Chapter 62-600 is being revised to incorporate changes to referenced rules, and to update definitions. These revisions will support and be consistent with the Florida Clean Waterways Act of 2020.

 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

62-600.200Definitions

62-600.420Minimum Treatment Standards - Technology Based Effluent Limitations (TBELs)

62-600.440Disinfection Requirements

62-600.500General

62-600.510Discharge to Surface Waters (Excluding Coastal and Open Ocean)

62-600.520Discharge to Surface Waters - (Coastal and Open Ocean)

62-600.550Wastewater Management Requirements for the Wekiva Study Area.

62-600.650General

62-600.660Treatment Facility Monitoring

62-600.670Ground Water Monitoring

62-600.740Compliance and Enforcement

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Chapter 62-600 is being revised to incorporate changes to referenced rules, and to update definitions. These revisions will support and be consistent with the Florida Clean Waterways Act of 2020.

SUMMARY: The Division of Water Resources Management is proposing amendments to Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 62-600, Domestic Wastewater Facilities which regulates the treatment and disposal of domestic wastewater. The proposed revision will update references and incorporate changes from 62-610, 62-302, and 62-550, F.A.C. These revisions are part of the Phase II updates to Chapter 62-610 F.A.C. as required by Florida’s Clean Waterways Act of 2020.

OTHER RULES INCORPORATING THIS RULE: 40B-400.051, 40C-4.051, 40D-4.051, 40E-15.0515, 59A-4.133, 59A-11.023, 62-602.300, 62-302.300, 62-4.244, 62-340.700, 62-520.300, 62-521.400, 62-528.455, 62-528.615, 62-528.620, 62-601.200, 62-610.100, 62-610.200, 62-610.300, 62-610.310, 62-610.464, 62-610.610, 62-610.669, 62-610.850, 62-611.200, 62-611.650, 62-620.310, 62-620.350, 62-620.620, 62-620.630, 62-640.200, 62-640.300, 62-640.880, 62-650.200, 62-650.300, 64E-6.010, 64E-11.007, 64E-11.014, 64E-12.106, 64E-13.004, 64E-14.002, 64E-14.013, 64E-15.004, 64E-15.010, 64E-17.005, 64E-19.004, 64E-26.005, and 65E-12.106, F.A.C.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: Based on the Department’s economic review, neither a SERC nor legislative ratification is required because the adoption of the proposed rule does not increase regulatory costs directly or indirectly.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 369.318, 403.051, 403.061, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088 F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 369.318, 403.021, 403.051, 403.061, 403.062, 403.085, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088, 403.859, 403.0881 F.S.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME:

PLACE:

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Alexandra Spencer, Senior Program Analyst, Division of Water Resource Management, MS 3545, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399, [phone] or by email at [e-mail]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Alexandra Spencer, Senior Program Analyst, Division of Water Resource Management, MS 3545, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399, [phone] or by email at [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

PART I GENERAL

62-600.200 Definitions.

Terms used in this chapter shall have the meanings specified below.

(1) through (29) No change.

(30) “Industrial wastewater” means the same as defined in Rule 62-620.200, F.A.C.process and non process wastewater from manufacturing, commercial, mining, and silvicultural facilities or activities, including the runoff and leachate from areas that receive pollutants associated with industrial or commercial storage, handling or processing, and all other wastewater not otherwise defined as domestic wastwater. Industrial wastewater does not include deminiralization concentrate as stated in Rule 62-610.865, F.A.C.

(31) through (81) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 403.051, 403.061, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088 FS. Law Implemented 403.021, 403.051, 403.061, 403.062, 403.085, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088 FS. History–New 11-27-89, Amended 1-30-91, 6-8-93, Formerly 17-600.200, Amended 12-24-96, 2-8-16,         .

PART II TREATMENT FACILITIES

62-600.420 Minimum Treatment Standards ‒ Technology Based Effluent Limitations (TBELs).

Except as specifically required by other Department rules or Florida Statutes, all domestic wastewater facilities shall provide, at a minimum, secondary treatment of wastewater prior to reuse or disposal. Secondary treatment requirements are specified below:

(1) through (2) No change.

(3) Reuse, land application, or groundwater discharge (including underground injection, but excluding potable reuse projects)

(a) through (b) No change.

(4) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 403.051, 403.061, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088 FS. Law Implemented 403.021, 403.051, 403.061, 403.062, 403.085, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088 FS. History–New 11-27-89, Amended 1-30-91, 6-8-93, Formerly 17-600.420, Amended 2-8-16,         .

 

62-600.440 Disinfection Requirements.

(1) All wastewater treatment facilities shall be designed and operated to meet the provide the level of disinfection requirements in this section and necessary to protect public health such that the microbiological pollutants criteria contained in Chapter 62-302, F.A.C., are not exceeded for any receiving waters.

(2) through (3) No change.

(4) Treatment performance requirements for disinfection are specified below for discharges from all facilities. Applicability of the requirements shall be as contained in Chapter 62-610, F.A.C., for reuse and land application systems; Rule 62-600.540, F.A.C., for ground water disposal by underground injection; Chapter 62-610, F.A.C., for ground water recharge and aquifer storage and recovery projects using injection wells; Rule 62-600.510, F.A.C., for surface water discharges (excluding coastal and open ocean waters); Rule 62-600.520, F.A.C., for coastal and open ocean waters; Rule 62-611.600, F.A.C., for wetland discharges; and subsection 62-600.100(2), F.A.C., for septic systems and other closed-tank wastewater treatment systems permitted by the Department.

(5) No change.

(6) High-level disinfection.

(a) through (d) No change.

(e) The requirements in subsection 62-600.440(7), F.A.C., shall serve as the high-level disinfection criteria if all of the following conditions are met:

1. through (2) No change.

3. The reclaimed water produced is not used in a reuse system permitted under Part III or V of Chapter 62-610, F.A.C.

(f) The requirements in subsection 62-600.440(7), F.A.C., shall serve as the high-level disinfection criteria if all the following conditions are met:

1. The discharge is to surface waters,

2. The discharge is serving as a back-up disposal system associated with a reuse system permitted under Part III or V of Chapter 62-610, F.A.C.,

3. The discharge is not subject to regulation by subsection 62-600.510(2) or (3), F.A.C., as a discharge to Class I waters or waters contiguous to or tributary to Class I waters; and,

4. The discharge is not subject to regulation by subsection 62-600.510(7) 62-610.510(7), F.A.C., as a discharge to surface waters which are directly connected to Class F-I, G-I, or G-II ground water.

(7) No change.

(8) Low-level disinfection.

(a) No change.

(b) The effluent or reclaimed water discharged from an overland flow system shall meet the applicable microbiological standards for surface water and groundwater disinfection criteria specified in Chapters 62-302 and 62-520 subsection 62-600.440(5), (6), or (7), F.A.C.

Rulemaking Authority 403.051, 403.061, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088 FS. Law Implemented 403.021, 403.051, 403.061, 403.062, 403.085, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088 FS. History–New 11-27-89, Amended 1-30-91, 6-8-93, Formerly 17-600.440, Amended 12-24-96, 2-8-16,         .

PART III TREATMENT REQUIREMENTS

62-600.500 General.

Generally, the treatment standards contained in this chapter shall be met before discharge into holding ponds (if applicable), reuse systems, disposal systems, or surface waters classified pursuant to Chapter 62-302, F.A.C. Treatment, at a minimum, shall consist of secondary treatment and, to the extent necessary, disinfection and pH control. Additional levels of treatment (beyond secondary) may be required pursuant to provisions contained in this chapter or in other Department rules. These treatment requirements shall be enforceable pursuant to the criteria in this part, and in Rules 62-600.400, 62-600.430, 62-600.440, 62-600.445, and 62-600.740, F.A.C. General technical guidance is provided by references listed in Rule 62-600.300, F.A.C. Discharges which would not result in the protection of surface and ground water quality standards criteria shall not be allowed. Effluent or reclaimed water limitations shall be achieved at the appropriate locations specified pursuant to both this part and Part II of Chapter 62-600, F.A.C.

Rulemaking Authority 403.051,403.061, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088 FS. Law Implemented 403.021, 403.051, 403.061, 403.062, 403.085, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088 FS. History–New 11-27-89, Amended 1-30-91, 6-8-93, Formerly 17-600.500, Amended 2-8-16,         .

 

62-600.510 Discharge to Surface Waters (Excluding Coastal and Open Ocean).

(1) through (8) No change.

(9) Discharge of reclaimed water or effluent shall meet, if applicable, WQBELs established under Chapter 62-650, F.A.C., Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) established under Chapter 62-304, F.A.C., and springs criteria established under sections 373.801-373.811, F.S.

(10)(9) Outfalls shall be designed with respect to depth and location so as to minimize oxygen demand and adverse effects on the receiving water.

Rulemaking Authority 403.051, 403.061, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088 FS. Law Implemented 403.021, 403.051, 403.061, 403.062, 403.085, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088, 403.859 FS. History–New 11-27-89, Amended 1-30-91, 6-8-93, Formerly 17-600.510, Amended 2-8-16,         .

 

62-600.520 Discharge to Surface Waters ‒ (Coastal and Open Ocean).

(1) Outfalls for all facilities shall not discharge reclaimed water or effluent to coastal or open ocean waters which does not meet, at a minimum, applicable secondary treatment and pH criteria contained in Rules 62-600.420 and 62-600.445, F.A.C. Where applicable, discharges to coastal waters shall be subject to the limitations of Rule 62-4.242, F.A.C., regarding Outstanding Florida Waters, and subsections 62-600.510(5), Rule 62-302.530 regarding discharges to Class II waters, and 62-600.510(6), F.A.C., regarding discharges to Class II waters and waters contiguous to or tributary to Class II waters, and section 403.086, F.S., regarding the discharge of domestic wastewater through ocean outfalls respectively.

(2) Outfalls for all facilities shall not discharge effluent or reclaimed water to Class III coastal waters which has not also received basic disinfection prior to the discharge. Outfalls for all facilities shall not discharge effluent to open ocean waters without also being disinfected to the extent necessary to achieve Class III microbiological standards contained in Rule 62-302.530, F.A.C., at the edge of the mixing zone established pursuant to subsection 62-600.520(3), F.A.C. If basic disinfection is not provided, the preliminary design report shall affirmatively demonstrate the level of disinfection that is more appropriate.

(3) through (4) No change.

(5) Discharges from outfalls to coastal recreation waters shall meet the criteria for enterococci established in 40 C.F.R. Part 131.41, as codified on  July 1, 2020, 2013 (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-03209), which  is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-XXXXX.

Rulemaking Authority 403.051, 403.061, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088 FS. Law Implemented 403.021, 403.051, 403.061, 403.062, 403.085, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088, 403.859 FS. History–New 11-27-89, Amended 1-30-91, Formerly 17-600.520, Amended 10-11-13, 2-8-16,         .

 

62-600.550 Wastewater Management Requirements for the Wekiva Study Area.

(1)    through (2) No change.

(3) The following wastewater management requirements apply to land application and reuse systems located within the Primary Protection Zone:

(a) New or expanded rapid-rate or restricted access slow-rate land application systems, as defined in Chapter 62-610, F.A.C., shall not be located within the Primary Protection Zone, as defined in paragraph (2) above.

(b) When applicable, new or expanded rapid-rate or restricted access slow-rate land application systems, as defined in Chapter 62-610, F.A.C., shall meet springs criteria established under 373.801-373.811 F.S.

(c)(b) Type I and II wastewater treatment facilities that use rapid-rate land application systems shall meet an annual average reclaimed water limitation of 3.0 mg/L Total Nitrogen, as N, unless used as a back-up to a public access reuse system.

(d)(c) A rapid-rate land application system used as back-up to a public access reuse system shall meet the Total Nitrogen reclaimed water limitation contained in paragraph (e)(d), below. In order to qualify as a back-up system, no more than 30% of the total annual wastewater treatment plant flow shall be directed to the back-up rapid-rate system.

(e)(d) Type I and II wastewater treatment facilities that use public access reuse systems or restricted access irrigation systems shall meet an annual average reclaimed water limitation of 10.0 mg/L Total Nitrogen, as N.

(f)(e) Type III wastewater treatment facilities that use land application or reuse systems shall meet an annual average reclaimed water limitation of 10.0 mg/L Total Nitrogen, as N.

(g)(f) Land application of Class A or B biosolids is prohibited. Application of Class AA biosolids that are distributed and marketed in accordance with Chapter 62-640, F.A.C., is permissible.

(4) No change.

(5) Wastewater treatment facilities that use land application or reuse systems located within the Tertiary Protection Zone shall meet the wastewater treatment requirements contained in Chapters 62-600, and 62-610, F.A.C., springs criteria established under 373.801-373.811 F.S., and other Department rules.

(6) through (7) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 369.318(1), 403.051(2)(a), 403.061(7), 403.087(2) FS. Law Implemented 369.318(1), 403.021, 403.051, 403.061, 403.062, 403.085, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088 FS. History–New 4-13-06, Amended 2-8-16,         .

PART IV MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

62-600.650 General.

(1) through (2) No change.

(3) The minimum requirements for parameters, frequencies of analysis, sample types, and monitoring locations required by this chapter may be increased or reduced by the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee depending upon site-specific requirements, the water quality of surface and ground water, the hydrogeology of the area, the levels of treatment, the reliability of the facility, and the levels of disinfection provided. Where a reduction has been made, written justification shall be provided describing the reduction and its technical justification shall be available for public inspection at the Department’s Tallahassee office and applicable district office and branch offices.

(4) through (6) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 403.061(7) FS. Law Implemented 403.061(13) FS. History‒New 2-8-16,           .

 

62-600.660 Treatment Facility Monitoring.

(1) Wastewater treatment facilities shall monitor the flow, the influent for CBOD5 and TSS, and the reclaimed water or effluent for all reclaimed water or effluent parameters as required by the permit. The minimum schedule for sampling and testing parameters to be monitored at a wastewater treatment plant is specified in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1. Minimum Schedule for Sampling and Testing of Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Monitoring Parameters by Permitted Capacity

 

Parameters	2,000 gpd up to, but not including, 25,000 gpd	25,000 gpd up to, but not including, 50,000 gpd	50,000 gpd up to, but not including, 500,000 gpd	0.5 mgd up to, but not including, 1 mgd	1 mgd up to, but not including, 5 mgd	5 mgd up to, but not including, 15 mgd	15 mgd and above
Flow, pH1 Chlorine Residual2	daily 2, 3, or 5/wk87	daily 5/wk	daily 5/wk	daily 5/wk	continuous	continuous	continuous
Dissolved Oxygen	daily 2, 3, or 5/wk87	daily 5/wk	daily 5/wk	daily 5/wk	daily 7/wk	daily 7/wk	daily 7/wk
Suspended Solids4 CBOD5, Nutrients	monthly	monthly	every two weeks3	weekly	weekly	daily 7/wk	daily 7/wk
Chlorine Residual5	monthly	monthly	every two weeks3	weekly	daily 7/wk	daily 7/wk	daily 7/wk
Fecal Coliform4,6	monthly	monthly	every two weeks3	weekly	weekly	daily 5/wk	daily 5/wk
Total Coliform7	Daily/7 wk	Daily/7 wk	Daily/7 wk	Daily/7 wk	Daily/7 wk	Daily/7 wk	Daily/7 wk
E. Coli9	weekly	weekly	weekly	weekly	weekly	weekly	weekly
Entercocci10	weekly	weekly	weekly	weekly	weekly	weekly	weekly

1Hourly measurements during the period of required operator attendance may be substituted for continuous measurement.

2Total chlorine residual measured for disinfection effectiveness (after chlorine contact). Hourly measurements during the period for required operator attendance may be substituted for continuous measurement except for systems permitted under Parts III and V of Chapter 62-610, F.A.C. Continuous measurement shall be provided for all systems permitted under Parts III and V of Chapter 62-610, F.A.C., regardless of permitted capacity.

3Reuse and land application facilities (which include rapid-rate, slow-rate, absorption fields and other systems pursuant to Chapter 62-610, F.A.C.) less than 100,000 gpd, may sample monthly. (This reduction does not apply to injection wells pursuant to Chapter 62-528, F.A.C., and reuse systems requiring high-level disinfection.)

4For reuse systems requiring high-level disinfection, samples shall be obtained and reported daily, 7 days per week for systems of 0.5 mgd and greater, 4 days per week for systems of at least 50,000 gpd but less than 0.5 mgd, and 3 days per week for systems less than 50,000 gpd; or daily during the period required for operator attendance, whichever is less. At permit renewal, reduction to 4 days per week for systems of 0.5 mgd and greater or to 3 days per week for systems of at least 50,000 gpd but less than 0.5 mgd may be requested if no violations for these parameters have occurred in the last 12 months. For systems requiring high-level disinfection, the reduction allowed by note 3 does not apply.

5Total chlorine residual measured for dechlorination effectiveness.

6Not applicable to reuse systems discharging to Class I waters or waters contiguous to or tributary to Class I waters or to reuse systems injecting into Class F-I, G-I, or G-II ground waters. These systems shall monitor 7 days per week for total coliform, regardless of permitted capacity, as specified on Parts III and V of Chapter 62-610, F.A.C.

7Applicable to reuse systems discharging to Class I waters or waters contiguous to or tributary to Class I waters or to reuse systems injecting into Class F-I, G-I, or G-II ground waters. These systems shall monitor 7 days per week for total coliform, regardless of permitted capacity, as specified in Parts III and V of Chapter 62-610, F.A.C.

78The daily frequency shall be 2, 3, or 5 days per week consistent with the required operator attendance specified in paragraph 62-699.310(2)(a), F.A.C.

9Applicable to surface water discharges to Class I and Class III freshwater in accordance with Rule 62-302.530, F.A.C.

10Applicable to surface water discharges to predominately marine Class III waters in accordance with Rule 62-302.530, F.A.C.

(2) Wastewater treatment facilities with a permitted capacity of 100,000 gallons per day or greater that discharge to ground water via reuse and land application systems shall monitor the reclaimed water or effluent for the primary and secondary drinking water standards contained in Chapter 62-550, F.A.C., and the Revised Total Coliform Rule contained in Rule 62-550.830, F.A.C., (except for asbestos, total coliforms, color, odor, and residual disinfectants) annually.

(3) Sample types.

(a) Grab samples shall be used to test pH, chlorine residual, dissolved oxygen and other dissolved gases, fecal coliforms and other microbiological parameters, cyanide, oil and grease, dissolved constituents in field-filtered samples (ortho-phosphorus, metals, etc.), specific conductance, un-ionized ammonia, volatile organic compounds, total recoverable petroleum hydrocarbons, and temperature.

(b) through (e) No change.

(4) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 403.061(7) FS. Law Implemented 403.061(13) FS. History‒New 2-8-16,         .

 

62-600.670 Ground Water Monitoring.

(1) through (2) No change.

(3) The minimum schedule for ground water monitoring is specified in Figure 2 below:

Figure 2. Minimum Sampling Frequency for Ground Water Monitoring

Parameter	Reuse and Land Application Systems – New facilities1 with a design capacity < 100,000 gpd	Reuse and Land Application Systems – New facilities1 with a design capacity ≥ 100,000 gpd and existing facilities	Injection to Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Systems	Injection to Class F-I, G-I, or G-II Ground Water, except ASR Systems	Injection to Ground Water, except to Class F-I, G-I, G-II, or ASR Systems
Water Level	Semiannually	Quarterly	Quarterly	Monthly	Monthly
Total Nitrate Nitrogen (as N)	Semiannually	Quarterly			Monthly
Total Dissolved Solids	Semiannually	Quarterly			Monthly
Arsenic, Total Recoverable	Semiannually	Quarterly
Cadmium, Total Recoverable	Semiannually	Quarterly
Chloride (as Cl)	Semiannually	Quarterly
Chromium, Total Recoverable	Semiannually	Quarterly
Lead, Total Recoverable	Semiannually	Quarterly
Fecal Coliform	Semiannually	Quarterly	Quarterly
pH	Semiannually	Quarterly
Total Sulfate	Semiannually	Quarterly
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (as N)				Monthly	Monthly
Total Phosphorus (as P)					Monthly
Turbidity	Semiannually	Quarterly	Quarterly	Monthly	Monthly
Specific Conductance			Quarterly
Ground Water Standards2			Quarterly	Quarterly

1In accordance with subsection 62-520.600(10), F.A.C., new facilities are facilities which have filed a complete permit application after July 1, 1994.

2As specified in Rules 62-520.420, and 62-520.460 and 62-550.830, F.A.C.

(4) through (5) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 403.061(7) FS. Law Implemented 403.061(13) FS. History‒New 2-8-16,       .

PART V PERMITTING

62-600.740 Compliance and Enforcement.

(1) General.

(a) through (c) No change.

(2) Reclaimed Water or Effluent Compliance Concentrations.

(a) Compliance of a domestic wastewater facility with secondary treatment standards shall be determined in accordance with Rule 62-600.420, F.A.C.

(b) In order to determine compliance of a domestic wastewater facility with treatment standards more stringent than secondary such as Advanced Waste Treatment (Section 403.086 F.S.), WQBELs (Rule 62-600.430, F.A.C.), and certain reuse systems (Chapter 62-610, F.A.C.), the following compliance concentrations shall be applicable.

1. through 4. No change.

(c) through (d) No change.

(3) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 403.051, 403.061, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088 FS. Law Implemented 403.021, 403.051, 403.061, 403.062, 403.085, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088, 403.121, 403.131, 403.161 FS. History–New 11-27-89, Amended 1-30-91, Formerly 17-600.740, Amended 12-24-96, 2-8-16,         .

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Alexandra Spencer, Senior Program Analyst, Wastewater Management Program

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Emile D. Hamilton, Interim Secretary

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: July 14, 2021

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: December 21, 2020