WAC 173-220-130   Effluent limitations, water quality standards and other requirements for permits.  (1) Any permit issued by the department shall apply and insure compliance with all of the following, whenever applicable:

     (a) All known, available, and reasonable methods of treatment required under RCW 90.52.040, 90.54.020 (3)(b), and90.48.520 ; including effluent limitations established under sections 301, 302, 306, and 307 of the FWPCA. The effluent limitations shall not be less stringent than those based upon the treatment facility design efficiency contained in approved engineering plans and reports or approved revisions thereto. The effluent limitations shall reflect any seasonal variation in industrial loading. Modifications to technology-based effluent limitations for specific discharge categories are as follows:

     (i) For combined waste treatment facilities, the effluent limitations for biochemical oxygen demand or suspended solids may be adjusted upwards to a maximum allowed by applying effluent limitations pursuant to sections 301 (b)(1)(B) of the FWPCA to the domestic portion of the influent and effluent limitations pursuant to sections 301 (b)(1)(A)(i), 301 (b)(2)(A), and 301 (b)(2)(E) of the FWPCA or standards of performance pursuant to section 306 of the FWPCA to the industrial portion of the influent: Provided, That the following additional condition is met:

     Fecal coliform levels shall not exceed a monthly geometric mean of 200 organisms per 100 ml with a maximum weekly geometric mean of 400 organisms per 100 ml;

     (ii) For municipal water treatment plants located on the Chehalis, Columbia, Cowlitz, Lewis, or Skagit river, the effluent limitations shall be adjusted, in accordance with RCW 90.54.020 (3)(b), to reflect credit for substances removed from the plant intake water if:

     (A) The municipality demonstrates that the intake water is drawn from the same body of water into which the discharge is made; and

     (B) The municipality demonstrates that no violation of receiving water quality standards or appreciable environmental degradation will result.

     (b) Any more stringent limitation, including those necessary to:

     (i) Meet water quality standards, treatment standards or schedules of compliance established pursuant to any state law or regulation under authority preserved to the state by section 510 of the FWPCA; or

     (ii) Meet any federal law or regulation other than the FWPCA or regulations thereunder; or

     (iii) Implement any applicable water quality standards; such limitations to include any legally applicable requirements necessary to implement total maximum daily loads established pursuant to section 303(d) and incorporated in the continuing planning process approved under section 303(e) of the FWPCA and any regulations and guidelines issued pursuant thereto;

     (iv) Prevent or control pollutant discharges from plant site runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or waste disposal, or materials handling or storage; and

     (v) Meet the permit by rule provisions of the state dangerous waste regulation, WAC 173-303-802 (4) or (5).

     (c) Any more stringent legal applicable requirements necessary to comply with a plan approved pursuant to section 208(b) of the FWPCA; and

     (d) Prior to promulgation by the administrator of applicable effluent standards and limitations pursuant to sections 301, 302, 306, and 307 of the FWPCA, such conditions as the department determines are necessary to carry out the provisions of the FWPCA.

     (2) In any case where an issued permit applies the effluent standards and limitations described in subsection (1)(a) of this section, the department shall make a finding that any discharge authorized by the permit will not violate applicable water quality standards.

     (3) In the application of effluent standards and limitations, water quality standards and other legally applicable requirements pursuant to subsections (1) and (2) of this section, each issued permit shall specify:

     (a) For industrial wastewater facilities, average monthly and maximum daily quantitative mass and/or concentration limitations, or other such appropriate limitations for the level of pollutants and the authorized discharge;

     (b) For domestic wastewater facilities, average weekly and monthly quantitative concentration and mass limitations, or other such appropriate limitations for the level of pollutants and the authorized discharge; and

     (c) If a dilution zone is authorized within which water quality standards are modified, the dimensions of such dilution zone.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 90.54.020 and chapter 90.48 RCW. 88-22-059 (Order 88-9), § 173-220-130, filed 11/1/88. Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.035 and 90.48.260. 82-24-078 (Order DE 82-39), § 173-220-130, filed 12/1/82; Order DE 74-1, § 173-220-130, filed 2/15/74.]