Dewatering Guide
Dewatering Guide
Dewatering Guide
FOREWORD
This manual was prepared by the Office of Environmental Engineering, California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans). The manual establishes uniform policies and guidelines to support dewatering
operations on construction sites. It is neither intended as, nor does it establish a legal standard for those
functions. The guidelines herein are for the information and guidance of the resident engineers and
employees of the Department and its contractors.
The guidance and instructions published herein are subject to amendment as conditions and experience
warrant. The loose-leaf form of this manual was chosen because it facilitates change and expansion. New
or amended policies or procedures will be issued as additional or replacement pages in the format of this
manual.
Special situations may warrant variation from the published policies and guidelines. This manual is not a
textbook or a substitute for engineering or technical knowledge, experience or judgment.
The mention of any specific commercial product, processes or service in this manual is not to be
construed as either an actual or implied endorsement, recommendation or warranty thereof by Caltrans.
Caltrans makes no representation or warranty of any kind, whether expressed or implied, concerning
products or processes discussed in this manual and assumes no liability therefrom.
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Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................1
1.1. What is Considered a Dewatering Operation? ..................................................................... 1
1.2. What are the Permits that Regulate Dewatering Operations?................................................ 1
1.3. Do All Dewatering Operations Require an NPDES Permit?................................................. 2
1.4. Why are Dewatering Operations Regulated?....................................................................... 2
1.5. What are Considered Pollutants? ....................................................................................... 3
1.6. What are the Options for Managing Dewatering Operations?............................................... 3
1.7. What is the Resident Engineers Responsibility for Dewatering Permits Issued Prior to
Construction? ................................................................................................................... 4
1.8. How Do You Use This Field Guide?.................................................................................. 4
2.0 SELECTING A DEWATERING MANAGEMENT OPTION.................................................5
2.1 Assess Water Quality........................................................................................................ 7
2.2 Estimate Discharge Parameters.......................................................................................... 8
2.3 Is it a Qualifying Non-Storm Water Discharge?.................................................................. 9
3.0 DEWATERING MANAGEMENT DETAILS.......................................................................10
3.1 Manage Water Containing Pollutants Other than Sediment ................................................ 10
3.2 Retain Water on Site ....................................................................................................... 11
3.3 Discharge to Adjacent Land or Facility Owned by Others ................................................. 12
3.4 Discharge to a Sanitary Sewer System............................................................................. 13
3.5 Transport Off Site Using a Transportation, Storage and Disposal Contractor ...................... 14
3.6 Discharge Water to a Storm Drainage System or a Water of the U.S. Under the NPDES
Statewide Permit for Caltrans .......................................................................................... 15
3.7 Discharge Water to a Storm Drainage System or a Water of the U.S. Under a RWQCB
NPDES General Permit or Site-Specific NPDES Permit .................................................... 17
APPENDIX A: RWQCB Regional Maps with Caltrans District Boundaries
RWQCB Contacts
RWQCB NPDES Dewatering Requirements Summaries
APPENDIX B: Sediment Treatment Options
APPENDIX C: Water Quality and Discharge Parameters Assessment Form
Dewatering Operations Monitoring Form
APPENDIX D: RWQCB NPDES General Permits that Regulate Dewatering
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Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 General Dewatering Operation Process ................................................................................. 1
Figure 2 Dewatering Operations Management Flow Chart................................................................... 6
Figure 3 Dewatering Under the NPDES Statewide Permit for Caltrans ............................................... 16
Figure 4 General Process of Dewatering Under a Regional NPDES Permit ......................................... 18
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1 Water Quality Assessment Example...................................................................................... 7
Table 2 Discharge Parameter Calculation Sheet Example ................................................................... 8
Table 3 Typical Pump Flow Rates .................................................................................................... 8
Table 4 Qualifying Non-Storm Water Discharges in Regions 3, 5 or 7 ................................................ 9
Table 5 Qualifying Non-Storm Water Discharges in Region 9............................................................ 9
Table 6 Use Assessment: On-Site Retention .................................................................................... 11
Table 7 Use Assessment: Discharge to Adjacent Land or Facility Owned by Others........................... 12
Table 8 Use Assessment: Discharge to a Sanitary Sewer System....................................................... 13
Table 9 Use Assessment: Transport Off Site Using Transportation, Storage and Disposal Contractor .. 14
Table 10 Caltrans Districts and RWQCB General Permits.................................................................. 17
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Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This Field Guide provides Caltrans Resident Engineers and field staff with the information necessary to
manage dewatering operations on construction sites to maintain compliance with Federal and State water
quality protection regulations.
1.1. WHAT IS CONSIDERED A DEWATERING OPERATION?
For Caltrans construction projects, dewatering operations are practices that manage the discharge of
pollutants when non-storm water or accumulated precipitation must be removed from a work location so
that construction work may be accomplished. Typical sources of non-storm waters that are dewatered
from Caltrans construction sites include, but are not limited to, groundwater, water from cofferdams,
water diversions, and waters used during construction activities that must be removed from a work area.
Each of the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs), which regulate dewatering
operations through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), has the authority to
define the types of dewatering effluent that are regulated under an NPDES permit within its Region.
Figure 1 illustrates the general dewatering operation process.
Figure 1 General Dewatering Operation Process
1.2. WHAT ARE THE PERMITS THAT REGULATE DEWATERING OPERATIONS?
Accumulated Precipitation (Storm Water) Dewatering Operations
In all RWQCB Regions except 1 and 2, accumulated precipitation (accumulated storm water) from
Caltrans construction activities may be discharged to a storm drain or water body in accordance with the
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Statewide Storm Water Permit and Waste
Discharge Requirements (WDRs) for the State of California, Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
(CAS000003, Order No. 99-06-DWQ), issued July 15, 1999. This permit regulates all Caltrans activity
statewide, including its construction activity, and incorporates all the provisions of the NPDES General
Construction Permit (CAS000002) by reference. In this Field Guide, Permit CAS000003 is referred to as
the NPDES Statewide Permit for Caltrans.
In Regions 1 and 2 concurrence of the RWQCB is required prior to discharging accumulated precipitation
under the Caltrans permit, or the RWQCB may require a separate permit.
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Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
Non-Storm Water Dewatering Operations
Discharges of non-storm water, such as
groundwater or storm water combined with non
storm water, are regulated under General
NPDES Permits or site-specific NPDES permits
issued by the RWQCB.
In Regions 3, 5, 7, and 9, qualifying discharges
of non-storm water are covered under the
NPDES Statewide Permit for Caltrans. Refer to
Section 2.3 for details.
Numerous RWQCBs have issued General
NPDES Permits to regulate specific types of
dewatering discharges. RWQCB Regions and
applicable General NPDES Permits are
identified in the accompanying table and
discussed in Section 3.7. Copies of the General
NPDES Permits referenced in the table are
provided as Appendix D of the Field Guide.
Appendix A contains maps of the nine RWQCB
regions with the Caltrans District boundaries
identified, RWQCB contact information, and a
brief summary of permit requirements.
Section 2 of the Field Guide provides flow
charts that guide the Resident Engineer through
the process of determining if the dewatering
operation is subject to an NPDES permit, and if
so, under which permit the operation is
regulated.
Caltrans
District
RWQCB General Permits
1
Region 1 General Permit 93-61
Region 5 General Permit 5-00-175
2
Region 1 General Permit 93-61
Region 5 General Permit 5-00-175
Region 6 General Permit 6-98-36, 6-98-75
3
Region 5 General Permit 5-00-175
Region 6 General Permit 6-98-36, 6-98-75
4
Region 1 General Permit 93-61
Region 2 No General Permit
Region 3 No General Permit
Region 5 General Permit 5-00-175
5
Region 2 No General Permit
Region 3 No General Permit
Region 5 General Permit 5-00-175
6
Region 5 General Permit 5-00-175
Region 6 General Permit 6-98-36, 6-98-75
7
Region 3 No General Permit
Region 4 General Permit 97-043, 97-045
Region 5 General Permit 5-00-175
Region 6 General Permit 6-98-36, 6-98-75
8
Region 6 General Permit 6-98-36, 6-98-75
Region 7 No General Permit
Region 8 General Permit 98-67
Region 9 General Permit 2000-90, 2001-96
9 Region 6 General Permit 6-98-36, 6-98-75
10
Region 2 No General Permit
Region 5 General Permit 5-00-175
Region 6 General Permit 6-98-36, 6-98-75
11
Region 7 No General Permit
Region 9 General Permit 2000-90, 20001-96
12
Region 8 General Permit 98-67
Region 9 General Permit 2000-90, 2001-96
1.3. DO ALL DEWATERING OPERATIONS REQUIRE AN NPDES PERMIT?
No. If the water meets requirements so that it can be discharged to a sanitary sewer, reused on the
construction site, discharged by agreement to an adjacent landowner/facility, or transported off site by a
transportation, storage, and disposal (TSD) contractor, an NPDES permit is not needed.
1.4. WHY ARE DEWATERING OPERATIONS REGULATED?
Untreated water from construction dewatering operations may contain pollutants that, if discharged to a
storm drainage system or natural water course, would cause the water quality standards of the receiving
water to be violated. The intent of Federal and State regulations is to prevent discharges from dewatering
operations from contributing to the violation of water quality standards.
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Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
1.5. WHAT ARE CONSIDERED POLLUTANTS?
Specific pollutants are defined in the Federal Clean Water Act and in the California Water Code. For the
purposes of this Field Guide, pollutants are classified into two groups:
Sediment. Sediment is the most common pollutant associated with dewatering operations on
construction sites. Most dewatering operations will require that the water be treated to remove some
level of sediment. Detailed information about sediment removal methods and technologies have been
provided in Appendix B of this Field Guide.
Other pollutants. This includes all other pollutants as defined in Federal and State laws and
regulations. These pollutants tend to be site-specific and are often associated with current or past use
of the construction site or adjacent land. Common other pollutants on construction sites include:
nitrogen and phosphate from fertilizers; organic materials from plant waste; metals such as arsenic,
cadmium, copper, and lead; and constituents that affect pH or hardness. Other pollutants include oil,
grease, pesticides, solvents, fuels, trash, and bacteria from human/animal wastes.
1.6. WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR MANAGING DEWATERING OPERATIONS?
The options for managing dewatering operations depend on the condition and volume of the water to be
discharged and the conditions of the construction site. For example, under the appropriate conditions:
Collected water from dewatering can be managed on the construction site , without discharging off
the site or to a water body or drainage system.
Discharges can be made by agreement to adjacent land or to a facility owned by others .
Discharges can be made by agreement to the sanitary sewer system.
Collected water from dewatering can be removed from the construction site using a commercial
transportation, storage, and disposal facility (TSD) contractor.
Discharges to the storm drainage system or to a water of the U.S. under the NPDES Statewide
Permit for Caltrans can be made for the following types of dewatering discharges:
Discharges of accumulated precipitation in RWQCB Regions other than 1 and 2.
Discharges of non-storm water in RWQCB Regions 3, 5 and 7 having a volume of less than
250,000 gallons per day (gpd) and a duration of four months or less.
Discharges of groundwater in RWQCB Region 9 to a surface water other than San Diego Bay
having a volume of less 100,000 gpd that does not contain pollutants.
Discharges can be made to the storm drainage system or water of the U.S. under a General
NPDES Permit or site-specific NPDES permit issued by the RWQCB.
Section 2 provides flow charts that guide the Resident Engineer through the process of determining which
management options are appropriate for dewatering operations in each Region.
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Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
1.7. WHAT IS THERESIDENT ENGINEERS RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEWATERING PERMITS ISSUED
PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION?
For some construction projects, dewatering requirements are identified during the planning and design
phases, and the appropriate NPDES permit that regulates dewatering is obtained prior to construction.
If an NPDES permit has already been issued to regulate dewatering for the project, the Resident Engineer
is responsible for ensuring that the contractor complies with the discharge, monitoring and reporting
provisions specified in the permit.
1.8. HOW DO YOU USE THIS FIELD GUIDE?
The Field Guide directs the Resident Engineer through the process of evaluating dewatering operations on
the construction site to ensure that the contractor complies with the appropriate regulatory requirements.
The steps in this process are as follows:
1. Characterize the water to be managed. Follow the instructions in Sections 2.1 through 2.3 to
characterize the effluent associated with the dewatering operation.
These sections guide the Resident Engineer through a series of questions and calculations for
assessing water quality and estimating discharge parameters that can affect selection of management
options. Appendix C contains a form that the Resident Engineer can use to aid in the assessment.
2. Select an appropriate dewatering management option following the flow chart in Section 2.
Use the flow chart in Figure 2 to identify the possible management options for the dewatering
operation based on the assessment performed in step (1). Section 3 describes management options in
more detail and provides guidance for determining if the option is appropriate for the dewatering
operation.
3. If discharging water to a storm drain or water of the U.S.:
Follow the guidance in Section 3.6 if the discharge is authorized under the NPDES Statewide
Permit for Caltrans, or Section 3.7 if a separate RWQCB permit is required.
Refer to Appendix A to determine which RWQCB has jurisdiction over the project and for a
summary of applicable General NPDES Permit requirements.
4. Refer to Appendix B to identify sediment treatment options.
Appendix B describes and compares some methods and technologies for removing sediment from
dewatering effluent.
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Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
2.0 SELECTING A DEWATERING MANAGEMENT OPTION
The Dewatering Operations Management Flow Chart (Figure 2) guides the Resident Engineer through the
process of identifying feasible options for managing a dewatering operation and whether or not an
NPDES permit applies to the operation. The flow chart contains references to other sections of the Field
Guide for additional explanation or guidance.
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Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
Figure 2 Dewatering Operations Management Flow Chart
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Caltrans
2.1 ASSESS WATER QUALITY
The quality of the water from dewatering operations
determines which management options are feasible for
the construction site. Each management option has a
different standard for water quality requirements. For
instance, the sanitary sewer may accept water with
pollutants that cannot be discharged to the storm drain
without treatment.
1) To aid in the assessment, use the Water Quality
Assessment section of the Water Quality and
Discharge Parameters Assessment Form in
Appendix C and duplicated in Table 1 below.
This form guides the Resident Engineer through a
set of water quality questions that can be
completed onsite.
a) For assessing accumulated precipitation,
complete one form for each accumulation
location that is expected to have unique
characteristics. For example, if rainwater
accumulates in mu ltiple depressions adjacent
to each other (assumed to have the same soil,
land use, etc.), a single assessment can be
made for the rain event. If rainwater
accumulates in multiple locations distant
from each other, assess the water quality at
each location for the event.
Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
b) For assessing non-storm water
(groundwater, cofferdam, diversion water
etc.), complete one form for each dewatering
location that is expected to have unique
characteristics. For example, if groundwater
is being removed from multiple areas
adjacent to each other (assumed to have the
same soil, land use, etc.), a single assessment
can be made for the rain event. If
groundwater is being removed at multiple
locations distant from each other, assess the
water quality at each location.
2) If you answered YES to any of the Water Quality
Assessment questions on the form, or you suspect
that the water contains pollutants other than
sediment, contact the Construction Storm Water
Coordinator (CSWC) for assistance with
additional testing and management options. Refer
to Section 3.1 for more information about
managing water containing pollutants other than
sediment.
3) If you answered NO to all of the Water Quality
Assessment questions on the form, estimate the
discharge parameters, as described in Section 2.2.
4) File the completed forms with the Storm Water
Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) or Water
Pollution Control Program (WPCP).
Table 1 Water Quality Assessment Example
Water Quality Assessment
The following questions provide an initial assessment of the quality of the water to be discharged from the dewatering
operation.
Common
Sense Test
1. Review the project records. Is there any reason to suspect that the water may be
polluted by something other than sediment?
No Yes
2. Is the water located in an area of known contamination? No Yes
Sight Test
Does the water have an abnormal visual feature, such as (circle):
Oily Sheen Floating Foam Murky Appearance Unusual Color Other
Smell Test
Does the water have an odor?
Possible odors include gasoline, petroleum, ammonia, sewage, etc.
No Yes
If you answered YES to any of the above questions, explain:
If you answered YES to any of the questions in the assessment or suspect that the water contains pollutants other than
sediments, contact the Construction Storm Water Coordinator (CSWC) for assistance with additional testing and
management options.
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Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
2.2 ESTIMATE DISCHARGE PARAMETERS
Most RWQCBs and sanitary sewer districts have
specific discharge requirements based on the flow
rate, daily volume, total volume, and duration of the
dewatering operation.
To estimate discharge parameters, use the Discharge
Parameters section of the Water Quality and
Discharge Parameters Assessment Form in Appendix
C and duplicated in Table 2 below. This form guides
the Resident Engineer through a set of calculations
that can be completed onsite.
The pump sizes and flow rates in Table 3 can be used
to aid in this estimate. The pump discharge flow and
horsepower will vary depending on the systems total
dynamic head (distance and height required to
pump).
1) Complete the Discharge Parameters form as
follows:
a) For assessing accumulated precipitation,
complete one form for each accumulation
location for the rain event.
b) For assessing non-storm water
(groundwater, cofferdam or diversion water,
etc.), complete one form for each dewatering
location.
2) File the completed forms with the SWPPP or
WPCP.
Table 2 Discharge Parameter Calculation Sheet Example
DISCHARGE PARAMETERS
To estimate water discharge parameters, answer the following questions and document the results below.
Origin of
Water
Is the discharge from (circle one):
Groundwater Cofferdam/Diversion Accumulated Precipitation Other (specify)
Will the discharge be intermittent (associated with each rainstorm) or continuous
(dewatering one area for a long period)? (circle)
Intermittent
Continuous
Daily
Flow
Rate
Estimate the total quantity of water and proposed discharge rate for each daily
discharge event (Q
d
, gallons per day). This can be estimated from the pump discharge
rate and the expected daily total of hours the pump will be run.
Q
d
, gpd = ____ gals/min pump rate X 60 mins/hr X ____ hrs discharge
Q
d
= ______ gpd
Duration What is the expected duration of the dewatering operation? _______ (days)
Total
Volume
What is the estimated total discharge for the life of the project (V
T
)?
To estimate the total discharge, multiply the daily flow rate (Q
d
) by the estimated
duration.
V
T
= _____ Gallons
Comments:
Table 3 Typical Pump Flow Rates
Pump Size
(submersible)
Typical Flow Rates*
1.5-inch 90 to 120 gpm
2-inch 90 to 300 gpm
3-inch 300 to 800 gpm
4-inch 400 to 1300 gpm
6-inch 400 to 1800 gpm
*Based on manufacturers general information
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Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
2.3 IS IT A QUALIFYING NON-STORM WATER DISCHARGE?
In RWQCB Regions 3, 5, 7, and 9, qualifying
discharges of non-storm water to a storm drainage
system or water of the U.S. are allowed in accordance
with the NPDES Statewide Permit for Caltrans.
In Regions 3, 5, and 7, qualifying discharges are
minor discharges of non-storm water (groundwater,
water from cofferdams or diversions, storm water
commingled with non-storm water) that are free of
pollutants other than sediment. A minor discharge is
defined as a discharge that (1) is less than 0.25 mgd
and (2) has a duration of four or fewer months
continuous discharge, or the equivalent of four
months non-continuous discharge. For qualifying
discharges, the RWQCB must be notified and
approve the proposed discharge prior to any removal
of water from the construction site. For all other
discharges of non-storm water, contact the RWQCB
for guidance.
In Region 9, discharges of groundwater to surface
waters other than the San Diego Bay are allowed
under the NPDES Statewide Permit for Caltrans if
the discharge is less than 0.1 mgd and does not
contain pollutants. For qualifying discharges, the
RWQCB must be notified and approve the proposed
discharge prior to any removal of water from the
construction site. For all other discharges of non
storm water, contact the RWQCB for guidance.
Other Regions do not allow the discharge of
non-storm water without a RWQCB NPDES permit
or permission.
The questions in Tables 4 and 5 provide guidance for
determining if a non-storm water dewatering
operation qualifies for discharge under the NPDES
Statewide Permit for Caltrans in Regions 3, 5, 7, or 9.
Table 4 Qualifying Non-Storm Water Discharges in Regions 3, 5 or 7
1) Estimate the flow (gallons per day) to be discharged:
a) On the Discharge Parameters section of the Water Quality and Discharge Parameters Assessment Form
(Appendix C), estimate the Daily Flow Rate (Q
d
) to be discharged from each of the dewatering locations
in gallons per day (gpd).
b) Add the Daily Flow Rates for all dewatering locations together. Total = _______ gpd
c) If the total is greater than 0.25 mgd (> 250,000 gpd), the dewatering operation does not qualify for
regulation under the NPDES Statewide Permit for Caltrans. Contact the RWQCB for guidance.
d) If the total is less than 0.25 mgd, continue with (2).
2) What is the duration of the discharge? Duration = ______________(hours/days/months)
a) If less than 4 months continuous, or the equivalent of 4 months non-continuous, this is a qualifying
discharge. Notify the RWQCB of the proposed discharge and discharge under the NPDES Statewide
Permit for Caltrans, as described in Section 3.6.
b) If it exceeds 4 months continuous, or the equivalent of 4 months non-continuous, the dewatering operation
does not qualify for regulation under the NPDES Statewide Permit for Caltrans. Contact the RWQCB for
guidance.
Table 5 Qualifying Non-Storm Water Discharges in Region 9
1)
a)
b)
Is it a discharge of unpolluted groundwater to a surface water other than San Diego Bay?
If YES, continue with question (2).
If NO, the dewatering operation does not qualify for regulation under the NPDES Statewide Permit for
Caltrans. Contact RWQCB Region 9 for guidance.
2)
a)
b)
c)
d)
Estimate the flow (gallons per day) to be discharged:
On the Discharge Parameters section of the Water Quality and Discharge Parameters Assessment Form
(Appendix C), estimate the Daily Flow Rate (Q
d
) to be discharged from each of the dewatering locations
in gallons per day (gpd).
Add the Daily Flow Rates for all dewatering locations together. Total = _______ gpd
If the total is greater than 0.1 mgd (100,000 gpd), the dewatering discharge does not qualify for regulation
under the NPDES Statewide Permit for Caltrans. Contact RWQCB Region 9 for guidance.
If the total is less than 0.1 mgd (100,000 gpd), the dewatering discharge may qualify for regulation under
the NPDES Statewide Permit for Caltrans. Contact RWQCB Region 9 for approval.
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Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
3.0 DEWATERING MANAGEMENT DETAILS
Details of the management options for water resulting from dewatering operations are described in this section.
3.1 MANAGE WATER CONTAINING POLLUTANTS OTHER THAN SEDIMENT
Definition
Water that contains, or is suspected of cont aining,
pollutants other than sediment is typically subject to
additional testing and evaluation prior to the selection
of an appropriate dewatering management option.
Pollutants defined in Section 502(6) of the Federal
Clean Water Act are incorporated into the California
Water Code (13373).
Implementation
The Resident Engineer contacts the CSWC for
assistance with additional testing and evaluation. In
determining additional testing requirements, the
preferred management option should be considered.
Each agency or entity (sanitary sewer, TSD
contractor, RWQCB, etc.) will have specific tests
required prior to accepting water for discharge. Based
on test results, the following management options
may be considered for potentially polluted water:
Water may meet requirements for discharge to a
sanitary sewer. Refer to Section 3.4 for this
management option.
Water may be transported from the construction
site by a TSD contractor. Refer to Section 3.5 for
more information about this management option.
Water may be treated and discharged in
accordance with a separate NPDES permit issued
by the RWQCB. Refer to Section 3.7 for more
information about this management option.
If water quality testing shows that water meets
RWQCB basin plan requirement, the RWQCB
may allow it to be discharged under a regional
NPDES permit or the NPDES Statewide Permit
for Caltrans. Discuss this option with the CSWC
and the local RWQCB.
Advantages
Ensures that dewatering operations containing
pollutants other than sediment are managed in
compliance with NPDES requirements.
Limitations
Time required to test water and obtain permit.
Cost of pre-discharge and on-going testing, if
required.
Cost of treating water to remove pollutants, if
required.
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Caltrans
3.2 RETAIN WATER ON SITE
Definiti on
Accumulated water is retained on site rather than
transported or discharged off site. Retained water
evaporates, infiltrates into the soil, or is used on
the site for dust control, irrigation, or other
construction-related purposes. Review the
questions in Table 5 below to assess if this option
is appropriate.
Implementation
This option entails (1) dispersing the water over a
vegetated area and allowing the water to infiltrate
into the soil or evaporate, or (2) storing the water
in tanks for later use on the construction site.
Water Quality
Appropriate for water free of pollutants other
than sediment.
Minor amounts of other non-hazardous
pollutants may be acceptable with the
agreement of the CSWC.
Advantages
No permits required.
Best Management Practice (BMP) NS-1,
"Water Conservation Practices."
Limitations
Generally not feasible for large quantities or
high flow rates.
May require space for water storage tanks.
May require treatment for sediment removal.
Requires ponded water to be infiltrated or
evaporated within 72 hours.
Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
General Requirements
If discharging for infiltration, the water must
infiltrate/evaporate so that it does not remain ponded
for more than 72 hours.
If necessary, treat water to remove sediment prior to
reuse on site. Refer to Appendix B for sediment
treatment options.
Retained water should not be reused near inlets or
other areas where it may be inadvertently discharged
from the site.
Removed sediments must be handled properly.
Retained sediment must be either dispersed onsit e
and stabilized, or disposed of at a disposal site
approved by the Resident Engineer.
Table 6 Use Assessment: On-Site Retention
Can Water be Retained On Site?
1) Answer the following questions to determine the feasibility of using this option:
a) Is the water free of pollutants other than sediment? YES NO
b) Can the operation be managed so that no water leaves the construction site? YES NO
c) Can the estimated volume of water as calculated on the Discharge Parameters section of the
Water Quality and Discharge Parameters Assessment Form (Appendix C) be accommodated on
the site? YES NO
d) Will ponded water evaporate or infiltrate within 72 hours of collection? YES NO
e) Can the water be treated for sediment if necessary for the anticipated reuse? YES NO
2) If you answered YES to all of the questions above, consider retaining ownership of the water on site.
3) If you answered NO to any of the above questions, this option is not feasible for the site. Consider
other management options.
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Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
3.3 DISCHARGE TO ADJACENT LAND OR FACILITY OWNED BY OTHERS
Definition
Discharge of accumulated water to adjacent land
or into another owners facility (e.g., settling
basin, irrigation) by special agreement. A fee may
be required by the landowner or facility. Review
the questions in Table 6 below to assess if this
option is appropriate.
Implementation
This agreement should include provisions for any
monetary compensation, discharge prohibitions,
pre-discharge testing, and expected final condition
of the area or facility to be used. If this option is
considered for groundwater, discuss all regulatory
and legal implications with the CSWC.
Water Quality
An option generally appropriate for water that
does not contain pollutants other than
sediment.
Advantages
No NPDES permit required.
Limitations
May require treatment for sediment removal.
Requires a written agreement.
May require a fee.
General Requirements
The discharge must be managed so that it cannot
discharge to a storm drain or water body.
If sediment filtration is required, the sediment must
be properly managed. Retained sediment must be
either dispersed onsite and stabilized, or disposed
of at a disposal site approved by the Resident
Engineer.
Water should be discharged in accordance with a
written agreement from the property owner.
The discharge must be monitored to assure
compliance.
The discharge must not create a hazard at the
discharge point.
Pre-discharge chemical testing (if required) should
be performed in accordance with the agreement,
and the results provided to the owner prior to the
discharge.
Table 7 Use Assessment: Discharge to Adjacent Land or Facility Owned by Others
Can Water be Discharged to an Adjacent Land or Facility?
1) Answer the following questions to determine the feasibility of using this option:
a) Is there an appropriate landowner or a facility adjacent to the site that is willing to negotiate an
agreement to accept your discharge? YES NO
b) Is the water free of pollutants other than sediment? YES NO
c) Can the estimated volume of water as calculated on the Discharge Parameters section of the Water
Quality and Discharge Parameters Assessment Form (Appendix C) be accommodated by the
land/facility? YES NO
d) Can the water be t reated for sediment (if necessary) prior to discharge? YES NO
e) If groundwater, does the RWQCB allow unrestricted discharge of groundwater to land? YES NO
2) If you answered YES to all of the questions above, consider negotiating an agreement to discharge to the
land/facility.
3) If you answered NO to any of the above questions, this option is not feasible for the site. Consider other
management options.
12
Caltrans
3.4 DISCHARGE TO A SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM
Definition
Discharge of accumulated water to a public
sanitary sewer system (city, county, etc.) through a
permit with the local agency. A fee may be
required by the sanitary sewer agency. Review the
questions in Table 7 below to assess if this option
is appropriate.
Implementation
Must obtain permit from the local sanitary sewer
agency. This permit will include provisions for
any fees, discharge limitations/prohibitions, and
requirements for pre-discharge testing and
reporting. If this option is used, an NPDES permit
is not required for the dewatering operation.
Water Quality
Generally appropriate for water that may
contain sediment and other pollutants.
Acceptable pollutants and pollutant levels are
defined by the sanitary sewer agency.
Advantages
Acceptable levels of pollutants may be
discharged without pretreatment.
Water may be pumped directly from the
project site with no intermediate
transportation.
No NPDES permit required.
Limitations
May require treatment for sediment removal.
Requires a permit from the sanitary sewer
district.
May require a fee.
Time required to negotiate agreement and
receive permission from sanitary sewer
agency.
May require pre-discharge chemical testing.
Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
General Requirements
A permit is required from the sanitary sewer agency
to specify requirements for chemical qualit y of the
water, discharge flow rates and quantities.
Discharge water in accordance with written
agreement from the sanitary sewer agency. The
discharge may require monitoring to assure
compliance.
Pre-discharge chemical testing (if required) should
be performed in accordance with sanitary sewer
agency policy with results provided to the agency
prior to discharge.
Discharge records may be required to be submitted
to the sanitary sewer district.
Water may need to be treated for sediment prior to
discharge.
If sediment filtration is required, the removed
sediment must be properly managed. Retained
sediment must be either dispersed onsite and
stabilized, or disposed of at a disposal site approved
by the Resident Engineer.
Table 8 Use Assessment: Discharge to a Sanitary Sewer System
Can Water be Discharged to a Sanitary Sewer System?
1) Answer the following questions to determine the feasibility of using this option:
a) Is the local sanitary sewer agency willing to negotiate an agreement to accept the discharge?
b) Is the water quality acceptable to the agency or can it be treated to meet requirements?
c) Is the estimated volume of water as calculated on the Discharge Parameters section of the Water
Quality and Discharge Parameters Assessment Form (Appendix C) acceptable to the sanitary sewer
agency?
2) If you answered YES to all of the questions above, consider negotiating an agreement to discharge to the
sanitary sewer. Contact the CSWC for assistance.
3) If you answered NO to any of the above questions, this option is not feasible. Consider other management
options.
13
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
3.5 TRANSPORT OFF SITE USING A TRANSPORTATION, STORAGE AND DISPOSAL CONTRACTOR
Definition
Transport of water off the construction site using a
commercial TSD contractor. A licensed commercial
TSD contractor can remove, transport and dispose
of (or treat and recycle) polluted water. Review the
questions in Table 8 below to assess if this option is
appropriate.
Implementation
Contact the District CSWC for assistance. The use
of a TSD contractor will require a fee and testing
prior to pickup and transportation.
Water Quality
This option is typically appropriate for water with
toxic pollutants that cannot be discharged elsewhere,
although some TSD contractors will accept clean
water. This option would be feasible if the water
were polluted in a manner that makes it more cost
effective to transport the water off site than to treat
it for discharge at the site.
Advantages
Can be used to dispose of highly polluted water,
including water polluted with hazardous
materials.
No NPDES permit required.
Limitations
May be very expensive (~$0.20 $0.30 per gallon
plus a solids surcharge, $70 per hour for a vacuum
truck, and cost for analytical testing).
Requires time for testing.
Not viable for prolonged periods of dewatering.
On-site collection/storage area may require
secondary containment.
General Requirements
Chemical testing is required.
Uniform hazardous waste manifests will be required
if water is hazardous.
Contact the CSWC for assistance with water that
must be managed using a TSD contractor.
Table 9 Use Assessment: Transport Off Site Using Transportation, Storage and Disposal Contractor
Can Water be Transported Off Site for Disposal?
1) Answer the following questions to determine the feasibility of using this option:
a) Is the water quality acceptable to the TSD? YES NO
b) Is the estimated volume of water as calculated on Discharge Parameters section of the Water Quality
and Discharge Parameters Assessment Form (Appendix C) acceptable? YES NO
c) Is the fee acceptable to the contract budget? YES NO
2) If you answered YES to all of the questions above, consider negotiating an agreement to discharge to the
TSD facility. Contact the District CSWC for assistance.
3) If you answered NO to any of the above questions, this option is not feasible. Consider other management
options.
14
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
3.6 DISCHARGE WATER TO A STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM OR A WATER OF THE U.S. UNDER THE
NPDES STATEWIDE PERMIT FOR CALTRANS
Definition
Discharges consisting solely of accumulated
precipitation may be discharged to a storm drain or water
body under the NPDES Statewide Permit for Caltrans in
all RWQCB Regions except 1 and 2.
Several RWQCB Regions allow qualified discharges
from non-storm water dewatering operations to be
regulated under the NPDES Statewide Permit for
Caltrans. See General Requirements below.
Implementation
The flow chart in Figure 2 (Section 2.0) provides
guidance for determining if dewatering effluent can be
discharged using this option and the process to be used.
Figure 3 (following page) is an enlargement of the
section of the flow chart in Figure 2 that shows the
implementation process for discharge using this
management option.
Water Quality
Water must be free of pollutants other than sediment and
must consist solely of accumulated precipitation or
qualify as a minor discharge of non-storm water.
Advantages
Can be discharged directly from the project site
following sediment treatment (if required).
Minimal cost.
Limitations
Must meet water quality requirements as
summarized above.
May require treatment for sediment removal.
General Requirements
Dewatering Operation BMPs must be included
in the project SWPPP or WPCP in accordance
with BMP NS-2 Dewatering Operations of
the Caltrans Construction Site BMPs Manual.
As identified in Figure 2, Dewatering
Operations Management Flow Chart, assess
water quality and estimate discharge
parameters to assure that the water meets water
quality requirements and limitations on
quantity. Refer to Sections 2.1 thr ough 2.3, and
the Water Quality and Discharge Parameters
Assessment Form (Appendix C) for guidance.
For accumulated precipitation in Regions 3 9, the
discharge must consist solely of accumulated
precipitation; it cannot be combined with non-storm
water. In Regions 3 9, RWQCB notification is not
required prior to this discharge. (In Regions 1 and 2,
concurrence of the RWQCB is required prior to
discharging accumulated precipitation under the
NPDES Statewide Permit for Caltrans or a separate
permit may be required.)
In RWQCB Regions 3, 5 and 7, minor discharges of
non-storm water (groundwater, etc.) may be
discharged to a storm drain or water body under the
NPDES Statewide Permit for Caltrans. A minor
discharge of non-storm water is defined as a
discharge of less than 0.25 mgd and with a duration
of four or fewer months. Notify the RWQCB of the
proposed discharge and provide any water quality
assessment information that is available.
Concurrence from the RWQCB should be obtained
prior to the removal of any non-storm water from
the construction site.
In Region 9, a discharge of unpolluted groundwater
of less than 0.1 mgd to a surface water other than
San Diego Bay may be allowed under the NPDES
Statewide Permit for Caltrans. Concurrence from the
RWQCB should be obtained prior to the removal of
any groundwater from the construction site.
Discharge only water that is visibly clear or water
treated using appropriate BMPs to prevent impacts
to receiving waters. Methods and technologies for
sediment removal are described in Appendix B.
Removed sediments must be handled properly.
Retained sediment must be either dispersed onsite
and stabilized, or disposed of at a disposal site
approved by the Resident Engineer.
Ensure that the discharge does not cause erosion at
the discharge point. Implement appropriate BMPs
such as BMP SS-10, Outlet Protection/Velocity
Dissipation Devices in the Caltrans Construction
Site BMPs Manual.
Monitor the discharge regularly to assure that the
BMPs are working effectively. The Dewatering
Operations Monitoring Form provided in Appendix
C may be used for this purpose.
Maintain monitoring records with the SWPPP or
WPCP.
For minor discharges of non-storm water, provide
monitoring results to the RWQCB, if required.
15
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
Figure 3 Dewatering Under the NPDES Statewide Permit for Caltrans
16
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
3.7 DISCHARGE WATER TO A STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM OR A WATER OF THE U.S. UNDER A
RWQCB NPDES GENERAL PERMIT OR SITE-SPECIFIC NPDES PERMIT
Definition
Discharge of accumulated water to a storm drainage
system or directly to a water of the U.S. in
accordance with a General NPDES Permit or site
specific NPDES permit issued by the RWQCB.
Implementation
Requires applying for permission to discharge under
the applicable regional General NPDES Permit or
applying for a site-specific permit from the RWQCB.
The flow chart in Figure 4 provides general guidance
for the implementation process for this management
option. RWQCB permits that may apply within each
District are listed in Table 10 below.
Permit options and requirements vary by Region, as
summarized in Appendix A. The Resident Engineer
should consult with the CSWC and review the
regional permit for details of the requirements.
Copies of the General NPDES Permits referenced in
Table 10 are provided as Appendix D of the Field
Guide.
Water Quality
Appropriate for water free of pollutants other
than sediment.
Water with pollutants other than sediment may
be discharged by permission of the RWQCB,
and treatment may be required.
Advantages
Can be discharged directly from the project site.
Appropriate for small to large quantities of
water.
Minimal costs.
Limitations
Permit application and approval may take several
months.
Discharged water must meet permit water quality
requirements.
Treatment for sediment or other pollutants may
be required.
Pre-discharge testing, monitoring, and reporting
to be conducted in accordance with permit.
General Requirements
Consult with the CSWC for assistance in
applying for and complying with the RWQCB
NPDES permit.
Test, manage, and monitor the discharge in
accordance with the RWQCB permit.
Appendix A provides summary information
about General Permits in each Region. Copies of
the General NPDES Permits are provided as
Appendix D of the Field Guide.
Sediment treatment is a likely requirement.
Methods and technologies for sediment removal
are described in Appendix B.
In addition to RWQCB requirements, dewatering
operations must be conducted in accordance with
the Dewatering Operations BMP NS-2
Dewatering Operations of the Caltrans
Construction BMPs Manual.
Ensure that discharges do not cause erosion at
the discharge point. Implement appropriate
BMPs such as BMP SS-10 Outlet
Protection/Velocity Dissipation Devices of the
Caltrans Construction BMPs Manual.
Table 10 Caltrans Districts and RWQCB
General Permits
Caltrans
District
RWQCB General Permit
1
Region 1 General Permit 93-61
Region 5 General Permit 5-00-175
2
Region 1 General Permit 93-61
Region 5 General Permit 5-00-175
Region 6 General Permit 6-98-36, 6-98-75
3
Region 5 General Permit 5-00-175
Region 6 General Permit 6-98-36, 6-98-75
4
Region 1 General Permit 93-61
Region 2 No General Permit
Region 3 No General Permit
Region 5 General Permit 5-00-175
5
Region 2 No General Permit
Region 3 No General Permit
Region 5 General Permit 5-00-175
6
Region 5 General Permit 5-00-175
Region 6 General Permit 6-98-36, 6-98-75
7
Region 3 No General Permit
Region 4 General Permit 97-043, 97-045
Region 5 General Permit 5-00-175
Region 6 General Permit 6-98-36, 6-98-75
8
Region 6 General Permit 6-98-36, 6-98-75
Region 7 No General Permit
Region 8 General Permit 98-67
Region 9 General Permit 2000-90 2001-96
9 Region 6 General Permit 6-98-36, 6-98-75
10
Region 2 No General Permit
Region 5 General Permit 5-00-175
Region 6 General Permit 6-98-36, 6-98-75
11
Region 7 No General Permit
Region 9 General Permit 2000-90, 2001-96
12
Region 8 General Permit 98-67
Region 9 General Permit 2000-90, 2001-96
17
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
Figure 4 General Process of Dewatering Under a Regional NPDES Permit
18
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
Appendix A
RWQCB Regional Maps with Caltrans District Boundaries
RWQCB Contacts
RWQCB NPDES Dewatering Requirements Summaries
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
RWQCB REGION REGION 1 NORTH COAST
CALTRANS DISTRICTS 1, 2, 3, 4
COUNTIES District 1: Del Norte, Humboldt, northern Lake, Mendocino; District 2:
Northwestern Modoc, western Siskiyou, Trin ity; District 3: Northwestern
Glenn; and District 4: Northern Sonoma.
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Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
RWQCB CONTACTS : GENERAL: 5550 Skylane Blvd., Suite A
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 576-2220
PRIMARY: John Short
(707) 576-2065
[email protected]
SECONDARY: Paul Keiran
(707) 576-2753
[email protected]
NPDES Permitting Requirements for Dewatering Discharges:
All dewatering discharges from storm water (accumulated precipitation) or non-storm water
(groundwater, cofferdams, diversions, etc.) must be authorized under a Regional dewatering permit.
General NPDES Dewatering Permit(s):
Region 1 has a general NPDES dewatering permit under order number 93-61. Contact the RWQCB for
more information about application procedures and permit requirements.
General NPDES Dewatering Pe rmit(s):
Permit:
Order No.: 93-61
Title: General NPDES Permit and Waste Discharge Requirements for
Discharges of Groundwater to Surface Water Related to
Construction and Subsurface Seepage Dewatering Activities in the
North Coast Region
Covers: Existing and future discharges of groundwater to surface waters
resulting from construction dewatering and for subsurface seepage
dewatering and similar operations.
How to Apply: Submit Report of Waste Discharge and Application for NPDES Permit. For new
discharges, submit 90 days prior to discharge. RWQCB will issue a Discharge
Authorization Letter upon approval. The report of waste discharge shall be
accompanied by a feasibility study of reuse of the groundwater.
General
Requirements: Monitoring and reportin g required as defined in the permit and directed by the
RWQCB Discharge Authorization Letter.
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Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
RWQCB REGION REGION 2 SAN FRANCISCO BAY
CALTRANS DISTRICTS 4
COUNTIES District 4: Western Alameda, western Contra Costa, Marin, western
Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, northern Santa Clara, western Solano,
and southern Sonoma.
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Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
RWQCB CONTACTS General: 1515 Clay Street, Suite 1400
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 622-2407
Primary: Hossain Kazemi
(510) 622-2369
[email protected]
Secondary: Dale Bowyer
(510) 622-2323
[email protected]
NPDES Permitting Requirements for Dewatering Discharges:
All dewatering discharges from storm water (accumulated precipitation) and non-storm water
(groundwater, cofferdams, diversions, etc.) must be authorized by the RWQCB. On a site-specific basis
the RWQCB may allow short-term small quantity discharges without a permit but with verbal permission.
General NPDES Dewatering Permit(s):
None. Site-specific NPDES dewatering permits only.
Site-Specific NPDES Dewatering Permit(s):
How to Apply: Applicant must have been denied permission to discharge to the local sanitary sewer.
RWQCB application instructions are provided in Application for Temporary
Discharge of Groundwater. Requires completed Application for Facility
Permit/Waste Discharge Form, description/history/analysis of groundwater, and fee
of $1000.
General
Requirements : Monitoring and reporting required as defined in the RWQCB Discharge
Authorization Letter. Receiving water requirements are defined in the Basin Pla n.
A-4
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
RWQCB REGION REGION 3 CENTRAL COAST
CALTRANS DISTRICTS 4, 5, 7
COUNTIES District 4: Southern Santa Clara, Monterey; District 5: Western San
Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz; and District 7:
Northwestern Ventura.
A-5
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
RWQCB CONTACTS : General: 81 Higuera Street, Suite 200
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 549-3147
Primary: Jennifer Bitting
(805) 549-3334
[email protected]
NPDES Permitting Requirements for Dewatering Discharges:
Discharges consisting solely of storm water (accumulated precipitation) or minor discharges of non-storm
water (groundwater, water from cofferdams, water diversions, etc.) containing sediment as the only
pollutant, are allowed to be discharged under the NPDES Statewide Permit for Caltrans, as described in
Section 3.6. As described in Section 2.3, the definition of a minor discharge in Region 3 is less than 0.25
mgd and 4 months duration.
A major discharge of non-storm water, or storm water or non-storm water discharges containing
pollutants other than sediment, require a site-specific dewatering permit from the RWQCB.
General NPDES Dewatering Permit(s):
None. Site-specific NPDES dewatering permits only.
Site-Specific NPDES Dewatering Permit(s):
How to Apply: Contact the RWQCB.
A-6
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
RWQCB REGION REGION 4 LOS ANGELES
CALTRANS DISTRICTS 7
COUNTIES District 7: Los Angeles (except northeastern portion) and Ventura
(except northwestern portion).
A-7
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
RWQCB CONTACTS : General: 320 W. 4
th
Street, Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Inland: (213) 576-6664
Ventura: (213) 576-6657
Coastal: (213) 576-6655
Primary: Carlos Urrunaga
(213) 576-6655
[email protected]
Secondary: Xavier Swamikannu
(213) 576-6654
[email protected]
NPDES Permitting Requirements for Dewatering Discharges:
Discharges consisting solely of storm water (accumulated precipitation) containing sediment as the only
pollutant, are allowed to be discharged under the NPDES Statewide Permit for Caltrans, as described in
Section 3.6.
Discharges of non-storm water, or storm water containing pollutants other than sediment, require a
dewatering permit from the RWQCB. The RWQCB has issued two general NPDES dewatering permits,
one for the discharge of water requiring treatment (Order 97-043) and one for the discharge of water that
does not require treatment (Order 97-045).
General NPDES Dewatering Permit(s):
Permits:
Order No.: 97-043
Title: General NPDES Permit and Waste Discharge Requirements of
Discharges of Treated Groundwater from Construction and Project
Dewatering to Surface Waters in Coastal Watersheds of Los Angeles
and Ventura Counties
Covers: Construction dewatering including incidental collected storm water,
subterranean seepage. For waters that require treatment for pollutants
that may degrade the water quality or cause a minor impairment to
the designated beneficial uses of the receiving waters. Does not
include water associated with toxic clean-ups. Contaminants
requiring treatment may include oil, solids, salts, sewage, chemicals,
and hydrocarbons.
Order No.: 97-045
Title General NPDES Permit and Waste Discharge Requirements of
Groundwater Discharges from Construction and Project Dewatering
to Surface Waters in Coastal Watersheds of Los Angeles and
Ventura Counties
Covers: Construction for water that does not require treatment other than for
sediment.
A-8
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
How to Apply: Submit Report of Waste Discharge and Application for NPDES Permit at least 30
days prior to discharge. RWQCB will issue a Discharge Authorization Letter upon
approval.
General
Requirements: Monitoring and reporting required as defined in the Monitoring and Reporting
Program specifications of the permit and as defined in the RWQCB Discharge
Authorization Letter.
A-9
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
RWQCB REGION REGION 5 CENTRAL VALLEY
CALTRANS DISTRICTS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10
COUNTIES REDDING:
SACRAMENTO:
District 2: Western Lassen, western Modoc (except
northwestern portion), Plumas, Shasta, southeastern Siskiyou
Tehama; and District 3: Butte.
District 1: Southern Lake; District 3: Colusa, Glenn (except
northwestern portion), western El Dorado, western Nevada,
western Placer, Sacramento, western Sierra, Sutter, Yolo,
Yuba; District 4: Eastern Alameda, eastern Contra Costa,
eastern Napa, eastern Solano; and District 10: Western
Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and
Tuolumne.
FRESNO: District 6: Fresno, Kings, western Kern, Madera, Tulare; and
District 10: Mariposa, and Merced.
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Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
RWQCB CONTACTS :
REDDING FRESNO
General: 415 Knollcrest Drive General: 3614 East Ashlan Avenue
Redding, CA 96002 Fresno, CA 93726
(530) 224-4849 (559) 445-5919
Primary: Carole Crowe
(530) 224-4849
[email protected]
Primary: Brian Erlandsen
(559) 445-6071
[email protected]
SACRAMENTO
General: 3443 Routier Road, Suite A
Sacramento, CA 95287
(916) 255-3049
Secondary: Jarma Bennett
(559) 445-6046
[email protected]
Primary: Dani Berchtold
(916) 255-3383
[email protected]
NPDES Permitting Requirements for Dewatering Discharges:
Discharges consisting solely of storm water (accumulated precipitation) or minor discharges of non-storm
water (groundwater, water from cofferdams, water diversions, etc.) containing sediment as the only
pollutant, are allowed to be discharged under the NPDES Statewide Permit for Caltrans, as described in
Section 3.6. As described in Section 2.3, a minor discharge in Region 5 is defined as less than 0.25 mgd
and 4 months duration.
Major discharges of non-storm water, or storm water or non-storm water discharges containing pollutants
other than sediment, require a dewatering permit from the RWQCB. The RWQCB has issued a general
NPDES dewatering permit under Order No. 5-00-175.
General NPDES Dewatering Permit(s):
Permit: Order No.: 5-00-175. Order 99-08-DWQ
Title: Waste Discharge Requirements General Order for Dewatering and
Other Low Threat Discharges to Surface Waters
Covers: For miscellaneous public and private businesses discharging clean or
relatively pollutant-free wastewater that (1) lasts four months or less
in duration, or (2) for which the average dry weather discharge does
not exceed 0.25 mgd. Minor discharges include construction
dewatering, condensate, water supply system, miscellaneous
dewatering, well development, pumping, tank pressure testing, and
pipeline testing or flushing.
How to Apply: Submit Notice of Intent (NOI) and annual fee.
General
Requirements: Monitoring and reporting required as defined Monitoring and Reporting Program
specifications of the permit and as defined in the RWQCB Discharge Authorization
Letter. Requirements are based on the duration of the discharge (greater than or
less than four months). Plan required for submittal for multi-point discharges.
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Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
RWQCB REGION REGION 6 LAHONTAN
CALTRANS DISTRICTS 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
COUNTIES NORTH LAHONTAN BASIN: District 2: Eastern Lassen, Modoc; District
3: Eastern El Dorado, eastern Nevada, eastern Placer, eastern Sierra;
District 9: Northern Mono; and District 10: Eastern Alpine.
SOUTH LAHONTAN BASIN: District 6: Eastern Kern; District 7:
Northeastern Los Angeles; District 8: Northern San Bernardino; and
District 9: Inyo, and southern Mono.
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Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
RWQCB CONTACTS :
NORTH LAHONTAN BASIN SOUTH LAHONTAN BASIN
General: 2501 South Lake Tahoe Blvd. General: 15428 Civic Drive, Suite 100
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Victorville, CA 92329
(530) 542-5433
(760) 241-7377
Primary: Bud Amorfini
Primary: Gene Rondash
(530) 542-5437
(760) 241-7412
[email protected] [email protected]
Secondary: Mary Fiori Wagner
(530) 542-5425
[email protected]
NPDES Permitting Requirements for Dewatering Discharges:
Discharges consisting solely of storm water (accumulated precipitation) containing sediment as the only
pollutant, are allowed to be discharged under the NPDES Statewide Permit for Caltrans, as described in
Section 3.6.
Discharges of non-storm water, or storm water or non-storm water discharges containing pollutants other
than sediment, require a dewatering permit from the RWQCB. The RWQCB has issued two general
NPDES dewatering permits, one under Order No. 6-98-36 for discharges free of pollutants other than
sediment, and one under Order No. 6-98-75, for discharges that must be treated for pollutants other than
sediment.
The Lahontan Basin Plan requires applicants to evaluate disposal of wastewater to land as the first
alternative. For Tahoe Basin, discharge of solid or liquid waste materials is prohibited to surface waters,
land below the high-water rim of Lake Tahoe, or within the 100-year floodplain of any tributary to Lake
Tahoe.
General NPDES Dewatering Permit(s):
Permit: Order No.: 6-98-36
Title: NPDES General Permit for Limited Threat Discharges to Surface
Waters
Covers: Discharge of clean or relatively pollutant-free water that poses little
or no threat to water quality (minor discharge).
Order No.: 6-98-75
Title: Waste Discharge Requirements for Updated NPDES Permit for
Surface Water Disposal of Treated Ground Waters
Covers: Discharge of treated water from cleanups of pollution, other than
through a community wastewater collection and treatment facility, to
surface waters of the United States.
How to Apply: Submit Notice of Intent (NOI) and fee, pre-discharge water quality analysis report,
description of BMPs to be used prior to discharge. Issuance of a Notice of
Authorization (NOA) by the RWQCB authorizes discharge under the permit.
General
Requirements: Monitoring and reporting required as defined in the Monitoring and Reporting
Program specifications of the permit and as defined in the NOA.
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Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
RWQCB REGION REGION 7 COLORADO RIVER BASIN
CALTRANS DISTRICTS 8, 11
COUNTIES District 8: Southern San Bernardino (except southwestern portion),
Riverside (except for far western portion); and District 11: Imperial, and
far eastern portion of San Diego.
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Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
RWQCB CONTACTS : General 73-720 Fred Waring Drive
Suite 100
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 776-8935
(760) 241-7364
Primary: Suhas Chakraborty
(760) 776-8961
[email protected]
Secondary: Adbi Haile
(760) 776-8939
[email protected]
NPDES Permitting Requirements for Dewatering Discharges:
Discharges consisting solely of storm water (accumulated precipitation) or minor discharges of non-storm
water (groundwater, water from cofferdams, water diversions, etc.) containing sediment as the only
pollutant, are allowed to be discharged under the NPDES Statewide Permit for Caltrans, as described in
Section 3.6. As described in Section 2.3, a minor discharge in Region 7 is defined as less than 0.25 mgd
and 4 months duration.
Major discharges of non-storm water, or storm water or non-storm water discharges containing pollutants
other than sediment, require a site-specific dewatering permit from the RWQCB.
General NPDES Dewatering Permit(s):
None. Site-specific NPDES permits only.
Site-Specific NPDES Dewatering Permit(s):
How to Apply: Contact the RWQCB.
A-15
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
RWQCB REGION REGION 8 SANTA ANA
CALTRANS DISTRICTS 8, 12
COUNTIES District 8: Southwestern San Bernardino, far western Riverside (except
southwestern portion); and District 12: Orange (except southern portion).
A-16
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
RWQCB CONTACTS : General: 3737 Main Street, Suite 500
Riverside, CA 92501
(909) 782-4130
Primary: Bob Whitaker
(909) 782-4993
[email protected]
Secondary: Mark Smythe
(909) 782-4998
[email protected]
NPDES Permitting Requirements for Dewatering Discharges:
Discharges consisting solely of storm water (accumulated precipitation) containing sediment as the only
pollutant, are allowed to be discharged under the NPDES Statewide Permit for Caltrans, as described in
Section 3.6.
Discharges of non-storm water, or storm water discharges containing pollutants other than sediment,
require a general dewatering permit from the RWQCB. The RWQCB has issued a general NPDES
dewatering permit under Order No. 98-67.
General NPDES Dewatering Permit Requirement(s):
Permit: Order No.: 98-67
Title: General Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges to Surface
Waters Which Pose an Insignificant (De Minimus) Threat to Water
Quality.
Covers: Regulated de minimus discharges to surface waters (including
construction dewatering wastes; dewatering wastes from subterranean
seepage; discharges from maintenance/disinfection/system failures of
potable water supply pipelines, tanks, reservoirs, etc.); discharges from
diverted stream flows; other similar wastes posing minimal threat to
water quality
How to Apply: Submit Notice of Intent (NOI) Form with description of discharge and discharge
locations, average/maximum daily flow rate, frequency/duration of discharge,
affected receiving waters, treatment system (if any), map showing discharge point
and flow to ultimate location of discharge, and any other documents required in
Section H of Order No. 98-67. RWQCB will issued a Discharge Authorization Letter
on approval. Authorization for new discharge must be obtained 60 days prior to
starting discharge
General
Requirements: Monitoring and reporting required as defined in the Monitoring and Reporting
Program specifications of the permit and as defined in the RWQCB Discharge
Authorization Letter. Refer to copy of Order No. 98-67 for specific requirements.
A-17
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
RWQCB REGION REGION 9 SAN DIEGO
CALTRANS DISTRICTS 8, 11, 12
COUNTIES District 8: Southwestern Riverside; District 11: San Diego (except far
eastern portion); and District 12: Southern Orange.
A-18
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
RWQCB CONTACTS : General: 9771 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
Suite A
San Diego, CA 92124
(858) 467-3272
Primary: Kristin Schwall (Statewide Caltrans)
(858) 467-2345
[email protected]
Secondary: Bob Morris
(858) 467-2962
[email protected]
NPDES Permitting Requirements for Dewatering Discharges:
Discharges consisting solely of storm water (accumulated precipitation) are regulated under the NPDES
Statewide Permit for Caltrans.
Discharges to surface waters other than San Diego Bay of unpolluted groundwater of less than 0.1 mgd,
are regulated under the NPDES Statewide Permit for Caltrans, as described in Section 3.6.
Discharges to surface waters other than San Diego Bay of groundwater greater than 0.1 mgd or of
polluted groundwater of less than 0.1 mgd require enrollment under the RWQCB general NPDES Permit
No. CAG919002 (Order No. 2001-96).
All discharges of groundwater to San Diego Bay, including those to storm conveyances or tributaries to
San Diego Bay, require enrollment under the RWQCB general NPDES Permit No. CAG919001 (Order
No. 2000-90).
For discharges associated with all other types of dewatering operations, contact the RWQCB for
guidance.
The two general NPDES permits issued by the RWQCB, one for groundwater discharges to San Diego
Bay or tributaries to San Diego Bay (Order No. 2000-90) and one for groundwater discharges to surface
waters other than San Diego Bay (Order No. 2001-96), are summarized below.
General NPDES Permit(s) Regulating Groundwater Extraction Discharges:
General Permit:
Order No.: 2000-90
Title: Waste Discharge Requirements for Temporary Groundwater
Extraction and Similar Waste Discharges to San Diego Bay and
Storm Drains or Other Conveyance Systems Tributary Thereto
Covers: Discharges of extracted groundwater from construction dewatering,
foundation dewatering, and groundwater remediation operations to
San Diego Bay or storm drains/tributaries to San Diego Bay.
Order No.: 2001-96
Title: General Waste Discharge Requirements for Groundwater
Extraction and Similar Waste Discharges from Construction,
Remediation, and Permanent Groundwater Extraction Projects to
A-19
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
Covers:
Surface Waters within the San Diego Region Except for San Diego
Bay
Groundwater extraction waste discharges to all surface waters within
San Diego RWQCB jurisdiction, except those into San Diego Bay or
tributaries thereto that (1) are greater than 0.1 mgd or (2) are of less
than 0.1 mgd and contain pollutants in excess of the limits defined in
Section B.1, B.2, B.3, or B.4 of the order.
How to Apply: Complete the Application for General NPDES Permit Enrollment for Discharges of
Groundwater to Surface Waters and submit at least 60 days prior to discharge with
Certification of Compliance Statement, map(s) of initial and final discharge points
and a filing fee of $1000.00.
General
Requirements: Monitoring and reporting required as defined in the Monitoring and Reporting
Program specifications of the permit and as defined in the RWQCB Discharge
Enrollment Letter.
A-20
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
Appendix B
Sediment Treatment Options
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
B. SEDIMENT TREATMENT OPTIONS
This appendix provides Caltrans Resident Engineers with guidance to ensure that the contractor implements
proper sediment treatment practices for dewatering operations.
The first section summarizes sediment treatment requirements.
The second section considers questions that should be answered prior to selecting appropriate treatment
options and compares the key features of various methods and technologies.
The final section presents additional information about various technologies, including
advantages/disadvantages, construction/implementation considerations, estimated costs, and maintenance
requirements.
B.1 SEDIMENT TREATMENT REQUIREMENTS
When is Sediment Treatment Required for Dewatering Operations?
Sediment is the most common pollutant associated with dewatering operations on construction sites. When
water is not visibly clear of sediment or when the dewatering operation may re-suspend sediments, one or
more sediment treatment options may need to be implemented.
How Much Sediment Removal is Required?
Sediment treatment requirements depend on how the contractor manages the effluent and the requirements of
any NPDES permits and Regional Basin Plan requirements that regulate the dewatering discharge.
If effluent is being retained on site (for infiltration, evaporation, dust control, irrigation, etc.), sediment
treatment is not required, but may be necessary for protection/proper functioning of water trucks, etc.
If effluent is being discharged to a storm drain or water of the U.S., the water must be treated for sediment in
compliance with the authorizing NPDES permit.
What are NPDES Permit Requirements for Sediment Removal?
Sediment treatment requirements are specific to the NPDES permit that authorizes the dewatering operation.
For dewatering operations under the NPDES Statewide Permit for Caltrans, sediment treatment requirements
are specified in the Construction Site Best Management Practices (BMPs) Manual, NS-2, Dewatering
Operations. If water is not visibly clear, it must be treated using BMPs so that the discharge does not impact
receiving water quality.
For dewatering authorized under a separate NPDES permit issued by RWQCB, refer to the requirements
specified in the permit. Maximum levels for turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS) or other related
parameters for both the dewatering discharge and for the receiving water may be defined in the permit. For
example, the permit may specify that the dewatering discharge cannot exceed a turbidity level of 50
Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTUs) and may not cause the background turbidity of the receiving water to
be elevated by more than 10 percent.
B-1
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
B.2 SELECTING APPROPRIATE SEDIMENT TREATMENT OPTIONS
This section contains a series of questions that should be considered by the contractor prior to selecting the
sediment treatment options for dewatering operations on the construction site.
What Type of Sediment is Present in the Water?
The size of particles present in the sediment is a key consideration for selecting the appropriate sediment
treatment option(s).
If the sediment consists primarily of gravel or sand, which are relatively large particles, a single treatment
using a more basic technology, such as a weir tank, may be adequate.
If the sediment consists of silt and/or clay, which are relatively small particles, the effluent will most likely
need a more advanced technology, such as a sand media particulate filter or cartridge filter.
If the sediment consists of a large spectrum of particle sizes, the water may need primary treatment to
remove larger particles, followed by secondary treatment to remove finer particles.
Figure B-1 shows the estimated removal efficiencies for various sediment treatment technologies.
What Site Conditions May Limit Sediment Treatment Selection?
The slope and accessibility of the treatment area may impose limitations on the selection of an appropriate
system. The site should be evaluated to determine the most effective system layout, access, dewatering
storage, pumping requirements (flow, pressure, duration), ancillary piping, backwash tanks, a low impact
discharge system, and any other site-specific requirements.
The applicability and use of dewatering devices on a construction project are specific to the individual job
and treatment needs. The vendors who rent and sell these products can provide assistance to engineer a
dewatering management program to meet the specific job conditions. It is possible that multiple devices and
treatment techniques may be necessary to meet the treatment criteria.
In order to treat the water to be discharged, the contractor will necessarily have to pump from a collection or
storage area to the treatment unit(s); therefore, storage tanks may be required as part of the system. It is
important that the pumps be matched to fit the project needs and the dewatering equipment operation
parameters. Pumps are selected depending on total dynamic head (how far and high the water is to be
pumped), flow, availability of electrical power, amount of storage volume, and time constraints. Some
pumps have a diesel or gasoline engine directly coupled to the pump on the skid/trailer, as well as a fuel tank.
However, pumps with electric motors will require power (3 phase) from an electrical power supply or a
portable generator.
Pressurized bag, cartridge, and sand media filters require a power supply for operation. Specifics regarding
the power requirements should be coordinated with the vendor.
How Does Flow Rate Affect Sediment Treatment Selection?
Manufacturers specifications identify the maximum flow rate that can be treated for sediment removal. For
higher flows, it may be necessary to operate multiple treatment systems in parallel to treat the volume of
effluent. Table B-1 shows the range of flow rates available for individual sediment treatment options.
B-2
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
Figure B -1 Sediment Treatment Technology and Estimated Removal Efficiencies*
*Caltrans has not validated these performance expectations. This information is based on general manufacturers information.
B-3
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
What are Maintenance Requirements?
Sediment removal effectiveness depends on proper maintenance of the treatment structure or system.
For example, sediment has to be removed and disposed of from desilting basins. Filtering systems may
need frequent cleaning and/or replacement of filters, cartridges, and/or media. Maintenance requirements
should be considered for projecting the total cost of implementing specific technologies. Table B-1
compares maintenance requirements for various technologies.
How Much do Sediment Treatment Systems Cost?
Table B-1 compares estimated costs associated with various sediment treatment methods and
technologies. The estimates are based on vendor quotes for the year 2001. Transportation costs depend
on site location relative to product distributors and are estimated to be approximately $75 per hour.
When projecting costs for sediment treatment, consider the need for implementing multiple systems for
handling high flow rates or the cost of secondary treatment to remove fine particles.
What Sediment Treatment Options are Available?
Table B-1 summarizes the features associated with some available sediment treatment methods and
technologies. Each method/technology is described in more detail in Section B.3. The methods
described in this appendix do not include all those available, but are representative of typical methods.
B-4
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
Table B-1 Comparison of Sediment Treatment Technologies*
Sediment
Treatment
Technology
P
o
l
l
u
t
a
n
t
s
R
e
m
o
v
e
d
F
l
o
w
R
a
n
g
e
(
g
p
m
)
F
o
o
t
p
r
i
n
t
A
r
e
a
(
f
t
2
)
P
r
o
d
u
c
t
A
v
a
i
l
a
b
i
l
i
t
y
E
q
u
i
p
m
e
n
t
R
e
q
u
i
r
e
d
C
o
n
s
t
r
u
c
t
i
o
n
/
R
e
n
t
a
l
C
o
s
t
M
a
i
n
t
e
n
a
n
c
e
C
o
s
t
O
t
h
e
r
Desilting Basin
Trash
Sediment
Varies by
design
Varies by
design
Time to
construct
Excavation $108/m
2
($10/ft
2
) -- Requires design
Sediment Trap
Trash
Sediment
Varies by
design
Varies by
design
Time to
construct
Excavation $108/m
2
($10/ft
2
) -- Requires design
Weir Tank
(Baker Tank)
Trash
Sediment
Some oil
60 100 1,800
2 3 days;
1 week
modified
Transport
by truck
$35 - $45/day
$1,000/
disposal
May require tank
modifications
Dewatering
Tank
Sediment Varies
1,200
1,500
1 3 days
Transport
by truck
$45-$60/day
$125 - $425
fabric
replacement
Gravity Bag
Filter
Sediment 300, 800 100 - 400 1 day
Backhoe or
other for
removal
$100 - $200/bag
purchase; $500
$2,000/ barrier
Bag
replacement
Sand Media
Filter
Sediment
Metals
80 1,000
(varies by
model)
17 - 450 1 2 days Forklift
$1,100
$4,000/mo.; $500
- $1,500 setup
$50
$100/mo.
Pressurized
Bag Filter
Sediment
Metals
Hydro
carbons
50 100
(varies by
model)
200 - 320 1 2 days
Forklift, or
truck for
trailer
$850
$3,400/mo.;
$150 - $500 setup
$300
$1,250/mo.
Cartridge Filter
Sediment
Metals
Hydro
carbons
50 - 1,000 200 1 2 days
Forklift, or
truck for
trailer
$800
$3,000/mo.;
$1,500 setup
$1,000
$5,000/mo.
Requires pre-treatment
*Caltrans has not validated these performance expectations. This information is based on general manufacturers information.
Legend: m
2
= square meters ft
2
= square feet gpm = gallons per minute
B-5
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
B.3 SEDIMENT TREATMENT METHODS AND TECHNOLOGIES
B.3.1 Desilting Basin
Description: A desilting basin is a temporary basin with a controlled release structure formed by
excavation and/or construction of an embankment to detain sediment-laden runoff
and allow sediment to settle out before discharging.
Specifications: Desilting basin design requirements are outlined in the Construction Site Best
Management Practices (BMPs) Manual (SC-2) and should be used to design and
construct the basin. The required desilting basin size is based on the size of the
contributing drainage area and intended for areas less than 30 hectares. For
dewatering discharges, flow rate is used to determine the proper basin size. If a
desilting basin is to be used for treating dewatering discharges, it must be designated
only for that specific use and cannot be used for storm water runoff treatment.
The following table provides general guidance in sizing a basin for a range of
discharge flow rates. The calculations used to determine the required surface area are
based on a given target particle size to be removed (with an associated settling
velocity). Certain design criteria were assumed: 0.015 mm target particle size, a
continuous flow rate through the basin (flow in equals flow out), and full basin
storage (including a 65 m
3
sediment storage zone).
Flow Rate
Required
Surface Area
Length/Width = 2:1
Q
(gpm)
Q
(m
3
/s)
As
(m
2
)
L
(m)
W
(m)
25 0.0016 12.25 4.95 2.48
50 0.0032 24.51 7.00 3.50
100 0.0063 49.01 9.90 4.95
150 0.0095 73.52 12.13 6.06
200 0.0126 98.03 14.00 7.00
250 0.0158 122.53 15.65 7.83
300 0.0189 147.04 17.15 8.57
350 0.0221 171.54 18.52 9.26
400 0.0252 196.05 19.80 9.90
450 0.0284 220.56 21.00 10.50
500 0.0315 245.06 22.14 11.07
Legend: gpm = gallons per minute s = second m = meters
B-6
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
Pollutant
Removal:
Effective for removal of trash, large to some fine-sized particles (gravel to silt),
and some metals that settle out with the sediment.
Advantages: Desilting basins achieve sediment removal to a level of 0.01 - 0.02 mm (20 microns)
Holds large volumes of sediment
Set Up/
Installation:
Length to width ratio = 2:1
Depth of basin between 1 m and 1.5 m
Limitations: Desilting basins require a large surface area in order to meet flow and detention times
to achieve the desired sediment removal.
Construction of a basin in-line with a live watercourse is not permitted.
Ineffective in removing colloidal particles.
Should not be used to treat groundwater during the rainy season.
Maintenance : Maintenance is required for safety fencing, vegetation, embankment, inlet and outfall
structures, as well as other features.
Remove sediment when storage volume is reduced by 1/3.
Cost: Construction costs approximately $108/m
2
($10/ft
2
)
B-7
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
B.3.2 Sediment Trap
Description: A sediment trap is a temporary basin with a controlled release structure formed by
excavation and/or construction of an earthen embankment across a waterway or low
drainage area. The trap is installed where sediment-laden storm water would
discharge to a storm drain or watercourse and is generally located at the low point of
the drainage area.
Specifications : Design features include a settling zone and sediment storage zone as defined in the
Construction Site Best Management Practices (BMPs) Manual (SC-3), which should
be used to design and construct the basin. The sediment trap size in the BMP is based
on the size of the contributing drainage area and intended for areas less than two
hectares. For dewatering discharges, flow rate is used to determine the proper size. If
a sediment trap is to be used for treating dewatering discharges, it must be designated
for that specific use only and cannot be used for storm water runoff treatment.
The following table provides general guidance in sizing a sediment trap for a range of
discharge flow rates. The calculations used to determine the required surface area are
based on a given target particle size to be removed (with an associated settling
velocity). Certain design criteria were assumed: 0.01 mm target particle size, a
continuous flow rate through the basin (flow in equals flow out), and full basin
storage (including both zones).
Flow Rate
Required
Surface Area
Length/Width = 2:1
Q
(gpm)
Q
(m
3
/s)
As
(m
2
)
L
(m)
W
(m)
25 0.0016 27.57 9.09 3.03
50 0.0032 55.14 12.86 4.29
100 0.0063 110.28 18.19 6.06
150 0.0095 165.42 22.28 7.43
200 0.0126 220.56 25.72 8.57
250 0.0158 275.70 28.76 9.59
300 0.0189 330.83 31.50 10.50
350 0.0221 385.97 34.03 11.34
Legend: gpm = gallons per minute s = second m = meters
B-8
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
Pollutant Effective for the removal of large and medium sized particles (sand and
Removal: gravel), and some metals that settle out with the sediment.
Advantages: Can be designed to fit in confined areas (such as a low point on the site)
Set Up/ Length to width ratio = 3:1
Installation: Depth of basin between 1m and 1.5 m
Limitations: Sediment traps require a large surface area to permit settling of sediment. They are
only effective for the removal of large and medium sized particles and are intended to
supplement other BMPs, including upstream erosion control.
Multiple traps or additional volume may be required to accommodate site conditions.
Construction of a basin in-line with a live watercourse is not permitted.
Maintenance: Maintenance is required for safety fencing, vegetation, embankment, inlet and outfall
structures, as well as other features.
Remove sediment when storage volume is reduced by 1/3.
Cost: Construction costs approximately $108/m
2
($10/ft
2
)
B-9
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
B.3.3 Weir Tank
Description: A weir tank separates water and waste by using weirs rather than a filter cloth or
media. To achieve high levels of flow, multiple tanks can be used in parallel. If
additional treatment is desired, the tanks can be placed in series or as pre-treatment
for other methods. The configuration of the weirs (over and under weirs) maximizes
the residence time in the tank and determines the waste to be removed from the water
such as oil, grease, and sediments.
Modifications to weir tanks can be made by some vendors to enhance the removal of
suspended sediment by installing tube settlers in the final chamber of the tank. The
tube settlers enable the water to be channeled through a matrix of tubes that rise from
the bottom to the top of the tank. The tubes (or rectangular channels) are pre-formed
from plastic or other resin material in 2 to 3 foot modules with a 60 angle that
allows the sediment to collect at the surface of the tube and gravitate to the bottom.
Specifications:
Parameter
Specification
(Metric) (English)
Capacity 68 80 m
3
18,000 21,000 gallons
Flow Rate 0.22 0.38 m
3
/minute 60 100 gpm
Optimal Flow
Rate
0.25 m
3
/minute 65 gpm
Footprint
Dimensions*
10.7 m L x 3.8 m W x 2.4 4.6 m H
+ 3 m perimeter
35 ft L x 12.5 ft W x 8 15 ft H
+ 10 ft perimeter
Footprint Area 167.3 m
2
1,800 ft
2
*Varies by manufacturer
Pollutant
Removal: Trash, some settleable solids, some visible oil and grease, and some metals (removed
with sediment).
Typical particle size removed: Can be designed to remove down to 0.05 mm (50
micron) for fine sand.
Removal is highly dependent on flow rate (i.e., residence time) through the tank. At a
reduced flow rate, a weir tank can achieve improved results similar to a desilting
basin or sediment trap. The range of flow rates given are based on vendor
recommendations and calculations to achieve equivalent removal characteristic of a
basin or trap.
Product
Availability:
2 - 3 days notice, 1 week for special tank modifications
Delivery time: 1 day
Advantages: Simplicity; no filter cloth or media required
Portable units
Inexpensive
Set Up/
Installation:
Weirs are installed per customers specifications
Level, compacted ground preferable
B-10
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
Transported by truck and unloaded on site
Time: 30 minutes
Limitations: Sediment removal depends on particle size and settling velocity and flow/velocity
through tank. Requires a level surface and sufficient space.
Best used in conjunction with additional methods for additional sediment/pollutant
removal.
Maintenance: Periodic cleaning based on visual inspection or when flow is reduced.
Open valve, drain, and remove sediment, clean with high-pressure hose as necessary.
Oil and grease disposal must be by licensed waste disposal company.
Cost: $35 - 45 per day per 80 m
3
(21,000 gallon) tank rental
$900 - $3,000 one time fee for tank modifications (per tank)
Maintenance costs
Waste Removal: Disposal fees for sediment and liquid of Approximately $1,000 per
disposal; can be higher, depending on pollutants
Transportation costs
Schematic Diagrams
Weir Tanks
Tube Settlers
B-11
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
B.3.4 Dewatering Tank
Description: Flow enters the tank through the top, passes through a fabric filter, and is discharged
through the bottom of the tank. The filter separates the solids from the liquids.
Specifications:
Parameter
Specification
(Metric) (English)
Capacity 15 m
3
, 19 m
3
, and 23 m
3
20 yd
3
, 25 yd
3
, and 30 yd
3
Flow Rate
Varies depending on the amount of water pumped into the tank, the
fabric type used, fabric condition, and amount of sediment built up.
Footprint
Dimensions
6.7 m L x 2.4 m W x 1.8 m H (avg.)
+ 3 m perimeter
22 ft L x 8 ft W x 6 ft H (avg.)
+ 10 ft perimeter
Footprint Area 111.5 140 m
2
1,200 1,500 ft
2
Pollutant Depends on filter fabric, > 0.025 mm (25 microns)
Removal: Trash, sediments and some metals and oil removed with the sediment
Product 1 - 3 days notice
Availability:
Advantages: Portable, simple in design and function
Inexpensive
Various mesh filter cloths available
Set Up/ Level ground preferable
Installation: Roll off truck and install fabric
Time: 30 minutes
Limitations: Requires equipment for on-site emptying (or hauling container offsite)
Amount and type of contaminant removal limited to filter material
Maintenance: Based on visual inspection or when flow is reduced
Every 151 m
3
to 227 m
3
(40,000 to 60,000 gallons): Allow to drain, tip tank over,
remove sediment and replace fabric
Cost: $45 - $60 per day per tank rental
Operation & Maintenance: Cost of filter cloth liner: $125 for 0.15 mm (150 micron)
or $425 for 0.025 mm (25 micron)
Transportation Costs
Schematic Diagram
B-12
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
B.3.5 Gravity Bag Filter
Description: A gravity bag filter, also referred to as a dewatering bag, is a square or rectangular
bag made of non-woven geotextile fabric that collects sand, silt, and fines. Water to
be treated is pumped into one side of the bag and seeps through the bottom and sides
of the bag. A secondary barrier, such as a rock filter bed or straw bale barrier, is
placed beneath and beyond the edges of the bag to capture sediments that escape the
bag.
Specifications:
Parameter
Specification
(Metric) (English)
Capacity
(approx.)
Bag Size: 1.2 m x 1.8 m
(4 ft x 6 ft)
1.1 1.5 m
3
/minute 300 400 gpm
Bag Size: 3.0 m x 4.6 m
(10 ft x 15 ft)
3.0 4.2 m
3
/minute 800 1,100 gpm
Effluent Collection Trailer* up to 1.5 m
3
/minute 400 gpm
Footprint Dimensions (per bag)
Bag size
+ 1.4 m perimeter
Bag size
+ 5 ft perimeter
Footprint Area (per bag) 9.3 37 m
2
100 400 ft
2
* Has outlet for controlled draining
Pollutant
Removal:
Sediments and some metals removed with sediment.
The bag can last in time from 3 days to 3 weeks, depending on quality of water and
flow conditions.
Product
Availability:
Readily available
Advantages: Once soil filter is established, fairly efficient removal of sediments.
Inexpensive.
Easy to install and transport to site.
Disposable, no cleaning required.
Fabrics vary to meet engineering specifications for flow rates, strength, and
permeability.
Can place in a vendor-provided trailer/container to reclaim filtered water for further
treatment.
Set Up/
Installation:
Level ground surface preferable
Secondary barrier of rock filter bed or straw bales
Initial installation: 1 day
Bag disposal and replacement: 2 hours
Limitations: Difficult to guarantee sediment removal efficiencies; variability of treatment depends
on total suspended solids and particle size.
Bag has to build up solids to create soil filter. Time to do so varies depending on
amount of sediments present in the water. Initial solids removal is minimal.
B-13
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
Continuous monitoring required to determine the need to replace bag, adjust flow
rate, keep bag from exploding/tearing. Must inspect secondary barrier to prevent
overfilling due to high flow rates.
Free discharge is difficult to contain for secondary treatment; have to use
container/trailer.
May cause erosion, unless appropriate measures are established.
Hose connection can fail.
Maintenance: Inspect flow, bag condition, bag capacity, and secondary barrier.
Replace bag when it no longer filters sediment or passes water at a reasonable rate.
Bag to be disposed offsite or onsite as directed by Resident Engineer.
Cost: 1.2 m x 18 m (4 ft x 6 ft) bag - $100 each
3 m x 46 m (10 ft x 15 ft) bag - $200 each
Cost of secondary barrier: $500 - $2,000, varies by size and site
Schematic Diagrams
B-14
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
B.3.6 Sand Media Particulate Filter
Description: Generally, sand filters provide a final level of treatment. They are often used as a
secondary or higher level of treatment after a significant amount of sediments and
other pollutants are removed. Can be used as a standalone treatment or in conjunction
with bag and cartridge filtration, if further treatment is required.
Specifications:
Parameter
Specification
(Metric) (English)
Flow Rate* 0.19 3.8 m
3
/minute 80 - 1,000 gpm
Footprint
Dimensions
Minimum
1.2 m L x 0.6 m W + 1.5 m
perimeter
4 ft L x 2 ft W + 5 ft
perimeter
Maximum
1.5 m L x 6.1 m W
+ 1.5 m perimeter
5 ft L x 20 ft W
+ 5 ft perimeter
Footprint
Area
Minimum
15.8 m
2
170 ft
2
Maximum
41.8 m
2
450 ft
2
*Depending on model selection
Pollutant
Removal:
Trash, sediment, metals, biological oxygen demand (BOD), turbidity
Typical particle size removed: down to 0.01 mm (10 microns) with 95 percent
removal efficiency. Recirculation through a second unit can reduce particle size to
0.005 mm (5 microns) or less.
Product
Availability:
1 - 2 days notice
Advantages: Portable, compact
Particle size removal and efficiency
Self-cleaning; back-washing makes this system cost-effective
Reduction of metals and other pollutants attached to soil particles
Set Up/
Installation:
Requires level, compacted surface
Forklift required for off-loading from truck
Time: 2 hours
Limitations: Backwash controller requires power
Backwash tanks with clean water are required
Does not effectively remove colloidal particles
Maintenance: Once set up, requires monthly service to check level of (and add) sand media.
Cost: $1,100 - 4,000/month rental per unit, depending on flow rate and project location
$500 - $1,500 set up charge
Media: $50-$100/month
Transportation Costs
B-15
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
Schematic Diagrams
B-16
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
B.3.7 Pressurized Bag Filter
Description: A pressurized bag filter is a unit composed of single filter bags made from polyester
felt material. The water filters through the unit and is discharged through a header,
allowing for the discharge of flow in series to an additional treatment unit. Vendors
provide pressurized bag filters in a variety of configurations. Some units include a
combination of bag filters and cartridge filters for enhanced pollutant removal.
Specifications:
Parameter
Specification
(Metric) (English)
Bag Filter:
Flow Rate 1.5 m
3
/minute 400 gpm
Footprint Dimensions
1.5 m L x 1 m W
+ 1.5 m perimeter
5 ft L x 3 ft W
+ 5 ft perimeter
Footprint Area
18.6 m
2
200 ft
2
Bag/Cartridge Filter Combination*:
Flow Rate
0.19 1.5 m
3
/minute 50 - 400 gpm
Footprint (50 gpm)
1.5 m L x 1 m W 5 ft L x 3 ft W
Footprint (400 gpm)
3 m L x 1.8 m W 10 ft L x 6 ft W
*Varies by model
Pollutant
Removal:
Trash, sediment, metals, biological oxygen demand (BOD), turbidity, hydrocarbons
Typical particle size removed: down to 0.002 mm (2 micron) with up to 99 percent
removal efficiency depending on filter selected
Oil absorbent bags available for hydrocarbon removal
Product
Availability:
1-2 days
Advantages: High solids holding capacity.
Bag filters have range of 0.002 mm to 0.1 mm (1 to 100 microns) rating.
Bag/cartridge filter combination units can increase particle removal down to 0.0005
mm (0.5 microns).
Skid mounted or trailer mounted.
Individual bags placed in parallel can accommodate higher flow rates.
Portable, compact.
Set Up/
Installation:
Level, compacted surface
Forklift required for skid units
Time: 1 - 2 hours
Limitations: Expensive
Does not effectively remove colloidal particles
B-17
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
Maintenance: Change filter bags when pressure differential exceeds manufacturers
recommendation
Cost: Bag Filter Unit: $1,800/month rental + $150 setup and fill charge
Bag/Cartridge Filter Combination Unit:
0.19 m
3
/minute (50 gpm) = $850/month rental + $150 set up charge
1.5 m
3
/minute (400 gpm) = $3,400/month rental + $500 set up charge
Maintenance: 0.19 m
3
/minute (50 gpm) = $300/month
1.5 m
3
/minute (400 gpm) = $1,250/month
Transportation Costs
Schematic Diagrams
B-18
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
B.3.8 Cartridge Filter
Description: Cartridge filters provide a high degree of pollutant removal by utilizing a number of
individual cartridges as part of a larger filtering unit. They are often used as a
secondary or higher (polishing) level of treatment after a significant amount of
sediment and other pollutants are removed. Units come with various cartridge
configurations (for use in series with pressurized bag filters) or with a larger single
cartridge filtration unit (with multiple filters within).
Specifications:
Parameter
Specification
(Metric) (English)
Flow Rate* 0.19 3.8 m
3
/minute 50 1,000 gpm
Footprint Dimensions
1.2 m L x 1 m W
+ 1.5 m perimeter
4 ft L x 3.5 ft W
+ 5 ft perimeter
Footprint Area 18.6 m
2
200 ft
2
*Single Cartridge Unit
Pollutant
Removal:
Trash, sediment, metals, biological oxygen demand (BOD), turbidity, hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons can effectively be removed with special resin cartridges.
Typical particle size removed: to less than 0.002 mm (2 micron) with up to
99.9 percent removal efficiency depending on filter selected
Product
Availability:
1 2 days
Advantages: Filtration through various types of cartridge media (paper, polypropylene, nylon, and
cellulose).
Multi-cartridge filters provide a large surface area for a longer service life.
Particle size removal rating of 0.0005 to 0.100 mm (0.5 to 100 micron).
Skid mounted or trailer mounted.
Set Up/
Installation:
Requires level, compacted surface
Skid mounted or trailer mounted
Forklift required for skid units
Time: 2 hours
Limitations: Expensive
Requires preliminary treatment
Will not remove colloidal particles
Maintenance: Change cartridges
recommendation.
when pressure differential exceeds manufacturers
Cost: Single Cartridge Unit (90 individual cartridges) = $800 - $3,000/month rental
$1,500 setup charge
Maintenance: $1,000 - 5,000/month, depending on sediment loading
Transportation Costs
B-19
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
Schematic Diagram
B-20
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
B.4 SEDIMENT TREATMENT EQUIPMENT VENDORS - SALES/RENTAL
Table B-2 provides a partial list of vendors and suppliers for rental or purchase of sediment treatment
equipment for dewatering. It is not representative of all available vendors.
Table B-2 Sediment Treatment Equipment Vendors
Vendor/Supplier Products Available
Rain for Rent
1-661-387-6111
Mike Chase
www.rainforrent.com
Weir tank
Dewatering tank
Pressurized bag filter
Sand media filter
Cartridge filter
Clear Creek Systems, Inc.
1-661-324-9634
Joe Gannon
www.clearcreeksystems.com
Dewatering tank (mud buggy)
Pressurized bag filter
Sand media filter
Cartridge filter
Baker Tanks
1-800-BAKER 12
www.bakertanks.com
Weir tank
Dewatering tank
Dandy Products
1-800-591-2284
www.acfenvironmental.com
Gravity (dewatering) bag filter
B-21
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
Appendix C
Water Quality and Discharge Parameters Assessment Form
Dewatering Operations Monitoring Form
Water Quality and Discharge Parameters Assessment Form
Contract Number:
Resident Engineer:
Dewatering Location:
Origin of Water (circle): Groundwater Cofferdam/Diversion Accumulated Precipitation Other
Assessment Date: __________________
WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT
The following questions provide an initial assessment of the quality of the water to be discharged from the
dewatering operation.
Common
Sense Test
1. Review the project records. Is there any reason to suspect that the water
may be polluted by something other than sediment?
No Yes
2. Is the water located in an area of known contamination? No Yes
Sight Test
Does the water have an abnormal visual feature, such as: (circle)
Oily Sheen Floating Foam Murky Appearance Unusual color Other
Smell Test
Does the water have an odor?
Possible odors include gasoline, petroleum, ammonia, sewage, etc.
No Yes
If you answered YES to any of the above questions, explain.
If you answered YES to any of the questions in the assessment or suspect that the water contains pollutants
other than sediments, contact the Construction Storm Water Coordinator (CSWC) for assistance with additional
testing and management options.
DISCHARGE PARAMETERS
To estimate water discharge parameters, answer the following questions and document the results below.
Origin of
Water
Is the discharge from (circle one):
Groundwater Cofferdam/Diversion Accumulated Precipitation Other
Will the discharge be intermittent (associated with each rainstorm) or
continuous (dewatering one area for a long period)? (circle)
Intermittent
Continuous
Daily
Flow Rate
Estimate the total quantity of water and proposed discharge rate for each
daily discharge event (Q
d
, gallons per day). This can be estimated from the
pump discharge rate and the expected daily total of hours the pump will be
run.
Q
d
, gpd = ____ gals/min pump rate X 60 mins/hr X ____ hrs discharge
Q
d
= ______ gpd
Duration What is the expected duration of the dewatering operation? _________ days
Total
Volume
What is the estimated total discharge for the life of the project (V
T
)?
To estimate the total discharge, multiply the daily flow rate (Q
d
) by the
estimated duration.
V
T
= _____ Gallons
Comments:
October 2001
Dewatering Operations Monitoring Form
Contract Number:
Resident Engineer:
Location:
Caltrans Order No.: 99-06-DWQ, NPDES No. CAS000003
Discharge Start Date and Time:
Stop Date and Time:
BMP in Use:
Date Time
Observer
Initials
Pump Size or
Estimated Flow
Rate (gpm)
Effluent Visual Observation* Comments**
Notes: *Visual clarity or other monitoring parameters (odor, oily sheen, floating foam, murky appearance, unusual color, etc.)
**Any maintenance or changes to system (increased/decreased output, system offline for 3 days, etc.)
gpm gallons per minute
Appendix D
RWQCB NPDES General Permits that Regulate Dewatering
Caltrans Field Guide to Construction Site Dewatering
TABLE OF CONTENTS
APPENDIX D
Region 1 North Coast RWQCB
Order No.: 93-61 General National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit and Waste
Discharge Requirements for Discharges of Groundwater to Surface Water
Related to Construction and Subsurface Seepage Dewatering Activities in the
North Coast Region
Region 2 San Francisco RWQCB
None. Site-specific NPDES permits only.
Region 3 Central Coast RWQCB
None. Site-specific NPDES permits only.
Region 4 Los Angeles RWQCB
Order No.: 97-043 General National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit and Waste
Discharge Requirements of Discharges of Treated Groundwater from
Construction and Project Dewatering to Surface Waters in Coastal Watersheds of
Los Angeles and Ventura Counties
Order No.: 97-045 General National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit and Waste
Discharge Requirements of Groundwater Discharges from Construction and
Project Dewatering to Surface Waters in Coastal Watersheds of Los Angeles and
Ventura Counties
Region 5 Central Valley RWQCB
Order No.: 5-00-175 Waste Discharge Requirements General Order for Dewatering and Other Low
Threat Discharges to Surface Waters
Region 6 Lahontan RWQCB
Order No.: 6-98-36 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for
Limited Threat Discharges to Surface Waters
Order No.: 6-98-75 Waste Discharge Requirements for Updated National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System Permit for Surface Water Disposal of Treated Ground Water
Region 7 Colorado River Basin RWQCB
None. Site-specific NPDES permits only.
Region 8 Santa Ana RWQCB
Order No.: 98-67 General Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges to Surface Waters Which
Pose an Insignificant (De Minimus) Threat to Water Quality
Region 9 San Diego RWQCB
Order No.: 2000-90 Waste Discharge Requirements for Temporary Groundwater Extraction and
Similar Waste Discharges to San Diego Bay and Storm Drains or Other
Conveyance Systems Tributary Thereto
Order No.: 2001-96 General Waste Discharge Requirements for Groundwater Extraction and Similar
Waste Discharges from Construction, Remediation, and Permanent Groundwater
Extraction Projects to Surface Waters within the San Diego Region Except for
San Diego Bay
D-1
Construction Dewatering
California Regional Water Quality Control Board
North Coast Region
ORDER NO. 93-61
NPDES PERMIT NO. CA0024902
GENERAL NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PERMIT
WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS '
FOR
DISCHARGES OF GROUNDWATER TO SURFACE WATER
RELATED TO
CONSTRUCTION AND SUBSURFACE SEEPAGE DEWATERING ACTIVITIES
IN THE NORTH COAST REGION
The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, North Coast Region
(hereinafter the Board), finds that:
1. The September 22, 1989, Memorandum of Agreement between the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (hereinafter EPA) and the State
Water Resources Control Board (hereinafter State Board) authorized
and established procedures for the State to issue general National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits pursuant to
40 CFR 122.28 and 122.44.
2. 40 CFR 122.28 provides for the issuance of general permits to
regulate a category of point sources if the sources: a) involve
the same or substantially similar types of operations; b)
discharge the same type of wastes; c) require the same type of
effluent limitations or operating conditions; d) require similar
monitoring; and, e) are more appropriately regulated under a
general permit rather than individual permits.
3. EXisting and future discharges of groundwater to surface waters
from construction dewatering and subsurface s e e P - ~ g e dewatering: a)
result from similar operations -all involveextraction and
discharge of groundwater; b) are the same type of waste - all are
groundwater which may or may not contain pollutants; c) require
similar effluent limitations for discharges to the same receiving
waters; d) require similar minimum frequency of monitoring
annually; and , e) are determined to be more effectively regulated
with general permits rather than individual permits. This Order
therefore establishes requirements to regulate discharges of
groundwater containing pollutants to surface waters under the
jurisdiction of this Regional Board.
ORDER NO. 93-61 -2
4. General waste discharge Requirements and NPDES permits will enable
the Regional Board to expedite processing of requirements,
simplify the application process for dischargers, better utilize
limited staff resources, and avoid the expense and time involved
in repetitive public noticing, hearings, and permit adoptions.
5. The Board adopted Water Quality Control Plans for the Klamath
River Basin (lA) and the North Coastal Basin (18) on March 20,
1975. The Klamath River Basin Plan (lA) was combined with the
North Coasta 1 Basin Plan (lB) to form the Water Qua1ity Contra 1
Plan for the North Coast Region. The Plan for the North Coast
Region was adopted by the Board on April 28, 1988 and approved by
the State Water Resources Control Board on November 15, 1988. The
Plan includes water quality objectives, implementation plans for
point source and nonpoint source discharges and statewide plans
and policies. The State Water Resources Control Board adopted the
Inland Surface Waters Plan and the Enclosed Bays and Esturaries
Plan on April 11, 1991.
6. This permit establishes effluent limitations for toxic substances
as specified in Tables 1 and 2 of the Inland Surface Waters Plan.
The permittee is required to monitor the discharge for those
substances likely to be in the permittee's waste stream as
specified in the attached Monitoring and Reporting Program. This
determination is based on a careful review of laboratory analyses
of the discharge and descriptions of the dewatered area.
The permittee-has certified that certain Table 1 and 2 substances
are not in the waste stream, that no source has been identified
which would likely result in the presence of such substances in
the waste stream, and that no change has occurred that could cause
such substance(s) to be present in the waste stream.
7. The permittee has submitted a report of waste discharge, an
appropriate fee, and given notice of the intent to comply with the
terms and conditions of this permit.
8. The beneficial uses of waters of the region include:
a. municipal and domestic supply
b. agricultural suP.ply
c. industrial supply
d. groundwater recharge
e. freshwater replenishment
f. navigation
g. hydropower generation
h. water contact recreation
i. non-contact water recreation
j. ocean commercial and sport fishing
k. warm freshwater habitat
1. cold freshwater habitat
ORDER NO. 93-61 -3
m. preservation of areas of special biological significance
n. saline water habitat .
o. wildlife habitat
p. preservation of rare and endangered species
q. marine habitat
r. fish migration
s. fish spawning
t. shellfish harvesting
9. Beneficial uses of areal groundwaters include:
a. domestic water supply
b. agricultural water supply
c. industrial supply
10. Effluent limitations, and toxic and pretreatment effluent
standards established pursuant to Sections 208(b), 301, 302,
303(d}, 304, 306, 307, and 403 of the Clean Water Act and
amendments thereto are applicable to the permittee.
11. On October 28, 1968, the State Water Resources Control Board
adopted Resolution 68-16 "Statement of Policy with Respect to
Monitoring High Quality of Waters in California", Which requires
the application of best practicable treatment or control discharge
to maintain high quality of receiving waters.
12. Section 301(b)(2) of the Clean Water Act requires that all NPDES
permits prescribe the application of best available technology
economically achievable in the determination of technology-based
effluent limitations.
13. The requirements contained in this Order were established by
considering all the water quality control policies, plans, and
regulations mentioned above and will protect and maintain the
beneficial uses of the receiving waters.
14. The issuance of general waste discharge requirements for the above
described discharges is exempt from the provisions of Chapter 3
(commencing with Section 21100) of Division 13 of the Public
Resources Code in accordance with Water Code Section 13389. The
discharges that will be authorized under these general waste
discharge requirements are not new sources asdefined in 33.
u.s.c., Section 306 and 40 CFR, Part 122.2.
Moreover, as an activity for protection of the environment, in
accordance with Title 14, California Code of Regulation, Section
14308, the issuance of general waste discharge requirements is
exempt from the provisions of Chapter 3, Division 13, Section
21100, et seq.
15. The Board, in a public meeting, heard and considered all comments
pertaining to the discharge.
ORDER NO. 93-61 -4
16. This Order will serve as a National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System Permit pursuant to Section 402 of the Clean
Water Act, or amendments thereto, and will take effect at the end
of ten days from the date of adoption by the Board.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the permittee, in order to meet the
prov1s1ons contained in Division 7 of the California Water Code and
regulations adopted thereunder, and the provisions of the Clean Water Act and
regulations and guidelines adopted thereunder, shall-comply with the
following:
A. ELIGIBILITY
1. Existing and future discharges of groundwater to surface waters
resulting from construction dewatering and for subsurface seepage
dewatering and similar operations may be eligible for this permit.
2. When an individual NPDES permit with more specific requirements is
issued to a discharger, the applicability of this general permit
to the individual NPDES permittee is automatically terminated on
the effective date of the individual permit.
B. AUTHORIZATION
To be authorized to discharge under this Order, the discharger
must submit a Report of Waste Discharge and an application for a
NPDES permit (hereinafter Report of Waste Discharge) in
accordance with the requirements of Part C of this Order. Upon
receipt of the Report of Waste Discharge, the Executive Officer
shall determine the applicability of this Order to such a
discharge {including an evaluation that the discharge will result
in attainment of the objectives set forth in the water quality
control plans discussed in Finding Nos. 5 and 6). If the
Executive Officer so finds, he shall notify the discharger that
its discharge is authorized under the terms and conditions of this
Order and prescribe the appropriate monitoring and reporting
program.
For new discharges, the discharge shall not commence until receipt
of the Executive Officer's written determination.
-c. REPORT OF WASTE DISCHARGE
1. Deadline for Submission
a. Existing dischargers who intend to obtain coverage under this
Order sha11 file a Report of Discharge within 90 days of
the effective date of this Order.
b. New discharges shall file a Report of Waste Discharge at least
60 days before start of discharge.
ORDER NO. 93-61 -5
2. Failure to Submit a Report of Waste Discharge
Dischargers who fail to file a report of waste discharge and
discharge pollutants to the waters of the State are in violation
of the California Water Code and the Federal Clean Water Act.
3. _Alternative Method of Disposal
The Report of Waste Discharge shall be accompanied by a
feasibility study of reuse of the groundwater. If reuse is not
feasible, the Report of Waste Oischarge-hasll be accompanied by a
description of alternatives for disposal other than to surface
waters.
D. DISCHARGE LIMITATIONS
Discharges authorized under this Order shall comply with the following
discharge limitations, and additional limitations set forth in
Attachment A. In the letter of determination, the Executive Officer
shall indicate the discharge limitations in Attachment A applicable to
the particular waste discharge.
1. The discharge of groundwater containing constituents in excess of
the background level in the receiving water is prohibited.
2. The discharge of any waste not specifically regulated by this
Permit is prohibited.
3. Creation of a pollution, contamination, or nuisance, as defined by
Section 13050 of the California Water Code (CWC) is prohibited.
4. The discharge from the treatment facility of detectable levels of
petroleum, petroleum conltituents or volatile halogenated
compounds is prohibited.
E. RECEIVING WATER LIMITATIONS
1. The waste discharge must not cause the dissolvedoxygen
concentration of the receiving water to be depressed below 7.0
1
For the purpose of this Permit, levels of detection are as follows:
CONSTITUENT UNITS DETECTION LIMIT
Petroleum Hydrocarbons ug/1 50
Benzene ug/1 0.5
Toluene ug/1 0.5
Xylene ug/1 o.s
Ethyl benzene ug/1 0.5
Volatile Halogenated Compounds ug/1 o.s
ORDER NO. 93-61 -6
mg/1. In the event that the receiving waters are determined to
have dissolved oxygen concentration of less than 7.0 mg/1, the
discharge shall not depress the dissolved oxygen concentration
below the existing level.
2. The discharge must not cause the pH of the receiving waters to be
depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.5. Within this range, the
discharge shall not cause the pH of the receiving waters to be
changed at any time more than 0.5 units from that which occurs
naturally.
3. The discharge must not cause the turbidity of the receiving waters
to be increased more than 20 percent above naturally occurring
background levels.
4. The discharge must not cause the receiving waters to contain
floating materials, including solids, liquids, foams, and scum, in
concentrations that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial
uses.
5. The discharge must not cause the receiving waters to contain taste
or odor-producing substances in concentrations that impart
undesirable tastes or odors to fish flesh or other edible products
of aquatic origin, that cause nuisance, or that adversely affect
beneficial uses.
6. The discharge of waste must not cause esthetically undesirable
discoloration of the receiving waters.
7. The discharge must not cause bottom deposits in the receiving
waters to the extent that such deposits cause nuisance or
adversely affect beneficial uses.
8. The discharge must not contain concentrations of biostimulants
which promote objectional aquatic growths to the extent that such
growths cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses of the
receiving waters.
9. The discharge must not cause the receiving waters to contain toxic
substances in concentrations that are toxic to, degrade, or that
produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant,
animal, or aquatic life. .
10. The discharge must not cause a measurable temperature change in
the receiving waters.
11. The discharge must not cause bioaccumulation of pesticide,
fungicide, wood treatment chemical, or other toxic pollutant
concentrations in bottom sediments or aquatic life to levels which
are harmful to human health.
OR!:ER NO. 93-61 -7
12. The discharge must not cause the receiving waters to contain oils,
greases, waxes, or other materials in concentrations that result
in a visible film or coating on the surface of the water or on
objects in the water that ~ a u s e nuisance or that otherwise
adversely affect beneficial uses.
13. This discharge must not cause a violation of any applicable water
quality standard for receiving waters adopted by the Board or the
State Water Resources Control Board as required by the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act, and regulations adopted thereunder.
If more stringent applicable water quality standards are
promulgated or approved pursuant to Section 303 of the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act, or amendments thereto, the Board will
revise and modify this Permit in accordance with such more
stringent standards.
14. The discharge must not cause concentrations of contaminants to
occur at levels which are harmful to human health in waters which
are existing or potential sources of drinking water.
15. The discharge must not cause concentrations of toxic pollutants in
the water column, sediments, or biota that adversely affect
beneficial uses.
16. The discharge must not cause acute nor chronic toxicity in the
receiving waters.
F. SOLIDS DISPOSAL
1. This Permit does not authorize waste discharge to land. Collected
screenings, sludges, and other solids removed from liquid wastes
shall be disposed of at a solid waste facility for which waste
discharge requirements have been prescribed by a Regional Water
Quality Control Board.
G. PROVISIONS
1. Duty to Comply
The permittee must comply with all of the conditions of this
Permit. Any permit noncompliance constitutes a violation of the
Clean Water Act and the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act
and is grounds for enforcement action; for permit termination,
revocation and reissuance, or modification; or denial of a permit
renewal application. [40CFR122.41(a)]
The permittee shall comply with effluent standards or prohibitions
established under Section 307(a) of the Clean Water Act for toxic
pollutants within the time provided in the regulations that
establish these standards or prohibitions, even if this Permit has
not yet been modified to incorporate the requirement.
[40CFR122.4l(a)(l)]
ORDER NO. 93-61 -8
2. Duty to Reapply
This permit expires on five years from the date of issuance. If
the permittee wishes to continue an activity regulated by this
Permit after the expiration date of this Permit, the permittee
must apply for and obtain a new permit. The application,
including a report of waste discharge in accordance with Title 23,
California Code of Regulations must be received by the Board no
later than 60 days prior to the expiration of this permit.
[40CFR122.4l(b)] .
The Regional Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
may grant permission to submit an application at a later date
prior to the permit expiration date; and the Regional
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency may grant
permission to submit the information required by paragraphs(g)(7},
(9), and (10) of 40CFR122.21 after the permit expiration date.
(40CFR122.2l(d)(2)]
3. Need to Halt or Reduce Activity Not a Defense
It shall not be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement action
that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted
activity in order to maintain compliance with the conditions of
this Permit. [40CFR122.4l(c)]
4. Duty to Mitigate
The permittee shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or
prevent any discharge in violation of this Permit which has a
reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting human health or the
environment. [40CFR122.4l(d)]
5. Proper Operation and Maintenance
The permittee shall at all times properly operate and maintain all
facilities and systems of treatment and control (and related
appurtenances) that are installed or used by the permittee to
achieve compliance with this Permit. Proper operation and
maintenance includes adequate laboratory control and appropriate
quality assurance procedures. Jhis provision requires the
operation of backup or auxiliary facilities or similar systems
that are installed by a permittee only when necessary to achieve
compliance with the conditions of this Permit. [40CFR122.4l(e)]
6. Permit Actions
This Permit may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated
for cause including, but not limited to, the following:
a. Violation of any terms or conditions of this Permit; or
b. Obtaining this Permit by misrepresentation or failure to
ORDER NO. 93-61 -9
. 7 ."
8.
disclose fully all relevant facts; or
c. A change in any condition that requires either a temporary or
a permanent reduction or elimination of the-authorized
discharge; or
d. A determination that the permitted activity endangers human
health or the environment and can only be regulated to
acceptable levels by permit modification or termination.
e. A determination that a certification that substances
identified in Tables 1 and 2 of the Inland Surface Waters Plan
do not occur in the discharge is no longer valid.
The Board may also review and revise this Permit at any time upon
application of any person, or on the Board's own motion. [CWC
13263(e)]
If any toxic effluent standard or prohibition (including any
schedule of compliance specified in such effluent standard or
prohibition) is promulgated under Section 307(a) of the Clean
Water Act for a toxic pollutant which is present in the discharge
and that standard or prohibition is more stringent than any
limitation on the pollutant to this Permit, this Permit shall be
modified or revoked and reissued to conform to the toxic effluent
standard or prohibition and the permittee so notified.
(40CFR122.4l(f)]
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. [40CFR122.4l(f)]
Property Rights
This Permit does not convey any property rights of any sort, or
any exclusive privileges, nor does it authorize any injury to
private property or any invasion of personal rights, nor any
infringement of federal, state or local laws or regulations.
[40CFR122.41(g)]
w - ~ -
Duty to Provide Information
The permittee shall furnish the Board, State Water Resources
Control Board (SWRCB), or Environmental Protection Agency(EPA),
within a reasonable time, any information which the Board, SWRCB,
or EPA may request to determine whether cause exists for
modifying, revoking and reissuing, or terminating this Permit or
to determine compliance with this Permit. The permittee shall
also furnish to the Board, upon request, copies of records
required to be kept by this Permit. [40CFR122.41(h)]
ORDER NO. 93-61 -10-
The permittee shall conduct analysis on any sample provided by EPA
as part of the Discharge Monitoring Quality Assurance (DMQA)
program. The results of any such analysis shall be submitted to
EPA's OMQA manager.
9. Inspection and Entry
The permittee shall allow the Board, SWRCB, EPA, and/or other
authorized representatives upon the presentation of credentials
and other documents as may be required by law, to:
a. Enter ~ p o n the permittee's premises where a regulated facility
or activity is located or conducted, or where records are kept
under the conditions of this permit;
b. Have access to and copy, at reasonable times, any records that
must be kept under the conditions of this Permit;
c. Inspect at reasonable times any facilities, equipment
(including monitoring and control equipment), practices, or
operations regulated or required under this Permit; and
d. Sample or monitor at reasonable times, for the purposes of
assuring permit compliance or as otherwise authorized by the
Clean Water Act, any substances or parameters at any
locations. [40CFR122.4l(i)]
10. Monitoring and Records
a. Samples and measurements taken for the purpose of monitoring
shall be representative of the monitored activity.
b. The permittee shall calibrate and perform maintenance
procedures in accordance with manufacturer's specifications on
all monitoring instruments and equipment to ensure accurate
measurements. The permittee shall retain records of all
monitoring information, including all calibration and
maintenance records and all original strip chart recordings
for continuous monitoring instrumentation, copies of all
reports required by this Permit, and records of all data used
to complete the application for this Permit, for a period of
at least three years from the date of the sample, measurement,
report, or application. This period may be extended by
request of the Board, SWRCB, or EPA at any time. All
monitoring instruments and devices used by the permittee to
fulfill the prescribed monitoring program shall be properly
maintained and calibrated as necessary, at least annually to
ensure their continued accuracy.
c. Records of monitoring information shall include:
i. The date, exact place, and time of sampling or
measurements;
ii. The individual(s) who performed the sampling or
measurements;
ORDER NO. 93-61 -11
iii. The date(s) analyses were performed; .
iv. The individual(s) who performed the analyses;
v. The analytical techniques or methods used; and
vi. The results of such analyses.
d. Unless otherwise noted, all sampling and sample preservation
shall be in accordance with the current edition of "Standard
Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater {American
Public Health Association). All analyses must be conducted
according to test procedures under 40 CFR Part 136, unless
other test procedures have been specified in this Permit.
Unless otherwise specified, all metals shall be reported as
total metals. Test fish for bioassays and test temperatures
. sha 11 be specified by the Board. Bioassays sha 11 be performed
in accordance with guidelines approved by the Board and the
Department of Fish and Game.
11. Signatory Requirements
a. All permit applications, reports, or information submitted to
the Regional Board, State Board, and/or EPA shall be signed by
a responsible corporate officer. For purposes of this
provision, a responsible corporate officer means:
i. a president, secretary, treasurer, or vice president of
the corporation in charge of a principal business
function, or any other person who performs similar
policy ar decision making functions for the corporation;
or
ii. the manager of one or more manufacturing, production, or
operating facilities employing more than 250 persons or
having gross annual sales or expenditures exceeding $25
million (in second quarter 1980 dollars}, if authority
to sign documents has been assigned or delegated to the
manager in accordance with corporate procedures.
OR
For a Partnership or Sole Proprietorship, all permit
applications, reports, or information submitted to the
Regional Board, State Board; and/or EPA shall be signed by a
general partner or the proprietor, respectively.
OR
For a Municipality, State, or Other Non-Federal Public Agency,
all permit applications, reports, or information submitted to
the Regional Board, State Board, and/or EPA shall be signed by
either a principal executive officer or ranking elected
official. [40CFR122.22(a)]
OPOER NO. 93-61 -12
b. Reports required by this Permit, other information requested
by the Board, SWRCB, or EPA, and permit applications submitted
for Group II stormwater discharges under 40CFR122.26(b)(3) may
be signed by a duly authorized representative provided:
i. the authorization is made in writing by a person
described in paragraph (a) of this provision;
ii. the authorization specifies either an individual or a
position having responsibility for the overall operation
of the regulated facility or activity s.uch as the
~ p o s i t i o n of plant manager, operator of a well or a well
field, superintendent, position of equivalent
responsibility, or an individual or position having
overall responsibility for environmental matters for the
company"; and
iii. the written authorization is submitted to the Board
prior to or together with any reports, information, or
applications signed by the authorized representative.
[40CFR122.22{b)(c)]
c. Any person signing a document under paragraph {a) or (b) of
this provision shall make the following certification:
"1 certify under penalty of law that this document and all
attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in
accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified
personnel properly gather and evaluate the information
submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who
manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for
gathering the information, the information submitted, is, to
the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and
complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for
submitting false information, including the possibility of
fine and imprisonment for knowing violations.
(40CFR122.22(d)]
12. Reporting Requirements
a. Planned changes: The permittee shall give notice to the
Regional Board as soon as possible of any planned physical
alteration or additions to the permitted facility. Notice is
required under this provision only when:
i. The alteration or addition to a permitted facility may
meet one of the criteria for determining whether a
facility is a new source in 40CFR122.29(b}; or
ii. The alteration or addition could signiHcantly change
the nature or increase the quantity of pollutants
discharged. This notification applies to pollutants
ORDER NO. 93-61 -13
which are subject neither to effluent limitations in the
permit, nor the notification requirements under
Provision 12 (g).
b. Anticipated noncompliance: The permittee will give advance
notice to the Board of any planned changes in the permitted
facility or activity which may result in noncompliance with
permit requirements.
c. Transfers: This Permit is not transferable.
d. Definitions: The following definitions shall apply unless
specified in this permit;
i. "Daily discharge" means the discharge of a pollutant
measured during a calendar day of any 24-hour period
that reasonably represents the calendar day for purposes
of sampling. For pollutants with limitations expressed
in terms of mass, the "daily discharge is calculated as
the total mass of the pollutant discharged over the
sampling day. For pollutants with limitations expressed
in other units of measurement, the "daily discharge
shall be the concentrations of the composite sample.
When grab samples are used, the "daily discharge
determination of concentration shall be the arithmetic
average (weighted by flow value) of all samples
collected during the sampling day.
i i. "Daily average" 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.
iii. "Daily Maximum discharge limitations means that
highest allowable "daily discharge during the calendar
month.
e. Monitoring reports: Monitoring results shall be reported at
the intervals specified in the self monitoring program. By
January 30 of each year, the permittee shall submit an annual
report to the Regional Board. The report shall contain both
tabular and graphical summaries of the monitoring data
obtained during the previous year. In addition, the permittee
shall discuss the compliance record and the corrective actions
taken or planned which may be needed to bring the discharge
into full compliance with the permit. If the permittee
monitors any pollutant more frequently than required by this
permit, using test procedures approved under 40 CFR Part 136
or as specified in this permit, the results of this monitoring
shall be included in the calculation and reporting of the data
submitted in the DMR.
ORDER NO. 93-61 -14
f. Compliance schedules: Reports of compliance or noncompliance
with, or any progress reports on, interim and final
requirements contained in any compliance schedule of this
permit shall be submitted no later than 14 days following each
schedule date.
g. Noncompliance reporting: The permittee shall report any
noncompliance at the time monitoring reports are submitted.
The written submission 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 recurrence of the noncompliance.
The following events shall be reported orally as soon as the
permittee becomes aware of the circumstances, and the written
report shall be provided within five days of that time.
i. Any unanticipated bypass that violates any prohibition
or exceeds any effluent limitation in the permit.
ii. Any upset that exceeds any effluent limitation in the
permit.
iii. Violation of a maximum daily discharge limitation for
any of the pollutants listed by the Board in this
Permit.
iv. Any noncompliance that may endanger health or the
environment.
The Executive Officer may waive the above-required written
report.
h. Other information: 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 Board, the permittee shall promptly
submit such facts or information. [40CFR122.41(1)]
13. Bypass
The intentional diversion of waste streams from any portion of a
treatment facility is prohibited.
14. Upset
In any enforcement proceeding, the permittee seeking to establish
the occurrence of an upset has the burden of proof. [40 CFR
122.41(n)]
ORDER NO. 93-61 -15
15. Enforcement
The Clean Water Act provides that any person who violates a permit
condition implementing Sect_ions 301, 302, 306, 307, -308, 318, or
405 of the Clean Water Act is subject to a civil penalty not to
exceed $25,000 per day of violation. Any person who negligently
violates permit conditions implementing Sections 301, 302, 306,
307, or 308 of the Act is subject to a fine of not less than
$2,500 nor more than $25,000 per day of violation, or by
imprisonment of not more than one year, or both. Higher penalties
may- be imposed for knowing violations and for repeat offenders.
The Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act provides for civil
and criminal penalties comparable to, and in some cases greater
than, those provided under the Clean Water Act.
16. Existing Manufacturing, Commercial, Mining, and Silvicultural
permittees
All existing manufacturing, commercial, mining, and silvicultural
permittees must notify the Board as soon as they know or have
reason to believe that any activity has occurred or will occur
that would result in the discharge, on a routine or frequent
basis, of any toxic pollutant that ;s not limited in this Permit,
if that discharge will exceed one hundred micrograms per liter
(100 ug/1). [40CFR122.42(a)(2)]
17. -Availability
A copy of this Permit shall be maintained at the discharge
facility and be available at all times to operating personnel.
18. Change in Discharge
In the event of a material change in the character, location, or
volume of a discharge, (including any point or-nonpoint discharge
to land or groundwater) the permittee shall file with this Board a
new report of waste discharge at least 180 days before making any
such change. [CWC Section 13376]. A material change includes,
but is not limited to, the following:
. a. Significant change in disposal method, e.g., change from a
land disposal to a direct discharge to water, or change in the
method of treatment which would significantly alter the
characteristics of the waste.
b. Significant change in the disposal area, e.g., moving the
discharge to another drainage area, to a different water body,
or to a disposal area, significantly removed from the original
area, potentially causing different water quality or nuisance
problems.
ORDER NO. 93-61 -16
19. Severability
Provisions of these waste discharge requirements are severable.
If any provision of these requirements is found invalid, the
remainder of these requirements shall not be affected.
20. Monitoring
The Board or SWRCB may require the permittee to establish and
maintain records , make reports , insta11 , use, and maintain
monitoring equipment or methods (including where appropriate
biologicai monitoring methods), sample effluent as prescribed, and
provide other information as may be reasonably required. [CWC
Section 13267 and 133834].
The permittee must comply with the Contingency Planning and
Notification Requirements Order No. 74-151 and the attached
Monitoring and Reporting Program and any modifications to these
documents as specified by the Executive Officer. _Such documents
are attached to this Permit and incorporated herein. The
permittee shall file with the Board technical reports on self
monitoring work performed according to the detailed specifications
contained in any monitoring and reporting program as directed by
the Board.
Chemical, bacteriological, and bioassay analyses shall be
conducted at a laboratory certified for such analyses by the State
Department of Health Services. I.n the event a certified
laboratory is not available to the permittee, analyses performed
by a noncertified laboratory will be accepted provided:
a. A quality assurance/quality control program is instituted by
the laboratory. A manual containing the steps followed in
this program must be. kept in the laboratory and shall be
available for inspection by staff of the Board. The quality
assurance/quality control program must conform to EPA or State
Department of Health Services guidelines.
b. The laboratory will become certified within the shortest
practicable time if the State certification program is
resumed.
ORDER NO. 93-61
-17-
Certification
I, Benjamin 0. Kor, Executive Officer, do hereby
certify that the foregoing is a full, true, and
correct copy of an Order adopted by the California
Regional Water Quality Control Board, North Coast
'''''" on "''
~ n ' b . Kor
Executive Officer
{NPDES.GEH)
...:.:-
Attachment A
GUIDANCE FOR INLAND SURFACE WATERS PLAN
PROVISIONS TO BE INCLUDED IN
MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAMS
ASSOCIATED WITH NPDES PERMITS
Monitoring and Reporting Programs should include the following:
1. Table 1 and 2 substances which need to be monitored in the effluent.
Monitoring may also be required to assess compliance with water quality
objectives in the receiving water. At a minimum this list should
include the substances which are or are likely to be in the permittee's
waste stream per finding No. 6 of the permit.
2. Short-term (acute) toxicity test and/or three species critical life
stage (CLS) toxicity test for applicable permittees. Table 4 of the
Inland Surface Waters Plan and the Enclosed Bays and Estuaries Plan
specify the species and test requirements for CLS toxicity tests.
(The fo.llowing footnotes should also be specified in regards to the critical
life stage tests:) .
The sensitivity of the test organisms to a referenced toxicant shall be
determined concurrently with each CLS bioassay and reported with the
test results.
*
Dilution and control waters should be obtained from an unaffected area
of the receiving waters upstream of the wastewater outfall. Standard
dilution water can be used if the stream segment upstream of the outfall
exhibits toxicity greater than 1.0 TUc.
Monitoring can be reduced to the most sensitive specifies after
*
(date or condition)
3. Type of sample (grab, composite)
4. Monitoring location
s. Appropriate monitoring frequency
6. Analytical methods to be used. Monitoring data to be reported
uncensored with Method Detection Limit (MDL) and Practical Quantitation
Limit (PQL) or Limit of Quantitation (LOQ).
Aquatic life water quality objectives for cadmium, chromium, copper,
lead, nickel, silver, and zinc are based on the acid-soluble fraction.
Compliance with these objectives shall be determined using the total
recoverable method (or a method approved by the State Board's Executive
Director or EPA)
For objectives which are hardness- or pH-dependent, specify how to
determine ambient water hardness or pH and that those measurements must
be included with the results.
{For Bays and Estuaries dischargers delete need for hardness/pH testing to
determine compliance with Effluent Limitations because these limitations are
not hardness/pH dependent)
State of California
CALIFORNIA REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD. LOS Ai\IGELES REGION
ORDER NO. 97-043
GENERAL NPDES PERMIT NO. CAG99400/
GENERAL NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PERMIT
AND
WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS
FOR
DISCHARGES OF TREATED GROUNDWATER FROM CONSTRUCTION
AND PROJECT DEWATERING "fO SURFACE WATERS
IN
COASTAL WATERSHEDS OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES
(Threat/Complexity Rating 3-.S)
The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region (Regional Board),
finds:
1. On September 22, 1989. the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
granted the State of California, hence the Regional Boards, the authority to issue
general National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits pursuant to
40 Code of Federal Regulations {CFR) 1 22 and 1 23.
2. 40 CFR 122.28 provides for issuance of general permits to regulate a category of
point sources if the sources:
a. Involve the same or substantially similar types of operations;
b. Discharge the same type of waste;
c. Require the same type of effluent limitations or operating conditions;
d. Require similar monitoring; and
e. Are more appropriately regulated under a general permit rather than individual
permits.
3. General waste discharge requirements and NPDES permits enable Regional Board staff
to expedite the processing of requirements, simplify the application process for
dischargers, better utilize limited staff resources, and avoid the expense and time
involved in repetitive public noticing, hearings, and permit adoptions:
4. 1991 revisions (which became effective in 1992) to Title 23 of the California Code of
Regulations (CCR), Division 3, Chapter 9, Article 1, 2200. Annual Fee Schedule,
requires that all discharges subject to a specific general permit shall pay the same
annual fee based on Threat to Water Quality and Complexity of discharges regulated
under the general permit.
Revised May 12. 1997
DISCHARGES OF TREATED GROUNDWATER Order No. 97-043
FROM CONSTRUCTION ANO PROJECT CAG994002(3-8)
DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS
5. On July 22. 1991, this Regional Board adopted Order No. 91-092 [General NPDES No.
CAG990000J to regulate discharges of groundwater to surface waters in the region.
This general permit was applicable to all groundwater discharges except those
associated with groundwater cleanup. Depending on the Report of Waste Discharge,
the Executive Officer' determined the annual fee based on the threat to water quality
and complexity of the discharge. After the Annual Fee Schedule revisions (Finding 4),
Order No. 91-092 has been used to regulate groundwater discharges that have a
Threat to Water Quality of Category 3 and Complexity rating of Cor a combined rating
of 3-C. This Order is a reissuance of Order No. 91-092 with a rating of 3-B.
6. Discharges with a rating of 3-B contain pollutants that may degrade the water quality
or cause a minor impairment of the designated beneficial uses of the receiving waters
and will need treatment to meet the requirements prescribed in this Order.
Groundwater contaminants may include oil, solids, salts, sewage, chemicals. and
hydrocarbons at levels that will need treatment to comply with the requirements
prescribed in this Order. The treatment system may include physical, chemical, and/or
biological treatment.
7. Activities that result in discharges of groundwater covered by this general permit
includes, but are not limited to, construction dewatering (including incidental collected
stormwater). subterranean seepage dewatering, well development and test pumping,
aquifer testing, and monitoring well construction. This Order is not applicable to
groundwater discharges associated with soil and/or groundwater cleanups.
8. Pursuant to 2, Article X. California Constitution, and 275, Article 3, Porter-Cologne
Water Quality Control Act (Water Code) on preventing waste and unreasonable use of
waters of the state, this Regional Board encourages. wherever practical, water
conservation and/or re-use of wastewater. To obtain coverage under this Order, the
discharger shall first investigate the feasibility of conservation, land disposal and/or
reuse of groundwater.
9. This Regional Board adopted Waste Discharge Requirements'or Municipal Storm Water
and Urban Runo" Discharges within the County o' Los Angeles contained in Order No.
96-054 [NPDES No. CAS6140011 and Waste Discharge Requirements 'or Storm Water
Management/Urban Runo" Discharges 'or Ventura County Flood Control District,
County o' Ventura, and the Cities o' Ventura County contained in Order No. 94-082
(NPDES No. CAS063339) on July 15, 1996, and June 22, 1994, respectively. These
Orders prohibit nonstorm water discharges to storm drain systems unless they are
covered by separate NPDES permits. This prohibition, in general, does not apply to
rising groundwater, uncontaminated groundwater infiltration discharges, discharges
Any reference to Executive Officer in this Order means Executive Officer of this Regional Board.
2
2
DISCHARGES OF TREATED GROUNDWATER Order No. 97-043
FROM CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT CAG994002{3-B)
DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS
from potable water sources
2
, foundation and footing drains discharges. and water from
crawl space pumps. The municipality may allow discharge of these type of discharges
into the storm drain system. However, the municipality or the Regional Board may
prohibit these discharges if they are determined to cause. or threaten to cause,
degradation of water quality, violation of water quality objectives. cause nuisance
and/or impair beneficial uses of receiving waters.
10. On August 15. 1996, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted a statewide
general order and NPDES permit, Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges by
Utility Companies to Surface Waters [Order No. 96-12-DWO. NPDES No.
CAG990002). Utility companies may have multiple discharges of small volumes of
groundwater from utility vaults and other underground structures resulting from
subterranean seepage. These discharges are covered by the statewide general order
and permit unless it is determined. pursuant to provisions thereof, that these
discharges are more appropriately regulated under Regional Board-issued permits.
11. On June 13. 1994, this Regional Board adopted a revised basin plan, Water Quality
Control Plan, Los Angeles Region: Basin Plan for the Coastal Watersheds of Los
Angeles and Ventura Counties. The plan incorporates. by reference, State Water
Resources Control Board's Water Quality Control Plans and policies on ocean waters
[Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters in California, March 22, 1990),
temperature I Water Quality Control Plan for Temperature in the Coastal andInterstate
Waters andEnclosed Bays and Estuaries of California, amended September 18. 1975)
and antidegradation [Statement of Policy with Respect to Maintaining High Quality
Waters in California. State Board Resolution No. 68-16, October 28, 1968].
12. The Basin Plan contains water quality objectives for, and lists the beneficial uses of,
specific water bodies {receiving waters) in the Los Angeles Region. Typical beneficial
uses include the following:
,.. Above the estuary - municipal and domestic supply, industrial service and
process supply, agricultural supply, groundwater recharge, freshwater
replenishment, aquaculture, warm and cold freshwater habitats, inland saline
water and wildlife habitats. water contact and noncontact recreation, fish
migration. and fish spawning.
Within and below the estuary- industrial service supply, marine and wetland
habitats, estUlnine and wildlife habitats. water contact and noncontact
recreation, commercial and sport fishing. aquaculture, migration of aquatic
Potable water sources means flows from drinking water storage. supply and distribution systems.
including flows from system failures. pressure releases, system maintenance, well development, pump
testing, fire hydrant flow testing; and flushing and dewatering of pipes, reservoirs, vaults, and wells.
3
DISCHARGES OF TREATED GROUNDWATER Order No. 97-043
FROM CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT CAG994002(3-B)
DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS
orgal'1isms. fish migration. fish spawning, preservation of rare and endangered
species. preservation of biological habitats. and shellfish harvesting.
.. Coastal Zones (both nearshore and offshore) - industrial service supply,
navigation, water contact and noncontact recreation, commercial and sport
fishing, marine habitat, wildlife habitat, fish migration and spawning, shellfish
harvesting, and rare, threatened, or endangered species habitat.
13. This Regional Board has implemented a Watershed Management Approach (WMAl to
address water quality protection in the region. The objective is to provide a
comprehensive and integrated strategy towards water resource protection,
enhancement, and restoration while balancing economic and environmental impacts
within a hydrologically-defined drainage basin or watershed. It emphasizes cooperative
relationships between regulatory agencies, the regulated community, environmental
groups, and other stakeholders in the watershed to achieve the greatest environmental
improvements with resources available. This general permit and the accompanying
Monitoring and Reporting Program aid in accomplishing the WMA. The Executive
Officer may require the dischargers under this Order to participate in regional
. monitoring programs for the watershed where they are discharging.
14. Effluent limitations and toxic and effluent standards established pursuant to 301,302,
304, 306, and 307 of the Clean Water Act, as amended, are applicable to discharges
under this Order.
15. The requirements contained in this Order were established by considering, and are
consistent with, all the water quality control policies. plans. and regulations mentioned
above and, if they are met. will protect and maintain the beneficial uses of the
receiving waters.
16. The issuance of general waste discharge requirements for the above described
discharges is exempt from the provisions of Chapter 3 (commencing with 21100,et.
seq.), Division 13, Public Resources Code, pursuant to Water Code 13389. New
discharges that will be authorized under this Order are not "new sources as defined
in 33 U.S.C. 306 and 40 CFR 122.2.
The Board has notified interested agencies. parties, and persons of its intent to issue general
waste discharge requirements for discharges of treated groundwater from construction and
project dewatering to surface waters and has provided them with an opportunity to submit
their written views and recommendations.
The Board. in a public hearing, heard and considered all comments pertaining to the discharges
to be regulated under this Order and to the tentative requirements.
4
DISCHARGES OF TREATED GROUNDWATER Order No. 97-043
FROM CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT CAG994002(3-8)
DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS
This Order shall serve as a general NPDES permit pursuant to 402 of the Clean Water Act,
or amendments thereto, and shall take effect at the end of ten days from the date of its
adoption provided the Regional Administrator, USEPA, has no objections.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that dischargers authorized under this Order and general permit, in
order to meet the provisions contained in Division 7 of the California Water Code, and
regulations adopted thereunder, and the provisions of the Federal Clean Water Act, and
regulations and guidelines adopted thereunder, shall comply with the following:
A. ELIGIBILITY
1 . Existing and future discharges of treated waste water to surface waters
resulting from groundwater dewatering or seepage (including incidental
collected stormwater); well construction, development, and/or testing; aquifer
testing; and similar operations.
2. To be covered under this Order, discharges must meet the following criteria:
a. Pollutant concentrations in the discharge shall not cause violation of any
applicable water quality objective for the receiving waters, including
discharge prohibitions;
b. The discharge shall not cause acute nor chronic toxicity in receiving
waters; and;
c. The discharge shall pass through an appropriate treatment system to
meet the requirements of this Order.
3. New discharges and existing discharges regulated under existing individual
permits and Order No. 91-092 which meet the eligibility criteria may be
regulated under this Order.
4. For the purpose of. renewal of existing individual NPDES permits with this
general permit, provided that all the conditions of this general permit are met,
renewal is effective upon issuance of a notification by the Executive Officer and
issuance of a new monitoring program.
5. When an individual NPDES permit with more specific requirements is issued to
a discharger, the applicability of this Order to that discharger is automatically
terminated on the effective date of the individual permit.
5
DISCHARGES OF TREATED GROUNDWATER Order No. 97-043
FROM CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT CAG994002(3-Bl
DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS
B. AUTHORIZATION
To be authorized to discharge under this Order, the discharger must submit a Report
of Waste Discharge and an application for an NPDES permit (hereinafter Report of
Waste Discharge) in accordance with the requirements of Part C of this Order. Upon
receipt of the application, the Executive Officer shall determine the applicability of this
Order to such a discharge. If the discharge is eligible, the Executive Officer shall notify
the discharger that the discharge is authorized under the terms and conditions of this
Order and prescribe an appropriate monitoring and reporting program. For new
discharges, the discharge shall not commence until receipt of the Executive Officer's
written determination.
C. REPORT OF WASTE DISCHARGE
1 Deadline for Submission
a. Renewal of permits of existing dischargers covered under individual
permits that meet the eligibility criteria in Part A and have submitted
Reports of Waste Discharge will consist of a letter of determination from
the Executive Officer of coverage under this Order.
b. Existing dischargers covered under Order No. 91-092 will be sent a
Notice of Intent (NOI) form that must be completed and returned to the
Regional Board within 45 days of receipt; otherwise permit coverage will
be revoked. However, instead of an NO!, the Executive Officer may
require existing dischargers to submit a new Report of Waste Discharge,
may revise their monitoring and reporting requirements, and/or may
require them to participate in a regional monitoring program.
c. New dischargers shall file a complete application at least 30 days before
commencement of the discharge.
2. Forms for Report of Waste Discharge
a. Dischargers shall use the appropriate USEPA Forms or equivalent forms
approved by the Regional Board or the Executive Officer.
b. The discharger, upon request, shall submit any additional information
that the Executive Officer deems necessary to determine whether the
discharge meets the criteria for coverage under this Order, and/or in
prescribing an appropriate monitoring and reporting program.
c. The Report of Waste Discharge shall include a feasibility study on reuse
and/or alternative disposal methods of the groundwater.
6
DISCHARGES OF TREATED GROUNDWATER
Order No. 97-043
FROM CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT
CAG994002(3-B)
DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS
d. The Report of Waste Discharge shall be accompanied by the first annual
fee (if appropriate) in accordance with the Annual Fee Schedule for a
discharge with a rating of 3-B. The check or money order shall be made
payable to the "State Water Resources Control Board."
D. DISCHARGE PROHIBITIONS
1. The discharge of wastes other than those which meet eligibility requirements
in Part A of this Order is prohibited unless the discharger obtains coverage
under another general permit or an individual permit that regulates the discharge
of such wastes.
2. The purposeful or knowing discharge of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is
prohibited.
3. The discharge of any radiological, chemical, or biological warfare agent or high
level radiological waste is prohibited.
E. EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS
1. Discharge of an effluent in excess of the following limitations is prohibited:
Discharae Limitations
Constituents
!.l.!:!ilil Monthly Average Daily Maximum
Total Suspended Solids
mg/L 50
150
Turbidity
NTU 50
150
BOD
5
2oc
mg/L 20
30
Oil and Grease
mg/L 10
15
Settleable Solids
mi/L 0.1
0.3
Sulfides
mg/L
1.0
Phenols
mg/L
1.0
Phenolic Compounds
pg/L
1.0
(chlorinated)
Residual Chlorine
mg/L
0.1
Detergents as Methylene Blue
Active Substances (MBAS)
mg/L
0.5
7
DISCHARGES OF TREATED GROUNDWATER
Order No. 97-043
FROM CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT
CAG994002(3-B)
DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS
2. Discharge of an effluent in excess of the following limitations is prohibited:
Constituent
~ Daj!y Maximum
Benzene
pg/L 1.0
Toluene
pg/L 150
Ethyl benzene
pg/L 700
Xylene
pg/L 1750
Ethylene Dibromide
pg/L 0.05
Carbon Tetrachloride
pg/L 0.5
Tetrachloroethylene
pg/L 5.0
Trichloroethylene
pg/L
5.0
1 A-dichlorobenzene
pg/L 5.0
1 , 1-dichloroethane
pg/L 5.0
1 ,2-dichloroethane
pg!L 0.5
1 , 1-dichloroethylene
pg!L 6.0
Vinyl Chloride
pg!L 0.5
Arsenic
pgf 50
Cadmium
pg!L 10
Chromium
pg/L 50
Copper
pg/L 1000
Lead
pg/L 50
Mercury
pg/L 2
Selenium
pg/L 10
Silver
pg/L 50
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons
pg/L 100
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE)
pg!L 35
8
DISCHARGES OF TREATED GROUNDWATER Order No. 97-043
FROM CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT CAG994002(3-B)
DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS
3. The IJH of the discharge shall at all times be within the range of 6.0 and 9.0.
4. The temperature of the discharge shall not exceed 100F.
5. The discharge of an effluent with mineral and nitrogen constituents in excess
of applicable limits given in Attachment A is prohibited. In the letter of
determination, the Executive Officer shall indicate the watershed/stream reach
limitations in Attachment A applicable to the particular discharge.
6. Pass-through or uncontrollable discharges of PCBs shall not exceed daily
average concentrations of 14 ng/L into fresh waters or 30 ng/L into estuarine
waters.
7. The acute toxicity of the effluent shall be such that the average survival in the
undiluted effluent for any three (3) consecutive 96-hour static or continuous
flow bioassay tests shall be at least 90%, with no single test less than 70%
survival.
8. The discharge shalrmeet effluent limitations and toxic and effluent standards
established pursuant to 301, 302,304, 306. and 307 of the Clean Water Act,
and amendments thereto.
F. RECEIVING WATER LIMITATIONS
1. The discharge shall not cause the following to be present in receiving waters:
a. Toxic pollutants at concentrations that will bioaccumulate in aquatic life
to levels that are harmful to aquatic life or human health;
b. Biostimulatory substances at concentrations that promote aquatic
growth to the extent that such growth causes nuisance or adversely
affects beneficial uses;
c. Chemical substances in amounts that adversely affect any designated
beneficial use;
d. Visible floating materials, including solids. liquids, foams, and scum;
e. Oils, greases, waxes, or other materials in concentrations that result in
a visible film or coating on the surface of the receiving water or on
objects in the water;
9
3
DISCHARGES OF TREATED GROUNDWATER Order No. 97-043
FROM CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT CAG994002(3-8)
DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS
f. Suspended or settleable materials in concentrations that cause nuisance
or adversely affect beneficial uses;
g. Taste or odor-producing substances in concentrations that alter the
natural taste, odor, and/or color of fish, shellfish, or other edible aquatic
resources; cause nuisance; or adversely affect beneficial uses;
h. Substances that result in increases of BOD
5
20C that adversely affect
beneficial uses;
i. Fecal coliform concentrations which exceed a log meaf'l of 200 per 100
ml (based on a minimum of not less than four samples for any 30-day
period), nor shall more than 10% of total samples during any 30-day
period exceed 400 per 1 00 ml; and
j. Concentrations of toxic substances that are toxic to, or cause
detrimental physiological responses in, human, animal, or aquatic life.
2. The discharge shall not cause the following to occur in the receiving waters:
a. The dissolved oxygen to be depressed below:
WARM
3
designated waters 5 mg/L
COLD
3
designated waters 6 mg/L
COLO and SPWN
3
Designated waters 7 mg/L.
b. The pH to be depressed below 6.5 or raised above 8.5, and the ambient
pH levels to be changed from natural conditions in inland waters more
than 0.5 units or in estuaries more than 0.2 units;
c. The temperature at any time or place and within any given 24-hour
period to be altered by more than 5"F above natural temperature; but at
no time be raised above 80F for waters with a beneficial use of WARM
(Warm Freshwater Habitat);
d. The turbidity to increase to the extent that such an increase causes
nuisance or adversely affects beneficial uses; such increase shall not
exceed 20% when the natural turbidity is over 50 NTU or 10% when
the natural turbidity is 50 NTU or less;
Beneficial Uses: WARM - Warm Freshwater Habitat; COLD - Cold Freshwater Habitat; SPWN -
Spawning, Reproduction, and/or Early Development.
10
DISCHARGES OF TREATED GROUNDWATER Order No. 97-043
FROM CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT CAG994002(3-8}
DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS
e. Residual chlorine in concentrations that .persist and impairs beneficiaL
uses; and,
f. Any individual pesticide or combination of pesticides in concentrations
that adversely affect beneficial uses or increase pesticide concentration
in bottom sediments or aquatic life.
3. The discharge shall not alter the color, create a visual contrast with the natural
appearance, nor cause aesthetically undesirable discoloration of the receiving
waters.
4. The discharge shall not degrade surface water communities and population
including vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant species.
5. The discharge shall not damage. discolor, nor cause formation of sludge
deposits on flood control structures or facilities nor overload their design
capacity.
6. The discharge shall not cause problems associated with breeding of mosquitos,
gnats, black flies, midges, or other pests.
G. PROVISIONS
1. The Executive Officer may require any discharger authorized under this Order
to apply for and obtain an individual NPDES permit with more specific
requirements. The Executive Officer may require any discharger authorized to
discharge under this permit to apply for an individual permit only if the
discharger has been notified in writing that a permit application is required. This
notice shall include a brief statement of the reasons for this decision, an
application form, a statement setting a deadline for the discharger to file the
application, and a statement that on the effective date of the individual permit,
the authority to discharge under this General Permit is no longer applicable.
2. Dischargers authorized under this Order shall maintain a copy of this Order at
the waste disposal facility where it will be available at all times to operating
personnel.
3. Prior to application, the discharger shall submit for Executive Officer's approval
the list of chemicals and proprietary additives that may affect the discharge,
including rates/quantities of application, compositions, characteristics, and
material safety data sheets. if any.
11
DISCHARGES OF TREATED GROUNDWATER Order No. 97-Q43
FROM CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT CAG994002{3-B)
DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS
4. Oil or oily materials, chemicals, refuse, or other materials that may cause
pollution in storm water and/or urban runoff shall not be stored or deposited in
areas where they may be picked up by Tainfall/urban runoff and discharged to
surface waters. Any spill of such materials shall be contained, removed and
cleaned immediately.
5. This Order neither exempt the discharger from compliance with any other laws,
regulations, or ordinances that may be applicable, nor legalize the waste
disposal facility.
6. The discharger shall allow the Regional Board and its authorizedrepresentatives
entry to the premises to inspect and undertake any activity to determine
compliance with this Order, or as otherwise authorized by the California Water
Code.
7. The discharger shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities and
systems installed or used to achieve compliance with this Order.
8. All applications, reports, or information submitted to the Regional Board shall
be signed:
a. For corporations, by a principal executive officer at least of the level of
vice president or his duly authorized representative, if such
representative is responsible for the overall operation of the facility from
which discharge originates;
b. For a partnership, by a general partner;
c. For a sole proprietorship, by the proprietor;
d. For a municipal, state, or other public facility, by either a principal
executive officer, ranking elected official, or other duly authorized
employee.
9. Pursuant to 40CFR 122.61 (b), coverage under this Order may be transferred
in case of change of ownership of land or discharge facility provided the
existing discha..rger notifies the Executive Officer at least 30 days before the
proposed transfer date, and the notice includes a written agreement between
the existing and new dischargers containing a specific date of transfer of
coverage, responsibility for compliance with this Order, and liability between
them.
10. Pursuant to 40CFR 122.62and 122.63, this Order may be modified, revoked
and reissued, or terminated for cause. Reasons for modification may include
12
DISCHARGES OF TREATED GROUNDWATER No. 97-043
FROM CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT CAG994002(3-8}
DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS
new information on the impact of discharges regulated under this Order become
available, of new effluent standards and/or regulations, adoption
of new policies quality objectives, new judicial decisions
affecting of this Order,
11 . Any discharge authorized this Order may request to be excluded from
coverage of this Order by applying for an individual permit.
H. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1. The Executive is hereby authorized to prescribe a Monitoring and
Reporting Program for each authorized discharger. This program may include
participation of the discharger in a regional monitoring program.
2. The discharger shall retain records of all monitoring information and data used
to complete the Report of Waste Discharge and application for coverage under
this Order for at least five years from the date of sampling, measurement,
report, or application. The retention period shall be extended during any
unresolved litigation regarding the discharge or when requested by the
Executive Officer.
3. The discharger shall maintai(l all sampling, measurement and analytical results,
including: the date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurement;
individual(s) who did the sampling or measurement; the date{s) analyses were
done; analysts' names; and analytical techniques or methods used.
4. All sampling, sample preservation, and analyses must be conducted according
to test procedures under 40 CFR 136, unless other test procedures have been
specified in this Order or by the Executive Officer.
5. All chemical, bacteriological, and bioassay analyses shall be conducted at a
laboratory certified for such analyses by the California Department of Health
Services or other state agency authorized to undertake such certification.
6. The discharger shall calibrate and maintain all monitoring instruments and
equipment to accuracy of measurements, or shall insure that both
activities will be conducted.
7. For parameters/constituents where both monthly average and daily maximum
limits are prescribed. but where monitoring frequency is less than four times a
month, the following procedure shall apply:
13
DISCHARGES OF TREATED GROUNDWATER Order No. 97-043
FROM CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT CAG994002(3-B}
DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS
If analysis of a sample yields a result greater than the monthly average
limit for a parameter/constituent, the sampling frequency for that
parameter/constituent shall increase to weekly within one week of
receiving the laboratory result until at least four consecutive weekly
samples are obtained and compliance with the monthly average has
been demonstrated. and the discharger has submitted for Executive
Officer approval a program that will ensure future compliance with the
monthly average limit.
I. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1. The discharger shall file with the Regional Board (Attention: Technical Support
Unit) technical reports on self-monitoring work conducted according to the
Monitoring and Reporting Program specified by the Executive Officer and submit
other reports as requested by the Regional soard.
2. In reporting the monitoring data, the discharger shall arrange the data in tabular
form so that the date, constituents, and concentrations are readily discernible.
The data shall be summarized to demonstrate compliance with waste discharge
requirements.
3. For every item where the requirements are not e t ~ the discharger shall submit
a statement of the actions undertaken or proposed that will bring the discharge
into full compliance with requirements at the earliest time and submit a
timetable for correction.
4. Each monitoring report must contain an affirmation in writing that:
"All analyses were conducted at a laboratory certified for such analyses
by and in accordance with current
USEPA procedures or as specified in this Monitoring Program."
5. Each report shall contain the following completed declaration:
"I declare under penalty of law that this document and all attachments
were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a
system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and
evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person
or persons who managed the system or those directly responsible for
gathering the information, the information submitted, is, to the best of
14
DISCHARGES OF TREATED GROUNDWATER Order No. 97-043
FROM CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT CAG994002{3-B)
DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS
my knowledge and belief, true, accurate and complete. I am aware that
there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including
the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations.
Executed on the__ day of ------ at
----------- (Signature)
-----------(Title)"
6. Whenever wastes, associated with the discharge under this Order, are
transported to a different disposal site, the following shall be reported in the
monitoring report: type and quantity of wastes; name and address of the hauler
(or method of transport if other than by hauling); and location of the final
point{s) of disposal.
7. The discharger shall file a report of any material change or proposed change in
the character, location or volume of the discharge.
8. The discharger shall notify this Regional Board within 24 hours by telephone of
any adverse condition resulting from the discharge, such notification shall be
affirmed in writing within five working days.
J. COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT
1. The discharger must comply with all of the conditions of this Order. Any
noncompliance constitutes a violation of the Clean Water Act and the Water
Code and is subject to enforcement action and/or permit termination.
2. The Clean Water Act and the Water Code provide for civil and criminal
penalties for violations of waste discharge requirements.
K. EXPIRATION DATE AND CONTINUATION OF THIS ORDER
This Order expires on April 10, 2002; however, for those dischargers authorized to
discharge under this Order, it shall continue in full force and effect until a new order
is adopted.
15
DISCHARGES OF TREATED GROUNDWATER
Order No. 97-043
FROM CONSTRUCTION AND PRO.JECT
CAG994002(3-B)
DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS
L. .
Upon reissuance of a new general permit order, dischargers authorized under this Order
shall file a Notice of Intent or a new Report of Waste Discharge within 45 days of
notification by the Executive Officer.
I, Lawrence P. Kolb, Acting Executive Officer, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a full,
true and correct copy of an Order adopted by the California Regional Water Quality Control
Board, Los Angeles Region, on May 12, 1997.
Acting Executive Officer
16
DISCHARGES
FROM CONST
DEWATERING
OF
RUC
TO
TREATED GROUNDWATER
TION AND PROJECT
SURFACE WATERS
Order No- 97-Q43
CAG994002!3-8)
ATTACHMENT A
Discharge of wastewater within a watershed/stream reach with constituent concentrations in excess
of the following daily maximum limits is prohibited:
TDS Sulfate Chloride Boron Nitrogen
lmg/LJ lmv/LI lmg/L} lmg/LJ lmg/LJ
WATERSHED/STREAM REACH
1. Miscellaneous Venture Coastal Streams: no waterbody specific limits
2. Ventura River Watershed:
a. Above Camino Cielo Road 700 300 50 1.0 5
Between Camino Cielo Road and Casitas Vista Road 800 300 60 1.0 5
c. Between Casitas Vista Road and confluence with Weldon Canyon 1000 300 80 . 1.0 5
d. Between confluence with Weldon Canyon and Main Street 1500 500 300 1.5 10
e. B-etween Main St. and Ventura River Estuary no waterbody specific limits
3. Santa Clara River Watersh-ed;
a. Above Lang gaging station 500 100 50 0.5 5
b. Between lang gaging station and Bouquet Canyon Road Bridge 800 150 100 1.0 5
c. Between Bouquet Canyon Road Bridge and West Pier Highway 99 1000 300 100 1.5 10
d. Between West Pier Highway 99 and Blue Cut gaging station 1000 400 100 1.5 5
e. Between Blue Cut gaging station and A Street. Fillmore 1300 600 100 1.5 5
f. Between A Street, Fillmore and Freeman Oivefsion ,.Dam
near Saticoy 1300 650 80 1.5 5
g. Between Freeman Diversion "'Cern near Saticoy and
Highway 101 Bridge: 1200 600 150 1.5
Between Highway 101 Bridge and Santa Clara Rivor Estuary no waterbody specific limits
i. Santa Paufa Creek above Santa Paula Water Works Diversion Darn 600 250 45 1.0 5
f. Sespe Creek above gaging station. 500 feet downstream from
Little Sespe Creek 800 320 60 1.5 5
Piru Creek above gaging station below Santa Felicia Dam 800 400 60 1.0 5
4. CaU-eguas Creek Watershed:
Above Potrero Road 850 250 150 1.0 10
b. Below Potrero Road no waterbody specific limits
5. MisceUaneous Los Angeles Countv Coastal Streams: no watetbody specific limits
a. Malibu Creek Watershed: 2000 500 500 2.0 10
b. Baflona Crook Watershed: no waterbody specific timits
6. Oomjnguez Channer Watershed: no waterbody specific limits
7. Los Angeles River Watershed:
a. Los Angeles River and Tributaries - upstream of Sepulveda Flood
Control Basin 950 300 150 8
b. Los Angeles Rive-r - between Sepulveda Rood Control Basin and 950 300 190 8
Figueroa Street.. lncludes Burbank Western Channet only..
c. Other tributaries to Los Angeles River- between Sepulveda Rood 950 300 150 8
Control Basin and Figueroa Street
d. Los Angeles River between Figueroa Street and L. A. River Estuary
Stroot) .. Includes Rio Hondo below Santa Ana Freeway 1500 350 190 8
e. Other tributaries to Los Angeles- River between Figueroa Street
end Los Angeles River Estuary.. Includes A"oyo Seco
downstream of spreading grounds.. 1550 350 150 8
A-1
DISCHARGES OF TREATED GROUNDWATER
FROM CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT
DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS
ATTACHMENT A
(Continued)
Order No. 97-043
CAG994002{3-8)
WATERSHED/STREAM REACH TDS Sutfate Chloride Boron Nitrogen
(mg/LI lmg/LI (mg/LJ lmg/LI lmg/LI
7. Los Angefes River Watershed fc-ontinuedt:
f. Rio Hondo between Whittier Nanows Rood Control Basin and
Santa Ana Freeway 750 300 180 8
g. Rio Hondo - upstream of Whittier Narrows Rood Control Basin 750 300 150 8
h. Santa Anita Creek above Santa Anita spreading grounds 250 30 10
i. Eaton Canyon Creek above Eaton Dem 250 30 10
j. Arroyo Seco above spreading grounds 300 40 15
k. Big Tujunga Creek above Hansen Darn 350 50 20
I. Pacoima Wash above Pacoima spreading grounds 250 30 10
8. San Gabriel River Watershed:
a. San Gabriel River above Morris Oain 250 30 10 0.6 2
b4 San Gabriel River between Morris Darn and Ramona Btvd. 450 100 100 0.5 8
c. San Gabriel River and tributaries- between Ramona Blvd.
and VaUey Blvd. 750 300 150 1.0 8
d. San Gabrief River- between Valley Blvd. and Firestone
Includes Whinier Narrows Flood Control Basin and
San Jose Creek downstre-am bf 71 Freeway 750 300 180 1.0 8
e. San Jose Creek and tributaries- upstream of 71 Freeway 750 300 150 1.0 8
f. San GabrieJ Rive.r- between Firestone Bl'vd. and San Gabriel River
Estuary (downstrem from WiUow Street). Includes Coyote Creek. no waterbody specific Jimits
g. All other minor San Gabriel Mountain streams tributary to 300 40 15
San Gabriel Valley
9. Los Angeles Harbor/ Long Beach Harbor Watershed no waterbody specific Jimits
10. Santa Ana River Watershed
a. San Antonio Creek 225 25
b. Chino Creek
11. Island Watercourses:
a. Anacapa Island no waterbody specific limite
b. San.Nlcotas Island no waterbody specific timits
o. Santa Barbara island no waterbody specific Umits
d. Santa Catalina lsfand no waterbody specific llmits
San Clem-ente Island no waterbody specific limits
. Where naturaUy occurring boron Nault in concentrations highel' than the stated Hrnlt, aite-apeciflc- Urnit may be determined on a cee-by-case
Nitrate-nitrogenplus nitritenitrogen(N0
3
N + NO,Nt. n. lack of adequate nltrooendata for .treama precluded theestabJidunent of numerical
limits for au atremna.
These watercourses are primarily tocetecl in the Sante Ana Region. The water quafity objectives f01 these streams have been established by the
Santa Ana Regional Board. Dashed lines indicata th8t: numerical objecth hav. not been eatabJiahed. however. narrativ. obiectfves a-hal apply.
Refer to tM Santa Ana Region Basin Plan fo more details.
A-2
State of California
CALIFORNIA REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD, LOS ANGELES REGION
ORDER NO. 97-045
GENERAL NPDES PERMIT NO. CAG994001
GENERAL NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PERMIT
AND
WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS
FOR
GROUNDWATER DISCHARGES FROM CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT
DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS
IN
COASTAL WATERSHEDS OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES
{Threat/Complexity Rating 3-C)
The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region (Regional Board).
finds:
1. On September 22, 1 989, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
granted the State of California. hence the Regional Boards. the authority to issue
general National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits pursuant to
40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 122 and 123.
2. 40 CFR 122.28 provides for issuance of general permits to regulate a category of
point sources if the sources:
a. Involve the same or substantially similar types of operations;
b. Discharge the same type of waste;
c. Require the same type of effluent limitations or operating conditions;
d. Require similar monitoring; and
e. Are more appropriately regulated under a general permit rather than individual
permits.
3. General waste discharge requirements and NPDES permits enable Regional Board staff
to expedite the processing of requirements, simplify the application process for
dischargers, better utilize limited staff resources. and avoid the expense and time
involved in repetitive public noticing. hearings, and permit adoptions.
4. 1991 revisions (which became effective in 1992) to Title 23 of the California Code of
Regulations !CCRI. Division 3, Chapter 9, Article 1, 2200, Annual Fee Schedule,
requires that all discharges subject to a specific general permit shall pay the same
annual fee based on Threat to Water Quality and Complexity of discharges regulated
under the general permit.
Revised May 12, 1997
GROUNDWATER DISCHARGES FROM CONSTRUCTION Order No. 97-045
AND PROJECT DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS CAG994001 (3-C)
5. On July 22, 1991-, this Regional Board adopted Order No. 91-092 [General NPDES No.
CAG990000J to regulate discharges of groundwater to surface waters in the region.
This general permit was applicable to all groundwater discharges except those
associated with groundwater cleanup. Depending on the Report of Waste Discharge,
the Executive Officer' determined the annual fee based on the threat to water quality
and complexity of the discharge. After the Annual Fee Schedule revisions (Finding 4),
Order No. 91-092 has been used to regulate groundwater discharges that have a
Threat to Water Quality of Category 3 and Complexity rating of C or a combined rating
of 3-C. This Order is a reissuance of Order No. 91-092 with a rating of 3-C.
6. Discharges with a rating of 3-C contain pollutants that may degrade the water quality
or cause a minor impairment of designated beneficial uses of the receiving waters but
will not need a treatment system to comply with requirements prescribed in this Order.
Groundwater contaminants may include organic compounds such as oil and grease,
fuel hydrocarbons, and chlorinated solvents; dissolved solids such as inorganic salts
and metals; minerals; dissolved gases such as hydrogen sulfide; and solids such as
silts, organic debris, and bacteria.
7. Activities that result in discharges of groundwater covered by this general permit
includes. but are not limited to, construction dewatering (including incidental collected
stormwater), subterranean seepage dewatering, well development and test pumping,
aquifer testing, and monitoring well construction. This Order is not applicable to
groundwater discharges associated with soil and/or groundwater cleanups.
8. Pursuant to 2, Article X, California Constitution, and 275, Article 3, Porter-Cologne
Water Quality Control Act (Water Code) on preventing waste and unreasonable use of
waters of the state, this Regional Board encourages, wherever practical, water
conservation and/or re-use of wastewater. To obtain coverage under this Order, the
discharger shall first investigate the feasibility of conservation, land disposal and/or
reuse of groundwater.
9. This Regional Board adopted Waste Discharge Requirements for Municipal Storm Water
and Urban Runoff Discharges within the County of Los Angeles contained in Order No.
96-0541NPDES No. CAS614001 I and Waste Discharge Requirements for Storm Water
Management/Urban Runoff Discharges for Ventura County Flood Control District,
County of Ventura, and the Cities of Ventura County contained in Order No. 94-082
[NPDES No. CAS063339) on July 15, 1996, and June 22, 1994, respectively. These
Orders prohibit nonstorm water discharges to storm drain systems unless they are
covered by separate NPDES permits. This prohibition, in general, does not apply to
rising groundwater, uncontaminated groundwater infiltration discharges. discharges
Any reference to Executive Officer in this Order means Executive Officer of this Regional Board.
2
2
GROUNDWATER DISCHARGES FROM CONSTRUCTION Order No. 97-045
AND PROJECT DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS CAG99400113-C)
from potable water sources
2
foundation and footing drains discharges. and water from
crawl space pumps. The municipality may allow discharge of these type of discharges
into the storm drain system. However. the municipality or the Regional Board may
prohibit these discharges if they are determined to cause. or threaten to cause.
degradation of water quality. violation of water quality objectives. cause nuisance
and/or impair beneficial uses of receiving waters.
10. On August 15. 1996. the State Water Resources Control Board adopted a statewide
general order and NPDES permit. Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges by
Utility Companies to Surface Waters (Order No. 96-12-DWO. NPDES No.
CAG9900021. Utility companies may have multiple discharges of small volumes of
groundwater from utility vaults and other underground structures resulting from
subterranean seepage. These discharges are covered by the statewide general order
and permit unless it is determined. pursuant to provisions thereof. that these
discharges are more appropriately regulated under Regional Board-issued permits.
11. On June 13. 1994, this Regional Board adopted a revised basin plan. Water Quality
Control Plan, Los Angeles Region: Basin Plan for the Coastal Watersheds of Los
Angeles and Ventura Counties. The plan incorporates. by reference. State Water
Resources Control Board's Water Quality Control Plans and policies on ocean waters
[Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters in California, March 22, 1990),
temperature [Water Quality Control Plan for Temperature in the Coastal andInterstate
Waters and Enclosed Bays and Estuaries of California. amended September 18. 19751
and antidegradation [Statement of Policy with Respect to Maintaining High Quality
Waters in California, State Board Resolution No. 68-16, October 28. 1968].
12. The Basin Plan contains water quality objectives for. and lists the beneficial uses of.
specific water bodies (receiving waters) in the Los Angeles Region. Typical beneficial
uses include the following:
... Above the estuary - municipal and domestic supply, industrial service and
process supply, agricultural supply, groundwater recharge. freshwater
replenishment, aquaculture, warm and cold freshwater habitats. inland saline
water and wildlife habitats. water contact and noncontact recreation, fish
migration, and fish spawning.
... Within and below the estuary - industrial service supply. marine and wetland
habitats, estuarine and wildlife habitats. water contact and noncontact
recreation, commercial and sport fishing. aquaculture, migration of aquatic
Potable water sources means flows from drinking water storage. supply and distribution systems,
including flows from system failures, pressure releases. system maintenance, well development. pump
testing, fire hydrant flow testing; and flushing and dewatering of pipes. reservoirs, vaults, and wells.
3
GROUNDWATER DISCHARGES FROM CONSTRUCTION Order No. 97-045
AND PROJECT DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS CAG994001 (3-C)
organisms, fish migration, fish spawning, preservation of rare and endangered
species, preservation of biological habitats, and shellfish harvesting.
... Coastal Zones (both nearshore and offshore) - industrial service supply,
navigation, water contact and noncontact recreation. commercial and sport
fishing. marine habitat. wildlife habitat. fish migration and spawning, shellfish
harvesting, and rare, threatened. or endangered species habitat.
13. This Regional Board has implemented a Watershed Management Approach (WMA) to
address water quality protection in the region. The objective is to provide a
comprehensive and integrated strategy towards water resource protection,
enhancement, and restoration while balancing economic and environmental impacts
within a hydrologically-defined drainage basin or watershed. It emphasizes cooperative
relationships between regulatory agencies, the regulated community, environmental
groups, and other stakeholders in the watershed to achieve the greatest environmental
improvements with resources available. This general permit and the accompanying
Monitoring and Reporting Program aid in accomplishing the WMA. The Executive
Officer may require the dischargers under this Order to participate in regional
monitoring programs for the watershed where they are discharging.
14. Effluent limitations and toxic and effluent standards established pursuant to 301, 302,
304, 306. and 307 of the Clean Water Act. as amended, are applicable to discharges
under this Order.
15. The requirements contained in this Order were established by considering, and are
consistent with. all the water quality control policies, plans. and regulations mentioned
above and, if they are met, will protect and maintain the beneficial uses of the
receiving waters.
16. The issuance of general waste discharge requirements for the above described
discharges is exempt from the provisions of Chapter 3 (commencing with 21 100, et.
seq.), Division 13, Public Resources Code, pursuant to Water Code 13389. New
discharges that will be authorized under this Order are not "new sources" as defined
in 33 U.S. C., 306 and 40 CFR 122.2.
The Board has notified interested agencies. parties. and persons of its intent to issue general
waste discharge requirements for groundwater discharges from construction and project
dewatering to surface waters and has provided them with an opportunity to submit their
written views and recommendations.
The Board, in a public hearing. heard and considered all comments pertaining to the discharges
to be regulated under this Order and to the tentative requirements.
4
GROUNDWATER DISCHARGES FROM CONSTRUCTION Order No. 97-045
AND PROJECT DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS CAG994001(3-CI
This Order shall serve as a general NPDES permit pursuant to 402 of the Clean Water Act.
or amendments thereto, and shall take effect at the end of ten days from the date of its
adoption provided the Regional Administrator. USEPA. has no objections.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that dischargers authorized under this Order and general permit, in
order to meet the provisions contained in Division 7 of the California Water Code. and
regulations adopted thereunder. and the provisions of the Federal Clean Water Act, and
regulations and guidelines adopted thereunder, shall comply with the following:
A. ELIGIBILITY
1. Existing and future discharges of waste water to surface waters resulting from
groundwater dewatering or seepage (including incidental collected stormwater);
well construction. development, and/or testing; aquifer testing; and similar
operations.
2. To be covered under this Order. discharges must meet the following criteria:
a. Pollutant concentrations in the discharge shall not exceed those in
Attachment B nor cause violation of any applicable water quality
objective for the receiving waters, including discharge prohibitions;
b. The discharge shall not cause acute nor chronic toxicity in receiving
waters; and;
c. The discharge shall not need waste treatment systems to meet
requirements of this Order;
3. New discharges and existing discharges regulated under existing individual
permits and Order No. 91-092 which meet the eligibility criteria may be
regulated under this Order.
4. For the purpose of renewal of existing individual NPDES permits with this
general permit, provided that all the conditions of this general permit are met.
renewal is effective upon issuance of a notification by the Executive Officer and
issuance of a r:Jew monitoring program.
5. When an individual NPDES permit with more specific requirements is issued to
a discharger. the applicability of this Order to that discharger is automatically
terminated on the effective date of the individual permit.
5
GROUNDWATER DISCHARGES FROM CONSTRUCTION Order No. 97-045
AND PROJECT DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS CAG994001 (3-C)
B. AUTHORIZATION
To be authorized to discharge under this Order. the discharger must submit a Report
of Waste Discharge and an application for an NPDES permit (hereinafter Report of
Waste Discharge) in accordance with the requirements of Part C of this Order. Upon
receipt of the application. the Executive Officer shall determine the applicability of this
Order to such a discharge. If the discharge is eligible. the Executive Officer shall notify
the discharger that the discharge is authorized under the terms and conditions of this
Order and prescribe an appropriate monitoring and reporting program. For new
discharges, the discharge shall not commence until receipt of the Executive Officer's
written determination.
C. REPORT OF WASTE DISCHARGE
1 . Deadline for Submission
a. Renewal of permits of existing dischargers covered under individual
permits that meet the eligibility criteria in Part A and have submitted
Reports of Waste Discharge will consist of a letter of determination from
the Executive Officer of coverage under this Order.
b. Existing dischargers covered under Order No. 91-092 will be sent a
Notice of Intent (NOI) form that must be completed and returned to the
Regional Board within 45 days of receipt; otherwise permit coverage will
be revoked. However, instead of an NOI, the Executive Officer may
require existing dischargers to submit a new Report of Waste Discharge.
may revise their monitoring and reporting requirements. and/or may
require them to participate in a regional monitoring program.
c. New dischargers shall file a complete application at least 30 days before
commencement of the discharge.
2. Forms for Report of Waste Discharge
a. Dischargers shall use the appropriate USEPA Forms or equivalent forms
approved by the Regional Board or the Executive Officer.
b. The Report of Waste Discharge shall include data indicating that the
concentrations in the discharge shall not exceed those listed in
Attachment B for Pollutants of Concern;
c. The discharger, upon request, shall submit any additional information
that the Executive Officer deems necessary to determine whether the
6
GROUNDWATER DISCHARGES FROM CONSTRUCTION
Order No. 97-045
AND PROJECT DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS
CAG994001 (3-C)
discharge meets the criteria for coverage under this Order, and/or in
prescribing an appropriate monitoring and reporting program.
d. The Report of Waste Discharge shall include a feasibility study on reuse
and/or alternative disposal methods of the groundwater.
e. The Report of Waste Discharge shall be accompanied by the first annual
fee {if appropriate) in accordance with the Annual Fee Schedule for a
discharge with a rating of 3-C. The check or money order shall be made
payable to the wState Water Resources Control B o a r d . ~
D. DISCHARGE PROHIBITIONS
1. The discharge of wastes other than those which meet eligibility requirements
in Part A of this Order is prohibited unless the discharger obtains coverage
under another general permit or an individual permit that regulates the discharge
of such wastes.
2. The purposeful or knowing discharge of polychlorinated biphenyls CPCBs) is
prohibited.
3. The discharge of any radiological, chemical. or biological warfare agent or high
level radiological waste is prohibited.
E. EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS
1. Discharge of an effluent in excess of the following limitations is prohibited:
Discharge Limitations
Constituents
.l..lnrui Monthly Average Daily Maximum
Total Suspended Solids
mg/L 50
150
Turbidity
NTU
50 150
BOD
5
20C
mg/L 20
30
Oil and Grease
mg/L 10
15
Settleable Solids
mi/L 0.1 0.3
Sulfides
mg/L
1.0
Detergents as methylene blue
active substances (MBAS)
mg/L
0.5
7
GROUNDWATER DISCHARGES FROM CONSTRUCTION Order No. 97-045
AND PROJECT DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS CAG994001 (3-C)
2. The pH of the discharge shall at all times be within the range of 6.0 and 9.0.
3. The temperature of the discharge shall not exceed 100F.
4. The discharge of an effluent with mineral and nitrogen constituents in excess
of applicable limits given in Attachment A is prohibited. In the letter of
determination, the Executive Officer shall indicate the watershed/stream reach
limitations in Attachment A applicable to the particular discharge.
5. Pass-through or uncontrollable discharges of PCBs shall not exceed daily
average concentrations of 14 ng/L into fresh waters or 30 ng/L into estuarine
waters.
6. The acute toxicity of the effluent shall be such that the average survival in the
undiluted effluent for any three C3l consecutive 96-hour static or continuous
flow bioassay tests shall be at least 90%, with no single test less than 70%
survival.
7. The discharge shall meet effluent limitations and toxic and effluent standards
established pursuant to 301, 302,304. 30.6, and 307 of the Clean Water Act,
and amendments thereto.
F. RECEIVING WATER LIMITATIONS
1 . The discharge shall not c;:ause the following to be present in receiving waters:
a. Toxic pollutants at concentrations that will bioaccumulate in aquatic life
to levels that are harmful to aquatic life or human health;
b. Biostimulatory substances at concentrations that promote aquatic
growth to the extent that such growth causes nuisance or adversely
affects beneficial uses;
c. Chemical substances in amounts that adversely affect any designated
beneficial use;
d. Visible floating materials. including solids, liquids, foams, and scum;
e. Oils, greases. waxes, or other materials in concentrations that result in
a visible film or coating on the surface of the receiving water or on
objects in the water;
8
3
GROUNDWATER DISCHARGES FROM CONSTRUCTION Order No. 97-045
AND PROJECT DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS CAG994001 {3-C)
f. Suspended or settleable materials in concentrations that cause nuisance
or adversely affect beneficial uses;
g. Taste or odor-producing substances in concentrations that alter the
natural taste. odor. and/or color of fish. shellfish. or other edible aquatic
resources; cause nuisance; or adversely affect beneficial uses;
h. Substances that result in increases of BOD
5
20C that adversely affect
beneficial uses;
i. Fecal coliform concentrations which exceed a log mean of 200 per 100
ml {based on a minimum of not less than four samples for any 30-day
period), nor shall more than 10% of total samples during any 30-day
period exceed 400 per 100 ml; and
j. Concentrations of toxic substances that are toxic to. or cause
detrimental physiological responses in. human. animal . or aquatic life.
2. The discharge shallnot cause the following to occur in the receiving waters:
a. The dissolved oxygen to be depressed below:
WARM
3
designated waters 5 mg/L
COLD
3
designated waters 6 mg/L
COLD and SPWN
3
Designated waters 7 mg/L
b. The pH to be depressed below 6.5 or raised above 8.5. and the ambient
pH levels to be changed from natural conditions in inland waters more
than 0.5 units or in estuaries more than 0.2 units;
c. The temperature at any time or place and within any given 24-hour
period to be altered by more than 5F above natural temperature; but at
no time be raised above 80F for waters with a beneficial use of WARM
(Warm Freshwater Habitat);
d. The tur!Jidity to increase to the extent that such an increase causes
nuisance or adversely affects beneficial uses; such increase shall not
exceed 20% when the natural turbidity is over 50 NTU or 10% when
the natural turbidity is 50 NTU or less;
Beneficial Uses: WARM - Warm Freshwater Habitat; COLD - Cold Freshwater Habitat; SPWN -
Spawning. Reproduction, and/or Early Development.
9
GROUNDWATER DISCHARGES FROM CONSTRUCTION Order No. 97-045
AND PROJECT DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS CAG994001(3-C)
e. Residual chlorine in concentrations that persist and impairs beneficial
uses; and,
f. Any individual pesticide or combination of pesticides in concentrations
that adversely affect beneficial uses or increase pesticide concentration
in bottom sediments or aquatic life.
3. The discharge shall not alter the color, create a visual contrast with the natural
appearance, nor cause aesthetically undesirable discoloration of the receiving
. waters.
4. The discharge shall not degrade surface water communities and population
including vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant species.
5. The discharge shall not damage, discolor. nor cause formation of sludge
deposits on flood control structures or facilities nor overload their design
capacity.
6. The discharge shall not cause problems associated with breeding of mosquitos,
gnats, black flies, midges, or other pests.
G. PROVISIONS
1. The Executive Officer may require any discharger authorized under this Order
to apply for and obtain an individual NPDES permit with more specific
requirements. The Executive Officer may require any discharger authorized to
discharge under this permit to apply for an individual permit only if the
discharger has been notified in writing that a permit application is required. This
notice shall include a brief statement of the reasons for this decision, an
application form. a statement setting a deadline for the discharger to file the
application, and a statement that on the effective date of the individual permit.
the authority to discharge under this General Permit is no longer applicable.
2. Dischargers authorized under this Order shall maintain a copy of this Order at
the waste disposal facility where it will be available at all times to operating
personnel.
3. Prior to application, the discharger shall submit for Executive Officer's approval
the list of chemicals and proprietary additives that may affect the discharge,
including rates/quantities of application, compositions, characteristics, and
material safety data sheets, if any.
10
GROUNDWATER DISCHARGES FROM CONSTRUCTION Order No. 97-045
AND PROJECT DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS CAG994001 (3-CJ
4. Oil or oily materials. chemicals. refuse, or other materials that. may cause
pollution in storm water and/or urban runoff shall not be stored or deposited in
areas where they may be picked up by rainfall/urban runoff and discharged to
surface waters. Any spill of such materials shall be contained, removed and
cleaned immediately.
5. This Order neither exempt the discharger from compliance with any other laws,
regulations, or ordinances that may be applicable, nor legalize the waste
disposal facility.
6. The discharger shall allow the Regional Board and its authorizedrepresentatives
entry to the premises to inspect and undertake any activity to determine
compliance with this Order, or as otherwise authorized by the California Water
Code.
7. The discharger shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities and
systems installed or used to achieve compliance with this Order.
8. All applications, reports, or information submitted to the Regional Board shall
be signed:
a. For corporations, by a principal executive officer at least of the level of
vice president or his duly authorized representative, if such
representative is responsible for the overall operation of the facility from
which discharge originates;
b. For a partnership, by a general partner;
c. For a sole proprietorship, by the proprietor;
d. For a municipal. state. or other public facility, by either a principal
executive officer, ranking elected official. or other duly authorized
employee.
9. Pursuant to 40 CFR 122.61 (b), coverage under this Order may be transferred
in case of change of ownership of land or discharge facility provided the
existing discharger notifies the Executive Officer at least 30 days before the
proposed transfer date, and the notice includes a written agreement between
the existing and new dischargers containing a specific date of transfer of
coverage, responsibility for compliance with this Order. and liability between
them.
11
GROUNDWATER DISCHARGES FROM CONSTRUCTION Order No. 97-045
AND PROJECT DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS CAG994001 (3-C)
10. Pursuant to 40 CFR 122.62and 122.63, this Order may be modified, revoked
and reissued, or terminated for cause. Reasons for modification may include
new information on the impact of discharges regulated under this Order become
available, promulgation of new effluent standards andtor regulations. adoption
of new policies and/or water quality objectives, and/or new judicial decisions
affecting requirements of this Order,
11 . Any discharge authorized under this Order may request to be excluded from
coverage of this Order by applying for an individual permit.
H. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1 . The Executive Officer is hereby authorized to prescribe a Monitoring and
Reporting Program for each authorized discharger. This program may include
participation of the discharger in a regional monitoring program.
2. The discharger shall retain records of all monitoring information and data used
to complete the Report of Waste Discharge and application for coverage under
this Order for at least five years from the date of sampling, measurement,
report, or application. The retention period shall be extended during any
unresolved litigation regarding the discharge or when requested by the
Executive Officer.
3. The discharger shall maintain all sampling, measurement and analytical results,
including: the date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurement;
individual(s) who did the sampling or measurement; the date(s) analyses were
done; analysts' names; and analytical techniques or methods used.
4. All sampling, sample preservation, and analyses must be conducted according
to test procedures under 40 CFR 136, unless other test procedures have been
specified in this Order or by the Executive Officer.
5. All chemical, bacteriological, and bioassay analyses shall be conducted at a
laboratory certified for such analyses by the California Department of Health
Services or other state agency authorized to undertake such certification.
6. The discharger shall calibrate and maintain all monitoring instruments and
equipment to insure accuracy of measurements. or shall insure that both
activities will be conducted.
7. For parameters/constituents where both monthly average and daily maximum
limits are prescribed, but where monitoring frequency is less than four times a
month, the following procedure shall apply:
12
GROUNDWATER DISCHARGES FROM CONSTRUCTION Order No. 97-045
AND PROJECT DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS CAG994001 (3-C)
If analysis of a sample yields a result greater than the monthly average
limit for a parameter/constituent, the sampling frequency for that
parameter/constituent shall increase to weekly within one week of
receiving the laboratory result until at least four consecutive weekly
samples are obtained and compliance with the monthly average has
been demonstrated, and the discharger has submitted for Executive
Officer approval a program that will ensure future compliance with the
monthly average limit.
I. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1. The discharger shall file with the Regional Board (Attention: Technical Support
Unit) technical reports on self-monitoring work conducted according to the
Monitoring and Reporting Program specified by the Executive Officer and submit
other reports as requested by the Regional Board.
2. In reporting the monitoring data. the discharger shall arrange the data in tabular
form so that the date. constituents, and concentrations are readily discernible.
The data shall be summarized to demonstrate compliance with waste discharge
requirements.
3. For every item where the requirements are not met. the discharger shall submit
a statement of the actions undertaken or proposed that will bring the discharge
into full compliance with requirements at the earliest time and submit a
timetable for correction.
4. Each monitoring report must contain an affirmation in writing that:
"All analyses were conducted at a laboratory certified for such analyses
by and in accordance with current
USEPA procedures or as specified in this Monitoring Program."
5. Each report shall contain the following completed declaration:
"I declare under penalty of law that this document and all attachments
were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a
system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and
evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person
or persons who managed the system or those directly responsible for
gathering the information, the information submitted. is. to the best of
13
GROUNDWATER DISCHARGES FROM CONSTRUCTION Order No. 97-045
AND PROJECT DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS CAG994001 (3-CJ
my knowledge and belief, true, accurate and complete. I am aware that
there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including
the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations.
Executed on the__ day of _____ at
-----------(Signature)
-----------(Title)"
6. Whenever wastes, associated with the discharge under this Order. are
transported to a different disposal site. the following shall be reported in the
monitoring report: type and quantity of wastes; name and address of the hauler
(or method of transport if other than by hauling); and location of the final
point(s) of disposal.
7. The discharger shall file a report of any material change or proposed change in
the character. location or volume of the discharge.
8. The discharger shall notify this Regional Board within 24 hours by telephone of
any adverse condition resulting from the discharge, such notification shall be
affirmed in writing within five working days.
J. COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT
1. The discharger must comply with all of the conditions of this Order. Any
noncompliance constitutes a violation of the Clean Water Act and the Water
Code and is subject to enforcement action and/or permit termination.
2. The Clean Water Act and the Water Code provide for civil and criminal
penalties for violations of waste discharge requirements.
K. EXPIRATION DATE AND CONTINUATION OF THIS ORDER
This Order expires on April 1 0, 2002; however. for those dischargers authorized to
discharge under this Qrder. it shall continue in full force and effect until a new order
is adopted.
14
GROUNDWATER DISCHARGES FROM CONSTRUCTION
Order No. 97-045
AND PROJECT DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS
CAG994001 (3-C)
L. REAUTHORIZATION
Upon reissuance of a new general permit, dischargers authorized under this Order shall
file a Notice of Intent or a new Report of Waste Discharge within 45 days of
notification by the Executive Officer.
M. RESCISSION
Except for enforcement purposes, Order No. 91-092, adopted by this Regional Board
on July 22, 1 991, is hereby rescinded.
I, Lawrence P. Kolb. Acting Executive Officer, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a full,
true and correct copy of an Order adopted by the California Regional Water Quality Control
Board. Los Angeles Region, on May 12, 1997.
./?1(.4---
~ 0 L B
Acting Executive Officer
15
GROUNDWATER DISCHARGES FROM CONSTRUCTION
Order No. 97-045
AND PROJECT DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS
CAG994001 (3-C)
ATTACHMENT A
Discharge of wastewater within a watershed/stream reach with constituent concentrations in excess
of the following daily maximum limits is prohibited:
TDS Sulfate Chloride Boron Ni1rogen
lmgiLJ lmgiLI lmgiLI lmgiLI {mgiLl
WATERSHED/STREAM REACH
1. Misceltaneous Ventura Coastal Streams:
no watelbody specific limits
2. Venture River Watershed:
a. Above Camino Cielo Road
700 300 50 1.0 5
b. Between Camino Cielo Road and Casitas Vista Road
BOO 300 60 1.0 5
c. Between Casitas Vista Road and confluence with We1don Canyon
1000 300 60 1.0 5
d. Between confluence with Weldon Canyon and Main Street
1500 500 300 1.5 10
e. Between Main St. and Ventura River Estuary
no waterbody specific limits
3. Santa Clara River Watershed:
a. Above Lang gaging station
500 100 50 0.5 5
b.
Between Lang gaging station and Bouquet Canyon Road Bridge
BOO 150 100 1.0 5
c.
Between Bouquet Canyon Road Bridge and West Pier Highway 99
1000 300 100 1.5 10
d. Between West Pier Highway 99 and Blue Cut gaging station
1000 400
...
100 1.5 5
Between Blue Cut gaging station and A Street, FiUmore
1300 600 100 1.5 5
f. Between A Fillmore
and Freeman Diversion ""Dam
neaf" Saticoy
1300 650 so 1.5 5
g. Between Freeman Diversion oam near Saticoy and
Highway 1 01 Bridge
1200 600 150 1.5
h.
Between Highway 101 Bridge and Santa Clara River Estuary
no waterbody specific limits
i.
Santa Paula Creek above Santa Paula Water Works Diversion Dam
600 250 45 1.0 5
j.
Sespe Creek above gaging 500 feet downstream from
Uttle S espe Creek
BOO 320 60 1.5 5
k.
Piru Creek above gaging station below Santa Felicia Dam
BOO 400 60 1.0 5
4. C.alleguas Creek Watershed:
a. Above Potrero Road
B50 250 150 1.0 10
b. Below Potrero Road
no waterbody specific linUts
5. Miscelfaneous Los Angeles Coastal Streams:
no waterbody specific limits
a. Malibu Creek Watershed:
2000 500 500 2.0 10
b. Ballona Creek Watershed:
no waterbody specific limits
6. Domingyeil_ Channel Watershed':
no waterbody specific limits
7. Los Angeles River Watershed:
e. Los Angeles River and Tcibutarioa- upstream of Sepulveda FJood
Control Basin
950 300 150 B
b. Los Angeles River - between Sepulv_jtda Flood Control Basin and
950 300 190 B
Figueroa Street. Includes Burbank Western Channel only.
c. Other tributaries to Los Angeles River between Sepulveda Flood
950 300 150 B
Contf'ol Basin and Figueroa Street
d. Los Angeles River- between Figueroa Street and l. A. River Estuary
(WiUow Street). Includes RJo Hondo below Santa Ana Freeway 1500
350 190 8
e. Other tributaries to los Angeles River- between Figueroa Street
and Los Angeles River Estuary. Includes Arroyo Seco
downstream of spreading grounds.
1550 350 150 B
A-1
GROUNDWATER DISCHARGES FROM CONSTRUCTION Or-der- No. 97-045
AND PROJECT DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS CAG994001(3-C)
ATTACHMENT A
(Continued)
WATERSHED/STREAM REACH TDS Sulfate Chloride BOI'on Nhrogen
lmg/1.) (mg/1.1 [mg/1.1 lmg/Ll lma/1.1
7. Los Anoeles River Watershed {continued):
f. Rio Hondo between Whinie.r Narrows Aood Control Basin and
Santa Ana Freeway 750 300 180 8
g. Rio Hondo upstream of Whittier Narrows Flood Control Basin 750 300 150 8
h. Santa Anite Creek above Santa Anita spreading grounds 250 30 TO
i. Eaton Canyon Creek above Eaton Dam 250 30 10
j. Arroyo Seco above spreading grounds 300 40 15
k. Big Tujunga Creek above Hansen Dam 350 so 20
I. Pacoima Wash above Pacoima spreading grounds 250 30 10
8. San Gabrie' Rivef' Watershed:
a-. San Gabriel River above Morris Dam 250 30 10 0.6 2
b. San Gabriel River between Morris Dam and Ramona Blvd. 450 100 100 0.5 8
c. San Gabrier River and tributaries- between Ramona Blvd.
and VeUey Blvd. 750 300 150 1.0 8
d. San Gabriel River between Valley Blvd. and Fil'estone Blvd.
Includes Whittier Narrows Aood Control Basin and
San Jose Creek- downstream of 71 Freeway only. 750 300 180 1.0 8
e. San Jose Creek and tributaries- upstream of 71 Freeway 750 300 150 1.0 8
f. San Gabriel River- between Firestone Blvd. and San Gabri.,. River
Estuary (downstrem- from Wiltow Street). Includes Coyote Creeka no waterbody specific limits
g. All other minor San Gabriel Mountain streams tributary to 300 40 15
San Gabriel Valley
9. t.os Angeles Harbor/ long Beach Harbor Watershed no wate.rbody specific limits
10. Santa Ana River Watershed
a. San Antonio Creek 225 25
b. Chino Creek
11 . Island Watercourses:
e. Anacapa Island no waterbody specific limits
b. San Nicolas Island no waterbody SP_ecific limits
c. Santa Barbara island no waterbody specific limits
d. Santa Catalina Island no waterbody specific: Unli1;$
e. San Clemente Island no waterbody specific limits
Where n.turally occurring boron resurta in concentration.- higher than the stated limit. a limit may be de-termined on a case-by-caae
basia.
NRrate-nitrogenplus nitrite-nitrogen(N0
2
-N + N07""NJ. The lack of adequate nitrogendata for aU streams precluded the ectabllshmentof numerical
limits for all S'b'eama.
Thee watereoUTaea are primarily toeeted in the Santa Ana Region. 'TIM water quality objectives for these been eatabliahed by the
Santa Ana Regional Board. Dashed Unea indicate that numericaf objectives have not been .. however_ narratW. ob}ecth.rea ah.U apply.
Refer to the Santa Ana Reg-ion Basin Plan fol' detaile.
A-2
GROUNDWATER DISCHARGES FROM CONSTRUCTION
Order No. 97-045
AND PROJECT DEWATERING TO SURFACE WATERS
CAG994001 (3-C)
ATTACHMENT B
PQII!.!lan:t:i Qf
Phenols
Phenolic Compounds (chlorinated)
Benzene
Toluene
Ethylbenzene
Xylene
Ethylene Dibromide
Carbon Tetrachloride
Tetrachloroethylene
Trichloroethylene
1,4-dichlorobenzene
1 , 1-dichloroethane
1 ,2-dichloroethane
1 , 1-dichloroethylene
Vinyl Chloride
Arsenic
Cadmium
Chromium
Copper
Lead
Mercury
Selenium
Silver
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE)
mg/L
pg/L
pg/L
pg/L
pg/L
pg/L
pg/L
pg!L
pg!L
pg/L
pg!L
pg/L
pg/L
pg/L
pg/L
pg/L
pg/L
pg/L
pg/L
pg/L
pg/L
pg/L
pg/L
pg!L
pg/L
B-1
DS!illl: MS!Ximym
1.0
1.0
1.0
150
700
1750
0.05
0.5
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
0.5
6.0
0.5
50
5
50
1000
50
2
10
50
100
35
CALIFORNIA REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD
CENTRAL VALLEY REGION
ORDER NO. 5-00-175
NPDES NO. CAG995001
WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS
GENERAL ORDER FOR
DEWATERJNG AND OTHER LOW THREAT DISCHARGES
TO SURF ACE WATERS
The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Region, (hereafter Board) finds
that:
1. Miscellaneous public and private businesses (hereafter Discharger) often need to discharge clean or
relatively pollutant-free wastewater that poses little or no threat to water quality. This General Permit
covers the discharge of certain categories of these discharges to waters of the United States.
2. The following discharges may be covered by this permit provided they do not contain significant
quantities of pollutants and they are either (1) four months or less in duration, or (2) the average dry
weather discharge does not exceed 0.25 mgd:
a. Well development water
b. Construction dewatering
c. Pump/well testing
d. Pipeline/tank pressure testing
e. Pipeline/tank flushing or dewatering
f. Condensate discharges
g. Water supply system discharges
h. Miscellaneous dewatering/low threat discharges
These wastewaters may be produced and treated on a continuous or batch basis.
3. Individual waste discharge requirements are presently adopted for these discharges, necessitating
approximately four or more months of lead time for the project. Adoption of this general permit will
significantly reduce the time spent on dewatering and other low water quality threat projects.
4. Water quality characteristics most likely of concern for these discharges include settleable
material, suspended material, color, turbidity and chlorine. Dischargers should hireprofessional
2 NPDES WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS GENERAL ORDER NO. 5-00-175
LOW THREAT AND DEWATERING WASTEWATER DISCHARGES
TO SURF ACE WATERS
engineers to assure pollutants will be properly treated prior to discharge if there is any doubt about
the ability for continuous compliance with requirements.
5. This permit is intended to regulate dewatering and other low water quality threat discharges .
identified in Finding No.2. It is not intended for ground water cleanup projects or to regulate
discharges that contain acute or chronic toxicity, chemical or organic constituents, bacteria,
herbicides, pesticides, oil and grease, radioactivity, salinity or temperature that may adversely impact
beneficial uses or exceed any water quality objective or standard.
There are many sites of ground water contamination in the Central Valley. The contamination may
have been caused by many factors including industrial activity, underground leaking tanks and
farming practices. This permit is not intended for use on groundwater where such contamination
exists even if the project and/or proponent has no connection with the contamination.
6. Water suppliers may have numerous intentional and unintentional releases of fresh water to surface
waters and surface water drainage courses due to many factors including system failures, pressure
releases, and pipeline/tank flushing and dewatering. For the purpose of this Order these multiple
discharges shall be considered a project. This General Permit may serve as waste discharge
requirements for such public and private water suppliers including Irrigation Districts, Water
Districts and Water Agencies. A Pollution Prevention and Monitoring and Reporting Plan may be
developed by the Discharger as established in Attachment B for approval by the Regional Board
Executive Officer. Compliance with this General Permit requires removal of chlorine and other
constituents normally found in these discharges to provide protection of downstream beneficial uses
including fish and other aquatic life.
7. The Discharger agrees immediately to stop any discharge authorized by these requirements in the
event there is a violation, or threatened violation, of this permit or ifthe Regional Board Executive
Officer so orders. T h ~ Discharger shall notify the Board as soon as is reasonably possible by
telephone, with a written confirmation within two weeks, when a violation of this Order is known
to exist. The discharge may not be resumed until authorized by the Executive Officer.
8. The Board may prescribe individual waste discharge requirements for any discharge. If
individual waste discharge requirements are issued for a discharge, the applicability of this
General Permit to the discharge is immediately terminated.
9. This Order shall apply to the individuals, municipalities or companies discharging and to individual
property owners and/or operators (collectively Discharger) which have submitted a Notice of Intent
(NOl) and appropriate fee for coverage under this General Order. Dischargers that meet the
standards of this Order and who submit a completed NOI and appropriate fee are authorized to
discharge under the terms and conditions of this General Pe1mit unless individual waste discharge
requirements are issued or the discharge is prohibited.
-------.---- - - - - - ~ ~ - - - - -
3 NPDES WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS GENERAL ORDER NO. 5-00-175
LOW THREAT AND DEWATERING WASTEWATER DISCHARGES
TO SURF ACE WATERS
10. A separate NOI and filing fee must be filed with the Regional Board for each system owner or
project to be eligible for coverage under this Order. The NOI form (Attachment A) must be
completed in order to obtain coverage under this permit.
11. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Board generally classify this type of
discharge as a minor discharge. If an individual discharge is classified as a major discharge, it will
not be covered by this General Permit.
12. This Order does not preempt or supersede the authority of the State Department ofFish and Game
or local agencies to prohibit, restrict, or control the discharge of wastewater subject to their
control.
13. On 17 Apri11997, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted Waste Discharge
Requirements, Order No. 97-03-DWQ, NPDES General Permit No. CAS000001 for the regulation
of storm water discharges associated with industrial activities. Order No. 97 -03-DWQ, Special
Condition D-1, authorizes non-storm water discharges including fire hydrant flushing, potable
water sources, including potable water related to the operation, maintenance, or testing of potable
water systems, drinking fountain water, atmospheric condensates including refrigeration, air
conditioning, and compressor condensate, irrigation drainage, landscape watering, springs,
groundwater, foundation or footage drainage, sea water infiltration and discharges from fire
fighting activities. Order No. 97-03-DWQ, Special Condition No. D-1-c, allows the Regional
Board to establish additional monitoring and reporting requirements for these storm water
discharges. The Board finds that the additional monitoring and reporting requirements and
discharge limitations contained in this Order are necessary to assure compliance with water quality
objectives and standards and that coverage under this Order is therefore necessary for the
following discharges listed in Order No. 97-03-DWQ, Special Condition No. D-1: fire hydrant
flushing; potable water sources, including potable water related to the operation, maintenance, or
testing of potable water systems, atmospheric condensates inc hiding refrigeration, air conditioning
and compressor condensate, and groundwater dewatering systems.
On 19 August 1999, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted Waste Discharge
. Requirements, Order No. 99-08-DWQ, NPDES General Permit No. CAS000002 for the regulation
of storm water discharges associated with construction activities. Order No. 99-08-DWQ, Special
Provision No. C. 3, allows for the limited discharge ofnon-stormwater discharges where they do
not cause or contribute to a violation of any water quality standard. Receiving Water Limitations
in Order No. 99-08-DWQ require compllance with all applicable water quality standards including
those contained in the Basin Plan. The Board finds that Order No. 99-08-DWQ provides adequate
water quality protection and compliance monitoring. Non-stormwater discharges related to
construction activities may continue to be regulated under Order No. 99-08-DWQ while
construction activities continue.
14. The Board has adopted a Water Quality Control Plan, 4th Edition, for the Sacramento/San Joaquin
River Basins (hereafter Basin Plan). The Board has also adopted a Water Quality Control Plan for
the Tulare Lake Basin (5D). The Basin Plans designate beneficial uses, establishes water quality
4 NPDES WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS GENERAL ORDER NO. 5-00-175
LOW THREAT AND DEWATERING WASTEWATER DISCHARGES
TO SURF ACE WATERS
objectives, and contains implementation programs and policies to achieve water quality .objectives
for all waters of the Basin. This Order implements the Plans.
15. EPA adopted the National Toxics Rule on 5 February 1993 and the California Toxics Rule (CTR) on
18 May 2000. The State Board has adopted an Implementation Plan for the CTR. The Rules contains
water quality standards applicable to this discharge. Federal regulations also require effluent
limitations for all pollutants that are or may be at a level that will cause or have the
reasonable potential to cause, or contribute to an in-stream excursion above a narrative or numerical
water quality standard, including the Rule. The Board finds that the discharges prescribed by this
Order do not have a reasonable potential to cause or contribute to an in-stream excursion above a water
quality objective. If information becomes available that shows there is a reasonable potential for the
discharge to exceed any water quality objective or standard the discharge shall be immediately
terminated. The discharge may not be resumed until authorized by the Executiye Officer, individual
waste discharge requirements are issued or the discharge may be prohibited.
16. The designated beneficial uses of ground water within the Central Valley Region are municipal,
industrial, and agricultural supply, except where lesser beneficial uses are designated in the Water
Quality Control Plans.
17. The beneficial uses of surface waters, as identified mTable ll-1 of the Basin Plan, are municipal and
domestic supply, agricultural irrigation, agricultural stock watering, industrial process water supply,
industrial service supply, hydro power generation, body contact water recreation, canoeing and rafting,
other non-body contact water recreation, warm freshwater aquatic habitat, cold freshwater aquatic
habitat, warm fish migration habitat, cold fish migration habitat, warm spawning habitat, cold
spawning habitat, wildlife habitat, and navigation. The uses of water bodys identified in the
Basin Plan downstream of the discharge, as identified in Table II-1, shall apply. If a water body into
. which wastewater is discharged is not specifically identified in the Basin Plan, the Plan states "The
beneficial uses of any specifically identified water body generally apply to its tributary streams." The
Board finds that, for purposes of this Order where specific water bodies are not identified, the
beneficial uses identified in the Plan for the downstream waters are applicable to water body into
which discharge occurs.
18. The Water Quality Control Plans encourage the disposal of wastewater on land where practicable,
and require applicants for discharge permits to evaluate land disposal as a first alternative. Where
studies show that year-round land disposal is not practicable, the Discharger must evaluate, and
utilize if feasible, dry season land disposal as an alternative.
19. The Board has considered antidegradation pursuant to 40 CFR 131.12 and State Water Resources
Control Board Resolution 68-16 and finds that the subject discharges are consistent with those
provisions. There will not be degradation if the requirements of the permit are met. Compliance with
these requirements will result in the use ofbest practicable treatment or control of the discharge. The
impact on existing water quality will be insignificant. This Order provides for an increase in the
volume and mass of pollutants discharged. The increase will not cause a violation of water quality
objectives. The increase in the discharge allows wastewater utility service necessary to accommodate
5 NPDES WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS GENERAL ORDER NO. 5-00-175
LOW THREAT AND DEWATERING WASTEWATER DISCHARGES
TO SURFACE WATERS
housing and economic expansion in the area, and is considered to be a benefit to the people of the
State. Compliance with these requirements will result in the use of best practicable treatment or
control of the discharge. If the discharge is not consistent with these policies it will not be covered
under this Order.
20. Effluent limitations, and toxic and pretreatment effluent standards established pursuant to Sections
301, 302, 304, and 307 ofthe Clean Water Act (CWA) and amendments thereto are applicable to
the Discharge.
21. These discharges are currently governed by Waste Discharge Requirements, Order No. 93-230,
adopted by the Board on 3 December 1993.
22. The action to adopt an NPDES permit is exempt from the provisions of Chapter 3 of the California
Environniental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code Section 21100, et seq.), in accordance
with Section 13389 of the California Water Code.
23. The Board has notified interested agencies and persons of its intent to prescribe waste discharge
requirements in the General Order and has provided them with an opportunity for a public hearing
and an opportunity to submit their written views and recommendations.
24.. The Board, in a public meeting, heard and considered all comments pertaining to the discharge.
. .
25. This Order shall serve as an NPDES permit pursuant to Section 402 of the Clean Water Act, and
amendments thereto, and shall take effect upon the date of hearing, provided EPA has no
objections.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Order No. 93-230 is hereby rescinded and all Dischargers that file
a NOI and appropriate filing fee indicating their intention to be regulated lll1.der provisions of this
General Order, and all heirs, successors, or assigns, in order to meet the provisions contained in
Division 7 of the California Water Code and Regulations adopted thereunder, and the provisions of
the Clean Water Act and Regulations and Guidelines adopted thereunder, shall comply with the
following:
A. Discharge Prohibitions:
1. Discharge of wastewater other than that described in the Findings is prohibited. The
wastewater shall be free of all other pollutants. The wastewater shall not cause or threaten
to cause pollution, contamination, or nuisance.
2. Discharge of contaminated ground water is prohibited.
3. The by-pass or overflow of wastes to surface waters is prohibited, except as allowed by the
attached Standard Provisions and Reporting Requirements A. 13.
6 NPDES WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS GENERAL ORDER NO. 5-00-17 5
LOW THREAT AND DEWATERING WASTEWATER DISCHARGES
TO SURFACE WATERS
B. Effluent Limitations:
1. Effluent shall not exceed th.e following limits:
Monthly Weekly Daily
Constituents Units Average Average Maximum
BOD' mg/1 10 15 30
Total Suspended mg/1 10 15 30
Solids
Settleable Solids ml/1 0.1
'5-day, 20*C biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
2. Effluent discharged into a surface water body shall not contain chlorine in excess of 0.02 mg/1
(instantaneous maximum). If the wastewater contains chlorine in excess of0.02 mg/1, the
Discharger shall certify that chlorine will be reduced to a maximum of 0.02 mg/1 before wastes
enter surface water.
3. Effluent discharged into a surface water body shall not have a pH less than 6.5 nor greater
than 8.5.
4. The average dry weather (May through October) discharge flow shall not exceed 0.25 MGD
unless the discharge is four months or less in duration in which case there is no flow limit.
C. Solids Disposal:
1. Collected screenings and other solids removed from liquid wastes shall be disposed ofin a
manner that is consistent with Chapter 15, Division 3, Title 23, ofthe CCR and approved by
the Executive Officer.
2. Any proposed change in solids use or disposal practice shall be reported to the Executive Officer
and EPA Regional Administrator at least 90 days in advance of the change.
D. Receiving Water Limitations:
Receiving Water Limitations are based.upon water quality objectives contained in the Basin Plan. As
such, they are a required part of this permit. The discharge shall not cause the following in the
receiving water:
1. Concentrations of dissolved oxygen to fall below 7.0 mg/1.
2. Oils, greases, waxes, or other materials to form a visible film or coating on the water surface
or on the stream bottom.
7 NPDES WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS GENERALORDERNO. 5-00-175
LOW THREAT AND DEWATERING WASTEWATER DISCHARGES
TO SURFACE WATERS
3. Oils, greases, waxes, floating material (liquids, solids, foams, and scums) or suspended
material to create a nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses.
4. Aesthetically undesirable discoloration.
5.' Fungi, slimes, or other objectionable growths.
6. The turbidity to increase as follows:
a. More than 1 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTUs) where natural turbidity is between
0 and 5 NTUs.
b. More than 20 percent where natural turbidity is between 5 and 50 NTUs.
c. . More than 10 NTUs where natural turbidity is between 50 and 100 NTUs.
d. More than 10 percent where natural turbidity is greater than 100 NTUs.
7. The normal ambient pH to fall below 6.5, exceed 8.5, or change by more than 0.5 units.
8. Deposition of material that causes nuisance or adversely affects beneficial uses.
9. The normal ambient temperature to be altered more than 5F.
10. Taste or odor-producing substances to impart undesirable tastes or odors to fish flesh or other
edible products of aquatic origin or to cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses.
11. Radionuclides to be present in concentrations that exceed maximum contaminant levels
specified in the California Code of Regulations, Title 22; that harm human, plant, animal or
aquatic life; or that result in the accumulation of radionuclides in the food web to an extent that
presents a hazard to human, plant, animal, or aquatic life.
12. Aquatic communities and populations, including vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant species, to be
degraded.
13. Toxic pollutants to be present in the water column, sediments, or biota in concentrations that
adversely affect benefiCial uses; that produce detrimental response in human, plant, animal, or
aquatic life; or that bioaccumulate in aquatic resources at levels which are harmful to human
health.
14. Violation of any applicable water quality standard for receiving waters adopted by the Board
or the State Water Resources Control Board pursuant to the CWA and regulations adopted
thereunder.
8 NPDES WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS GENERAL ORDER NO. 5-00-175
LOW THREAT AND DEWATERJNG WASTEWATER DISCHARGES
TO SURF ACE WATERS
E. Provisions:
1. Dischargers currently covered by Order No. 93-230 are. automatically granted coverage under this
Order for a period of 90-days following adoption, during which time the Discharger may file a
Notice oflntent (NOI) for coverage under this Order. Coverage under this Order is terminated
after the 90-day period unless a new NOI has been submitted. The Discharger must comply with
all conditions of this Order, including timely submittal of technical and monitoring reports as
directed by the Executive Officer. Violations may result in enforcement action, including
Regional Board or court orders requiring corrective action or imposing civil monetary liability, or
in revocation of authorization to discharge under this Order.
2. Individual owners of the real property at which the discharge will occur are ultimately
responsible for ensuring compliance with these requirements. Individuals and companies
responsible for site operations retain primary responsibility for compliance with these
requirements, including day-to-day operations and monitoring. Enforcement actions will be taken
against landowners in the event that enforcement actions against site operators areineffective or
would be futile, or that enforcement is necessary to protect public health or the environment.
3. A copy of this Order shall be kept at the discharge facility for reference by operating
personnel. Key operating and site management personnel shall be familiar with its
contents.
4. Water suppliers with numerous discharge points may elect to prepare and implement a Pollution
Prevention and Monitoring and Reporting Plan (PPMRP) rather than identify and monitor each
discharge as required in the NOI (Attachment A) and Monitoring and Reporting Program
(Attachment C). The PPMRP must be submitted with the NOI prior to discharge and is subject to
approval by the Regional Board Executive Officer. The PPMRP shall include as a minimum the
elements identified in Attachment B.
5. The Discharger shall use the best practicable cost-effective control technique currently
available to limit mineralization to no more than a reasonable increment.
6. The Discharger shall comply with all the applicable items of the ".Standard Provisions and
Reporting Requirements for Waste Discharge Requirements (NPDES)", dated 1 March 1991,
which are part of this Order. This attachment and its individual paragraphs are referred to as
"Standard Provision(s). "
7. The Discharger shall comply with the attached Monitoring and Reporting Program
contained in Attachment C of this Order, and any revisions thereto, as ordered by the
Executive Officer.
When requested by EPA, the Discharger shall complete and submit Discharge Monitoring
Reports. The submittal date shall be no later than the submittal date specified in the
Monitoring and Reporting Program for Discharger Self Monitoring Reports.
9 NPDES WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS GENERAL ORDER NO. 5-00-175
LOW THREAT AND DEWATERING WASTEWATER DISCHARGES
TO SURFACE WATERS
8. This Order expires on 1 June 2005.
9. In the event ofany change in control or ownership efland or waste discharge facilities presently
owned or controlled by the Discharger, the Discharger shall notify the succeeding owner or
operator of the existence ofthis Order by letter, a copy of which shall be immediately forwarded
to this office.
To assume operation under this Order, the succeeding owner or operator must apply in writing to
the Executive Officer requesting transfer of the Order. The request must contain the requesting
entity's full legal name, the State of incorporation if a corporation, the name, address, and
telephone number of the persons responsible for contact with the Board, and a statement. The
statement shall comply with the signatory paragraph of Standard Provision D.6 and state that the
new owner or operator assumes full responsibility for compliance with this Order. Failure to
submit the request shall be considered discharge without requirements, a violation ofthe
California Water Code. Transfer shall be approved or disapproved in writing by the Executive
Officer.
I, GARY M. CARLTON, Executive Officer, do hereby certify the foregoing is a full, true, and correct
copy of an Order adopted by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley
Region, on 16 June 2000.
Attachments
RPM:lm
CALIFORL'{IA REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD
CENTRAL VALLEY REGION
NOTICE OF INTENT
TO COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF
GENERAL ORDER NO. 5-00-175
FOR
DEWATERING AND OTHER LOW
THREAT DISCHARGES TO SURFACE WATERS.
I
.
CONTRACT 0 RJOPERA T 0 R If additional are involved, provide the Information In a supplementary letter .
Name
Mailing Address
City_ State I Zip I Phone
Contact Person
Contractor Operator Contractor/Operator
If additional property owners are involved, provide the information in a supplementary letter.
n. PROPERTY OWNER
Name
Mailing Address
City II State I Zip .I Phone
Contact Person
m. WATER SUPPLIERS (If applicable)
Name
Mailing Address
City I State II Zip I Phone
Contact Person
.
IV BILLING ADDRESS:
Name
Mailing Address
City I State I Zip I Phone
Contact Person
ATIACHEMENT A
-2- of 4
If more than one discharge is proposed, provide the inform:>Jtion in a supplementary letter.
v. DISCHARGE LOCATION:
Street address, if any)------------------------
City/County
Nearest Cross Street(s)
Township/Range/Section
T___,, R:......,...__,, Section ___, MDB&M
Attach a map of at least 1:24000 (1" == 2000') showing the discharge site. (eg. USGS 7.5' topographic map.)
The map should also show the treatment system, discharge point and surface waters. Wells and residences within 1,500 feet
shall be identified.
VI. DISCHARGE INFORMATION
Please Identify type of discharge
__Well development water __ Pipeline/tank pressure testing
__ Construction dewatering __Pipeline/tank flushing or dewatering
__ Pump/well Testing Condensate
__ Water Supply System __ Other (Please describe)
Start Date ____Stop Date ___( estimate) Discharge Rate ____.MGD.
Is discharge continuous or intermittent?------------------------
VII. LAND DISPOSAL/RECLAMATION
Board policies dictate that wastewater discharges must be contained on land or beneficially re-used if practical.
You must evaluate and rule out this alternative prior to any discharge to surface water under this Order.
Is land reclamation feasible? Yes No
If no, explain. IF yes, you should contact the Regional Board. This Order does not apply if there is no discharge
to surface waters.
ATTACHEMENT A
-3- of 4
VITI. TREATMENT SYSTEM
Please Identify
__None (describe why a treatment system is not necessary) __Pond
___Other (please describe)-----------------------------
Provide a schematic drawing of the proposed treatment system.
IX. RECEIVING WATER INFORMATION
A. Name of closest receiving water. _
B. Receiving water is tributary to (name major downstream water body)
. X. PRIMARY POLLUTANTS/PARAMETERS LIKELY TO BE IN THE DISCHARGE
Please Identify
Settleable material Color
Suspended material Turbidity
PH Other (please describe)
Chlorine Construction material pollutants
Total dissolved solids Metals
Trace organic compounds
Have samples been collected? ___ Yes (attach results) No
..
Are additives in the discharge? ___ Yes (describe and quantify) No
If yes, please specify the additive and/or a m p l e result
ATTACHEMENT A
-4- of 4
XI. ABILITY TO COMPLY
Do you believe the discharge may have acute or chronic toxicity, chemical or organic
constituents, bacteria, pesticides, oil and grease, radioactivity, salinity or temperature that may
adversely impact beneficial uses of the receiving water? Yes No
If your answer is yes you must contact a Professional Engineer. A specific individual permit may be required from
the Regional Board rather than this General Order.
XII. PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER
If a Professional Engineer has helped you evaluate the proposed discharge for compliance with
this General Order, please identify.
Name
Mailing Address
City I State I Zip I Phone
Signature Certificate No. Date
XIII. FEES
A check payable to the State Water Resources Control Board in the amount of $400 (or
appropriate current fee) must be submitted.
XIV. CERTIFICATION
I hereby cer:tify under penalty of perjury that the information provided in this application and
in any attachments is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. By signing this NOI, I
agree to closely monitor and stop the discharge if there is any violation of the General Permit.
The Regional Board will be immediately notified of any violation, or threatened violation, of th
General Permit.
Signature of Contractor/Operator Signature of Property Owner
Print or Type Name Print or Type Name
Title Date Title Date
ATTACHMENT B
WATER SUPPLIERS'
POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MONITORING AND REPORTING PLAN
ORDERNO. 5-00-175
Only water suppliers that propose to have numerous discharge points covered by this General Permit
are required to develop the Pollution Prevention and Monitoring and Reporting Plan (PP11RP)
identified in this Attachment. These dischargers are not required to complete sections of the NOI
concerning discharge type and location. All other sections of the NOI and PPMRP must be submitted
prior to discharge.
The PPMRP shall include:
I. Pollution Prevention Plan
A. Provide a general description of the distribution system and potential discharge
locations. Identify pollutant types, flow rate ranges and receiving waters.
B. Identify treatment systems, spill contingency plans, operation and maintenance
procedures, inspections, equipment, supplies, training, erosion control, etc., to
assure continuous compliance with requirements.
II. Monitoring and Reporting Program
A. Develop a representative sampling and analysis program. Dischargers are not
required to sample all discharges if reasonable assurance is provided that the
discharges will comply with requirements. Provide rationale for selection of
the .effluent and receiving water monitoring plan. Describe sampling methods,
locations and frequency of monitoring. Inspection plans and visual
observations for discoloration and stream bottom deposits etc. must be
included.
III. Records
Records of all monitoring information and copies of all reports required by this General
Permit shall be retained for a period of at least five years from the date of the sample,
observation, measurement, or report.
These records shall include:
1. The date, place, and time of site inspections, sampling, visual observation, and/or .
measurement;
2 ORDER NO. 5-00-175
ATTACHMENT B
WATER SUPPLIERS'
POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MONITORING
AND REPORTING PLAN
2. The individual(s) who performed the site inspections, sampling, visual
observations, and/or measurements;
3. Flow measurements or estimates (if required);
4. The date and time of analyses;
5. The laboratory or staffwho performed the analyses.
IV. Reporting
Quarterly monitoring results shall be submitted to the Regional Board by the first day of
the second month following each calendar quarter. In reporting the monitoring data, the
Discharger shall arrange the data in tabular form so that the date, the constituents, and the
concentrations are readily discernible. The data shall be summarized in such a manner to
illustrate clearly whether the discharge complies with waste discharge requirements.
If the Discharger monitors any pollutant more frequently than is proposed, the results of
such monitoring shall be reported.
All reports submitted in response to this Order shall comply with signatory
ATTACHMENT C
CALIFORNIA REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD
CENTRAL VALLEY REGION
MONITORING AND REPORTlliG PROGRAM NO. 5-00-175
GENERAL ORDER
FOR
DEWATERlliG AND OTHER LOW THREAT
DISCHARGES TO SURFACE WATERS
DISCHARGES LONGER THAN FOUR MONTHS IN DURATION
The following effluent monitoring program is required if the discharge duration is longer than
four months and the average dry weather discharge does not exceed 0.25 MGD. Effluent samples
shall be collected downstream from the last connection through which wastes can be admitted
into the outfall. Effluent samples s_hould be representative of the volume and quality of the
discharge. Time of collection of samples shall be recorded. Effluent monitoring shall include at
least the following: .
Constituents Units TYQe of Sam:gle Sam:gling
Freguency
20C BOD
5
mg/1 Grab Quarterly
Suspended Solids . mg/1 Grab Quarterly
Settleable Solids ml/1 Grab Quarterly
Flow mgd Meter Continuous
Temperature
oF
Grab Monthly
pH pH Units Grab Monthly
If the discharge is intermittent rather than continuous, then on the first day of each such intermittent
discharge, the Discharger shall monitor and record data for all of the constituents listed above, after
which the frequencies of analysis given in the schedule shall apply for the duration of each such
intermittent discharge. In no event shall the Discharger be required to monitor and record data more
often than twice the frequencies listed in the schedule.
DISCHARGES FOUR MONTHS OR LESS IN DURATION
The following effluent monitoring program is required if the discharge is four months or less in
duration. Effluent samples shall be collected downstream from the last connection through which
wastes can be admitted into the outfall. Effluent samples should be representative of the volume and
quality of the discharge. Time of collection of samples shall be recorded. Effluent monitoring shall
include at least the following:
Constituents TYQe of Sam:gle Sam:gling
Frequency
20C BODS mg/1 Grab Twice monthly
1
Suspended Solids mg/1 Grab Twice monthly
1
Settleable Solids ml/1 Grab Twice monthly
1
pH pH Units Grab Twice monthly
1
1
The first sample shall be collected at the start of discharge.
2 MONITORING AND REPORTIN"G PROGRAM ORDER NO. 5-00-175
ATTACHMENT C
GENERAL ORDER FOR WASTEWATER
DEWATERING DISCHARGES
TO SURFACE WATERS
A post-discharge report shall be submitted after each discharge. The report shall include:
1. Any variations from the Notice oflntent.
2. Did the discharge result in any discoloration or turbidity in the receiving water? Please
explain upstream and downstream conditions identified in the following Receiving
Water Monitoring Section.
3. Identify any violations of the General Order. Please explain.
4. Please explain any corrective actions takeri to comply with the General Order.
5. Did the discharge cause aJ;J.Y complaints?
RECEIVING WATER MONITORING
Receiving water monitoring shall be twice weekly for discharges where the duration is four
months or less and monthly if the discharge period is greater than four months and include at
least the following:
Station Description
R-1 50 feet upstream from the point of discharge
R-2 50 feet downstream from the point of discharge
Constituents Units Type of Samole
Temperature
oF
Grab
pH pH Units Grab
Electrical Conductivity !-Lmhos/cm Grab
Dissolved Oxygen mg/1 Grab
In conducting the receiving water sampling, a log shall be kept ofthe receiving water conditions
throughout the reach bounded by Stations R-1 and R-2. Attention shall be given to the presence or
absence of:
a. Floating or suspended matter e. Visible films, sheens or coatings
b. Discoloration f. Fu:q.gi, slimes, or objectionable growths
c. Bottom deposits g. Potential nuisance conditions
d. Aquatic life
Notes on receiving water conditions shall be summarized in the monitoring report.
3 MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM ORDERNO. 5-00-175
GENERAL ORDER FOR WASTEWATER
DEWATERING DISCHARGES
TO SURFACE WATERS
REPORTING
Quarterly monitoring results shall be submitted to the Regional Board by the first day of the second
month following each calendar quarter. In reporting the monitoring data, the Discharger shall
arrange the data in tabular form so that the date, the constituents, and the c.oncentrations are readily
discernible. The data shall be summarized in such a manner to illustrate clearly whether the
discharge complies with waste discharge requirements.
If the Discharger monitors any pollutant at the locations designated herein more frequently than
is required by this Order, the results of such monitoring shall be included in the calculation and
reporting of the values required in. the discharge monitoring report form. Such increased
frequency shall be indicated on the discharge monitoring report form.
All reports submitted in response to this Order shall comply with the signatory requirements of
Standard Provision D.6.
The Discharger shall implement the above monitoring program on the first day of discharge.
M. CARLTON, Executive Officer
16 June 2000
(Date)
RPM:lm
INFORMATION SHEETORDERNO. 5-00-175
GENERAL ORDER FOR DEWATERING AND OTHER LOW
THREAT DISCHARGES TO SURF ACE WATERS
This Order serves as a General NPDES Permit for the discharge oflow water quality threat wastewater
discharges to surface waters. This permit does not apply unless the discharge qualifies as low threat to
water quality. The discharge shall either be: (1) Short duration (four months or less) or (2) Low flow
(average dry weather discharge does not exceed 0.25 MGD) to qualify as low volume for the purpose of
this permit The following types of discharges may be covered by this permit: (1) Well development
water, (2) Construction dewatering, (3) Pump/well testing, (4) Pipeline/tank pressure testing,
(5) Pipeline/tank flushing o ~ dewatering, (6) Condensate, (7) Water supply system and (8) Miscellaneous
dewatering and low threat discharges. The treatment and discharge of water with acute or chronic
toxicity, chemicals or organic constituents, bacteria, herbicides, pesticides, oil and grease, radioactivityl
salinity or temperature that may adversely threaten beneficial uses are not covered by this permit. Also
not covered by this Order are: 1) Wastewaters discharged to municipal wastewater collection systems,
and 2) Discharges to ponds, infiltration basins, spray disposal areas, subsurface infiltration, or other
methods not involving discharge to surface waters and surface water drainage courses, and discharges of
contaminated ground water, treated or untreated.
Water suppliers may have numerous intentional and unintentional releases of fresh water to surface
waters and surface water drainage courses due to many factors including; system failures, pressure
releases, and pipeline/tank flushing and dewatering. This General Permit may serve as waste discharge
requirements for such public and private water suppliers including Irrigation Districts, Water Districts
and Water Agencies. Discharges from these water systems may not be possible to specifically identify
and monitor in every situation. In such cases a Pollution Prevention and Monitoring and Reporting Plan
may be developed by the Discharger as established in Attachment B for approval by the Regional Board
Executive Officer. Compliance with this General Permit requires removal of chlorine and other
constituents normally found in these discharges to provide protection of downstream beneficial uses
including fish and other aquatic life. Chlorine is a toxic constituent. An effluent limitation for chlorine
has been included in the Order to assure compliance with the Basin Plan's narrative standard prohibiting
the discharge oftoxic constituents in toxic concentrations.
The water quality characteristics most likely of concern for these discharges include settleable matter,
suspended material, color and turbidity. The proposed effluent and receiving water limits are based on
Basin Plan objectives and similar requirements issued by the Board. If there is any doubt about the ability
for continuous compliance with requirements, the Discharger shall contact Professional Engineers to
assure pollutants will be properly treated prior to discharge. As explained in the NOI, dischargers have
responsibility to immediately stop the discharge and notify the Regional Board of any violation, or
threatened violation, of the permit.
Regional Board policies dictate that wastewater discharges must be contained on land or beneficially
re-used if practicable. Dischargers must evaluate and rule out this alternative prior to any discharge
under this permit. Ifland reclamation is feasible this permit does not apply.
Regional Board staff typically do not evaluate compliance with requirements prior to discharge. The
Discharger makes that decision and whether or not to seek professional advice when they submit the
INFORMATION SHEET, ORDER NO. 5-00-175 ..:2-
GENERAL ORDER FOR DEWATERING AND OTHER LOW
THREAT DISCHARGES TO SURFACE WATERS
Notice of Intent (NO I). Dischargers who submit an NOI and appropriate fee are authorized to discharge
under the terms and conditions of this General Order. Violations may result in enforcement action,
including Board or court Orders requiring corrective actions or imposing civil monetary
liability, or in revision or rescission or this Order.
The following information and policy statements are provided to help establish consistency in
application of this General Permit: 1) Regional Board staff should send completed copies of each NOI to
appropriate Regional offices oftheDepartment ofFish and Game, 2) One permit is required for each
water system owner even if there will be multiple Fire departments frequently test hydrants
by flushing them. They may be covered under the water system owner's permit if requested in the NOI,
3) Any pollutants the discharger flushes into the receiving water may not cause a violation of
requirements. This needs to be considered when completing various sections of the NOI including
ability to comply, pollutants in the discharge and treatment system, including chlorine. We generally
consider the discharge to be the point where "wastewater" enters the receiving water. Our concern is
protection of the receiving water.
Dischargers currently covered by Order No. 93-230 are automatically granted coverage under this Order
for a period of 90-days following adoption, during which time the Discharger may file a Notice of Intent
(NOI) for coverage under this Order. Coverage under this Order is terminated after the 90-day period
unless a new NOI has been submitted.
RP:MJ16 June 2000
CALIFORNIA REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD
LAHONTAN REGION
ORDER NO. 6-98-36
NPDES NO. CAG996001
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
(NPDES)
GENERAL PERMIT FOR
LIMITED THREAT DISCHARGES TO SURFACE WATERS
The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lahontan Region, (hereafter Regional Board)
finds that:
1. Reason for Permit
Public and private businesses (hereafter Discharger) often need to discharge clean or relatively
pollutant-free water that poses little or no threat to water quality. This General Permit covers the
discharge of certain categories of these discharges to waters of the United States.
Individual NPDES permits are presently adopted for these discharges, necessitating approximately
four or more months of lead time for the project. Adoption of this General Permit will
significantly reduce the time spent permitting limited threat projects.
2. Coverage Under This Permit
To be authorized by this General Permit, limited threat discharges must meet the following
criteria:
A. The discharge is in compliance with all applicable water quality objectives including
prohibitions of discharge (see Chapters 3, 4.1, and 5.2 of the Water Quality Control Plan
for the Lahontan Region).
B. The discharge does not include water added for the purpose of diluting pollutant
concentrations.
C. The discharge will not cause or contribute to degradation of water quality or impair
beneficial uses of receiving waters.
3. Discharges Covered Under This Permit
Only the following discharges will be covered by this permit provided they meet the criteria
specified herein:
A. Pump/well testing
B. Dewatering
NPDES GENERAL PERMIT -2- BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-36
LIMITED THREAT DISCHARGES NPDES NO. CAG996001
This permit is intended to regulate the limited threat discharges identified above. It is not
intended for ground water cleanup projects or to regulate discharges that contain chemical or
organic constituents, bacteria, herbicides, pesticides, oil and grease, radioactivity, salinity or
temperature that may adversely impact beneficial uses or which cause acute or chronic toxicity in
aquatic life.
4. Water Quality Characteristics
Water quality characteristics most likely of concern for these discharges include nutrients,
dissolved minerals, settleable material, suspended material and turbidity. Testing will be required
throughout the period of discharge to ensure continuous compliance with requirements.
5. Obtaining Permit Authorization
To obtain authorization for discharges under this permit, the owner or developer responsible for
the construction activity must submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) with an appropriate fee, and a
report of waste discharge that contains pre-discharge water quality analysis and a discussion of
Best Management Practices (BMP) to be employed prior to the discharge. BMPs will include
disposal practices for development water, energy dissipation, etc. Regional Board staff will
review water quality data to ensure that receiving water limits are not exceeded. The owner or
developer shall be authorized to discharge under the terms and conditions of this permit only after
receiving a written Notice of Applicability (NOA) from the Regional Board Executive Officer.
The Discharger agrees immediately to stop any discharge authorized by these requirements in the
event there is a violation of this permit or if the Regional Board Executive Officer so orders. The
discharge may not be resumed until authorized by the Executive Officer.
6. Individual Waste Discharge Requirements
The Regional Board may prescribe individual waste discharge requirements for any discharge. If
individual waste discharge requirements are issued for a discharge, the applicability of this General
Permit to the discharge is immediately terminated.
7. Minor Discharges
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Regional Board generally classify this
type of discharge as a minor discharge. If an individual discharge is classified as a major
discharge, it will not be covered by this General Permit.
8. Local Agency Authority
This Order does not preempt or supersede the authority of the State Department of Fish and
Game or local agencies to prohibit, restrict, or control the discharge of wastewater subject to their
control.
NPDES GENERAL PERMIT -3- BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-36
LIMITED THREAT DISCHARGES NPDES NO. CAG996001
9. Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region
The Regional Board adopted the Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (Basin
Plan) on March 31, 1995. The Basin Plan contains beneficial use designations and water quality
objectives for all waters of the Lahontan Region. These requirements implement this Plan.
10. Prohibitions in the Lahontan Region
The Basin Plan contains prohibitions against the discharge of wastes to surface waters in various
locations throughout the Lahontan Region. Any discharge proposed in an area where a discharge
prohibition may apply must be evaluated on an individual basis to determine if the discharge
would violate the prohibition. Exemptions may be granted on a case by case basis by resolution
of the Regional Board, or by the Executive Officer in accordance with Regional Board policy.
11. Beneficial Uses - Ground Water
The designated beneficial uses of ground water within the Lahontan Region are municipal,
industrial, and agricultural supply and fresh water recharge.
12. Beneficial Uses - Surface Waters
The designated beneficial uses of surface waters in the Lahontan Region are: municipal and
domestic, industrial, and agricultural supply; water contact and non-contact recreation; rare,
threatened or endangered species; navigation; ground water recharge, fresh water replenishment;
hydropower generation; warm and cold fresh water habitat, commercial and sport fishing,
preservation of biological habitats of special significance, aquaculture, flood peak
attenuation/flood water storage, commercial and sports fishing, migration of aquatic organisms,
inland saline water habitat, spawning, reproduction and development, wildlife habitat and water
quality enhancement.
13. Land Disposal
The Basin Plan encourages the disposal of wastewater on land where practicable, and requires
applicants for discharge permits to evaluate land disposal as a first alternative. Where studies
show that year-round land disposal is not practicable, the Regional Board will require dischargers
to evaluate dry season land disposal as an alternative.
14. Antidegradation
The Regional Board has considered antidegradation pursuant to 40 CFR 131.12 and State Water
Resources Control Board Resolution 68-16 and finds that the subject discharges are consistent
with those provisions. If the discharge is not consistent with these policies it will not be covered
under this permit, but could have a separate permit. There will not be degradation if the
requirements of the permit are met.
NPDES GENERAL PERMIT -4- BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-36
LIMITED THREAT DISCHARGES NPDES NO. CAG996001
15. Effluent Limits and Standards
Effluent limitations, and toxic and pretreatment effluent standards established pursuant to Sections
301, 302, 304, and 307 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and amendments thereto are applicable to
the discharge.
16. CEQA Compliance
The action to adopt an NPDES permit is exempt from the provisions of Chapter 3 of the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code Section 21100, et seq.), in
accordance with Section 13389 of the California Water Code.
17. Public Notification
The Regional Board has notified interested agencies and persons of its intent to prescribe waste
discharge requirements in this General Order and has provided them with an opportunity for a
public hearing and an opportunity to submit their written views and recommendations.
The Regional Board, in a public meeting, heard and considered all comments pertaining to the
discharge.
18. Applicability
This Order shall serve as an NPDES permit pursuant to Section 402 of the Clean Water Act, and
amendments thereto, and shall take effect upon the date of hearing, provided EPA has no
objections.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that all Dischargers that file an NOI and appropriate filing fee indicating
their intention to be regulated under provisions of this General Order, and all heirs, successors, or assigns,
in order to meet the provisions contained in Division 7 of the California Water Code and Regulations
adopted thereunder, and the provisions of the Clean Water Act and Regulations and Guidelines adopted
thereunder, shall comply with the following:
1. Regionwide Discharge Prohibitions:
A. Discharge Specifications
1. Discharge of wastewater other than that described in Finding No. 2 is prohibited.
2. The discharge of waste which causes violation of any narrative water quality
objective contained in the Basin Plan, including the Nondegradation Objective, is
prohibited.
3. The discharge of waste which causes violation of any numeric water quality
objective or prohibition contained in the Basin Plan is prohibited. (see Chapters 3,
4.1 and 5.2 of the Basin Plan)
NPDES GENERAL PERMIT -5- BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-36
LIMITED THREAT DISCHARGES NPDES NO. CAG996001
4. Where any numeric or narrative water quality objective contained in the Basin Plan
is already being violated, the discharge of waste which causes further degradation
or pollution is prohibited.
2. Discharge Specifications
A. Receiving Water Limitations
The following narrative water quality objectives apply to all surface waters, including
wetlands, in the Lahontan Region. The discharge of waste from within the project area to
surface waters shall not cause a violation of the following:
1. Ammonia
Ammonia concentrations shall not exceed the values listed in Tables 3-1 to 3-4 of
the Basin Plan for the corresponding conditions in these tables.
2. Bacteria, Coliform
Waters shall not contain concentrations of coliform organisms attributable to
anthropogenic sources, including human and livestock wastes.
The fecal coliform concentration during any 30-day period shall not exceed a log
mean of 20/100 ml, nor shall more than 10 percent of all samples collected during
any 30-day period exceed 40/100 ml. The log mean shall ideally be based on a
minimum of not less than five samples collected as evenly spaced as practicable
during any 30-day period. However, a log mean concentration exceeding 20/100
ml for any 30-day period shall indicate violation of this objective even if fewer
than five samples were collected.
3. Biostimulatory Substances
Waters shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote
aquatic growths to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect
the water for beneficial uses.
4. Chemical Constituents
Waters designated as MUN shall not contain concentrations of chemical
constituents in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) or secondary
maximum contaminant level (SMCL) based upon drinking water standards
specified by the more restrictive of the California Code of Regulations, Title 22,
Division 4, Chapter 15, or 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 141.
Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts that
adversely affect the water for beneficial uses.
NPDES GENERAL PERMIT -6- BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-36
LIMITED THREAT DISCHARGES NPDES NO. CAG996001
5. Chlorine, Total Residual
For the protection of aquatic life, total chlorine residual shall not exceed either a
median value of 0.002 mg/L or a maximum value of 0.003 mg/L. Median values
shall be based on daily measurements taken within any six-month period.
6. Color
Waters shall be free of coloration that causes nuisance or adversely affects the
water for beneficial uses.
7. Dissolved Oxygen
The dissolved oxygen concentration, as percent saturation, shall not be depressed
by more than 10 percent, nor shall the minimum dissolved oxygen concentration be
less than 80 percent of saturation.
For waters with the beneficial uses of COLD, COLD with SPWN, WARM, and
WARM with SPWN, the minimum dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be
less than that specified in Table 3-6 of the Basin Plan.
8. Floating Materials
Waters shall not contain floating material, including solids, liquids, foams, and
scum, in concentrations that cause nuisance or adversely affect the water for
beneficial uses.
For natural high quality waters, the concentrations of floating material shall not be
altered to the extent that such alterations are discernible at the 10 percent
significance level.
9. Oil and Grease
Waters shall not contain oils, greases, waxes or other materials in concentrations
that result in a visible film or coating on the surface of the water or on objects in
the water, that cause nuisance, or that otherwise adversely affect the water for
beneficial uses.
For natural high quality waters, the concentration of oils, greases, or other film or
coat generating substances shall not be altered.
10. Nondegradation of Aquatic Communities and Populations
All wetlands shall be free from substances attributable to wastewater or other
discharges that produce adverse physiological responses in humans, animals, or
plants; or which lead to the presence of undesirable or nuisance aquatic life.
NPDES GENERAL PERMIT -7- BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-36
LIMITED THREAT DISCHARGES NPDES NO. CAG996001
All wetlands shall be free from activities that would substantially impair the
biological community as it naturally occurs due to physical, chemical and
hydrologic processes except as authorized by this permit (dredge and fill in
wetlands).
11. Pesticides
For the purposes of this Basin Plan, pesticides are defined to include insecticides,
herbicides, rodenticides, fungicides, pesticides and all other economic poisons. An
economic poison is any substance intended to prevent, repel, destroy, or mitigate
the damage from insects, rodents, predatory animals, bacteria, fungi or weeds
capable of infesting or harming vegetation, humans, or animals (CA Agriculture
Code 12753).
Pesticide concentrations, individually or collectively, shall not exceed the lowest
detectable levels, using the most recent detection procedures available. There shall
not be an increase in pesticide concentrations found in bottom sediments. There
shall be no detectable increase in bioaccumulation of pesticides in aquatic life.
Waters designated as MUN shall not contain concentrations of pesticides or
herbicides in excess of the limiting concentrations set forth in the California Code
of Regulations, Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 15.
12. pH
In fresh waters with designated beneficial uses of COLD or WARM, changes in
normal ambient pH levels shall not exceed 0.5 pH units. For all other waters of the
Region, the pH shall not be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.5.
The Regional Board recognizes that some waters of the Region may have natural
pH levels outside of the 6.5 to 8.5 range. Compliance with the pH objective for
these waters will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
13. Radioactivity
Radionuclides shall not be present in concentrations which are deleterious to
human, plant, animal, or aquatic life nor which result in the accumulation of
radionuclides in the food web to an extent which presents a hazard to human,
plant, animal, or aquatic life.
Waters shall not contain concentrations of radionuclides in excess of the limits
specified by the more restrictive of the California Code of Regulations, Title 22,
Division 4, Chapter 15, or 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 141.
NPDES GENERAL PERMIT -8- BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-36
LIMITED THREAT DISCHARGES NPDES NO. CAG996001
14. Sediment
The suspended sediment load and suspended sediment discharge rate of surface
waters shall not be altered in such a manner as to cause nuisance or adversely
affect the water for beneficial uses, except as authorized by this permit (dredge and
fill activities in wetlands).
15. Settleable Materials
Waters shall not contain substances in concentrations that result in deposition of
material that causes nuisance or that adversely affects the water for beneficial uses.
For natural high quality waters, the concentration of settleable materials shall not
be raised by more that 0.1 milliliter per liter.
16. Suspended Materials
Waters shall not contain suspended materials in concentrations that cause nuisance
or that adversely affects the water for beneficial uses.
For natural high quality waters, the concentration of total suspended materials shall
not be altered to the extent that such alterations are discernible at the 10 percent
significance level.
17. Taste and Odor
Waters shall not contain taste or odor-producing substances in concentrations that
impart undesirable tastes or odors to fish or other edible products of aquatic
origin, that cause nuisance, or that adversely affect the water for beneficial uses.
For naturally high quality waters, the taste and odor shall not be altered.
18. Temperature
The natural receiving water temperature of all waters shall not be altered unless it
can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Board that such an
alteration in temperature does not adversely affect the water for beneficial uses.
For waters designated WARM, water temperature shall not be altered by more
than five degrees Fahrenheit (5F) above or below the natural temperature. For
waters designated COLD, the temperature shall not be altered.
Temperature objectives for COLD interstate waters and WARM interstate waters
are as specified in the Water Quality Control Plan for Control of Temperature in
The Coastal and Interstate Waters and Enclosed Bays and Estuaries of California
including any revisions. This plan is summarized in Chapter 6 (Plans and Policies),
and included in Appendix B of the Basin Plan.
NPDES GENERAL PERMIT -9- BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-36
LIMITED THREAT DISCHARGES NPDES NO. CAG996001
19. Toxicity
All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are
toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant,
animal, or aquatic life. Compliance with this objective will be determined by use
of indicator organisms, analyses of species diversity, population density, growth
anomalies, bioassays of appropriate duration and/or other appropriate methods
as specified by the Regional Board.
The survival of aquatic life in surface waters subjected to a waste discharge, or
other controllable water quality factors, shall not be less than that for the same
water body in areas unaffected by the waste discharge, or when necessary, for
other control water that is consistent with the requirements for experimental
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and
Wastewater (American Public Health Association, et al. 1992).
20. Turbidity
Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect
the water for beneficial uses. Increases in turbidity shall not exceed natural levels
by more than 10 percent.
3. Provisions
A. The Discharger must comply with all conditions of this Order, including timely submittal
of monitoring reports as directed in Monitoring and Reporting Program No. 98-??? or by
the Executive Officer. Violations may result in enforcement action, including Regional
Board or court orders requiring corrective action or imposing civil monetary liability, or in
revocation of authorization to discharge under this Order.
B. Individual owners of the real property at which the discharge will occur are ultimately
responsible for ensuring compliance with these requirements. Individuals and companies
responsible for site operations retain primary responsibility for compliance with these
requirements, including day-to-day operations and monitoring. Enforcement actions will
be taken against landowners in the event that enforcement actions against site operators
are ineffective or would be futile, or that enforcement is necessary to protect public health
or the environment.
C. A copy of this Order shall be kept at the discharge facility for reference by operating
personnel. Key operating and site management personnel shall be familiar with its
contents.
D. The Discharger shall comply with all the applicable items of the "Standard Provisions for
NPDES Permits contained in Attachment A of this Order. This attachment and its
individual paragraphs are referred to as "Standard Provision(s)."
NPDES GENERAL PERMIT -10- BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-36
LIMITED THREAT DISCHARGES NPDES NO. CAG996001
E. The Discharger shall comply with the attached General Provisions for Monitoring and
Reporting contained in Attachment B of this Order, and any revisions thereto, as ordered
by the Executive Officer.
F. When requested by USEPA, the Discharger shall complete and submit Discharge
Monitoring Reports. The submittal date shall be no later than the submittal date specified
in Monitoring and Reporting Program No. 6-98-36.
G. This Order expires on June 4, 2003.
H. In the event of any change in control or ownership of land or waste discharge facilities
presently owned or controlled by the Discharger, the Discharger shall notify the
succeeding owner or operator of the existence of this Order by letter, a copy of which
shall be immediately forwarded to this office.
To assume operation under this Order, the succeeding owner or operator must apply in
writing to the Executive Officer requesting transfer of the Order. The request must
contain the requesting entity's full legal name, the State of incorporation if a corporation,
the name, address, and telephone number of the persons responsible for contact with the
Regional Board, and a statement. The statement shall comply with the signatory
paragraph of Standard Provision D.6 and state that the new owner or operator assumes
full responsibility for compliance with this Order. Failure to submit the request shall be
considered discharge without requirements, a violation of the California Water Code.
Transfer shall be approved or disapproved in writing by the Executive Officer.
I, Harold J. Singer, Executive Officer, do hereby certify the foregoing is a full, true, and correct copy of
an Order adopted by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lahontan Region, on June 4,
1998.
HAROLD J. SINGER
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Attachments A. Standard Provisions for NPDES Permits
B. General Provisions for Monitoring and Reporting
ATTACHMENT A
STANDARD PROVISIONS FOR NPDES PERMITS
1. The permittee must comply with all of the terms, requirements, and conditions of this
permit. Any violation of this permit constitutes violation of the Act, its regulations and the
California Water Code, and is grounds or enforcement action, permit termination, permit
revocation, and reissuance, denial of an application for permit reissuance; or a combination
thereof.
2. The permittee shall comply with effluent standards or prohibitions established under
307(a) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) for toxic pollutants within the time provided in the
regulations that establish these standards or prohibitions, even if this permit has not yet
been modified to incorporate the requirement. [40 CFR 122.41(a)(1)]
The California Water Code provides that any person who violates a waste discharge
requirement (same as permit condition), or a provision of the California Water Code, is
subject to civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day or $10,000 per day of violation, or when
the violation involves the discharge of pollutants, is subject to civil penalties of up to $10
per gallon per day or $20 per gallon per day of violation; or some combination thereof,
depending on the violation, or upon the combination of violations.*
Violations of any of the provisions of the NPDES program, or of any of the provisions of
this permit, may subject the violator to any of the penalties described herein, or any
combination thereof, at the discretion of the prosecuting authority; except that only one
kind of penalty may be applied for each kind of violation.*
3. The Clean Water Act (CWA) provides that any person who violates a permit condition
implementing sections 301, 302, 306, 307, or 308 of the CWA is subject to a civil penalty
not to exceed $10,000 per day of such violation. Any person who willfully or negligently
violates permit conditions implementing these sections of the CWA is subject to a fine of
not less than $2,500, nor more than $25,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment for
not more than 1 year, or both. [40 CFR 122.41(a)(2)]
4. If the permittee wishes to continue an activity regulated by this permit after the expiration
date of this permit, the permittee must apply for and obtain a new permit. [40 CFR
122.41(b)]
5. It shall not be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement action that it would have been
necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain compliance with the
conditions of this permit. [40 CFR 122.41(c)]
6. The permittee shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or prevent any discharge that has
a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting health or the environment. [40 CFR
122.41(d)]
7. The permittee shall, at all times, properly operate and maintain all the facilities and systems
of treatment and control (and related appurtenances) that are installed or used by the
permittee to achieve compliance with this permit. Proper operation and maintenance
includes adequate laboratory controls, and appropriate quality assurance procedures. This
provision requires the operation of backup or auxiliary facilities, or similar systems that are
installed by a permittee only when necessary to achieve compliance with the conditions of
this permit. [40 CFR 122.41(e)]
STANDARD PROVISIONS 2 ATTACHMENT A
NPDES PERMITS
8. This permit 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. [CFR 122.41(g)]
9. This permit does not convey any property rights of any sort, or any exclusive privilege.
[40 CFR 122.41(f)]
10. The permittee shall furnish, within a reasonable time, any information the Board or EPA
may request to determine whether cause exists for modifying, revoking and reissuing, or
terminating this permit. The permittee shall also furnish to the Board, upon request, copies
of records required to be kept by this permit. [40 CFR 122.41(h)]
11. The Board, EPA, and other authorized representatives shall be allowed:
a) Entry upon premises where a regulated facility or activity is located or conducted,
or where records are kept under the conditions of this permit;
b) Access to copy any records that are kept under the conditions of this permit;
c) To inspect any facility, equipment (including monitoring and control equipment),
practices, or operations regulated or required under this permit; and
d) To photograph, sample, and monitor for the purpose of assuring compliance with
this permit, or as otherwise authorized by the Clean Water Act.
[40 CFR 122.41(j)]
12. Monitoring and records.
a) Samples and measurements taken for the purpose of monitoring shall be
representative of the monitored activity.
b) The permittee shall retain records of all monitoring information, including all
calibration and maintenance monitoring instrumentation, copies of all reports
required by this permit, and records of all data used to complete the application for
this permit, for a period of at least three years from the date of the sample,
measurement, report, or application. This period may be extended by request of
the Regional Board or EPA at any time.
c) Records of monitoring information shall include:
i) The date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurements;
ii) The individual(s) who performed the sampling or measurements;
iii) The date(s) analyses were performed;
iv) The individual(s) who performed the analyses;
v) The analytical techniques or methods used; and
vi) The results of such analyses.
d) Monitoring must be conducted according to test procedures under 40 CFR Part
136, unless other test procedures have been specified in this permit.
e) The Clean Water Act provides that any person who falsifies, tampers with, or
knowingly renders inaccurate any monitoring device, or method required to be
STANDARD PROVISIONS 3 ATTACHMENT A
NPDES PERMITS
maintained under this permit shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not
more than $10,000 per violation, or by imprisonment for not more than six months
per violation, or by both.
[40 CFR 122.41(j)]
13. All applications, reports, or information submitted to the Board shall be signed and
certified in accordance with 40 CFR 122.22. [40 CFR 122.41(k)(l)]
14. The CWA provides that any person who knowingly makes any false statement,
representation, or certification in any record or other document submitted or required to
be maintained under this permit, including monitoring reports or reports of compliance or
noncompliance shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000 per
violation, or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months per violation, or by both. [40
CFR 122.41(k)(2)]
15. Reporting requirements:
a) The permittee shall give advance notice to the Board, as soon as possible of, any
planned physical alterations, or additions to the permitted facility.
b) The permittee shall give advance notice to the Regional Board of any planned
changes in the permitted facility or activity that may result in noncompliance with
permit requirements.
c) This permit is not transferable to any person, except after
notice to the Regional Board. The Board may require
modification, or revocation and reissuance of the permit to
change the name of the permittee, and incorporate such other
requirements as may be necessary under the Clean Water Act.
d) Monitoring results shall be reported at the intervals specified
elsewhere in this permit.
i) Monitoring results must be reported in a Discharge
Monitoring Report (DMR).
ii) If the permittee monitors any pollutant more frequently
than required by this permit using test procedures
approved under 40 CFR Part 136 or as specified in this
permit, the results of this monitoring shall be included
in the calculation and reporting of the data submitted
in the DMR.
iii) Calculations for all limitations that require averaging of
measurements shall utilize an arithmetic mean unless
otherwise specified in this permit.
e) Report of compliance or noncompliance with, or any progress
reports on interim and final requirements contained in any
compliance schedule of this permit shall be submitted no later
than 14 days following each schedule date.
STANDARD PROVISIONS 4 ATTACHMENT A
NPDES PERMITS
f) Twenty-four hour reporting.
i) The permittee shall report any noncompliance that may
endanger health or the environment to the Board. Any
information shall be provided orally within 24 hours
from the time the permittee becomes aware of the
circumstances. A written submission shall also be
provided within five days of the time the permittee
becomes aware of the circumstances. The written
submission shall contain a description of the
noncompliance and its cause; the period of
noncompliance, including exact dates and time 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.
ii) The following shall be included as information that
must be report within 24 hours under this paragraph:
a) Any unanticipated bypass that exceeds any
effluent limitation in the permit.
b) Any upset that exceeds any effluent limitation
in the permit.
c) Violation of a maximum daily discharge
limitation for any of the pollutants listed in this
permit to be reported within 24 hours.
iii) The Board may waive the above-required written
report on a case-by-case basis.
g) The permittee shall report all instances of noncompliance, not
otherwise reported under the above paragraphs, at the time
monitoring reports are submitted. The reports shall contain all
information listed in paragraph 15(f) above.
[40 CFR 122.41(1)]
16. Bypass (the intentional diversion of waste streams from any portion of
facility) is prohibited. The Board may take enforcement action against
the Discharger for bypass unless:
a) Bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal
injury, or severe property damage. (Severe property damage
means substantial physical damage to property, damage to the
treatment facilities that causes them to become inoperable, or
substantial and permanent loss of natural resources that 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.);
b) There were no feasible alternatives to bypass, such as the use
of auxiliary treatment facilities, retention of untreated waste,
or maintenance during normal periods of equipment down
time. This condition is not satisfied if adequate back-up
STANDARD PROVISIONS 5 ATTACHMENT A
NPDES PERMITS
equipment should have been installed in the exercise of
reasonable engineering judgment to prevent a bypass that
could occur during normal periods of equipment downtime or
preventive maintenance; and
c) The permittee submitted a notice, at least ten days in advance,
of the need for a bypass to the appropriate Board.
The permittee may allow a bypass to occur that does not cause
effluent limitations to be exceeded, but only if it is for essential
maintenance to assure efficient operation. In such a case, the above
bypass conditions are not applicable.
The permittee shall submit notice of an unanticipated bypass as
required in paragraph 15(f) above.
[40 CFR 122.41(m)]
17. Upset means an exceptional incident in which there is unintentional and temporary
noncompliance with 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 action. A permittee that wishes to
establish the affirmative defense of an upset in an action brought for noncompliance shall
demonstrate, through signed, contemporaneous operating logs, or other relevant evidence
that:
a) an upset occurred and that the permittee can identify the
cause(s) of the upset;
b) the permitted facility was being properly operated at the time
of the upset;
c) the permittee submitted notice of the upset as required in
paragraph 15(f) above; and
d) the permittee complied with any remedial measures required
under paragraph 7.
No determination made before an action for noncompliance, such as
during administrative review of claims that noncompliance was caused
by an upset, is final administrative action subject to judicial review.
In any enforcement proceeding, the permittee seeking to establish the
occurrence of an upset has the burden of proof.
[40 CFR 122.41(n)]
18. All existing manufacturing, commercial, mining, and silvicultural
dischargers must notify the Board as soon as they know or have
reason to believe:
a) that any activity has occurred or will occur that would result
in the discharge of any toxic pollutant that is not limited in this
STANDARD PROVISIONS 6 ATTACHMENT A
NPDES PERMITS
permit, if that discharge will exceed the highest of the
following "notification levels:"
i) One hundred micrograms per liter (100 ug/l);
ii) Two hundred micrograms per liter (200 ug/l) for
acrolein and acrylonitrile; five hundred micrograms per
liter (500 ug/l) for 2,4-dinitrophenol and
2-methyl-4,6-dinitrophenol; and one milligram per liter
(1 mg/l) for antimony;
iii) Five (5) times the maximum concentration value
reported for that pollutant in the permit application; or
iv) The level established by the Regional Board in
accordance with 40 CFR 122.44(f).
b) that they have begun or expect to begin to use or manufacture
as an intermediate or final product or byproduct any toxic
pollutant that was not reported in the permit application.
[40 CFR 122.42(a)]
* This paragraph was added or modified by the State Water Quality Control Board to the
California Water Code.
CALIFORNIA REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD
LAHONTAN REGION
MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM NO. 98-36
NPDES NO. CAG996001
FOR
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
(NPDES)
GENERAL PERMIT FOR
LIMITED THREAT DISCHARGES TO SURFACE WATERS
I. MONITORING
This monitoring program includes both discharge and receiving water sampling. It is the
Regional Board's policy to periodically review all monitoring and reporting programs to
evaluate their adequacy and usefulness. If this monitoring program shows that the
discharge is not posing a significant threat to exceed receiving water limits, the Regional
Board will modify this monitoring program to reduce constituents analyzed and/or
sampling frequency.
A. Flow Monitoring
The Discharger shall calculate the average daily flow rate of the Facility discharge
during the entire period of the discharge. A log of all startup and shutdown times
shall also be kept.
B. Discharge Monitoring
Beginning at the onset of any discharge and continuing throughout the period of
discharge, grab samples of the Facility effluent shall be collected at twelve (12)
hour intervals at the discharge point and analyzed as follows:
Constituent Units Detection Limit
Total Dissolved Solids mg/l
Total Nitrogen mg/l as N 0.1 mg/l
Total Phosphorus mg/l as P 0.01 mg/l
Total Iron mg/l 0.05 mg/l
Turbidity NTU 0.1 NTU
Temperature C
pH pH units
LIMITED THREAT DISCHARGES - 2 - MONITORING AND REPORTING
PROGRAM NO. 98-36
NPDES NO. CAG996001
C. Receiving Water Monitoring
Receiving water sampling stations shall be established at locations agreed upon
with Regional Board staff prior to discharge. Two stations shall be established
with one upstream of any potential influence from the discharge and one
downstream of all discharges to the stream. Grab samples of the receiving water
shall be collected every 12 hours. The initial sample shall be taken at the first sign
of discharge to the surface water. Samples shall be analyzed for the following:
Constituent Units Detection Limit
Total Dissolved Solids mg/l
Total Nitrogen mg/l as N 0.1 mg/l
Total Phosphorus mg/l as P 0.01 mg/l
Total Iron mg/l 0.05 mg/l
Turbidity NTU 0.1 NTU
Temperature C
pH pH units
In conducting the receiving water sampling, a log shall be kept of the visual
condition of the surface water. Attention shall be given to the presence or absence
of:
a. Floating or suspended matter
b. Discoloration
c. Visible films, sheens, or coatings
d. Potential nuisance conditions
e. Aquatic life
f. Algae, fungi, slimes or other aquatic vegetation
D. Analysis of Samples
All analyses shall be performed in accordance with the current edition of Standard
Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, and in a laboratory
certified to perform such analyses by the California State Department of Health
Services or a laboratory approved by the Executive Officer.
LIMITED THREAT DISCHARGES - 3 - MONITORING AND REPORTING
PROGRAM NO. 98-36
NPDES NO. CAG996001
II. REPORTING
A. General Provisions
The Discharger shall comply with the "General Provisions for Monitoring and
Reporting", dated September 1, 1994, which is attached to and made a part of this
Monitoring and Reporting Program.
B. Report Format
In reporting the monitoring data, the Discharger shall arrange the data in tabular
form so that the date, the constituents, the concentrations and the sampling points
are readily discernible. Original lab data sheets (or photocopies) shall also be
included.
C. Submittal Periods
Samples shall be analyzed as soon possible, but no longer than 12 hours after they
are collected. Reports shall be transmitted by facsimile or hand delivered to the
Regional Board office in South Lake Tahoe within 24 hours of the time of
sampling.
Date:
HAROLD J. SINGER
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Attachment: General Provisions for Monitoring and Reporting
CALIFORNIA REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD
LAHONTAN REGION
GENERAL PROVISIONS
FOR MONITORING AND REPORTING
1. SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS
a. All analyses shall be performed in accordance with the current edition(s) of the
following documents:
i. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater
ii. Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, EPA
b. All analyses shall be performed in a laboratory certified to perform such analyses by
the California State Department of Health Services or a laboratory approved by the
Regional Board Executive Officer. Specific methods of analysis must be identified on
each laboratory report.
c. Any modifications to the above methods to eliminate known interferences shall be
reported with the sample results. The methods used shall also be reported. If methods
other than EPA-approved methods or Standard Methods are used, the exact
methodology must be submitted for review and must be approved by the Regional
Board Executive Officer prior to use.
d. The discharger shall establish chain-of-custody procedures to insure that specific
individuals are responsible for sample integrity from commencement of sample
collection through delivery to an approved laboratory. Sample collection, storage, and
analysis shall be conducted in accordance with an approved Sampling and Analysis
Plan (SAP). The most recent version of the approved SAP shall be kept at the facility.
e. The discharger shall calibrate and perform maintenance procedures on all monitoring
instruments and equipment to ensure accuracy of measurements, or shall insure that
both activities will be conducted. The calibration of any wastewater flow measuring
device shall be recorded and maintained in the permanent log book described in 2.b,
below.
f. A grab sample is defined as an individual sample collected in fewer than 15 minutes.
g. A composite sample is defined as a combination of no fewer than eight individual
samples obtained over the specified sampling period at equal intervals. The volume of
each individual sample shall be proportional to the discharge flow rate at the time of
sampling. The sampling period shall equal the discharge period, or 24 hours,
whichever period is shorter.
GENERAL PROVISIONS -2- SEPTEMBER 1, 1994
2. OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
a. Sample Results
Pursuant to California Water Code Section 13267(b), the discharger shall maintain all
sampling and analytical results including: strip charts; date, exact place, and time of
sampling; date analyses were performed; sample collector's name; analyst's name;
analytical techniques used; and results of all analyses. Such records shall be retained
for a minimum of three years. This period of retention shall be extended during the
course of any unresolved litigation regarding this discharge, or when requested by the
Regional Board.
b. Operational Log
Pursuant to California Water Code Section 13267(b), an operation and maintenance
log shall be maintained at the facility. All monitoring and reporting data shall be
recorded in a permanent log book.
3. REPORTING
a. For every item where the requirements are not met, the discharger shall submit a
statement of the actions undertaken or proposed which will bring the discharge into
full compliance with requirements at the earliest time, and shall submit a timetable for
correction.
b. Pursuant to California Water Code Section 13267(b), all sampling and analytical
results shall be made available to the Regional Board upon request. Results shall be
retained for a minimum of three years. This period of retention shall be extended
during the course of any unresolved litigation regarding this discharge, or when
requested by the Regional Board.
c. The discharger shall provide a brief summary of any operational problems and
maintenance activities to the Board with each monitoring report. Any modifications or
additions to, or any major maintenance conducted on, or any major problems
occurring to the wastewater conveyance system, treatment facilities, or disposal
facilities shall be included in this summary.
d. Monitoring reports shall be signed by:
i. In the case of a corporation, by a principal executive officer at least of the level
of vice-president or his duly authorized representative, if such representative is
responsible for the overall operation of the facility from which the discharge
originates;
ii. In the case of a partnership, by a general partner;
iii. In the case of a sole proprietorship,by the proprietor; or
GENERAL PROVISIONS -3- SEPTEMBER 1, 1994
iv. In the case of a municipal, state or other public facility, by either a principal
executive officer, ranking elected official, or other duly authorized employee.
e. Monitoring reports are to include the following:
i. Name and telephone number of individual who can answer questions about the
report.
ii. The Monitoring and Reporting Program Number.
iii. WDID Number.
f. Modifications
This Monitoring and Reporting Program may be modified at the discretion of the
Regional Board Executive Officer.
4. NONCOMPLIANCE
Under Section 13268 of the Water Code, any person failing or refusing to furnish technical or
monitoring reports, or falsifying any information provided therein, is guilty of a misdemeanor
and may be liable civilly in an amount of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each day of
violation.
CALIFORNIA REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD
LAHONTAN REGION
BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-75
NPDES NO. CA G916001
WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS
FOR
UPDATED NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PERMIT FOR
SURFACE WATER DISPOSAL OF TREATED GROUND WATER
____________________________________Lahontan Region_________________________________
The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lahontan Region (Regional Board), finds:
1. Justification for the General Permit
Numerous unauthorized releases of petroleum product and chlorinated hydrocarbon pollutants
have impacted ground waters of the Lahontan Region. Releases occur from leaking
underground and aboveground fuel tanks and other unauthorized discharges.
Several treatment technologies currently employed for remediation include the extraction and
aboveground treatment of ground water. Such methods may include disposal to nearby surface
waters.
The discharge of water from a ground water treatment unit to navigable waters is a discharge of
waste that could affect the quality of the waters of the United States. This Permit covers the
discharge of treated water from cleanups of pollution, other than through a community
wastewater collection and treatment facility, to surface waters of the United States.
40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 122.28 provides for the issuance of general permits to
regulate discharges of waste which are generated from similar sources. On September 22, 1989,
the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the State Water Resources
Control Board (SWRCB) entered into a memorandum of agreement which authorized and
established procedures for the SWRCB and the Regional Boards to issue general National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits in accordance with 40 CFR 122.28.
2. Issuance of the General Permit
The responsible party(ies) and property owner, or solely the property owner, are considered as
"Discharger" for the purposes of this Permit.
UPDATED NATIONAL POLLUTANT -2- WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-75
PERMIT FOR SURFACE WATER DISPOSAL NPDES NO. CA G916001
OF TREATED GROUND WATER
An NPDES application must be filed by the Discharger for each proposed discharge to be
covered by this Permit. The application must include an appropriate filing fee. Information
necessary to support the application is listed in a separate document titled Information to
Support Discharge of Treated Ground Water to Surface Waters (Application). This document
may be obtained from either Regional Board Office.
This Permit shall only apply to Dischargers to whom a Notice of Applicability (NOA) has been
issued by the Executive Officer. A NOA must be issued for each proposed discharge.
3. Wastewater Description
The primary pollutants covered by this Permit are petroleum product and chlorinated
hydrocarbon constituents. Petroleum hydrocarbon constituents include total petroleum
hydrocarbons measured as gasoline, diesel, kerosene, fuel oil, and heavier carbon ranges;
benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes; methyl-tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE); tetraethyl lead;
and, ethylene dibromide. Chlorinated hydrocarbon constituents include trichloroethene and
tetrachlorothene and their secondary degradation products. Other constituents may be present in
the polluted water to be treated. A complete list of constituents covered by this Permit are
included in the Discharge Specification section of the Permit.
4. Water Quality Control Plan
The Regional Board adopted Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (Basin Plan),
on March 31, 1995. This Permit implements this Plan, as amended.
The SWRCB has adopted a Water Quality Plan for the Lake Tahoe Basin. This Plan contains
water quality objectives for all waters of the Lake Tahoe Basin. This Permit implements the
Lake Tahoe Plan.
The Basin Plan contains prohibitions for the discharge of waste to surface waters in the
following areas of the Lahontan Region:
i. Surprise Valley, Eagle Lake, Madeline Plains, and the Honey Lake Hydrologic
Unit.
ii. Truckee River, Lake Tahoe, East and West Fork Carson River, and East and
West Fork Walker River Hydrologic Unit.
iii. Glenshire and Devonshire subdivisions.
iv. Mono - Owens Planning Unit
UPDATED NATIONAL POLLUTANT -3- WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-75
PERMIT FOR SURFACE WATER DISPOSAL NPDES NO. CA G916001
OF TREATED GROUND WATER
(1) Mill Creek and Lee Vining Creek Watersheds
(2) Rush Creek Watershed above the outlet from Grant Lake
(3) The Owens River and tributaries upstream of Crowley Lake above
elevation 7,200 feet
(4) The Owens River and Tributaries downstream of Crowley Lake above
elevation 5,000 feet
(5) Mammoth Creek Watershed above elevation 7,650 feet, including the
drainage area of the community of Mammoth Lakes
(6) Inyo County Service Area No. 1, including Assessment Districts No. 1
and No. 2, Rocking K subdivision, and City of Bishop
v. Antelope Valley Planning Area
(1) The Antelope Hydrologic Unit above elevation 3,500 feet
vi. Mojave River Planning Area
(1) The Mojave Hydrologic Unit above elevation 3,200 feet
(2) Silver Lake Watershed
(3) Deep Creek Watershed above elevation 3,200 feet
(4) Grass Valley Creek Watershed above elevation 3,200 feet
(5) Area North of State Highway 18 within the area commonly known as
Apple Valley Desert Knolls
Certain exemptions may apply.
5. Beneficial Uses
The beneficial uses of ground waters within the Lahontan Region as designated in the Basin Plan
are:
a. municipal and domestic supply
b. industrial service supply
c. agricultural supply
d. freshwater replenishment
UPDATED NATIONAL POLLUTANT -4- WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-75
PERMIT FOR SURFACE WATER DISPOSAL NPDES NO. CA G916001
OF TREATED GROUND WATER
These beneficial uses apply to all ground waters of the Region except where lesser beneficial
uses are designated in the Basin Plan.
The beneficial uses of surface waters in the Lahontan Region as designated in the Basin Plan
are:
a. municipal and domestic supply
b. agricultural supply
c. industrial service supply
d. ground water recharge
e. water contact recreation
f. non-contact water recreation
g. warm freshwater habitat
h. cold freshwater habitat
i. wildlife habitat
j. inland saline water habitat
k. hydropower generation
l. rare, threatened or endangered species
m. freshwater replenishment
n. industrial process supply
o. navigation
p. commercial and sportsfishing
q. aquaculture
r. preservation of biological habitats of special significance
s. migration of aquatic organisms
t. spawning, reproduction, and development
u. water quality enhancement
v. flood peak attenuation / flood water storage
These beneficial uses apply to surface waters of the Lahontan Region except where lesser
beneficial uses are designated in the Basin Plan.
6. Discharge Prohibition Exemption
The proposed discharges covered by this Permit are waters that are treated by methods to
achieve nondetectable contaminant concentrations. The discharge specifications of this Order
contain a 30-day median effluent limit of less than laboratory detection limits and a daily
maximum value that is protective of water quality objectives. The discharge allowed by this
General Permit will not individually or collectively, directly or indirectly, affect water quality or
result in a pollution or nuisance. Therefore, the proposed discharges may be granted an
exemption to the above discharge prohibitions where such exemptions are allowed for in the
Basin Plan.
UPDATED NATIONAL POLLUTANT -5- WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-75
PERMIT FOR SURFACE WATER DISPOSAL NPDES NO. CA G916001
OF TREATED GROUND WATER
7. Established Water Quality Standards
SWRCB Resolution No. 68-16
SWRCB Resolution No. 68-16 is a part of the Basin Plan for the Lahontan Region and describes
a nondegradation policy for the waters of the State. Man-made fuel and solvent constituents are
not naturally occurring, and thus pre-existing background concentrations of these constituents
are considered nondetectable (below current analytical laboratory detection limits) in waters of
the Region.
Existing Best Practicable Treatment (BPT) for the treatment of organic constituents in polluted
water is capable of reliably removing most man-made constituents to nondetectable levels. The
commonly achieved detection limits for these constituents in treated water are as follows:
Constituent
Total Petroleum
Hydrocarbons
Benzene
Toluene
Xylene
Ethylbenzyne
Total Lead
Naphthalene
Methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE)
Ethylene Dichloride (EDB)
1,2 Dichloroethane
(1,2 DCA)
Trichloroethane (1,1,1 TCA)
Tetrachloroethene (PCE)
Trichloroethene (TCE)
Trans-1,2 Dichloroethene
(Trans-1,2 DCE)
Cis-1,2 Dichloroethene
(Cis-1,2 DCE)
1,1 Dichloroethene
(1,1 DCE)
1,1 Dichloroethane
(1,1 DCA)
1,1,2 Trichloroethane
(1,1,2 TCA)
Detection
Level Units
50 g/l
0.1 g/l
0.5 g/l
0.5 g/l
0.5 g/l
1.0 g/l
0.5 g/l
1.0 g/l
0.02 g/l
0.5 g/l
0.5 g/l
0.5 g/l
0.5 g/l
0.5 g/l
0.5 g/l
0.5 g/l
0.5 g/l
0.5 g/l
Analytical
Methods*
EPA Method 8015
(C
2
- C
46
)
EPA Method 602
EPA Method 602
EPA Method 602
EPA Method 602
Graphite Furnace AA
EPA 610
EPA 8020 or 8260
DHS-AB1803
EPA 601
EPA 601
EPA 601
EPA 601
EPA 601
EPA 601
EPA 601
EPA 601
EPA 601
Vinyl Chloride 0.5 g/l EPA 601
UPDATED NATIONAL POLLUTANT -6- WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-75
PERMIT FOR SURFACE WATER DISPOSAL NPDES NO. CA G916001
OF TREATED GROUND WATER
* Alternative analytical methods that provide equivalent detection limits may be proposed
in the NPDES Permit application or site specific Sampling and Analysis Plan.
Primary Drinking Water Standards
The State of California and/or the USEPA have set primary drinking water standards for the
following hydrocarbon constituents as follows:
Constituent Level Units Consideration
EDB 0.02 g/l Primary State of CA MCL
1,2 DCA 0.50 g/l Primary State of CA MCL
Total Lead 15 g/l Primary State of CA MCL
Benzene 1.0 g/l Primary State of CA MCL
Toluene 100 g/l Primary State of CA MCL
Xylenes 680 g/l Primary State of CA MCL
Ethylbenzene 1760 g/l Primary State of CA MCL
MTBE 14 g/l Draft State of CA PHG
PCE 5 g/l Primary State of CA MCL
TCE 5 g/l Primary State of CA MCL
1,1,1 TCA 200 g/l Primary State of CA MCL
trans-1,2 DCE 10 g/l Primary State of CA MCL
cis-1,2 DCE 6 g/l Primary State of CA MCL
1,1 DCE 6 g/l Primary State of CA MCL
1,1 DCA 5 g/l Primary State of CA MCL
1,1,2 TCA 32 g/l Primary State of CA MCL
Vinyl Chloride 0.5 ug/l Primary State of CA MCL
Secondary Drinking Water Standards
The State of California has set secondary drinking water standards for taste and odor of all
constituents at a maximum contaminant level of three threshold odor units (TOU), Section
64473, Title 22, of the California Code of Regulations. The Federal EPA has proposed
secondary drinking water standards for a select group of constituents based on a three TOU
concentration (Federal Register, Vol. 54, No. 97, pp. 22138, 22139). The following proposed
secondary standards are lower than or equal to the primary drinking water standards set for
these constituents by the State of California.
Constituent Level Units Consideration
Total Petroleum 50 g/l Taste and Odor
Hydrocarbons (C
2
-C
15
)
Total Petroleum 100 g/l Taste and Odor
Hydrocarbons (C
16
-C
46
)
UPDATED NATIONAL POLLUTANT -7- WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-75
PERMIT FOR SURFACE WATER DISPOSAL NPDES NO. CA G916001
OF TREATED GROUND WATER
Constituent Level Units Consideration
Toluene 42 g/l Taste and Odor
Ethylbenzene 29 g/l Taste and Odor
Total Xylenes 17 g/l Taste and Odor
MTBE 5 g/l Proposed Taste and Odor
EPA Health Advisory Levels
The USEPA has established Health Advisory levels for selected petroleum product constituents
in ground water as follows:
Constituent Level Units Consideration
Naphthalene 20 g/l Health Advisory
MTBE 35 g/l Health Advisory
8. Antidegradation Policy
The Regional Board has considered antidegradation pursuant to 40 CFR 131.12 and SWRCB
Resolution No. 68-16 and finds that the subject discharges are consistent with the provisions of
these policies. An antidegradation analysis is not necessary for this Permit. Discharges not
consistent with the provisions of these policies and regulations are not covered by this general
Permit.
9. Clean Water Act
Effluent limitations, toxic, and pretreatment effluent standards established pursuant to Sections
301, 302, 304, and 307 of the Clean Water Act and amendments thereto are applicable to the
discharge.
10. California Environmental Quality Act Compliance
The action to adopt an NPDES Permit is exempt from the provisions of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code Section 21000, it seq.) in
accordance with Section 13389 of the California Water Code and Section 15263 of the CEQA.
11. Notification of Interested Parties
The Regional Board has notified interested agencies and persons of its intent to adopt the
General NPDES Permit.
UPDATED NATIONAL POLLUTANT -8- WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-75
PERMIT FOR SURFACE WATER DISPOSAL NPDES NO. CA G916001
OF TREATED GROUND WATER
12. Consideration of Public Comments
The Regional Board, in a public hearing, heard and considered all comments pertaining to the
General NPDES Permit.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Discharger shall comply with the following:
I. DISCHARGE SPECIFICATIONS
A. Effluent/Discharge Limitations
Numerical effluent limitations listed below include 30-day median and daily maximum
values. Thirty-day median concentration limits listed below are based on what is
achievable by Best Practicable Treatment (BPT). BPT for petroleum and chlorinated
hydrocarbon constituents is capable of reliably treating to below laboratory detection
limits. Daily maximum values are based on established water quality standards which are
protective of beneficial uses of ground and surface waters of the Lahontan Region.
Thirty-day median values are to be calculated based on the analytical results of samples
obtained over 30 successive days ("running 30-day median"). A sufficient number of
samples must be collected and analyzed to demonstrate compliance with the effluent
limitations.
Discharge Specifications of this Permit list the 30-day median effluent limitations of
specific constituents to be monitored are listed in the NOA issued to the Discharger.
If the analytical results of effluent sampling indicate a detectable concentration of a
constituent that is listed in the NOA, then sufficient samples must be collected and
analyzed during the ensuing 30 days to demonstrate compliance with the 30-day median
effluent limitations. The running 30-day median time frame shall begin the day the
sample containing a detectable concentration was collected. Any detected concentration
above a daily maximum value listed in this Permit is a violation of the Permit.
1. The discharge of an effluent in excess of the following limits is prohibited. All
samples of effluent are to be single grab samples.
30-day Daily
Constituents Units Median Maximum
Total Petroleum g/l <50 100
Hydrocarbons (C
2
-C
46
)
Benzene g/l <0.50 1.0
Toluene g/l <0.50 42.0
Ethylbenzene g/l <0.50 29.0
UPDATED NATIONAL POLLUTANT -9- WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-75
PERMIT FOR SURFACE WATER DISPOSAL NPDES NO. CA G916001
OF TREATED GROUND WATER
30-day Daily
Constituents Units Median Maximum
Total Xylenes g/l <0.50 17.0
Total Lead g/l <1.0* 15.0
Naphthalene g/l <0.5 20
MTBE g/l <1.0 35
EDB g/l <0.02 0.02
1,2 DCA g/l <0.50 0.50
1,1,1 TCA g/l <0.50 200
PCE g/l <0.50 5.0
TCE g/l <0.50 5.0
Trans-1,2 DCE g/l <0.50 10
Cis-1,2 DCE g/l <0.50 6
1,1 DCE g/l <0.50 6
1,1 DCA g/l <0.50 5
1,1,2 TCA g/l <0.50 32
vinyl chloride ug/l <0.50 0.50
* This 30-day median limit could be set above 1.0 g/l if the Discharger can
demonstrate in the NPDES Permit Application that background Total Lead
concentrations in the receiving water are greater than 1.0 g/l. Any 30-day
median limit allowed above 1.0 g/l will be listed in the NOA. All samples for
total lead are to be filtered samples.
2. The discharge shall not have a pH of less than 6.5 nor greater than 8.5.
3. There shall be no acute or chronic toxicity in undiluted effluent. Acute toxicity is
defined as less than ninety percent survival fifty percent of the time, and less than
seventy percent survival ten percent of the time. The tests shall be conducted
using standard test organisms in undiluted effluent in 96-hour static or continuous
flow tests. Chronic toxicity shall be in accordance with and as defined in Short-
Term Methods for Estimating the Chronic Toxicity of Effluent and Receiving
Waters to Freshwater Organisms, EPA-600/4-85-014.
B. Receiving Water Limitations
1. The discharge shall not cause the presence of the following substances or
conditions in a receiving water:
a. Concentrations of dissolved oxygen to fall below 7.0 mg/l. If background
dissolved oxygen of the receiving water is less than 7.0 mg/l, then the
discharge shall not depress the natural dissolved oxygen concentration.
UPDATED NATIONAL POLLUTANT -10- WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-75
PERMIT FOR SURFACE WATER DISPOSAL NPDES NO. CA G916001
OF TREATED GROUND WATER
b. Oils, greases, waxes, or other materials to form a visible film or coating
on the water or ground surface.
c. Oils, greases, waxes, floating material (liquids, solids, foams, and scums)
or suspended material to create a nuisance or adversely affect beneficial
uses.
d. Toxic substances in concentrations that produce detrimental physiological
responses in human, plant, animal, aquatic life.
e. Aesthetically undesirable discoloration.
f. Fungi, slimes, or other objectionable growths.
g. Turbidity to increase to more than 10 percent of background levels,
and/or to levels toxic to natural flora and/or fauna.
h. The normal ambient pH to fall below 6.5, exceed 8.5, change by more
than 1.0 units, or change to a level that is toxic to the natural flora and/or
fauna.
i. Deposition of material that causes nuisance or adversely affects beneficial
uses.
j. The normal ambient temperature to be altered more than five degrees
Fahrenheit.
k. Radionuclides to be present in concentrations that are harmful to human,
plant, animal, or aquatic life, or that results in the accumulation of
radionuclides in the food web to an extent that presents a hazard to
human, plant, animal, or aquatic life.
l. Concentrations of radionuclides in excess of the maximum contaminant
levels specified in the California Code of Regulations, Title 22.
m. Taste or odor-producing substances to impart undesirable tastes or odors
to fish flesh or other edible products of aquatic origin, or to cause
nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses.
n. Violation of any applicable water quality standard for receiving waters
adopted by the Regional Board or the SWRCB pursuant to the Clean
Water Act and regulations adopted thereunder.
UPDATED NATIONAL POLLUTANT -11- WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-75
PERMIT FOR SURFACE WATER DISPOSAL NPDES NO. CA G916001
OF TREATED GROUND WATER
C. General Requirements and Discharge Prohibitions
1. All discharges covered by this Permit shall be limited to treated water from the
investigation and remediation of identified or potential ground water pollution.
This Permit shall apply only to discharges that meet the following conditions.
a. The identified pollutants have effluent limitations prescribed in this
general Permit;
b. The treatment system is capable of reliably meeting all prescribed effluent
limitations in this general Permit; and
c. The general water quality of the discharge is of equal to or better water
quality than that of the receiving water. General water quality is to be
determined as part of the Permit application process.
2. There shall be no discharge, bypass, or diversion of polluted or partially treated
water, sludge, grease, oils, purge water, development water, or pump test water
from the collection, transport, or disposal facilities to adjacent land areas or
surface waters.
3. The discharge shall not cause a pollution as defined in Section 13050 of the
California Water Code, or a threatened pollution.
4. Neither the treatment nor the discharge shall cause a nuisance as defined in
Section 13050 of the California Water Code.
5. The discharge of treated wastewater except to the disposal point(s) authorized in
the NOA is prohibited.
6. The discharge shall not cause erosion of sediments.
II. PROVISIONS
A. Discharge Prohibitions
Discharges regulated by this Order are hereby exempt from the Discharge Prohibitions
described in the Basin Plan where the Basin Plan provides for such exemptions.
UPDATED NATIONAL POLLUTANT -12- WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-75
PERMIT FOR SURFACE WATER DISPOSAL NPDES NO. CA G916001
OF TREATED GROUND WATER
B. Standard Provisions
The Discharger shall comply with the "Standard Provisions for NPDES Permits," in
Attachment "A," which is made part of this Permit.
C. Monitoring and Reporting
1. Pursuant to the California Water Code Section 13267(b), the Discharger shall
comply with the Monitoring and Reporting Program No. 93-104 as specified by
the Executive Officer.
2. The Discharger shall comply with the "General Provisions for Monitoring and
Reporting," dated September 1, 1994, which is attached to and made part of the
Monitoring and Reporting Program.
D. Applicability
1. Wastewater remediated by the treatment unit may typically be generated from the
following sources during the investigation and/or remediation of ground water
pollution:
a. Ground water extracted from the underlying aquifer as part of the ground
water remediation process.
b. Potentially polluted ground water generated during aquifer pump tests.
c. Potentially polluted well development water or purge water generated
during ground water monitoring.
d. Other waste water generated during site investigations or cleanups.
2. This Permit does not pre-empt or supersede the authority of other agencies to
prohibit, restrict, or control the discharge of treated ground water.
3. When individual Waste Discharge Requirements are issued to a Discharger
otherwise subject to this Permit, the applicability of this Permit to the Discharger
is automatically terminated on the effective date of the individual Permit.
UPDATED NATIONAL POLLUTANT -13- WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-75
PERMIT FOR SURFACE WATER DISPOSAL NPDES NO. CA G916001
OF TREATED GROUND WATER
4. Discharges currently regulated under an existing NPDES Permit shall continue to
be regulated by the existing Permit until its expiration. At least 180 days prior to
expiration of the existing Permit, the Discharger shall file a revised Report of
Waste Discharge (RWD). The Discharger shall be subject to the requirements of
this general Permit only after a NOA has been issued by the Executive Officer.
E. Expiration Date
This general Permit expires on November 6, 2003. However, the general Permit shall
continue in force and effective until a new general Permit is issued.
F. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
This Permit shall become the NPDES Permit pursuant to Section 402 of the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act or amendments thereto upon its adoption by the Regional
Board.
The NPDES Permit becomes effective 10 days after adoption by the Regional Board
provided no objection from the USEPA has been received. If the Regional Administrator
objects to its issuance, the Permit shall not become effective until such objection is
withdrawn.
G. Definitions
"Waste" as used in this Permit includes, but is not limited to, any waste or waste
constituent as defined in Section 13050 of the California Water Code, or Section 2601,
Article 10, Chapter 15, Title 23, of the California Code of Regulations.
H. Operation and Maintenance
The Discharger shall not allow pollutant-free wastewater to be discharged into the
collection, treatment, and disposal system in amounts that significantly diminish the
system's capability to comply with this Permit. Pollutant-free wastewater may include
rainfall, ground water, surface water, cooling waters, and condensates.
I. Notifications of Modifications
1. At least 180 days prior to making any change in the method of treatment or other
factors which may affect the quality of the discharge, discharge point (Outfall),
place of use, purpose of use of the wastewater, the Discharger shall file a new
RWD/NPDES application. Any change in the character of the influent shall be
reported to the Regional Board within 48 hours.
_____________________________________
UPDATED NATIONAL POLLUTANT -14- WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM BOARD ORDER NO. 6-98-75
PERMIT FOR SURFACE WATER DISPOSAL NPDES NO. CA G916001
OF TREATED GROUND WATER
2. In the event of any change in control or ownership of land or waste discharge
facilities presently owned or controlled by the Discharger, the Discharger shall
notify the succeeding owner or operator of the existence of this Permit by letter.
A copy of this letter should be immediately forwarded to this office.
3. The Discharger shall notify the Regional Board within 30 days when the clean-up
activities are complete or the discharge will no longer occur. At that time the
Executive Officer will consider withdrawal of the NOA. Once the NOA is
withdrawn, the discharge will no longer be covered by this Permit and no
discharge may occur prior to compliance with provisions of the California Water
Code.
I, Harold J. Singer, Executive Officer, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true, and correct
copy of an NPDES Permit adopted by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lahontan
Region, on November 5, 1998.
HAROLD J. SINGER
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Attachments: Standard Provisions for Waste Discharge Requirements
Nov98\npdes98.gen
STANDARD PROVISIONS FOR NPDES PERMITS
1. The permittee must comply with all of the terms, requirements, and conditions of this
permit. Any violation of this permit constitutes violation of the Act, its regulations and the
California Water Code, and is grounds or enforcement action, permit termination, permit
revocation, and reissuance, denial of an application for permit reissuance; or a combination
thereof.
2. The permittee shall comply with effluent standards or prohibitions established under
307(a) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) for toxic pollutants within the time provided in the
regulations that establish these standards or prohibitions, even if this permit has not yet
been modified to incorporate the requirement. [40 CFR 122.41(a)(1)]
The California Water Code provides that any person who violates a waste discharge
requirement (same as permit condition), or a provision of the California Water Code, is
subject to civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day or $10,000 per day of violation, or when
the violation involves the discharge of pollutants, is subject to civil penalties of up to $10
per gallon per day or $20 per gallon per day of violation; or some combination thereof,
depending on the violation, or upon the combination of violations.*
Violations of any of the provisions of the NPDES program, or of any of the provisions of
this permit, may subject the violator to any of the penalties described herein, or any
combination thereof, at the discretion of the prosecuting authority; except that only one
kind of penalty may be applied for each kind of violation.*
3. The Clean Water Act (CWA) provides that any person who violates a permit condition
implementing sections 301, 302, 306, 307, or 308 of the CWA is subject to a civil penalty
not to exceed $10,000 per day of such violation. Any person who willfully or negligently
violates permit conditions implementing these sections of the CWA is subject to a fine of
not less than $2,500, nor more than $25,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment for
not more than 1 year, or both. [40 CFR 122.41(a)(2)]
4. If the permittee wishes to continue an activity regulated by this permit after the expiration
date of this permit, the permittee must apply for and obtain a new permit. [40 CFR
122.41(b)]
5. It shall not be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement action that it would have been
necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain compliance with the
conditions of this permit. [40 CFR 122.41(c)]
6. The permittee shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or prevent any discharge that has
a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting health or the environment. [40 CFR
122.41(d)]
7. The permittee shall, at all times, properly operate and maintain all the facilities and systems
of treatment and control (and related appurtenances) that are installed or used by the
permittee to achieve compliance with this permit. Proper operation and maintenance
includes adequate laboratory controls, and appropriate quality assurance procedures. This
provision requires the operation of backup or auxiliary facilities, or similar systems that are
installed by a permittee only when necessary to achieve compliance with the conditions of
this permit. [40 CFR 122.41(e)]
STANDARD PROVISIONS 2 ATTACHMENT A
NPDES PERMITS
8. This permit 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. [CFR 122.41(g)]
9. This permit does not convey any property rights of any sort, or any exclusive privilege.
[40 CFR 122.41(f)]
10. The permittee shall furnish, within a reasonable time, any information the Board or EPA
may request to determine whether cause exists for modifying, revoking and reissuing, or
terminating this permit. The permittee shall also furnish to the Board, upon request, copies
of records required to be kept by this permit. [40 CFR 122.41(h)]
11. The Board, EPA, and other authorized representatives shall be allowed:
a) Entry upon premises where a regulated facility or activity is located or conducted,
or where records are kept under the conditions of this permit;
b) Access to copy any records that are kept under the conditions of this permit;
c) To inspect any facility, equipment (including monitoring and control equipment),
practices, or operations regulated or required under this permit; and
d) To photograph, sample, and monitor for the purpose of assuring compliance with
this permit, or as otherwise authorized by the Clean Water Act.
[40 CFR 122.41(j)]
12. Monitoring and records.
a) Samples and measurements taken for the purpose of monitoring shall be
representative of the monitored activity.
b) The permittee shall retain records of all monitoring information, including all
calibration and maintenance monitoring instrumentation, copies of all reports
required by this permit, and records of all data used to complete the application for
this permit, for a period of at least three years from the date of the sample,
measurement, report, or application. This period may be extended by request of
the Regional Board or EPA at any time.
c) Records of monitoring information shall include:
i) The date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurements;
ii) The individual(s) who performed the sampling or measurements;
iii) The date(s) analyses were performed;
iv) The individual(s) who performed the analyses;
v) The analytical techniques or methods used; and
vi) The results of such analyses.
d) Monitoring must be conducted according to test procedures under 40 CFR Part
136, unless other test procedures have been specified in this permit.
e) The Clean Water Act provides that any person who falsifies, tampers with, or
knowingly renders inaccurate any monitoring device, or method required to be
STANDARD PROVISIONS 3 ATTACHMENT A
NPDES PERMITS
maintained under this permit shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not
more than $10,000 per violation, or by imprisonment for not more than six months
per violation, or by both.
[40 CFR 122.41(j)]
13. All applications, reports, or information submitted to the Board shall be signed and
certified in accordance with 40 CFR 122.22. [40 CFR 122.41(k)(l)]
14. The CWA provides that any person who knowingly makes any false statement,
representation, or certification in any record or other document submitted or required to
be maintained under this permit, including monitoring reports or reports of compliance or
noncompliance shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000 per
violation, or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months per violation, or by both. [40
CFR 122.41(k)(2)]
15. Reporting requirements:
a) The permittee shall give advance notice to the Board, as soon as possible of, any
planned physical alterations, or additions to the permitted facility.
b) The permittee shall give advance notice to the Regional Board of any planned
changes in the permitted facility or activity that may result in noncompliance with
permit requirements.
c) This permit is not transferable to any person, except after
notice to the Regional Board. The Board may require
modification, or revocation and reissuance of the permit to
change the name of the permittee, and incorporate such other
requirements as may be necessary under the Clean Water Act.
d) Monitoring results shall be reported at the intervals specified
elsewhere in this permit.
i) Monitoring results must be reported in a Discharge
Monitoring Report (DMR).
ii) If the permittee monitors any pollutant more frequently
than required by this permit using test procedures
approved under 40 CFR Part 136 or as specified in this
permit, the results of this monitoring shall be included
in the calculation and reporting of the data submitted
in the DMR.
iii) Calculations for all limitations that require averaging of
measurements shall utilize an arithmetic mean unless
otherwise specified in this permit.
e) Report of compliance or noncompliance with, or any progress
reports on interim and final requirements contained in any
compliance schedule of this permit shall be submitted no later
than 14 days following each schedule date.
STANDARD PROVISIONS 4 ATTACHMENT A
NPDES PERMITS
f) Twenty-four hour reporting.
i) The permittee shall report any noncompliance that may
endanger health or the environment to the Board. Any
information shall be provided orally within 24 hours
from the time the permittee becomes aware of the
circumstances. A written submission shall also be
provided within five days of the time the permittee
becomes aware of the circumstances. The written
submission shall contain a description of the
noncompliance and its cause; the period of
noncompliance, including exact dates and time 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.
ii) The following shall be included as information that
must be report within 24 hours under this paragraph:
a) Any unanticipated bypass that exceeds any
effluent limitation in the permit.
b) Any upset that exceeds any effluent limitation
in the permit.
c) Violation of a maximum daily discharge
limitation for any of the pollutants listed in this
permit to be reported within 24 hours.
iii) The Board may waive the above-required written
report on a case-by-case basis.
g) The permittee shall report all instances of noncompliance, not
otherwise reported under the above paragraphs, at the time
monitoring reports are submitted. The reports shall contain all
information listed in paragraph 15(f) above.
[40 CFR 122.41(1)]
16. Bypass (the intentional diversion of waste streams from any portion of
facility) is prohibited. The Board may take enforcement action against
the Discharger for bypass unless:
a) Bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal
injury, or severe property damage. (Severe property damage
means substantial physical damage to property, damage to the
treatment facilities that causes them to become inoperable, or
substantial and permanent loss of natural resources that 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.);
b) There were no feasible alternatives to bypass, such as the use
of auxiliary treatment facilities, retention of untreated waste,
or maintenance during normal periods of equipment down
time. This condition is not satisfied if adequate back-up
STANDARD PROVISIONS 5 ATTACHMENT A
NPDES PERMITS
equipment should have been installed in the exercise of
reasonable engineering judgment to prevent a bypass that
could occur during normal periods of equipment downtime or
preventive maintenance; and
c) The permittee submitted a notice, at least ten days in advance,
of the need for a bypass to the appropriate Board.
The permittee may allow a bypass to occur that does not cause
effluent limitations to be exceeded, but only if it is for essential
maintenance to assure efficient operation. In such a case, the above
bypass conditions are not applicable.
The permittee shall submit notice of an unanticipated bypass as
required in paragraph 15(f) above.
[40 CFR 122.41(m)]
17. Upset means an exceptional incident in which there is unintentional and temporary
noncompliance with 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 action. A permittee that wishes to
establish the affirmative defense of an upset in an action brought for noncompliance shall
demonstrate, through signed, contemporaneous operating logs, or other relevant evidence
that:
a) an upset occurred and that the permittee can identify the
cause(s) of the upset;
b) the permitted facility was being properly operated at the time
of the upset;
c) the permittee submitted notice of the upset as required in
paragraph 15(f) above; and
d) the permittee complied with any remedial measures required
under paragraph 7.
No determination made before an action for noncompliance, such as
during administrative review of claims that noncompliance was caused
by an upset, is final administrative action subject to judicial review.
In any enforcement proceeding, the permittee seeking to establish the
occurrence of an upset has the burden of proof.
[40 CFR 122.41(n)]
18. All existing manufacturing, commercial, mining, and silvicultural
dischargers must notify the Board as soon as they know or have
reason to believe:
a) that any activity has occurred or will occur that would result
in the discharge of any toxic pollutant that is not limited in this
STANDARD PROVISIONS 6 ATTACHMENT A
NPDES PERMITS
permit, if that discharge will exceed the highest of the
following "notification levels:"
i) One hundred micrograms per liter (100 ug/l);
ii) Two hundred micrograms per liter (200 ug/l) for
acrolein and acrylonitrile; five hundred micrograms per
liter (500 ug/l) for 2,4-dinitrophenol and
2-methyl-4,6-dinitrophenol; and one milligram per liter
(1 mg/l) for antimony;
iii) Five (5) times the maximum concentration value
reported for that pollutant in the permit application; or
iv) The level established by the Regional Board in
accordance with 40 CFR 122.44(f).
b) that they have begun or expect to begin to use or manufacture
as an intermediate or final product or byproduct any toxic
pollutant that was not reported in the permit application.
[40 CFR 122.42(a)]
* This paragraph was added or modified by the State Water Quality Control Board to the
California Water Code.
CALIFORNIA REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD
LAHONTAN REGION
MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM NO. 98-75
NPDES NO. CA G916001
FOR
UPDATED NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
PERMIT FOR SURFACE WATER DISPOSAL OF TREATED GROUND WATER
_________________________________Lahontan Region_______________________________
I. MONITORING
The Information to Support Discharge of Treated Ground Water to Surface Waters
(Application) necessitates the submittal of laboratory analytical data from samples
collected from ground water monitoring wells within the ground water pollution plume or
are otherwise representative of waters to be treated and discharged according to the
General Permit. Based on these analysis, the final Report of Waste Discharge (RWD)
should indicate all constituents of concern (COCs) that will be treated by the water
treatment system.
The following Influent, Effluent, and Receiving Water Monitoring schedules detail
sampling frequency. Constituents to be sampled for will be listed in the Notice of
Applicability (NOA). Under certain adverse conditions, more frequent sampling is
required if it is appropriate. An adverse condition is defined as any problem which does or
could affect treatment facility compliance or efficiency. If at any time the system is shut
down for a continuous time period greater than 60 days, the influent, effluent, and
receiving water monitoring programs and toxicity testing must be reinitiated unless
otherwise specifically approved by the Executive Officer.
A. Treatment Facility Startup Monitoring
Prior to disposal of any treatment effluent, the Discharger shall conduct startup
monitoring to confirm that the treatment unit will produce effluent that complies
with standards prescribed in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) Permit. During startup monitoring, the Discharger shall direct the
treatment unit discharge to a temporary, impervious storage container. Startup
monitoring shall be conducted until two consistent, consecutive sample results
indicate that the treatment system effluent has stabilized and is in compliance with
the Permit. Samples shall be collected a minimum of twelve and a maximum of 72
hours apart. Only treatment unit effluent is required to be analyzed during startup
monitoring. Any treatment unit discharge that does not meet discharge
specifications for effluent shall not be discharged to surface waters.
UPDATED NATIONAL POLLUTANT -2- MONITORING AND REPORTING
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PROGRAM NO. 98-75
PERMIT FOR SURFACE WATER DISPOSAL NPDES NO. CA G916001
OF TREATED GROUND WATER
B. Flow Monitoring
The following information shall be recorded in a permanent log book:
1. The total volume, in gallons, of wastewater flow to the treatment facility
for each day.
2. The total volume, in gallons, of wastewater flow to the treatment facility
each month.
3. The average flow rate, in gallons per day, of wastewater flow to the
treatment facility for each month.
4. The total volume of wastewater discharged from the treatment facility each
month.
C. Treatment Facility Influent Monitoring
The purpose of the required influent monitoring is to verify the efficiency of the
treatment system. Influent samples shall be collected after the last connection and
before the wastes enter the treatment system. Influent samples should be
representative of the volume and nature of the influent. Time of collection for grab
samples must be discretely recorded. Specific constituents to be monitored shall
be named in the NOA.
The minimum sampling frequency shall be as follows:
1. During the first two months of treatment unit operation, influent samples
shall be collected on the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 42nd, and 56th
days of operation.
2. During the third to sixth month, influent sampling shall be conducted every
30 days.
3. Thereafter, influent sampling shall be conducted every 90 days.
Sampling shall be conducted at a minimum according to the above schedule, and
frequently enough to ensure that the effluent is in compliance with the discharge
specifications of the permit. Site specific conditions, such as monitoring for
potential breakthrough of the treatment system, may require more frequent
monitoring.
UPDATED NATIONAL POLLUTANT -3- MONITORING AND REPORTING
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PROGRAM NO. 98-75
PERMIT FOR SURFACE WATER DISPOSAL NPDES NO. CA G916001
OF TREATED GROUND WATER
D. Treatment Facility Effluent Monitoring
Effluent samples shall be collected immediately downstream of the last connection
through which wastes can be admitted into the outfall. Effluent samples should be
representative of the volume and nature of the discharge. Time of collection of
grab samples shall be discretely recorded. The required sampling frequency shall
be the same as that for the influent monitoring program as described above.
E. Receiving Water Monitoring
All receiving water samples shall be grab samples. Receiving water samples shall
be collected in the same frequency as detailed in the influent monitoring program
above. Receiving water samples shall be obtained from the following:
Station Description
R-1 Upstream from the discharge point at a location specified in the
NOA
R-2 No greater than 100 feet down stream of the discharge point at a
location specified in the NOA
R-3 If applicable, the ultimate receiving water at a location specified in
the NOA
In conducting any receiving water sampling in accordance with the required
sampling frequency, a log shall be kept of the receiving water conditions
throughout the reach bounded by Stations R-1, R-2, and R-3. Attention shall be
given to the presence or absence of:
a. floating or suspended matters
b. discoloration
c. bottom deposits
d. aquatic life
e. erosion and/or sediment deposition
Notes on receiving water conditions shall be maintained in a permanent logbook
and summarized in the monitoring report.
UPDATED NATIONAL POLLUTANT -4- MONITORING AND REPORTING
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PROGRAM NO. 98-75
PERMIT FOR SURFACE WATER DISPOSAL NPDES NO. CA G916001
OF TREATED GROUND WATER
II. TOXICITY TESTING
1. The Discharger shall perform toxicity testing, as described below, on the
undiluted effluent. The effluent sample shall be collected immediately after
discharge from the treatment unit, but prior to the wastewater reaching the
receiving water. The tests shall be performed upon startup of the treatment
facility and may also be required annually thereafter depending on the
results of the initial toxicity testing.
Subsequent rounds of annual sampling shall be performed within 365 days
of the startup date, and the results submitted to the California Regional
Water Quality Control Board Lahontan Region (Regional Board) within 30
days thereafter. The results of the subsequent four annual tests, if required,
shall be submitted to the Regional Board within 30 days of each annual
sampling event. The species to be used in the toxicity analysis and
procedures are described below.
2. All tests shall be conducted on grab samples of undiluted treatment facility
effluent. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) shall be used to determine
whether differences between control and effluent data are significant.
a. The Discharger shall conduct a seven day Ceriodaphnia survival
and reproduction test on samples of undiluted effluent. Toxicity
will be demonstrated if there is a statistically significant difference
at the 95% confidence level in survival or growth between
Ceriodaphnia exposed to an appropriate control water and
undiluted effluent. All test solutions shall be renewed daily. If in
any control, more than 20% of the test organisms die, that test
(control and effluent) shall be repeated. Further, if in any control,
the reproduction rate (of offspring per female) averages less than
15, that test (control and effluent) shall be repeated.
b. The Discharger shall conduct an eight day Pimephales promelas
(fathead minnow) embryo larval survival and teratogenicity test on
samples of undiluted effluent. Toxicity will be demonstrated if
there is a statistically significant difference at the 95% confidence
level in survival or growth between Pimephales promelas exposed
to an appropriate control water and undiluted effluent. All test
solutions shall be renewed daily. If in any control, more than 20%
of the test organisms die, that test (control and effluent) shall be
repeated.
UPDATED NATIONAL POLLUTANT -5- MONITORING AND REPORTING
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PROGRAM NO. 98-75
PERMIT FOR SURFACE WATER DISPOSAL NPDES NO. CA G916001
OF TREATED GROUND WATER
c. The Discharger shall conduct a four day aquatic plant growth test
on samples of undiluted effluent. Toxicity will be demonstrated if
there is a statistically significant difference at the 95% confidence
level in cell density, biomass, or chlorophyll absorbance between
Selenastrum capricornutum exposed to appropriate control water
and undiluted effluent. If in any control, the initial cell density
decreases by more than 20%, that test (control and effluent) shall
be repeated.
3. If any one test indicates the effluent is toxic, then another confirmatory
chronic toxicity test using the specified methodology and same test species
shall be conducted within 15 days. In no case shall the second confir
matory test results be submitted to the Regional Board later than 365 days
from the previous annual sampling.
4. All test species, procedures, and quality assurance criteria used shall be in
accordance with Short-term Methods for Estimating the Chronic Toxicity
of Effluent and Receiving Waters to Freshwater Organisms, Section 13;
Ceriodaphnia Survival and Reproduction Test Method 1002.0, Section 12;
Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) Embryo Larval Survival and
Teratogenicity Test Method 1001.0, Section 14; Algal (Selenastrum
capricornutum) Growth Test Method 1003.0, EPA 600/4-85-014. After
one year of toxicity monitoring the results of the three species tests will be
evaluated by the Regional Board, and a determination will be made as to
which species is most sensitive to the undiluted effluent. Thereafter, all
subsequent annual toxicity testing shall be performed on the one species
considered most sensitive.
5. A toxicity monitoring program shall be prepared that includes procedures
and techniques for sample collection, sample preservation and shipment,
analytical procedures, and chain of custody control. The program shall be
submitted not less then 60 days prior to startup of the treatment facility.
III. REPORTING
A. General Provisions
The Discharger shall comply with the "General Provisions for Monitoring
and Reporting," which is made part of this Monitoring and Reporting
Program.
UPDATED NATIONAL POLLUTANT
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
PERMIT FOR SURFACE WATER DISPOSAL
OF TREATED GROUND WATER
-6- MONITORING AND REPORTING
PROGRAM NO. 98-75
NPDES NO. CA G916001
B. Submittal Periods
Quarterly reports shall be submitted to the Regional Board by the fifteenth
(15th) day of January, April, July, and October of each year.
In reporting the monitoring data, the Discharger shall arrange the data in
tabular form so that the date of sample collection, the constituents, and the
concentrations detected are readily discernible. Additionally, the data shall
be narratively summarized in such a manner as to illustrate clearly to status
of compliance with the Permit.
Upon written request, the Discharger shall submit an annual report to the
Regional Board by January 30th of the following year. The report shall
contain tabular, graphic, and narrative descriptions of the monitoring data
obtained during the previous year. Additionally, the report shall clearly
document the status of compliance with the Permit. If any corrective
actions were necessary during the year to maintain or retain compliance,
this annual report shall discuss these actions in detail.
The Discharger shall implement the above monitoring program immediately
upon the commencement of the initial Discharger covered by this general
Permit.
Ordered by: ______________________________ Date: November 5, 1998
HAROLD J. SINGER
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Attachments: General Provisions for Monitoring and Reporting
Nov98\npdes98.mr
CALIFORNIA REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD
LAHONTAN REGION
GENERAL PROVISIONS
FOR MONITORING AND REPORTING
1. SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS
a. All analyses shall be performed in accordance with the current edition(s) of the
following documents:
i. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater
ii. Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, EPA
b. All analyses shall be performed in a laboratory certified to perform such analyses by
the California State Department of Health Services or a laboratory approved by the
Regional Board Executive Officer. Specific methods of analysis must be identified on
each laboratory report.
c. Any modifications to the above methods to eliminate known interferences shall be
reported with the sample results. The methods used shall also be reported. If methods
other than EPA-approved methods or Standard Methods are used, the exact
methodology must be submitted for review and must be approved by the Regional
Board Executive Officer prior to use.
d. The discharger shall establish chain-of-custody procedures to insure that specific
individuals are responsible for sample integrity from commencement of sample
collection through delivery to an approved laboratory. Sample collection, storage, and
analysis shall be conducted in accordance with an approved Sampling and Analysis
Plan (SAP). The most recent version of the approved SAP shall be kept at the facility.
e. The discharger shall calibrate and perform maintenance procedures on all monitoring
instruments and equipment to ensure accuracy of measurements, or shall insure that
both activities will be conducted. The calibration of any wastewater flow measuring
device shall be recorded and maintained in the permanent log book described in 2.b,
below.
f. A grab sample is defined as an individual sample collected in fewer than 15 minutes.
g. A composite sample is defined as a combination of no fewer than eight individual
samples obtained over the specified sampling period at equal intervals. The volume of
each individual sample shall be proportional to the discharge flow rate at the time of
sampling. The sampling period shall equal the discharge period, or 24 hours,
whichever period is shorter.
GENERAL PROVISIONS -2- SEPTEMBER 1, 1994
2. OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
a. Sample Results
Pursuant to California Water Code Section 13267(b), the discharger shall maintain all
sampling and analytical results including: strip charts; date, exact place, and time of
sampling; date analyses were performed; sample collector's name; analyst's name;
analytical techniques used; and results of all analyses. Such records shall be retained
for a minimum of three years. This period of retention shall be extended during the
course of any unresolved litigation regarding this discharge, or when requested by the
Regional Board.
b. Operational Log
Pursuant to California Water Code Section 13267(b), an operation and maintenance
log shall be maintained at the facility. All monitoring and reporting data shall be
recorded in a permanent log book.
3. REPORTING
a. For every item where the requirements are not met, the discharger shall submit a
statement of the actions undertaken or proposed which will bring the discharge into
full compliance with requirements at the earliest time, and shall submit a timetable for
correction.
b. Pursuant to California Water Code Section 13267(b), all sampling and analytical
results shall be made available to the Regional Board upon request. Results shall be
retained for a minimum of three years. This period of retention shall be extended
during the course of any unresolved litigation regarding this discharge, or when
requested by the Regional Board.
c. The discharger shall provide a brief summary of any operational problems and
maintenance activities to the Board with each monitoring report. Any modifications or
additions to, or any major maintenance conducted on, or any major problems
occurring to the wastewater conveyance system, treatment facilities, or disposal
facilities shall be included in this summary.
d. Monitoring reports shall be signed by:
i. In the case of a corporation, by a principal executive officer at least of the level
of vice-president or his duly authorized representative, if such representative is
responsible for the overall operation of the facility from which the discharge
originates;
ii. In the case of a partnership, by a general partner;
iii. In the case of a sole proprietorship,by the proprietor; or
GENERAL PROVISIONS -3- SEPTEMBER 1, 1994
iv. In the case of a municipal, state or other public facility, by either a principal
executive officer, ranking elected official, or other duly authorized employee.
e. Monitoring reports are to include the following:
i. Name and telephone number of individual who can answer questions about the
report.
ii. The Monitoring and Reporting Program Number.
iii. WDID Number.
f. Modifications
This Monitoring and Reporting Program may be modified at the discretion of the
Regional Board Executive Officer.
4. NONCOMPLIANCE
Under Section 13268 of the Water Code, any person failing or refusing to furnish technical or
monitoring reports, or falsifying any information provided therein, is guilty of a misdemeanor
and may be liable civilly in an amount of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each day of
violation.
INFORMATION TO SUPPORT
DISCHARGE OF TREATED GROUND WATER
TO LAND OR TO SURFACE WATER
This guidance document outlines the minimum information required by the California Regional
Water Quality Control Board, Lahontan Region, prior to considering issuance of a Notice of
Applicability for general waste discharge requirements for the discharge of treated ground water to
land or to surface water. In addition to the information outlined in this document, a completed State
Form 200 and filing fee must also be submitted.
Discharges to land regulated by the general Order include the following:
1. percolation trenches or basins
2. irrigation of landscaping
3. spray disposal
4. evaporation trenches or basins
5. subsurface infiltration
6. other similar discharges
Discharges to surface water regulated by the general Order include discharges to all bodies defined as
surface waters in the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 122.2.
A. Background Information
A basic description of the proposed discharge must be provided to allow staff to determine if
a general permit is applicable to the proposed discharge. This information generally includes:
1. Identification of the source of pollutants (source areas), the potential seasonal
variations in the concentrations of pollutants and flow rates, and a general description
of the proposed treatment and disposal systems.
2. Identification of the surface drainage controls, drainage courses and surface water
bodies, including rivers, streams, lakes and ponds within one mile of the facility.
3. Locations of all recharge areas (e.g. ephemeral stream channels, percolation ponds,
subsurface sewage disposal systems, irrigated agriculture, etc.) within one mile of the
facility.
4. Identification of all piezometers and all wells, including monitoring, extraction,
injection and supply wells, onsite and offsite within one mile of the site or within an
area that may potentially be influenced by the discharge.
5. Property boundaries.
6. Buildings, dwellings, and other significant structures.
Report of Waste Discharge
Page 2
7. Map(s) of the site which depicts the location of all surface features identified
above, including the process and source areas, the points of discharge and the
extraction, treatment and disposal facilities.
8. Documentation of any compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) and all necessary local and state permits. Submit a copy of an
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) or a Negative Declaration, if either has been
prepared.
B. Chemical and Physical Wastewater Characteristics
A chemical and physical evaluation of the wastewater is needed to allow staff to assess the
need for discharge standards and monitoring, and to evaluate the potential for impacts on
water quality. The specifics of the characterization varies with the type of wastes being
discharged. The following are minimum requirements for ground water cleanup
discharges:
1. A minimum of one of each of the following analyses of the wastewater:
a. Chlorinated volatile hydrocarbons (EPA Methods 601 or 8010).
b. Aromatic volatile hydrocarbons (EPA Methods 602 or 8020).
c. Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in the gasoline and diesel ranges
(3550 GCFID). Additional or alternative TPH analyses may be required if
the suspected pollutants contain hydrocarbon fractions outside the range of
these tests.
d. General or standard minerals analyses, including but not limited to, total
dissolved solids (TDS), chloride, sulfate, nitrate, electrical conductivity
(EC), pH and temperature.
e. Other analyses associated with specific types of waste streams; for
example, dissolved oxygen (DO) and suspended solids (SS).
2. On a site-by-site basis, a proposed surface water discharges may be required to
conduct acute and chronic toxicity testing (EPA/600-4-85-014 and
EPA/440/4-85-032).
C. Disposal Analysis
The disposal analysis usually contains the following:
Report of Waste Discharge
Page 3
1. An evaluation of land disposal options for the purpose of screening feasible
disposal alternatives. Land disposal alternatives to be evaluated include those listed
on page 1 of this document. An evaluation of the environmental and financial
constraints for each alternative must be provided. The proposed disposal system
may consist of two or more disposal alternatives.
2. A narrative and schematic description of each of the proposed alternatives in the
disposal system. Identification of whether disposal occurs on a seasonal basis.
Information on the type and size of the disposal alternative(s). Provide design
details, including flows, for each disposal alternative.
3. A water mass balance for each land disposal alternative must be provided to assure
that sufficient disposal capacity is available at all times under all weather and
operational conditions.
4. A discussion on the potential hydraulic and other impacts of the selected
wastewater disposal alternatives) on the migration and capture of the plume.
5. If treated water is to be used for irrigation, property owner, type and permeability
of the soils, estimated quantities based on consumptive use, method of application,
surface runoff controls and the irrigation season must be identified. Institutional
arrangements for control of land must also be identified.
6. If ponds are used for the disposal of the treated wastewater, information on the
freeboard and structural integrity and estimates of infiltration and evaporation must
be provided.
D. Wastewater treatment system and characteristics
A description of the treatment facility is needed to assure that all waste streams are
accounted for, and to aid in design of the monitoring program.
1. A detailed narrative description and schematic presentation of the proposed
treatment system, including all processes.
2. Descriptions of the nature and concentration of any chemical additive used for
treatment must be included. If the proposed treatment system uses activated
carbon, submit an estimate of the breakthrough time for each carbon treatment unit.
If the operations and maintenance include backflushing, or other required treatment
for maintenance, then a full description of any discharges associated with these
procedures must be included.
3. An estimate of the average, maximum and any variation in flows, as well as the
design flows (hydraulic and treatment) for the treatment system. All necessary
sizing calculations to accommodate the treatment volume must be included.
Report of Waste Discharge
Page 4
4. An operation plan describing general operations, maintenance procedures and
process controls. Information on the provisions for stand-by power must be
provided.
5. A description of the proposed performance monitoring system utilized to determine
that the treatment and disposal system is in compliance with WDRs.
6. A spill plan including the preventive and contingency measures for controlling
accidental discharges and for minimizing the effect of such an event.
7. Information required to assess protection of the facility from floods and frost.
8. A narrative and schematic description of the proposed extraction system. A
discussion of the number, location and pumping rates of the extraction wells.
E. Site Hydrogeology and Characterization of Pollution
1. Depth to ground water, including seasonal variations.
2. Direction and gradient of ground water flow.
3. locations of any known geologic features (e.g. aquitards, subterranean channels,
faults, etc.) which could affect pollution migration.
4. Information on the locations, construction, design and analytical results from
monitoring wells used to define the lateral and vertical extent of the plume and
wells used to monitor the effectiveness of the cleanup.
5. Aquifer characteristics (e.g., hydraulic conductivity, porosity, etc.) determined
from a sufficient number of locations by aquifer tests, soil borings, geophysics, etc.
6. Ground water modeling results including calculations and results for extraction
system spacings, pumping/collection rates, injection system spacings and
injection/infiltration rates.
7. Location, construction and design details of extraction and injection systems
(drilling methods, well designs, trench designs, etc.).
F. Receiving Water
1. Provide information on the water quality of the receiving water. Analytical results
should be provided for all constituents found in the waste stream as listed under
B.1 above. Additional analysis may be requested by Board staff.
Report of Waste Discharge
Page 5
2. Descriptions of the direction and magnitude of flows. Sources and seasonal flow
variations for surface water and irrigation supply must be provided.
3. For discharges to surface water the following must be provided:
a. Conduct an analysis of the impact of the wastewater discharge on the DO
content and temperature of the surface receiving water. Calculations should
be performed for the range of dilution and temperature conditions expected
to be found in the receiving waters. All assumptions should be stated and a
sample calculation should be included.
b. Chronic toxicity testing (EPA/600-4-85-014 and EPA/440/4-85-032) using
a dilution series with water from the surface receiving water source.
California Regional Water Quality Control Board
Santa Ana Region
ORDER NO. 98-67
NPDES No. CAG998001
GENERAL WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR DISCHARGES TO SURFACE
WATERS WHICH POSE AN INSIGNIFICANT (DE MINIMUS) THREAT TO WATER
QUALITY
The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Santa Ana Region (hereinafter Board),
finds that:
1. On J uly 16, 1993, the Board adopted Order No. 93-49, NPDES No. CA8000234
1
prescribing waste discharge requirements for various types of waste discharges posing an
insignificant threat to water quality. The types of discharges regulated under Order No.
93-49 include:
a. Construction dewatering wastes;
b. Wastes associated with well installation, development, test pumping and purging;
c. Aquifer testing wastes;
d. Dewatering wastes from subterranean seepage; and
e. Wastewater from hydrostatic testing.
2. On March 8, 1996, the Board adopted Order No. 96-17, amending Order No. 93-49 to
include the following specific types of waste discharges (hereinafter de minimus
discharges):
a. Construction dewatering wastes;
b. Wastes associated with well installation, development, test pumping and purging;
c. Aquifer testing wastes;
d. Dewatering wastes from subterranean seepage, except for discharges from utility
company vaults;
e. Discharges resulting from hydrostatic testing of vessels, pipelines, tanks, etc.;
f. Discharges resulting from the maintenance of potable water supply pipelines, tanks,
reservoirs, etc.;
g. Discharges resulting from the disinfection of potable water supply pipelines, tanks,
reservoirs, etc.;
h. Discharges from potable water supply systems resulting from system failures,
pressure releases, etc.;
i. Discharges from fire hydrant testing or flushing;
The NPDES number was later changed to CAG998001
1
Order No. 98-67, NPDES No. CAG998001 Page 2 of 13
De Minimus Discharges
j. Non-contact cooling water;
k. Air conditioning condensate;
l. Swimming pool drainage;
m. Discharges resulting from diverted stream flows; and
n. Other similar types of wastes which pose a de minimus threat to water quality yet
technically must be regulated under waste discharge requirements.
3. Order No. 93-49, as amended, satisfied all the criteria cited in 40 CFR
2
122.28 and as
such, was classified as a General NPDES Permit. 40 CFR 122.28 pertains to the issuance
of general permits to regulate discharges of waste which meet the following criteria:
a. Involve the same or substantially similar types of operations;
b. Are of the same types;
c. Require the same effluent limitations or operating conditions;
d. Require the same or similar monitoring; and
e. Are more appropriately regulated under a general permit rather than individual
permits.
4. Order No. 93-49, as amended, has expedited the processing of numerous applications for
waste discharge requirements and the early implementation of projects requiring waste
discharge requirements. The general NPDES permit has allowed the Regional Board to
better utilize limited staff resources.
5. Order No. 93-49, as amended, expired on J uly 1, 1998. To date, 78 dischargers have been
authorized to discharge wastewater under the general permit and 58 dischargers are still
active. Most of these authorized dischargers will wish to continue their coverage under
the general permit. Approximately 16 new applications for coverage under the general
permit are received each year. Therefore, renewal of this general permit is necessary to
expedite the permitting process.
6. A revised Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) became effective on J anuary 24, 1995.
The Basin Plan contains beneficial uses and water quality objectives for waters in the
Santa Ana Region.
7. The existing and potential beneficial uses of surface waters in the Santa Ana Region
include:
a. Agricultural Supply,
b. Cold Freshwater Habitat,
c. Commercial and Sportfishing,
d. Estuarine Habitat,
CFR is the Code of Federal Regulations
2
Order No. 98-67, NPDES No. CAG998001 Page 3 of 13
De Minimus Discharges
e. Groundwater Recharge,
f. Hydropower Generation,
g. Industrial Service Supply,
h. Industrial Process Supply,
i. Limited Warm Freshwater Habitat,
j. Marine Habitat,
k. Municipal and Domestic Supply,
l. Navigation,
m. Non-contact Water Recreation,
n. Preservation of Biological Habitats of Special Significance,
o. Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species,
p. Shellfish Harvesting,
q. Spawning, Reproduction, and Development,
r. Water Contact Recreation,
s. Warm Freshwater Habitat, and
t. Wildlife Habitat.
8. Many surface waters within the region recharge underlying groundwater basins. The
existing and potential beneficial uses of groundwater within the Santa Ana Region
include:
a. Municipal and Domestic Supply,
b. Agricultural Supply,
c. Industrial Service Supply, and
d. Industrial Process Supply.
9. The requirements contained in this general permit are necessary to implement the Basin
Plan.
10. In accordance with Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Regional Board
listed San Diego Creek and Newport Bay as water quality limited due to excessive
nutrient input. On April 17, 1998, the Regional Board adopted a Basin Plan amendment
(Resolution No. 98-9), incorporating a San Diego Creek/Newport Bay Watershed
Nutrient Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). The Basin Plan amendment will become
effective upon approval by the State Water Resources Control Board and the Office of
Administrative Law. The TMDL specifies loading targets for both nitrogen and
phosphorus and includes allocations of those loads among point and nonpoint sources.
Implementation of the TMDL is intended and expected to assure compliance with water
quality objectives and the protection of beneficial uses.
Order No. 98-67, NPDES No. CAG998001 Page 4 of 13
De Minimus Discharges
11. In accordance with the approved Nutrient TMDL (Part 2b. Phase 1 of the Nutrient
TMDL, Section 3, Revision of Existing Waste Discharge Requirements, Paragraph c.,)
this general permit requires discharges from construction dewatering wastes, wastes
associated with well installation, development, test pumping and purging, aquifer testing
wastes, dewatering wastes from subterranean seepage (as listed in Finding 2.a through 2.d.,
above) and similar wastes discharging into the San Diego Creek/Newport Bay watershed
to be monitored for total nitrogen and phosphorus. These data will be used to develop
appropriate wasteload allocations for these discharges. (De minimus discharges as listed
in Finding 2.e. through Finding 2.n., above, are not expected to contain any appreciable
amount of phosphorus or nitrogen; therefore, monitoring for these constituents is not
necessary for these type of discharges). (see Attachment B for San Diego Creek/Newport
Bay Watershed Map).
12. This general permit does not preempt or supersede the authority of municipalities, flood
control agencies, or other local agencies to prohibit, restrict, or control discharges of
waste to storm drain systems or other water courses subject to their jurisdiction.
13. This general permit regulates de minimus discharges (as listed in Findings No. 2., above)
to surface waters. Entity(ies)/individual(s) proposing de minimus discharges are
hereinafter referred to as discharger and are subject to the terms and conditions of this
general permit.
14. For coverage under this general permit, a discharger is required to submit a completed
Notice of Intent Form (see Attachment A of this Order) together with other information
required in Section H. "APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:" and to receive approval
from the Executive Officer. If the proposed discharge meets the requirements of this
general permit, the Executive Officer will provide the discharger with a written
authorization to initiate the discharge. If not, an individual NPDES permit will be
developed for consideration by the Regional Board.
15. Any discharger proposing de minimus discharges at multiple locations within the Santa
Ana Region may be covered under one discharge authorization letter on a case by case
basis, subject to the approval of the Executive Officer.
16. The Executive Officer may require any discharger authorized under this general permit to
apply for and obtain an individual NPDES permit. Cases where an individual NPDES
permit may be required include the following:
a. The discharger is not in compliance with the conditions of this general permit or
the discharge authorization letter from the Executive Officer;
b. A change has occurred in the availability of demonstrated technology or practices
for the control or abatement of pollutants applicable to the point source;
Order No. 98-67, NPDES No. CAG998001 Page 5 of 13
De Minimus Discharges
c. Effluent limitation guidelines are promulgated for point sources covered by the
general NPDES permit;
d. Changes to the water quality control plan containing requirements applicable to
such point sources are approved;
e. The requirements of 40 CFR 122.28 (a) are not met; or
f. The discharge may adversely affect the water quality objectives of the receiving
water.
17. De minimus discharges complying with the provisions and requirements of this general
permit are not expected to violate the applicable water quality standards.
18. The de minimus discharges described in Finding No. 2 above are not expected to cause
toxicity, therefore no toxicity limits are specified in this general permit.
19. Effluent limitations and national standards of performance established pursuant to
Section 301, 302, 303(d), 304, 306, and 307 of the Federal CWA and amendments thereto
are applicable to this type of discharges.
20. On J une 8, 1989, pursuant to 40 CFR 122.28, the State Water Resources Control Board
(hereinafter State Board), applied to the Environmental Protection Agency (hereinafter
EPA) for revisions of its NPDES program in accordance with 40 CFR 123.62 and 403.10.
The application included a request to add general permit authority to its approved NPDES
program. On September 22, 1989, Region IX EPA approved the State Board's request and
granted authorization for the State's issuance of general NPDES permits.
21. The Regional Board has considered antidegradation pursuant to 40 CFR 131.12 and State
Board Resolution No. 68-16 and finds that de minimus discharges are consistent with
those provisions.
22. In accordance with California Water Code Section 13389, the issuance of waste discharge
requirements for de minimus discharges is exempt from those provisions of the California
Environmental Quality Act contained in Chapter 3 (Commencing with Section 21100),
Division 13 of the Public Resources Code.
23. The Regional Board has notified interested agencies and persons of its intent to issue
general waste discharge requirements for de minimus discharges, and has provided them
with an opportunity to submit their written views and recommendations.
24. The Regional Board, in a public meeting, heard and considered all comments pertaining
to general waste discharge requirements for de minimus discharges.
Order No. 98-67, NPDES No. CAG998001 Page 6 of 13
De Minimus Discharges
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that dischargers, their agents, successors, and assigns, who are
discharging the types of wastes listed in Findings No. 2, above, in order to meet the provisions
contained in Division 7 of the California Water Code and regulations adopted thereunder and the
provisions of the Clean Water Act as amended and regulations and guidelines adopted
thereunder, shall comply with the following:
A. DISCHARGE SPECIFICATIONS:
1. The discharge of wastewater shall not contain constituent concentrations in excess of the
following limits:
Constituents Maximum Concentration
Oil and Grease 15 mg/l
Sulfides 0.4 mg/l
Total Residual Chlorine
3, 4
0.1 mg/l
Total Suspended Solids
4
75 mg/l
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons 100 g/l (ppb)
2. The pH of the discharge shall be within 6.5 and 8.5 pH units.
3. There shall be no visible oil and grease in the discharge.
B. RECEIVING WATER LIMITATIONS:
1. The discharge of wastes shall not cause a violation of any applicable water quality
standard for receiving waters adopted by the Regional Board or the State Board, as
required by the Federal CWA and regulations adopted thereunder.
2. The discharge shall not cause any of the following:
a. Coloration of the receiving waters which causes a nuisance or adversely affect
beneficial uses.
b. Result in deposition of oil, grease, wax or other materials in concentrations which
result in a visible film or in coating objects in the water, or which cause a
nuisance or affect beneficial uses.
3
Complianceshall bedetermined at a point beforewastewater mixes with any receiving water.
4
Not applicableif all wastewater will percolateprior to reaching any receiving water.
Order No. 98-67, NPDES No. CAG998001 Page 7 of 13
De Minimus Discharges
c. The increase in the amounts of suspended or settleable solids of the receiving
waters which will cause a nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses as a result
of controllable water quality factors.
d. Contain taste or odor producing substances at concentrations which cause a
nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses.
e. The presence of radioactive materials in concentrations which are deleterious to
human, plant or animal life.
f. The depletion of the dissolved oxygen concentration below 5.0 mg/l in the
receiving water. In addition, the waste discharge shall not cause the median
dissolved oxygen concentration to fall below 85% of saturation or the 95th
percentile concentration to fall below 75% of saturation within a 30-day period.
g. Raise the temperature of the receiving waters above 90F (32C) which normally
occurs during the period of J une through October, or above 78F (26C) during
the rest of the year.
h. Pollutants not specifically mentioned and limited in this Order shall not be
discharged at levels that will bioaccumulate in aquatic resources to levels which
are harmful to human health.
C. PROHIBITIONS:
1. The discharge of oil, trash, industrial waste sludge, or other solids directly to the surface
waters in this region or in any manner which could ultimately affect surface waters in this
region is prohibited.
2. The discharge of any substances in concentrations toxic to animal or plant life is
prohibited.
3. Odors, vectors, and other nuisances of waste origin are prohibited beyond the limits of
each discharger's facility.
4. Unless approved by the Executive Officer, the addition of chemicals to the discharge is
prohibited.
D. PROVISIONS:
1. Neither the treatment or discharge of pollutants shall create a nuisance or pollution as
defined by Section 13050 of the California Water Code.
Order No. 98-67, NPDES No. CAG998001 Page 8 of 13
De Minimus Discharges
2. This general permit shall serve as a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
permit pursuant to Section 402 of the Federal CWA or amendments thereto. This general
permit shall become effective 10 days after the date of its adoption provided the Regional
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency has no objections. If the Regional
Administrator objects to its issuance, the permit shall not become effective until such
objection is withdrawn.
3. This general permit expires on J uly 1, 2003. However, it shall continue in force and effect
until a new general permit is issued. Only those dischargers authorized to discharge under
the expiring general permit will be regulated by the continued general permit. Upon
reissuance of a new general permit, the dischargers shall file a notice of intent within 45
days of the effective date of the new general permit and obtain a new authorization to
discharge from the Executive Officer.
4. Upon receipt of an application to discharge waste under this general permit, the Executive
Officer shall determine whether the proposed discharge is eligible for coverage under this
general permit, after which, the Executive Officer shall;
a. Authorize the proposed discharge by transmitting a "Discharge Authorization
Letter" to the discharge proponent (now an "authorized discharger") or,
b. Require the discharge proponent to obtain an individual NPDES permit prior to
any discharge to surface waters within the Santa Ana Region.
5. The discharge authorization letter from the Executive Officer shall:
a. Authorize the initiation of the proposed discharge under the terms and conditions
of this Order,
b. Include a Monitoring and Reporting Program developed for the proposed
discharge.
The discharge authorization letter may be terminated or revised by the Executive Officer
at any time.
6. The Executive Officer is authorized to issue a single discharge authorization letter to a
discharger proposing unknown future de minimus discharges at multiple locations within
the Santa Region, provided that the general nature of the discharges and the general
locations are reported and included in the application to discharge wastes under this
general permit and that at least five days prior to each discharge, more detailed
information regarding each discharge is reported.
Order No. 98-67, NPDES No. CAG998001 Page 9 of 13
De Minimus Discharges
7. Monitoring and Reporting Program No. 98-67 included with this general permit shall
serve as a template for the Monitoring and Reporting Program (M&RP) to be issued by
the Executive Officer to each discharger authorized under this general permit. Revision of
the M&RP by the Executive Officer may be necessary to confirm that the discharger is in
compliance with the requirements and provisions contained in this general permit.
Revision may be made at any time during the term of the discharge authorization, and
may include a reduction or an increase in the number of parameters to be monitored, the
frequency of monitoring or the number and size of samples collected.
8. De minimus discharges from construction dewatering wastes, wastes associated with well
installation, development, test pumping and purging, aquifer testing wastes, dewatering
wastes from subterranean seepage (as listed in Finding 2.a through 2.d., above) and similar
wastes discharging into the San Diego Creek/Newport Bay watershed shall be monitored
for total nitrogen and phosphorus.
9. The discharger shall comply with all requirements of this general permit, the terms,
conditions and limitations of the discharge authorization letter; and the Monitoring and
Reporting Program issued by the Executive Officer.
10. The discharger shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or prevent any discharge that
has a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting human health or the environment.
11. The discharger shall take all reasonable steps to minimize any adverse impact to receiving
waters resulting from noncompliance with any discharge limitations specified in this
general permit, including such accelerated or additional monitoring as necessary to
determine the nature and impact of the noncomplying discharge.
12. The discharger shall comply with discharge standards or prohibitions established under
section 307(a) of the CWA for toxic pollutants within the time provided in the regulations
that establish these standards or prohibitions, even if this general permit has not yet been
modified to incorporate the requirement.
13. The requirements prescribed herein do not authorize the commission of any act causing
injury to the property of another, nor protect the discharger from his liabilities under
federal, state, or local laws, nor guarantee the discharger a capacity right in the receiving
waters.
14. The provisions of this general permit are severable, and if any provision of this general
permit, or the application of any provisions of this general permit to any circumstance, is
held invalid, the application of such provision to other circumstances, and the remainder
of this general permit shall not be affected thereby.
15. This general permit does not convey any property rights of any sort, or any exclusive
privilege.
Order No. 98-67, NPDES No. CAG998001 Page 10 of 13
De Minimus Discharges
16. An authorization to discharge wastes under this general permit is not transferable to any
person except after notice to and approval by the Executive Officer.
17. Any violation of this general permit constitutes a violation of the CWA, its regulations,
and the California Water Code, and is grounds for enforcement action and/or termination
of the authorization to discharge.
18. Any permit noncompliance constitutes a violation of the CWA and the California Water
Code and is grounds for enforcement action; for permit or authorization letter
termination, revocation and reissuance, or modification; the issuance of an individual
permit; or for denial of a renewal application.
19. Compliance determinations shall be based on available analyses for the time interval
associated with the discharge limitation. Where only one sample analysis is available in a
specified time interval (e.g., weekly, monthly), that sample shall serve to characterize the
discharge for the entire interval.
20. The Regional Board, EPA, and other authorized representatives shall be allowed:
a. Entry upon premises where a regulated facility or activity is located or conducted,
or where records are kept under the conditions of this general permit;
b. Access to copy any records that are kept under the conditions of the general
permit;
c. To inspect any facility, equipment (including monitoring and control equipment),
practices, or operations regulated or required under this general permit; and
d. To photograph, sample and monitor for the purpose of assuring compliance with
this general permit, or as otherwise authorized by the CWA.
E. PERMIT REOPENING, REVISION, REVOCATION, AND RE-ISSUANCE:
1. If more stringent applicable water quality standards are promulgated or approved pursuant
to Section 303 of the Federal CWA, or amendments thereto, the Board will revise and
modify this general permit in accordance with such standards.
2. This general permit may be reopened to address any changes in State or federal plans,
policies or regulations which would affect the quality requirements for the discharges.
3. This general permit may be modified by the Regional Board prior to the expiration date to
include discharge or receiving water limitations for toxic constituents determined to be
present in significant amounts in the discharge through the comprehensive monitoring
program included as part of this general permit.
Order No. 98-67, NPDES No. CAG998001 Page 11 of 13
De Minimus Discharges
4. This general permit may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated for cause.
F. PENALTIES:
1. The CWA provides that any person who violates a provision implementing sections 301,
302, 306, 307, or 308 of the CWA is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 per
day of such violation. Any person who willfully or negligently violates provisions
implementing these sections of the CWA is subject to a fine of not less than $2,500 nor
more than $25,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or
both.
2. The CWA provides that any person who knowingly makes any false statement,
representation, or certification in any record or other document submitted or required to
be maintained under this permit, including monitoring reports or reports of compliance or
noncompliance shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000
per violation, or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months per violation, or by both.
3. The CWA provides that any person who falsifies, tampers with, or knowingly renders
inaccurate any monitoring device or method required to be maintained under this permit
shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000 per violation, or
by imprisonment for not more than six months per violation, or by both.
4. The California Water Code provides that any person who violates a waste discharge
requirement or a provision of the California Water Code is subject to civil penalties of up
to $5,000 per day, $10,000 per day, or $25,000 per day of violation, or when the violation
involves the discharge of pollutants, is subject to civil penalties of up to $10 per gallon
per day, or $20 per gallon per day of violation; or some combination thereof, depending
on the violation, or upon the combination of violations.
G. REQUIRED REPORTS AND NOTICES:
1. Reporting Provisions:
a. All applications, reports, or information submitted to the Regional Board shall be
signed and certified in accordance with 40 CFR 122.22.
b. Any discharger authorized to discharge waste under this general permit shall
furnish, within a reasonable time, any information the Regional Board or EPA
may request to determine whether cause exists for modifying, revoking and
reissuing, or terminating their authorization or this general permit. The discharger
shall also furnish to the Regional Board, upon request, copies of records required
to be kept by this general permit.
c. Except for data determined to be confidential under Section 308 of the CWA, all
reports prepared in accordance with the terms of this general permit shall be
Order No. 98-67, NPDES No. CAG998001 Page 12 of 13
De Minimus Discharges
available for public inspection at the offices of the Regional Water Quality
Control Board and the Regional Administrator of EPA. As required by the CWA,
effluent data shall not be considered confidential. Knowingly making any false
statements on any such report may result in the imposition of criminal penalties as
provided for in Section 309 of the Act and Section 13387 of the California Water
Code.
2. The discharger shall give advance notice to the Regional Board of any planned changes in
the permitted facility or activity that may result in noncompliance with these waste
discharge requirements.
3. In the event of any change in control or ownership of land or waste discharge facilities
currently owned or controlled by the discharger, the discharger shall notify the succeeding
owner or operator of the existence of their authorization to discharge wastewater under
this general permit by letter, a copy of which together with the signed agreement between
previous owner and the new owner accepting responsibility and liability for complying
with this general permit shall be forwarded to the Executive Officer.
4. Upon completion of the project, the discharger shall notify the Executive Officer of the
Regional Board in writing about cessation of the discharge and shall request for
termination of coverage under this general permit.
H. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
1. Dischargers already covered under Order No. 93-49 and those dischargers under
individual permits who wish to be and believe they can and should be covered under this
renewed general permit shall submit a completed Notice of Intent Form (see Attachment
A of Order No. 98-67) within 45 days of adoption of this general permit. In addition,
those dischargers who want to request a modification to the Template Monitoring and
Reporting Program shall specifically state the modification being requested and shall
submit information/justification supporting their request. The Executive Officer may also
require the discharger to submit additional information about any recent change in
ownership of facility, changes in the character and treatment of the discharges and any
other relevant information that will update facility information which are on the Regional
Board files.
2. FOR A NEW DISCHARGER
5
: At least 60 days before the start of a discharge, the
discharger shall submit an application and obtain the authorization letter from the
Executive Officer to discharge wastewater. The application shall consist of the following
information:
New discharger is an entity/individual who is not currently authorized to discharge waste under this
general permit and who is proposing deminimus discharges to becovered under this general permit.
5
___________________________
Order No. 98-67, NPDES No. CAG998001 Page 13 of 13
De Minimus Discharges
a. Completed Notice of Intent Form (see Attachment A of this Order).
b. For projects involving well development, well purging and groundwater
extraction, a site characterization study report defining the proximity of the
extraction well to known contaminated sites, the presence of contaminated
groundwater onsite, contaminants and their properties, and a three dimensional
assessment of the extent and concentration of contaminants in the subsurface. The
study report shall include a description of the geologic and hydrologic factors that
control the migration of the contaminants. It shall also include a list of known or
suspected leaking underground tanks and other facilities or operations which have,
or may have impacted the quality of the underlying groundwater within 200 feet
of the site.
c. A report which shall include the following:
1) Characterization of the proposed wastewater discharge;
2) The estimated average and maximum daily flow rates;
3) The frequency and duration of the discharge;
4) The affected receiving water(s);
5) A description of the proposed treatment system (if appropriate); and
6) A map showing the path from the point of initial discharge to the ultimate
location of discharge;
d. Any other information deemed necessary by the Executive Officer.
I, Gerard J . Thibeault, Executive Officer, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true, and
correct copy of an general permit adopted by the California Regional Water Quality Control
Board, Santa Ana Region, on J uly 10, 1998.
Gerard J . Thibeault
Executive Officer
California Regional Water Quality Control Board
Santa Ana Region
Template Monitoring and Reporting Program No. 98-67
NPDES NO. CAG998001
GENERAL WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR DISCHARGES TO SURFACE
WATERS WHICH POSE AN INSIGNIFICANT (DE MINIMUS) THREAT TO WATER
QUALITY
I. MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:
Monitoring and reporting shall be in accordance with the following:
1. All monitoring reports, or information submitted to the Regional Board shall be signed
and certified in accordance with 40 CFR 122.22.
2. All sampling, sample preservation, and analysis shall be performed in accordance with
the latest edition of 40 CFR Part 136 "Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the
Analysis of Pollutants", promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection
Agency, unless otherwise noted. In addition, the Board and/or EPA, at their discretion,
may specify test methods which are more sensitive than those specified in 40 CFR 136.
3. All analyses shall be conducted at a laboratory certified for such analyses by the State
Department of Health Services or EPA or at laboratories approved by the Executive
Officer of the Regional Board.
4. All analytical data shall be reported with method detection limits (MDLs) and with
identification of either practical quantitation levels (PQLs) or limits of quantitation
(LOQs).
5. Whenever the discharger monitors any pollutant more frequently than is required by this
general permit, the results of this monitoring shall be included in the calculation and
reporting of the data submitted in the discharge monitoring report specified by the
Executive Officer.
6. The discharger shall deliver a copy of each monitoring report in the appropriate format
to:
Ca lifor nia Reg iona l Wa t er Qua lit y Cont r ol Boa r d
Sa nt a Ana Reg ion
3737 Ma in St r eet , Suit e 500
River s ide, CA 92501-3348
7. The discharger shall assure that records of all monitoring information are maintained and
accessible for a period of at least five years from the date of the sample, report, or
application. This period of retention shall be extended during the course of any
unresolved litigation regarding this discharge or by the request of the Board at any time.
Records of monitoring information shall include:
Order No. 98-67, NPDES No. CAG998001 Page 2 of 4
De Minimus Discharges
a. The date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurements;
b. The individual(s) who performed the sampling, and/or measurements;
c. The date(s) analyses were performed;
d. The individual(s) who performed the analyses;
e. The analytical techniques or methods used;
f. All sampling and analytical results;
g. All monitoring equipment calibration and maintenance records;
h. All original strip charts from continuous monitoring devices;
i. All data used to complete the application for this general permit; and,
j. Copies of all reports required by this general permit.
7. Weekly samples shall be collected on a representative day of each week.
8. Monthly samples shall be collected on a representative day of the month.
9. Quarterly samples shall be collected on a representative day of March, J une, September,
and December.
10. Semi-Annual samples shall be collected at the initiation of the project for the first sample
and during J anuary and J uly thereafter.
11. Annual samples shall be collected on the month the discharge authorization letter was
issued.
II. EFFLUENT MONITORING:
1. A sampling station shall be established for the point of discharge where representative
samples of the discharge can be obtained before the discharge mixes with the receiving
waters.
2. The following shall constitute the effluent monitoring program:
CONSTITUENT
TYPE OF
SAMPLE
UNITS
MINIMUM FREQUENCY OF
SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS
Flow -------- gpd Daily
Oil and Grease Grab mg/l
During the first 30 minutes of
each discharge and as directed
by the Executive Officer,
thereafter
Sulfides Grab mg/l "
Total Residual Chlorine
1 , 2
Grab mg/l "
Total Suspended Solids
2
Grab mg/l "
1
Unless it is known that chlorine is not in the discharge.
2
Not applicable if all wastewater will percolate prior to reaching receiving waters.
Order No. 98-67, NPDES No. CAG998001 Page 3 of 4
De Minimus Discharges
CONSTITUENT
TYPE OF
SAMPLE
UNITS
MINIMUM FREQUENCY OF
SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Grab mg/l
During the first 30 minutes of
each discharge and as directed
by the Executive Officer,
thereafter
Phosphorus
3
Grab mg/l "
Total Nitrogen
3
Grab mg/l "
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons Grab g/l "
III. REPORTING:
1. Five days prior to any discharge from locations already reported, the discharger shall
notify the Regional Board staff by phone or by a fax letter indicating the date and time of
the proposed discharge.
2. Five days prior to any planned discharge
4
from locations not yet reported, the discharger
shall notify the Regional Board staff by phone or by a fax letter indicating the following:
1) Specific type of the proposed wastewater discharge (see listing on Finding
2 of the Order);
2) The estimated average and maximum daily flow rates;
3) The frequency and duration of the discharge;
4) The affected receiving water(s);
5) A description of the proposed treatment system (if appropriate); and
6) A description of the path from the point of initial discharge to the ultimate
location of discharge (fax a map if possible);
3. Monitoring reports shall be submitted by the 30th day of each month.. The monitoring
reports shall cover the previous months monitoring activities and shall include:
a. The results of all laboratory analyses for constituents required to be monitored
(see Section II. above),
3
Applicable only to discharges from construction dewatering wastes, wastes associated with well
installation, development, test pumping and purging, aquifer testing wastes, dewatering wastes
from subterranean seepage and similar wastes discharging into the San Diego Creek/Newport
Bay watershed.
4
For those unplanned discharges, as much prior notification as possible is required before any
discharge is initiated.
m
Order No. 98-67, NPDES No. CAG998001 Page 4 of 4
De Minimus Discharges
b. The daily flow data,
c. A summary of the discharge activities (when and where discharged occurred,
description of type of discharge, etc.) including a report detailing the dischargers
compliance or noncompliance with the requirements of the general permit and
discharge authorization letter, and
d. For every item where the requirements of the general permit and discharge
authorization letter are not met:
1) a statement of the actions undertaken or proposed which will bring the
discharge into full compliance with requirements at the earliest time, and
2) a timetable for implementing the proposed actions.
e. If no discharge occurs during the previous monitoring period, a letter to that effect
shall be submitted in lieu of a monitoring report.
4. All reports shall be signed by a responsible officer or duly authorized representative of
the discharger and shall be submitted under penalty of perjury.
Ordered by:
Gerard J . Thibeault
Executive Officer
July 10, 1998
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
California Regional Water Quality Control Board
Santa Ana Region
NOTICE OF INTENT
TO COMPLY WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE GENERAL PERMIT TO DISCHARGE
WASTEWATER WHICH POSES INSIGNIFICANT THREAT TO WATER QUALITY
(Order No. 98-67, NPDES No. CAG998001)
PERMITTEE (Person/Agency Responsible for the Discharge)
Agency/Company Name:_______________________________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________________________________
Street City State ZIP
Contact Person:______________________________________ Phone:_(______)__________________
FACILITY
Name:______________________________________________________________________________
Location:____________________________________________________________________________
Street City State ZIP
Contact Person:_____________________________________ Phone:_(______)___________________
BILLING INFORMATION (Where annual fee invoices should be sent)
Agency/Company Name:_______________________________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________________________________
Street City State ZIP
Contact Person:__________________________________________ Phone:_(______)______________
INDICATE EXISTING PERMIT NUMBER: (if applicable)
a. Individual permit Order No. __________ NPDES No. ______________
b. General Permit Order No. 93-49-_____________
CERTIFICATION:
I certify under penalty of law that I am an authorized representative of the permittee and that I have personally examined
and am familiar with the information submitted in this application and all attachments and that, based on my inquiry of
those persons immediately responsible for obtaining the information contained in the application, I believe the information
is true, accurate and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including
the possibility of fine and imprisonment. In addition, I certify that the permittee will comply with the terms and conditions
stipulated in Order No. 98-67 including the monitoring and reporting program issued by the Executive Officer of the
Regional Board.
Name and Official Title:__________________________________________________________
(type or print)
Signature: _______________________________________________ Date: _______________
Remarks: If changes to facility ownership and/or treatment processes were made after the issuance of the existing permit,
please provide a description of such changes on another sheet and submit it with this Notice of Intent.
CALIFORNIA REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD
SAN DIEGO REGION
ORDER NO. 2000-90
NPDES NO. CAG919001
GENERAL
WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS
FOR
T TE EM MP PO OR RA AR RY Y GROUNDWATER EXTRACTION AND SIMILAR WASTE DISCHARGES
TO
SAN DIEGO BAY AND STORM DRAINS OR OTHER CONVEYANCE SYSTEMS
TRIBUTARY THERETO
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Findings2
A. Prohibitions11
B. Discharge Specifications.12
C. Receiving Water Limitations...14
D. Provisions..17
E. Reporting Requirements..27
F. Notifications 33
G. Endnotes for Order No. 2000-90.......35
Monitoring and Reporting Program No. 2000-90
A. Purpose 40
B. Monitoring Provisions .40
C. Treatment System Status......42
D. Discharge Monitoring-Long Term..42
E. Discharge Monitoring-Short Term.44
F. Discharge monitoring-Sewer replacement...45
G. Biomonitoring46
H. Toxicity Reduction Evaluation (TRE) 46
I. Receiving Water Monitoring ...47
J. Sediment Monitoring.47
K. Annual Summary of Data.47
L. Provisions47
M. Reporting Frequency.48
Endnotes for Monitoring and Reporting Program Order No. 2000-90.49
Attachment A-Enclosed Bays and Estuaries Policy Discharge Prohibitions...50
Attachment B- Basin Plan Waste Discharge Prohibitions.51
Attachment C - Standard Provisions53
ORDER NO. 2000-90 2 06/14/00
The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego Region (hereinafter Regional
Board), finds that:
1. On April 23, 1990, this Regional Board adopted Order No. 90-31, National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) No. CA0108707, "General Waste Discharge Requirements for
Groundwater Dewatering Waste Discharges to San Diego Bay or Tributaries Thereto, San
Diego County." Order No. 90-31 and Technical Change Order No. T-1 thereto, contain an
expiration date of April 23, 1995.
2. On September 26, 1991, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted Order
No. WQ91-10 which amended Regional Board Order No. 90-31.
3. On May 16. 1995, this Regional Board adopted Order No. 95-25, NPDES No. CAG919001,
"General Waste Discharge Requirements for Groundwater Extraction and Similar Waste
Discharges to San Diego Bay and Storm Drains or Other Conveyance Systems Tributary
Thereto, San Diego County." Order No. 95-25 superseded Order No. 90-31.
4. NPDES Regulations, 40 CFR 122.28 provides for the issuance of general permits to regulate
discharges of waste which result from similar operations, are the same type of waste, require
the same effluent limitations, require similar monitoring, and are more appropriately regulated
under a general permit rather than individual permits.
5. This Order establishes a general permit regulating the discharge of groundwater extraction
waste discharges to San Diego Bay from all construction dewatering, and groundwater
remediation projects. All discharge flow rate volumes are subject to the terms and conditions
of this Order.
6. Groundwater extraction waste discharges pose the threat of discharging pollutants which may
be present in groundwaters surrounding San Diego Bay as a result of many past activities,
including leaking underground storage tanks and fuel lines, surface spills of wastes, and past
use of liquid waste impoundments.
7. The capacity of San Diego Bay to assimilate pollutants is limited. In order to protect the
beneficial uses of San Diego Bay waters from excessive loading of pollutants as a result of
escalating numbers of waste discharges to San Diego Bay, this Order prohibits
groundwater extraction waste discharges to San Diego Bay from new permanent
1
groundwater extraction operations. The prohibition of discharges from new permanent
groundwater extraction operations to San Diego Bay will reduce the potential number and
duration of discharges to San Diego Bay as intended by the federal Clean Water Act (Section
101(a)(1)) and the Water Quality Control Policy for Enclosed Bays and Estuaries of California.
ORDER NO.2000-90 3 06/14/00
8. All groundwater extraction waste discharges currently regulated by Regional Board Order No.
95-25 shall be regulated under the terms and conditions of this Order. As of the date of
adoption of this Order, the three existing Permanent Groundwater Extraction Discharges
enrolled under this general permit are as follows:
1. City of San Diego, San Diego Convention Center permanent dewatering system
2. Embassy Suites Hotel (San Diego) permanent dewatering system; and
3. Great American Plaza (San Diego) permanent dewatering system
9. In order to minimize potential impacts from groundwater extraction waste discharges on the
beneficial uses of San Diego Bay, this Order requires the application of best available
technology economically achievable (BAT)
2
for the removal of organic pollutants commonly
found in petroleum polluted groundwaters. Discharges in compliance with BAT-based effluent
limitations contained in Discharge Specification No. B.l of this Order are not expected to have
a measurable impact on the beneficial uses of San Diego Bay as a result of the discharge of
petroleum related compounds since the effluent limitations for these compounds are equal to
the practical quantitation level. Such compounds will essentially be nondetectable in
discharges of groundwater dewatering waste to San Diego Bay.
10. Any discharge of untreated groundwater to San Diego Bay threatens to cause or contribute to
excursions above narrative water quality objectives contained in the Basin Plan as a result of
the potential discharge of petroleum related compounds, solvents, and metals. On May 26,
1989, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, (USEPA) enacted revisions to
NPDES program regulations (40 CFR 122). When a proposed discharge of a compound or
chemical threatens to cause or contribute to an excursion above a State narrative water quality
standard and a numeric water quality standard for the specific chemical has not been
established, the NPDES program regulations require
3
the Regional Board to 1) establish
effluent limitations using a proposed State water quality objective or standard or an explicit
State policy or regulation interpreting its narrative water quality objective which will protect and
maintain water quality and designated beneficial uses of the receiving water, 2) establish
effluent limitations on a case-by-case basis, using USEPA's water quality criteria published
under 307(a) of the federal Clean Water Act, or 3) establish effluent limitations on an indicator
parameter for the pollutants of concern.
11. Since water quality criteria for many petroleum hydrocarbon compounds have not been
proposed or established by the State or the USEPA, this Order establishes effluent limitations
for "indicator constituents" of complex mixtures of petroleum related compounds such as
gasoline and diesel fuels. This Order uses benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (BTEX)
and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) as "indicator constituents" for petroleum related
compounds. This Order establishes effluent limitations and monitoring requirements for BTEX
and TPH which will ensure that volatile petroleum related compounds will be removed from the
waste stream. This Order also establishes effluent limitations and monitoring requirements for
indicator constituents of diesel fuels (TPH-diesel)
5
commonly found in polluted groundwaters.
ORDER NO.2000-90 4 06/14/00
12. It has been demonstrated that volatile pollutants (e.g., benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene,
xylene, etc.) and many other organic pollutants in groundwater can be reduced to less than
current analytical detection limits (0.5 to 10 micrograms per liter (
g/L);
ORDER NO.2000-90 30 06/14/00
2. Two hundred micrograms per liter (200
g/L
lb/d " " "
Mercury
g/L
"
"
"
Daily when chlorinating
"
"
lb/d " " "
PH Units " Every other week "
Benzene
g/L
"
"
"
"
"
"
lb/d " " "
Copper