MEMORANDUM

TO:		Public Record for the NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule
		EPA Docket Number EPA-HQ-OECA-2009-0274 (www.regulations.gov)	

FROM:		Carey A. Johnston, P.E.
            USEPA/OECA/OC
            ph: (202) 566 1014
            johnston.carey@epa.gov

DATE:		14 May 2014

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SUBJECT:	Data Elements Supporting the Clean Watersheds Needs Survey [DCN 0113]
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Overview 

      EPA is seeking comment on including into Appendix A of the NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule two data elements that support the Clean Watersheds Needs Survey. EPA conducts this survey under authority of Sections 205(a) and 516 of the Clean Water Act. These changes would reduce burden on states by eliminating most of the need for EPA to collect these two data elements from states as part of its quadrennial survey. 
      These two POTW data elements are: (1) POTW Wastewater Treatment Technology Level Description [The highest level of treatment (e.g., primary equivalent to secondary, secondary, advanced, other) that the POTW provides at each outfall]; and (2) POTW Wastewater Treatment Technology Unit Operations [The treatment technology unit process information at each outfall for POTWs greater than 10 MGD]. Example lists of wastewater treatment technology level descriptions and unit operations are provided below.

      
       Proposed data Elements Supporting EPA's Clean Watershed Needs Survey:
                   Sections 205(a) and 516 of the Clean Water Act
                                          
POTW Wastewater Treatment Technology Level Description
This data element describes the level of wastewater treatment technology (e.g., primary equivalent to secondary, secondary, advanced, other) at each outfall. This data element only applies to POTWs.
                       122.21 (j) (3) (iii) and CWA 516
                                      1,2
POTW Wastewater Treatment Technology Unit Operations
The code/description of the wastewater treatment technology unit operations (e.g, grit removal, flow equalization, complete mix activated sludge secondary treatment, biological nitrification) at each outfall. This data element only applies to POTWs that discharge above 10 MGD.
                      122.21 (j) (2) (ii) (A) and CWA 516
                                      1,2
      
      Options for POTW Wastewater Treatment Technology Level Description (Select One of The Following)
 Raw Discharge: Effluent that is treated. 
 Primary Treatment (45mg/L<BOD): Process in which the effluent that is treated to remove floating debris and solids by screening and sedimentation.
 Advanced Primary: Process in which chemicals are added to further treat primary effluent and increase the amount of solid matter removed.
 Secondary Wastewater Treatment: The minimum level of treatment required for discharges from all municipal wastewater treatment facilities by the Clean Water Act; facilities granted ocean discharge waivers under section 301(h) are exempted from this requirement. The effluent must meet the EPA's minimum removal standards for Biochemical Oxygen Demand (less than or equal to 30 mg/L), total suspended solids (TSS), and pH.
 Advanced Treatment: A level of treatment that is more stringent than secondary treatment or produces a significant reduction in nonconventional or toxic pollutants present in the facility's effluent. The treatment is generally considered advanced if the BOD is less than or equal to 20 mg/L or one or more advanced treatment indicators are present. Advanced Treatment indicators include: BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), Nitrogen Removal, Phosphorous Removal, Ammonia Removal, Metal Removal, and Synthetic Organic Removal. 
      
      All of the above categories (except Raw Discharge) will include their own drop down selections and each will also include a drop down for Disinfection and Solids Handling.
      
      Options for POTW Wastewater Treatment Technology Unit Operations
      The following are potential wastewater treatment technology unit operation selections for this data element. It is applicable for each outfall at a facility. This data element only applies to POTWs that discharge above 10 MGD.
Preliminary Treatment
Aerated Grit Chambers
Comminution
Equalization, at POTW
Flotation
Grit Removal
Dewatering assc. w/Grit Removal
Microstrainer, Primary
Pumping, Influent
Pump Stations
Screen (Bar Rack & Coarse)
Screen (Fine & Microstrainers)
Screen, Mechanical Bar
Screen, Bar
Scum Removal
Storage (In-line)
Storage (Off-line, e.g. Retention Basins) 
Storage (Lagoon)
Storage (Underground)
Storage (Off-line)
Storage (Other)
Subsurface Flow
Swirl Concentrators
Vortex Solids Separators

Primary Treatment
Aerated Grit Chambers
Aeration (Pre-treatment)
Aeration (Post-treatment)
Chemical Addition - Coagulants
Chemical Addition (Alum), Primary
Chemical Addition (Ferric Chloride), Primary
Chemical Addition (Ferrous Sulfate), Primary
Chemical Addition (Other), Primary
Clarification, In-Channel
Clarification, Intermediate
Clarification, Tube Settlers
Clarification, Other
Equalization, Flow
Imhoff Tank
Lagoon, Aerated
Lagoon, Anaerobic
Lagoon, Gas Utilization
Land Application, Slow Rate, W/O Underdrain
Land Application, Slow Rate, With Underdrain
Land Application, Other
Microstrainer, Secondary
Neutralization
Overland Flow System
Pond, Total Containment
Rapid Infiltration System, W/O Underdrain
Rapid Infiltration System, With Underdrain
Rapid Infiltration System, Other
Sedimentation, Primary
Septage Treatment  -  Separate Stage
Trickling Filter Plastic Media
Trickling Filter, Redwood Slats
Trickling Filter, Rock Media
Trickling Filter, Biofilter
Trickling Filter, Other Media

Secondary Treatment
Activated Sludge, Anaerobic/Anoxic/Oxic
Activated Sludge, Complete Mix
Activated Sludge, Conventional
Activated Sludge, Extended Aeration
Activated Sludge, High Rate
Activated Sludge, Pure Oxygen
Activated Sludge, Step Aeration
Activated Sludge, With Biological Denitrification
Activated Sludge, with Phosphorus Removal
Activated Sludge, Other Mode
Chemical Addition (Alum), Secondary
Chemical Addition (Ferric Chloride), Secondary
Chemical Addition (Other), Secondary
Chemical addition (Phosphorus), Secondary
Clarification, Secondary
Duckweed (Lemna)
Filter, Slow Sand
Filter, Denitrification with Coarse Media
Filter, Denitrification with Fine Media
Filter, Mixed Media
Filter, Moving Bed
Filter, Pressure
Filter, Rapid Sand
Filter, Rock
Filter, Other
Flocculation
Freesurface/Wetland (Marsh System)
Growth Process, Other Attached
Growth Process, Other Suspended
Lagoon, Aerated
Lagoon, Anaerobic
Lagoon, Facultative
Lagoon, Natural (Large Area)
Lagoon, Other
Package Plant, Rotating Biological Contractor (RBC)
Package Plant (Other)
Pond, Stabilization
Reactor (Oxidation Ditch)
Reactor, Sequencing Batch (SBR)
Reactor (Fixed Film)
Reactor (Other)
Sedimentation, Chemical Precipitation
Sedimentation, Other
Settling Tank
Trickling Filter, Plastic Media
Trickling Filter, Redwood Slats
Trickling Filter, Rock Media
Trickling Filter, Biofilter
Trickling Filter, Other Media
Aeration
Pumping, Effluent
Plant Closure Costs

Advanced Treatment  
Activated Carbon, Granular
Activated Carbon, Powdered
Activated Carbon, Other
Activated Sludge, Anaerobic/Anoxic
Activated Sludge, Contact Stabilization
Activated Sludge, Extended Aeration
Activated Sludge, With Biological Denitrification
Activated Sludge, Oxic
Activated Sludge, Other
Ammonia Stripping
Biological Denitrification
Carbon Regeneration
Chemical Addition (Alum), Tertiary
Chemical Addition (Ferric Chloride), Tertiary
Chemical Addition (Polymer)
Chemical Addition (Sodium Hydroxide)
Chemical Addition (Sodium Hypochlorite)
Chemical Addition (Other)
Distillation
Duckweed (Spirodela)
Duckweed (Wolffia)
Duckweed (Other)
Evaporation
Filter (Activated Bio-)
Filter (Gravity Sand Beds, single media)
Filter (Other)
Foam Fractionation
Freezing
Gas-Phase Separation
Ion Exchange
Lagoon, Polishing
Lime Treatment, Single Stage Primary
Lime Treatment, Two Stage Primary
Lime Treatment, Two Stage Tertiary
Lime Treatment, Other
Membrane Process (Dialysis)
Membrane Process (Electrodialysis)
Membrane Process (Reverse Osmosis)
Membrane Process (Other)
Nitrification, Biological (Combined and BOD Reduction)
Nitrification, Biological (Separate Stage)
Nitrification, Biological (Other)
Phosphorus Removal, Biological
Phosphorus Removal, Biological (Modified Bardenpho)
Phosphorus Removal, Biological (Phostrip)
Phosphorus Removal, Biological (Other)
Phosphorus Removal, Chemical 
Reactor (Oxidation Ditch)
Reactor, Vertical Loop
Reactor, Other
Recarbonation
Reduction
Sedimentation, Other
Solvent Extraction
Sorption
Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR)
Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) Membrane Bio-Reactor (MBR)
Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) - Aeration
Biological Nutrient removal (BNR) - Other
Advanced Treatment (Other)
Plant Closure Costs

Disinfection
Dechlorination, Bisulphite
Dechlorination, Sulphur Dioxide 
Dechlorination, Other
Disinfection, Breakpoint Chlorination
Disinfection, Chlorination
Disinfection, Gaseous Chloride
Disinfection, Liquid Chloride
Disinfection, Other Chemical
Disinfection, Ozonation
Disinfection, Ultraviolet Radiation
Disinfection, wet Weather
Disinfection, Sodium Hypochlorite
Disinfection, Chlorine Dioxide
Disinfection Hypochlorite Bisulfite
Disinfection, Other

Solids Handling
Biosolids Aerated Storage
Biosolids Aerobic Digestion, Air
Biosolids Aerobic Digestion, Autothermal Thermophilic
Biosolids Aerobic Digestion, Oxygen
Biosolids Air Drying, Sand Beds
Biosolids Air Drying, Other Media
Biosolids Anaerobic Digestion, Thermophilic
Biosolids Anaerobic Digestion, Other
Biosolids Digestion, Other
Biosolids Chemical Addition (Alum)
Biosolids Chemical Addition (Ferric Chloride)
Biosolids Chemical Addition (Polymer)
Biosolids Chemical Addition (Other)
Biosolids Chlorinate Oxidation (Purifax)
Biosolids Co-Incineration With Solid Waste
Biosolids Co-Pyrolysis With Solid Waste
Biosolids Composting, In-Vessel
Biosolids Composting, Static Pile
Biosolids Composting, Window
Biosolids Composting, Other
Biosolids Digestor Gas Utilization Facilities
Renewable Energy Photovoltaic Systems
Biosolids Digestor Gas Flaring
Biosolids Disposal (Monofil)
Biosolids Disposal (Ocean)
Biosolids Disposal (Waste Receiving Station)
Biosolids Disposal (Other)
Biosolids Distribution And/Or Marketing of Biosolids
Biosolids Elutriation
Biosolids Freezing
Biosolids Heat Drying
Biosolids Heat Recovery and Utilization
Biosolids Incineration, Fluidized Bed
Biosolids Incineration, Multiple Hearth
Biosolids Incineration, Rotary Kiln
Biosolids Incineration (Other)
Biosolids Lagoon
Biosolids Land Treatment (Spreading)
Biosolids Landfill/Trenching
Biosolids Lime Stabilization
Biosolids Mechanical Dewatering (Centrifuge)
Biosolids Mechanical Dewatering (Filter Press)
Biosolids Mechanical Dewatering (Pressure Filter)
Biosolids Mechanical Dewatering (Vacuum Filter)
Biosolids Mechanical Dewatering (Other)
Biosolids Pyrolysis
Biosolids Recalcination
Biosolids Thickening, Dissolved Air Flotation
Biosolids Thickening, Gravity
Biosolids Thickening, tank
Biosolids Thickening, Other
Biosolids Vibration
Biosolids Wet Air Oxidation
Biosolids (Heat Treatment-Blowers)
Biosolids Other Treatment
Chemical Addition (Polymer)
Biosolids Cake Storage Hopper
Biosolids Land Costs (Storage)
Biosolids Land Costs (Landfill)

