[USCC] Stormwater Quality Issues

Wed Aug 16 10:41:30 CDT 2006

Compost facilities (NAICS 325314, SIC 2875) constitute an industrial
category identified in the federal NPDES rules as requiring a federal
storm water permit to govern any discharges/releases of storm water
off-site. If there is absolutely no release of storm water even in the
largest storm (total containment and use on-site), then no permit may be
required. In that case, however, any release at all is a violation of
Clean Water Act regulations. 

The simplest federal authorization which may apply to a compost
facility is an NPDES Multi-Sector General Permit, which may be
administered by EPA or a state agency depending on the state. On-farm
composting may be considered not to be an industrial site, and may thus
be governed (or not) according to whatever agricultural authorizations
are in place (such as a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation permit).
If the storm water is used for irrigation only in a defined area, with
no off-site flows, then a state (non-federal) authorization may be
available (as in Texas).

Bill Carter
Water Quality Monitoring & Assessment    MC 165
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, TX  78711-3087
Phone:  512-239-6771
Fax:  512-239-4410
wcarter at tceq.state.tx.us

>>> craigcoker at cox.net 8/16/2006 10:12 AM >>>

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The National forum for those involved in the development and expansion
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631-737-4931 

Colleagues:

This has been discussed before, I think.  What stormwater quality and
discharge requirements are composters having to live with in various
states?
Are certain BMPs considered acceptable for composting pad runoff? Have
any
of you had to develop treatment systems to meet effluent limitations
based
on permitted loadings of pollutants to waterways?

Apparently, North Carolina's Division of Water Quality is making
noises
about requiring package plants at composting facilities to treat
leachate
and contaminated stormwater runoff and the Carolinas Composting
Council
would like to make sure that doesn't happen.

Any advice you can offer would be gratefully appreciated, as usual!

Regards,

Craig

Craig Coker

Coker Composting & Consulting

3331 Glade Creek Blvd.

Ste. 7

Roanoke, VA  24012

(540) 904-2698

Fax: (540) 904-6732

Cell: (540) 874-5168

craigcoker at cox.net

www.cokercompost.com

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