62-610.563. Waste Treatment and Disinfection

(1) Rule 62-610.563, F.A.C., defines two levels of treatment and disinfection: “principal treatment and disinfection,” and “full treatment and disinfection.” These two levels of treatment and disinfection, or specific components of these levels of treatment and disinfection, shall be applied to ground water recharge and indirect potable reuse projects as required by other rules within Part V of this chapter.

(2) Principal treatment and disinfection requirements.

(a) 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.

(b) Filtration shall be provided for total suspended solids control. Chemical feed facilities for coagulants, coagulant aids, or polyelectrolytes shall be provided and maintained. 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.

(c) Total nitrogen shall be limited to 10 mg/L as nitrogen as a maximum annual average limitation. Monthly average and single sample permit limitations shall be established using the multipliers in subparagraph 62-600.740(1)(b)2., F.A.C. For surface water discharges, WQBELs established under Chapter 62-650, F.A.C., may place additional limitations on nitrogen or other parameters.

(3) Full treatment and disinfection requirements.

(a) The principal treatment and disinfection requirements described in subsection 62-610.563(2), F.A.C., shall apply, unless they are less stringent than the requirements for full treatment and disinfection.

(b) Drinking water standards.

1. 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.

a. The parameters listed as primary drinking water standards shall be applied as maximum single sample permit limits. The primary drinking water standard for asbestos shall not apply. The primary drinking water standards for bacteriological parameters shall be applied as the disinfection standard as described in subsection 62-550.310(3), F.A.C., except that public notification requirements shall not apply. The primary drinking water standard for sodium shall be applied as a maximum annual average permit limitation. 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 for sodium.

b. 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.

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

(c) Additional reductions of pollutants which otherwise would be discharged in quantities which would reasonably be anticipated to pose risk to public health because of acute or chronic toxicity shall be required.

(d) 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.

(e) Total organic halogen (TOX) shall not exceed 0.2 mg/L as the monthly average limitation. No single sample shall exceed 0.3 mg/L.

(f) The treatment processes shall include processes which serve as multiple barriers for control of organic compounds and pathogens.

(4) Treatment and disinfection requirements imposed by Rule 62-610.563, F.A.C., are additive to other effluent or reclaimed water limitations imposed by other rules (such as WQBEL limits designed to protect surface water quality, which are imposed by Chapter 62-650, F.A.C.).

(5) All ground water recharge and indirect potable reuse projects regulated by Part V of this chapter shall implement pretreatment programs in accordance with Rule 62-610.330, F.A.C.

(6) For injection projects requiring full treatment and disinfection, the Department shall approve alternative TOC and TOX limitations or shall approve inclusion of treatment technologies provided at the point of ground water withdrawal as part of the multiple barriers required by paragraph 62-610.563(3)(f), F.A.C., if the applicant provides an affirmative demonstration of all of the following in the engineering report:

(a) All withdrawals of ground water for potable purposes within one mile of the injection well are owned and operated by the applicant.

(b) Other parties are legally prohibited from installing or operating potable water supply wells within one mile of the injection well.

(c) Treatment provided on water supply wells within one mile of the injection well includes reverse osmosis or other processes that will serve as barriers for control of organic compounds or pathogens.

(d) The integrated treatment and disinfection system (wastewater treatment facilities and water treatment facilities) provides a level of public health protection equivalent to the full treatment and disinfection requirements in subsection 62-610.563(3), 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 4-4-89, Formerly 17-610.563, Amended 1-9-96, 8-8-99, 4-1-21.