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Water Reclamation and Reuse Regulation (9 VAC 25-740). Potomac Watershed Roundtable October 3, 2008. What is reclaimed water? Water resulting from the treatment of domestic, municipal or industrial wastewater that is suitable for a water reuse that would not otherwise occur.
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Water Reclamation and Reuse Regulation(9 VAC 25-740) Potomac Watershed Roundtable October 3, 2008
What is reclaimed water?Water resulting from the treatment of domestic, municipal or industrial wastewater that is suitable for a water reuse that would not otherwise occur. What is water reuse?The use of reclaimed water for a direct beneficial use, an indirect potable reuse, or a controlled use in accordance with the regulation.
Principle factors driving water reclamation and reuse in the U.S. and Virginia • Rapid growth rate in urban areas • Alternative to effluent point source discharges (EPA Guidelines for Water Reuse, 2004)
Who regulates water reuse in Virginia? DEQ – regulates the reclamation and reuse of domestic, municipal (sewage) or industrial wastewater VDH – provides guidelines on the use of gray water DCR – will regulate the reclamation and reuse of storm water, including rainwater (SB 378, 2008)
Water reclamation and reuse is voluntary – not mandatory If you choose to do it, you must comply with the Water Reclamation and Reuse Regulation unless excluded per 9VAC25-740-50
Water Reclamation and Reuse Regulation • Part I - Definitions and General Program Requirements • Part II - Reclaimed Water Standards, Monitoring Requirements and Reuses • Part III - Application and Technical Requirements
Exclusions of Water Reclamation and Reuse Regulation • Activities permitted by VDH • Utilization of gray water • Non-potable water produced and utilized by the same treatment works (other qualifying factors) • Recycle flows within treatment works • Industrial effluents or other water streams prior to final treatment used in re-circulation, recycle or reuse systems at the same industrial facility (other qualifying factors) • Land treatment systems described by SCAT Regulations • Indirect reuse excluding indirect potable reuse projects after 10/1/08 • Existing indirect potable reuse as of 10/1/08 • Direct injection of reclaimed water into an aquifer authorized by UIC permit issued by EPA
Prohibitions of Water Reclamation and Reuse Regulation • Direct potable reuse • Reuse inside a residential/domestic dwelling or building containing a residential/domestic unit • Reuse to fill residential swimming pools, hot tubs or wading pools • Reuse for food preparation or incorporation as an ingredient into food or beverage for human consumption • Bypasses of untreated or partially treated wastewater from the reclamation system or intermediate unit process to the point of reuse (with some exceptions) • Return of reclaimed water to the reclaimed water distribution system after delivery to an end user
Standards for Reclaimed Water • For the reclamation of municipal wastewater • Level 1 • Level 2 • For the reclamation of industrial wastewater – determined on a case-by-case basis
Reuse Categories and Minimum Standard Requirements • Urban - Unrestricted Access (Level 1) • Irrigation - Unrestricted Access (Level 1) • Irrigation - Restricted Access (Level 2) • Landscape Impoundments (Level 1 or 2) • Construction (Level 2) • Industrial (Level 1 or 2)
a. For reclaimed industrial wastewater, minimum standards required shall be determined on a case-by-case basis relative to the proposed reuse or reuses. • b. For irrigation with reclaimed water treated to Level 2, the following shall be prohibited unless Level 1 disinfection is provided: • 1. Grazing by milking animals on the irrigation reuse site for 15 days after irrigation with reclaimed water ceases, and • 2. Harvesting, retail sale or allowing access by the general public to ornamental nursery stock or sod farms for 14 days after irrigation with reclaimed water ceases.
c. Worker contact with reclaimed water treated to Level 2 shall be minimized. Level 1 disinfection shall be provided when worker contact with reclaimed water is likely. d. Level 1 disinfection shall be provided when the reclaimed water is consumed by milking livestock. e. Level 1 disinfection shall be provided for aquaculture production of fish to be consumed raw, such as for sushi.
Irrigation Reuse • All irrigation with reclaimed water must be supplemental irrigation • Irrigation with non-BNR reclaimed water will have nutrient management requirements • Non-BNR reclaimed water – annual average total N & total P > 8 & 1 mg/l, respectively • Bulk irrigation w/ non-BNR reclaimed water – will require NMPs • Non-bulk irrigation w/ non-BNR reclaimed water – no NMPs but will require provider to implement other measures to manage nutrients from this reuse within the service area • Independent of reclaimed water nutrient content, NMP also required for certain bulk irrigation sites
Permitting for Water Reclamation and Reuse • Through existing VPDES and VPA Permit Programs • Most end users will not be permitted, but will be required to enter into service agreement/contract with provider • Permits will be required for existing unpermitted or new proposed facilities that are/will produce or distribute reclaimed water • Grand fathering provision for existing permitted facilities producing, distributing or using reclaimed water – no permit application until expansion or modification
Application for a Permit • General information – for reclamation systems and reclaimed water distribution systems • Reclaimed Water Management (RWM) Plan – for provider of reclaimed water to end user or self • Description and map of service area • Inventory of reclaimed and reject water storage • Water balance – reclaimed water generated, stored, reused and discharged • Example service agreements or contracts • Education and notification program (Level 1) • Cross-connection & backflow prevention program • Nutrient management requirements for irrigation reuse • Site plans for bulk irrigation reuse sites
Use Area Requirements for Reclaimed Water • Education and notification program (Level 1 reclaimed water) • General requirements for all irrigation reuses of reclaimed water • General requirements for bulk irrigation reuses of reclaimed water • Setbacks distances for irrigation reuse – specific to Level 1 and Level 2 reclaimed water • Setback distances for other reuses (i.e., indoor aesthetic features and open cooling towers)
Other Important Items in the Regulation • Reclaimed water monitoring requirements • Design criteria for reclamation systems, distribution systems and storage • Construction requirements • Operator requirements and system reliability • Operation and maintenance • Management of pollutants from significant industrial users • Access control and advisory signs • Generator and distributor reporting requirements
Remaining Regulation Milestones and Implementation • Final implementation guidance – fall or winter 2008 • 9VAC25-740-105 to be deleted– late 2008 or early 2009
Program Information: www.deq.virginia.gov/vpa/waterreuse.html Contact Information: Valerie Rourke DEQ, Office of Land Application Programs (804) 698-4158 varourke@deq.virginia.gov