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Clean Water ActClean Water Act

GoalGoal– FishableFishable– SwimmableSwimmable

ClassificationsClassifications– Aquatic lifeAquatic life– RecreationRecreation– Water SupplyWater Supply– AgricultureAgriculture

Clean Water ActClean Water Act

StandardsStandards– Physical & BiologicalPhysical & Biological– InorganicInorganic– OrganicOrganic– MetalsMetals

Changes to RegulationsChanges to Regulations

Triennial ReviewTriennial Review– Required by State & Federal RegsRequired by State & Federal Regs

Colorado Process 5 yearsColorado Process 5 years

– Required for;Required for;Basic StandardsBasic StandardsStream StandardsStream StandardsSite Specific StandardsSite Specific StandardsOther regulationsOther regulations

Standards implementationStandards implementation

Basic Stds

June 2005

Stream StdsDischarge

Permit

New or revised EPA criteria

2006 San Juan & Gunnison2007 Arkansas & Rio Grande2008 Colorado2009 South Platteor ALL at once

Next = June 2010

Basic Standards 2005Basic Standards 2005

New definitionsNew definitions– Effluent dependent streamEffluent dependent stream– Effluent dominated stream Effluent dominated stream – E.coliE.coli

Ambient Quality Based Stds.Ambient Quality Based Stds.– Clarification (95Clarification (95thth percentile) percentile)

Temporary ModificationsTemporary Modifications– Clarification (Reg.31 & 61)Clarification (Reg.31 & 61)

Basic Standards 2005 cont.Basic Standards 2005 cont.

Antidegradation ProvisionsAntidegradation Provisions– Use protected designationUse protected designation

Change methodologyChange methodology

Statewide StandardsStatewide Standards– Clarification of radionuclide analysisClarification of radionuclide analysis– Add Tributyltin (TBT)Add Tributyltin (TBT)

Recreation ClassificationRecreation Classification

Basic Standards 2005 Cont.Basic Standards 2005 Cont.

Temperature StandardsTemperature Standards– Daily Maximum (“DM”)Daily Maximum (“DM”)

Cold 23.8 CCold 23.8 C Warm 32.5 CWarm 32.5 C Cool 29.4 CCool 29.4 C

– Maximum weekly average Maximum Maximum weekly average Maximum temperature (“MWAT”)temperature (“MWAT”)

Cold 19.3 CCold 19.3 C Warm 29.2 CWarm 29.2 C 24.2 C24.2 C

Basic Standards 2005 cont.Basic Standards 2005 cont.

MetalsMetals– AluminumAluminum

Revise based on pHRevise based on pH

– ArsenicArsenicAcknowledge MCLAcknowledge MCL

– AntimonyAntimonyEat more fishEat more fish

– Others-Others-

Basic Standards 2005 Cont.Basic Standards 2005 Cont.

Ammonia StandardsAmmonia Standards– EPA’s 1999 criteriaEPA’s 1999 criteria

New calculationNew calculation– AMMTOX –vs- CAMAMMTOX –vs- CAM

Total –vs- unionizedTotal –vs- unionized– Early life stagesEarly life stages

Ammonia Impacts to POTWsAmmonia Impacts to POTWs

Cold Water SegmentsCold Water Segments– Some relief, Some relief, less stringent standardsless stringent standards

OR Not = antidegradationOR Not = antidegradation

Warm Water segmentsWarm Water segments– More stringent standardsMore stringent standards

Less ammonia in dischargeLess ammonia in discharge– May require:May require:

New facilitiesNew facilities Higher O&M costsHigher O&M costs Higher Operator certificationHigher Operator certification

When Did this Happen?When Did this Happen?

The standards were NOT adopted The standards were NOT adopted on the usual basin-by-basin on the usual basin-by-basin schedule:schedule:– San Juan/Gunnison in June 2006San Juan/Gunnison in June 2006– Remaining basins was implemented in Remaining basins was implemented in

one hearing in one hearing in March 2007March 2007

The WQCD has sent letters to all The WQCD has sent letters to all permittees with information on the permittees with information on the planned implementationplanned implementation

Who is likely to be impactedWho is likely to be impacted

POTWsPOTWs– Warm water streamsWarm water streams– Low dilution flowsLow dilution flows– Early life stages presentEarly life stages present

Comparison of standardsComparison of standards

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

PCWA Pueblo MWRD

Old (CAM)New (AMMTOX)

What are Your Options?What are Your Options?

Let the Division set your limits based on Let the Division set your limits based on default AMMTOX assumptionsdefault AMMTOX assumptions

Supply site-specific data on ELS and Supply site-specific data on ELS and trout to modify the default assumptionstrout to modify the default assumptions

Run the AMMTOX model yourself using Run the AMMTOX model yourself using site-specific datasite-specific data

1.1. Accept the results, if they are okayAccept the results, if they are okay2.2. Ask the WQCC for a Ask the WQCC for a temporary modificationtemporary modification

for your segment at the March 2007 hearing for your segment at the March 2007 hearing if you need >5 years to upgrade your if you need >5 years to upgrade your facilityfacility

3.3. Ask the WQCC for a Ask the WQCC for a site-specific ammonia site-specific ammonia standardstandard at the March 2007 hearing at the March 2007 hearing

What can you do ?What can you do ?

Be preparedBe prepared– Collect dataCollect data

FlowFlowTemperatureTemperaturepHpHBiologyBiology

– ELS present ?ELS present ?

Seek professional helpSeek professional help

Basic Sampling ProgramBasic Sampling Program

WhatWhat– Stream: pH, temperature, time, ammonia Stream: pH, temperature, time, ammonia

(u/s)(u/s)– Effluent: ph, temperatureEffluent: ph, temperature

WhenWhen– Stream: biweekly or monthlyStream: biweekly or monthly– Effluent: individual samples (not DMR)Effluent: individual samples (not DMR)

WhereWhere– UpstreamUpstream– Downstream (equilibrium conditions)Downstream (equilibrium conditions)

OtherOther– Variation in pH and temperature over dayVariation in pH and temperature over day– Seepage and velocitySeepage and velocity

Temperature StandardsTemperature Standards

Adopted January 2007Adopted January 2007– Final approval February 12, 2007Final approval February 12, 2007– Implement in basin hearingsImplement in basin hearings

Postpone Arkansas & Rio Grande to 2012Postpone Arkansas & Rio Grande to 2012

Interim standardInterim standard– Effective July 2007Effective July 2007

Interim Temperature Stds.Interim Temperature Stds.

Effective 7/1/07 until basin hearingEffective 7/1/07 until basin hearing– Cold water 1 & 2Cold water 1 & 2

20deg C (MWAT)20deg C (MWAT) 18.2 deg C (MWAT) 18.2 deg C (MWAT) Gold Medal FisheriesGold Medal Fisheries 17 deg C (MWAT) above 7,000ft 17 deg C (MWAT) above 7,000ft

– 11stst through 3 through 3rdrd order streams order streams

– Warm water 1&2Warm water 1&2 30deg C (MWAT)30deg C (MWAT)

– No Acute StandardsNo Acute Standards

DefinitionsDefinitions

Daily Maximum Temperature (DM)Daily Maximum Temperature (DM)– Highest 2hr average in 24hr periodHighest 2hr average in 24hr period

Weekly Average TemperatureWeekly Average Temperature– Mathematical mean of multiple,Equaly Mathematical mean of multiple,Equaly

spaced, daily temperatures over a 7 day spaced, daily temperatures over a 7 day period. (3/day min.) period. (3/day min.)

Definitions cont.Definitions cont.

Maximum Weekly Average Temp. Maximum Weekly Average Temp. (MWAT)(MWAT)– -largest mathematical mean of multiple -largest mathematical mean of multiple

equally spaced, daily temperatures over equally spaced, daily temperatures over a 7 day period---a 7 day period---

Nutrient CriteriaNutrient Criteria

PurposePurpose– Prevent eutrophication from human Prevent eutrophication from human

sourcessourcesExcess algae growthExcess algae growth

– pHpH– D.O.D.O.– AppearanceAppearance

– Measured as chlorophyll aMeasured as chlorophyll a

Nutrient Criteria cont.Nutrient Criteria cont.

Phosphorus = cause in most watersPhosphorus = cause in most waters

EPA proposalEPA proposal– Define EcoregionDefine Ecoregion

Use 25Use 25thth Percentile Percentile– Assumes, least productive= most desirableAssumes, least productive= most desirable

Fishery management may justify Different Fishery management may justify Different #s#s

Nutrient Criteria -3Nutrient Criteria -3

Many States developing own criteriaMany States developing own criteria– Colorado isColorado is– Lakes firstLakes first

May need to be site specificMay need to be site specificControl regulations may be modelControl regulations may be model

– Dillon Reservoir -7.4ug/l “P”Dillon Reservoir -7.4ug/l “P”– Cherry Creek Reservoir-15ug/l Chl-aCherry Creek Reservoir-15ug/l Chl-a– Chatfield Reservoir -27ug/l “P”Chatfield Reservoir -27ug/l “P”– Bear Creek Reservoir –less greenBear Creek Reservoir –less green

Nutrient Criteria -4Nutrient Criteria -4

Phosphorus removalPhosphorus removal– BiologicalBiological

BNRBNR

– Chemical/ physicalChemical/ physicalMetal saltsMetal salts

– Ferric chlorideFerric chloride– AlumAlum

ClarificationClarificationFiltrationFiltration

Spill ReportingSpill Reporting

Colorado Water Quality Forum Work Colorado Water Quality Forum Work groupgroup

Reason forReason for– Many different interpretationsMany different interpretations

What is reportableWhat is reportable ProcessProcess

– 10 meetings since 11/200610 meetings since 11/2006 ResultsResults

– CDPH&E WQCCD policy WQE-10CDPH&E WQCCD policy WQE-10

Contaminants of EmergingContaminants of EmergingConcernConcern

Improvements in analytical methodsImprovements in analytical methodsDetect at very low levelsDetect at very low levels

Parts per billion, parts per trillionParts per billion, parts per trillion

So what?So what?– Current science has made few determinations Current science has made few determinations

of impactsof impacts Compounds includeCompounds include

– Antibiotics, Prescription Drugs, non prescription Antibiotics, Prescription Drugs, non prescription drugs,Sex & Steroidal hormones etc.,etcdrugs,Sex & Steroidal hormones etc.,etc

Contaminants of Emerging Contaminants of Emerging Concern-2Concern-2

Research neededResearch needed– Health effects Health effects – Aquatic effectsAquatic effects– Improved methodsImproved methods

NonylphenolNonylphenol– State standard setState standard set

Delayed implementation dateDelayed implementation date– No EPA approved methodNo EPA approved method– Study underwayStudy underway

MWRD, Boulder, Littleton/Englewood/ Colorado MWRD, Boulder, Littleton/Englewood/ Colorado SpringsSprings