62-610.555. Discharge to Other Surface Waters

(1) Discharge to waters contiguous to or tributary to Class I waters.

(a) For purposes of this paragraph, discharge to waters contiguous to or tributary to Class I waters shall be defined as a discharge located less than or equal to four hours travel time from the point of discharge to arrival at the boundary of the Class I water. Travel time determinations shall be based upon the expected flow of the receiving water during the wettest month of the year with the discharge activated. The travel time shall be documented in the engineering report.

(b) The reclaimed water shall meet the principal treatment and disinfection requirements contained in subsection 62-610.563(2), F.A.C. The reclaimed water shall meet the drinking water standards as described in paragraph 62-610.563(3)(b), F.A.C. The disinfection standards in sub-subparagraph 62-610.563(3)(b)1.a., F.A.C., shall govern. The fecal coliform limitations associated with high-level disinfection shall not apply. If the ambient water quality in the receiving Class I water does not meet the drinking water standards, the Department shall establish alternate reclaimed water limits at the level in the receiving water. In no case shall the alternate limits exceed the Class I water standards. Alternate limits will be applied as single sample maxima. Total organic carbon (TOC) shall not exceed 3.0 mg/L as the monthly average limitation. No single sample shall exceed 5.0 mg/L.

(c) Discharge of reclaimed water or effluent to waters contiguous to or tributary to Class I waters shall be in accordance with Chapter 62-650, F.A.C. Discharges shall meet the requirements of the antidegradation policy contained in Rules 62-4.242 and 62-302.300, F.A.C.

(d) Discharge of reclaimed water to waters contiguous to or tributary to Class I waters shall be considered as indirect potable reuse.

(e) Mixing zones shall not extend into Class I waters.

(f) The reclaimed water shall be sampled and analyzed for TOC in accord with subsection 62-610.568(4), F.A.C.

(2) Discharge upstream of Class I waters.

(a) For purposes of this paragraph, discharge to waters upstream of Class I waters shall be defined as a discharge located greater than 4 hours and less than or equal to 24 hours travel time from the point of discharge to arrival at the boundary of the Class I water. Travel time determinations shall be based upon the expected flow of the receiving water during the wettest month of the year with the discharge activated. The travel time shall be documented in the engineering report.

(b) The reclaimed water shall meet the principal treatment and disinfection requirements contained in subsection 62-610.563(2), F.A.C.

(c) Discharge of reclaimed water or effluent upstream of Class I waters shall be in accordance with Chapter 62-650, F.A.C. Discharges shall meet the requirements of the antidegradation policy contained in Rules 62-4.242 and 62-302.300, F.A.C.

(d) Discharge upstream of Class I waters shall be considered as indirect potable reuse only if the applicant provides an affirmative demonstration in the engineering report of the following:

1. There is a need to supplement the supply of water in the Class I water for public water supply purposes; and,

2. Discharge of reclaimed water will meet part or all of the identified need to supplement the water supply.

(3) Surface water discharges located greater than 24 hours travel time to Class I waters shall not be considered as indirect potable reuse. Discharges located greater than 24 hours travel time to Class I waters are not subject to regulation under Chapter 62-610, F.A.C.

(4) Discharge to other surface waters which are directly connected to Class F-I, G-I, or G-II ground waters.

(a) Discharge of reclaimed water or effluent to surface waters which are directly connected to Class F-I, G-I, or G-II ground water is allowed.

(b) An example of a surface water directly connected to ground water is a canal in Southeast Florida which is an extension of the Biscayne Aquifer.

(c) A wetlands or other surface water which may recharge an underlying aquifer through percolation downward through unconsolidated material shall not be considered as being directly connected to ground water for purposes of this paragraph. Discharges to wetlands are subject to the requirements of Chapter 62-611, F.A.C. Discharges to other surface waters are subject to the requirements of Chapter 62-650, F.A.C. Discharge to a wetlands or other surface water which recharges ground water through vertical percolation also are subject to regulation under the ground water rules in Chapter 62-520, F.A.C. These surface water discharges are not subject to regulation under Chapter 62-610, F.A.C.

(d) Discharge to a surface water which is directly connected to ground water shall be considered as a ground water recharge system if the applicant provides an affirmative demonstration of the following in the engineering report:

1. The existence of a direct connection between the surface water and ground water,

2. Discharge of reclaimed water to the surface water will serve to recharge the ground water; and,

3. The existence of a need to replenish the ground water supply in the area.

(e) The reclaimed water shall meet the principal treatment and disinfection requirements contained in subsection 62-610.563(2), F.A.C.

(f) Discharges to surface waters shall meet reclaimed water or effluent limits established by procedures contained in Chapter 62-650, F.A.C. Discharge limits shall be established to ensure that ground water quality criteria established in Chapter 62-520, F.A.C., will be met at the point or points where the surface water enters the ground water system. These surface water discharges shall meet the requirements of the antidegradation policy contained in Rules 62-4.242 and 62-302.300, F.A.C.

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 1-9-96, Amended 8-8-99, 4-1-21.