As in effect on June 1, 2008
1.1 "Absorption system" means a device constructed under the ground surface to receive and to distribute effluent in such a manner that the effluent is effectively filtered and retained below ground surface.
1.2 "Board" means the Utah Water Quality Board.
1.3 "BOD" means 5-day, 20 degrees C. biochemical oxygen demand.
1.4 "Body Politic" means the State or its agencies or any political subdivision of the State to include a county, city, town, improvement district, taxing district or any other governmental subdivision or public corporation of the State.
1.5 "Building sewer" means the pipe which carries wastewater from the building drain to a public sewer, a wastewater disposal system or other point of disposal. It is synonymous with "house sewer".
1.6 "CBOD" means 5-day, 20 degrees C., carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand.
1.7 "Deep well" means a drinking water supply source which complies with all the applicable provisions of the State of Utah Public Drinking Water Regulations.
1.8 "Digested sludge" means sludge in which the volatile solids content has been reduced to about 50% by a suitable biological treatment process.
1.9 "Division" means the Utah State Division of Water Quality.
1.10 "Domestic wastewater" means a combination of the liquid or water-carried wastes from residences, business buildings, institutions, and other establishments with installed plumbing facilities, together with those from industrial establishments, and with such ground water, surface water, and storm water as may be present. It is synonymous with the term "sewage".
1.11 "Effluent" means the liquid discharge from any unit of a wastewater treatment works, including a septic tank.
1.12 "Human pathogens" means specific causative agents of disease in humans such as bacteria or viruses.
1.13 "Onsite wastewater system" means an underground wastewater disposal system for domestic wastewater which is designed for a capacity of 5,000 gallons per day or less and is not designed to serve multiple dwelling units which are owned by separate owners except condominiums and twin homes. It usually consists of a building sewer, a septic tank and an absorptions system.
1.14 "Industrial wastes" means the liquid wastes from industrial processes as distinct from wastes derived principally from dwellings, business buildings, institutions and the like. It is synonymous with the term "industrial wastewater".
1.15 "Influent" means the total wastewater flow entering a wastewater treatment works.
1.16 "Large underground wastewater disposal system" means the same type of device as described under 1.1.13 above, except that it is designed to handle more than 5,000 gallons per day of domestic wastewater which originates in multiple dwellings, commercial establishments, recreational facilities, schools, or any other wastewater disposal system not covered in 1.1.13 above. The Board controls the installation of such systems.
1.17 "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, company, or body politic, including any agency or instrumentality of the United States government (Section 19-1-103).
1.18 "Point source" means any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance including but not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, concentrated animal feeding operation, or vessel or other floating craft from which pollutants are or may be discharged. This term does not include return flow from irrigated agriculture.
1.19 "Polished Secondary Treatment" means a treatment process that can produce an effluent meeting or exceeding the following standards:
A. The arithmetic mean of BOD values determined on effluent samples collected during any 30-day period shall not exceed 15 mg/l, nor shall the arithmetic mean exceed 20 mg/l during any 7-day period.
B. The arithmetic mean of SS values determined on effluent samples collected during any 30-day period shall not exceed 10 mg/l, nor shall the arithmetic mean exceed 12 mg/l during any 7-day period.
C. The geometric mean of total coliform and fecal coliform bacteria in effluent samples collected during any 30-day period shall not exceed either 200 per 100 ml or 20 per 100 ml respectively, nor shall the geometric mean exceed 250 per 100 ml or 25 per 100 ml respectively during any 7-day period; or, the geometric mean of E. coli bacteria in effluent samples collected during any 30-day period shall not exceed 13 per 100 ml nor shall the geometric mean exceed 16 per 100 ml during any 7-day period.
D. The effluent pH values shall be maintained within the limits of 6.5 to 9.0.
1.20 "Pollution" means such contamination, or other alteration of the physical, chemical, or biological properties of any waters of the state, or such discharge of any liquid, gaseous or solid substance into any waters of the state as will create a nuisance or render such waters harmful or detrimental or injurious to public health, safety or welfare, or to domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, or other legitimate beneficial uses, or to livestock, wild animals, birds, fish or other aquatic life.
1.21 "Seepage trench" means a modified seepage pit, an absorption system consisting of trenches filled with coarse filter material into which septic tank effluent is discharged.
1.22 "Seepage pit" means an absorption system consisting of a covered pit into which effluent is discharged.
1.23 "Septic tank" means a water-tight receptacle which receives the discharge of a drainage system or part thereof, designed and constructed so as to retain solids, digest organic matter through a period of detention and allow the liquids to discharge into the soil outside of the tank through an underground absorption system meeting the requirements of these regulations.
1.24 "Shallow well" means a well providing a source of drinking water which does not meet the requirements of a "deep well".
1.25 "Sludge" means the accumulation of solids which have settled from wastewater. As initially accumulated, and prior to treatment, it is known as "raw sludge".
1.26 "SS" means suspended solids.
1.27 Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) means the maximum amount of a particular pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet state water quality standards, and an allocation of that amount to the pollutant's sources.
1.28 "Treatment works" means any plant, disposal field, lagoon, dam, pumping station, incinerator, or other works used for the purpose of treating, stabilizing or holding wastes. (Section 19-5-102).
1.29 "Wastes" means dredged spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical wastes, biological materials, radioactive materials, heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, cellar dirt, and industrial, municipal, and agricultural waste discharged into water. (Section 19-5-102).
1.30 "Wastewater" means sewage, industrial waste or other liquid substances which might cause pollution of waters of the state. Intercepted ground water which is uncontaminated by wastes is not included.
1.31 "Waters of the state" means all streams, lakes, ponds, marshes, water-courses, waterways, wells, springs, irrigation systems, drainage systems, and all other bodies or accumulations of water, surface and underground, natural or artificial, public or private, which are contained within, flow through, or border upon this state or any portion thereof, except that bodies of water confined to and retained within the limits of private property, and which do not develop into or constitute a nuisance, or a public health hazard, or a menace to fish and wildlife, shall not be considered to be "waters of the state" under this definition (Section 19-5-102).
1.32 "Underground Wastewater Disposal System" means a system for underground disposal of domestic wastewater. It usually consists of a building sewer, a septic tank, and an absorption system. It includes onsite wastewater systems and large underground wastewater disposal systems.
2.1 Water Pollution Prohibited. No person shall discharge wastewater or deposit wastes or other substances in violation of the requirements of these regulations.
2.2 Construction Permit. No person shall make or construct any device for treatment or discharge of wastewater (including storm sewers), except to an existing sewer system, without first receiving a permit to do so from the Board or its authorized representative, except as provided in R317-1-2.5. Issuance of such permit shall be construed as approval of plans for the purposes of authorizing release of federal or state funds allocated for planning or construction purposes. Construction permits shall expire one year after date of issuance unless substantial and continuous construction is under way. Upon application, construction permits may be extended on an individual basis provided application for such extension is made prior to the permit expiration date.
2.3 Submission of Plans. Any person desiring a permit as required by R317-1-2.2, shall submit complete plans, specifications, and other pertinent documents covering the proposed construction to the Division for review. Liquid waste storage facilities at animal feeding operations must be designed and constructed in accordance with Table 2a - Criteria for Siting, Investigation, and Design of Liquid Waste Storage Facilities with a water depth greater than 2 feet; Table 2b - Criteria for Siting, Investigation, and Design of Liquid Waste Storage Facilities with a water depth of 2 feet or less; and Table 2c - Criteria for runoff ponds with a water depth of 2 feet of less and a storage period less than 90 days annually, contained in the U.S.D.A. Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Practice Standard, Waste Storage Facility, Code 313, dated August 2006. This rule incorporates by reference Tables 2a, 2b, and 2c in the August 2006 U.S.D.A. NRCS Conservation Practice Standard, Waste Storage Facility, Code 313.
2.4 Review of Plans. The Division shall review said plans and specifications as to their adequacy of design for the intended purpose and shall require such changes as are found necessary to assure compliance with pertinent parts of these regulations.
2.5 Exceptions.
A. Onsite Wastewater Disposal Systems. Construction plans and specifications for onsite wastewater disposal systems shall be submitted to the local health authority having jurisdiction and need not be submitted to the Division. Such devices, in any case, shall be constructed in accordance with regulations for onsite wastewater disposal systems adopted by the Water Quality Board. Compliance with the regulations shall be determined by an on-site inspection by the appropriate health authority.
B. Small Animal Waste (Manure) Lagoons and Runoff Ponds. Construction plans and specifications for small animal waste lagoons as defined in R317-6 (permitted by rule for ground water permits) need not be submitted to the Division if the design is prepared or certified by the U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in accordance with criteria provided for in the Memorandum of Agreement between the Division and the NRCS, and the construction is inspected by the NRCS. Compliance with these rules shall be determined by on-site inspection by the NRCS.
2.6 Compliance with Water Quality Standards. No person shall discharge wastes into waters of the state except in compliance with these regulations and under circumstances which assure compliance with water quality standards in R317-2.
2.7 Operation of Wastewater Treatment Works. Wastewater treatment works shall be so operated at all times as to produce effluents meeting all requirements of these regulations and otherwise in a manner consistent with adequate protection of public health and welfare. Complete daily records shall be kept of the operation of wastewater treatment works covered under R317-3 on forms approved by the Division and a copy of such records shall be forwarded to the Division at monthly intervals.
3.1 Compliance With Water Quality Standards.
All persons discharging wastes into any of the waters of the State shall provide the degree of wastewater treatment determined necessary to insure compliance with the requirements of R317-2 (Water Quality Standards), except that the Board may waive compliance with these requirements for specific criteria listed in R317-2 where it is determined that the designated use is not being impaired or significant use improvement would not occur or where there is a reasonable question as to the validity of a specific criterion or for other valid reasons as determined by the Board.
3.2 Compliance With Secondary Treatment Requirements.
All persons discharging wastes from point sources into any of the waters of the State shall provide treatment processes which will produce secondary effluent meeting or exceeding the following effluent quality standards.
A. The arithmetic mean of BOD values determined on effluent samples collected during any 30-day period shall not exceed 25 mg/l, nor shall the arithmetic mean exceed 35 mg/l during any 7-day period. In addition, if the treatment plant influent is of domestic or municipal sewage origin, the BOD values of effluent samples shall not be greater than 15% of the BOD values of influent samples collected in the same time period. As an alternative, if agreed to by the person discharging wastes, the following effluent quality standard may be established as a requirement of the discharge permit and must be met: The arithmetic mean of CBOD values determined on effluent samples collected during any 30-day period shall not exceed 20 mg/l nor shall the arithmetic mean exceed 30 mg/l during any 7-day period. In addition, if the treatment plant influent is of domestic or municipal sewage origin, the CBOD values of effluent samples shall not be greater than 15% of the CBOD values of influent samples collected in the same time period.
B. The arithmetic mean of SS values determined on effluent samples collected during any 30-day period shall not exceed 25 mg/l, nor shall the arithmetic mean exceed 35 mg/l during any 7-day period. In addition, if the treatment plant influent is of domestic or municipal sewage origin, the SS values of effluent samples shall not be greater than 15% of the SS values of influent samples collected in the same time period.
C. The geometric mean of total coliform and fecal coliform bacteria in effluent samples collected during any 30-day period shall not exceed either 2000 per 100 ml or 200 per 100 ml respectively, nor shall the geometric mean exceed 2500 per 100 ml or 250 per 100 ml respectively, during any 7-day period; or, the geometric mean of E. coli bacteria in effluent samples collected during any 30-day period shall not exceed 126 per 100 ml nor shall the geometric mean exceed 158 per 100 ml respectively during any 7-day period. Exceptions to this requirement may be allowed by the Board where domestic wastewater is not a part of the effluent and where water quality standards are not violated.
D. The effluent values for pH shall be maintained within the limits of 6.5 and 9.0.
E. Exceptions to the 85% removal requirements may be allowed where infiltration makes such removal requirements infeasible and where water quality standards are not violated.
F. The Board may allow exceptions to the requirements of (A), (B) and (D) above where the discharge will be of short duration and where there will be of no significant detrimental affect on receiving water quality or downstream beneficial uses.
G. The Board may allow that the BOD5 and TSS effluent concentrations for discharging domestic wastewater lagoons shall not exceed 45 mg/l for a monthly average nor 65 mg/l for a weekly average provided the following criteria are met:
1. The lagoon system is operating within the organic and hydraulic design capacity established by R317-3,
2. The lagoon system is being properly operated and maintained,
3. The treatment system is meeting all other permit limits,
4. There are no significant or categorical industrial users (IU) defined by 40 CFR Part 403, unless it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Executive Secretary to the Utah Water Quality Board that the IU is not contributing constituents in concentrations or quantities likely to significantly effect the treatment works,
5. A Waste Load Allocation (WLA) indicates that the increased permit limits would not impair beneficial uses of the receiving stream.
3.3 Extensions To Deadlines For Compliance.
The Board may, upon application of a waste discharger, allow extensions to the compliance deadlines in Section 1.3.2 above where it can be shown that despite good faith effort, construction cannot be completed within the time required.
3.4 Pollutants In Diverted Water Returned To Stream.
A user of surface water diverted from waters of the State will not be required to remove any pollutants which such user has not added before returning the diverted flow to the original watercourse, provided there is no increase in concentration of pollutants in the diverted water. Should the pollutant constituent concentration of the intake surface waters to a facility exceed the effluent limitations for such facility under a federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit or a permit issued pursuant to State authority, then the effluent limitations shall become equal to the constituent concentrations in the intake surface waters of such facility. This section does not apply to irrigation return flow.
4.1 Untreated Domestic Wastewater. Untreated domestic wastewater or effluent not meeting secondary treatment standards as defined by these regulations shall be isolated from all public contact until suitably treated. Land disposal or land treatment of such wastewater or effluent may be accomplished by use of an approved total containment lagoon as defined in R317-3 or by such other treatment approved by the Board as being feasible and equally protective of human health and the environment.
4.2 Use of Secondary Effluent at Plant Site. Secondary effluent may be used at the treatment plant site in the following manner provided there is no cross-connection with a potable water system:
A. Chlorinator injector water for wastewater chlorination facilities, provided all pipes and outlets carrying the effluent are suitably labeled.
B. Water for hosing down wastewater clarifiers, filters and related units, provided all pipes and outlets carrying the effluent are suitably labeled.
C. Irrigation of landscaped areas around the treatment plant from which the public is excluded.
5.1 Use of industrial wastewaters (not containing human pathogens) shall be considered for approval by the Board based on a case-specific analysis of human health and environmental concerns.
6.1 General. No person shall use, dispose, or otherwise manage sewage sludge through any practice for which pollutant limits, management practices, and operational standards for pathogens and vector attraction reduction requirements are established in 40 CFR 503, July 1, 1994, except in accordance with such requirements.
6.2 Permit. All treatment works producing, treating and disposing of sewage sludge must comply with applicable permit requirements at R317-3, 6 and 8.
6.3 Septic Tank Contents. The dumping or spreading of septic tank contents is prohibited except in conformance with 40 CFR 503 and R317-550-7.
6.4 Effective Date. Notwithstanding the effective date for incorporation by reference of 40 CFR 503 provided in R317-8-1.10(9), those portions of 40 CFR 503 specified in R317-1-6.1 and 6.3 are effective immediately.
The following TMDLs are approved by the Board and hereby incorporated by reference into these rules:
7.1 Bear River -- December 23, 1997
7.2 Chalk Creek -- December 23, 1997
7.3 Otter Creek -- December 23, 1997
7.4 Little Bear River -- May 23, 2000
7.5 Mantua Reservoir -- May 23, 2000
7.6 East Canyon Creek -- September 1, 2000
7.7 East Canyon Reservoir -- September 1, 2000
7.8 Kents Lake -- September 1, 2000
7.9 LaBaron Reservoir -- September 1, 2000
7.10 Minersville Reservoir -- September 1, 2000
7.11 Puffer Lake -- September 1, 2000
7.12 Scofield Reservoir -- September 1, 2000
7.13 Onion Creek (near Moab) -- July 25, 2002
7.14 Cottonwood Wash -- September 9, 2002
7.15 Deer Creek Reservoir -- September 9, 2002
7.16 Hyrum Reservoir -- September 9, 2002
7.17 Little Cottonwood Creek -- September 9, 2002
7.18 Lower Bear River -- September 9, 2002
7.19 Malad River -- September 9, 2002
7.20 Mill Creek (near Moab) -- September 9, 2002
7.21 Spring Creek -- September 9, 2002
7.22 Forsyth Reservoir -- September 27, 2002
7.23 Johnson Valley Reservoir -- September 27, 2002
7.24 Lower Fremont River -- September 27, 2002
7.25 Mill Meadow Reservoir -- September 27, 2002
7.26 UM Creek -- September 27, 2002
7.27 Upper Fremont River -- September 27, 2002
7.28 Deep Creek -- October 9, 2002
7.29 Uinta River -- October 9, 2002
7.30 Pineview Reservoir -- December 9, 2002
7.31 Browne Lake -- February 19, 2003
7.32 San Pitch River -- November 18, 2003
7.33 Newton Creek -- June 24, 2004
7.34 Panguitch Lake -- June 24, 2004
7.35 West Colorado -- August 4, 2004
7.36 Silver Creek -- August 4, 2004
7.37 Upper Sevier River -- August 4, 2004
7.38 Lower and Middle Sevier River -- August 17,2004
7.39 Lower Colorado River -- September 20, 2004
7.40 Upper Bear River -- August 4, 2006
7.41 Echo Creek -- August 4, 2006
7.42 Soldier Creek -- August 4, 2006
7.43 East Fork Sevier River -- August 4, 2006
7.44 Koosharem Reservoir -- August 4, 2006
7.45 Lower Box Creek Reservoir -- August 4, 2006
7.46 Otter Creek Reservoir -- August 4, 2006
7.47 Thistle Creek -- July 9, 2007
7.48 Strawberry Reservoir -- July 9, 2007
7.49 Matt Warner Reservoir -- July 9, 2007
7.50 Calder Reservoir -- July 9, 2007
7.51 Lower Duchesne River -- July 9, 2007
7.52 Lake Fork River -- July 9, 2007
8.1 Introduction. Section 19-5-115 of the Water Quality Act provides for penalties of up to $10,000 per day for violations of the act or any permit, rule, or order adopted under it and up to $25,000 per day for willful violations. Because the law does not provide for assessment of administrative penalties, the Attorney General initiates legal proceedings to recover penalties where appropriate.
8.2 Purpose And Applicability. These criteria outline the principles used by the State in civil settlement negotiations with water pollution sources for violations of the UWPCA and/or any permit, rule or order adopted under it. It is designed to be used as a logical basis to determine a reasonable and appropriate penalty for all types of violations to promote a more swift resolution of environmental problems and enforcement actions.
To guide settlement negotiations on the penalty issue, the following principles apply: (1) penalties should be based on the nature and extent of the violation; (2) penalties should at a minimum, recover the economic benefit of noncompliance; (3) penalties should be large enough to deter noncompliance; and (4) penalties should be consistent in an effort to provide fair and equitable treatment of the regulated community.
In determining whether a civil penalty should be sought, the State will consider the magnitude of the violations; the degree of actual environmental harm or the potential for such harm created by the violation(s); response and/or investigative costs incurred by the State or others; any economic advantage the violator may have gained through noncompliance; recidivism of the violator; good faith efforts of the violator; ability of the violator to pay; and the possible deterrent effect of a penalty to prevent future violations.
8.3 Penalty Calculation Methodology. The statutory maximum penalty should first be calculated, for comparison purposes, to determine the potential maximum penalty liability of the violator. The penalty which the State seeks in settlement may not exceed this statutory maximum amount.
The civil penalty figure for settlement purposes should then be calculated based on the following formula: CIVIL PENALTY = PENALTY + ADJUSTMENTS - ECONOMIC AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
PENALTY: Violations are grouped into four main penalty categories based upon the nature and severity of the violation. A penalty range is associated with each category. The following factors will be taken into account to determine where the penalty amount will fall within each range:
A. History of compliance or noncompliance. History of noncompliance includes consideration of previous violations and degree of recidivism.
B. Degree of willfulness and/or negligence. Factors to be considered include how much control the violator had over and the foreseeability of the events constituting the violation, whether the violator made or could have made reasonable efforts to prevent the violation, whether the violator knew of the legal requirements which were violated, and degree of recalcitrance.
C. Good faith efforts to comply. Good faith takes into account the openness in dealing with the violations, promptness in correction of problems, and the degree of cooperation with the State.
Category A - $7,000 to $10,000 per day. Violations with high impact on public health and the environment to include:
1. Discharges which result in documented public health effects and/or significant environmental damage.
2. Any type of violation not mentioned above severe enough to warrant a penalty assessment under category A.
Category B - $2,000 to $7,000 per day. Major violations of the Utah Water Pollution Control Act, associated regulations, permits or orders to include:
1. Discharges which likely caused or potentially would cause (undocumented) public health effects or significant environmental damage.
2. Creation of a serious hazard to public health or the environment.
3. Illegal discharges containing significant quantities or concentrations of toxic or hazardous materials.
4. Any type of violation not mentioned previously which warrants a penalty assessment under Category B.
Category C - $500 to $2,000 per day. Violations of the Utah Water Pollution Control Act, associated regulations, permits or orders to include:
1. Significant excursion of permit effluent limits.
2. Substantial non-compliance with the requirements of a compliance schedule.
3. Substantial non-compliance with monitoring and reporting requirements.
4. Illegal discharge containing significant quantities or concentrations of non toxic or non hazardous materials.
5. Any type of violation not mentioned previously which warrants a penalty assessment under Category C.
Category D - up to $500 per day. Minor violations of the Utah Water Pollution Control Act, associated regulations, permits or orders to include:
1. Minor excursion of permit effluent limits.
2. Minor violations of compliance schedule requirements.
3. Minor violations of reporting requirements.
4. Illegal discharges not covered in Categories A, B and C.
5. Any type of violations not mentioned previously which warrants a penalty assessment under category D.
ADJUSTMENTS: The civil penalty shall be calculated by adding the following adjustments to the penalty amount determined above: 1) economic benefit gained as a result of non-compliance; 2) investigative costs incurred by the State and/or other governmental levels; 3) documented monetary costs associated with environmental damage.
ECONOMIC AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: An adjustment downward may be made or a delayed payment schedule may be used based on a documented inability of the violator to pay. Also, an adjustment downward may be made in consideration of the potential for protracted litigation, an attempt to ascertain the maximum penalty the court is likely to award, and/or the strength of the case.
8.4 Mitigation Projects. In some exceptional cases, it may be appropriate to allow the reduction of the penalty assessment in recognition of the violator's good faith undertaking of an environmentally beneficial mitigation project. The following criteria should be used in determining the eligibility of such projects:
A. The project must be in addition to all regulatory compliance obligations;
B. The project preferably should closely address the environmental effects of the violation;
C. The actual cost to the violator, after consideration of tax benefits, must reflect a deterrent effect;
D. The project must primarily benefit the environment rather than benefit the violator;
E. The project must be judicially enforceable;
F. The project must not generate positive public perception for violations of the law.
8.5 Intent Of Criteria/Information Requests. The criteria and procedures in this section are intended solely for the guidance of the State. They are not intended, and cannot be relied upon to create any rights, substantive or procedural, enforceable by any party in litigation with the State.
water pollution, waste disposal, industrial waste, effluent standards
February 4, 2008
October 2, 2007
19-5
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