62-670.600. Wastewater Treatment for Commercial Egg Production Facilities

(1) Statement of Intent.

(a) The purpose of Rule 62-670.600, F.A.C., is to control pollution of waters of the state due to the discharge of wastewaters and run off from major egg production facilities. Discharge of process wastewater and runoff from any major egg production facilities. Discharge of process wastewater and runoff from any major egg production facility to surface waters is prohibited except in the event of a 25-year, 24-hour storm event. This rule establishes treatment and ground water monitoring requirements for major egg production facilities that have a discharge to ground water.

(b) Rule 62-670.600, F.A.C., applies to and requires permits for all major egg production facilities as defined in subsection 62-670.200(10), F.A.C., except major egg production facilities with dry manure systems that combine egg wash wastewater with the dry manure and dispose of it in accordance with an approved Soil and Water Conservation District Board (SWCDB) Plan.

(2) Permitting Requirements for Egg Production Facilities.

(a) All major egg production facilities which generate wastewater must have wastewater treatment, containment and disposal facilities permitted by the Department prior to their construction or operation. Permits will be issued if reasonable assurance is provided by the applicant that the requirements of this rule and other applicable Department rules will be met.

(b) Permit applications shall be submitted on DEP Form 62-620.910(3). A copy of the facility’s approved Soil and Water Conservation District Board (SWCDB) Plan shall be submitted, if available, with the application.

(c) Major egg production facilities operating at the time this rule comes into effect shall submit to the Department an application for an operation permit. This application shall be submitted by October 1, 1990. No such application is required if such a facility is operating under a Department industrial wastewater permit. Existing permits will be modified to meet the requirements of this rule upon renewal of the permit.

(d) Egg production facilities not defined as major egg production facilities shall be exempt from permitting, provided all process wastewater and runoff from a 25-year, 24-hour storm event is contained, unless it is reasonable to expect that the facility will cause or contribute to water quality violations.

(3) Disposal and Treatment of Egg Wash Wastewater.

(a) Pretreatment. To enhance additional treatment by the soil, the permittee shall provide pretreatment of the egg wash wastewater prior to spray irrigation or other land disposal systems approved by the Department. Pretreatment systems shall be designed, operated, and monitored so as to provide reasonable assurance that aerobic conditions can be maintained at the soil surface of the sprayfield and that long term operation will not result in ponding or runoff of applied wastewater. Minimum pretreatment required prior to spray irrigation shall consist of the following:

1. Sedimentation using a settling tank or clarifier to reduce settleable solids and, if needed, scum removal using skimming devices to reduce floating solids prior to discharge to the sprayfield.

2. Aeration adequate to maintain an aerobic condition within the pretreatment system.

3. Neutralization or adjustment of treated effluent to a pH ranging from 6.5-8.5 (standard units).

4. Additional treatment necessary to provide reasonable assurance that oils, detergents, solvents, cleaners, or other substances will not be present in the pretreated effluent in such quantities or concentrations so as to interfere with the spray irrigation (land disposal) system.

(b) Sprayfield (Land Disposal) System Operation. Pretreated egg wash wastewaters disposed of by sprayfield or land disposal systems shall meet the following design and operation requirements:

1. Nutrient and hydraulic loading rates and resting cycles shall be comparable with the rates described in Rule 62-610.423, F.A.C., and those expressed in the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency process design manual, “Land Treatment of Municipal Wastewater” (EPA 625/1-81-013), Chapter 4 – Slow Rate Process Design, adopted herein by reference.

2. Hydraulic loading, application rates and application methods shall be such that odors will not be generated beyond the property boundary of the facility and ponding or soil binding will not occur under normal operating conditions.

3. Long-term sprayfield (land disposal) operation shall provide for crop harvesting as needed to maintain nutrient removal and to maximize performance. Routine maintenance of sprayheads, risers, or other distribution equipment shall be performed as needed to assure optimal operation.

4. Storage of pretreated wastes shall not be required if the sprayfield (land application system) has adequate hydraulic capacity to accept waste during wet-weather periods. The permittee must provide reasonable assurance runoff will not occur during wet-weather periods. Failure to provide reasonable assurance will result in a requirement for adequate storage.

5. Spray irrigation shall be prohibited where the seasonal high ground water level is 18 inches or less.

6. Setback Distances.

a. The following setback distances shall be maintained between land application areas, and

Drinking Water Supply Wells:	200 feet
Natural Watercourses:	50 feet
Drainage Ditches:	50 feet

 

b. Distances other than those listed above may be specified in the permit if the Department determines that because of the type of soils and hydrogeology of the sites involved, a larger distance is necessary to protect the designated uses of the waters, or that allowance of a smaller distance will not impair the designated uses of the waters.

(4) Disposal of Egg Wash Wastewater Combined with Manure.

(a) Liquid Manure Systems.

1. Egg wash wastewater combined with chicken manure in a liquid manure system shall be routed to regularly maintained settling basins prior to disposal via ponds or lagoons. The ponds and lagoons shall contain process water and runoff from a 25-year, 24-hour storm event.

2. The pretreatment steps specified in paragraph 62-670.600(3)(a), F.A.C., are not required for egg wash wastewaters disposed of in ponds or lagoons which are also used for liquid manure treatment.

3. Ponds lined sufficiently to prevent ground water pollution shall be used for on-site treatment or storage when an aquifer classified as G-I or G-II as defined in Rule 62-3.403, F.A.C., may be subject to contamination.

(b) Dry Manure Systems.

1. Egg wash wastewaters combined with dry manure are subject to the requirements of an approved Soil and Water Conservation District Board (SWCDB) Plan. This plan must include management requirements for disposal of the dry manure and provisions to control the runoff from any manure disposal areas.

2. Those facilities not having an approved SWCDB plan must have a permit pursuant to this rule.

(5) Ground Water Monitoring Requirements for Egg Production Facilities. All major egg production facilities are required to perform ground water monitoring and submit ground water monitoring plans pursuant to Rule 62-528.700, F.A.C. This rule establishes the minimum information to be provided in such plans. Requirements of this rule shall supersede any conflicting requirements contained in Rule 62-528.700, F.A.C. Ground water monitor wells shall be installed and monitored as specified below. The location of monitor wells shall be specified in Department permits. The minimum number of monitor wells and frequency of sampling may be increased or decreased based on site specific hydrogeologic factors and the potential for ground water contamination.

(a) Egg Wash Water Spray Sites.

Monitor Wells	Parameters:	Sampling Frequency:
Required:
One up gradient	Total Nitrogen	Quarterly
One down gradient	Nitrates
	Fecal Coliform
	Specific Conductance
	pH
	Depth to Ground Water
	Ground Water
	Elevation

 

(b) Unlined Lagoon Systems.*

Monitor Wells	Parameters:	Sampling Frequency:
Required:
One up gradient	Total Nitrogen	Quarterly
Three down gradient	Nitrates
	Fecal Coliform
	Specific Conductance
	pH
	Depth to Ground Water
	Ground Water
	Elevation

 

* In addition an inventory of all supply wells located within a 1/2 mile radius of the site must be provided.

(c) Lined Lagoon Systems.

Monitor Wells	Parameters:	Sampling Frequency:
Required:
One down gradient	Total Nitrogen	Quarterly
	Nitrates
	Fecal Coliform
	Specific Conductance
	pH
	Depth to Ground Water
	Ground Water
	Elevation

 

(d) Unlined Hen Houses.

Monitor Wells	Parameters:	Sampling Frequency:
Required:
One down gradient	Total Nitrogen	Quarterly
	Nitrates
	Fecal Coliform
	Specific Conductance
	pH
	Depth to Ground Water
	Ground Water
	Elevation

 

Specific Authority 403.051, 403.061, 403.087, 403.804 FS. Law Implemented 403.021, 403.051, 403.062, 403.087, 403.088 FS. History–New 4-2-90, Formerly 17-670.600, Amended 12-26-96.