62-610.525. Projects Involving Additional Levels of Preapplication Treatment

(1) Rule 62-610.525, F.A.C., applies to the following types of new, rapid-rate, land application projects, for which complete permit applications were received by the Department on or after January 1, 1996:

(a) Projects located over Class F-I, G-I, or G-II ground waters in aquifers used for public water supply, which are unconfined and have highly permeable soil types such that rapid movement of reclaimed water into the aquifer will occur.

(b) Projects located over Class F-I, G-I, or G-II ground waters in aquifers used for public water supply, which are located in karst areas having solution features or fractures such that rapid movement of reclaimed water into the aquifer will occur.

(c) Projects designed for continuous loading to a single rapid infiltration basin, percolation pond, cell, or absorption field. This also includes projects having multiple rapid infiltration basins, percolation ponds, cells, or portions of absorption fields, which are continuously loaded or are never allowed to dry or are unable to dry.

(d) Projects having rapid infiltration basins, percolation ponds, cells, or absorption field application distribution systems which are excavated into the receiving ground water.

(e) Projects involving average annual loading rates greater than 9 inches per day.

(2) Rule 62-610.525, F.A.C., also shall apply to existing projects which are being expanded or modified; however, these rule requirements shall apply only to the expanded or modified portion of the project.

(3) In accordance with Rule 62-610.100, F.A.C., the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee may apply the requirements in Rule 62-610.525, F.A.C., to existing, rapid-rate land application facilities where violations of permit conditions or water quality standards have occurred to ensure future compliance with permit conditions and water quality standards.

(4) Projects permitted under this section shall be considered as reuse for ground water recharge.

(5) Preapplication waste treatment shall result in a reclaimed water that meets, at a minimum, secondary treatment and high-level disinfection. The reclaimed water shall not contain more than 5.0 mg/L of total suspended solids before application of the disinfectant.

(6) Filtration shall be provided for total suspended solids control. Chemical feed facilities for coagulants, coagulant aids, or polyelectrolytes shall be provided. Such chemical feed facilities may be idle if the reclaimed water limitations are being achieved without chemical addition. Filtration is an important component of the wastewater treatment facility. By removing TSS before disinfection, filtration serves to increase the ability of the disinfection process to inactivate virus and other pathogens. Filtration also serves as the primary barrier for removal of protozoan pathogens (Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and others). Addition of chemical coagulants generally increases the effectiveness of pathogen removal.

(7) Total nitrogen shall be limited to 10 mg/L as nitrogen as a maximum annual average. Monthly average and single sample maximum permit limitations shall be established using the multipliers in subparagraph 62-600.740(1)(b)2., F.A.C.

(8) Drinking water standards.

(a) Wastewater treatment facilities shall be designed and operated to meet the primary and secondary drinking water standards established in Rules 62-550.310 and 62-550.320, F.A.C.

1. The parameters listed as primary drinking water standards shall be applied as maximum single sample permit limits. The primary drinking water standards for asbestos and bacteriological parameters shall not apply. The primary drinking water standard for sodium shall be applied as a maximum annual average permit limitation. The multipliers in subparagarph 62-600.740(1)(b)2., F.A.C., shall be used to establish maximum monthly and single sample maximum permit limits for sodium.

2. Except for pH, the parameters listed as secondary drinking water standards shall be applied as maximum annual average permit limits. The multipliers established in subparagraph 62-600.740(1)(b)2., F.A.C., shall be used to establish maximum monthly and single sample maximum permit limits.

3. The secondary drinking water standard for fluoride shall be used in establishing permit limits, as described in subparagraph 62-610.525(8)(a)2., F.A.C.

4. All pH observations in the reclaimed water shall fall within the pH range established in the secondary drinking water standards.

5. The reclaimed water shall be sampled for the parameters listed as primary or secondary drinking water standards as follows:

a. Parameters listed as primary drinking water standards that are imposed as reclaimed water limits shall be analyzed monthly. After the first three months, the Department shall reduce the monitoring frequency if the applicant provides an affirmative demonstration that reclaimed water limits and ground water standards will be met and that public health will be protected. In no case shall the frequency of this monitoring be reduced below quarterly.

b. Parameters listed as secondary drinking water standards that are imposed as reclaimed water limits shall be analyzed quarterly. After the first year, the Department shall reduce the monitoring frequency if the applicant provides an affirmative demonstration that reclaimed water limits and ground water standards will be met and that public health will be protected. In no case shall the frequency of this monitoring be reduced below annually. The pH of the reclaimed water shall be analyzed daily.

c. Except for pH, twenty-four hour composite samples shall be used to analyze the reclaimed water for parameters listed as primary or secondary drinking water standards.

(b) The Department shall approve less restrictive discharge limits for parameters which are included as primary or secondary drinking water standards under any of the following circumstances:

1. The applicant provides an affirmative demonstration in the engineering report that a zone of discharge is appropriate and that the corresponding ground water standards contained in Chapter 62-520, F.A.C., will be met at the edge of the zone of discharge.

2. The applicant provides an affirmative demonstration in the engineering report that the receiving ground water does not meet ground water standards. For the affected parameters, the Department shall establish reclaimed water discharge limits at the level occurring in the receiving ground water.

3. An aquifer exemption has been granted, as provided in subsection 62-528.300(3), F.A.C.

4. A parameter exemption has been granted, as provided in Rule 62-520.500, F.A.C.

(c) If the Department establishes alternative discharge limits in accordance with paragraph 62-610.525(8)(b), F.A.C., the alternative limit shall serve as the single sample maximum permit limit.

(9) Class I reliability as described in paragraph 62-610.300(1)(a), F.A.C., shall be provided. The Department shall approve alternative levels of treatment facility reliability if the permittee provides reasonable assurances in the engineering report that the facility will provide a level of reliability equivalent to Class I reliability. Class I reliability shall not be required if a permitted alternate treatment or discharge system exists which has sufficient capacity to handle any reclaimed water flows which do not meet the performance criteria for the reuse system.

(10) A ground water monitoring plan meeting the requirements of Rule 62-520.600, F.A.C., is required. A proposed monitoring plan shall be included in the engineering report. Approval of the monitoring plan by the Department shall be a prerequisite for issuance of the initial permit.

(11) Setback distances shall be as established in Rule 62-610.521, F.A.C.

(12) A pretreatment program shall be prepared and implemented in accordance with Rule 62-610.330, F.A.C., for domestic wastewater treatment facilities which have permitted capacities of 0.1 mgd or larger and discharge all or part of their reclaimed water to rapid-rate land application systems regulated under Rule 62-610.525, F.A.C.

(13) The permittee shall sample the reclaimed water for Cryptosporidium and Giardia. The following requirements shall be met:

(a) Sampling shall be conducted once every two years. Intervals between sampling shall not exceed two years. The sample results shall be submitted to the Department on or before November 20 of each even numbered year using Form 62-610.300(3)(a)4., Pathogen Monitoring, (adopted and incorporated by reference in subparagraph 62-610.300(3)(a)4., F.A.C., effective August 8, 2021, http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13373).

(b) Samples shall be taken at a point immediately following the disinfection process.

(c) Samples shall be taken during peak flow periods between the months of August and October.

(d) If the wastewater treatment facility uses chlorination for disinfection, samples collected for analysis of Giardia and Cryptosporidium shall be dechlorinated.

(e) A grab sample for TSS shall be taken such that it is representative of the water leaving the filters at the treatment facility during the period when pathogen samples are taken. In addition, the permittee shall record the lowest total residual chlorine observed during the period when pathogen samples are collected.

(f) EPA Method 1623.1, (adopted and incorporated by reference in subsection 62-610.100(7), F.A.C., effective August 8, 2021, http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13382), or other approved methods in accordance with Rule 62-160.330, F.A.C., for reclaimed water or nonpotable waters, adjusted appropriately to accommodate the detection limit requirements, shall be used. Methods previously allowed for EPA’s ICR shall not be used. The full requirements of the approved method, including quality assurance and quality control, are to be met. Quality assurance and sampling requirements of Chapter 62-160, F.A.C., shall apply.

Two concentrations of Giardia and Cryptosporidium shall be recorded on Part III of Form 62-610.300(3)(a)4., Pathogen Monitoring, (adopted and incorporated by reference in subparagraph 62-610.300(3)(a)4., F.A.C., effective August 8, 2021, http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13373).

1. Total cysts and oocysts shall be enumerated using EPA Method 1623.1, (adopted and incorporated by reference in subsection 62-610.100(7), F.A.C., effective August 8, 2021, http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13382), or other approved methods in accordance with Rule 62-160.330, F.A.C.

2. Potentially viable cysts and oocysts shall be enumerated using the DAPI staining technique contained in EPA Method 1623.1, (adopted and incorporated by reference in subsection 62-610.100(7), F.A.C., effective August 8, 2021, http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13382), or similar enumeration techniques included in other approved methods. Cysts and oocysts that are stained DAPI positive or show internal structure by D.I.C. shall be considered as being potentially viable. If the laboratory reports separate values for DAPI positive and for cysts or oocysts having internal structure, the larger of the two concentrations will be reported as being potentially viable.

(g) If the number of potentially viable cysts of Giardia reported exceeds 5 per 100 liters or oocysts of Cryptosporidium reported exceeds 22 per 100 liters, a subsequent sample shall be taken and analyzed using EPA Method 1623.1, (adopted and incorporated by reference in subsection 62-610.100(7), F.A.C., effective August 8, 2021, http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13382), or other approved methods in accordance with Rule 62-160.330, F.A.C. This subsequent sample shall be collected within 90 days of the date the initial sample was taken, analyzed for both Giardia and Cryptosporidium, and the results of the subsequent analysis shall be submitted to the Department within 60 days of sample collection using the Form 62-610.300(3)(a)4., Pathogen Monitoring, (adopted and incorporated by reference in subparagraph 62-610.300(3)(a)4., F.A.C., effective August 8, 2021, http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13373).

Rulemaking Authority 403.051, 403.061, 403.087 FS. Law Implemented 403.021, 403.051, 403.061, 403.062, 403.085, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088 FS. History–New 4-4-89, Amended 4-2-90, Formerly 17-610.525, Amended 1-9-96, 8-8-99, 8-8-21.