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EPA/WATER RIN: 2040-AF35 Publication ID: Fall 2015 
Title: Effluent Guidelines and Standards for Oil and Gas Extraction Point Source Category 
Abstract:

Unconventional oil and gas extraction (UOG) wastewater can be generated in large quantities and contain constituents that are potentially harmful to human health and the environment. Wastewater from UOG wells often contains high concentrations of salt content, also called total dissolved solids or TDS. The wastewater can also contain various organic chemicals, inorganic chemicals, metals, and naturally occurring radioactive materials (also referred to as technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive material or TENORM). This potentially harmful wastewater creates a need for appropriate wastewater management infrastructure and practices. On April 7, 2015 the EPA proposed technology-based pretreatment standards under the Clean Water Act for discharges of pollutants into publicly owned treatment works (POTWs)from existing and new unconventional oil and natural gas extraction facilities. The proposed rule would better protect public health, the environment, and the operational integrity of POTWs by establishing pretreatment standards that would prevent the discharge of pollutants in wastewater from onshore UOG extraction facilities to POTWs. This proposed rule would fill a gap in existing federal wastewater regulations to ensure that the current practice of not sending wastewater discharges from this sector to POTWs continues into the future.

 
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 40 CFR 435   
Legal Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. Clean Water Act   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  04/07/2015  80 FR 18557   
NPRM Comment Period Extended  06/02/2015  80 FR 31342   
NPRM Comment Period End  06/08/2015 
NPRM Comment Period Extended End  07/17/2015 
Final Rule  08/00/2016 
Additional Information: Docket #:EPA-HQ-OW-2011-0334
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Information URL: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/wastetech/guide/cbm_index.cfm  
Sectors Affected: 213111 Drilling Oil and Gas Wells; 213112 Support Activities for Oil and Gas Operations 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Lisa Biddle
Environmental Protection Agency
Water
4303T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20460
Phone:202 566-0350
Email: biddle.lisa@epa.gov

Jan Matuszko
Environmental Protection Agency
Water
4303T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20460
Phone:202 566-1035
Fax:202 566-1053
Email: matuszko.jan@epa.gov