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EPA/WATER

RIN: 2040-AD87

Publication ID: Fall 2010

Title: Statement of Policy -- NPDES Permit Requirements for Peak Wet Weather Discharges From Publicly Owned Treatment Work Treatment Plants Serving Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems
Abstract: During periods of wet weather, wastewater flows received by municipal sewage treatment plants can significantly increase, which can create operational challenges for sewage treatment facilities. Where peak flows approach or exceed the design capacity of a treatment plant they can seriously reduce treatment efficiency or damage treatment units. In addition to hydraulic concerns, wastewater associated with peak flows may have low organic strength, which can also decrease treatment efficiencies. One engineering practice that some facilities use to protect biological treatment units from damage and to prevent overflows and backups elsewhere in the system is referred to as wet weather blending. Wet weather blending occurs during peak wet weather flow events when flows that exceed the capacity of the biological units are routed around the biological units and blended with effluent from the biological units prior to discharge. Regulatory agencies, sewage treatment plant operators, and representatives of environmental advocacy groups have expressed uncertainty about National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements addressing such situations. EPA requested public comment on a proposed policy published on November 7, 2003. EPA did not finalize the policy. The policy options associated with this activity are still under review.
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)	Priority: Other Significant
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Long-Term Actions
Major: No	Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: 40 CFR 122.41(m)
Legal Authority: 33 USC 1311 33 USC 1318 33 USC 1342 33 USC 1361

Legal Deadline: None

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
1st Draft Policy	11/07/2003	68 FR 63042
2nd Draft Policy	12/22/2005	70 FR 76013
Final Policy	To Be Determined

Additional Information: EPA Docket information: EPA-HQ-OW-2005-0523
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No	Government Levels Affected: Federal, Local, State, Tribal
Small Entities Affected: No	Federalism: Undetermined
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No
RIN Information URL: www.epa.gov/npdes
Sectors Affected: 22132 Sewage Treatment Facilities
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No
Agency Contact: Kevin Weiss Environmental Protection Agency Water 4203M, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460 Phone:202 564-0742 Fax:202 564-0717 Email: weiss.kevin@epa.gov Mohammed Billah Environmental Protection Agency Water 4203M, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460 Phone:202 564-2228 Fax:202 564-6392 Email: billah.mohammed@epamail.epa.gov