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MA DEP Revises Sewer Connection Regulations
by Capaccio Environmental Engineering, Inc.

Application Deadline – January 12, 2008
This past spring, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA DEP) passed sweeping changes to several regulations for wastewater management. Of particular importance is that dischargers of non-domestic wastewater must evaluate the applicability of the revised regulations and if certain flow limits are exceeded, complete the necessary sewer connection forms prior on or before January 12, 2008. The revised sewer connection regulations differentiate between wastewater that discharges to a publicly owned treatment works (POTW) with an EPA-approved pretreatment program (IPP) and POTWs without such a program (non-IPP). Three different permitting scenarios are possible depending on the amount of combined flow from your facility and whether you discharge to a an IPP or a non-IPP POTW. These permitting responsibilities may include; permit by rule, certification, or submittal of a full permit. It is important to note that the regulations apply to a series of standard industrial classification (SIC) codes listed in the regulations and that the flows represent maximum potential combined flows (sanitary and non-sanitary) from the facility. The following flow diagram is intended to assist with evaluating the program applicability.

State-wide Mercury Limit
The MassDEP set a state-wide limit for mercury at one part per billion, which will become effective May 1, 2009.

Staffing Requirements
The MassDEP modified the staffing requirements for Grade 1I and 2I fully automated industrial wastewater pretreatment systems (FAIWPS) and batch treatment systems. According to the MassDEP, a FAIWPS is a system that is equipped with process controllers that can initiate and complete treatment operations automatically. In the event of a system malfunction, a FAIWPS must also be able to shut-down, re-circulate or hold wastewater while initiating alarm notifications to the responsible operator(s).

• For a non-FAIWPS Grade-2I or lower that is operated 8-hours or more per day, a certified operator higher or equal to the facility grade is required to be present at least 8-hours per day during IWPS operation.

• For a FAIWPS Grade-2I system or lower, a certified operator higher or equal to the facility grade is required to inspect the system twice per week and not on consecutive days and be on call to address system malfunctions.

• For batch IWPS Grade-2I or lower, an operator higher or equal to the facility grade is required to inspect the system once per day or whenever the system is discharging.

For more information or assistance with these changes, please contact Wayne Bates at Tel. 508-970-0033 ext. 121.

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