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Filter Backwash Recycling Rule

FBRR

Final: June 8, 2001

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Background

• Filter backwash recycle reintroduces contaminants back into the treatment process

• 1996 SDWA Amendments require EPA to promulgate a regulation that “governs” recycle of filter backwash water within a treatment plant

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Purpose of FBRR

• Recycle streams are source of high concentration of microbial pathogens and chemical contaminants– Contribute to the contaminant load

– Coagulant chemistry imbalance

– Hydraulic surge--overwhelms plant’s unit processes

• Waste flows may adversely affect plant performance and, subsequently, pathogen removal

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Purpose of FBRR

• FBRR reduces potential for Cryptosporidium oocysts to pass through filters into finished water by ensuring proper management of residual streams

• FBRR also allows States to evaluate recycle practices and identify any potential problems.

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Systems Covered by FBRR §141.76(a)

• SW and GWUDI (Subpart H) systems that employ conventional or direct filtration and

• Recycles one or more of the following:– Spent Filter Backwash Water

– Thickener Supernatant

– Liquids from Dewatering Processes                             

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Conventional Treatment Plant

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What is Filter Backwash Water?

• Resulting water pushed back through the filter in the cleaning process

• Filter backwashing is an integral part of treatment plant operation

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What is Thickener Supernatant?What are Liquids from Dewatering Processes?

• Thickener Supernatant– The “clear water” that exits sedimentation basins and

clarifiers after particles have been allowed to settle out

• Liquids from Dewatering Processes– Dewatering processes remove water from waste solids

“sludge” in order to reduce the solids volume to be disposed

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Key Components

• Submit Data to State – Plant schematic

– Plant and recycle flow rates

– State-approved operating capacity of plant

• Appropriate Recycle Return Location – Through all processes of a

system’s conventional and

direct filtration treatment

– State-approved alternate

location

• Maintain Specific Records

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Notify State in Writing §141.76(b)

• Notify State in writing by December 8, 2003 if system recycles

• Notification must include:– Plant schematic

• origin of all recycle flows

• hydraulic conveyance used to transport them

• location where they are recycled back into the plant

– Flow data• typical recycle flow (gpm)

• highest observed plant flow from previous year (gpm)

• design flow for treatment plant (gpm)

• State-approved operating capacity                               

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Treatment Technique Requirement §141.76(c)

• By June 8, 2004, must return recycle flow through either:– Processes of conventional or direct filtration system

– Alternate location approved by the State

• If capital improvements are required to modify recycle location, must be completed no later than June 8, 2006

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Recycle Return Location

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Example 1

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Example 2

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Example 3

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Recordkeeping by Systems §141.76(d)

Beginning June 8, 2004, the following info must be on file

for review/evaluation by the State:

1. Copy of recycle notification and info submitted to State

2. List of all recycle flows and frequency of return

3. Average and maximum– backwash flow rate through filters

– duration of the filter backwash process (minutes)

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Recordkeeping by Systems (cont) §141.76(d)

4. Typical filter run length & written summary of how determined (headloss, turbidity, time, etc.)

5. Type of treatment provided for recycle flow

6. Data on: – physical dimensions of equalization and/or treatment units

– typical and max hydraulic loading rates

– type of treatment chemicals used and average dose and freq of use

– freq at which solids are removed from treatment units

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Violations & Public Notification

Violation Violation TypePublic Notification

RequirementsFailure to recycle toan appropriatelocation

TreatmentTechnique

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Failure to completecapital improvementsby required schedule

TreatmentTechnique

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Failure to notify theState of recyclepractices

Monitoring/Reporting

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Failure to collect andmaintain recycle flowinformation byrequired schedule

Recordkeeping 3

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State Primacy Requirements § 142.12(b)(1)(2)

• June 8, 2003: Final primacy applications due unless granted extension

• June 8, 2005: Final primacy revisions applications from States with approved extensions must be submitted

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State Special Primacy Requirement § 142.16(i)(1)(i)

• States must have the proper rules and authority to use Sanitary Surveys, comprehensive performance evaluations (CPEs), other inspections, or other activities to evaluate recycle data maintained by systems and require modifications to recycle practices.

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Available FBRR Documents

• Filter Backwash Recycling Rule: A Rule Summary for Systems

• Fact Sheet: Filter Backwash Recycling Rule

• Filter Backwash Recycling Rule: A Quick Reference Guide

• Filter Backwash Recycling Rule Technical Guidance Manual (under development)

• Filter Backwash Recycling Rule Implementation Guidance

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For More Information

www.epa.gov/safewater/filterbackwash.html

Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-800-426-4791