Wastewater - Water Treatment Works Stormwater Permit

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued its revised multi-sector industrial stormwater discharge general permit (MSGP). This permit will replace the existing industrial stormwater permit, which expired in October of 2002.

[Read a summary of the overall Minnesota permit, stormwater monitoring, and sector requirements]

All manufacturing, industrial and “industrial-like” sites that require a permit to discharge stormwater will be required to come into compliance with the revised permit, and to submit an application for permit coverage between June and October 2010, depending on their industrial sector.

Click here to review a list affected industrial sectors and application deadlines for each sector

The revised Minnesota permit details requirements for 29 different industrial sectors. The requirements described below are for the Treatment Works Sector (Sector T). Sector T facilities are engaging in 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 million gallons per day (MGD) or more; or are required to have an approved pretreatment program under 40 CFR Part 403. These requirements are in addition to permit requirements that apply to all sectors.

Employee Training:
In addition to other training requirements, employee training programs need to include training:
1) petroleum product management;
2) process chemical management;
3) fueling procedures; and
4) proper procedures for using fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides.

Inspections:
Routine inspections must include:
1) access roads and rail lines;
2) grit, screenings, and other solids handling areas;
3) sludge drying beds;
4) dried sludge piles;
5) compost piles; and
6) septage or hauled waste receiving stations.

Potential Pollutant Sources:
The site SWPPP must also describe potential pollutant sources including solids handling areas; sludge drying areas; compost piles; septage or hauled waste receiving stations; and access roads and rail lines.

Stormwater Monitoring Benchmarks:
All facilities are required to conduct visual and chemical (benchmark) monitoring. The benchmark concentrations are:

TSS 100 mg/L
BOD 25 mg/L

[Read more about how benchmarks are used under the revised MPCA industrial permit]
[Read more about what a 100 mg/L benchmark for TSS relates to]

Looking for other sector information?
Click here for a link to all sector requirements

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients in Minnesota to address Stormwater Permitting & Regulatory Support, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), Stormwater Monitoring and Stormwater Training.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com
or
Caltha LLP Website