intercepting sewers, outfall sewers, sewage collection systems,
individual systems, pumping, power and other equipment and their appurtenances;
extensions, improvements, remodeling, additions, or alterations thereof; and
any works, including land that will be an integral part of the treatment
process or is used for ultimate disposal of residues resulting from such
treatment; or any other method or system used for preventing, abating,
reducing, storing, treating, separating, or disposing of municipal waste or
industrial waste, including waste in combined sewer water and sanitary sewer
systems.
"Treatment works treating domestic sewage" means a
POTW or any other sewage sludge or wastewater treatment devices or systems,
regardless of ownership (including federal facilities), used in the storage,
treatment, recycling, and reclamation of municipal or domestic sewage, including
land dedicated for the disposal of sewage sludge. This definition does not
include septic tanks or similar devices. For purposes of this definition,
domestic sewage includes waste and wastewater from humans or household
operations that are discharged to or otherwise enter a treatment works.
"TWTDS" means treatment works treating domestic
sewage.
"Uncontrolled sanitary landfill" means a landfill
or open dump, whether in operation or closed, that does not meet the
requirements for run-on or run-off controls established pursuant to subtitle D
of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 USC § 6901 et seq.).
"Upset," except when used in Part VII
(9VAC25-31-730 et seq.) of this chapter, means an exceptional incident in which
there is unintentional and temporary noncompliance with technology based permit
effluent limitations because of factors beyond the reasonable control of the
permittee. An upset does not include noncompliance to the extent caused by
operational error, improperly designed treatment facilities, inadequate
treatment facilities, lack of preventive maintenance, or careless or improper
operation.
"Variance" means any mechanism or provision under §
301 or § 316 of the CWA or under 40 CFR Part 125, or in the applicable effluent
limitations guidelines which that allows modification to or
waiver of the generally applicable effluent limitation requirements or time
deadlines of the CWA. This includes provisions which that allow
the establishment of alternative limitations based on fundamentally different
factors or on §§ § 301(c), 301(g), 301(h), 301(i), or 316(a) of
the CWA.
"Vegetated buffer" means a permanent strip of dense
perennial vegetation established parallel to the contours of and perpendicular
to the dominant slope of the field for the purposes of slowing water runoff,
enhancing water infiltration, and minimizing the risk of any potential
nutrients or pollutants from leaving the field and reaching surface waters.
"Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
permit" or "VPDES permit" means a document issued by the board
pursuant to this chapter authorizing, under prescribed conditions, the
potential or actual discharge of pollutants from a point source to surface
waters and the use of biosolids or disposal of sewage sludge. Under the
approved state program, a VPDES permit is equivalent to an NPDES permit.
"VPDES application" or "application"
means the standard form or forms, including any additions, revisions or
modifications to the forms, approved by the administrator and the board for
applying for a VPDES permit.
"Wastewater," when used in Part VII (9VAC25-31-730
et seq.) of this chapter, means liquid and water carried industrial wastes and
domestic sewage from residential dwellings, commercial buildings, industrial
and manufacturing facilities and institutions, whether treated or untreated, which
that are contributed to the POTW.
"Wastewater works operator" means any individual
employed or appointed by any owner, and who is designated by such owner to be
the person in responsible charge, such as a supervisor, a shift operator, or a
substitute in charge, and whose duties include testing or evaluation to control
wastewater works operations. Not included in this definition are
superintendents or directors of public works, city engineers, or other
municipal or industrial officials whose duties do not include the actual
operation or direct supervision of wastewater works.
"Water Management Division Director" means the
director of the Region III Water Management Division of the Environmental
Protection Agency or this person's delegated representative.
"Wetlands" means those areas that are inundated or
saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to
support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of
vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands
generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.
"Whole effluent toxicity" means the aggregate toxic
effect of an effluent measured directly by a toxicity test.
9VAC25-31-25. 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 is
referenced and incorporated in this chapter that regulation shall be as it
exists and has been published in the July 1, 2017 2019, update. The
final rules published in the Federal Register on July 5, 2017 (82 FR 30997),
which corrects 40 CFR 441.30, and on August 28, 2017 (82 FR 40836), which
amends 40 CFR Part 136, are also incorporated by reference in this chapter.
9VAC25-31-40. Exclusions.
The following discharges do not require VPDES permits:
1. Any discharge of sewage from vessels, effluent from
properly functioning marine engines, laundry, shower, and galley sink wastes,
or any other discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel. This
exclusion does not apply to rubbish, trash, garbage, or other such materials
discharged overboard; nor to other discharges when the vessel is operating in a
capacity other than as a means of transportation such as when used as an energy
or mining facility, a storage facility or a seafood processing facility, or
when secured to a storage facility or a seafood processing facility, or when
secured to the bed of the ocean, contiguous zone or surface waters for the
purpose of mineral or oil exploration or development.
2. Discharges of dredged or fill material into surface waters
which are regulated under § 404 of the CWA.
3. The introduction of sewage, industrial wastes or other
pollutants into publicly owned treatment works by indirect dischargers. Plans
or agreements to switch to this method of disposal in the future do not relieve
dischargers of the obligation to have and comply with permits until all
discharges of pollutants to surface waters are eliminated. This exclusion does
not apply to the introduction of pollutants to privately owned treatment works
or to other discharges through pipes, sewers, or other conveyances owned by a
state, municipality, or other party not leading to treatment works.
4. Any discharge in compliance with the instructions of an
on-scene coordinator pursuant to 40 CFR Part 300 (The National Oil and
Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan) or 33 CFR 153.10(e) (Pollution
by Oil and Hazardous Substances).
5. Any introduction of pollutants from nonpoint source
agricultural and silvicultural activities, including storm water stormwater
run-off from orchards, cultivated crops, pastures, range lands, and forest
lands, but not discharges from concentrated animal feeding operations,
discharges from concentrated aquatic animal production facilities, discharges
to aquaculture projects, and discharges from silvicultural point sources.
6. Return flows from irrigated agriculture.
7. Discharges into a privately owned treatment works, except
as the board may otherwise require.
Part II
Permit Applications and Special VPDES Permit Programs
9VAC25-31-100. Application for a permit.
A. Duty to apply. The following shall submit a complete
application to the department in accordance with this section. The requirements
for concentrated animal feeding operations are described in subdivisions C 1
and 2 of 9VAC25-31-130.
1. Any person who discharges or proposes to discharge
pollutants; and
2. Any person who owns or operates a sludge-only facility
whose biosolids use or sewage sludge disposal practice is regulated by
9VAC25-31-420 through 9VAC25-31-720 and who does not have an effective permit.
B. Exceptions. The following are not required to submit a
complete application to the department in accordance with this section unless
the board requires otherwise:
1. Persons covered by general permits;
2. Persons excluded from the requirement for a permit by this
chapter; or
3. A user of a privately owned treatment works.
C. Who applies.
1. The owner of the facility or operation.
2. When a facility or activity is owned by one person but is
operated by another person, it is the operator's duty to obtain a permit.
3. Notwithstanding the requirements of subdivision 2 of this
subsection, biosolids land application by the operator may be authorized by the
owner's permit.
D. Time to apply.
1. Any person proposing a new discharge shall submit an
application at least 180 days before the date on which the discharge is to
commence, unless permission for a later date has been granted by the board.
Facilities proposing a new discharge of storm water stormwater
associated with industrial activity shall submit an application 180 days before
that facility commences industrial activity which may result in a discharge of storm
water stormwater associated with that industrial activity. Different
submittal dates may be required under the terms of applicable general permits.
Persons proposing a new discharge are encouraged to submit their applications
well in advance of the 90 or 180 day requirements 180-day requirement
to avoid delay. New discharges composed entirely of storm water stormwater,
other than those dischargers identified in 9VAC25-31-120 A 1, shall apply for
and obtain a permit according to the application requirements in 9VAC25-31-120
B.
2. All TWTDS whose biosolids use or sewage sludge disposal
practices are regulated by 9VAC25-31-420 through 9VAC25-31-720 must submit
permit applications according to the applicable schedule in subdivision 2 a or
b of this subsection.
a. A TWTDS with a currently effective VPDES permit must submit
a permit application at the time of its next VPDES permit renewal application.
Such information must be submitted in accordance with subsection D of this
section.
b. Any other TWTDS not addressed under subdivision 2 a of this
subsection must submit the information listed in subdivisions 2 b (1) through
(5) of this subsection to the department within one year after publication of a
standard applicable to its biosolids use or sewage sludge disposal practice or
practices, using a form provided by the department. The board will determine
when such TWTDS must submit a full permit application.
(1) The TWTDS's name, mailing address, location, and status as
federal, state, private, public or other entity;
(2) The applicant's name, address, telephone number, electronic
mail address, and ownership status;
(3) A description of the biosolids use or sewage sludge
disposal practices. Unless the biosolids meets the requirements of subdivision
Q 9 d of this section, the description must include the name and address of any
facility where biosolids or sewage sludge is sent for treatment or disposal and
the location of any land application sites;
(4) Annual amount of sewage sludge generated, treated, used or
disposed (estimated dry weight basis); and
(5) The most recent data the TWTDS may have on the quality of
the biosolids or sewage sludge.
c. Notwithstanding subdivision 2 a or b of this subsection,
the board may require permit applications from any TWTDS at any time if the
board determines that a permit is necessary to protect public health and the
environment from any potential adverse effects that may occur from toxic
pollutants in sewage sludge.
d. Any TWTDS that commences operations after promulgation of
an applicable standard for biosolids use or sewage sludge disposal shall submit
an application to the department at least 180 days prior to the date proposed
for commencing operations.
E. Duty to reapply. All permittees with a currently effective
permit shall submit a new application at least 180 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 applications to
be submitted later than the expiration date of the existing permit.
F. Completeness.
1. The board shall not issue a permit before receiving a
complete application for a permit except for VPDES general permits. An
application for a permit is complete when the board receives an application
form and any supplemental information which are completed to its satisfaction.
The completeness of any application for a permit shall be judged independently
of the status of any other permit application or permit for the same facility
or activity.
2. No application for a VPDES permit to discharge sewage into
or adjacent to state waters from a privately owned treatment works serving, or
designed to serve, 50 or more residences shall be considered complete unless
the applicant has provided the department with notification from the State
Corporation Commission that the applicant is incorporated in the Commonwealth
and is in compliance with all regulations and relevant orders of the State
Corporation Commission.
3. No application for a new individual VPDES permit
authorizing a new discharge of sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes shall
be considered complete unless it contains notification from the county, city,
or town in which the discharge is to take place that the location and operation
of the discharging facility are consistent with applicable ordinances adopted
pursuant to Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.) of Title 15.2 of the Code of
Virginia. The county, city, or town shall inform in writing the
applicant and the board of the discharging facility's compliance or
noncompliance not more than 30 days from receipt by the chief administrative
officer, or his agent, of a request from the applicant. Should the county, city,
or town fail to provide such written notification within 30 days, the
requirement for such notification is waived. The provisions of this subsection
shall not apply to any discharge for which a valid VPDES permit had been issued
prior to March 10, 2000.
4. A permit application shall not be considered complete if
the board has waived application requirements under subsection J or P K
or Q of this section and the EPA has disapproved the waiver
application. If a waiver request has been submitted to the EPA more than
210 days prior to permit expiration and the EPA has not disapproved the
waiver application 181 days prior to permit expiration, the permit application lacking
the information subject to the waiver application shall be considered complete.
5. Except as specified in subdivision 5 a of this
subsection, a permit application shall not be considered complete unless all
required quantitative data are collected in accordance with sufficiently
sensitive analytical methods approved under 40 CFR Part 136 or required under
40 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter N (Effluent Guidelines and Standards) or O
(Sewage Sludge).
a. For the purposes of this requirement, a method approved
under 40 CFR Part 136 or required under 40 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter N or
O is "sufficiently sensitive" when:
(1) The method minimum level (ML) is at or below the level
of the applicable water quality criterion for the measured pollutant or
pollutant parameter;
(2) The method ML is above the applicable water quality
criterion, but the amount of the pollutant or pollutant parameter in a facility's
discharge is high enough that the method detects and quantifies the level of
the pollutant or pollutant parameter in the discharge; or
(3) The method has the lowest ML of the analytical methods
approved under 40 CFR Part 136 or required under 40 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter N
or O for the measured pollutant or pollutant parameter.
b. When there is no analytical method that has been
approved under 40 CFR 136, required under 40 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter N or O,
and is not otherwise required by the director, the applicant may use any
suitable method but shall provide a description of the method. When selecting a
suitable method, other factors such as a method's precision, accuracy, or
resolution, may be considered when assessing the performance of the method.
5. 6. In accordance with § 62.1-44.19:3 A of the
Code of Virginia, no application for a permit or variance to authorize the
storage of biosolids shall be complete unless it contains certification from
the governing body of the locality in which the biosolids is to be stored that
the storage site is consistent with all applicable ordinances. The governing
body shall confirm or deny consistency within 30 days of receiving a request
for certification. If the governing body does not so respond, the site shall be
deemed consistent.
6. 7. No application for a permit to land apply
biosolids in accordance with Part VI (9VAC25-31-420 et seq.) of this chapter
shall be complete unless it includes the written consent of the landowner to apply
biosolids on his property.
G. Information requirements. All applicants for VPDES
permits, other than POTWs and other TWTDS, shall provide the following
information to the department, using the application form provided by the
department (additional information required of applicants is set forth in
subsections H through L and Q through R of this section).
1. The activities conducted by the applicant which that
require it to obtain a VPDES permit;
2. Name, mailing address, and location of the facility for
which the application is submitted;
3. Up to four SIC and NAICS codes which that
best reflect the principal products or services provided by the facility;
4. The operator's name, address, telephone number, electronic
mail address, ownership status, and status as federal, state, private,
public, or other entity;
5. Whether the facility is located on Indian lands;
6. A listing of all permits or construction approvals received
or applied for under any of the following programs:
a. Hazardous Waste Management program under RCRA (42 USC §
6921);
b. UIC program under SDWA (42 USC § 300h);
c. VPDES program under the CWA and the law;
d. Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program under
the Clean Air Act (42 USC § 4701 et seq.);
e. Nonattainment program under the Clean Air Act (42 USC
§ 4701 et seq.);
f. National Emission Standards for Hazardous Pollutants
(NESHAPS) preconstruction approval under the Clean Air Act (42 USC § 4701 et
seq.);
g. Ocean dumping permits under the Marine Protection Research
and Sanctuaries Act (33 USC § 14 et seq.);
h. Dredge or fill permits under § 404 of the CWA; and
i. Other relevant environmental permits, including state
permits;
7. A topographic map (or other map if a topographic map is
unavailable) extending one mile beyond the property boundaries of the source,
depicting the facility and each of its intake and discharge structures; each of
its hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facilities; each well where
fluids from the facility are injected underground; and those wells, springs,
other surface water bodies, and drinking water wells listed in public records
or otherwise known to the applicant in the map area; and
8. A brief description of the nature of the business;
9. An indication of whether the facility uses cooling water
and the source of the cooling water; and
10. An indication of whether the facility is requesting any
of the variances in subsection M of this section, if known at the time of
application.
H. Application requirements for existing manufacturing,
commercial, mining, and silvicultural dischargers. Existing manufacturing,
commercial mining, and silvicultural dischargers applying for VPDES permits,
except for those facilities subject to the requirements of subsection I of this
section, shall provide the following information to the department, using
application forms provided by the department.
1. The latitude and longitude of each outfall to the nearest
15 seconds and the name of the receiving water.
2. A line drawing of the water flow through the facility with
a water balance, showing operations contributing wastewater to the effluent and
treatment units. Similar processes, operations, or production areas may be
indicated as a single unit, labeled to correspond to the more detailed
identification under subdivision 3 of this subsection. The water balance must
show approximate average flows at intake and discharge points and between
units, including treatment units. If a water balance cannot be determined (for
example, for certain mining activities), the applicant may provide instead a
pictorial description of the nature and amount of any sources of water and any
collection and treatment measures.
3. A narrative identification of each type of process, operation,
or production area which that contributes wastewater to the
effluent for each outfall, including process wastewater, cooling water, and storm
water stormwater run-off; the average flow which each process
contributes; and a description of the treatment the wastewater receives,
including the ultimate disposal of any solid or fluid wastes other than by
discharge. Processes, operations, or production areas may be described in
general terms (for example, dye-making reactor, distillation tower). For a privately
owned treatment works, this information shall include the identity of each user
of the treatment works. The average flow of point sources composed of storm
water stormwater may be estimated. The basis for the rainfall event
and the method of estimation must be indicated.
4. If any of the discharges described in subdivision 3 of this
subsection are intermittent or seasonal, a description of the frequency,
duration and flow rate of each discharge occurrence (except for storm water
stormwater run-off, spillage or leaks).
5. If an effluent guideline promulgated under § 304 of the CWA
applies to the applicant and is expressed in terms of production (or other
measure of operation), a reasonable measure of the applicant's actual
production reported in the units used in the applicable effluent guideline. The
reported measure must reflect the actual production of the facility as
required by 9VAC25-31-230 B 2.
6. If the applicant is subject to any present requirements or
compliance schedules for construction, upgrading or operation of waste
treatment equipment, an identification of the abatement requirement, a
description of the abatement project, and a listing of the required and
projected final compliance dates.
7. Information on the discharge of pollutants specified in
this subdivision (except information on storm water stormwater
discharges which that is to be provided as specified in
9VAC25-31-120).
a. When quantitative data for a pollutant are required, the
applicant must collect a sample of effluent and analyze it for the pollutant in
accordance with analytical methods approved under 40 CFR Part 136 unless use
of another method is required under 40 CFR Subchapter N or O. When no
analytical method is approved, the applicant may use any suitable method but
must provide a description of the method. When an applicant has two or more
outfalls with substantially identical effluents, the board may allow the
applicant to test only one outfall and report that the quantitative data also
apply to the substantially identical outfalls. The requirements in subdivisions
7 e and f of this subsection that an applicant must provide quantitative data
for certain pollutants known or believed to be present do not apply to
pollutants present in a discharge solely as the result of their presence in
intake water; however, an applicant must report such pollutants as present. Grab
samples must be used for pH, temperature, cyanide, total phenols, residual
chlorine, oil and grease, fecal coliform, and fecal streptococcus. When
this subdivision requires analysis of pH, temperature, cyanide, total phenols,
residual chlorine, oil and grease, fecal coliform (including E. coli) and
Enterococci (previously known as fecal streptococcus at 40 CFR 122.26
(d)(2)(iii)(A)(3)), or volatile organics, grab samples must be collected for
those pollutants. For all other pollutants, a 24-hour composite samples
sample, using a minimum of four grab samples, must be used unless
specified otherwise at 40 CFR 136. However, a minimum of one grab sample
may be taken for effluents from holding ponds or other impoundments with a
retention period greater than 24 hours. In addition, for discharges other than storm
water stormwater discharges, the board may waive composite sampling
for any outfall for which the applicant demonstrates that the use of an
automatic sampler is infeasible and that the minimum of four grab samples will
be a representative sample of the effluent being discharged. Results of
analyses of individual grab samples for any parameter may be averaged to obtain
the daily average. Grab samples that are not required to be analyzed
immediately (see Table II at 40 CFR 136.3 (e)) may be composited in the
laboratory, provided that container, preservation, and holding time
requirements are met (see Table II at 40 CFR 136.3(e)) and that sample
integrity is not compromised by compositing.
b. For storm water stormwater discharges, all
samples shall be collected from the discharge resulting from a storm event that
is greater than 0.1 inch and at least 72 hours from the previously measurable
(greater than 0.1 inch rainfall) storm event. Where feasible, the variance in
the duration of the event and the total rainfall of the event should not exceed
50% from the average or median rainfall event in that area. For all applicants,
a flow-weighted composite shall be taken for either the entire discharge or for
the first three hours of the discharge. The flow-weighted composite sample for
a storm water stormwater discharge may be taken with a continuous
sampler or as a combination of a minimum of three sample aliquots taken in each
hour of discharge for the entire discharge or for the first three hours of the
discharge, with each aliquot being separated by a minimum period of 15 minutes
(applicants submitting permit applications for storm water stormwater
discharges under 9VAC25-31-120 C may collect flow-weighted composite samples
using different protocols with respect to the time duration between the
collection of sample aliquots, subject to the approval of the board). However,
a minimum of one grab sample may be taken for storm water stormwater
discharges from holding ponds or other impoundments with a retention period
greater than 24 hours. For a flow-weighted composite sample, only one analysis
of the composite of aliquots is required. For storm water stormwater
discharge samples taken from discharges associated with industrial activities,
quantitative data must be reported for the grab sample taken during the first
30 minutes (or as soon thereafter as practicable) of the discharge for all
pollutants specified in 9VAC25-31-120 B 1. For all storm water stormwater
permit applicants taking flow-weighted composites, quantitative data must be
reported for all pollutants specified in 9VAC25-31-120 except pH, temperature,
cyanide, total phenols, residual chlorine, oil and grease, fecal coliform, and
fecal streptococcus. The board may allow or establish appropriate site-specific
sampling procedures or requirements, including sampling locations, the season
in which the sampling takes place, the minimum duration between the previous
measurable storm event and the storm event sampled, the minimum or maximum
level of precipitation required for an appropriate storm event, the form of
precipitation sampled (snow melt or rain fall), protocols for collecting
samples under 40 CFR Part 136, and additional time for submitting data on a
case-by-case basis. An applicant is expected to know or have reason to believe
that a pollutant is present in an effluent based on an evaluation of the
expected use, production, or storage of the pollutant, or on any previous
analyses for the pollutant. (For example, any pesticide manufactured by a
facility may be expected to be present in contaminated storm water stormwater
run-off from the facility.)
c. Every applicant must report quantitative data for every
outfall for the following pollutants:
(1) Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5);
(2) Chemical oxygen demand;
(3) Total organic carbon;
(4) Total suspended solids;
(5) Ammonia (as N);
(6) Temperature (both winter and summer); and
(7) pH.
d. The board may waive the reporting requirements for
individual point sources or for a particular industry category for one or more
of the pollutants listed in subdivision 7 c of this subsection if the applicant
has demonstrated that such a waiver is appropriate because information adequate
to support issuance of a permit can be obtained with less stringent
requirements.
e. Each applicant with processes in one or more primary
industry category (see 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix A) contributing to a discharge
must report quantitative data for the following pollutants in each outfall
containing process wastewater, except as indicated in subdivisions 7 c (3),
7 e (3), (4), and (5) of this subsection:
(1) The organic toxic pollutants in the fractions designated
in Table I of 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix D for the applicant's industrial
category or categories unless the applicant qualifies as a small business under
subdivision 8 of this subsection. Table II of 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix D lists
the organic toxic pollutants in each fraction. The fractions result from the
sample preparation required by the analytical procedure which uses gas
chromatography/mass spectrometry. A determination that an applicant falls
within a particular industrial category for the purposes of selecting fractions
for testing is not conclusive as to the applicant's inclusion in that category
for any other purposes.
(2) The pollutants listed in Table III of 40 CFR Part 122
Appendix D (the toxic metals, cyanide, and total phenols).
(3) Subdivision H 7 e (1) of this section and the
corresponding portions of the VPDES Application Form 2C are suspended as they
apply to coal mines.
(4) Subdivision H 7 e (1) of this section and the
corresponding portions of Item V-C of the VPDES Application Form 2C are
suspended as they apply to:
(a) Testing and reporting for all four organic fractions in
the Greige Mills Subcategory of the Textile Mills industry (subpart C-Low water
use processing of 40 CFR Part 410), and testing and reporting for the pesticide
fraction in all other subcategories of this industrial category.
(b) Testing and reporting for the volatile, base/neutral and
pesticide fractions in the Base and Precious Metals Subcategory of the Ore
Mining and Dressing industry (subpart B of 40 (40 CFR Part 440)
440, Subpart B) and testing and reporting for all four fractions
in all other subcategories of this industrial category.
(c) Testing and reporting for all four GC/MS fractions in the
Porcelain Enameling industry.
(5) Subdivision H 7 e (1) of this section and the
corresponding portions of Item V-C of the VPDES Application Form 2C are
suspended as they apply to:
(a) Testing and reporting for the pesticide fraction in the
Tall Oil Rosin Subcategory (subpart D) and Rosin-Based Derivatives Subcategory
(subpart F) of the Gum and Wood Chemicals industry (40 CFR Part 454), and
testing and reporting for the pesticide and base-neutral fractions in all other
subcategories of this industrial category.
(b) Testing and reporting for the pesticide fraction in the
leather tanning and finishing, paint and ink formulation, and photographic
supplies industrial categories.
(c) Testing and reporting for the acid, base/neutral, and
pesticide fractions in the petroleum refining industrial category.
(d) Testing and reporting for the pesticide fraction in the
Papergrade Sulfite Subcategories (subparts J and U) of the Pulp and Paper
industry (40 CFR Part 430); testing and reporting for the base/neutral and
pesticide fractions in the following subcategories: Deink (subpart Q),
Dissolving Kraft (subpart F), and Paperboard from Waste Paper (subpart E);
testing and reporting for the volatile, base/neutral, and pesticide fractions
in the following subcategories: BCT Bleached Kraft (subpart H), Semi-Chemical
(subparts B and C), and Nonintegrated-Fine Papers (subpart R); and testing and
reporting for the acid, base/neutral, and pesticide fractions in the following
subcategories: Fine Bleached Kraft (subpart I), Dissolving Sulfite Pulp
(subpart K), Groundwood-Fine Papers (subpart O), Market Bleached Kraft (subpart
G), Tissue from Wastepaper (subpart T), and Nonintegrated-Tissue Papers (subpart
S).
(e) Testing and reporting for the base/neutral fraction in the
Once-Through Cooling Water, Fly Ash and Bottom Ash Transport Water process
waste streams of the Steam Electric Power Plant industrial category.
f. Each applicant must indicate whether it knows or has reason
to believe that any of the pollutants in Table IV of 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix D
(certain conventional and nonconventional pollutants) is discharged from each
outfall. If an applicable effluent limitations guideline either directly limits
the pollutant or, by its express terms, indirectly limits the pollutant through
limitations on an indicator, the applicant must report quantitative data. For
every pollutant discharged which that is not so limited in an
effluent limitations guideline, the applicant must either report quantitative
data or briefly describe the reasons the pollutant is expected to be
discharged.
g. Each applicant must indicate whether it knows or has reason
to believe that any of the pollutants listed in Table II or Table III of 40 CFR
Part 122 Appendix D (the toxic pollutants and total phenols) for which
quantitative data are not otherwise required under subdivision 7 e of this
subsection, is discharged from each outfall. For every pollutant expected to be
discharged in concentrations of 10 ppb or greater the applicant must report
quantitative data. For acrolein, acrylonitrile, 2,4 dinitrophenol, and
2-methyl-4,6 dinitrophenol, where any of these four pollutants are expected to
be discharged in concentrations of 100 ppb or greater the applicant must report
quantitative data. For every pollutant expected to be discharged in
concentrations less than 10 ppb, or in the case of acrolein, acrylonitrile, 2,4
dinitrophenol, and 2-methyl-4,6 dinitrophenol, in concentrations less than 100
ppb, the applicant must either submit quantitative data or briefly describe the
reasons the pollutant is expected to be discharged. An applicant qualifying as
a small business under subdivision 8 of this subsection is not required to
analyze for pollutants listed in Table II of 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix D
(the organic toxic pollutants).
h. Each applicant must indicate whether it knows or has reason
to believe that any of the pollutants in Table V of 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix D
(certain hazardous substances and asbestos) are discharged from each outfall.
For every pollutant expected to be discharged, the applicant must briefly
describe the reasons the pollutant is expected to be discharged, and report any
quantitative data it has for any pollutant.
i. Each applicant must report qualitative data, generated
using a screening procedure not calibrated with analytical standards, for
2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) if it:
(1) Uses or manufactures 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy acetic acid
(2,4,5,-T); 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) propanoic acid (Silvex, 2,4,5,-TP);
2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) ethyl, 2,2-dichloropropionate (Erbon); O,O-dimethyl
O-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl) phosphorothioate (Ronnel); 2,4,5-trichlorophenol
(TCP); or hexachlorophene (HCP); or
(2) Knows or has reason to believe that TCDD is or may be
present in an effluent.
j. Where quantitative data are required in subdivisions H 7
a through i of this section, existing data may be used, if available, in lieu
of sampling done solely for the purpose of the application, provided that all
data requirements are met; sampling was performed, collected, and analyzed no
more than four and one-half years prior to submission; all data are
representative of the discharge; and all available representative data are
considered in the values reported.
8. An applicant which qualifies as a small business under one
of the following criteria is exempt from the requirements in subdivision 7 e
(1) or 7 f of this subsection to submit quantitative data for the pollutants listed
in Table II of 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix D (the organic toxic pollutants):
a. For coal mines, a probable total annual production of less
than 100,000 tons per year; or
b. For all other applicants, gross total annual sales
averaging less than $100,000 per year (in second quarter 1980 dollars).
9. A listing of any toxic pollutant which that
the applicant currently uses or manufactures as an intermediate or final
product or byproduct. The board may waive or modify this requirement for any
applicant if the applicant demonstrates that it would be unduly burdensome to
identify each toxic pollutant and the board has adequate information to issue
the permit.
10. Reserved.
11. An identification of any biological toxicity tests which
that the applicant knows or has reason to believe have been made within
the last three years on any of the applicant's discharges or on a receiving
water in relation to a discharge.
12. If a contract laboratory or consulting firm performed any
of the analyses required by subdivision 7 of this subsection, the identity of
each laboratory or firm and the analyses performed.
13. In addition to the information reported on the application
form, applicants shall provide to the board, at its request, such other
information, including pertinent plans, specifications, maps and such other
relevant information as may be required, in scope and details satisfactory to
the board, as the board may reasonably require to assess the discharges of the
facility and to determine whether to issue a VPDES permit. The additional
information may include additional quantitative data and bioassays to assess
the relative toxicity of discharges to aquatic life and requirements to
determine the cause of the toxicity.
I. Application requirements for manufacturing, commercial,
mining and silvicultural facilities which discharge only nonprocess wastewater.
Except for storm water stormwater discharges, all manufacturing,
commercial, mining, and silvicultural dischargers applying for VPDES
permits which that discharge only nonprocess wastewater not
regulated by an effluent limitations guideline or new source performance
standard shall provide the following information to the department using
application forms provided by the department:
1. Outfall number, latitude and longitude to the nearest 15
seconds, and the name of the receiving water;
2. Date of expected commencement of discharge;
3. An identification of the general type of waste discharged,
or expected to be discharged upon commencement of operations, including
sanitary wastes, restaurant or cafeteria wastes, or noncontact cooling water.
An identification of cooling water additives (if any) that are used or expected
to be used upon commencement of operations, along with their composition if
existing composition is available;
4. a. Quantitative data for the pollutants or parameters
listed below, unless testing is waived by the board. The quantitative data may
be data collected over the past 365 days, if they remain representative of
current operations, and must include maximum daily value, average daily value,
and number of measurements taken. The applicant must collect and analyze
samples in accordance with 40 CFR Part 136. Grab samples must be used
for pH, temperature, oil and grease, total residual chlorine, and fecal
coliform. For all other pollutants, 24-hour composite samples must be used.
When analysis of pH, temperature, residual chlorine, oil and grease, or
fecal coliform (including E. coli), and Enterococci (previously known as fecal
streptococcus) and volatile organics is required in subdivisions I 4 a (1)
through (11) of this section, grab samples must be collected for those
pollutants. For all other pollutants, a 24-hour composite sample, using a
minimum of four grab samples, must be used unless specified otherwise at 40 CFR
Part 136. For a composite sample, only one analysis of the composite of
aliquots is required. New dischargers must include estimates for the
pollutants or parameters listed below instead of actual sampling data, along
with the source of each estimate. All levels must be reported or estimated as
concentration and as total mass, except for flow, pH, and temperature.
(1) Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5).
(2) Total suspended solids (TSS).
(3) Fecal coliform (if believed present or if sanitary waste
is or will be discharged).
(4) Total residual chlorine (if chlorine is used).
(5) Oil and grease.
(6) Chemical oxygen demand (COD) (if noncontact cooling water
is or will be discharged).
(7) Total organic carbon (TOC) (if noncontact cooling water is
or will be discharged).
(8) Ammonia (as N).
(9) Discharge flow.
(10) pH.
(11) Temperature (winter and summer).
b. The board may waive the testing and reporting requirements
for any of the pollutants or flow listed in subdivision 4 a of this subsection
if the applicant submits a request for such a waiver before or with his
application which that demonstrates that information adequate to
support issuance of a permit can be obtained through less stringent
requirements.
c. If the applicant is a new discharger, he must submit the
information required in subdivision 4 a of this subsection by providing
quantitative data in accordance with that section no later than two years after
commencement of discharge. However, the applicant need not submit testing
results which that he has already performed and reported under
the discharge monitoring requirements of his VPDES permit.
d. The requirements of subdivisions 4 a and 4 c of this
subsection that an applicant must provide quantitative data or estimates of
certain pollutants do not apply to pollutants present in a discharge solely as
a result of their presence in intake water. However, an applicant must report
such pollutants as present. Net credit may be provided for the presence of
pollutants in intake water if the requirements of 9VAC25-31-230 G are met;
5. A description of the frequency of flow and duration of any
seasonal or intermittent discharge (except for storm water stormwater
run-off, leaks, or spills);
6. A brief description of any treatment system used or to be
used;
7. Any additional information the applicant wishes to be
considered, such as influent data for the purpose of obtaining net credits
pursuant to 9VAC25-31-230 G;
8. Signature of certifying official under 9VAC25-31-110; and
9. Pertinent plans, specifications, maps and such other
relevant information as may be required, in scope and details satisfactory to
the board.
J. Application requirements for new and existing concentrated
animal feeding operations and aquatic animal production facilities. New and
existing concentrated animal feeding operations and concentrated aquatic animal
production facilities shall provide the following information to the
department, using the application form provided by the department:
1. For concentrated animal feeding operations:
a. The name of the owner or operator;
b. The facility location and mailing address;
c. Latitude and longitude of the production area (entrance to
the production area);
d. A topographic map of the geographic area in which the CAFO
is located showing the specific location of the production area, in lieu of the
requirements of subdivision G 7 of this section;
e. Specific information about the number and type of animals, whether
in open confinement or housed under roof (beef cattle, broilers, layers, swine
weighing 55 pounds or more, swine weighing less than 55 pounds, mature dairy
cows, dairy heifers, veal calves, sheep and lambs, horses, ducks, turkeys,
other);
f. The type of containment and storage (anaerobic lagoon,
roofed storage shed, storage ponds, underfloor pits, above ground storage
tanks, below ground storage tanks, concrete pad, impervious soil pad, other)
and total capacity for manure, litter, and process wastewater storage
(tons/gallons);
g. The total number of acres under control of the applicant
available for land application of manure, litter, or process wastewater;
h. Estimated amounts of manure, litter, and process wastewater
generated per year (tons/gallons); and
i. For CAFOs required to seek coverage under a permit after
December 31, 2009, a nutrient management plan that at a minimum satisfies the
requirements specified in subsection E of 9VAC25-31-200 and subdivision C 5 of
9VAC25-31-130, including, for all CAFOs subject to 40 CFR Part 412 Subpart
C or Subpart D, the requirements of 40 CFR 412.4(c), as applicable.
2. For concentrated aquatic animal production facilities:
a. The maximum daily and average monthly flow from each
outfall;
b. The number of ponds, raceways, and similar structures;
c. The name of the receiving water and the source of intake
water;
d. For each species of aquatic animals, the total yearly and
maximum harvestable weight;
e. The calendar month of maximum feeding and the total mass of
food fed during that month; and
f. Pertinent plans, specifications, maps and such other
relevant information as may be required, in scope and details satisfactory to
the board.
K. Application requirements for new and existing POTWs and
treatment works treating domestic sewage. Unless otherwise indicated, all POTWs
and other dischargers designated by the board must provide to the department,
at a minimum, the information in this subsection using an application form
provided by the department. Permit applicants must submit all information
available at the time of permit application. The information may be provided by
referencing information previously submitted to the department. The board may waive
any requirement of this subsection if it has access to substantially identical
information. The board may also waive any requirement of this subsection that
is not of material concern for a specific permit, if approved by the regional
administrator. The waiver request to the regional administrator must include
the board's justification for the waiver. A regional administrator's
disapproval of the board's proposed waiver does not constitute final agency
action but does provide notice to the board and permit applicant(s) applicant
that the EPA may object to any board-issued permit issued in the absence
of the required information.
1. All applicants must provide the following information:
a. Name, mailing address, and location of the facility for
which the application is submitted;
b. Name, mailing address, and telephone number, and
electronic mail address of the applicant and indication as to whether the
applicant is the facility's owner, operator, or both;
c. Identification of all environmental permits or construction
approvals received or applied for (including dates) under any of the following
programs:
(1) Hazardous Waste Management program under the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Subpart C;
(2) Underground Injection Control program under the Safe
Drinking Water Act (SDWA);
(3) NPDES program under the Clean Water Act (CWA);
(4) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program
under the Clean Air Act;
(5) Nonattainment program under the Clean Air Act;
(6) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
(NESHAPS) preconstruction approval under the Clean Air Act;
(7) Ocean dumping permits under the Marine Protection Research
and Sanctuaries Act;
(8) Dredge or fill permits under § 404 of the CWA; and
(9) Other relevant environmental permits, including state
permits;
d. The name and population of each municipal entity served by
the facility, including unincorporated connector districts. Indicate whether
each municipal entity owns or maintains the collection system and whether the
collection system is separate sanitary or combined storm and sanitary, if
known;
e. Information concerning whether the facility is located in
Indian country and whether the facility discharges to a receiving stream that
flows through Indian country;
f. The facility's design flow rate (the wastewater flow rate
the plant was built to handle), annual average daily flow rate, and maximum
daily flow rate for each of the previous three years;
g. Identification of type(s) types of collection
system(s) systems used by the treatment works (i.e., separate
sanitary sewers or combined storm and sanitary sewers) and an estimate of the
percent of sewer line that each type comprises; and
h. The following information for outfalls to surface waters
and other discharge or disposal methods:
(1) For effluent discharges to surface waters, the total
number and types of outfalls (e.g., treated effluent, combined sewer overflows,
bypasses, constructed emergency overflows);
(2) For wastewater discharged to surface impoundments:
(a) The location of each surface impoundment;
(b) The average daily volume discharged to each surface
impoundment; and
(c) Whether the discharge is continuous or intermittent;
(3) For wastewater applied to the land:
(a) The location of each land application site;
(b) The size of each land application site, in acres;
(c) The average daily volume applied to each land application
site, in gallons per day; and
(d) Whether land application is continuous or intermittent;
(4) For effluent sent to another facility for treatment prior
to discharge:
(a) The means by which the effluent is transported;
(b) The name, mailing address, contact person, and
phone number, and electronic mail address of the organization
transporting the discharge, if the transport is provided by a party other than
the applicant;
(c) The name, mailing address, contact person, phone number, electronic
mail address, and VPDES permit number (if any) of the receiving facility;
and
(d) The average daily flow rate from this facility into the
receiving facility, in millions of gallons per day; and
(5) For wastewater disposed of in a manner not included in
subdivisions 1 h (1) through (4) of this subsection (e.g., underground
percolation, underground injection):
(a) A description of the disposal method, including the
location and size of each disposal site, if applicable;
(b) The annual average daily volume disposed of by this
method, in gallons per day; and
(c) Whether disposal through this method is continuous or
intermittent; and
i. An indication of whether applicant is operating under or
requesting to operate under a variance as specified in subsection N of this
section, if known at the time of application.
2. All applicants with a design flow greater than or equal to
0.1 mgd must provide the following information:
a. The current average daily volume of inflow and
infiltration, in gallons per day, and steps the facility is taking to minimize
inflow and infiltration;
b. A topographic map (or other map if a topographic map is
unavailable) extending at least one mile beyond property boundaries of the
treatment plant, including all unit processes, and showing:
(1) Treatment plant area and unit processes;
(2) The major pipes or other structures through which
wastewater enters the treatment plant and the pipes or other structures through
which treated wastewater is discharged from the treatment plant. Include
outfalls from bypass piping, if applicable;
(3) Each well where fluids from the treatment plant are
injected underground;
(4) Wells, springs, and other surface water bodies listed in
public records or otherwise known to the applicant within 1/4 mile of the
treatment works' property boundaries;
(5) Sewage sludge management facilities (including on-site
treatment, storage, and disposal sites); and
(6) Location at which waste classified as hazardous under RCRA
enters the treatment plant by truck, rail, or dedicated pipe;
c. Process flow diagram or schematic:
(1) A diagram showing the processes of the treatment plant,
including all bypass piping and all backup power sources or redundancy in the
system. This includes a water balance showing all treatment units, including
disinfection, and showing daily average flow rates at influent and discharge
points, and approximate daily flow rates between treatment units; and
(2) A narrative description of the diagram; and
d. The following information regarding scheduled improvements:
(1) The outfall number of each outfall affected;
(2) A narrative description of each required improvement;
(3) Scheduled or actual dates of completion for the following:
(a) Commencement of construction;
(b) Completion of construction;
(c) Commencement of discharge; and
(d) Attainment of operational level; and
(4) A description of permits and clearances concerning other
federal or state requirements.
3. Each applicant must provide the following information for
each outfall, including bypass points, through which effluent is discharged, as
applicable:
a. The following information about each outfall:
(1) Outfall number;
(2) State, county, and city or town in which outfall is
located;
(3) Latitude and longitude, to the nearest second;
(4) Distance from shore and depth below surface;
(5) Average daily flow rate, in million gallons per day;
(6) The following information for each outfall with a seasonal
or periodic discharge:
(a) Number of times per year the discharge occurs;
(b) Duration of each discharge;
(c) Flow of each discharge; and
(d) Months in which discharge occurs; and
(7) Whether the outfall is equipped with a diffuser and the
type (e.g., high-rate) of diffuser used.
b. The following information, if known, for each outfall
through which effluent is discharged to surface waters:
(1) Name of receiving water;
(2) Name of watershed/river/stream system and United States
Soil Conservation Service 14-digit watershed code;
(3) Name of State Management/River Basin and United States
Geological Survey 8-digit hydrologic cataloging unit code; and
(4) Critical flow of receiving stream and total hardness of
receiving stream at critical low flow (if applicable).
c. The following information describing the treatment provided
for discharges from each outfall to surface waters:
(1) The highest level of treatment (e.g., primary, equivalent
to secondary, secondary, advanced, other) that is provided for the discharge
for each outfall and:
(a) Design biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5 or CBOD5)
removal (percent);
(b) Design suspended solids (SS) removal (percent); and, where
applicable;
(c) Design phosphorus (P) removal (percent);
(d) Design nitrogen (N) removal (percent); and
(e) Any other removals that an advanced treatment system is
designed to achieve.
(2) A description of the type of disinfection used, and
whether the treatment plant dechlorinates (if disinfection is accomplished
through chlorination).
4. Effluent monitoring for specific parameters.
a. As provided in subdivisions 4 b through 4 k of this subsection,
all applicants must submit to the department effluent monitoring information
for samples taken from each outfall through which effluent is discharged to
surface waters, except for CSOs. The board may allow applicants to submit
sampling data for only one outfall on a case-by-case basis, where the applicant
has two or more outfalls with substantially identical effluent. The board may
also allow applicants to composite samples from one or more outfalls that
discharge into the same mixing zone. For POTWs applying prior to
commencement of discharge, data shall be submitted no later than 24 months
after the commencement of discharge;
b. All applicants must sample and analyze for the following
pollutants:
(1) Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5 or CBOD5);
(2) Fecal coliform;
(3) Design flow rate;
(4) pH;
(5) Temperature; and
(6) Total suspended solids.
c. All applicants with a design flow greater than or equal to
0.1 mgd must sample and analyze for the following pollutants:
(1) Ammonia (as N);
(2) Chlorine (total residual, TRC);
(3) Dissolved oxygen;
(4) Nitrate/Nitrite;
(5) Kjeldahl nitrogen;
(6) Oil and grease;
(7) Phosphorus; and
(8) Total dissolved solids.
d. Facilities that do not use chlorine for disinfection, do
not use chlorine elsewhere in the treatment process, and have no reasonable
potential to discharge chlorine in their effluent may delete chlorine.
e. All POTWs with a design flow rate equal to or greater than
one million gallons per day, all POTWs with approved pretreatment programs or
POTWs required to develop a pretreatment program, and other POTWs, as required
by the board must sample and analyze for the pollutants listed in Table 2 of 40
CFR Part 122 Appendix J, and for any other pollutants for which the board or
EPA have established water quality standards applicable to the receiving
waters.
f. The board may require sampling for additional pollutants,
as appropriate, on a case-by-case basis.
g. Applicants must provide data from a minimum of three
samples taken within 4-1/2 years prior to the date of the permit application.
Samples must be representative of the seasonal variation in the discharge from
each outfall. Existing data may be used, if available, in lieu of sampling done
solely for the purpose of this application. The board may require additional
samples, as appropriate, on a case-by-case basis.
h. All existing data for pollutants specified in subdivisions
4 b through 4 f of this subsection that is collected within 4-1/2 years of the
application must be included in the pollutant data summary submitted by the
applicant. If, however, the applicant samples for a specific pollutant on a
monthly or more frequent basis, it is only necessary, for such pollutant, to
summarize all data collected within one year of the application.
i. Applicants must collect samples of effluent and analyze
such samples for pollutants in accordance with analytical methods approved
under 40 CFR Part 136 unless an alternative is specified in the existing VPDES
permit. Grab samples must be used for When analysis of pH,
temperature, cyanide, total phenols, residual chlorine, oil and grease, and
fecal coliform (including E. coli), or volatile organics is required in
subdivisions K 4 b, c, and e of this section, grab samples must be collected
for those pollutants. For all other pollutants, 24-hour composite samples
must be used. For a composite sample, only one analysis of the composite of
aliquots is required.
j. The effluent monitoring data provided must include at least
the following information for each parameter:
(1) Maximum daily discharge, expressed as concentration or
mass, based upon actual sample values;
(2) Average daily discharge for all samples, expressed as
concentration or mass, and the number of samples used to obtain this value;
(3) The analytical method used; and
(4) The threshold level (i.e., method detection limit, minimum
level, or other designated method endpoints) for the analytical method used.
k. Unless otherwise required by the board, metals must be
reported as total recoverable.
5. Effluent monitoring for
whole effluent toxicity.
a. All applicants must provide an identification of any whole
effluent toxicity tests conducted during the 4-1/2 years prior to the date of
the application on any of the applicant's discharges or on any receiving water
near the discharge. For POTWs applying prior to commencement of discharge,
data shall be submitted no later than 24 months after the commencement of
discharge.
b. As provided in subdivisions 5 c through i of this
subsection, the following applicants must submit to the department the results
of valid whole effluent toxicity tests for acute or chronic toxicity for
samples taken from each outfall through which effluent is discharged to surface
waters, except for combined sewer overflows:
(1) All POTWs with design flow rates greater than or equal to
one million gallons per day;
(2) All POTWs with approved pretreatment programs or POTWs
required to develop a pretreatment program;
(3) Other POTWs, as required by the board, based on
consideration of the following factors:
(a) The variability of the pollutants or pollutant parameters
in the POTW effluent (based on chemical-specific information, the type of
treatment plant, and types of industrial contributors);
(b) The ratio of effluent flow to receiving stream flow;
(c) Existing controls on point or nonpoint sources, including
total maximum daily load calculations for the receiving stream segment and the
relative contribution of the POTW;
(d) Receiving stream characteristics, including possible or
known water quality impairment, and whether the POTW discharges to a coastal
water, or a water designated as an outstanding natural resource water; or
(e) Other considerations (including, but not limited to,
the history of toxic impacts and compliance problems at the POTW) that the
board determines could cause or contribute to adverse water quality impacts.
c. Where the POTW has two or more outfalls with substantially
identical effluent discharging to the same receiving stream segment, the board
may allow applicants to submit whole effluent toxicity data for only one outfall
on a case-by-case basis. The board may also allow applicants to composite
samples from one or more outfalls that discharge into the same mixing zone.
d. Each applicant required to perform whole effluent toxicity
testing pursuant to subdivision 5 b of this subsection must provide:
(1) Results of a minimum of four quarterly tests for a year,
from the year preceding the permit application; or
(2) Results from four tests performed at least annually in the
4-1/2 year period prior to the application, provided the results show no
appreciable toxicity using a safety factor determined by the board.
e. Applicants must conduct tests with multiple species (no
less than two species, e.g., fish, invertebrate, plant) and test for acute or
chronic toxicity, depending on the range of receiving water dilution. The board
recommends that applicants conduct acute or chronic testing based on the
following dilutions: (i) acute toxicity testing if the dilution of the effluent
is greater than 100:1 at the edge of the mixing zone or (ii) chronic toxicity
testing if the dilution of the effluent is less than or equal to 100:1 at the
edge of the mixing zone.
f. Each applicant required to perform whole effluent toxicity
testing pursuant to subdivision 5 b of this subsection must provide the number
of chronic or acute whole effluent toxicity tests that have been conducted
since the last permit reissuance.
g. Applicants must provide the results using the form provided
by the department, or test summaries if available and comprehensive, for each
whole effluent toxicity test conducted pursuant to subdivision 5 b of this
subsection for which such information has not been reported previously to the
department.
h. Whole effluent toxicity testing conducted pursuant to
subdivision 5 b of this subsection must be conducted using methods approved
under 40 CFR Part 136, as directed by the board.
i. For whole effluent toxicity data submitted to the
department within 4-1/2 years prior to the date of the application, applicants
must provide the dates on which the data were submitted and a summary of the
results.
j. Each POTW required to perform whole effluent toxicity
testing pursuant to subdivision 5 b of this subsection must provide any
information on the cause of toxicity and written details of any toxicity
reduction evaluation conducted, if any whole effluent toxicity test conducted
within the past 4-1/2 years revealed toxicity.
6. Applicants must submit the following information about
industrial discharges to the POTW:
a. Number of significant industrial users (SIUs) and nonsignificant
categorical industrial users (CIUs) discharging to the POTW (NSCIUs),
including SIUs and NSCIUs that truck or haul waste, discharging to the POTW;
and
b. POTWs with one or more SIUs shall provide the following
information for each SIU, as defined in 9VAC25-31-10, that discharges to the
POTW:
(1) Name and mailing address;
(2) Description of all industrial processes that affect or
contribute to the SIU's discharge;
(3) Principal products and raw materials of the SIU that
affect or contribute to the SIU's discharge;
(4) Average daily volume of wastewater discharged, indicating
the amount attributable to process flow and nonprocess flow;
(5) Whether the SIU is subject to local limits;
(6) Whether the SIU is subject to categorical standards and,
if so, under which category and subcategory; and
(7) Whether any problems at the POTW (e.g., upsets, pass
through, interference) have been attributed to the SIU in the past 4-1/2 years.
c. The information required in subdivisions 6 a and b of this
subsection may be waived by the board for POTWs with pretreatment programs if
the applicant has submitted either of the following that contain information
substantially identical to that required in subdivisions 6 a and b of this
subsection:
(1) An annual report submitted within one year of the
application; or
(2) A pretreatment program.
7. Discharges from hazardous waste generators and from waste
cleanup or remediation sites. POTWs receiving Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act (CERCLA), or RCRA Corrective Action wastes or wastes generated at
another type of cleanup or remediation site must provide the following
information:
a. If the POTW receives, or has been notified that it will
receive, by truck, rail, or dedicated pipe any wastes that are regulated as
RCRA hazardous wastes pursuant to 40 CFR Part 261, the applicant must report
the following:
(1) The method by which the waste is received (i.e., whether
by truck, rail, or dedicated pipe); and
(2) The hazardous waste number and amount received annually of
each hazardous waste.
b. If the POTW receives, or has been notified that it will
receive, wastewaters that originate from remedial activities, including those
undertaken pursuant to CERCLA and § 3004(u) or 3008(h) of RCRA, the
applicant must report the following:
(1) The identity and description of the site or facility at
which the wastewater originates;
(2) The identities of the wastewater's hazardous constituents,
as listed in Appendix VIII of 40 CFR Part 261, if known; and
(3) The extent of treatment, if any, the wastewater receives
or will receive before entering the POTW.
c. Applicants are exempt from the requirements of subdivision
7 b of this subsection if they receive no more than 15 kilograms per month of
hazardous wastes, unless the wastes are acute hazardous wastes as specified in
40 CFR 261.30(d) and 261.33(e).
8. Each applicant with combined sewer systems must provide the
following information:
a. The following information regarding the combined sewer
system:
(1) A map indicating the location of the following:
(a) All CSO discharge points;
(b) Sensitive use areas potentially affected by CSOs (e.g.,
beaches, drinking water supplies, shellfish beds, sensitive aquatic ecosystems,
and outstanding national resource waters); and
(c) Waters supporting threatened and endangered species
potentially affected by CSOs; and
(2) A diagram of the combined sewer collection system that
includes the following information:
(a) The location of major sewer trunk lines, both combined and
separate sanitary;
(b) The locations of points where separate sanitary sewers
feed into the combined sewer system;
(c) In-line and off-line storage structures;
(d) The locations of flow-regulating devices; and
(e) The locations of pump stations.
b. The following information for each CSO discharge point
covered by the permit application:
(1) The following information on each outfall:
(a) Outfall number;
(b) State, county, and city or town in which outfall is
located;
(c) Latitude and longitude, to the nearest second;
(d) Distance from shore and depth below surface;
(e) Whether the applicant monitored any of the following in
the past year for this CSO: (i) rainfall, (ii) CSO flow volume, (iii) CSO
pollutant concentrations, (iv) receiving water quality, or (v) CSO frequency;
and
(f) The number of storm events monitored in the past year;
(2) The following information about CSO overflows from each
outfall:
(a) The number of events in the past year;
(b) The average duration per event, if available;
(c) The average volume per CSO event, if available; and
(d) The minimum rainfall that caused a CSO event, if
available, in the last year;
(3) The following information about receiving waters:
(a) Name of receiving water;
(b) Name of watershed/stream system and the United States Soil
Conservation Service watershed (14-digit) code, if known; and
(c) Name of State Management/River Basin and the United States
Geological Survey hydrologic cataloging unit (8-digit) code, if known; and
(4) A description of any known water quality impacts on the
receiving water caused by the CSO (e.g., permanent or intermittent beach
closings, permanent or intermittent shellfish bed closings, fish kills, fish
advisories, other recreational loss, or exceedance of any applicable state
water quality standard).
9. All applicants must provide the name, mailing address,
telephone number, electronic mail address, and responsibilities of all
contractors responsible for any operational or maintenance aspects of the
facility.
10. All applications must be signed by a certifying official
in compliance with 9VAC25-31-110.
11. Pertinent plans, specifications, maps and such other
relevant information as may be required, in scope and details satisfactory to
the board.
L. Application requirements for new sources and new
discharges. New manufacturing, commercial, mining and silvicultural dischargers
applying for VPDES permits (except for new discharges of facilities subject to
the requirements of subsection H I of this section or new
discharges of storm water stormwater associated with industrial
activity which that are subject to the requirements of
9VAC25-31-120 B 1 and this subsection) shall provide the following information
to the department, using the application forms provided by the department:
1. The expected outfall location in latitude and longitude to
the nearest 15 seconds and the name of the receiving water;
2. The expected date of commencement of discharge;
3. a. Description of the treatment that the wastewater will
receive, along with all operations contributing wastewater to the effluent,
average flow contributed by each operation, and the ultimate disposal of any
solid or liquid wastes not discharged;
b. A line drawing of the water flow through the facility with
a water balance as described in subdivision H 2;
c. If any of the expected discharges will be intermittent or
seasonal, a description of the frequency, duration and maximum daily flow rate
of each discharge occurrence (except for storm water stormwater
run-off, spillage, or leaks);
4. If a new source performance standard promulgated under § 306
of the CWA or an effluent limitation guideline applies to the applicant and is
expressed in terms of production (or other measure of operation), a reasonable
measure of the applicant's expected actual production reported in the units
used in the applicable effluent guideline or new source performance standard
for each of the first three years. Alternative estimates may also be submitted
if production is likely to vary;
5. The requirements in subdivisions H subdivisions I
4 a, b, and c of this section that an applicant must provide estimates of
certain pollutants expected to be present do not apply to pollutants present in
a discharge solely as a result of their presence in intake water; however, an
applicant must report such pollutants as present. Net credits may be provided
for the presence of pollutants in intake water if the requirements of
9VAC25-31-230 G are met. All levels (except for discharge flow, temperature,
and pH) must be estimated as concentration and as total mass.
a. Each applicant must report estimated daily maximum, daily
average, and source of information for each outfall for the following
pollutants or parameters. The board may waive the reporting requirements for
any of these pollutants and parameters if the applicant submits a request for
such a waiver before or with his application which demonstrates that
information adequate to support issuance of the permit can be obtained through
less stringent reporting requirements:
(1) Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD).
(2) Chemical oxygen demand (COD).
(3) Total organic carbon (TOC).
(4) Total suspended solids (TSS).
(5) Flow.
(6) Ammonia (as N).
(7) Temperature (winter and summer).
(8) pH.
b. Each applicant must report estimated daily maximum, daily
average, and source of information for each outfall for the following
pollutants, if the applicant knows or has reason to believe they will be
present or if they are limited by an effluent limitation guideline or new
source performance standard either directly or indirectly through limitations
on an indicator pollutant: all pollutants in Table IV of 40 CFR Part 122
Appendix D (certain conventional and nonconventional pollutants).
c. Each applicant must report estimated daily maximum, daily
average and source of information for the following pollutants if he knows or
has reason to believe that they will be present in the discharges from any
outfall:
(1) The pollutants listed in Table III of 40 CFR Part 122
Appendix D (the toxic metals, in the discharge from any outfall, Total cyanide,
and total phenols);
(2) The organic toxic pollutants in Table II of 40 CFR Part
122 Appendix D (except bis (chloromethyl) ether, dichlorofluoromethane and
trichlorofluoromethane). This requirement is waived for applicants with
expected gross sales of less than $100,000 per year for the next three years,
and for coal mines with expected average production of less than 100,000 tons
of coal per year.
d. The applicant is required to report that 2,3,7,8
Tetrachlorodibenzo-P-Dioxin (TCDD) may be discharged if he uses or manufactures
one of the following compounds, or if he knows or has reason to believe that
TCDD will or may be present in an effluent:
(1) 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4,5-T) (CAS
#93-76-5);
(2) 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) propanoic acid (Silvex,
2,4,5-TP) (CAS #93-72-1);
(3) 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) ethyl 2,2-dichloropropionate
(Erbon) (CAS #136-25-4);
(4) 0,0-dimethyl 0-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl) phosphorothioate
(Ronnel) (CAS #299-84-3);
(5) 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP) (CAS #95-95-4); or
(6) Hexachlorophene (HCP) (CAS #70-30-4);
e. Each applicant must report any pollutants listed in Table V
of 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix D (certain hazardous substances) if he believes
they will be present in any outfall (no quantitative estimates are required
unless they are already available).
f. No later than two years 24 months after the
commencement of discharge from the proposed facility, the applicant is required
to submit the information required in subsection G H of this
section. However, the applicant need not complete those portions of subsection G
H of this section requiring tests which he has that have
already been performed and reported under the discharge monitoring
requirements of his the VPDES permit;
6. Each applicant must report the existence of any technical
evaluation concerning his wastewater treatment, along with the name and
location of similar plants of which he has knowledge;
7. Any optional information the permittee wishes to have
considered;
8. Signature of certifying official under 9VAC25-31-110; and
9. Pertinent plans, specifications, maps, and such
other relevant information as may be required, in scope and details
satisfactory to the board.
M. Variance requests by non-POTWs. A discharger which is not
a publicly owned treatment works (POTW) may request a variance from otherwise
applicable effluent limitations under any of the following statutory or
regulatory provisions within the times specified in this subsection:
1. Fundamentally different factors.
a. A request for a variance based on the presence of
fundamentally different factors from those on which the effluent limitations
guideline was based shall be filed as follows:
(1) For a request from best practicable control technology
currently available (BPT), by the close of the public comment period for the
draft permit; or
(2) For a request from best available technology economically
achievable (BAT) and/or or best conventional pollutant control
technology (BCT), by no later than:
(a) July 3, 1989, for a request based on an effluent
limitation guideline promulgated before February 4, 1987, to the extent July 3,
1989, is not later than that provided under previously promulgated regulations;
or
(b) 180 days after the date on which an effluent limitation
guideline is published in the Federal Register for a request based on an
effluent limitation guideline promulgated on or after February 4, 1987.
b. The request shall explain how the requirements of the
applicable regulatory or statutory criteria have been met.
2. A request for a variance from the BAT requirements for CWA
§ 301(b)(2)(F) pollutants (commonly called nonconventional pollutants)
pursuant to § 301(c) of the CWA because of the economic capability of the owner
or operator, or pursuant to § 301(g) of the CWA (provided however that a §
301(g) variance may only be requested for ammonia; chlorine; color; iron; total
phenols (when determined by the administrator to be a pollutant covered by § 301(b)(2)(F)
of the CWA) and any other pollutant which the administrator lists under §
301(g)(4) of the CWA) must be made as follows:
a. For those requests for a variance from an effluent
limitation based upon an effluent limitation guideline by:
(1) Submitting an initial request to the regional
administrator, as well as to the department, stating the name of the
discharger, the permit number, the outfall number(s) number, the
applicable effluent guideline, and whether the discharger is requesting a §
301(c) or 301(g) of the CWA modification, or both. This request must have been
filed not later than 270 days after promulgation of an applicable effluent
limitation guideline; and
(2) Submitting a completed request no later than the close of
the public comment period for the draft permit demonstrating that: (i) all
reasonable ascertainable issues have been raised and all reasonably available
arguments and materials supporting their position have been submitted; and (ii)
that the applicable requirements of 40 CFR Part 125 have been met.
Notwithstanding this provision, the complete application for a request under § 301(g)
of the CWA shall be filed 180 days before EPA must make a decision (unless the
Regional Division Director establishes a shorter or longer period); or
b. For those requests for a variance from effluent limitations
not based on effluent limitation guidelines, the request need only comply with
subdivision 2 a (2) of this subsection and need not be preceded by an initial
request under subdivision 2 a (1) of this subsection.
3. A modification under § 302(b)(2) of the CWA of
requirements under § 302(a) of the CWA for achieving water quality related
effluent limitations may be requested no later than the close of the public
comment period for the draft permit on the permit from which the modification
is sought.
4. A variance for alternate effluent limitations for the
thermal component of any discharge must be filed with a timely application for
a permit under this section, except that if thermal effluent limitations are
established on a case-by-case basis or are based on water quality standards the
request for a variance may be filed by the close of the public comment period
for the draft permit. A copy of the request shall be sent simultaneously to the
department.
N. Variance requests by POTWs. A discharger which is a
publicly owned treatment works (POTW) may request a variance from otherwise
applicable effluent limitations under any of the following statutory provisions
as specified in this paragraph:
1. A request for a modification under § 301(h) of the CWA of
requirements of § 301(b)(1)(B) of the CWA for discharges into marine
waters must be filed in accordance with the requirements of 40 CFR Part 125,
Subpart G.
2. A modification under § 302(b)(2) of the CWA of the
requirements under § 302(a) of the CWA for achieving water quality based
effluent limitations shall be requested no later than the close of the public comment
period for the draft permit on the permit from which the modification is
sought.
O. Expedited variance procedures and time extensions.
1. Notwithstanding the time requirements in subsections M and
N of this section, the board may notify a permit applicant before a draft
permit is issued that the draft permit will likely contain limitations which
are eligible for variances. In the notice the board may require the applicant
as a condition of consideration of any potential variance request to submit a
request explaining how the requirements of 40 CFR Part 125 applicable to the
variance have been met and may require its submission within a specified
reasonable time after receipt of the notice. The notice may be sent before the
permit application has been submitted. The draft or final permit may contain
the alternative limitations which that may become effective upon
final grant of the variance.
2. A discharger who cannot file a timely complete request
required under subdivisions M 2 a (2) or M 2 b of this section may request an
extension. The extension may be granted or denied at the discretion of the
board. Extensions shall be no more than six months in duration.
P. Recordkeeping. Except for information required by
subdivision D 2 of this section, which shall be retained for a period of at
least five years from the date the application is signed (or longer as required
by Part VI (9VAC25-31-420 et seq.) of this chapter), applicants shall keep
records of all data used to complete permit applications and any supplemental
information submitted under this section for a period of at least three years
from the date the application is signed.
Q. Sewage sludge management. All TWTDS subject to subdivision
D 2 a of this section must provide the information in this subsection to the
department using an application form approved by the department. New applicants
must submit all information available at the time of permit application. The
information may be provided by referencing information previously submitted to
the department. The board may waive any requirement of this subsection if it
has access to substantially identical information. The board may also waive any
requirement of this subsection that is not of material concern for a specific
permit, if approved by the regional administrator. The waiver request to the
regional administrator must include the board's justification for the waiver. A
regional administrator's disapproval of the board's proposed waiver does not
constitute final agency action, but does provide notice to the board and the
permit applicant that the EPA may object to any board issued permit
issued in the absence of the required information.
1. All applicants must submit the following information:
a. The name, mailing address, and location of the TWTDS for
which the application is submitted;
b. Whether the facility is a Class I Sludge Management
Facility;
c. The design flow rate (in million gallons per day);
d. The total population served;
e. The TWTDS's status as federal, state, private, public, or
other entity;
f. The name, mailing address, and telephone number,
and electronic mail address of the applicant; and
g. Indication whether the applicant is the owner, operator, or
both.
2. All applicants must submit the facility's VPDES permit
number, if applicable, and a listing of all other federal, state, and local
permits or construction approvals received or applied for under any of the
following programs:
a. Hazardous Waste Management program under the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA);
b. UIC program under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA);
c. NPDES program under the Clean Water Act (CWA);
d. Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program under
the Clean Air Act;
e. Nonattainment program under the Clean Air Act;
f. National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
(NESHAPS) preconstruction approval under the Clean Air Act;
g. Dredge or fill permits under § 404 of the CWA;
h. Other relevant environmental permits, including state or
local permits.
3. All applicants must identify any generation, treatment,
storage, land application of biosolids, or disposal of sewage sludge that
occurs in Indian country.
4. All applicants must submit a topographic map (or other map
if a topographic map is unavailable) extending one mile beyond property
boundaries of the facility and showing the following information:
a. All sewage sludge management facilities, including on-site
treatment, storage, and disposal sites; and
b. Wells, springs, and other surface water bodies that are
within 1/4 mile of the property boundaries and listed in public records or
otherwise known to the applicant.
5. All applicants must submit a line drawing and/or or
a narrative description that identifies all sewage sludge management practices
employed during the term of the permit, including all units used for
collecting, dewatering, storing, or treating sewage sludge; the destination(s)
destination of all liquids and solids leaving each such unit; and all
processes used for pathogen reduction and vector attraction reduction.
6. All applicants must submit an odor control plan that
contains at minimum:
a. Methods used to minimize odor in producing biosolids;
b. Methods used to identify malodorous biosolids before land
application (at the generating facility);
c. Methods used to identify and abate malodorous biosolids
that have been delivered to the field, prior to land application; and
d. Methods used to abate malodor from biosolids if land
applied.
7. The applicant must submit biosolids monitoring data for the
pollutants for which limits in biosolids have been established in Part VI
(9VAC25-31-420 et seq.) of this chapter for the applicant's use or disposal
practices on the date of permit application with the following conditions:
a. When applying for authorization to land apply a biosolids
source not previously included in a VPDES or Virginia Pollution Abatement
Permit, the biosolids shall be sampled and analyzed for PCBs. The sample
results shall be submitted with the permit application or request to add the
source.
b. The board may require sampling for additional pollutants,
as appropriate, on a case-by-case basis.
c. Applicants must provide data from a minimum of three
samples taken within 4-1/2 years prior to the date of the permit application.
Samples must be representative of the biosolids and should be taken at least
one month apart. Existing data may be used in lieu of sampling done solely for
the purpose of this application.
d. Applicants must collect and analyze samples in accordance
with analytical methods specified in 9VAC25-31-490, 40 CFR Part 503 (March 26,
2007), and 40 CFR Part 136 (March 26, 2007).
e. The monitoring data provided must include at least the
following information for each parameter:
(1) Average monthly concentration for all samples (mg/kg dry
weight), based upon actual sample values;
(2) The analytical method used; and
(3) The method detection level.
8. If the applicant is a person who prepares biosolids or
sewage sludge, as defined in 9VAC25-31-500, the applicant must provide the
following information:
a. If the applicant's facility generates biosolids or sewage
sludge, the total dry metric tons per 365-day period generated at the facility.
b. If the applicant's facility receives biosolids or sewage
sludge from another facility, the following information for each facility from
which biosolids or sewage sludge is received:
(1) The name, mailing address, and location of the other
facility;
(2) The total dry metric tons per 365-day period received from
the other facility; and
(3) A description of any treatment processes occurring at the
other facility, including blending activities and treatment to reduce pathogens
or vector attraction characteristics.
c. If the applicant's facility changes the quality of
biosolids or sewage sludge through blending, treatment, or other activities,
the following information:
(1) Whether the Class A pathogen reduction requirements in
9VAC25-31-710 A or the Class B pathogen reduction requirements in 9VAC25-31-710
B are met, and a description of any treatment processes used to reduce
pathogens in sewage sludge;
(2) Whether any of the vector attraction reduction options of
9VAC25-31-720 B 1 through 8 are met, and a description of any treatment
processes used to reduce vector attraction properties in sewage sludge; and
(3) A description of any other blending, treatment, or other
activities that change the quality of sewage sludge.
d. If biosolids from the applicant's facility meets the ceiling
concentrations in 9VAC25-31-540 B Table 1, the pollutant concentrations in
9VAC25-31-540 B Table 3, the Class A pathogen requirements in 9VAC25-31-710 A,
and one of the vector attraction reduction requirements in 9VAC25-31-720 B 1
through 8, and if the biosolids is applied to the land, the applicant must
provide the total dry metric tons per 365-day period of sewage sludge subject
to this subsection that is applied to the land.
e. If biosolids from the applicant's facility is sold or given
away in a bag or other container for application to the land, and the biosolids
is not subject to subdivision 8 d of this subsection, the applicant must
provide the following information:
(1) The total dry metric tons per 365-day period of biosolids
subject to this subsection that is sold or given away in a bag or other
container for application to the land; and
(2) A copy of all labels or notices that accompany the
biosolids being sold or given away.
f. If biosolids or sewage sludge from the applicant's facility
is provided to another person who prepares biosolids, as defined in
9VAC25-31-500, and the biosolids is not subject to subdivision 8 d of this
subsection, the applicant must provide the following information for each
facility receiving the biosolids or sewage sludge:
(1) The name and, mailing address, and
electronic mail address of the receiving facility;
(2) The total dry metric tons per 365-day period of biosolids
or sewage sludge subject to this subsection that the applicant provides to the
receiving facility;
(3) A description of any treatment processes occurring at the
receiving facility, including blending activities and treatment to reduce
pathogens or vector attraction characteristic;
(4) A copy of the notice and necessary information that the applicant
is required to provide the receiving facility under 9VAC25-31-530 G; and
(5) If the receiving facility places biosolids in bags or
containers for sale or give-away for application to the land, a copy of any
labels or notices that accompany the biosolids.
9. If biosolids from the applicant's facility is applied to
the land in bulk form and is not subject to subdivision 8 d, e, or f of this
subsection, the applicant must provide the following information:
a. Written permission of landowners on the most current form
approved by the board.
b. The total dry metric tons per 365-day period of biosolids
subject to this subsection that is applied to the land.
c. If any land application sites are located in states other
than the state where the biosolids is prepared, a description of how the
applicant will notify the permitting authority for the state(s) state
where the land application sites are located.
d. The following information for each land application site
that has been identified at the time of permit application:
(1) The DEQ control number, if previously assigned,
identifying the land application field or site. If a DEQ control number has not
been assigned, provide the site identification code used by the permit
applicant to report activities and the site's location;
(2) The site's latitude and longitude in decimal degrees to
three decimal places and method of determination;
(3) A legible topographic map and aerial photograph, including
legend, of proposed application areas to scale as needed to depict the
following features:
(a) Property boundaries;
(b) Surface water courses;
(c) Water supply wells and springs;
(d) Roadways;
(e) Rock outcrops;
(f) Slopes;
(g) Frequently flooded areas (National Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) designation);
(h) Occupied dwellings within 400 feet of the property
boundaries and all existing extended dwelling and property line setback
distances;
(i) Publicly accessible properties and occupied buildings
within 400 feet of the property boundaries and the associated extended setback
distances; and
(j) The gross acreage of the fields where biosolids will be
applied;
(4) County map or other map of sufficient detail to show
general location of the site and proposed transport vehicle haul routes to be
utilized from the treatment plant;
(5) County tax maps labeled with Tax Parcel ID or IDs for each
farm to be included in the permit, which may include multiple fields, to depict
properties within 400 feet of the field boundaries;
(6) A USDA soil survey map, if available, of proposed sites
for land application of biosolids;
(7) The name, mailing address, and telephone number,
and electronic mail address of each site owner, if different from the
applicant;
(8) The name, mailing address, and telephone number,
and electronic mail address of the person who applies biosolids to the
site, if different from the applicant;
(9) Whether the site is agricultural land, forest, a public
contact site, or a reclamation site, as such site types are defined in
9VAC25-31-500;
(10) Description of agricultural practices including a list of
proposed crops to be grown;
(11) Whether either of the vector attraction reduction options
of 9VAC25-31-720 B 9 or 10 is met at the site, and a description of any
procedures employed at the time of use to reduce vector attraction properties
in biosolids;
(12) Pertinent calculations justifying storage and land area
requirements for biosolids application including an annual biosolids balance
incorporating such factors as precipitation, evapotranspiration, soil
percolation rates, wastewater loading, and monthly storage (input and drawdown);
and
(13) Other information that describes how the site will be
managed, as specified by the board.
e. The following information for each land application site
that has been identified at the time of permit application, if the applicant
intends to apply bulk biosolids subject to the cumulative pollutant loading
rates in 9VAC25-31-540 B Table 2 to the site:
(1) Whether the applicant has contacted the permitting
authority in the state where the bulk biosolids subject to 9VAC25-31-540 B
Table 2 will be applied, to ascertain whether bulk biosolids subject to
9VAC25-31-540 B Table 2 has been applied to the site on or since July 20, 1993,
and if so, the name of the permitting authority and the name and,
phone number, and electronic mail address, if available, of a contact
person at the permitting authority; and
(2) Identification of facilities other than the applicant's
facility that have sent, or are sending, biosolids subject to the cumulative
pollutant loading rates in 9VAC25-31-540 B Table 2 to the site since July 20,
1993, if, based on the inquiry in subdivision 9 e (1) of this subsection, bulk
biosolids subject to cumulative pollutant loading rates in 9VAC25-31-540 B
Table 2 has been applied to the site since July 20, 1993.
10. Biosolids storage facilities not located at the site of
the wastewater treatment plant. Plans and specifications for biosolids storage
facilities not located at the site of the wastewater treatment plant generating
the biosolids, including routine and on-site storage, shall be submitted for
issuance of a certificate to construct and a certificate to operate in
accordance with the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790)
and shall depict the following information:
a. Site layout on a recent 7.5 minute topographic quadrangle
or other appropriate scaled map;
b. Location of any required soil, geologic, and hydrologic
test holes or borings;
c. Location of the following field features within 0.25 miles
of the site boundary (indicate on map) with the approximate distances from the
site boundary:
(1) Water wells (operating or abandoned);
(2) Surface waters;
(3) Springs;
(4) Public water supplies;
(5) Sinkholes;
(6) Underground and surface mines;
(7) Mine pool (or other) surface water discharge points;
(8) Mining spoil piles and mine dumps;
(9) Quarries;
(10) Sand and gravel pits;
(11) Gas and oil wells;
(12) Diversion ditches;
(13) Occupied dwellings, including industrial and commercial
establishments;
(14) Landfills and dumps;
(15) Other unlined impoundments;
(16) Septic tanks and drainfields; and
(17) Injection wells;
d. Topographic map (10-foot contour preferred) of sufficient
detail to clearly show the following information:
(1) Maximum and minimum percent slopes;
(2) Depressions on the site that may collect water;
(3) Drainage ways that may attribute to rainfall run-on to or
run-off from this site; and
(4) Portions of the site, if any, that are located within the
100-year floodplain;
e. Data and specifications for the liner proposed for seepage
control;
f. Scaled plan view and cross-sectional view of the facilities
showing inside and outside slopes of all embankments and details of all
appurtenances;
g. Calculations justifying impoundment capacity; and
h. Groundwater monitoring plans for the facilities if required
by the department. The groundwater monitoring plan shall include pertinent
geohydrological data to justify upgradient and downgradient well location and
depth.
11. Staging. Generic plans are required for staging of
biosolids.
12. A biosolids management plan shall be provided that
includes the following minimum site specific information at the time of permit
application:
a. A comprehensive, general description of the operation shall
be provided, including biosolids source or sources, quantities, flow diagram
illustrating treatment works biosolids flows and solids handling units, site
description, methodology of biosolids handling for application periods,
including storage and nonapplication period storage, and alternative management
methods when storage is not provided.
b. A nutrient management plan approved by the Department of
Conservation and Recreation as required for application sites prior to board
authorization under the following conditions:
(1) Sites operated by an owner or lessee of a confined animal
feeding operation, as defined in subsection A of § 62.1-44.17:1 of the
Code of Virginia, or confined poultry feeding operation, as defined in
subsection A of § 62.1-44.17:1.1 of the Code of Virginia;
(2) Sites where land application is proposed more frequently
than once every three years at greater than 50% of the annual agronomic rate;
(3) Mined or disturbed land sites where land application is
proposed at greater than agronomic rates; or
(4) Other sites based on site-specific conditions that
increase the risk that land application may adversely impact state waters.
13. Biosolids transport.
a. General description of transport vehicles to be used;
b. Procedures for biosolids offloading at the biosolids
facilities and the land application site together with spill prevention,
cleanup (including vehicle cleaning), field reclamation, and emergency spill
notification and cleanup measures; and
c. Voucher system used for documentation and recordkeeping.
14. Field operations.
a. Storage.
(1) Routine storage at facilities not located at the site of
the wastewater treatment plant – supernatant handling and disposal, biosolids
handling, and loading of transport vehicles, equipment cleaning, freeboard
maintenance, and inspections for structural integrity;
(2) On-site storage – procedures for department/board approval
and implementation;
(3) Staging – procedures to be followed including either
designated site locations provided in the "Design Information" or the
specific site criteria for such locations including the liner/cover
requirements and the time limit assigned to such use; and
(4) Field reestablishment of offloading (staging) areas.
b. Application methodology.
(1) Description and specifications on spreader vehicles;
(2) Procedures for calibrating equipment for various biosolids
contents to ensure uniform distribution and appropriate loading rates on a
day-to-day basis; and
(3) Procedures used to ensure that operations address the
following constraints: application of biosolids to frozen ground, pasture/hay
fields, crops for direct human consumption and saturated or ice-covered or
snow-covered ground; establishment of setback distances, slopes, prohibited
access for beef and dairy animals, and soil pH requirements; and proper site
specific biosolids loading rates on a field-by-field basis.
15. An applicant for a permit authorizing the land application
of biosolids shall provide to the department, and to each locality in which the
applicant proposes to land apply biosolids, written evidence of financial
responsibility. Evidence of financial responsibility shall be provided in
accordance with requirements specified in Article 6 (9VAC25-32-770 et seq.) of
Part IX (9VAC25-32-303 et seq.) of the Virginia Pollution Abatement (VPA)
Permit Regulation.
16. If sewage sludge from the applicant's facility is placed
on a surface disposal site, the applicant must provide the following
information:
a. The total dry metric tons of sewage sludge from the
applicant's facility that is placed on surface disposal sites per 365-day
period.
b. The following information for each surface disposal site
receiving sewage sludge from the applicant's facility that the applicant does
not own or operate:
(1) The site name or number, contact person, mailing address, and
telephone number, and electronic mail address for the surface disposal
site; and
(2) The total dry metric tons from the applicant's facility
per 365-day period placed on the surface disposal site.
c. The following information for each active sewage sludge
unit at each surface disposal site that the applicant owns or operates:
(1) The name or number and the location of the active sewage
sludge unit;
(2) The unit's latitude and longitude to the nearest second,
and method of determination;
(3) If not already provided, a topographic map (or other map
if a topographic map is unavailable) that shows the unit's location;
(4) The total dry metric tons placed on the active sewage
sludge unit per 365-day period;
(5) The total dry metric tons placed on the active sewage
sludge unit over the life of the unit;
(6) A description of any liner for the active sewage sludge
unit, including whether it has a maximum permeability of 1 X 10-7cm/sec;
(7) A description of any leachate collection system for the
active sewage sludge unit, including the method used for leachate disposal, and
any federal, state, and local permit number(s) for leachate disposal;
(8) If the active sewage sludge unit is less than 150 meters
from the property line of the surface disposal site, the actual distance from
the unit boundary to the site property line;
(9) The remaining capacity (dry metric tons) for the active
sewage sludge unit;
(10) The date on which the active sewage sludge unit is
expected to close, if such a date has been identified;
(11) The following information for any other facility that
sends sewage sludge to the active sewage sludge unit:
(a) The name, contact person, and mailing address,
and electronic mail address of the facility; and
(b) Available information regarding the quality of the sewage
sludge received from the facility, including any treatment at the facility to
reduce pathogens or vector attraction characteristics;
(12) Whether any of the vector attraction reduction options of
9VAC25-31-720 B 9 through 11 is met at the active sewage sludge unit, and a
description of any procedures employed at the time of disposal to reduce vector
attraction properties in sewage sludge;
(13) The following information, as applicable to any
groundwater monitoring occurring at the active sewage sludge unit:
(a) A description of any groundwater monitoring occurring at
the active sewage sludge unit;
(b) Any available groundwater monitoring data, with a
description of the well locations and approximate depth to groundwater;
(c) A copy of any groundwater monitoring plan that has been prepared
for the active sewage sludge unit;
(d) A copy of any certification that has been obtained from a
qualified groundwater scientist that the aquifer has not been contaminated; and
(14) If site-specific pollutant limits are being sought for
the sewage sludge placed on this active sewage sludge unit, information to
support such a request.
17. If sewage sludge from the applicant's facility is fired in
a sewage sludge incinerator, the applicant must provide the following
information:
a. The total dry metric tons of sewage sludge from the
applicant's facility that is fired in sewage sludge incinerators per 365-day
period.
b. The following information for each sewage sludge
incinerator firing the applicant's sewage sludge that the applicant does not
own or operate:
(1) The name and/or or number, contact person,
mailing address, and telephone number, and electronic mail address
of the sewage sludge incinerator; and
(2) The total dry metric tons from the applicant's facility
per 365-day period fired in the sewage sludge incinerator.
18. If sewage sludge from the applicant's facility is sent to
a municipal solid waste landfill (MSWLF), the applicant must provide the
following information for each MSWLF to which sewage sludge is sent:
a. The name, contact person, mailing address, electronic
mail address, location, and all applicable permit numbers of the MSWLF;
b. The total dry metric tons per 365-day period sent from this
facility to the MSWLF;
c. A determination of whether the sewage sludge meets
applicable requirements for disposal of sewage sludge in a MSWLF, including the
results of the paint filter liquids test and any additional requirements that
apply on a site-specific basis; and
d. Information, if known, indicating whether the MSWLF
complies with criteria set forth in the Solid Waste Management Regulations,
9VAC20-81.
19. All applicants must provide the name, mailing address,
telephone number, electronic mail address, and responsibilities of all
contractors responsible for any operational or maintenance aspects of the
facility related to biosolids or sewage sludge generation, treatment, use, or
disposal.
20. At the request of the board, the applicant must provide
any other information necessary to determine the appropriate standards for
permitting under Part VI (9VAC25-31-420 et seq.) of this chapter, and must
provide any other information necessary to assess the biosolids use and sewage
sludge disposal practices, determine whether to issue a permit, or identify
appropriate permit requirements; and pertinent plans, specifications, maps and
such other relevant information as may be required, in scope and details
satisfactory to the board.
21. All applications must be signed by a certifying official
in compliance with 9VAC25-31-110.
R. Applications for facilities
with cooling water intake structures.
1. Application requirements. New facilities with new or
modified cooling water intake structures. New facilities with cooling water
intake structures as defined in 9VAC25-31-165 must report the information
required under subdivisions 2, 3, and 4 of this subsection and under
9VAC25-31-165. Requests for alternative requirements under 9VAC25-31-165 must
be submitted with the permit application.
2. Source water physical data. These include:
a. A narrative description and scaled drawings showing the
physical configuration of all source water bodies used by the facility,
including area dimensions, depths, salinity and temperature regimes, and other
documentation that supports the determination of the water body type where each
cooling water intake structure is located;
b. Identification and characterization of the source water
body's hydrological and geomorphologic features, as well as the methods used to
conduct any physical studies to determine the intake's area of influence within
the water body and the results of such studies; and
c. Location maps.
3. Cooling water intake structure data. These include:
a. A narrative description of the configuration of each
cooling water intake structure and where it is located in the water body and in
the water column;
b. Latitude and longitude in degrees, minutes, and seconds for
each cooling water intake structure;
c. A narrative description of the operation of each cooling
water intake structure, including design intake flow, daily hours of operation,
number of days of the year in operation and seasonal changes, if applicable;
d. A flow distribution and water balance diagram that includes
all sources of water to the facility, recirculation flows and discharges; and
e. Engineering drawings of the cooling water intake structure.
4. Source water baseline biological characterization data.
This information is required to characterize the biological community in the
vicinity of the cooling water intake structure and to characterize the
operation of the cooling water intake structures. The department may also use
this information in subsequent permit renewal proceedings to determine if the
design and construction technology plan as required in 9VAC25-31-165 should be
revised. This supporting information must include existing data if available.
Existing data may be supplemented with data from newly conducted field studies.
The information must include:
a. A list of the data in subdivisions 4 b through 4 f of this
subsection that is not available and efforts made to identify sources of the
data;
b. A list of species (or relevant taxa) for all life stages
and their relative abundance in the vicinity of the cooling water intake
structure;
c. Identification of the species and life stages that would be
most susceptible to impingement and entrainment. Species evaluated should
include the forage base as well as those most important in terms of
significance to commercial and recreational fisheries;
d. Identification and evaluation of the primary period of
reproduction, larval recruitment, and period of peak abundance for relevant
taxa;
e. Data representative of the seasonal and daily activities
(e.g., feeding and water column migration) of biological organisms in the
vicinity of the cooling water intake structure;
f. Identification of all threatened, endangered, and other
protected species that might be susceptible to impingement and entrainment at
the cooling water intake structures;
g. Documentation of any public participation or consultation
with federal or state agencies undertaken in development of the plan; and
h. If information requested in this subdivision 4 is
supplemented with data collected using field studies, supporting documentation
for the source water baseline biological characterization must include a
description of all methods and quality assurance procedures for sampling, and
data analysis including a description of the study area; taxonomic
identification of sampled and evaluated biological assemblages (including all
life stages of fish and shellfish); and sampling and data analysis methods. The
sampling and/or data analysis methods used must be appropriate for a
quantitative survey and based on consideration of methods used in other
biological studies performed within the same source water body. The study area
should include, at a minimum, the area of influence of the cooling water intake
structure.
9VAC25-31-120. Storm water Stormwater discharges.
A. Permit requirements.
1. Prior to October 1, 1994, discharges composed entirely of storm
water stormwater shall not be required to obtain a VPDES permit
except:
a. A discharge with respect to which a permit has been issued
prior to February 4, 1987;
b. A discharge associated with industrial activity; or
c. A discharge which either the board or the regional
administrator determines to contribute to a violation of a water quality
standard or is a significant contributor of pollutants to surface waters. This
designation may include a discharge from any conveyance or system of
conveyances used for collecting and conveying storm water stormwater
run-off, except for those discharges from conveyances which do not require a
permit under subdivision 2 of this subsection or agricultural storm water
stormwater run-off which is exempted from the definition of point
source.
2. The board may not require a permit for discharges of storm
water stormwater run-off from mining operations or oil and gas
exploration, production, processing or treatment operations, or transmission
facilities, composed entirely of flows which are from conveyances or systems of
conveyances (including but not limited to pipes, conduits, ditches, and
channels) used for collecting and conveying precipitation run-off and which are
not contaminated by contact with or that has not come into contact with, any
overburden, raw material, intermediate products, finished product, by-product
or waste products located on the site of such operations.
3. In addition to meeting the requirements of subsection B of
this section, an operator of a storm water stormwater discharge
associated with industrial activity which discharges through a large or medium
municipal separate storm sewer system shall submit, to the operator of the
municipal separate storm sewer system receiving the discharge no later than May
15, 1991, or 180 days prior to commencing such discharge: the name of the
facility; a contact person and phone number; the location of the discharge; a
description, including Standard Industrial Classification, which best reflects
the principal products or services provided by each facility; and any existing
VPDES permit number.
4. For storm water stormwater discharges
associated with industrial activity from point sources which discharge through
a nonmunicipal or nonpublicly owned separate storm sewer system, the board, in
its discretion, may issue: a single VPDES permit, with each discharger a
co-permittee to a permit issued to the operator of the portion of the system
that discharges into surface waters; or, individual permits to each discharger
of storm water stormwater associated with industrial activity
through the nonmunicipal conveyance system.
a. All storm water stormwater discharges
associated with industrial activity that discharge through a storm water
stormwater discharge system that is not a municipal separate storm sewer
must be covered by an individual permit, or a permit issued to the operator of
the portion of the system that discharges to surface waters, with each
discharger to the nonmunicipal conveyance a co-permittee to that permit.
b. Where there is more than one operator of a single system of
such conveyances, all operators of storm water stormwater
discharges associated with industrial activity must submit applications.
c. Any permit covering more than one operator shall identify
the effluent limitations, or other permit conditions, if any, that apply to
each operator.
5. Conveyances that discharge storm water stormwater
run-off combined with municipal sewage are point sources that must obtain VPDES
permits in accordance with the procedures of 9VAC25-31-100 and are not subject
to the provisions of this section.
6. Whether a discharge from a municipal separate storm sewer
is or is not subject to VPDES regulation shall have no bearing on whether the
owner or operator of the discharge is eligible for funding under Title II,
Title III or Title VI of the CWA.
7. a. On and after October 1, 1994, for discharges composed
entirely of storm water, stormwater, that are not required by
subdivision 1 of this subsection to obtain a permit, operators shall be
required to obtain a VPDES permit only if:
(1) The board or the EPA regional administrator determines
that storm water stormwater controls are needed for the discharge
based on wasteload allocations that are part of "total maximum daily
loads" (TMDLs) that address the pollutant(s) of concern; or
(2) The board or the EPA regional administrator determines
that the discharge, or category of discharges within a geographic area,
contributes to a violation of a water quality standard or is a significant
contributor of pollutants to surface waters.
b. Operators of nonmunicipal sources designated pursuant to
subdivisions 7 a (1) and (2) of this subsection shall seek coverage under a
VPDES permit in accordance with subdivision B 1 of this section.
c. Operators of storm water stormwater discharges
designated pursuant to subdivisions 7 a (1) and (2) of this subsection shall
apply to the board for a permit within 180 days of receipt of notice, unless
permission for a later date is granted by the board.
B. Application requirements for storm water stormwater
discharges associated with industrial activity.
1. Dischargers of storm water stormwater
associated with industrial activity are required to apply for an individual
permit or seek coverage under a promulgated storm water stormwater
general permit. Facilities that are required to obtain an individual permit, or
any discharge of storm water stormwater which the board is
evaluating for designation under subdivision A 1 c of this section, shall
submit a VPDES application in accordance with the requirements of 9VAC25-31-100
as modified and supplemented by the provisions of this subsection.
a. Except as provided in subdivisions 1 b and c of this
subsection, the operator of a storm water stormwater discharge
associated with industrial activity subject to this section shall provide:
(1) A site map showing topography (or indicating the outline
of drainage areas served by the outfall or outfalls covered in the application
if a topographic map is unavailable) of the facility including: each of its
drainage and discharge structures; the drainage area of each storm water
stormwater outfall; paved areas and buildings within the drainage area
of each storm water stormwater outfall, each past or present area
used for outdoor storage or disposal of significant materials, each existing
structural control measure to reduce pollutants in storm water stormwater
run-off, materials loading and access areas, areas where pesticides,
herbicides, soil conditioners and fertilizers are applied, each of its
hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal facilities (including each area
not required to have a RCRA permit which that is used for
accumulating hazardous waste under 40 CFR 262.34); each well where fluids from
the facility are injected underground; springs, and other surface water bodies
which receive storm water stormwater discharges from the
facility;
(2) An estimate of the area of impervious surfaces (including
paved areas and building roofs) and the total area drained by each outfall
(within a mile radius of the facility) and a narrative description of the
following: Significant materials that in the three years prior to the submittal
of this application have been treated, stored or disposed in a manner to allow
exposure to storm water stormwater; method of treatment, storage
or disposal of such materials; materials management practices employed, in the
three years prior to the submittal of this application, to minimize contact by
these materials with storm water stormwater runoff; materials
loading and access areas; the location, manner and frequency in which
pesticides, herbicides, soil conditioners and fertilizers are applied; the
location and a description of existing structural and nonstructural control
measures to reduce pollutants in storm water stormwater runoff;
and a description of the treatment the storm water stormwater
receives, including the ultimate disposal of any solid or fluid wastes other
than by discharge;
(3) A certification that all outfalls that should contain storm
water stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity have
been tested or evaluated for the presence of nonstorm water nonstormwater
discharges which that are not covered by a VPDES permit; tests
for such nonstorm water nonstormwater discharges may include
smoke tests, fluorometric dye tests, analysis of accurate schematics, as well
as other appropriate tests. The certification shall include a description of
the method used, the date of any testing, and the onsite drainage points that
were directly observed during a test;
(4) Existing information regarding significant leaks or spills
of toxic or hazardous pollutants at the facility that have taken place within
the three years prior to the submittal of this application;
(5) Quantitative data based on samples collected during storm
events and collected in accordance with 9VAC25-31-100 of this part from all
outfalls containing a storm water stormwater discharge associated
with industrial activity for the following parameters:
(a) Any pollutant limited in an effluent guideline to which
the facility is subject;
(b) Any pollutant listed in the facility's VPDES permit for
its process wastewater (if the facility is operating under an existing VPDES
permit);
(c) Oil and grease, pH, BOD5, COD, TSS, total
phosphorus, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, and nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen;
(d) Any information on the discharge required under
9VAC25-31-100 G 7 f and g;
(e) Flow measurements or estimates of the flow rate, and the
total amount of discharge for the storm event or events sampled, and the method
of flow measurement or estimation; and
(f) The date and duration (in hours) of the storm event or
events sampled, rainfall measurements or estimates of the storm event (in
inches) which generated the sampled run-off and the duration between the storm
event sampled and the end of the previous measurable (greater than 0.1 inch
rainfall) storm event (in hours);
(6) Operators of a discharge which is composed entirely of storm
water stormwater are exempt from the requirements of 9VAC25-31-100 G
2, G 3, G 4, G 5, G 7 c, G 7 d, G 7 e, and G 7 h; and
(7) Operators of new sources or new discharges which that
are composed in part or entirely of storm water stormwater must
include estimates for the pollutants or parameters listed in subdivision 1 a
(5) of this subsection instead of actual sampling data, along with the source
of each estimate. Operators of new sources or new discharges composed in part
or entirely of storm water stormwater must provide quantitative
data for the parameters listed in subdivision 1 a (5) of this subsection within
two years after commencement of discharge, unless such data has already been
reported under the monitoring requirements of the VPDES permit for the
discharge. Operators of a new source or new discharge which that
is composed entirely of storm water stormwater are exempt from
the requirements of 9VAC25-31-100 K 3 b, K 3 c, and K 5.
b. The operator of an existing or new discharge composed
entirely of storm water stormwater from an oil or gas
exploration, production, processing, or treatment operation, or transmission
facility is not required to submit a permit application in accordance with
subdivision 1 a of this subsection, unless the facility:
(1) Has had a discharge of storm water stormwater
resulting in the discharge of a reportable quantity for which notification is
or was required pursuant to 40 CFR 117.21 or 40 CFR 302.6 at any time since
November 16, 1987;
(2) Has had a discharge of storm water stormwater
resulting in the discharge of a reportable quantity for which notification is
or was required pursuant to 40 CFR 110.6 at any time since November 16, 1987;
or
(3) Contributes to a violation of a water quality standard.
c. The operator of an existing or new discharge composed
entirely of storm water stormwater from a mining operation is not
required to submit a permit application unless the discharge has come into
contact with any overburden, raw material, intermediate products, finished
product, byproduct, or waste products located on the site of such
operations.
d. Applicants shall provide such other information the board
may reasonably require to determine whether to issue a permit.
2. No application for a VPDES permit authorizing direct or
indirect discharge of stormwater runoff from a new municipal solid waste
landfill into a local watershed protection district established and designated
as such by city ordinance prior to January 1, 2006, shall be considered
complete unless it contains certification from the local governing body of the
city in which the discharge is to take place, that the discharge is consistent
with the city's ordinance establishing and designating the local watershed
protection district. This requirement shall apply to applications for new or
modified individual VPDES permits and for new or modified coverage under
general VPDES permits. This requirement does not apply to any municipal solid
waste landfill in operation on or before January 1, 2006.
C. Application deadlines. Any operator of a point source
required to obtain a permit under this section that does not have an effective
VPDES permit authorizing discharges from its storm water stormwater
outfalls shall submit an application in accordance with the following
deadlines:
1. Individual applications.
a. Except as provided in subdivision 1 b of this subsection,
for any storm water stormwater discharge associated with
industrial activity as defined in this chapter which is not authorized by a storm
water stormwater general permit, a permit application made pursuant
to subsection B of this section shall be submitted to the department by October
1, 1992;
b. For any storm water stormwater discharge
associated with industrial activity from a facility that is owned or operated
by a municipality with a population of less than 100,000 that is not authorized
by a general or individual permit, other than an airport, powerplant, or
uncontrolled sanitary landfill, permit applications must be submitted to the
department by March 10, 2003;
2. A permit application shall be submitted to the department
within 180 days of notice, unless permission for a later date is granted by the
board, for:
a. A storm water stormwater discharge which
either the board or the regional administrator, determines that the discharge
contributes to a violation of a water quality standard or is a significant
contributor of pollutants to surface waters; or
b. A storm water stormwater discharge subject to
subdivision B 1 d of this section;
3. Facilities with existing VPDES permits for storm water
stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity shall maintain
existing permits. Facilities with permits for storm water stormwater
discharges associated with industrial activity which expire on or after May 18,
1992, shall submit a new application in accordance with the requirements of
9VAC25-31-100 and 9VAC25-31-120 B (Form 1, Form 2F, and other applicable forms)
180 days before the expiration of such permits.
D. Petitions.
1. Any person may petition the board to require a VPDES permit
for a discharge which that is composed entirely of storm water
stormwater which contributes to a violation of a water quality standard
or is a significant contributor of pollutants to surface waters.
2. The board shall make a final determination on any petition
received under this section within 90 days after receiving the petition.
E. Conditional exclusion for no exposure of industrial
activities and materials to storm water. stormwater. Discharges
composed entirely of storm water stormwater are not storm
water stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity if
there is no exposure of industrial materials and activities to rain, snow, snowmelt
or run-off and the discharger satisfies the conditions in subdivisions 1
through 4 of this subsection. No exposure means that all industrial materials
and activities are protected by a storm resistant shelter to prevent exposure
to rain, snow, snowmelt, and run-off. Industrial materials or activities
include, but are not limited to, material handling equipment or
activities, industrial machinery, raw materials, intermediate products,
by-products, final products, or waste products. Material handling activities
include the storage, loading and unloading, transportation, or conveyance of
any raw material, intermediate product, final product or waste product.
1. To qualify for this exclusion, the operator of the
discharge must:
a. Provide a storm resistant shelter to protect industrial
materials and activities from exposure to rain, snow, snow melt, and run-off;
b. Complete and sign (according to 9VAC25-31-110) a
certification that there are no discharges of storm water stormwater
contaminated by exposure to industrial materials and activities from the entire
facility, except as provided in subdivision 2 of this subsection;
c. Submit the signed certification to the department once
every five years. As of the start date in Table 1 of 9VAC25-31-1020, all certifications
submitted in compliance with this section shall be submitted electronically by
the owner or operator to the department in compliance with this section and 40
CFR Part 3 (including, in all cases, 40 CFR Part 3 Subpart D), 9VAC25-31-110,
and Part XI (9VAC25-31-950 et seq.) of this chapter. Part XI of this chapter is
not intended to undo existing requirements for electronic reporting. Prior to
this date, and independent of Part XI of this chapter, owners or operators may
be required to report electronically if specified by a particular permit;
d. Allow the department to inspect the facility to determine
compliance with the no exposure conditions;
e. Allow the department to make any no exposure inspection
reports available to the public upon request; and
f. For facilities that discharge through an MS4, upon request,
submit a copy of the certification of no exposure to the MS4 operator, as well
as allow inspection and public reporting by the MS4 operator.
2. Storm resistant shelter is not required for:
a. Drums, barrels, tanks, and similar containers that are
tightly sealed, provided those containers are not deteriorated and do not leak
("sealed" means banded or otherwise secured and without operational
taps or valves);
b. Adequately maintained vehicles used in material handling;
and
c. Final products, other than products that would be mobilized
in storm water stormwater discharge (e.g., rock salt).
3. a. This conditional exclusion from the requirement for a
VPDES permit is available on a facility-wide basis only, not for individual
outfalls. If a facility has some discharges of storm water stormwater
that would otherwise be no exposure discharges, individual permit requirements
should be adjusted accordingly.
b. If circumstances change and industrial materials or
activities become exposed to rain, snow, snow melt, or run-off, the conditions
for this exclusion no longer apply. In such cases, the discharge becomes
subject to enforcement for unpermitted discharge. Any conditionally exempt
discharger who anticipates changes in circumstances should apply for and obtain
permit authorization prior to the change of circumstances.
c. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, the
board retains the authority to require permit authorization (and deny this
exclusion) upon making a determination that the discharge causes, has a
reasonable potential to cause, or contributes to an instream excursion above an
applicable water quality standard, including designated uses.
4. The no exposure certification requires the submission of
the following information, at a minimum, to aid the board in determining if the
facility qualifies for the no exposure exclusion:
a. The legal name, address, and phone number of the
discharger.
b. The facility name and address, the county name and the
latitude and longitude where the facility is located.
c. Certification that indicates that none of the following
materials or activities are, or will be in the foreseeable future, exposed to
precipitation:
(1) Using, storing, or cleaning industrial machinery or
equipment, and areas where residuals from using, storing, or cleaning
industrial machinery or equipment remain and are exposed to storm water stormwater;
(2) Materials or residuals on the ground or in storm water
stormwater inlets from spills/leaks;
(3) Materials or products from past industrial activity;
(4) Material handling equipment (except adequately maintained
vehicles);
(5) Materials or products during loading/unloading or
transporting activities;
(6) Materials or products stored outdoors (except final
products intended for outside use, e.g., new cars, where exposure to storm
water stormwater does not result in the discharge of pollutants);
(7) Materials contained in open, deteriorated or leaking storage
drums, barrels, tanks, and similar containers;
(8) Materials or products handled/stored on roads or railways
owned or maintained by the discharger;
(9) Waste material (except waste in covered, nonleaking
containers, e.g., dumpsters);
(10) Application or disposal of process wastewater (unless
otherwise permitted); and
(11) Particulate matter or visible deposits of residuals from
roof stacks/vents not otherwise regulated, i.e., under an air quality control
permit, and evident in the storm water stormwater outflow.
d. All no exposure certifications must include the following
certification statement and be signed in accordance with the signatory
requirements of 9VAC25-31-110: "I certify under penalty of law that I have
read and understand the eligibility requirements for claiming a condition of no
exposure and obtaining an exclusion from VPDES storm water stormwater
permitting; and that there are no discharges of storm water stormwater
contaminated by exposure to industrial activities or materials from the
industrial facility identified in this document (except as allowed under
9VAC25-31-120 E 2). I understand that I am obligated to submit a no exposure
certification form once every five years to the Department of Environmental
Quality and, if requested, to the operator of the local MS4 into which this
facility discharges (where applicable). I understand that I must allow the
department, or MS4 operator where the discharge is into the local MS4, to
perform inspections to confirm the condition of no exposure and to make such
inspection reports publicly available upon request. I understand that I must
obtain coverage under a VPDES permit prior to any point source discharge of storm
water stormwater associated with industrial activity from the
facility. 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 gathered and evaluated the
information submitted. Based upon my inquiry of the person or persons who
manage the system, or those persons directly involved in gathering the
information, the information submitted is to the best of my knowledge and
belief true, accurate and complete. I am aware there are significant penalties
for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and
imprisonment for knowing violations."
9VAC25-31-130. Concentrated animal feeding operations.
A. Permit requirement for CAFOs.
1. Concentrated animal feeding operations as defined in
9VAC25-31-10 or designated in accordance with subsection B of this section are
point sources that require VPDES permits for discharges. Once an operation is
defined as a CAFO, the VPDES requirements for CAFOs apply with respect to all
animals in confinement at the operation and all manure, litter and process
wastewater generated by those animals or the production of those animals,
regardless of the type of animal.
2. Two or more animal feeding operations under common
ownership are considered, for the purposes of this chapter, to be a single
animal feeding operation if they adjoin each other or if they use a common area
or system for the disposal of wastes.
B. Case-by-case designations. The board may designate any
animal feeding operation as a concentrated animal feeding operation upon
determining that it is a significant contributor of pollution to surface
waters.
1. In making this designation the board shall consider the
following factors:
a. The size of the animal feeding operation and the amount of
wastes reaching surface waters;
b. The location of the animal feeding operation relative to
surface waters;
c. The means of conveyance of animal wastes and process
wastewaters into surface waters;
d. The slope, vegetation, rainfall, and other factors
affecting the likelihood or frequency of discharge of animal wastes and process
wastewaters into surface waters; and
e. Other relevant factors.
2. No animal feeding operation with less than the numbers of
animals set forth in the definition of Medium CAFO in this regulation shall be
designated as a concentrated animal feeding operation unless:
a. Pollutants are discharged into surface waters through a
manmade ditch, flushing system, or other similar manmade device; or
b. Pollutants are discharged directly into surface waters
which originate outside of the facility and pass over, across, or through the
facility or otherwise come into direct contact with the animals confined in the
operation.
3. A permit application shall not be required from a concentrated
animal feeding operation designated under this subsection until the board has
conducted an on-site inspection of the operation and determined that the
operation should and could be regulated under the VPDES permit program.
C. VPDES permit authorization.
1. Permit requirement. The owners or operators of a CAFO shall
not discharge unless the discharge is authorized by a VPDES permit. In order to
obtain authorization under a VPDES permit, the CAFO owner or operator shall
either apply for an individual VPDES permit or apply for coverage under a VPDES
general permit. The owners or operators of a CAFO must have obtained
authorization under the VPDES permit at the time that the CAFO discharges.
2. Information to submit with permit application. A permit application
for an individual permit must include the information specified in
9VAC25-31-100 J. A notice of intent for a general permit must include the
information specified in 9VAC25-31-100 J and 9VAC25-31-170.
3. Land application discharges from a CAFO are subject to
VPDES requirements. The discharge of manure, litter or process wastewater to
surface waters from a CAFO as the result of the application of that manure,
litter or process wastewater by the CAFO to land areas under its control is a
discharge from that CAFO subject to VPDES requirements, except where it is an
agricultural storm water stormwater discharge as provided in 33
USC § 1362(14). For purposes of this subdivision, where the manure, litter or
process wastewater has been applied in accordance with a nutrient management
plan approved by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and in
accordance with site specific nutrient management practices that ensure
appropriate agricultural utilization of the nutrients in the manure, litter,
or process wastewater, as specified in subdivisions E 1 f through i of
9VAC25-31-200, a precipitation-related discharge of manure, litter or process
wastewater from land areas under the control of a CAFO is an agricultural storm
water stormwater discharge.
a. For unpermitted Large CAFOs, a precipitation-related
discharge of manure, litter, or process wastewater from land areas under the
control of a CAFO shall be considered an agricultural stormwater discharge only
where the manure, litter, or process wastewater has been land applied in
accordance with site-specific nutrient management practices that ensure
appropriate agricultural utilization of the nutrients in the manure, litter, or
process wastewater, as specified in subdivisions E 1 f through i of 9VAC25-31-200.
b. Unpermitted Large CAFOs shall maintain documentation
specified in subdivision E 1 i of 9VAC25-31-200 either on site or at a nearby
office, or otherwise make such documentation readily available to department
staff upon request.
4. Procedures for CAFOs seeking coverage under a general
permit. CAFO owners or operators shall submit a registration statement when
seeking authorization to discharge under a general permit in accordance with
subsection B of 9VAC25-31-170. The board will review registration statements
submitted by CAFO owners or operators to ensure that the registration statement
includes the information required by subsection J of 9VAC25-31-100, including a
nutrient management plan that meets the requirements of subsection E of
9VAC25-31-200 and applicable effluent limitations and standards, including
those specified in 40 CFR Part 412. When additional information is necessary to
complete the registration statement or clarify, modify, or supplement
previously submitted material, the board may request such information from the
owner or operator. If the board makes a preliminary determination that the
registration statement meets the requirements of subsection J of 9VAC25-31-100
and subsection E of 9VAC25-31-200, the board will notify the public of the
board's proposal to grant coverage under the permit to the CAFO and make
available for public review and comment the registration statement submitted by
the CAFO, including the CAFO's nutrient management plan, and the draft terms of
the nutrient management plan to be incorporated into the permit. The process
for submitting public comments and public hearing requests, and the public
hearing process if a request for a public hearing is granted, shall follow the
procedures applicable to draft permits set forth in 9VAC25-31-300,
9VAC25-31-310, and 40 CFR 124.13. The board may establish, either
by regulation or in the general permit, an appropriate period of time for the
public to comment and request a public hearing that differs from the time
period specified in 9VAC25-31-290. The board's response to significant comments
received during the comment period is governed by 9VAC25-31-320, and, if
necessary, the board will require the CAFO owner or operator to revise the
nutrient management plan in order to be granted permit coverage. When the board
authorizes coverage for the CAFO owner or operator under the general permit,
the terms of the nutrient management plan shall become incorporated as terms
and conditions of the permit for the CAFO. The board will notify the CAFO owner
or operator and inform the public that coverage has been authorized and of the
terms of the nutrient management plan incorporated as terms and conditions of
the permit applicable to the CAFO.
5. Changes to a nutrient management plan. Any permit issued to
a CAFO shall require the following procedures to apply when a CAFO owner or
operator makes changes to the CAFO's nutrient management plan previously
submitted to the board:
a. The CAFO owner or operator shall provide the board with the
most current version of the CAFO's nutrient management plan and identify
changes from the previous version, except that the results of calculations made
in accordance with the requirements of subdivisions E 5 a (2) and E 5 b (4) of
9VAC25-31-200 are not subject to the requirements of this subdivision 5.
b. The board will review the revised nutrient management plan
to ensure that it meets the requirements of this section and applicable
effluent limitations and standards, including those specified in 40 CFR Part
412, and will determine whether the changes to the nutrient management plan
necessitate revision to the terms of the nutrient management plan incorporated
into the permit issued to the CAFO. If revision to the terms of the nutrient
management plan is not necessary, the board will notify the CAFO owner or
operator and upon such notification the CAFO may implement the revised nutrient
management plan. If revision to the terms of the nutrient management plan is
necessary, the board will determine whether such changes are substantial
changes as described in subdivision 5 c of this subsection.
(1) If the board determines that the changes to the terms of
the nutrient management plan are not substantial, the board will make the
revised nutrient management plan publicly available and include it in the
permit record, revise the terms of the nutrient management plan incorporated
into the permit, and notify the owner or operator and inform the public of any
changes to the terms of the nutrient management plan that are incorporated into
the permit.
(2) If the board determines that the changes to the terms of
the nutrient management plan are substantial, the board will notify the public
and make the proposed changes and the information submitted by the CAFO owner
or operator available for public review and comment. The process for public
comments, public hearing requests, and the public hearing process if a public
hearing is held shall follow the procedures applicable to draft permits set
forth in 9VAC25-31-300, 9VAC25-31-310, and 40 CFR 124.13. The board may
establish, either by regulation or in the CAFO's permit, an appropriate period
of time for the public to comment and request a public hearing on the proposed
changes that differs from the time period specified in 9VAC25-31-290. The board
will respond to all significant comments received during the comment period as
provided in 9VAC25-31-320, and require the CAFO owner or operator to further
revise the nutrient management plan if necessary, in order to approve the
revision to the terms of the nutrient management plan incorporated into the
CAFO's permit. Once the board incorporates the revised terms of the nutrient
management plan into the permit, the board will notify the owner or operator
and inform the public of the final decision concerning revisions to the terms
and conditions of the permit.
c. Substantial changes to the terms of a nutrient management
plan incorporated as terms and conditions of a permit include, but are not
limited to:
(1) Addition of new land application areas not previously
included in the CAFO's nutrient management plan. Except that if the land
application area that is being added to the nutrient management plan is covered
by terms of a nutrient management plan incorporated into an existing VPDES
permit in accordance with the requirements of subdivision E 5 of 9VAC25-31-200,
and the CAFO owner or operator applies manure, litter, or process wastewater on
the newly added land application area in accordance with the existing
field-specific permit terms applicable to the newly added land application
area, such addition of new land would be a change to the new CAFO owner or
operator's nutrient management plan but not a substantial change for purposes
of this section;
(2) Any changes to the field-specific maximum annual rates for
land application, as set forth in subdivision E 5 a of 9VAC25-31-200, and to
the maximum amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus derived from all sources for
each crop, as set forth in subdivision E 5 b of 9VAC25-31-200;
(3) Addition of any crop or other uses not included in the
terms of the CAFO's nutrient management plan and corresponding field-specific
rates of application expressed in accordance with subdivision E 5 of
9VAC25-31-200; and
(4) Changes to site-specific components of the CAFO's nutrient
management plan, where such changes are likely to increase the risk of nitrogen
and phosphorus transport to state waters.
6. Causes for modification of nutrient management plans. The
incorporation of the terms of a CAFO's nutrient management plan into the terms
and conditions of a general permit when a CAFO obtains coverage under a general
permit in accordance with subdivision C 4 of 9VAC25-31-130 and 9VAC25-31-170 is
not a cause for modification pursuant to the requirements of 9VAC25-31-370.
9VAC25-31-170. General permits.
A. The board may issue a general permit in accordance with
the following:
1. The general permit shall be written to cover one or more
categories or subcategories of discharges or sludge use or disposal practices
or facilities described in the permit under subdivision 2 b of this subsection,
except those covered by individual permits, within a geographic area. The area
should correspond to existing geographic or political boundaries, such as:
a. Designated planning areas under §§ 208 and 303 of the
CWA;
b. Sewer districts or sewer authorities;
c. City, county, or state political boundaries;
d. State highway systems;
e. Standard metropolitan statistical areas as defined by the
Office of Management and Budget;
f. Urbanized areas as designated by the Bureau of the Census
according to criteria in 30 FR 15202 (May 1, 1974); or
g. Any other appropriate division or combination of
boundaries.
2. The general permit may be written to regulate one or more
categories or subcategories of discharges or sludge use or disposal practices
or facilities, within the area described in subdivision 1 of this subsection,
where the sources within a covered subcategory of discharges are either:
a. Storm water Stormwater point sources; or
b. One or more categories or subcategories of point sources
other than storm water stormwater point sources, or one or more
categories or subcategories of treatment works treating domestic sewage, if the
sources or treatment works treating domestic sewage within each category or
subcategory all:
(1) Involve the same or substantially similar types of
operations;
(2) Discharge the same types of wastes or engage in the same
types of sludge use or disposal practices;
(3) Require the same effluent limitations, operating
conditions, or standards for sewage sludge use or disposal;
(4) Require the same or similar monitoring; and
(5) In the opinion of the board, are more appropriately
controlled under a general permit than under individual permits.
3. Where sources within a specific category of dischargers are
subject to water quality-based limits imposed pursuant to 9VAC25-31-220, the
sources in that specific category or subcategory shall be subject to the same
water quality-based effluent limitations.
4. The general permit must clearly identify the applicable
conditions for each category or subcategory of dischargers or treatment works
treating domestic sewage covered by the permit.
5. The general permit may exclude specified sources or areas
from coverage.
B. Administration.
1. General permits may be issued, modified, revoked and
reissued, or terminated in accordance with applicable requirements of this
chapter.
2. Authorization to discharge, or authorization to engage in
sludge use and disposal practices.
a. Except as provided in subdivisions 2 e and 2 f of this
subsection, dischargers (or treatment works treating domestic sewage) seeking
coverage under a general permit shall submit to the department a written notice
of intent to be covered by the general permit. A discharger (or treatment works
treating domestic sewage) who fails to submit a notice of intent in accordance
with the terms of the permit is not authorized to discharge, (or in the case of
a sludge disposal permit, to engage in a sludge use or disposal practice),
under the terms of the general permit unless the general permit, in accordance
with subdivision 2 e of this subsection, contains a provision that a notice of
intent is not required or the board notifies a discharger (or treatment works
treating domestic sewage) that it is covered by a general permit in accordance
with subdivision 2 f of this subsection. A complete and timely notice of intent
(NOI) to be covered in accordance with general permit requirements fulfills the
requirements for permit applications for the purposes of this chapter. As of
the start date in Table 1 of 9VAC25-31-1020, all notices of intent submitted in
compliance with this subsection shall be submitted electronically by the discharger
(or treatment works treating domestic sewage) to the department in compliance
with this subsection and 40 CFR Part 3 (including, in all cases, 40 CFR Part 3
Subpart D), 9VAC25-31-110, and Part XI (9VAC25-31-950 et seq.) of this chapter.
Part XI of this chapter is not intended to undo existing requirements for
electronic reporting. Prior to this date, and independent of Part XI of this
chapter, dischargers (or treatment works treating domestic sewage) may be
required to report electronically if specified by a particular permit.
b. The contents of the notice of intent shall be specified in
the general permit and shall require the submission of information necessary
for adequate program implementation, including at a minimum, the legal name and
address of the owner or operator, the facility name and address, type of
facility or discharges, and the receiving stream or streams and other required
data elements as identified in Appendix A to 40 CFR Part 127, as adopted by
reference in 9VAC25-31-1030. General permits for storm water stormwater
discharges associated with industrial activity from inactive mining, inactive
oil and gas operations, or inactive landfills occurring on federal lands where
an operator cannot be identified may contain alternative notice of intent
requirements. Notices of intent for coverage under a general permit for
concentrated animal feeding operations must include the information specified
in 9VAC25-31-100 J 1, including a topographic map. All notices of intent shall
be signed in accordance with 9VAC25-31-110.
c. General permits shall specify the deadlines for submitting
notices of intent to be covered and the date or dates when a discharger is
authorized to discharge under the permit.
d. General permits shall specify whether a discharger (or
treatment works treating domestic sewage) that has submitted a complete and
timely notice of intent to be covered in accordance with the general permit and
that is eligible for coverage under the permit, is authorized to discharge, (or
in the case of a sludge disposal permit, to engage in a sludge use or disposal
practice), in accordance with the permit either upon receipt of the notice of
intent by the department, after a waiting period specified in the general
permit, on a date specified in the general permit, or upon receipt of
notification of inclusion by the board. Coverage may be terminated or revoked
in accordance with subdivision 3 of this subsection.
e. Discharges other than discharges from publicly owned
treatment works, combined sewer overflows, primary industrial facilities, and storm
water stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity,
may, at the discretion of the board, be authorized to discharge under a general
permit without submitting a notice of intent where the board finds that a
notice of intent requirement would be inappropriate. In making such a finding,
the board shall consider: the type of discharge; the expected nature of the
discharge; the potential for toxic and conventional pollutants in the
discharges; the expected volume of the discharges; other means of identifying
discharges covered by the permit; and the estimated number of discharges to be
covered by the permit. The board shall provide in the public notice of the
general permit the reasons for not requiring a notice of intent.
f. The board may notify a discharger (or treatment works
treating domestic sewage) that it is covered by a general permit, even if the
discharger (or treatment works treating domestic sewage) has not submitted a
notice of intent to be covered. A discharger (or treatment works treating
domestic sewage) so notified may request an individual permit under subdivision
3 c of this subsection.
g. A CAFO owner or operator may be authorized to discharge
under a general permit only in accordance with the process described in
subdivision C 4 of 9VAC25-31-130.
3. Requiring an individual permit.
a. The board may require any discharger authorized by a
general permit to apply for and obtain an individual VPDES permit. Any
interested person may request the board to take action under this subdivision.
Cases where an individual VPDES permit may be required include the following:
(1) The discharger or treatment works treating domestic sewage
is not in compliance with the conditions of the general VPDES permit;
(2) A change has occurred in the availability of demonstrated
technology or practices for the control or abatement of pollutants applicable
to the point source or treatment works treating domestic sewage;
(3) Effluent limitation guidelines are promulgated for point
sources covered by the general VPDES permit;
(4) A water quality management plan containing requirements
applicable to such point sources is approved;
(5) Circumstances have changed since the time of the request
to be covered so that the discharger is no longer appropriately controlled
under the general permit, or either a temporary or permanent reduction or
elimination of the authorized discharge is necessary;
(6) Standards for sewage sludge use or disposal have been
promulgated for the sludge use and disposal practice covered by the general
VPDES permit; or
(7) The discharge(s) discharge is a significant
contributor of pollutants. In making this determination, the board may consider
the following factors:
(a) The location of the discharge with respect to surface
waters;
(b) The size of the discharge;
(c) The quantity and nature of the pollutants discharged to
surface waters; and
(d) Other relevant factors.
b. Permits required on a case-by-case basis.
(1) The board may determine, on a case-by-case basis, that
certain concentrated animal feeding operations, concentrated aquatic animal
production facilities, storm water stormwater discharges, and
certain other facilities covered by general permits that do not generally
require an individual permit may be required to obtain an individual permit
because of their contributions to water pollution.
(2) Whenever the board decides that an individual permit is
required under this subsection, except as provided in subdivision 3 b (3) of
this subsection, the board shall notify the discharger in writing of that
decision and the reasons for it, and shall send an application form with the
notice. The discharger must apply for a permit within 60 days of notice, unless
permission for a later date is granted by the board. The question whether the
designation was proper will remain open for consideration during the public
comment period for the draft permit and in any subsequent public hearing.
(3) Prior to a case-by-case determination that an individual
permit is required for a storm water stormwater discharge under
this subsection, the board may require the discharger to submit a permit
application or other information regarding the discharge under the law and § 308
of the CWA. In requiring such information, the board shall notify the
discharger in writing and shall send an application form with the notice. The
discharger must apply for a permit under 9VAC25-31-120 A 1 within 60 days of
notice or under 9VAC25-31-120 A 7 within 180 days of notice, unless permission
for a later date is granted by the board. The question whether the initial
designation was proper will remain open for consideration during the public
comment period for the draft permit and in any subsequent public hearing.
c. Any owner or operator authorized by a general permit may
request to be excluded from the coverage of the general permit by applying for
an individual permit. The owner or operator shall submit an application under
9VAC25-31-100 with reasons supporting the request. The request shall be
processed under the applicable parts of this chapter. The request shall be
granted by issuing of an individual permit if the reasons cited by the owner or
operator are adequate to support the request.
d. When an individual VPDES permit is issued to an owner or
operator otherwise subject to a general VPDES permit, the applicability of the
general permit to the individual VPDES permittee is automatically terminated on
the effective date of the individual permit.
e. A source excluded from a general permit solely because it
already has an individual permit may request that the individual permit be
revoked, and that it be covered by the general permit. Upon revocation of the
individual permit, the general permit shall apply to the source.
Part III
Permit Conditions
9VAC25-31-190. Conditions applicable to all permits.
The following conditions apply to all VPDES permits.
Additional conditions applicable to VPDES permits are in 9VAC25-31-200. All
conditions applicable to VPDES permits shall be incorporated into the permits
either expressly or by reference. If incorporated by reference, a specific
citation to this regulation must be given in the permit.
A. The permittee must comply with all conditions of the
permit. Any permit noncompliance constitutes a violation of the law and the
CWA, except that noncompliance with certain provisions of the permit may
constitute a violation of the law but not the CWA. Permit noncompliance is
grounds for enforcement action; for permit termination, revocation and
reissuance, or modification; or denial of a permit renewal application.
The permittee shall comply with effluent standards or
prohibitions established under § 307(a) of the CWA for toxic pollutants and
with standards for sewage sludge use or disposal established under § 405(d) of
the CWA within the time provided in the chapters that establish these standards
or prohibitions or standards for sewage sludge use or disposal, even if the
permit has not yet been modified to incorporate the requirement.
B. If the permittee wishes to continue an activity regulated
by the permit after the expiration date of the permit, the permittee must apply
for and obtain a new permit.
C. 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 the
permit.
D. The permittee shall take all reasonable steps to minimize
or prevent any discharge or sludge use or disposal in violation of the permit
which has a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting human health or the
environment.
E. The permittee shall at all times properly operate and
maintain all facilities and systems of treatment and control (and related appurtenances)
which that are installed or used by the permittee to achieve
compliance with the conditions of the permit. Proper operation and maintenance
also includes adequate laboratory controls and appropriate quality assurance
procedures. This provision requires the operation of back-up or auxiliary
facilities or similar systems which that are installed by a
permittee only when the operation is necessary to achieve compliance with the
conditions of the permit.
F. 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.
G. Permits do not convey any property rights of any sort, or
any exclusive privilege.
H. The permittee shall furnish to the department, within a
reasonable time, any information which that the board may request
to determine whether cause exists for modifying, revoking and reissuing, or
terminating the permit or to determine compliance with the 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 the permittee's discharge on the quality of
state waters, or such other information as may be necessary to accomplish the
purposes of the law. The permittee shall also furnish to the department upon
request, copies of records required to be kept by the permit.
I. The permittee shall allow the director, or an authorized
representative (including an authorized contractor acting as a representative
of the administrator), 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 the permit;
2. Have access to and copy, at reasonable times, any records
that must be kept under the conditions of the permit;
3. Inspect at reasonable times any facilities, equipment
(including monitoring and control equipment), practices, or operations
regulated or required under the permit; and
4. Sample or monitor at reasonable times, for the purposes of
assuring permit compliance or as otherwise authorized by the CWA and the law,
any substances or parameters at any location.
J. Monitoring and records.
1. Samples and measurements taken for the purpose of
monitoring shall be representative of the monitored activity.
2. Except for records of monitoring information required by
the permit related to the permittee's sewage sludge use and disposal
activities, which shall be retained for a period of at least five years (or
longer as required by Part VI (9VAC25-31-420 et seq.) of this chapter), 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 the
permit, and records of all data used to complete the application for the
permit, for a period of at least three years from the date of the sample,
measurement, report or application. 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.
3. Records of monitoring information shall include:
a. The date, exact place, and time of sampling or
measurements;
b. The individual or individuals who performed the
sampling or measurements;
c. The date or dates analyses were performed;
d. The individual or individuals who performed the
analyses;
e. The analytical techniques or methods used; and
f. The results of such analyses.
4. Monitoring results must be conducted according to test
procedures approved under 40 CFR Part 136 or alternative EPA approved methods;
or, in the case of sludge use or disposal, approved under 40 CFR Part 136
unless otherwise specified in Part VI of this chapter, unless other test
procedures have been specified in the permit.
5. Samples taken shall be analyzed by a laboratory
certified under 1VAC30-45, Certification for Noncommercial Environmental
Laboratories, or 1VAC30-46, Accreditation for Commercial Environmental
Laboratories.
K. All applications, reports, or information submitted to the
department shall be signed and certified as required by 9VAC25-31-110.
L. Reporting requirements.
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 alteration or addition to a permitted facility may meet
one of the criteria for determining whether a facility is a new source in
9VAC25-31-180 A;
b. The alteration or addition could significantly change the
nature or increase the quantity of pollutants discharged. This notification
applies to pollutants which are subject neither to effluent limitations in the
permit, nor to notification requirements under 9VAC25-31-200 A 1; 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 which may result
in noncompliance with permit requirements.
3. Permits are not transferable to any person except after
notice to the department. The board may require modification or revocation and
reissuance of permits to change the name of the permittee and incorporate such
other requirements as may be necessary under the law or the CWA.
4. Monitoring results shall be reported at the intervals
specified in the permit.
a. Monitoring results must be reported on a Discharge
Monitoring Report (DMR) or forms provided or specified by the department for
reporting results of monitoring of sludge use or disposal practices. As of the
start date in Table 1 of 9VAC25-31-1020, all reports and forms submitted in
compliance with this subdivision 4 shall be submitted electronically by the
permittee to the department in compliance with this subdivision 4 and 40 CFR
Part 3 (including, in all cases, 40 CFR Part 3 Subpart D), 9VAC25-31-110, and
Part XI (9VAC25-31-950 et seq.) of this chapter. Part XI of this chapter is not
intended to undo existing requirements for electronic reporting. Prior to this
date, and independent of Part XI of this chapter, permittees may be required to
report electronically if specified by a particular permit.
b. If the permittee monitors any pollutant specifically
addressed by the permit more frequently than required by the permit using test
procedures approved under 40 CFR Part 136 or, in the case of sludge use or
disposal, approved under 40 CFR Part 136 unless otherwise specified in Part VI
of this chapter, or as specified in the permit, the results of this monitoring
shall be included in the calculation and reporting of the data submitted in the
DMR or sludge reporting form specified by the department.
c. Calculations for all limitations which require averaging of
measurements shall utilize an arithmetic mean unless otherwise specified in the
permit.
5. Reports of compliance or noncompliance with, or any
progress reports on, interim and final requirements contained in any compliance
schedule of the permit shall be submitted no later than 14 days following each
schedule date.
6. If any unusual or extraordinary discharge including a
bypass or upset should occur from a facility and such discharge enters or could
be expected to enter state waters, the owner shall promptly notify, in no case
later than 24 hours, the department by telephone after the discovery of such
discharge. This notification shall provide all available details of the
incident, including any adverse 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 subdivision 7 a of this subsection. Unusual and extraordinary
discharges include but are not limited to any discharge resulting from:
a. Unusual spillage of materials resulting directly or
indirectly from processing operations;
b. Breakdown of processing or accessory equipment;
c. Failure or taking out of service of the treatment plant or
auxiliary facilities (such as sewer lines or wastewater pump stations); and
d. Flooding or other acts of nature.
7. Twenty-four hour and five-day reporting.
a. The permittee shall report any noncompliance that may
endanger health or the environment. Any information shall be provided orally
within 24 hours from the time the permittee becomes aware of the circumstances.
A report in a format required by the department shall also be provided within
five days of the time the permittee becomes aware of the circumstances. The
five-day report shall contain a description of the noncompliance and its cause;
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 steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent
reoccurrence of the noncompliance.
(1) For noncompliance events related to combined sewer
overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, or bypass events, these reports must
include the data described in subdivision 7 a of this subsection with the
exception of time of discovery, as well as the type of event (i.e., combined
sewer overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, or bypass events); type of sewer
overflow structure (e.g., manhole, combine sewer overflow outfall); discharge
volumes untreated by the treatment works treating domestic sewage; types of
human health and environmental impacts of the sewer overflow event; and whether
the noncompliance was related to wet weather.
(2) As of the start date in Table 1 of 9VAC25-31-1020, all
reports related to combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, or
bypass events submitted in compliance with this subdivision 7 shall be
submitted electronically by the permittee to the department in compliance with
this subdivision 7 and 40 CFR Part 3 (including, in all cases, 40 CFR Part 3
Subpart D), 9VAC25-31-110, and Part XI (9VAC25-31-950 et seq.) of this chapter.
Part XI of this chapter is not intended to undo existing requirements for
electronic reporting. Prior to this date, and independent of Part XI of this
chapter, permittees may be required to electronically submit reports related to
combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, or bypass events under this
subdivision by a particular permit.
(3) The director may also require permittees to electronically
submit reports not related to combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer
overflows, or bypass events under this subdivision.
b. The following shall be reported within 24 hours under this
subdivision:
(1) Any unanticipated bypass that exceeds any effluent
limitation in the permit.
(2) Any upset that exceeds any effluent limitation in the
permit.
(3) Violation of a maximum daily discharge limitation for any
of the pollutants listed in the permit to be reported within 24 hours.
c. The board may waive the five-day report on a case-by-case
basis for reports under this subdivision if the oral report has been received
within 24 hours.
8. The permittee shall report all instances of noncompliance
not reported under subdivisions 4, 5, 6, and 7 of this subsection, in a format
required by the department at the time the next monitoring reports are
submitted. The reports shall contain the information listed in subdivision 7 of
this subsection.
a. For noncompliance events related to combined sewer
overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, or bypass events, these reports shall
contain the information described in subdivision 7 a of this subsection and the
applicable required data in Appendix A to 40 CFR Part 127 as adopted by
reference in 9VAC25-31-1030.
b. As of the start date in Table 1 of 9VAC25-31-1020, all
reports related to combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, or
bypass events submitted in compliance with this subdivision 8 shall be
submitted electronically by the permittee to the department in compliance with
this subdivision 8 and 40 CFR Part 3 (including, in all cases, 40 CFR Part 3
Subpart D), 9VAC25-31-110, and Part XI (9VAC25-31-950 et seq.) of this chapter.
Part XI of this chapter is not intended to undo existing requirements for
electronic reporting. Prior to this date, and independent of Part XI of this
chapter, permittees may be required to electronically submit reports related to
combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, or bypass events under this
section by a particular permit.
c. The director may also require permittees to electronically
submit reports not related to combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer
overflows, or bypass events under this section.
9. Where the permittee becomes aware that it failed to submit
any relevant facts in a permit application, or submitted incorrect information
in a permit application or in any report to the department, it shall promptly
submit such facts or information.
10. The owner, operator, or the duly authorized representative
of an VPDES-regulated entity is required to electronically submit the required
information, as specified in Appendix A to 40 CFR Part 127 as adopted by
reference in 9VAC25-31-1030, to the department.
M. Bypass.
1. 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 subdivisions 2 and 3 of this subsection.
2. Notice.
a. Anticipated bypass. If the permittee knows in advance of
the need for a bypass, it shall submit prior notice, if possible at least 10
days before the date of the bypass. As of the start date in Table 1 of 9VAC25-31-1020,
all notices submitted in compliance with this subdivision shall be submitted
electronically by the permittee to the department in compliance with this
subdivision and 40 CFR Part 3 (including, in all cases, 40 CFR Part 3
Subpart D), 9VAC25-31-110, and Part XI (9VAC25-31-950 et seq.) of this chapter.
Part XI of this chapter is not intended to undo existing requirements for
electronic reporting. Prior to this date, and independent of Part XI of this
chapter, permittees may be required to report electronically if specified by a
particular permit.
b. Unanticipated bypass. The permittee shall submit notice of
an unanticipated bypass as required in subdivision L 7 of this section. As of
the start date in Table 1 of 9VAC25-31-1020, all notices submitted in
compliance with this subdivision shall be submitted electronically by the
permittee to the department in compliance with this subdivision and 40 CFR Part
3 (including, in all cases, 40 CFR Part 3 Subpart D), 9VAC25-31-110, and
Part XI (9VAC25-31-950 et seq.) of this chapter. Part XI of this chapter is not
intended to undo existing requirements for electronic reporting. Prior to this
date, and independent of Part XI of this chapter, permittees may be required to
report electronically if specified by a particular permit.
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 which occurred
during normal periods of equipment downtime or preventive maintenance; and
(3) The permittee submitted notices as required under
subdivision 2 of this subsection.
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 subdivision 3 a of this subsection.
N. Upset.
1. An upset constitutes an affirmative defense to an action
brought for noncompliance with such technology based permit effluent
limitations if the requirements of subdivision 2 of this subsection are met. No
determination made during administrative review of claims that noncompliance
was caused by upset, and before an action for noncompliance, is 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 or causes 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
subdivision L 7 b (2) of this section (24-hour notice); and
d. The permittee complied with any remedial measures required
under subsection D of this section.
3. In any enforcement proceeding the permittee seeking to
establish the occurrence of an upset has the burden of proof.
9VAC25-31-200. Additional conditions applicable to specified
categories of VPDES permits.
The following conditions, in addition to those set forth in
9VAC25-31-190, apply to all VPDES permits within the categories specified
below:
A. Existing manufacturing, commercial, mining, and
silvicultural dischargers. All existing manufacturing, commercial, mining, and
silvicultural dischargers must notify the department as soon as they know or
have reason to believe:
1. That any activity has occurred or will occur which would
result in the discharge, on a routine or frequent basis, of any toxic pollutant
which that is not limited in the permit, if that discharge will
exceed the highest of the following notification levels:
a. One hundred micrograms per liter (100 µg/l);
b. Two hundred micrograms per liter (200 µg/l) for
acrolein and acrylonitrile; five hundred micrograms per liter (500 µg/l)
for 2,4-dinitrophenol and for 2-methyl-4,6-dinitrophenol; and one milligram per
liter (1 mg/l) for antimony;
c. Five times the maximum concentration value reported for
that pollutant in the permit application; or
d. The level established by the board in accordance with
9VAC25-31-220 F.
2. That any activity has occurred or will occur which would
result in any discharge, on a nonroutine or infrequent basis, of a toxic
pollutant which that is not limited in the permit, if that
discharge will exceed the highest of the following notification levels:
a. Five hundred micrograms per liter (500 µg/l);
b. One milligram per liter (1 mg/l) for antimony;
c. Ten times the maximum concentration value reported for that
pollutant in the permit application; or
d. The level established by the board in accordance with
9VAC25-31-220 F.
B. Publicly and privately owned treatment works. All POTWs
and PVOTWs must provide adequate notice to the department of the following:
1. Any new introduction of pollutants into the POTW or PVOTW from
an indirect discharger which that would be subject to § 301
or 306 of the CWA and the law if it were directly discharging those pollutants;
and
2. Any substantial change in the volume or character of
pollutants being introduced into that POTW or PVOTW by a source introducing
pollutants into the POTW or PVOTW at the time of issuance of the permit.
3. For purposes of this subsection, adequate notice shall
include information on (i) the quality and quantity of effluent introduced into
the POTW or PVOTW, and (ii) any anticipated impact of the change on the
quantity or quality of effluent to be discharged from the POTW or PVOTW.
4. When the monthly average flow influent to a POTW or PVOTW
reaches 95% of the design capacity authorized by the VPDES permit for each
month of any three-month period, the owner shall within 30 days notify the
department in writing and within 90 days submit a plan of action for ensuring
continued compliance with the terms of the permit.
a. The plan shall include the necessary steps and a prompt
schedule of implementation for controlling any current problem, or any problem
which could be reasonably anticipated, resulting from high influent flows.
b. Upon receipt of the owner's plan of action, the board shall
notify the owner whether the plan is approved or disapproved. If the plan is
disapproved, such notification shall state the reasons and specify the actions
necessary to obtain approval of the plan.
c. Failure to timely submit an adequate plan shall be deemed a
violation of the permit.
d. Nothing herein shall in any way impair the authority of the
board to take enforcement action under § 62.1-44.15, 62.1-44.23, or
62.1-44.32 of the Code of Virginia.
C. Wastewater works operator requirements.
1. The permittee shall employ or contract at least one
wastewater works operator who holds a current wastewater license appropriate
for the permitted facility. The license shall be issued in accordance with
Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia and the regulations of the Board for
Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System
Professionals Regulations (18VAC160-20) Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators
Licensing Regulations (18VAC160-30). Notwithstanding the foregoing
requirement, unless the discharge is determined by the board on a case-by-case
basis to be a potential contributor of pollution, no licensed operator is
required for wastewater treatment works:
a. That have a design hydraulic capacity equal to or less than
0.04 mgd;
b. That discharge industrial waste or other waste from coal
mining operations; or
c. That do not utilize biological or physical/chemical
treatment.
2. In making this case-by-case determination, the board shall
consider the location of the discharge with respect to state waters, the size
of the discharge, the quantity and nature of pollutants reaching state waters
and the treatment methods used at the wastewater works.
3. The permittee shall notify the department in writing
whenever he is not complying, or has grounds for anticipating he will not
comply with the requirements of subdivision 1 of this subsection. The
notification shall include a statement of reasons and a prompt schedule for
achieving compliance.
D. Lake level contingency plans. Any VPDES permit issued for
a surface water impoundment whose primary purpose is to provide cooling water
to power generators shall include a lake level contingency plan to allow
specific reductions in the flow required to be released when the water level
above the dam drops below designated levels due to drought conditions, and such
plan shall take into account and minimize any adverse effects of any release
reduction requirements on downstream users. This subsection shall not apply to
any such facility that addresses releases and flow requirements during drought
conditions in a Virginia Water Protection Permit.
E. Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). The
activities of the CAFO shall not contravene the Water Quality Standards, as
amended and adopted by the board, or any provision of the State Water Control
Law. There shall be no point source discharge of manure, litter or process
wastewater to surface waters of the state except in the case of an overflow
caused by a storm event greater than the 25-year, 24-hour storm. Agricultural storm
water stormwater discharges as defined in subdivision C 3 of
9VAC25-31-130 are permitted. Domestic sewage or industrial waste shall not be
managed under the Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General
Permit for CAFOs (9VAC25-191). Any permit issued to a CAFO shall include:
1. Requirements to develop, implement and comply with a
nutrient management plan. At a minimum, a nutrient management plan shall
include best management practices and procedures necessary to implement
applicable effluent limitations and standards. Permitted CAFOs must have their
nutrient management plans developed and implemented and be in compliance with the
nutrient management plan as a requirement of the permit. The nutrient
management plan must, to the extent applicable:
a. Ensure adequate storage of manure, litter, and process
wastewater, including procedures to ensure proper operation and maintenance of
the storage facilities;
b. Ensure proper management of mortalities (i.e., dead
animals) to ensure that they are not disposed of in a liquid manure, storm
water stormwater, or process wastewater storage or treatment system
that is not specifically designed to treat animal mortalities;
c. Ensure that clean water is diverted, as appropriate, from
the production area;
d. Prevent direct contact of confined animals with surface
waters of the state;
e. Ensure that chemicals and other contaminants handled on
site are not disposed of in any manure, litter, process wastewater, or
stormwater storage or treatment system unless specifically designed to treat
such chemicals and other contaminants;
f. Identify appropriate site specific conservation practices
to be implemented, including as appropriate buffers or equivalent practices, to
control runoff of pollutants to surface waters of the state;
g. Identify protocols for appropriate testing of manure,
litter, process wastewater and soil;
h. Establish protocols to land apply manure, litter or process
wastewater in accordance with site specific nutrient management practices that
ensure appropriate agricultural utilization of the nutrients in the manure,
litter or process wastewater; and
i. Identify specific records that will be maintained to
document the implementation and management of the minimum elements described
above.
2. Recordkeeping requirements. The permittee must create, maintain
for five years, and make available to the director upon request the following
records:
a. All applicable records identified pursuant to subdivision 1
i of this subsection;
b. In addition, all CAFOs subject to EPA Effluent Guidelines
for Feedlots (40 CFR Part 412) must comply with recordkeeping requirements as
specified in 40 CFR 412.37(b) and (c) and 40 CFR 412.47(b) and (c);
A copy of the CAFO's site-specific nutrient management plan
must be maintained on site and made available to the director upon request.
3. Requirements relating to transfer of manure or process
wastewater to other persons. Prior to transferring manure, litter or process
wastewater to other persons, large CAFOs must provide the recipient of the
manure, litter or process wastewater with the most current nutrient analysis.
The analysis provided must be consistent with the requirements of EPA Effluent
Guidelines for Feedlots (40 CFR Part 412). Large CAFOs must retain for five
years records of the date, recipient name and address, and approximate
amount of manure, litter, or process wastewater transferred to another
person.
4. Annual reporting requirements for CAFOs. The permittee must
submit an annual report to the director. As of the start date in Table 1 of
9VAC25-31-1020, all annual reports submitted in compliance with this subsection
shall be submitted electronically by the permittee to the department in
compliance with this subsection and 40 CFR Part 3 (including, in all
cases, 40 CFR Part 3 Subpart D), 9VAC25-31-110, and Part XI (9VAC25-31-950 et
seq.) of this chapter. Part XI of this chapter is not intended to undo existing
requirements for electronic reporting. Prior to this date, and independent of
Part XI of this chapter, the permittee may be required to report electronically
if specified by a particular permit. The annual report must include:
a. The number and type of animals, whether in open confinement
or housed under roof (beef cattle, broilers, layers, swine weighing 55 pounds
or more, swine weighing less than 55 pounds, mature dairy cows, dairy heifers,
veal calves, sheep and lambs, horses, ducks, turkeys, other);
b. Estimated amount of total manure, litter and process
wastewater generated by the CAFO in the previous 12 months (tons/gallons);
c. Estimated amount of total manure, litter and process
wastewater transferred to other persons by the CAFO in the previous 12 months
(tons/gallons);
d. Total number of acres for land application covered by the
nutrient management plan developed in accordance with subdivision 1 of this
subsection;
e. Total number of acres under control of the CAFO that were
used for land application of manure, litter and process wastewater in the
previous 12 months;
f. Summary of all manure, litter, and process
wastewater discharges from the production area that occurred in the previous 12
months including for each discharge the date of discovery, duration of
discharge, and approximate volume;
g. A statement indicating whether the current version of the
CAFO's nutrient management plan was developed or approved by a certified
nutrient management planner; and
h. The actual crop(s) crops planted and actual yield(s)
yield for each field, the actual nitrogen and phosphorus content of the
manure, litter, and process wastewater, the results of calculations conducted
in accordance with subdivisions 5 a (2) and 5 b (4) of this subsection, and the
amount of manure, litter, and process wastewater applied to each field during
the previous 12 months; and, for any CAFO that implements a nutrient management
plan that addresses rates of application in accordance with subdivision 5 b of
this subsection, the results of any soil testing for nitrogen and phosphorus
taken during the preceding 12 months, the data used in calculations conducted
in accordance with subdivision 5 b (4) of this subsection, and the amount of
any supplemental fertilizer applied during the previous 12 months.
5. Terms of the nutrient management plan. Any permit issued to
a CAFO shall require compliance with the terms of the CAFO's site-specific
nutrient management plan. The terms of the nutrient management plan are the
information, protocols, best management practices, and other conditions in the
nutrient management plan determined by the board to be necessary to meet the
requirements of subdivision 1 of this subsection. The terms of the nutrient
management plan, with respect to protocols for land application of manure,
litter, or process wastewater required by subdivision 4 h of this subsection
and, as applicable, 40 CFR 412.4(c), shall include the fields available
for land application; field-specific rates of application properly developed,
as specified in subdivisions 5 a and b of this subsection, to ensure
appropriate agricultural utilization of the nutrients in the manure, litter, or
process wastewater; and any timing limitations identified in the nutrient
management plan concerning land application on the fields available for land
application. The terms shall address rates of application using one of the
following two approaches, unless the board specifies that only one of these
approaches may be used:
a. Linear approach. An approach that expresses rates of
application as pounds of nitrogen and phosphorus, according to the following
specifications:
(1) The terms include maximum application rates from manure,
litter, and process wastewater for each year of permit coverage, for each crop
identified in the nutrient management plan, in chemical forms determined to be
acceptable to the board, in pounds per acre, per year, for each field to be
used for land application, and certain factors necessary to determine such
rates. At a minimum, the factors that are terms shall include: the outcome of
the field-specific assessment of the potential for nitrogen and phosphorus
transport from each field; the crops to be planted in each field or any other
uses of a field such as pasture or fallow fields; the realistic yield goal for
each crop or use identified for each field; the nitrogen and phosphorus
recommendations from sources specified by the board for each crop or use
identified for each field; credits for all nitrogen in the field that will be
plant available; consideration of multi-year phosphorus application; and
accounting for all other additions of plant available nitrogen and phosphorus
to the field. In addition, the terms include the form and source of manure,
litter, and process wastewater to be land-applied; the timing and method of
land application; and the methodology by which the nutrient management plan
accounts for the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus in the manure, litter, and
process wastewater to be applied.
(2) Large CAFOs that use this approach shall calculate the
maximum amount of manure, litter, and process wastewater to be land applied at
least once each year using the results of the most recent representative
manure, litter, and process wastewater tests for nitrogen and phosphorus taken
within 12 months of the date of land application; or
b. Narrative rate approach. An approach that expresses rates
of application as a narrative rate of application that results in the amount,
in tons or gallons, of manure, litter, and process wastewater to be land
applied, according to the following specifications:
(1) The terms include maximum amounts of nitrogen and
phosphorus derived from all sources of nutrients, for each crop identified in
the nutrient management plan, in chemical forms determined to be acceptable to
the board, in pounds per acre, for each field, and certain factors necessary to
determine such amounts. At a minimum, the factors that are terms shall include:
the outcome of the field-specific assessment of the potential for nitrogen and
phosphorus transport from each field; the crops to be planted in each field or
any other uses such as pasture or fallow fields (including alternative crops
identified in accordance with subdivision 5 b (2) of this subsection); the
realistic yield goal for each crop or use identified for each field; and the
nitrogen and phosphorus recommendations from sources specified by the board for
each crop or use identified for each field. In addition, the terms include the
methodology by which the nutrient management plan accounts for the following
factors when calculating the amounts of manure, litter, and process wastewater
to be land applied: results of soil tests conducted in accordance with
protocols identified in the nutrient management plan, as required by
subdivision 1 g of this subsection; credits for all nitrogen in the field that
will be plant available; the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus in the manure,
litter, and process wastewater to be applied; consideration of multi-year
phosphorus application; accounting for all other additions of plant available
nitrogen and phosphorus to the field; the form and source of manure, litter,
and process wastewater; the timing and method of land application; and
volatilization of nitrogen and mineralization of organic nitrogen.
(2) The terms of the nutrient management plan include
alternative crops identified in the CAFO's nutrient management plan that are not
in the planned crop rotation. Where a CAFO includes alternative crops in its
nutrient management plan, the crops shall be listed by field, in addition to
the crops identified in the planned crop rotation for that field, and the
nutrient management plan shall include realistic crop yield goals and the
nitrogen and phosphorus recommendations from sources specified by the board for
each crop. Maximum amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus from all sources of
nutrients and the amounts of manure, litter, and process wastewater to be
applied shall be determined in accordance with the methodology described in
subdivision 5 b (1) of this subsection.
(3) For CAFOs using this approach, the following projections
shall be included in the nutrient management plan submitted to the board, but
are not terms of the nutrient management plan: the CAFO's planned crop
rotations for each field for the period of permit coverage; the projected
amount of manure, litter, or process wastewater to be applied; projected
credits for all nitrogen in the field that will be plant available;
consideration of multi-year phosphorus application; accounting for all other
additions of plant available nitrogen and phosphorus to the field; and the
predicted form, source, and method of application of manure, litter, and
process wastewater for each crop. Timing of application for each field, insofar
as it concerns the calculation of rates of application, is not a term of the
nutrient management plan.
(4) CAFOs that use this approach shall calculate maximum
amounts of manure, litter, and process wastewater to be land applied at least
once each year using the methodology required in subdivision 5 b (1) of this
subsection before land applying manure, litter, and process wastewater and
shall rely on the following data:
(a) A field-specific determination of soil levels of nitrogen
and phosphorus, including, for nitrogen, a concurrent determination of nitrogen
that will be plant available consistent with the methodology required by
subdivision 5 b (1) of this subsection, and for phosphorus, the results of the
most recent soil test conducted in accordance with soil testing requirements
approved by the board; and
(b) The results of most recent representative manure, litter,
and process wastewater tests for nitrogen and phosphorus taken within 12 months
of the date of land application, in order to determine the amount of nitrogen
and phosphorus in the manure, litter, and process wastewater to be applied.
9VAC25-31-220. Establishing limitations, standards, and other
permit conditions.
In addition to the conditions established under 9VAC25-31-210
A, each VPDES permit shall include conditions meeting the following
requirements when applicable.
A. 1. Technology-based effluent limitations and standards
based on effluent limitations and standards promulgated under § 301 of the
CWA, on new source performance standards promulgated under § 306 of CWA, on
case-by-case effluent limitations determined under § 402(a)(1) of CWA, or
a combination of the three. For new sources or new dischargers, these
technology-based limitations and standards are subject to the provisions of
9VAC25-31-180 B (protection period).
2. The board may authorize a discharger subject to
technology-based effluent limitations guidelines and standards in a VPDES
permit to forego sampling of a pollutant found at 40 CFR Subchapter N if the
discharger has demonstrated through sampling and other technical factors that
the pollutant is not present in the discharge or is present only at background
levels from intake water and without any increase in the pollutant due to
activities of the discharger. This waiver is good only for the term of the
permit and is not available during the term of the first permit issued to a
discharger. Any request for this waiver must be submitted when applying for a
reissued permit or modification of a reissued permit. The request must
demonstrate through sampling or other technical information, including
information generated during an earlier permit term, that the pollutant is not present
in the discharge or is present only at background levels from intake water and
without any increase in the pollutant due to activities of the discharger. Any
grant of the monitoring waiver must be included in the permit as an express
permit condition and the reasons supporting the grant must be documented in the
permit's fact sheet or statement of basis. This provision does not supersede
certification processes and requirements already established in existing
effluent limitations guidelines and standards.
B. Other effluent limitations and standards.
1. Other effluent limitations and standards under §§ 301,
302, 303, 307, 318, and 405 of the CWA. If any applicable toxic effluent
standard or prohibition (including any schedule of compliance specified in such
effluent standard or prohibition) is promulgated under § 307(a) of the CWA for
a toxic pollutant and that standard or prohibition is more stringent than any
limitation on the pollutant in the permit, the board shall institute
proceedings under this chapter to modify or revoke and reissue the permit to
conform to the toxic effluent standard or prohibition.
2. Standards for sewage sludge use or disposal under § 405(d)
of the CWA and Part VI (9VAC25-31-420 et seq.) of this chapter unless those standards
have been included in a permit issued under the appropriate provisions of
Subtitle C of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 USC § 6901 et seq.), Part C of
Safe Drinking Water Act (42 USC § 300f et seq.), the Marine Protection,
Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (33 USC § 1401 et seq.), or the
Clean Air Act (42 USC § 4701 et seq.), or in another permit issued by
the Department of Environmental Quality or any other appropriate state agency
under another permit program approved by the administrator. When there are no
applicable standards for sewage sludge use or disposal, the permit may include
requirements developed on a case-by-case basis to protect public health and the
environment from any adverse effects which may occur from toxic pollutants in sewage
sludge. If any applicable standard for sewage sludge use or disposal is
promulgated under § 405(d) of the CWA and that standard is more stringent than
any limitation on the pollutant or practice in the permit, the board may
initiate proceedings under this chapter to modify or revoke and reissue the
permit to conform to the standard for sewage sludge use or disposal.
3. Requirements applicable to cooling water intake structures
at new facilities under § 316 (b) of the CWA, in accordance with 9VAC25-31-165.
C. Reopener clause. For any permit issued to a treatment
works treating domestic sewage (including sludge-only facilities), the board
shall include a reopener clause to incorporate any applicable standard for
sewage sludge use or disposal promulgated under § 405(d) of the CWA. The board
may promptly modify or revoke and reissue any permit containing the reopener
clause required by this subdivision if the standard for sewage sludge use or
disposal is more stringent than any requirements for sludge use or disposal in
the permit, or controls a pollutant or practice not limited in the permit.
D. Water quality standards and state requirements. Any
requirements in addition to or more stringent than promulgated effluent
limitations guidelines or standards under §§ 301, 304, 306, 307, 318,
and 405 of the CWA necessary to:
1. Achieve water quality standards established under the law
and § 303 of the CWA, including state narrative criteria for water quality.
a. Limitations must control all pollutants or pollutant
parameters (either conventional, nonconventional, or toxic pollutants) which
the board determines are or may be discharged at a level which will cause, have
the reasonable potential to cause, or contribute to an excursion above any
Virginia water quality standard, including Virginia narrative criteria for
water quality.
b. When determining whether a discharge causes, has the
reasonable potential to cause, or contributes to an in-stream excursion above a
narrative or numeric criteria within a Virginia water quality standard, the
board shall use procedures which account for existing controls on point and
nonpoint sources of pollution, the variability of the pollutant or pollutant
parameter in the effluent, the sensitivity of the species to toxicity testing
(when evaluating whole effluent toxicity), and where appropriate, the dilution
of the effluent in the receiving water.
c. When the board determines, using the procedures in
subdivision 1 b of this subsection, that a discharge causes, has the reasonable
potential to cause, or contributes to an in-stream excursion above the
allowable ambient concentration of a Virginia numeric criteria within a
Virginia water quality standard for an individual pollutant, the permit must
contain effluent limits for that pollutant.
d. Except as provided in this subdivision, when the board
determines, using the procedures in subdivision 1 b of this subsection,
toxicity testing data, or other information, that a discharge causes, has the
reasonable potential to cause, or contributes to an in-stream excursion above a
narrative criterion within an applicable Virginia water quality standard, the
permit must contain effluent limits for whole effluent toxicity. Limits on
whole effluent toxicity are not necessary where the board demonstrates in the
fact sheet or statement of basis of the VPDES permit, using the procedures in
subdivision 1 b of this subsection, that chemical-specific limits for the
effluent are sufficient to attain and maintain applicable numeric and narrative
Virginia water quality standards.
e. Where Virginia has not established a water quality
criterion for a specific chemical pollutant that is present in an effluent at a
concentration that causes, has the reasonable potential to cause, or
contributes to an excursion above a narrative criterion within an applicable
Virginia water quality standard, the board must establish effluent limits using
one or more of the following options:
(1) Establish effluent limits using a calculated numeric water
quality criterion for the pollutant which the board demonstrates will attain
and maintain applicable narrative water quality criteria and will fully protect
the designated use. Such a criterion may be derived using a proposed Virginia
criterion, or an explicit policy or regulation interpreting Virginia's
narrative water quality criterion, supplemented with other relevant information
which may include: EPA's Water Quality Standards Handbook, August 1994, risk
assessment data, exposure data, information about the pollutant from the Food
and Drug Administration, and current EPA criteria documents;
(2) Establish effluent limits on a case-by-case basis, using
EPA's water quality criteria, published under § 307(a) of the CWA,
supplemented where necessary by other relevant information; or
(3) Establish effluent limitations on an indicator parameter
for the pollutant of concern, provided:
(a) The permit identifies which pollutants are intended to be
controlled by the use of the effluent limitation;
(b) The fact sheet required by 9VAC25-31-280 sets forth the
basis for the limit, including a finding that compliance with the effluent
limit on the indicator parameter will result in controls on the pollutant of
concern which are sufficient to attain and maintain applicable water quality standards;
(c) The permit requires all effluent and ambient monitoring
necessary to show that during the term of the permit the limit on the indicator
parameter continues to attain and maintain applicable water quality standards;
and
(d) The permit contains a reopener clause allowing the board
to modify or revoke and reissue the permit if the limits on the indicator
parameter no longer attain and maintain applicable water quality standards.
f. When developing water quality-based effluent limits under
this subdivision the board shall ensure that:
(1) The level of water quality to be achieved by limits on
point sources established under this subsection is derived from, and complies
with all applicable water quality standards; and
(2) Effluent limits developed to protect a narrative water
quality criterion, a numeric water quality criterion, or both, are consistent
with the assumptions and requirements of any available wasteload allocation for
the discharge prepared by Virginia and approved by EPA pursuant to 40 CFR
130.7;
2. Attain or maintain a specified water quality through water
quality related effluent limits established under the law and § 302 of the
CWA;
3. Conform to the conditions of a Virginia Water Protection
Permit (VWPP) issued under the law and § 401 of the CWA;
4. Conform to applicable water quality requirements under §
401(a)(2) of the CWA when the discharge affects a state other than Virginia;
5. Incorporate any more stringent limitations, treatment
standards, or schedule of compliance requirements established under the law or
regulations in accordance with § 301(b)(1)(C) of the CWA;
6. Ensure consistency with the requirements of a Water Quality
Management plan approved by EPA under § 208(b) of the CWA;
7. Incorporate § 403(c) criteria under 40 CFR Part 125,
Subpart M, for ocean discharges; or
8. Incorporate alternative effluent limitations or standards
where warranted by fundamentally different factors, under 40 the CFR Part 125,
Subpart D.
E. Technology-based controls for toxic pollutants.
Limitations established under subsections subsection A, B, or D
of this section, to control pollutants meeting the criteria listed in
subdivision 1 of this subsection. Limitations will be established in accordance
with subdivision 2 of this subsection. An explanation of the development of
these limitations shall be included in the fact sheet.
1. Limitations must control all toxic pollutants which the
board determines (based on information reported in a permit application or in a
notification required by the permit or on other information) are or may be
discharged at a level greater than the level which can be achieved by the
technology-based treatment requirements appropriate to the permittee; or
2. The requirement that the limitations control the pollutants
meeting the criteria of subdivision 1 of this subsection will be satisfied by:
a. Limitations on those pollutants; or
b. Limitations on other pollutants which, in the judgment of
the board, will provide treatment of the pollutants under subdivision 1 of this
subsection to the levels required by the law and 40 CFR Part 125, Subpart A.
F. A notification level which exceeds the notification level
of 9VAC25-31-200 A 1 a, b, or c, upon a petition from the permittee or on the
board's initiative. This new notification level may not exceed the level which
can be achieved by the technology-based treatment requirements appropriate to
the permittee.
G. Twenty-four-hour reporting. Pollutants for which the
permittee must report violations of maximum daily discharge limitations under
9VAC25-31-190 L 7 b (3) (24-hour reporting) shall be listed in the permit. This
list shall include any toxic pollutant or hazardous substance, or any pollutant
specifically identified as the method to control a toxic pollutant or hazardous
substance.
H. Durations for permits, as set forth in 9VAC25-31-240.
I. Monitoring requirements. The following monitoring
requirements:
1. Requirements concerning the proper use, maintenance, and
installation, when appropriate, of monitoring equipment or methods (including
biological monitoring methods when appropriate);
2. Required monitoring including type, intervals, and
frequency sufficient to yield data which are representative of the monitored
activity including, when appropriate, continuous monitoring;
3. Applicable reporting requirements based upon the impact of
the regulated activity and as specified in 9VAC25-31-190, subdivisions 5
through 8 of this subsection, and Part XI (9VAC25-31-950 et seq.) of this
chapter. Reporting shall be no less frequent than specified in the above
regulation;
4. To assure compliance with permit limitations, requirements
to monitor:
a. The mass (or other measurement specified in the permit) for
each pollutant limited in the permit;
b. The volume of effluent discharged from each outfall;
c. Other measurements as appropriate including pollutants in internal
waste streams; pollutants in intake water for net limitations; frequency, rate
of discharge, etc., for noncontinuous discharges; pollutants subject to
notification requirements; and pollutants in sewage sludge or other monitoring
as specified in Part VI (9VAC25-31-420 et seq.) of this chapter; or as
determined to be necessary on a case-by-case basis pursuant to the law and §
405(d)(4) of the CWA; and
d. According to test procedures approved under 40 CFR Part
136 for the analyses of pollutants having approved methods under that part, or
alternative EPA approved methods, and according to a test procedure specified
in the permit for pollutants with no approved methods; According to
sufficiently sensitive test procedures (i.e., methods) approved under 40 CFR
Part 136 for the analysis of pollutants or pollutant parameters or required
under 40 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter N or O.
(1) For the purposes of this subdivision, a method is
"sufficiently sensitive" when:
(a) The method minimum level (ML) is at or below the level
of the effluent limit established in the permit for the measured pollutant or
pollutant parameter; or
(b) The method has the lowest ML of the analytical methods
approved under 40 CFR Part 136 or required under 40 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter N
or O for the measured pollutant or pollutant parameter.
(2) In the case of pollutants or pollutant parameters for
which there are no approved methods under 40 CFR Part 136 or methods are not
otherwise required under 40 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter N or O, monitoring shall
be conducted according to a test procedure specified in the permit for such
pollutants or pollutant parameters;
5. Except as provided in subdivisions 7 and 8 of this
subsection, requirements to report monitoring results shall be established on a
case-by-case basis with a frequency dependent on the nature and effect of the
discharge, but in no case less that once a year. For sewage sludge use or
disposal practices, requirements to monitor and report results shall be
established on a case-by-case basis with a frequency dependent on the nature
and effect of the sewage sludge use or disposal practice; minimally this shall
be as specified in Part VI (9VAC25-31-420 et seq.) of this chapter (where
applicable), but in no case less than once a year. All results shall be
electronically reported in compliance with 40 CFR Part 3 (including, in
all cases, 40 CFR Part 3 Subpart D), 9VAC25-31-110, and Part XI
(9VAC25-31-950 et seq.) of this chapter;
6. Requirements to report monitoring results for storm water
stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity which are
subject to an effluent limitation guideline shall be established on a
case-by-case basis with a frequency dependent on the nature and effect of the
discharge, but in no case less than once a year;
7. Requirements to report monitoring results for storm
water stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity
(other than those addressed in subdivision 6 of this subsection) shall be
established on a case-by-case basis with a frequency dependent on the nature
and effect of the discharge. At a minimum, a permit for such a discharge must
require:
a. The discharger to conduct an annual inspection of the
facility site to identify areas contributing to a storm water stormwater
discharge associated with industrial activity and evaluate whether measures to
reduce pollutant loading identified in a storm water stormwater
pollution prevention plan are adequate and properly implemented in accordance
with the terms of the permit or whether additional control measures are needed;
b. The discharger to maintain for a period of three years a
record summarizing the results of the inspection and a certification that the
facility is in compliance with the plan and the permit, and identifying any
incidents of noncompliance;
c. Such report and certification be signed in accordance with
9VAC25-31-110; and
d. Permits for storm water stormwater discharges
associated with industrial activity from inactive mining operations may, where
annual inspections are impracticable, require certification once every three
years by a Registered Professional Engineer that the facility is in compliance
with the permit, or alternative requirements; and
8. Permits which that do not require the
submittal of monitoring result reports at least annually shall require that the
permittee report all instances of noncompliance not reported under
9VAC25-31-190 L 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7 at least annually.
J. Pretreatment program for POTWs. Requirements for POTWs to:
1. Identify, in terms of character and volume of pollutants,
any significant indirect dischargers into the POTW subject to pretreatment
standards under § 307(b) of the CWA and Part VII (9VAC25-31-730 et seq.) of
this chapter;
2. Submit a local program when required by and in accordance
with Part VII of this chapter to assure compliance with pretreatment standards
to the extent applicable under § 307(b) of the CWA. The local program shall be
incorporated into the permit as described in Part VII of this chapter. The
program shall require all indirect dischargers to the POTW to comply with the
reporting requirements of Part VII of this chapter;
3. Provide a written technical evaluation of the need to
revise local limits under Part VII of this chapter following permit issuance or
reissuance; and
4. For POTWs which that are sludge-only
facilities, a requirement to develop a pretreatment program under Part VII of
this chapter when the board determines that a pretreatment program is necessary
to assure compliance with Part VI of this chapter.
K. Best management practices to control or abate the
discharge of pollutants when:
1. Authorized under § 304(e) of the CWA for the control of
toxic pollutants and hazardous substances from ancillary industrial activities;
2. Authorized under § 402(p) of the CWA for the control of storm
water stormwater discharges;
3. Numeric effluent limitations are infeasible; or
4. The practices are reasonably necessary to achieve effluent
limitations and standards or to carry out the purposes and intent of the law
and the CWA.
L. Reissued permits.
1. In the case of effluent limitations established on the
basis of § 402(a)(1)(B) of the CWA, a permit may not be renewed, reissued, or
modified on the basis of effluent guidelines promulgated under § 304(b) of
the CWA subsequent to the original issuance of such permit, to contain effluent
limitations which are less stringent than the comparable effluent limitations
in the previous permit. In the case of effluent limitations established on the
basis of §§ § 301(b)(1)(C) or 303(d) or (e) of the CWA, a
permit may not be renewed, reissued, or modified to contain effluent
limitations which that are less stringent than the comparable
effluent limitations in the previous permit except in compliance with §
303(d)(4) of the CWA.
2. Exceptions. A permit with respect to which subdivision 1 of
this subsection applies may be renewed, reissued, or modified to contain a less
stringent effluent limitation applicable to a pollutant, if:
a. Material and substantial alterations or additions to the
permitted facility occurred after permit issuance which justify the application
of a less stringent effluent limitation;
b. (1) Information is available which that was
not available at the time of permit issuance (other than revised regulations,
guidance, or test methods) and which that would have justified
the application of a less stringent effluent limitation at the time of permit
issuance; or
(2) The board determines that technical mistakes or mistaken
interpretations of law were made in issuing the permit under § 402(a)(1)(B) of
the CWA;
c. A less stringent effluent limitation is necessary because
of events over which the permittee has no control and for which there is no
reasonably available remedy;
d. The permittee has received a permit modification under the
law and §§ § 301(c), 301(g), 301(h), 301(i), 301(k), 301(n), or
316(a) of the CWA; or
e. The permittee has installed the treatment facilities
required to meet the effluent limitations in the previous permit and has
properly operated and maintained the facilities but has nevertheless been
unable to achieve the previous effluent limitations, in which case the
limitations in the reviewed, reissued, or modified permit may reflect the level
of pollutant control actually achieved (but shall not be less stringent than
required by effluent guidelines in effect at the time of permit renewal,
reissuance, or modification).
Subdivision 2 b of this subsection shall not apply to any
revised waste load allocations or any alternative grounds for translating water
quality standards into effluent limitations, except where the cumulative effect
of such revised allocations results in a decrease in the amount of pollutants
discharged into the concerned waters, and such revised allocations are not the
result of a discharger eliminating or substantially reducing its discharge of
pollutants due to complying with the requirements of the law or the CWA or for
reasons otherwise unrelated to water quality.
3. In no event may a permit with respect to which subdivision
2 of this subsection applies be renewed, reissued, or modified to contain an
effluent limitation which that is less stringent than required by
effluent guidelines in effect at the time the permit is renewed, reissued, or modified.
In no event may such a permit to discharge into waters be renewed, issued, or
modified to contain a less stringent effluent limitation if the implementation
of such limitation would result in a violation of a Virginia water quality
standard applicable to such waters.
M. For a privately owned treatment works, any conditions
expressly applicable to any user, as a limited co-permittee, that may be
necessary in the permit issued to the treatment works to ensure compliance with
applicable requirements under this part. Alternatively, the board may issue
separate permits to the treatment works and to its users, or may require a
separate permit application from any user. The board's decision to issue a
permit with no conditions applicable to any user, to impose conditions on one
or more users, to issue separate permits, or to require separate applications,
and the basis for that decision, shall be stated in the fact sheet for the
draft permit for the treatment works.
N. Any conditions imposed in grants made by the board to
POTWs under §§ 201 and 204 of the CWA which that are reasonably
necessary for the achievement of effluent limitations under § 301 of the CWA
and the law.
O. Requirements governing the disposal of sewage sludge from
publicly owned treatment works or any other treatment works treating domestic
sewage for any use regulated by Part VI of this chapter.
P. When a permit is issued to a facility that may operate at
certain times as a means of transportation over water, a condition that the
discharge shall comply with any applicable regulations promulgated by the
secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, that
establish specifications for safe transportation, handling, carriage, and
storage of pollutants.
Q. Navigation. Any conditions that the Secretary of the Army
considers necessary to ensure that navigation and anchorage will not be
substantially impaired in accordance with 9VAC25-31-330.
9VAC25-31-280. Fact sheet.
A. A fact sheet shall be prepared for every draft permit for
a major VPDES facility or activity, for every Class I sludge management
facility, for every VPDES general permit, for every VPDES draft permit that
incorporates a variance or requires an explanation under subsection B 8 of this
section, for every draft permit that includes a biosolids land application
under 9VAC25-31-100 D 2, and for every draft permit which the board finds is
the subject of wide-spread public interest or raises major issues. The fact
sheet shall briefly set forth the principal facts and the significant factual,
legal, methodological and policy questions considered in preparing the draft
permit. The board shall send this fact sheet to the applicant and, on request,
to any other person.
B. The fact sheet shall include, when applicable:
1. A brief description of the type of facility or activity which
that is the subject of the draft permit;
2. The type and quantity of wastes, fluids, or pollutants which
that are proposed to be or are being treated, stored, disposed of,
injected, emitted, or discharged;
3. A brief summary of the basis for the draft permit
conditions including references to applicable statutory or regulatory
provisions;
4. Reasons why any requested variances or alternatives to
required standards do or do not appear justified;
5. A description of the procedures for reaching a final
decision on the draft permit including:
a. The beginning and ending dates of the comment period for
the draft permit and the address where comments will be received;
b. Procedures for requesting a public hearing and the nature
of that hearing; and
c. Any other procedures by which the public may participate in
the final decision;
6. Name and telephone number of a person to contact for additional
information;
7. Any calculations or other necessary explanation of the
derivation of specific effluent limitations and conditions or standards for
biosolids use or sewage sludge disposal, including a citation to the applicable
effluent limitation guideline, performance standard, or standard for biosolids
use or sewage sludge disposal and reasons why they are applicable or an
explanation of how the alternate effluent limitations were developed;
8. When the draft permit contains any of the following
conditions, an explanation of the reasons why such conditions are applicable:
a. Limitations to control toxic pollutants;
b. Limitations on internal waste streams;
c. Limitations on indicator pollutants;
d. Technology-based or sewage sludge disposal limitations set
on a case-by-case basis;
e. Limitations to meet the criteria for permit issuance under
9VAC25-31-50; or
f. Waivers from monitoring requirements granted under
9VAC25-31-220 A;
9. For every permit to be issued to a treatment works owned by
a person other than a state or municipality, an explanation of the board's
decision on regulation of users;
10. When appropriate, a sketch or detailed description of the
location of the discharge or regulated activity described in the application;
and
11. Justification of waiver of any application requirements
under 9VAC25-31-100 J or P K or Q.
9VAC25-31-380. Transfer of permits.
A. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, 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 law and the CWA.
B. Automatic transfers. As an alternative to transfers under
subsection A of this section, any VPDES permit may be automatically transferred
to a new permittee if:
1. The current permittee notifies the department at least 30
days in advance of the proposed transfer date in subdivision 2 of this subsection;
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
3. The board does not notify the existing permittee and the
proposed new permittee of its intent to modify or revoke and reissue the
permit. A modification under this subdivision may also be a minor modification.
If this notice is not received, the transfer is effective on the date specified
in the agreement mentioned in subdivision 2 of this subsection; and
4. The new owner or operator has demonstrated compliance
with 9VAC25-650-70, if applicable.
9VAC25-31-800. Pretreatment program requirements: development
and implementation by POTW.
A. POTWs required to develop a pretreatment program. Any POTW
(or combination of POTWs operated by the same authority) with a total design
flow greater than five million gallons per day (mgd) and receiving from
industrial users pollutants which that pass through or interfere
with the operation of the POTW or are otherwise subject to pretreatment
standards will be required to establish a POTW pretreatment program unless the
director exercises his or her option to assume local responsibilities. The
regional administrator or director may require that a POTW with a design flow
of five mgd or less develop a POTW pretreatment program if he finds that the
nature or volume of the industrial influent, treatment process upsets,
violations of POTW effluent limitations, contamination of municipal sludge,
violations of water quality standards, or other circumstances warrant in order
to prevent interference with the POTW or pass through.
B. Deadline for program approval. POTWs identified as being
required to develop a POTW pretreatment program under subsection A of this
section shall develop and submit such a program for approval as soon as
possible, but in no case later than one year after written notification from
the director of such identification. The approved program shall be in operation
within two years of the effective date of the permit. The POTW pretreatment
program shall meet the criteria set forth in subsection F of this section and
shall be administered by the POTW to ensure compliance by industrial users with
applicable pretreatment standards and requirements.
C. Incorporation of approved programs in permits. A POTW may
develop an appropriate POTW pretreatment program any time before the time limit
set forth in subsection B of this section. The POTW's VPDES permit will be
reissued or modified to incorporate the approved program as enforceable
conditions of the permit. The modification of a POTW's VPDES permit for the
purposes of incorporating a POTW pretreatment program approved in accordance
with the procedures in 9VAC25-31-830 shall be deemed a minor permit
modification subject to the procedures in 9VAC25-31-400.
D. Incorporation of compliance schedules in permits.
(Reserved.)
E. Cause for revocation and reissuance or modification of
permits. Under the authority of the law and § 402 (b)(1)(C) of the CWA, the
director may modify, or alternatively, revoke and reissue a POTW's permit in
order to:
1. Put the POTW on a compliance schedule for the development
of a POTW pretreatment program where the addition of pollutants into a POTW by
an industrial user or combination of industrial users presents a substantial
hazard to the functioning of the treatment works, quality of the receiving
waters, human health, or the environment;
2. Coordinate the issuance of § 201 construction grant with
the incorporation into a permit of a compliance schedule for POTW pretreatment
program;
3. Incorporate a modification of the permit approved under § 301(h)
or § 301(i) of the CWA;
4. Incorporate an approved POTW pretreatment program in the
POTW permit;
5. Incorporate a compliance schedule for the development of a
POTW pretreatment program in the POTW permit; or
6. Incorporate the removal credits (established under
9VAC25-31-790) in the POTW permit.
F. POTW pretreatment requirements. A POTW pretreatment
program must be based on the following legal authority and include the
following procedures. These authorities and procedures shall at all times be
fully and effectively exercised and implemented.
1. Legal authority. The POTW shall operate pursuant to legal
authority enforceable in federal, state or local courts, which authorizes or
enables the POTW to apply and to enforce the requirements of §§ 307(b), (c) and
(d), and 402(b)(8) of the CWA and any regulations implementing those sections.
Such authority may be contained in a statute or ordinances which,
ordinance, or series of contracts or joint powers agreements that the POTW
is authorized to enact, enter into or implement, and which are authorized by
state law. At a minimum, this legal authority shall enable the POTW to:
a. Deny or condition new or increased contributions of
pollutants, or changes in the nature of pollutants, to the POTW by industrial
users where such contributions do not meet applicable pretreatment standards
and requirements or where such contributions would cause the POTW to violate
its VPDES permit.
b. Require compliance with applicable pretreatment standards
and requirements by industrial users.
c. Control through permit, or order the contribution to the
POTW by each industrial user to ensure compliance with applicable pretreatment
standards and requirements. In the case of industrial users identified as
significant under 9VAC25-31-10, this control shall be achieved through
individual permits or equivalent individual control mechanisms issued to each
such user except as follows:
(1)(a) At the discretion of the POTW, this control may include
use of general control mechanisms if the following conditions are met. All of
the facilities to be covered must:
(i) Involve the same or substantially similar types of
operations;
(ii) Discharge the same types of wastes;
(iii) Require the same effluent limitations;
(iv) Require the same or similar monitoring; and
(v) In the opinion of the POTW, be more appropriately
controlled under a general control mechanism than under individual control
mechanisms.
(b) To be covered by the general control mechanism, the
significant industrial user must file a written request for coverage that
identifies its contact information, production processes, the types of wastes
generated, the location for monitoring all wastes covered by the general
control mechanism, any requests in accordance with 9VAC25-31-840 E 2 for a
monitoring waiver for a pollutant neither present nor expected to be present in
the discharge, and any other information the POTW deems appropriate. A
monitoring waiver for a pollutant neither present nor expected to be present in
the discharge is not effective in the general control mechanism until after the
POTW has provided written notice to the significant industrial user that such a
waiver request has been granted in accordance with 9VAC25-31-840 E 2. The POTW
must retain a copy of the general control mechanism, documentation to support
the POTW's determination that a specific significant industrial user meets the
criteria in subdivisions 1 c (1) (a) (i) through (v) of this subsection, and a
copy of the user's written request for coverage for three years after the
expiration of the general control mechanism. A POTW may not control a significant
industrial user through a general control mechanism where the facility is
subject to production-based categorical pretreatment standards or categorical
pretreatment standards expressed as mass of pollutant discharged per day or for
industrial users whose limits are based on the Combined Wastestream Formula or
Net/Gross calculations (9VAC25-31-780 E and 9VAC25-31-870).
(2) Both individual and general control mechanisms must be
enforceable and contain, at a minimum, the following conditions:
(a) Statement of duration (in no case more than five years);
(b) Statement of nontransferability without, at a minimum,
prior notification to the POTW and provision of a copy of the existing control
mechanism to the new owner or operator;
(c) Effluent limits, including Best Management Practices,
based on applicable general pretreatment standards in this part, categorical
pretreatment standards, local limits, and the law;
(d) Self-monitoring, sampling, reporting, notification and
recordkeeping requirements, including an identification of the pollutants to be
monitored (including the process for seeking a waiver for a pollutant neither
present nor expected to be present in the discharge in accordance with
9VAC25-31-840 E 2, or a specific waiver pollutant in the case of an individual
control mechanism), sampling location, sampling frequency, and sample type,
based on the applicable general pretreatment standards in this part,
categorical pretreatment standards, local limits, and the law;
(e) Statement of applicable civil and criminal penalties for
violation of pretreatment standards and requirements; and any applicable
compliance schedules, which may not extend beyond applicable federal deadlines.
(f) Requirements to control slug discharges, if determined by
the POTW to be necessary.
d. Require:
(1) The development of a compliance schedule by each
industrial user for the installation of technology required to meet applicable
pretreatment standards and requirements; and
(2) The submission of all notices and self-monitoring reports
from industrial users as are necessary to assess and ensure compliance by
industrial users with pretreatment standards and requirements, including but
not limited to the reports required in 9VAC25-31-840.
e. Carry out all inspection, surveillance and monitoring
procedures necessary to determine, independent of information supplied by
industrial users, compliance or noncompliance with applicable pretreatment
standards and requirements by industrial users. Representatives of the POTW
shall be authorized to enter any premises of any industrial user in which a
discharge source or treatment system is located or in which records are
required to be kept under 9VAC25-31-840 O to ensure compliance with
pretreatment standards. Such authority shall be at least as extensive as the
authority provided under § 308 of the CWA.
f. Obtain remedies for noncompliance by any industrial user
with any pretreatment standard and requirement. All POTWs shall be able to seek
injunctive relief for noncompliance by industrial users with pretreatment
standards and requirements. All POTWs shall also have authority to seek or
assess civil or criminal penalties in at least the amount of $1,000 a day for
each violation by industrial users of pretreatment standards and requirements.
Pretreatment requirements which will be enforced through the
remedies set forth in this subdivision, will include but not be limited to,
the duty to allow or carry out inspections, entry, or monitoring activities;
any rules, regulations, or orders issued by the POTW; any requirements set
forth in individual control mechanisms issued by the POTW; or any reporting
requirements imposed by the POTW or this part. The POTW shall have authority
and procedures (after informal notice to the discharger) to immediately and
effectively halt or prevent any discharge of pollutants to the POTW which
reasonably appears to present an imminent endangerment to the health or welfare
of persons. The POTW shall also have authority and procedures (which shall include
notice to the affected industrial users and an opportunity to respond) to halt
or prevent any discharge to the POTW which presents or may present an
endangerment to the environment or which threatens to interfere with the
operation of the POTW. The director shall have authority to seek judicial
relief and may also use administrative penalty authority when the POTW has
sought a monetary penalty which the director believes to be insufficient.
g. Comply with the confidentiality requirements set forth in 9VAC25-31-860.
2. Procedures. The POTW shall develop and implement procedures
to ensure compliance with the requirements of a pretreatment program. At a
minimum, these procedures shall enable the POTW to:
a. Identify and locate all possible industrial users which
that might be subject to the POTW pretreatment program. Any compilation,
index or inventory of industrial users made under this subdivision shall be
made available to the regional administrator or department upon request.
b. Identify the character and volume of pollutants contributed
to the POTW by the industrial users identified under subdivision 2 a of this
subsection. This information shall be made available to the regional
administrator or department upon request.
c. Notify industrial users identified under subdivision 2 a of
this subsection, of applicable pretreatment standards and any applicable
requirements under §§ 204(b) and 405 of the CWA and subtitles C and D of the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 USC § 6901 et seq.). Within 30 days
of approval pursuant to 9VAC25-31-800 F 6, of a list of significant industrial
users, notify each significant industrial user of its status as such and of all
requirements applicable to it as a result of such status.
d. Receive and analyze self-monitoring reports and other
notices submitted by industrial users in accordance with the self-monitoring
requirements in 9VAC25-31-840.
e. Randomly sample and analyze the effluent from industrial
users and conduct surveillance activities in order to identify, independent of
information supplied by industrial users, occasional and continuing
noncompliance with pretreatment standards. Inspect and sample the effluent from
each significant industrial user at least once a year except as otherwise
specified below.
(1) Where the POTW has authorized the industrial user subject
to a categorical pretreatment standard to forego sampling of a pollutant
regulated by a categorical pretreatment standard in accordance with
9VAC25-31-840 E the POTW must sample for the waived pollutant(s) pollutant
at least once during the term of the categorical industrial user's control
mechanism. In the event that the POTW subsequently determines that a waived
pollutant is present or is expected to be present in the industrial user's
wastewater based on changes that occur in the user's operations, the POTW must
immediately begin at least annual effluent monitoring of the user's discharge
and inspection.
(2) Where the POTW has determined that an industrial user
meets the criteria for classification as a nonsignificant categorical
industrial user, the POTW must evaluate, at least once per year, whether an
industrial user continues to meet the criteria in 9VAC25-31-10.
(3) In the case of industrial users subject to reduced
reporting requirements under 9VAC25-31-840 E, the POTW must randomly sample and
analyze the effluent from industrial users and conduct inspections at least
once every two years. If the industrial user no longer meets the conditions for
reduced reporting in 9VAC25-31-840 E, the POTW must immediately begin sampling
and inspecting the industrial user at least once a year.
f. Evaluate whether each such significant industrial user
needs a plan or other action to control slug discharges. For industrial users
identified as significant prior to November 14, 2005, this evaluation must have
been conducted at least once by October 14, 2005; additional significant
industrial users must be evaluated within one year of being designated a
significant industrial user. For purposes of this subsection, a slug discharge
is any discharge of a nonroutine, episodic nature, including but not limited
to an accidental spill or noncustomary batch discharge that has a
reasonable potential to cause interference or pass through, or in any other way
violate the POTWs regulating local limits or permit conditions. The results of
such activities shall be available to the department upon request. Significant
industrial users are required to notify the POTW immediately of any changes at
its facility affecting potential for a slug discharge. If the POTW decides that
a slug control plan is needed, the plan shall contain, at a minimum, the
following elements:
(1) Description of discharge practices, including nonroutine
batch discharges;
(2) Description of stored chemicals;
(3) Procedures for immediately notifying the POTW of slug
discharges, including any discharge that would violate a prohibition under
9VAC25-31-770 B, with procedures for follow-up written notification within five
days; and
(4) If necessary, procedures to prevent adverse impact from
accidental spills, including inspection and maintenance of storage areas,
handling and transfer of materials, loading and unloading operations, control
of plant site run-off, worker training, building of containment structures or
equipment, measures for containing toxic organic pollutants (including
solvents), and measures and equipment necessary for emergency response.
g. Investigate instances of noncompliance with pretreatment
standards and requirements, as indicated in the reports and notices required
under 9VAC25-31-840, or indicated by analysis, inspection, and surveillance
activities described in subdivision 2 e of this subsection. Sample taking and
analysis and the collection of other information shall be performed with
sufficient care to produce evidence admissible in enforcement proceedings or in
judicial actions.
h. Comply with the public participation requirements of the
Code of Virginia and 40 CFR Part 25 in the enforcement of national pretreatment
standards. These procedures shall include provisions for at least annual public
notification, in a newspaper of general circulation that provides meaningful
public notice within the jurisdiction(s) jurisdiction served by
the POTW of industrial users which, at any time during the previous 12 months
were in significant noncompliance with applicable pretreatment requirements.
For the purposes of this provision, a significant industrial user (or any
industrial user that violates subdivision 2 h (3), (4) or (8) of this
subsection is in significant noncompliance if its violation meets one or more
of the following criteria:
(1) Chronic violations of wastewater discharge limits, defined
here as those in which 66% or more of all of the measurements taken during a
six-month period exceed (by any magnitude) a numeric pretreatment standard or
requirement, including instantaneous limits, as defined by 9VAC25-31-10;
(2) Technical Review Criteria (TRC) violations, defined here
as those in which 33% or more of all of the measurements for each pollutant
parameter taken during a six-month period equal or exceed the product of the
numeric pretreatment standard or requirement, including instantaneous limits,
as defined by 9VAC25-31-10; multiplied by the applicable TRC (TRC = 1.4 for
BOD, TSS, fats, oil, and grease, and 1.2 for all other pollutants except pH);
(3) Any other violation of a pretreatment standard or
requirement as defined by 9VAC25-31-10 (daily maximum, long-term average,
instantaneous limit, or narrative standard) that the control authority POTW
determines has caused, alone or in combination with other discharges,
interference or pass through (including endangering the health of POTW
personnel or the general public);
(4) Any discharge of a pollutant that has caused imminent
endangerment to human health, welfare or to the environment or has resulted in
the POTW's exercise of its emergency authority under subdivision 1 f of this
subsection to halt or prevent such a discharge;
(5) Failure to meet, within 90 days after the schedule date, a
compliance schedule milestone contained in a local control mechanism or
enforcement order for starting construction, completing construction, or
attaining final compliance;
(6) Failure to provide, within 45 days after the due date,
required reports such as baseline monitoring reports, 90-day compliance
reports, periodic self-monitoring reports, and reports on compliance with
compliance schedules;
(7) Failure to accurately report noncompliance; or
(8) Any other violation or group of violations that may
include a violation of Best Management Practices which the POTW determines will
adversely affect the operation or implementation of the local pretreatment
program.
3. Funding. The POTW shall have sufficient resources and
qualified personnel to carry out the authorities and procedures described in
subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection. In some limited circumstances, funding
and personnel may be delayed where (i) the POTW has adequate legal authority
and procedures to carry out the pretreatment program requirements described in
this section, and (ii) a limited aspect of the program does not need to be
implemented immediately (see 9VAC25-31-810 B).
4. Local limits. The POTW shall develop local limits as
required in 9VAC25-31-770 C 1, using current influent, effluent and sludge
data, or demonstrate that they are not necessary.
5. The POTW shall develop and implement an enforcement
response plan. This plan shall contain detailed procedures indicating how a
POTW will investigate and respond to instances of industrial user
noncompliance. The plan shall, at a minimum:
a. Describe how the POTW will investigate instances of
noncompliance;
b. Describe the types of escalating enforcement responses the
POTW will take in response to all anticipated types of industrial user
violations and the time periods within which responses will take place;
c. Identify (by title) the official or officials responsible
for each type of response; and
d. Adequately reflect the POTW's primary responsibility to
enforce all applicable pretreatment requirements and standards, as detailed in
subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection.
6. The POTW shall prepare and maintain a list of its
significant industrial users. The list shall identify the criteria in the
definition of significant industrial user in Part I (9VAC25-31-10 et seq.) of
this chapter which are applicable to each industrial user and, where
applicable, shall also indicate whether the POTW has made a determination pursuant
to subdivision 3 of that definition that such industrial user should not be
considered a significant industrial user. This list shall be submitted to the
department pursuant to 9VAC25-31-810 as a nonsubstantial program modification
pursuant to 9VAC25-31-900 D. Modifications to the list shall be submitted to
the department pursuant to 9VAC25-31-840 I 1.
G. A POTW that chooses to receive electronic documents must
satisfy the requirements of 40 CFR Part 3 (electronic reporting).
VA.R. Doc. No. R21-6247; Filed July 30, 2020, 6:33 a.m.