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November 2015 Special Edition
Some
wastewater facilities may find it difficult to meet stricter limits on pollutants
in their discharge permits because of a lack of treatment technologies or
treatment costs or both. For example, several cities have expressed concern
about meeting chloride limits. In the coming years the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency (MPCA) expects more communities to apply for variances, which
are temporary changes in state water quality standards for a specific
pollutant.
The
purpose of variances is to give permit holders time to implement changes to be
able to meet discharge limits. The variances also set timelines and interim
limits to make sure permit holders are working toward meeting the stricter
limits.
However,
stakeholders determined the existing water variance rules were not clear or
consistent, and the application process was confusing. After meeting with
stakeholders and receiving comment on draft rule language, the MPCA is
proposing changes to Minnesota’s water quality variance rules to make them more
clear and consistent. These proposed rules are open for further public comment
through Dec. 29, 2015.
As
the agency delegated to implement the Clean Water Act, the MPCA may grant
variances through the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System/State
Disposal System (NPDES/SDS) permit program. Because of this delegation, MPCA
must assess a variance using the same conditions and criteria that the U.S. EPA
uses.
Minnesota’s
water quality rules have variance provisions in three different rule chapters.
The procedures for granting a variance are different in each chapter. The
chapter 7052 rules are based on federal rules and apply to the Lake Superior
Basin while the chapter 7050 and 7053 rules apply to the rest of the state and
differ from federal requirements. These differences are confusing to regulated
parties, and make it difficult for the MPCA to maintain consistency in the variance
process and compliance with applicable federal requirements. The rule changes
are to address these differences and provide consistent application of the
state’s variance rules and applicable federal requirements.
The
rule amendments are only concerned with the procedural requirements for
obtaining a variance and will not result in more or less restrictive water
quality standards or change to a water quality standard of any kind.
Information
on these rules is available on the MPCA’s Water Quality Variance Rulemaking
webpage.
 The MPCA thanks permit holders for
their patience during the electronic
Discharge Monitoring Records (eDMR) transition to a new service. Please
follow these quick tips for submitting your eDMRs:
- You must download the Sample Values
and eDMR spreadsheets from the new eServices.
- You CANNOT use the previously
downloaded versions in the new system; if you do your submittal will fail.
- You must submit the Sample Values
spreadsheet first and then submit
the DMR.
- You can now attach supporting
documentation to the DMR submittal.
Step-by-step
instructions for downloading and submitting sample values and DMRs can be found
at: www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/view-document.html?gid=20002
A Sample Values
Spreadsheet video tutorial can also be found at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K229vawaKY
If you have questions about the eDMR
process, please contact your assigned MPCA Compliance Staff person. You
can identify that person by visiting this
webpage.
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The Wastewater
Treatment Facility Operational Awards application and review process is
changing this year. Facilities will no longer be required to submit a
self-nomination application form. Instead, MPCA staff will be reviewing
the compliance status of all eligible facilities to determine award recipients.
You will be contacted in early 2016 if your facility is receiving an award. The
awards ceremony will be held during the Annual Wastewater Operations Conference
in March 2016. Please contact Kaitlin Jamieson with any questions at Kaitlin.jamieson@state.mn.us or 651-757-2306.
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