62-620.625. Additional Conditions Applicable to Specific Categories of Facilities

(1) Existing manufacturing, commercial, mining, and silvicultural wastewater facilities or activities that discharge into surface waters shall notify the Department as soon as they know or have reason to believe:

(a) That any activity has occurred or will occur which would result in the discharge, on a routine or frequent basis, of any toxic pollutant which is not limited in the permit, if that discharge will exceed the highest of the following levels

1. One hundred micrograms per liter,

2. Two hundred micrograms per liter for acrolein and acrylonitrile; five hundred micrograms per liter for 2, 4-dinitrophenol and for 2-methyl-4, 6-dinitrophenol; and one milligram per liter for antimony,

3. Five times the maximum concentration value reported for that pollutant in the permit application, or

4. The level established in the permit by the Department that exceeds the levels in subparagraphs (a)1., 2., and 3. of this section. The level established in the permit shall not exceed the technology-based treatment requirements appropriate to the permittee established in Chapter 62-660, F.A.C.

(b) That any activity has occurred or will occur which would result in any discharge, on a non-routine or infrequent basis, of a toxic pollutant which is not limited in the permit, if that discharge will exceed the highest of the following levels

1. Five hundred micrograms per liter,

2. One milligram per liter for antimony,

3. Ten times the maximum concentration value reported for that pollutant in the permit application, or

4. The level established in the permit by the Department that exceeds the levels in subparagraphs (b)1., 2., and 3. of this section. The level established in the permit shall not exceed the technology-based treatment requirements appropriate to the permittee established in Chapter 62-660, F.A.C.

(2) All domestic wastewater facilities shall provide notice to the Department of the following:

(a) Any new introduction of pollutants into the facility from an industrial discharger which would be subject to Chapter 403, F.S., and the requirements of this chapter if it were directly discharging those pollutants; and

(b) Any substantial change in the volume or character of pollutants being introduced into that facility by a source which was identified in the permit application and known to be discharging at the time the permit was issued.

(3) The notice required by subsection (2) above shall include information on the quality and quantity of effluent introduced into the facility and any anticipated impact of the change on the quantity or quality of effluent to be discharged from the facility.

(4) Reuse systems permitted under Chapter 62-610, Part III, F.A.C., also must meet the requirements of subsections (2) and (3) of this section.

(5) Use of the parameter CBOD5 in lieu of BOD5 in effluent limitations for domestic wastewater facilities shall be in accordance with 40 CFR 133.102(a)(4), unless a water quality based limitation for CBOD5 has been established for the discharge.

(6) Pursuant to Section 403.0882, F.S., the Florida Legislature has determined that it is in the public interest to promote alternative water supplies and brackish water demineralization as an alternative to withdrawals of groundwater and surface water. Within subsection 62-620.625(6), F.A.C., the terms “demineralization concentrate” and “concentrate” are used synonymously.

(a) The following provisions apply to all facilities that discharge demineralization concentrate, as defined in subsection 62-620.200(11), F.A.C.:

1. During preliminary siting considerations, it is recommended that water supply utilities or entities that propose to operate demineralization facilities evaluate concentrate disposal options potentially available in the project area.

2. Discharge of demineralization concentrate shall not commence until an individual wastewater treatment facility or activity permit or permit revision authorizing the discharge has been issued by the Department in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.

3. Direct discharge of concentrate to waters shall require an individual wastewater facility permit under this Chapter using DEP Application Form 2DC Permit to Discharge Demineralization Concentrate, as referenced in subsection 62-620.910(18), F.A.C.

4. Blending of concentrate with wastewater from a Department permitted wastewater facility for purposes of treatment or disposal shall require a separate permit for the concentrate discharge unless the receiving wastewater facility permit is revised in accordance with the requirements of subsection 62-620.200(25) or (50), F.A.C., to incorporate all aspects of concentrate treatment or disposal and provide reasonable assurance that the discharge will meet applicable water quality standards.

5. Demineralization concentrate and reclaimed water may be blended, provided that the requirements in Rule 62-610.865, F.A.C., Blending of Demineralization Concentrate with Reclaimed Water, are met. Requirements for permitting, monitoring, operation, and other activities associated with the concentrate, reclaimed water, and blending of demineralization concentrate with reclaimed water that impact water quality shall be in accordance with Rule 62-610.865, F.A.C. If a single municipality or utility owns and operates both the water treatment facility that generates the concentrate and the domestic wastewater facility that produces the reclaimed water, a separate discharge permit is not required for the concentrate discharge facility, in accordance with paragraph 62-610.865(7)(b), F.A.C. In this case, however, the domestic wastewater permit must be revised to incorporate all aspects of demineralization concentrate blending, in accordance with the requirements of Rule 62-610.865, F.A.C.

6. A facility that discharges demineralization concentrate to ground water solely using underground injection wells for disposal shall not be required to obtain a permit under Chapter 62-620, F.A.C. However, the facility shall obtain an Underground Injection Control (UIC) permit that will include requirements for effluent and groundwater monitoring pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 62-528, F.A.C.

7. Except for facilities that discharge concentrate solely using underground injection wells for disposal, as provided in subparagraph 62-620.625(6)(a)6., F.A.C., a facility that discharges demineralization concentrate to groundwater under this chapter shall establish a groundwater monitoring plan in accordance with the requirements of Rule 62-522.600, F.A.C. The groundwater monitoring plan shall include an evaluation of background water quality in the receiving water. Dimensions for the zone of discharge shall be in accordance with the requirements of Rules 62-522.400 and 62-522.410, F.A.C.

8. Except as provided for small water utility businesses in paragraph 62-620.625(6)(b), F.A.C., demineralization concentrate effluent discharged to surface waters shall be monitored for the following parameters: flow; dissolved oxygen; pH; hydrogen sulfide; specific conductance; total dissolved solids; color; aluminum (marine waters only); bromide; calcium; chloride; copper; fluoride; iron; magnesium; potassium; sodium; combined radium 226 and 228; gross alpha particle activity (including radium 226, but excluding radon and uranium); nitrate as nitrogen; nitrite as nitrogen; un-ionized ammonia as nitrogen; ammonia-ammonium as nitrogen; total nitrogen; total organic nitrogen; total phosphorus; and ortho-phosphate. Requirements for toxicity monitoring shall be in accordance with paragraph 62-620.625(6)(c), F.A.C.

9. Except as provided for small water utility businesses in paragraph 62-620.625(6)(b), F.A.C., demineralization concentrate effluent discharged to groundwater shall be monitored for the following parameters: flow; total dissolved solids; chloride; fluoride; sodium; nitrate as nitrogen; nitrite as nitrogen; combined radium 226 and 228; and gross alpha particle activity (including radium 226, but excluding radon and uranium).

10. Except as provided for small water utility businesses in paragraph 62-620.625(6)(b), F.A.C., demineralization concentrate facilities discharging to groundwater, other than UIC disposal, shall monitor the following parameters at groundwater monitoring wells: total dissolved solids; chloride; sodium; nitrate as nitrogen; nitrite as nitrogen; combined radium 226 and 228; and gross alpha particle activity (including radium 226, but excluding radon and uranium).

11. If the result of a gross alpha particle activity analysis in demineralization concentrate effluent, or at a groundwater monitoring well, is less than 5 Picocuries/liter, analysis for radium 226 and 228 shall not be required for that sample.

12. Except as provided for small water utility businesses in paragraph 62-620.625(6)(b), F.A.C., demineralization concentrate discharges shall be monitored at the following frequencies:

Flow, pH, and dissolved oxygenDaily

Radioactive substancesQuarterly

Other parametersMonthly

Groundwater monitoring wellsQuarterly

13. The Department shall increase or decrease monitoring requirements based on the initial characteristics of the source water and receiving water provided with the permit application in order to protect receiving water quality, as necessary.

14. In accordance with Section 403.061(11)(b)4., F.S., mixing zones for chronic toxicity may be permitted in Outstanding Florida Waters for demineralization concentrate discharges permitted under this section provided that the failure of any whole effluent toxicity test on concentrate discharged by the facility meets the criteria of Section 403.0882(4)(a) and (b), F.S.

(b) The following provisions apply only to small water utility businesses:

1. Discharge of demineralization concentrate from small water utility businesses is presumed to be allowable and permittable in all waters provided that the conditions of Sections 403.0882(6)(a)1., 2., and 3., F.S., are met.

2. Small water utility businesses that discharge demineralization concentrate to groundwater, and which meet the criteria referenced in subparagraph 62-620.625(6)(b)1., F.A.C., shall not be required to have more than: one upgradient, one downgradient intermediate, and one downgradient compliance monitoring well.

3. All small water utility businesses that meet the criteria in subparagraph 62-620.625(6)(b)1., F.S., shall:

a. Meet the following effluent limitations on an annual average basis, pursuant to Section 403.0882(6)(a)1., F.S.:

Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Five Day (CBOD5)5 mg/l

Total Suspended Solids5 mg/l

Total Nitrogen as N3 mg/l

Total Phosphorus as P1 mg/l

b. Monitor demineralization concentrate discharged to surface water for the following parameters, except that toxicity testing shall be conducted in accordance with paragraphs 62-620.625(6)(c) and (d), F.A.C.: concentrate discharge flow; pH; dissolved oxygen; total suspended solids; total nitrogen; total phosphorus; and carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand.

c. Monitor demineralization concentrate discharged to groundwater, at a minimum, for the following parameters: concentrate discharge flow; total dissolved solids; sodium; total nitrogen; nitrate as nitrogen; total phosphorus; and carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand. If the result of a total nitrogen analysis is less than 3 mg/l, analysis for nitrate shall not be required.

d. Monitor the following parameters at groundwater monitoring wells: total dissolved solids; sodium; and nitrate as nitrogen.

4. Small water utility businesses that discharge demineralization concentrate to waters, and which do not meet the presumption of permittability and allowability in subparagraph 62-620.625(6)(b)1., F.A.C., shall:

a. Monitor demineralization concentrate discharged to surface water for the following parameters: concentrate discharge flow; pH; dissolved oxygen; radioactive substances (combined radium 226 and 228); radioactive substances (gross alpha particle activity including radium 226, but excluding radon and uranium); total nitrogen; total phosphorus; carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand; total suspended solids; and fecal coliforms, if fecal coliforms are present in the source water. Toxicity testing shall be conducted in accordance with paragraph 62-620.625(6)(c), F.A.C.;

b. Monitor demineralization concentrate discharged to groundwater for the following parameters: concentrate discharge flow; total dissolved solids; sodium; chloride; radioactive substances (combined radium 226 and 228); radioactive substances (gross alpha particle activity including radium 226, but excluding radon and uranium); total nitrogen; nitrate as nitrogen; nitrite as nitrogen; total phosphorus; and carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand; and

c. Monitor the following parameters at groundwater monitoring wells: total dissolved solids; chloride; sodium; nitrate as nitrogen; nitrite as nitrogen; radioactive substances (combined radium 226 and 228); and radioactive substances (gross alpha particle activity including radium 226, but excluding radon and uranium).

5. All small water utility businesses that discharge demineralization concentrate to waters shall be monitored at the following frequencies:

Flow, pH, and dissolved oxygenDaily

Radioactive substancesAnnually

Other parametersQuarterly

Groundwater monitoring wellsSemi-annually

(c) The following provisions apply to toxicity testing at all facilities that discharge demineralization concentrate to surface waters, except as provided by paragraph 62-620.625(6)(d), F.A.C.:

The provisions of Section 403.0882(4), F.S., and paragraph 62-4.244(3)(d), F.A.C., apply to all facilities that discharge demineralization concentrate to surface waters where the failure of a whole effluent toxicity test is predominantly due to naturally occurring constituents in a source water and where ionic imbalance is demonstrated. Facilities whose failure of whole effluent toxicity testing is not due to ionic imbalance may be permitted in accordance with Department rules, including applicable moderating provisions, such as variances, exemptions, and mixing zones.

(d) The Department shall not require small water utility businesses discharging to surface waters to perform toxicity testing, except at the time of permit application, permit renewal, permit revision, or upon the failure of a toxicity test.

Specific Authority 403.061, 403.087, 403.088, 403.0882(3), 403.0885, 403.08851, 403.8055 FS. Law Implemented 403.061, 403.087, 403.088, 403.0882, 403.0885 FS. History–New 11-29-94, Amended 2-7-06, 7-10-06.