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2018-10-01 NPDES PermitNEBRASKA Good Life. Great Environment. DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY SEP 2 5 2010 James Realph, Mayor City of Blair 218 S 16th Street Blair, NE 68008 RE: City of Blair Potable Water Treatment Plant NDEQ ID: 46929 PROGRAM ID: NE0113913 Enclosed is the facility's: ® NPDES Permit ❑ NPP Permit ❑ NPDES/NPP Permit A copy of the permit shall be routed to the facility contact person who is responsible for retaining the NPDES facility records. Also enclosed is a Permit Compliance Checklist, this provides a general overview of what NDEQ evaluates to determine compliance during routine inspections. Questions regarding the permit or monitoring reports should be directed to the NDEQ compliance specialist as indicated below: ® Brett Anderson 402-679-1429 ❑ John Flint 308-641-7273 ❑ Nathan Kush 402-750-6077 pysj{ jj ❑ Mark Pomajzl 402-471-2936 ❑ Jeff Stittle 308-530-0873 A copy of the permit shall be routed to the facility contact person who is responsible for retaining the NPDES facility records. Also enclosed is a Permit Compliance Checklist, this provides a general overview of what NDEQ evaluates to determine compliance during routine inspections. Questions regarding the permit or monitoring reports should be directed to the NDEQ compliance specialist as indicated below: ® Brett Anderson 402-679-1429 ❑ John Flint 308-641-7273 ❑ Nathan Kush 402-750-6077 ❑ Tim Lindeen 402-471-2023 ❑ Mark Pomajzl 402-471-2936 ❑ Jeff Stittle 308-530-0873 ❑ Jason Windhorst 402-471-4205 Thank you. "n Kim Bubb, Staff Assistant NPDES Permits and Compliance Section Water Permits Division Enclosures cc w/o enclosure: Allen R. Schoemaker, Director of Public Works Blair PWTP Department of Environmental Quality P.O. Box 98922 NDEQ Omaha Field Office NDEQ Scottsbluff Field Office NDEQ Norfolk Office NDEQ Lincoln Office NDEQ Lincoln Office NDEQ North Platte Field Office NDEQ Lincoln Office deq.ne.gov Jim Macy, Director 1200 N Street, Suite 400 OFFICE 402-471-2186 FAX 402-471-2909 Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-8922 ndeq.moreinfo@nebraska.gov a, Ln ti _ -a _ o I= — MO a C3 NI—EBRi �41I e , /--,I - - DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY This guidance document is advisory in nature but is binding on an agency until amended by such agency. A guidance document does not include internal procedural documents that only affect the internal operations of the agency and does not impose additional requirements or penalties on regulated parties or include confidential information or rules and regulations made in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. If you believe that this guidance document imposes additional requirements or penalties on regulated parties, you may request a review of the document. February 2017 Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facility Permit Compliance Checklist Your permit provides the requirements you must meet to be in compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) performs routine inspections to verify compliance. These inspections include a review of your required NPDES records, a review of your operation and maintenance activities, and observations of the physical condition of your wastewater treatment facility (WWTF). Further details may be found in the body and Attachment A of your permit and NDEQ Titles 119, 123, and 197, available on the Department website. During a records review and the inspection, as applicable to your facility, we will evaluate the following list to determine compliance: General Permit Compliance • Meeting Limits • Meeting Compliance Schedule (if included) • Effluent and Influent Sampling • Meeting Narrative Requirements • Visual Observation of the Effluent Discharge to the receiving water. Records Review • 3 years of required records Permit/Fact sheet/Application DMRs Analytical Results/Lab Documentation • Sample Collection/Handling Documentation • Flow records Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) • Electronic Reporting • DMRs Submitted On Time • DMR Copies Retained Reporting • Backups • Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) • By-pass • Limit Violation Lift Stations Backup power/redundancy • Pump Conditions • Vents/Lights • Alarms • Screens/Comminutor/Grinder • Auxiliary backup/Redundancy Flow Measurement • Condition of Equipment • Calibration of Equipment Lagoon Treatment • Splitter Box • Operating Depth • Vegetation Control If you have questions please call the Wastewater Section at 402-471-4220. • Erosion Control • Animal Control • Lagoon Appearance • Fence/Signs Condition • Gate Closed and Locked Mechanical Treatment • Operation • Process Control • Physical Condition of the Equipment • Backup Power/Redundancy Biosolids • Required Records and Land Application Setback Compliance • 40 CFR 503 Compliance Laboratory • Analytical Equipment Calibration • Complete Bench Sheets • Correct Analytical Methods • Correct Laboratory Procedures Sample Handling • Correct Collection Method/Frequency • Holding Time/Preservation/Temperature General Operation and Maintenance (O&M) • Maintenance Record Keeping • Repairs • Routine Jetting and Cleaning • Inflow and Infiltration (1&1) • SCADA/Alarms Operator Certification • Certified Operator • Sufficient Backup Pretreatment • Significant Industrial Users (SIUs) Industrial Stormwater Permit • Only required if your design flow is 1 MGD or Greater • SWPPP/BMPs/Inspections Produced by: Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 98922, Lincoln, NE 68509-8922; phone (402) 471-2186. To view this, and other information related to our agency, visit our web site at hitp.Ildeg.ne.gov. Good Life. Great Environment. DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY Authorization to Discharge Under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) This NPDES permit is issued in compliance with the provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33- U.S.C. Secs. 1251 et. seq. as amended to date), the Nebraska Environmental Protection Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. Secs. 81-1501 et. seq. as amended to date), and the Rules and Regulations promulgated pursuant to these Acts. The facility and outfall(s) identified in this permit are authorized to discharge wastewater and are subject to the limitations, requirements, prohibitions and conditions set forth herein. This permit regulates and controls the release of pollutants in the discharge(s) authorized herein. This permit does not relieve permittees of other duties and responsibilities under the Nebraska Environmental Protection Act, as amended, or established by regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. NPDES Permit No. NE0113913 NDEQ ID 46929 Permittee City of Blair Facility Name Blair Water Treatment Plant Facility Location 742 East Fairview Road, Blair, NE 68008 Facility Mailing Address 218 South 16'" Street, Blair, NE 68008 Latitude/Longitude 41.551944 ON, 96.101389 °W Legal Description NE 1/, NE'/a, Section 7, Township 18 N, Range 12 W, Washington County Receiving Water Missouri River (Segment MTI -10000 in the Missouri River Tributaries Basin) Effective Date October 1, 2018 Expiration Date September 30, 2023 Pursuant to the Delegation Memorandum dated August 22, 2016 and signed by the Director, the undersigned hereby executes this document on the behalf of the Director. T, -J Signed this day of /� Sheley Schneider Wat ermits Division Administrator Department of Environmental Quality P.O. Box 98922 deq.rli Tim Macy, Director 1200 N Street, Suite 400 OFFICE 402-471-2186 FAX 402-471-2909 Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-8922 ndeq.moreinfo@nebraska.gov Blair Potable Water Treatment Plant NPDES Permit NEO 113913 Table of Contents October 1, 2018 Page 2 of 5 Part I. Discharge Limits and Monitoring Requirements for Outfall 002.............................................................. 3 A. Outfall 002 Discharge Monitoring Requirements.......................................................................................... 3 PartH Best Management Practices.......................................................................................................................4 Part III. Other Requirements and Conditions......................................................................................................4 A. Narrative Limits, Discharges Authorized Under this Permit.........................................................................4 B. Additional Monitoring...................................................................................................................................4 C. Method Detection Limit Reporting Requirements.........................................................................................4 D. Certified Operator Requirement.....................................................................................................................4 E. Permit Attachments........................................................................................................................................ 4 F. Permit Modification and Reopening..............................................................................................................4 G. Electronic Submission of Discharge Monitoring Reports..............................................................................4 Tableof Contents for Appendix A............................................................................................................................. 5 Blair Potable Water Treatment Plant October 1, 2018 NPDES Permit NEO 113913 Page 3 of 5 Part L Discharge Limits and Monitoring Requirements for Outfall 002 The discharge of lime solids and wastewater from Outfall 002, final effluent to the Missouri River, is authorized and shall be monitored and limited as specified in the tables below. Monitoring shall be conducted by sampling after all treatment processes and prior to mixing with any other outfall discharge before final discharge to the receiving stream, unless an alternative or more specific monitoring point is specified by the NDEQ. A. Outfall 002 Discharge Monitoring Requirements Flow 50050 MGD Report Report Quarterly Measured or Calculated Total Residual 50060 mg/L Report Report Semi -Annually Grab Chlorine (TRC) Total Suspended Solids 00530 mg/L Report Report Quarterly (b) Composite Dry Solids Discharge Measured or to Solution Handling 00167 kg Report Report Quarterly Calculated System Blair Potable Water Treatment Plant NPDES Permit NEO 113913 Part H Best Management Practices October 1, 2018 Page 4 of 5 Upon issuance of this permit, the City of Blair shall implement best management practices (BMPs) to reduce the concentration and aesthetics of total suspended solids discharged from the facility. The City of Blair shall evaluate and implement the possible plant changes, additions, or practices to reduce or eliminate slug loads of lime solids discharged to the Missouri River and reduce aesthetics issues from lime solids. Maintenance of implemented BMPs must be continued through the permit term. Part III. Other Requirements and Conditions A. Narrative Limits, Discharges Authorized Under this Permit 1. Shall not be toxic to aquatic life in surface waters of the State outside the mixing zones allowed in NDEQ Title 117, Nebraska Surface Water Quality Standards, 2. Shall not contain pollutants at concentrations or levels that produce objectionable films, colors, turbidity, deposits, or noxious odors in the receiving stream or waterway, and 3. Shall not contain pollutants at concentrations or levels that cause the occurrence of undesirable or nuisance aquatic life in the receiving stream. B. Additional Monitoring The Department may require increases in the monitoring frequencies set forth in this permit to address new information concerning a discharge, evidence of potential noncompliance, suspect water quality in a discharge, evidence of water quality impacts in the receiving stream or waterway, or other similar concerns. The Department may require monitoring for additional parameters not specified in this permit to address new information concerning a discharge, evidence of potential noncompliance, suspect water quality in a discharge, evidence of water quality impacts in the receiving stream or waterway, or other similar concerns. C. Method Detection Limit Reporting Requirements The minimum detection limit (MDL) is defined as the level at which the analytical system gives acceptable calibration points. If the analytical results are below MDL then the reported value on the DMR shall be a numerical value less than the MDL (e.g. <0.005). D. Certified Operator Requirement This facility is to be operated and maintained by operators certified in accordance with NDEQ Title 197, Rules and Regulations for the Certification of Wastewater Treatment Facility Operators in Nebraska. E. Permit Attachments The attachments to this permit may be modified without a formal modification of the permit. F. Permit Modification and Reopening This permit may be reopened and modified after public notice and opportunity for a public hearing for reasons specified in NDEQ Title 119 — Rules and Regulations Pertaining to the Issuance of Permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Chapter 24. G. Electronic Submission of Discharge Monitoring Reports The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Electronic Reporting Rule requires electronic reporting of NPDES information rather than the currently required paper based reports from the permitted facilities. To comply with the federal rule, permittees are required to submit DMRs electronically using the EPA NetDMR tool (Appendix A of 40 CFR part 127). Permittees may seek an electronic reporting waiver by submitting a letter to the department with a brief written statement regarding the basis for needing such a temporary waiver. The department will either approve or deny this electronic reporting waiver request. The duration of a temporary waiver may not exceed 5 years, which is the normal period for an NPDES permit term. Blair Potable Water Treatment Plant October 1, 2018 NPDES Permit NEO 113913 Page 5 of 5 Table of Contents for Appendix A Standard Conditions that Apply to NPDES and NPP Permits Section Page 1. Information Available.........................................................................................................................................1 2. Duty to Comply...................................................................................................................................................1 3. Violations of this Permit...................................................................................................................................... l 4. Duty to Reapply................................................................................................................................................... l 5. Need to Halt or Reduce Activity not a Defense..................................................................................................1 6. Duty to Mitigate..................................................................................................................................................1 7. Proper Operation and Maintenance................................................................ 1 8. Permit Actions.....................................................................................................................................................2 9. Property Rights....................................................................................................................................................2 10. Duty to Provide Information...............................................................................................................................2 11. Inspection and Entry............................................................................................................................................2 12. Monitoring and Records......................................................................................................................................2 13. Signatory Requirements......................................................................................................................................3 14. Reporting Requirements......................................................................................................................................4 15. Bypass.................................................................................................................................................................6 16. Upset....................................................................................................................................................................7 17. Other Rules and Regulations Liability................................................................................................................7 18. Severability..........................................................................................................................................................7 19. Other Conditions that Apply to NPDES and NPP Permits.................................................................................7 20. Definitions.........................................................................................................................................................10 21. Abbreviations....................................................................................................................................................12 Appendix A Conditions Applicable to all NPDES Permits The following conditions apply to all NPDES permits: 1. Information Available All permit applications, fact sheets, permits, discharge data, monitoring reports, and any public comments concerning such shall be available to the public for inspection and copying, unless such information about methods or processes is entitled to protection as trade secrets of the owner or operator under Neb. Rev. Stat. §81-1527, (Reissue 1999) and NDEQ Title 115, Chapter 4. 2. Duty to Comply a. The permittee must comply with all conditions of this permit. Any permit noncompliance constitutes a violation of the Federal Clean Water Act and the Applicable State Statutes and Regulations and is grounds for enforcement action; for permit termination, revocation and reissuance, or modification; or denial of a permit renewal application. b. The permittee shall comply with effluent standards or prohibitions established under section 307(a) of the Clean Water Act for toxic pollutants and with standards for sewage sludge use or disposal established under section 405(d) of the CWA within the time provided in the regulations that establish these standards or prohibitions or standards for sewage sludge use or disposal, even if the permit has not yet been modified to incorporate the requirement. 3. Violations of this Permit a. Any person who violates this permit maybe subject to penalties and sanctions as provided by the Clean Water Act. b. Any person who violates this permit maybe subject to penalties and sanctions as provided by the Nebraska Environmental Protection Act. 4. Duty to Reapply 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. 5. 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. 6. Duty to Mitigate The permittee shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or prevent any discharge or sludge use or disposal in violation of this permit which has a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting human health or the environment. 7. 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) which are installed or used by the permittee to achieve compliance with the conditions of this permit. Proper operation and maintenance also includes effective performance based on designed facility removals, effective management, adequate operator staffing and training, adequate process controls, adequate funding that reflects proper user fee schedules, adequate laboratory controls and appropriate quality assurance procedures. This provision requires the operation of back-up or auxiliary Page 1 of 12 facilities or similar systems which are installed by a permittee only when the operation is necessary to achieve compliance with the conditions of this permit. 8. Permit Actions 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. 9. Property Rights This permit does not convey any property rights of any sort, or any exclusive privilege. 10. Duty to Provide Information The permittee shall furnish to the Director, within a reasonable time, any information which the Director 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 Director upon request, copies of records required to be kept by this permit. 11. Inspection and Entry The permittee shall allow the Director, or an authorized representative (including an authorized contractor acting as a representative of the Administrator), upon presentation of credentials and other documents as may be required by law, to: a. Enter upon the permittee's premises where a regulated facility or activity is located or conducted, or where records must be kept under the conditions of 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 location. 12. Monitoring and Records a. Samples and measurements taken for the purpose of monitoring shall be representative of the monitored activity. b. Except for records of monitoring information required by this permit related to the permittee's sewage sludge use and disposal activities, which shall be retained for a period of at least five years (or longer as required by 40 CFR Part 503), 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 3 years from the date of the sample, measurement, report or application. This period may be extended by request of the Director at any time. c. Records of monitoring information shall include: i) The date(s), exact place, time and methods 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 Page 2 of 12 vi) The results of such analyses. d. Monitoring must be conducted according to test procedures approved under NDEQ Title 119, Chapter 27 002 unless another method is required under 40 CFR Subchapters N — Effluent Guidelines and Standards Parts 425 to 471 or O — Sewer Sludge Parts 501 and 503. e. Falsifies, Tampers, or Knowingly Renders Inaccurate i) On actions brought by EPA, the Clean Water Act 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, or by imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or both. If a conviction of a person is for a violation committed after a first conviction of such person under this paragraph, punishment is a fine of not more than $20,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment of not more than 4 years, or both. ii) On action brought by the State, The Nebraska Environmental Protection Act 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 pursuant to Neb. Stat. §81-1508.01. 13. Signatory requirements a. All applications, reports, or information submitted to the Director shall be signed and certified. i) All permit applications shall be signed as follows: (a) For a corporation (i) By a responsible corporate officer: For the purpose of this section, a responsible corporate officer means: (a) 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 or decision- making functions for the corporation, or (b) The manager of one or more manufacturing, production, or operating facilities, provided, the manager is authorized to make management decisions which govern the operation of the regulated facility including having the explicit or implicit duty of making major capital investment recommendations, and initiating and directing other comprehensive measures to assure long term environmental compliance with environmental laws and regulations; the manager can ensure that the necessary systems are established or actions taken to gather complete and accurate information for permit application requirements; and where authority to sign documents has been assigned or delegated to the manager in accordance with corporate procedures. (b) For a partnership or sole proprietorship (i) By a general partner or the proprietor. (c) For a municipality, State, Federal, or other public agency (i) By either a principal executive officer or ranking elected official. For purposes of this section, a principal executive officer of a Federal agency includes: (a) The chief executive officer of the agency, or (b) A senior executive officer having responsibility for the overall operations of a principal geographic unit of the agency (e.g., Regional Administrators of EPA). b. Reports and Other Information i) All reports required by permits, and other information requested by the Director shall be signed by a person described in this section [paragraphs 13. a. i) (a),(b), or (c)], or by a duly authorized representative of that person. A person is a duly authorized representative only if: Page 3 of 12 (a) The authorization is made in writing by a person described in paragraphs 13. a. i) (a),(b), or (c); (b) The authorization specifies either an individual or a position having responsibility for the overall operation of the regulated facility or activity such as the position 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, (a duly authorized representative may thus be either a named individual or any individual occupying a named position) and; (c) The written authorization is submitted to the Director. c. Changes to Authorization If an authorization of paragraphs 13. a. i) (a),(b), or (c) is no longer accurate because a different individual or position has responsibility for the overall operation of the facility, a new authorization satisfying the requirements of this section must be submitted to the Director prior to or together with any reports, information, or applications to be signed by an authorized representative. d. Certification All applications, reports and information submitted as a requirement of this permit shall contain the following certification statement: i) I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gathered and evaluated the information submitted. Based 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. e. False Statement, Representation, or Certification i) 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. ii) The Nebraska Environmental Protection Act provides criminal penalties and sanctions for false statement, representation, or certification in any application, label, manifest, record, report, plan, or other document required to be filed or maintained by the Environmental Protection Act, the Integrated Solid Waste Management Act, the Livestock Waste Management Act or the rules or regulations adopted and promulgated pursuant to such acts. 14. Reporting Requirements a. Planned Changes i) The permittee shall give notice to the Director as soon as possible of any planned physical alterations or additions to the permitted facility. Notice is required only when: (a) The alteration or addition to a permitted facility may meet one of the criteria for determining whether a facility is a new source in NDEQ Title 119, Chapter 4 and 8. (b) The alteration or addition could significantly change the nature or increase the quantity of pollutants discharged. This notification applies to pollutants which are subject neither to effluent limitations in the permit, nor to notification requirements under NDEQ Title 119, Chapter 15. (c) The alteration or addition results in a significant change in the permittee's sludge use or disposal practices, and such alteration, addition, or change may justify the application of permit conditions Page 4 of 12 that are different from or absent in the existing permit, including notification of additional use or disposal sites not reported during the permit application process or not reported pursuant to an approved land application plan. The sludge program is not delegated to the State so notification to the EPA Regional Administrator in addition to the State is required. b. Anticipated Noncompliance The permittee shall give advance notice to the Director 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 to any person except after notice to the Director. The Director 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 NDEQ Title 119, Chapter 24 in some cases, modification or revocation and reissuance is mandatory. d. Monitoring Reports i) Monitoring results shall be reported at the intervals specified elsewhere in this permit. ii) Monitoring results must be reported on a Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) or forms provided or specified by the Director. iii) Monitoring results shall be submitted on a quarterly basis using the reporting schedule set forth below, unless otherwise specified in this permit or by the Department. Monitoring Quarters DMR Reporting Deadlines January - March April 28 April - June July 28 July - September October 28 October - December January 28 iv) For reporting results of monitoring of sludge use or disposal practices v) Additional reports may be required by the EPA Regional Administrator. vi) If the permittee monitors any pollutant more frequently than required by the permit using test procedures approved in NDEQ Title 119, Chapter 27 002, or another method required for an industry - specific waste stream under 40 CFR Subchapters N — Effluent Guidelines and Standards Parts 425 to 471 and O — Sewer Sludge Parts 501 and 503, the results of such monitoring shall be included in the calculation and reporting of the data submitted in the DMR or sludge reporting form specified by the Director or EPA Regional Administrator. vii) Calculations for all limitations which require averaging of measurements shall utilize an arithmetic mean unless otherwise specified by the Director in the permit. e. 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. f. Twenty-four Hour Reporting i) The permittee shall report any noncompliance which may endanger human health or the environment. 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 5 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 times, and if the noncompliance has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the noncompliance. Page 5 of 12 ii) The following shall be included as information which must be reported within 24 hours under this paragraph. (a) Any unanticipated bypass which exceeds any effluent limitation in this permit. (b) Any upset which exceeds any effluent limitation in this permit. (c) Violation of a maximum daily discharge limitation for any of the pollutants listed by the Director in the permit to be reported within 24 hours. g. The Director may waive the written report on a case-by-case basis for reports under section 14. f. ii) (a), (b) and (c) if the oral report has been received within 24 hours. h. Other noncompliance The permittee shall report all instances of noncompliance not reported under paragraphs d., e., and f. of this section, at the time monitoring reports are submitted. The reports shall contain the information listed in paragraph f. of this section. i. 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 Director, it shall promptly submit such facts or information. j. Noncompliance Report Forms i) Noncompliance Report Forms are available from the Department and shall be submitted with or as the written noncompliance report. ii) The submittal of a written noncompliance report does not relieve the permittee of any liability from enforcement proceedings that may result from the violation of permit or regulatory requirements. 15. Bypass a. Definitions i) Bypass means the intentional diversion of waste streams from any portion of a treatment facility. ii) Severe property damage means substantial physical damage to property, damage to the treatment facilities which causes them to become inoperable, or substantial and permanent loss of natural resources which can reasonably be expected to occur in the absence of a bypass. Severe property damage does not mean economic loss caused by delays in production. b. Bypass Not Exceeding Limitations The permittee may allow any bypass to occur which does not cause effluent limitations to be exceeded, but only if it also is for essential maintenance to assure efficient operation. These bypasses are not subject to the provisions of paragraphs 15.c. and d. of this section. c. Notice i) Anticipated Bypass If the permittee knows in advance of the need for a bypass, it shall submit prior notice, if possible at least ten days before the date of the bypass. ii) Unanticipated Bypass The permittee shall submit notice of an unanticipated bypass as required in paragraph 141 of this section (24-hour notice). d. Prohibition of Bypass Bypass is prohibited, and the Director may take enforcement action against a permittee for bypass, unless: Page 6 of 12 i) Bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage; ii) There were no feasible alternatives to the bypass, such as the use of auxiliary treatment facilities, retention of untreated wastes, or maintenance during normal periods of equipment downtime. This condition is not satisfied if adequate back-up equipment should have been installed in the exercise of reasonable engineering judgment to prevent a bypass which occurred during normal periods of equipment downtime or preventive maintenance; and iii) The permittee submitted notices as required under paragraph 15.c. of this section. e. The Director may approve an anticipated bypass, after considering its adverse effects, if the Director determines that it will meet the three conditions listed above in paragraph 15.d. 16. Upset a. Definition Upset means an exceptional incident in which there is unintentional and temporary noncompliance with technology based permit effluent limitations because of factors beyond the reasonable control of the permittee. An upset does not include noncompliance to the extent caused by operational error, improperly designed treatment facilities, inadequate treatment facilities, lack of preventive maintenance, or careless or improper operation. b. Effect of an Upset An upset constitutes an affirmative defense to an action brought for noncompliance with such technology based permit effluent limitations if the requirements of paragraph 16.c. of this section are met. No determination made during administrative review of claims that noncompliance was caused by upset, and before an action for noncompliance, is final administrative action subject to judicial review. c. Conditions Necessary for a Demonstration of Upset. A permittee who wishes to establish the affirmative defense of upset shall demonstrate, through properly signed, contemporaneous operating logs, or other relevant evidence that: i) An upset occurred and that the permittee can identify the cause(s) of the upset; ii) The permitted facility was at the time being properly operated; iii) The permittee submitted notice of the upset as required in paragraph 141 ii) (a), of this section (24- hour notice). iv) The permittee complied with any remedial measures required under paragraph (d) of this section. d. Burden of Proof In any enforcement proceeding, the permittee seeking to establish the occurrence of an upset has the burden of proof. 17. Other Rules and Regulations Liability The issuance of this permit in no way relieves the obligation of the permittee to comply with other rules and regulations of the Department. 18. Severability If any provision of this permit is held invalid, the remainder of this permit shall not be affected. 19. Other Conditions that Apply to NPDES and NPP Permits a. Land Application of Wastewater Effluent The permittee shall be permitted to discharge treated domestic wastewater effluent by means of land application in accordance with the regulations and standards set forth in NDEQ Title 119, Chapter 12 002. Page 7 of 12 The Wastewater Section of the Department must be notified in writing if the permittee chooses to land apply effluent. b. Toxic Pollutants The permittee shall not discharge pollutants to waters of the state that cause a violation of the standards established in NDEQ Titles 117, 118 or 119. All discharges to surface waters of the state shall be free of toxic (acute or chronic) substances which alone or in combination with other substances, create conditions unsuitable for aquatic life outside the appropriate mixing zone. c. Oil and Hazardous Substances/Spill Notification Nothing in this permit shall preclude the initiation of any legal action or relieve the permittee from any responsibilities, liabilities or penalties under section 311 of the Clean Water Act. The permittee shall conform to the provisions set forth in NDEQ Title 126, Rules and Regulations Pertaining to the Management of Wastes. If the permittee knows, or has reason to believe, that oil or hazardous substances were released at the facility and could enter waters of the state or any of the outfall discharges authorized in this permit, the permittee shall immediately notify the Department of a release of oil or hazardous substances. During Department office hours (i.e., 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays), notification shall be made to the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality at telephone numbers (402) 471-2186 or (877) 253-2603 (toll free). When NDEQ cannot be contacted, the permittee shall report to the Nebraska State Patrol for referral to the NDEQ Immediate Response Team at telephone number (402) 471-4545. It shall be the permittee's responsibility to maintain current telephone numbers necessary to carry out the notification requirements set forth in this paragraph. d. Removed Substances i) Solids, sludge, filter backwash or other pollutants removed in the course of treatment or control of wastewater shall be disposed of at a site and in a manner approved by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. (a) The disposal of nonhazardous industrial sludges shall conform to the standards established in or to the regulations established pursuant to 40 CFR Part 257. (b) The disposal of sludge shall conform to the standards established in or to the regulations established pursuant to 40 CFR Part 503. (c) If solids are disposed of in a licensed sanitary landfill, the disposal of solids shall conform to the standards established in NDEQ Title 132. ii) Publicly owned treatment works shall dispose of sewage sludge in a manner that protects public health and the environment from any adverse effects which may occur from toxic pollutants as defined in Section 307 of the Clean Water Act. iii) This permit may be modified or revoked and reissued to incorporate regulatory limitations established pursuant to 40 CFR Part 503. e. Representative Sampling i) Samples and measurements taken as required within this permit shall be representative of the discharge. All samples shall be taken at the monitoring points specified in this permit and, unless otherwise specified, before the effluent joins or is diluted by any other waste stream, body of water, or substance. Monitoring points shall not be changed without notification to the Department and with the written approval of the Director. ii) Composite sampling shall be conducted in one of the following manners; (a) Continuous discharge - a minimum of one discrete aliquot collected every three hours, (b) Less than 24 hours - a minimum of hourly discrete aliquots or a continuously drawn sample shall be collected during the discharge, or Page 8 of 12 (c) Batch discharge - a minimum of three discrete aliquots shall be collected during each discharge. (d) Composite samples shall be collected in one of the following manners: (i) The volume of each aliquot must be proportional to either the waste stream flow at the time of sampling or the total waste stream flow since collection of the previous aliquot, (ii) A number of equal volume aliquots taken at varying time intervals in proportion to flow, (iii)A sample continuously collected in proportion to flow, and (e) Where flow proportional sampling is infeasible or non -representative of the pollutant loadings, the Department may approve the use of time composite samples. (f) Grab samples shall consist of a single aliquot collected over a time period not exceeding 15 minutes. iii) All sample preservation techniques shall conform to the methods adopted in NDEQ Title 119, Chapter 21 006 unless: (a) In the case of sludge samples, alternative techniques are specified in 40 CFR Part 503, or (b) Other procedures are specified in this permit. iv) Flow Measurements Appropriate flow measurement devices and methods consistent with accepted scientific practices shall be used to insure the accuracy and reliability of measurements. The devices shall be installed, calibrated and maintained to insure the accuracy of the measurements. The accepted capability shall be consistent with that type of device. Devices selected shall be capable of measuring flows with a maximum deviation of +/- 10%. The amount of deviation shall be from the true -discharge rates throughout the range of expected discharge volumes. Guidance can be obtained from the following references for the selection, installation, calibration and operation of acceptable flow measurement devices: (a) "Water Measurement Manual," U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Third Edition, Revised Reprint, 2001. (Available online at http://www.usbr.gov/tse/techi-efei-elices/mands/wmm/index.htm) (b) "NPDES Compliance Flow Measurement Manual, "U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Enforcement, Publication MCD -77, September 1981, 147 pp. (Available online at http://www.epa.gov/nscep, and enter `NPDES Compliance Flow Measurement Manual, Publication MCD -77' in the search box) f. Changes of Loadings to Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) All POTWs must provide adequate notice to the Director of the following: i) Any new introduction of pollutants into the POTW from an indirect discharger which would be subject to NDEQ Title 119, Chapter 26, if it were directly discharging those pollutants; ii) Any substantial change in the volume or character of pollutants being introduced into that POTW by a source introducing pollutants into the POTW at the time of issuance of the permit. iii) For purposes of this paragraph, adequate notice shall include information on the quality and quantity of effluent introduced into the POTW, and any anticipated impact of the change on the quantity or quality of effluent to be discharged from the POTW. Page 9 of 12 20. Definitions Administrator: The Administrator of the USEPA. Aliquot: An individual sample having a minimum volume of 100 milliliters that is collected either manually or in an automatic sampling device. Annually: Once every calendar year. Authorized Representative: Individual or position designated the authorization to submit reports, notifications, or other information requested by the Director on behalf of the Owner under the circumstances that the authorization is made in writing by the Owner, the authorization specifies the individual or position who is duly authorized, and the authorization is submitted to the Director. Bimonthly: Once every other month. Biosolids: Sewage sludge that is used or disposed through land application, surface disposal, incineration, or disposal in a municipal solid waste landfill. Biweekly: Once every other week. Bypass: The intentional diversion of wastes from any portion of a treatment facility. Certifying Official: See Section 13, Standard Conditions above. Daily Average: An effluent limitation that cannot be exceeded and is calculated by averaging the monitoring results for any given pollutant parameter obtained during a 24-hour day. Department: Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. Director: The Director of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. Industrial Discharge: Wastewater that originates from an industrial process and / or is noncontact cooling water and / or is boiler blowdown. Industrial User: A source of indirect discharge (a pretreatment facility). Monthly Average: An effluent limitation that cannot be exceeded. It is calculated by averaging any given pollutant parameter monitoring results obtained during a calendar month. Operator: A person (often the general contractor) designated by the owner who has day to day operational control and/or the ability to modify project plans and specifications related to the facility. Owner: A person or party possessing the title of the land on which the activities will occur; or if the activity is for a lease holder, the party or individual identified as the lease holder; or the contracting government agency responsible for the activity. Outfall: A discernible, confined and discrete conveyance, including but not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, or container from which pollutants are or may be discharged into Waters of the State. Passive Discharge: A discharge from a POTW that occurs in the absence of an affirmative action and is not authorized by the NPDES permit (e.g. discharges due to a leaking valve, discharges from an overflow structure) and / or is a discharge from an overflow structure not designed as part of the POTW (e.g. discharges resulting from lagoon berm / dike breaches). Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW): A treatment works as defined by Section 212 of the Clean Water Act (Public Law 100-4) which is owned by the state or municipality, excluding any sewers or other conveyances not leading to a facility providing treatment. Semiannually: Twice every year. Page 10 of 12 Significant Industrial User (SIU): All industrial users subject to Categorical Pretreatment Standards or any industrial user that, unless exempted under Chapter 1, Section 105 of NDEQ Title 119, discharges an average of 25,000 gallons per day or more of process water; or contributes a process waste stream which makes up 5 percent or more of the average dry weather hydraulic or organic capacity of the POTW; or is designated as such by the Director on the basis that the industrial user has a reasonable potential for adversely affecting the POTW's operation or for violating any National Pretreatment Standard or requirement. Sludge: Any solid, semisolid, or liquid waste generated from a municipal, commercial, or industrial wastewater treatment plant, water supply treatment plant, or air pollution control facility or any other such waste having similar characteristics and effect. 30 -Day Average: An effluent limitation that cannot be exceeded. It is calculated by averaging any given pollutant parameter monitoring results obtained during a calendar month. Total Toxic Organics (TTO): The summation of all quantifiable values greater than 0.01 milligrams per liter (mg/1) for toxic organic compounds that may be identified elsewhere in this permit. (If this term has application in this permit, the list of toxic organic compounds will be identified, typically in the Limitations and Monitoring Section(s) and/or in an additional Appendix to this permit.) Toxic Pollutant: Those pollutants or combination of pollutants, including disease causing agents, after discharge and upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation or assimilation into an organism, either directly from the environment or indirectly by ingestion through food chains will, on the basis of information available to the administrator, cause death, disease, behavioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic mutations, physiological malfunction (including malfunctions in reproduction), or physical deformations in such organisms or their offspring. Upset: An exceptional incident in which there is unintentional and temporary noncompliance with technology based permit effluent limitations because of factors beyond the reasonable control of the permittee, excluding such factors as operational error, improperly designed or inadequate treatment facilities, or improper operation and. maintenance or lack thereof. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC): The summation of all quantifiable values greater than 0.01 milligrams per liter (mg/1) for volatile, toxic organic compounds that may be identified elsewhere in this permit. (See the definition for Total Toxic Organics above. In many instances, VOCs are defined as the volatile fraction of the TTO parameter. If the term VOC has application in this permit, the list of toxic organic compounds will be identified, typically in the Limitations and Monitoring Section(s) and/or in an additional Appendix to this permit.) Waters of the State: All waters within the jurisdiction of this state including all streams, lakes, ponds, impounding reservoirs, marshes, wetlands, watercourses, waterways, wells, springs, irrigation systems, drainage systems, and all other bodies or accumulations of water, surface and underground, natural or artificial, public or private, situated wholly or partly within or bordering upon the state. Weekly Average: An effluent limitation that cannot be exceeded. It is calculated by averaging any given pollutant parameter monitoring results obtained during a fixed calendar week. The permittee may start their week on any weekday but the weekday must remain fixed. The Department approval is required for any change of the starting day. "X" Day Average: An effluent limitation defined as the maximum allowable "X" day average of consecutive monitoring results during any monitoring period where "X" is a number in the range of one to seven days. Page 11 of 12 21. Abbreviations CFR: Code of Federal Regulations kg/Day: Kilograms per Day MGD: Million Gallons per Day mg/L: Milligrams per Liter NOI: Notice of Intent NDEQ: Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality NDEQ Title 115: Rules of Practice and Procedure NDEQ Title 117: Nebraska Surface Water Quality Standards NDEQ Title 118: Ground Water Quality Standards and Use Classification NDEQ Title 119: Rules and Regulations Pertaining to the Issuance of Permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NDEQ Title 126: Rules and Regulations Pertaining to the Management of Wastes NDEQ Title 132: Integrated Solid Waste Management Regulations NPDES: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NPP: Nebraska Pretreatment Program POTW: Publicly Owned Treatment Works µg/L: Micrograms per Liter WWTF: Wastewater Treatment Facility Page 12 of 12 Nebraska Department of Environmental Qualit NPDES Permits and Compliance Section 1200 `N' Street, Suite 400, The Atrium PO Box 98922 Lincoln, NE 68509-8922 Tel. (402) 471-4220 Fax (402)471-2909 Fact Sheet City of Blair Potable Water Treatment Plant Blair, Nebraska NPDES NE0113913 / NDEQ ID 46929 Table of Contents A. PROPOSED ACTION - TENTATIVE DETERMINATION.......................................................................................2 B. APPLICANT AND FACILITY INFORMATION......................................................................................................2 C. SEGMENT, USE DESIGNATIONS, AND IMPAIRMENTS......................................................................................2 D. ANTIDEGRADATION REvIEw...........................................................................................................................3 E. EXISTING PERMIT LIMITS................................................................................................................................3 F. SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE DRAFT PERMIT..................................................................3 G. BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR THE BLAIR PWTP...................................................................................4 1. Overview and History of the Treatment Process.........................................................................................4 2. Report Requirements....................................................................................................................................5 3. Regional PWTP Environmental Studies......................................................................................................5 H. BASIS FOR REQUIREMENTS IN THE DRAFT PERMIT.......................................................................................6 1. FACTORS FOR BPJ DETERMINATION..............................................................................................................9 1. Estimated Cost of Technology.....................................................................................................................9 2. The Process Employed...............................................................................................................................10 3. Engineering Aspects..................................................................................................................................10 4. Renovations at the Blair PWTP.................................................................................................................10 5. Process Changes..............................:..........................................................................................................10 6. Effluent Reduction Benefits.......................................................................................................................1 l 7. Non -Water Quality Environmental Impacts..............................................................................................11 8. The Age of Equipment and Facilities.........................................................................................................12 9. Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................12 J. REQUIREMENTS IN THE DRAFT PERMIT........................................................................................................13 1. Outfall 001 2. Monitoring and Limitations for Outfall 002 --= 3. Other Conditions and Requirements =' -- K. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.....................................................................................................................15 L. INFORMATION REQUESTS...............................................................................................................................16 1-n ru M. SUBMISSION OF FORMAL COMMENTS OR REQUESTS FOR HEARING..........................................................16 C o Attachment 1– Site Maps C3 — 'o Attachment 2 – Reasonable Potential for Aluminum C o ru Blair Potable Water Treatment Plant Fact Sheet for NPDES Permit No. NE0113913 A. Proposed Action - Tentative Determination October 1, 2018 Page 2 of 16 On the basis of a preliminary staff review, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has made a tentative determination to reissue, with changes, the NPDES Permit NEO 113913 to the City of Blair for the Blair Potable Water Treatment Plant (PWTP) for the discharge of non -process wastewater to the Missouri River (MTI -10000) in the Missouri River Basin. B. Applicant and Facility Information Applicant City of Blair Facility Blair Potable Water Treatment Plant Address 218 South Wh Street, Blair, Nebraska 68008 Location of Facility 742 East Fairview Road, Blair, Nebraska 68008 Legal Description NE 1/4, NE 1/4, Section 7, Township 18 N, Range 12 E, Washington County, NE SIC Code 4941 Facility Information: Blair Potable Water Treatment Plant (PWTP) is a treatment system for a public drinking water supply owned and operated by the City of Blair. C. Segment, Use Designations, and Impairments The Blair PWTP discharges treated wastewater to the Missouri River in the Missouri Tributaries River Basin. Segment, basin, and use designations for the Missouri River are set forth in NDEQ Title 117 - Nebraska Surface Water Quality Standards. Impairments and pollutants of concern are from the NDEQ 2018 Water Quality Integrated Report. Receiving Stream for the Blair PWTP: Missouri River Basin / Segment: MTI -10000 of the Missouri Tributaries River Basin. Water Quality Usage Designations for the Missouri River (MTI -10000) Aquatic life: Warmwater A Agricultural Water Supply: Class A Recreation Yes Drinking Water Supply Yes Industrial Water Supply Yes Aesthetics Yes Key Species Listed Below Endangered Species: Pallid Sturgeon, Sturgeon Chub Threatened Species: Lake Sturgeon Recreational Species: Paddlefish, Blue Catfrsh, Channel Catfrsh, Flathead Catfish Impairments and Parameters of Concern for the Missouri River (MT1-10000) Impairments/Causes Public Drinking Water Supply (Sulfate), Recreation (E. coli) TMDL None Comments/Actions Fish consumption assessment Blair Potable Water Treatment Plant Fact Sheet for NPDES Permit No. NE0113913 D. Antidegradation Review October 1, 2018 Page 3 of 16 An antidegradation review was performed for purposes of developing the permit pursuant to 40 CFR 131.12. The results of the evaluation indicate that the Missouri River, the receiving water body of the discharge addressed by the permit, has habitat for aquatic life. The designated uses of the Missouri River were considered during permit development. The limitations in the draft permit are protective of the Clean Water Act § 101(a)(2) fishable/swimmable goals and will ensure the existing quality of water in the receiving stream is not lowered. E. Existing Permit Limits Listed below is a summary of the existing permit monitoring requirements and limitations Table FS -1. Monitoring Re uirements for Outfall 001 — Discharge to the Missouri River Parameter 30 Day Average Maximum Monitoring Frequency Flow Report Report Quarterly Conductivity Report Report Quarterly Total Suspended Solids Report Report Quarterly pH (Standard Units) Maintain between 6.5 to 9.0 Quarterly Table FS -2. Monitoring Requirements for Outfall 002 — Discharge to the Missouri River Parameter 30 Day Average Maximum Monitoring Frequency Flow Report Report Quarterly Conductivity Report Report Quarterly Total Suspended Solids Report Report Quarterly Dry Solids to Handling System Report Report Quarterly H Standard Units Maintain between 6.5 to 9.0 Quarterly F. Summary of the Proposed Changes in the Draft Permit Changes to the current permit requirements are summarized below. See the attached draft permit for specific information on the permit conditions. 1. A requirement to evaluate and/or implement BMPs at the Blair PWTP. 2. Monitoring requirements for Outfall 001 have been removed from the permit. 3. Monitoring for conductivity is removed for Outfall 002. 4. Monitoring for TRC is added for Outfall 002. 5. Pollution scan requirements are added for Outfall 002. 6. General conditions and requirements have been updated, including addition of electronic reporting. Blair Potable Water Treatment Plant Fact Sheet for NPDES Permit No. NEO 113913 October 1, 2018 Page 4 of 16 G. Background Information for the Blair PWTP 1. Overview and History of the Treatment Process Blair Potable Water Treatment Plant (PWTP) supplies drinking water for the City of Blair water system that serves more than 3000 customers and a population of 7990. The Blair PWTP was constructed in 1978-1979 and put on line in 1979. The source water for the Blair PWTP is the Missouri River (MT1- 10000). The design water production flow of the facility is of 20 MGD. The original facility was designed to treat 5 MGD. In 1994, Cargill Industries started construction on a corn milling and processing plant. The City of Blair entered into a contract with the facility to increase water treatment to handle plant needs. The facility was upgraded to process 8 MGD in 1995. Cargill was responsible for 3.5 MGD and Blair 4.5 MGD of the treatment capacity. Cargill further contacted the City of Blair to negotiate expansions of water treatment at the Blair PWTP in 2000, 2006, and 2010. Each occurrence resulted in improvements to the PWTP, with Cargill being responsible for more and more of the treatment capacity. The most recent event finalized WTP upgrades in 2012. The City of Blair PWTP capacity was increased to the current treatment level of 20 MGD. Cargill is responsible for 15.5 MGD of the capacity, while the City of Blair residents and other industries responsible for the remaining 4.5 MGD. The plant also received a grant from FEMA to construct a permanent flood control berm system in response to floods in 2011. The berms are scheduled to be completed in 2016. Water drawn from the Missouri River first flows into two pre -settling basins to remove suspended heavy solids. The settled solids are raked from the bottom of the tanks to a manhole (Outfall 00 1) which mixes with the PWTP wastewater and lime sludge before also mixing with the Blair publically owned treatment works (POTW) discharge. All combined wastes are discharged through a 42" pipe to the Missouri River. The settled solids in the pre -settling basins are discharged approximately every 2.5 hours, though the frequency can be increased in periods of high turbidity. After discharging from the pre -settling basins, the influent source water flows into one of three upflow clarifiers used as detention tanks for treatment. Polymer is added to the source water when exiting the pre -settling basins to coagulate suspended solids. An average of 364 pounds of polymer is used daily. Pebble lime is added in the upflow basins as a mix of water and lime slurry by flowing through a slaker to the basin center. An average of 12,702 pounds of pebble lime is used daily at the facility, split between the three basins. In addition to the polymer and pebble lime, an average of 865 pounds of aluminum sulfate is added to the upflow basins daily. Solids that coagulate and settle in the basins, including lime sludge, are raked off approximately every 2 hours and discharged through Outfall 002 to the Missouri River after combining with the Blair POTW discharge. After treatment in the upflow basins source water is introduced into one of three recarbination basins where CO2 gas is injected to reduce the pH of the water. Chlorine gas is injected into the water for disinfection. The source water is then filtered through one of ten multimedia filters. The filters remove solids, and need to be backwashed approximately every 100 hours. Clean treated water is pushed through the filters to backwash them. The backwash wastewater is moved to a holding well before discharging to comingle with wastes from the pre -settling basins and upflow clarifiers. A typical backwash uses around 60,000 gallons of water. The backwash water is discharged through Outfall 002 to the Missouri River. In addition to wastes and wastewater generated during the source water purification process, annual cleaning of one upflow clarifier and occasional cleaning of pre -settling basins introduces wastewater to Outfall 002. Chlorine gas is injected into the source water again for more purification after moving through the multimedia filters. The water is then ready for distribution to residential and industrial users. Combined flow of Outfalls 001 and 002 averages 0.983 MGD with a maximum discharge of 2.256 MGD. This discharge includes lime sludge. Blair Potable Water Treatment Plant Fact Sheet for NPDES Permit No. NE0113913 October 1, 2018 Page 5 of 16 2. Report Requirements The current NPDES permit for the Blair PWTP was issued on April 1, 2001 and administratively extended on March 31, 2006. When the current permit was issued, filter backwash water and lime sludge were discharged through Outfall 002 to the Missouri River. The average flow rate through Outfalls 001 and 002 was 0.983 MGD (both had same reported discharge volume). Finished drinking water containing microbial or chemical contamination was discharged through Outfall 001 or Outfall 002 to protect the quality of the drinking water discharged to the transmission supply system. The current permit issued to the Blair PWTP also directed the City of Blair to implement a best management practices (BMP) plan to reduce pollutant discharge to the Missouri River. On January 28, 2015 the Department sent a letter to the City of Blair requesting additional information to supplement the NPDES application so that a satisfactory analysis of the costs and benefits of solids removal could be provided by the Department. Among other items, the letter requested that Blair provide the annualized cost per household for each projected water treatment technology as described above, the current average cost per household for drinking water in Blair service area, and the median household income in the service area. 3. Regional PWTP Environmental Studies Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD) of Omaha conducted numerous environmental studies at the Florence PWTP in Omaha and the Platte South PWTP to determine the impact of the water treatment plant discharges to the Missouri River. These two plants discharge much great quantities of lime sludge and other pollutant parameters to the river, but the results of multiple studies can be used to make useful conclusions regarding the Blair PWTP discharge. MUD conducted a pH mixing zone study of the facility discharge to the Missouri River. The study indicated that the facility discharge did not violate Title 117 standards for pH. In addition to the mixing zone study, benthic macroinvertebrate studies were conducted at both Omaha PWTPs. The studies indicated that there was no impact to the growth or health of the planned test communities. Water quality was not affected by the discharge. MUD conducted a study to determine the quantity and types of pollutants found in the facility discharge from Platte South PWTP. The facility discharge raised levels of aluminum, total iron, and manganese downstream of the outfall. The amounts of those parameters discharged did not violate water quality standards, but the presence indicates pollutants in the facility effluent. Blair uses aluminum sulfate in its purification process, so increased aluminum downstream from the outfall is a concern. Aluminum monitoring is added to the permit. Solids are a pollutant of concern based on the mass of lime softening solids discharged from the MUD Platte South PWTP. Statistical analysis indicates that the average total suspended solids (TSS) 375 feet upstream of the Platte South Missouri River outfall are greater than the concentrations at 50 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet downstream of the outfall. There was no significant difference between the average TSS concentrations upstream of the outfall and the average concentration measured 400 feet downstream from the discharge. Settable solids concentrations for all locations were below the detection limit. The data show that the solids discharged by Platte South PWTF are not degrading the water quality of the Missouri River. This conclusion can be a proxy evaluation for the discharge of the Blair PWTP. A CORMIX model was performed on the Platte South outfall. The model indicated that the lime sludge waste discharged from the outfall was fully mixed within 35 feet of the outfall opening to the river. This mixing zone percentage and length will be roughly similar to that at Blair. The facility's discharge will mix thoroughly in the river shortly after its discharge. Blair Potable Water Treatment Plant Fact Sheet for NPDES Permit No. NE0113913 H. Basis for Requirements in the Draft Permit October 1, 2018 Page 6 of 16 The Clean Water Act (CWA) was enacted by congress to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's water by setting a national goal of eliminating the discharge of pollutants into the nation's waters and prohibit the discharge of any pollutant except in compliance with provision as authorized by an NPDES permit. A major goal of the CWA is to make reasonable progress toward the national goal of eliminating the discharge of all pollutants to the nation's water. This strategy requires discharge limitations based not only on the impact of the discharge on the receiving waters, but also on the capabilities of the technologies available to control those discharges. Technology based limits aim to prevent pollution by requiring polluters to install and implement various forms of technology designed to reduce or eliminate discharge of pollutants. NPDES permits must also include water quality based limitations where technology based limitations alone are insufficient to attain or maintain applicable water quality standards. When developing effluent limits for a NPDES permit, the NDEQ considers limits based ori both the technology available to treat the pollutants (technology based effluent limits) and limits that are protective of the designated uses of the receiving water (water quality based effluent limits). The intent of technology based effluent limitations is to require a minimum level of treatment for point sources based on currently available treatment technology. Water quality based effluent limits are developed by the State of Nebraska to protect the beneficial uses of the receiving waters. The water quality based effluent limits involve a site- specific evaluation of the effluent discharge and its effect on the receiving water. Permit limits are developed by a comprehensive assessment of both technology-based limits and water quality based limits. 1. Best Professional Judgment Best professional judgment (BPJ) is the method used by permit writers to develop technology-based NPDES permit conditions when effluent guidelines and standards do not include limitations for an industrial category or subcategory. BPJ based limits are developed on a case-by-case basis using all reasonably available and relevant data. Technology-based treatment requirements, including BPJ, are adopted and incorporated by reference in Title 119, Chapter 20. 2. Reasonable Potential Determination Reasonable potential, in accordance with Title 119, Chapter 17, is the likelihood a pollutant could lead to an excursion above an applicable water quality standard. A reasonable potential calculation is applied to determine whether there is a reasonable potential for the effluent from the facility to cause an exceedance of in -stream criteria. If the results of this calculation indicate there is no reasonable potential to exceed in -stream criteria, report only monitoring may be included in the permit for that pollutant. If the results of this calculation indicate a reasonable potential to exceed in -stream criteria, a limit is included in the permit. 3. Anti -backsliding Anti -backsliding is a statutory provision that prohibits the renewal, reissuance, or modification of an existing NPDES permit that contains effluent limitations, permit conditions, or standards that are less stringent than those established in the previous permit. Anti -backsliding provisions and exceptions are promulgated in Title 119, Chapter 17. If any of the limitations are less stringent than limitations on the same pollutant or narrative in the previous NPDES permit, the permit writer then conducts an anti - backsliding analysis and, if necessary, revises the limitations accordingly. 4. Technology Based Effluent Limits (TBEL) The Clean Water Act (CWA) in Sections 301 and 304 requires EPA to develop and review effluent guidelines applicable to certain industrial categories. For existing sources, EPA develops effluent guidelines for Best Practical Control Technology Currently Available (BPT), Best Conventional Pollutant Control Technology (BCT), and Best Available Pollutant Control Technology Economically Achievable (BAT). The BPT guidelines regulate the discharge of conventional, nonconventional, and toxic pollutants, BCT regulates conventional pollutants, and BAT regulates nonconventional and toxic pollutants. Technology based effluent limits may be developed for a facility based on applying Effluent Limit Guidelines (ELG) that have been promulgated by EPA for a specific industry or by applying Best Professional Judgment (BPJ) on a case-by-case basis in the absence of ELGs. EPA evaluated potable Blair Potable Water Treatment Plant Fact Sheet for NPDES Permit No. NE0113913 October 1, 2018 Page 7 of 16 water plants in 1977 and again in 2004; however final ELGs were not promulgated. Therefore, TBELs for the Blair PWTP will be evaluated on a site-specific basis by means of a BPJ analysis of the discharge. The authority for case-by-case limits is in CWA Section 402(a)(1), which authorizes the State (or EPA) to issue a permit containing "such conditions as the Administrator determines are necessary to carry out the provisions of the Act." Federal regulations at 40 CFR 125.3 require that the permit writer consider both the appropriate technology for the type of discharge based on all available information, and any unique factors relating to the specific discharge. In setting case -by case limitations, the permit writer must consider the following factors. BPT requirements • The total cost of application of technology in relation to the effluent reduction benefits to be achieved from such application. • The age of facilities and equipment involved. • The process employed. • The engineering aspects of the application of various types of control techniques. • Process changes. • Non -water quality environmental impact including energy requirements. BCT Requirements • The reasonableness of the relationship between the costs of attaining the required reduction in effluent and the effluent reduction benefits derived. • The comparison of the cost and level of reduction of such pollutants from the discharge from publicly -owned treatment works to the cost and level of reduction of such pollutants from a class or category of industrial sources. • The age of equipment and facilities involved. • The process employed. • The engineering aspects of the application of various types of control techniques. • Process changes. • Non -water quality environmental impact including energy requirements. BAT Requirements • The age of facilities and equipment involved. • The process employed. • The engineering aspects of the application of various types of control techniques. • Process changes. • The cost of achieving such effluent reduction. • Non -water quality environmental impact including energy requirements. The CWA required that existing dischargers achieve compliance with BPT requirements by July 1, 1977 and with BCT and BAT by March 31, 1989. Best Management Practices (BMP) In addition or in lieu of establishing numeric technology based effluent limitations in permits, the federal regulation at 40 CFR 122.44(k) provide for establishing best management practices to control or abate the discharge of pollutants when: • Authorized under section 304(e) of the CWA for the control of toxic pollutants and hazardous substances from ancillary industrial activities. Blair Potable Water Treatment Plant October 1, 2018 Fact Sheet for NPDES Permit No. NE0113913 Page 8 of 16 • Authorized under section 402(p) of the CWA for the control of storm water discharges. • Numeric limitations are infeasible. • The practices are reasonably necessary to achieve effluent limitations and standards or to carry out the purposes of the CWA. 5. Best Management Practices (BMPs) Instead of establishing numerical technology-based effluent limitation in the draft permit as provided in 40 CFR 122.44(a), the federal regulations at 40 CFR 122.44(k) provide for establishing best management practices to control or abate the discharge of pollutants. The Department has determined that, in accordance with 40 CFR 122.44(k)(4), the City of Blair may evaluate and prioritize the implementation of BMPs at Blair PWTP to reduce solids and, if possible, propose modified percentage of removal depending on the evaluation results. The option to implement BMPs should only occur if technological methods to remove lime sludge are infeasible as determined by the best professional judgment process. Implementation of BMPs could result in a reduction in solids at a cost significantly less than construction and operation of a plate and filter press or a solids dewatering lagoon system. The following are some BMPs that may be considered by Blair to reduce lime solids discharged from the Blair PWTP. By implementing BMPs and making operation changes, the facility should see a reduction in the concentration of TSS from historical levels. If determined to be the best course of action, a BMP plan should be submitted to the NDEQ to detail actions to reduce the concentration of the discharge of lime solids. Practices that could reduce discharge of lime sludge to the Missouri could include discharging a percentage of lime sludge to the Blair wastewater treatment facility (WWTF), redissolving magnesium hydroxide by adjusting pH, or other process changes to the system. One possible BMP option which will increase mixing and reduce aesthetics issues for the Blair PWTP discharge would be to submerge the discharge pipe. At times of low Missouri River flow, the outfall pipe for the combined PWTP and POTW discharge is visible. Lime sludge discharged from the PWTP is often visible as well as a plume. See Figure 1 below to see the aesthetics of the PWTP discharge. If the outfall pipe was recessed downward into the river bank so that vertical mixing was increased, aesthetics issues might be reduced and water quality improved. While a new pipe combining the PWTP and POTW outfalls was completed over a year ago, the height of the discharge point along the river bank still allows for a visible lime sludge plume. Lowering the discharge location for the combined outfall might be a possible BMP. The pipe would need to be located in a position that would not impact the public boat ramp, which is a consideration if this BMP is implemented. Another BMP to consider is an equalization tank for the lime sludge discharge from Outfall 002. Lime from the settling tank and/or filter backwash cycles is often discharged in slug loads. 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Q tm- C On CCD nCD n ° A3 CD i1 n CCD CD o o W CD CDCd o ° C 0 r 0 a r ° °' c•' CD CD oo..01 CD CD cr -012"5 °p- o O CD CD O' r CD A� O 0 pfk .° A:p.�l CSD o� o �' ° o •°° C r- , o 0 0. CD 0 o W o o � o Q r CD W �. y O CD R. o C' CSD CD 0 CD .,, o ,fvsCD O CD O CD' O. F CL O ::t oCD :t CD CD Cl0 CD 0 CD CD a. , O � O ?7 �• O 0 CD °CD -� CD Cc, DD �Z* n o °arc CD CD CD CD � y oCD COs' O p CD Cep CCD y �. C O 'LS CSD C O O v' tiCD CO O CD O. O p. t CnDi cg aq 1.1, (D O cn CL w 5 aq o CD CL CD °o a. UQ CD 00 It C N m w w C� 00 Blair Potable Water Treatment Plant Fact Sheet for NPDES Permit No. NE0113913 J. Requirements in the Draft Permit October 1, 2018 Page 13 of 16 When developing effluent limits for a NPDES permit, the NDEQ considers limits based on both the technology available to treat the pollutants (technology based effluent limits) and limits that are protective of the designated uses of the receiving water (water quality based effluent limits. The intent of technology based effluent limitations are to require a minimum level of treatment for point sources based on currently available treatment technology. Water quality based effluent limits are developed by the State of Nebraska to protect the beneficial uses of the receiving waters. The water quality based effluent limits involve a site-specific evaluation of the effluent discharge and its effect on the receiving water. Permit limits are developed by a comprehensive assessment of both technology-based limits and water quality based limits. 1. Outfall 001 Monitoring and limit requirements have been removed from Outfall 001. This outfall, which is composed of solids settled in a clarifier from the Missouri River intake, discharges to the same combined pipe which handles the wastewater from Outfall 002 and the Blair POTW discharge to the river. The outfall does not have a designated sampling point, and discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) indicate that the reported flow from Outfall 001 was the flow for Outfall 002. Pollutants such as solids and pH expected to be discharged from Outfall 001 are anticipated to be the same as solids and pH present in the Missouri River. Pollutants are not expected to be added to the discharge. The combined outfall from the PWTP is subject to a pollution scan as well as the parameters for Outfall 002, so receiving water quality is to be maintained. Therefore, the requirements for this outfall are removed from the permit on the best professional judgment of the permit writer. 2. Monitoring and Limitations for Outfall 002 a. Basis for the pH Discharge Limits The hydrogen ion concentration of the effluent discharge is expressed as pH. A pH range of 6.5 to 9.0 S.U. is set forth in NDEQ Title 117, Nebraska Surface Water Quality Standards. All pH measurements collected during the permit term met the allowable water quality standards. Limitations for pH of 6.5 to 9.0 S.U. are continued in the permit. b. Flow Monitoring Flow monitoring is continued in the permit. The flow can either be calculated or measured. Appropriate flow measurement devices and methods consistent with accepted scientific practices shall be used to insure the accuracy and reliability of measurements. c. Total Suspended Solids (TSS) Total suspended solids (TSS) monitoring is continued in the permit until completion of the compliance schedule set forth in Part III of the permit. Weekly monitoring will continue in the permit. The PWTP must also implement and maintain a Best Management Practices (BMP) Plan to reduce the concentration and aesthetics issues of TSS discharged to the Missouri River. d. Basis for Total Residual Chlorine (TRC) Discharge Monitoring As purified and chlorinated water is used to backwash the filters before discharge, quarterly TRC monitoring is included in the permit. The discharge is not likely to violate water quality standards for the Missouri River as only approximately 60,000 gallons are used for each backwash. Results for this permit term will be used to see if further limits are required in future permits. e. Basis for Removal of Conductivity Monitoring Monitoring for conductivity is removed from Outfall 001 as discharge monitoring report data indicates that the facility is discharging low levels of conductive material. The levels recorded do not approach levels which would violate water quality standards for conductivity (criterion of 2000 µmhos/cm). Only one measurement was above criteria, but would still not violate standards given the massive receiving stream flow. f. Dissolved Aluminum Studies of PWTP discharges indicate that aluminum concentration is increased downstream from the facility outfall. The Blair PWTP plant uses aluminum sulfate in the facility treatment process. A reasonable potential calculation was performed on the receiving water data and assumed potential Blair Potable Water Treatment Plant Fact Sheet for NPDES Permit No. NE0113913 October 1, 2018 Page 14 of 16 high discharge concentration. The discharge maximum concentration of 1.0 mg/L is very conservatively high based off data from M.U.D. Florence PWTP. The calculation indicated and provided evidence that there is no reasonable potential to violate water quality. Therefore monitoring is not added to the permit. g. Monitoring for Dry Solids Discharged to the Solution Handling System This parameter is to measure the amount of aluminum sulfate [Al2(SO4)3] that is added to the source water during the softening process. Aluminum sulfate, sometimes referred to as a type of alum, is used as a flocculating agent for softening of drinking water, and there is a correlation between the amount of compound used and the amount of solids precipitated and generated in the process wastewater. Monitoring is continued in the permit. h. Application Requirements for Outfall 002 The condition to monitor for multiple parameters in accordance with the application requirements set forth in 40 CFR 122.21(h). Monitoring for these parameters is required once in the term of the permit and is included as a permit attachment. 3. Other Conditions and Requirements a. Narrative Limits The narrative limits on toxicity, noxious odors, objectionable materials, and undesirable aquatic life are in accordance with the water quality criteria set forth in NDEQ Title 117. b. Additional Monitoring The conditions under which the Department may require increases in monitoring frequencies and monitoring for additional parameters are in accordance with NDEQ Title 119. c. Method Detection Limit Reporting Requirements The requirement to report the method detection limits on the Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) instead of zero when an analyte is not detected is according to NDEQ permitting procedures. d. Disposal of Sludge and Solids The requirement that solids and sludge be disposed of according to 40 CFR 257 and other Federal and State regulations is according to NDEQ permitting procedures. e. Permit Modification and Reopening The permit may be reopened and modified in accordance with NDEQ Title 119. f. Revision of Permit Attachments The option to revise permit attachments is according to NDEQ permitting procedures. These attachments can be modified without public hearing since the attachments are not a component of the NPDES Permit terms and conditions. g. Electronic Submission of Discharge Monitoring Reports On October 22, 2015, EPA published the Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Electronic Reporting Rule, which requires electronic reporting of NPDES information rather than the currently required paper based reports from the permitted facilities. To comply with the federal rule, permittees are required to submit DMRs electronically using the EPA NetDMR tool (Appendix A of 40 CFR part 127). Blair Potable Water Treatment Plant Fact Sheet for NPDES Permit No. NEO 113913 K. Supporting Documentation October 1, 2018 Page 15 of 16 The following documents and regulations were used in the preparation of the draft permit: 1. NDEQ Title 117, Nebraska Surface Water Quality Standards, Dec. 13, 2014. 2. NDEQ Title 118, Ground Water Quality Standards and Use Classifications, March 27, 2006. 3. NDEQ Title 119, Rules and Regulations Pertaining to the Issuance of Permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, May 16, 2005. 4. NDEQ Title 123, Rules and Regulations for Design, Operation and Maintenance of Wastewater Treatment Works. March 3, 2008. 5. NDEQ Title 197, Rules and Regulations for the Certification of Wastewater Treatment Facility Operators in Nebraska, May 11, 2014. 6. Technical Support Document for Water Quality -based Toxic Control (EPA 505/2-90-001 PB91-127415, March, 1991. 7. NDEQ, 2018 Water Quality Integrated Report, April 1, 2018. 8. 40 CFR, Part 122, 124, and 125, NPDES Regulations. 9. Permit application forms I and 2C plus requested supplemental information for the Blair PWTP submitted by City of Blair on July 13, 2005. 10. NDEQ files for the Blair PWTP, NPDES NE0113913, NDEQ ID 46929. 11. Submissions on PWTP operations and City of Blair demographics, submitted to NDEQ in 2015, NDEQ Doc. # 20150053419. 12. Report "Platte River Evaluation of Selected Technologies to Reduce Solids Discharged to the Missouri River" from MUD submitted to the NDEQ on September 18, 2012. 13. Report "Platte South pHMixing Zone Study" from MUD submitted to the NDEQ on September 9, 2011. 14. Report "Platte South Site Specific Field Studies" from MUD submitted to the NDEQ on March 6, 2013. 15. "Drinking Water Treatment Plant Residuals Management Technical Report" (EPA -R-11-003), December 2011. 16. Memorandum from USEPA Region VII, BPT Water Treatment Plants, February 24, 1977. 17. EPA Region VII Memorandum to State Permits Chiefs concerning the discharge of residuals from Water Treatment Plants, June 7, 1999. 18. Memorandum from Nancy Stoner, USEPA "Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Planning Approach Framework" June 5, 2012. 19. Report "Update of EM5 and EM 7 Dewatering Costs Following NDEQ Comments" from MUD, prepared by EE&T, submitted April 16, 2015. Blair Potable Water Treatment Plant October 1, 2018 Fact Sheet for NPDES Permit No. NEO 113913 Page 16 of 16 L. Information Requests Inquiries concerning the draft permit, its basis or the public comment process may be directed to: Kim Bubb Tel. (402) 471-8830 or (402) 471-4220 Fax: (402) 471-2909 Individuals requiring special accommodations or alternate formats of materials should notify the Department by calling (402) 471-2186. TDD users should call (800) 833-7352 and ask the relay operator to call the Department at (402) 471-2186. Copies of the application and other supporting material used in the development of the permit are available for review and copying at the Department's office between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Office Location: The Atrium, 1200 N Street, Suite 400; Lincoln, NE Mail Address: NPDES Permits and Compliance Section, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, PO Box 98922; Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-8922 M. Submission of Formal Comments or Requests for Hearing The date on which the public comment period ends is specified in the public notice. During the public notice period, the public may submit formal comments or objections, and/or petition the Department to hold a public hearing concerning the issuance of the draft permit. All such requests need to: be submitted in written form, state the nature of the issues to be raised, and present arguments and factual grounds to support them. The Department shall consider all written comments, objections and/or hearing petitions, received during public comment period, in making a final decision regarding permit issuance. Formal comments, objections and/or hearing requests need to be submitted to: Kim Bubb NPDES Permits and Compliance Section Mailing Address: Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality P.O. Box 98922 Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-8922 Location Address: Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality The Atrium, 1200 N Street, Suite 400 Lincoln, Nebraska arl i ELI a �+ �y �. ,r 9■ O 4-. cd LL CL m s� 0 G I O c o6 0 IU C O E V !U O W 0 fn 1 � ca) L¢ 'H im O 3 iL m,CU 5. C a _N' m Q c _ o a> m U G I O c IU C O E O !U O 7, 0 fn 1 � ca) L¢ 'H O iL m,CU _N'