United States

Environmental Protection

Agency

Office of Water

(4606)

EPA 816-F-01-019

June 2001

www.epa.gov/safewater

Filter Backwash Recycling Rule:

A Quick Reference Guide

Overview of the Rule

Title Filter Backwash Recycling Rule (FBRR)

66 FR 31086, June 8, 2001, Vol. 66, No. 111

Purpose

Improve public health protection by assessing and changing, where

needed, recycle practices for improved contaminant control, particularly

microbial contaminants.

General

Description

The FBRR requires systems that recycle to return specific recycle flows

through all processes of the system's existing conventional or direct

filtration system or at an alternate location approved by the state.

Utilities

Covered

Applies to public water systems that use surface water or ground water

under the direct influence of surface water, practice conventional or

direct filtration, and recycle spent filter backwash, thickener supernatant,

or liquids from dewatering processes.

Public Health Benefits

Implementation of

FBRR will result in . . .

4 Reduction in risk of illness from microbial pathogens in

 drinking water, particularly Cryptosporidium.

Estimated impacts of

the FBRR include . . .

4 FBRR will apply to an estimated 4,650 systems serving

 35 million Americans.

4 Fewer than 400 systems are expected to require capital

 improvements.

4 Annualized capital costs incurred by public water systems

 associated with recycle modifications are estimated to be

 $5.8 million.

4 Mean annual cost per household is estimated to be less

 than $1.70 for 99 percent of the affected households and

 between $1.70 and $100 for the remaining one percent of

 affected households.

Conventional and Direct Filtration

4 Conventional filtration, as defined in 40 CFR 141.2, is a series of processes including

 coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration resulting in substantial

 particulate removal. Conventional filtration is the most common type of filtration.

4 Direct filtration, as defined in 40 CFR 141.2, is a series of processes including

 coagulation and filtration, but excluding sedimentation, and resulting in substantial

 particulate removal. Typically, direct filtration can be used only with high-quality raw

 water that has low levels of turbidity and suspended solids.
For additional information on

the FBRR

Call the Safe Drinking Water

Hotline at 1-800-426-4791; visit

the EPA web site at

www.epa.gov/safewater; or

contact your state drinking water

representative.

Additional material is available at

www.epa.gov/safewater/

filterbackwash.html.

What recycle flow information does a system need

to collect and retain on file?

4 Copy of recycle notification and information submitted to the state.

4 List of all recycle flows and frequency with which they are returned.

4 Average and maximum backwash flow rates through filters, and average and

 maximum duration of filter backwash process (in minutes).

4 Typical filter run length and written summary of how filter run length is determined.

4 Type of treatment provided for recycle flows.

4 Data on the physical dimension of the equalization and/or treatment units, typical

 and maximum hydraulic loading rates, types of treatment chemicals used,

 average dose, frequency of use, and frequency at which solids are removed, if

 applicable.

What does a recycle notification include?

4 Plant schematic showing origin of recycle flows, how recycle flows are conveyed,

 and return location of recycle flows.

4 Typical recycle flows (gpm), highest observed plant flow experienced in the previous

 year (gpm), and design flow for the treatment plant (gpm).

4 State-approved plant operating capacity (if applicable).

Critical Deadlines and Requirements

For Drinking Water Systems

December 8, 2003 Submit recycle notification to the state.

June 8, 2004 Return recycle flows through the processes of a system's

existing conventional or direct filtration system or an alternate

recycle location approved by the state (a 2-year extension is

available for systems making capital improvements to modify

recycle location).

Collect recycle flow information and retain on file.

June 8, 2006 Complete all capital improvements associated with relocating

recycle return location (if necessary).

For States

June 8, 2003 States submit FBRR primacy revision application to EPA

(triggers interim primacy).

June 8, 2005 Primacy extension deadline - all states with an extension must

submit primacy revision applications to EPA.

Recycle Flows

4 Spent Filter Backwash Water - A stream containing particles that are dislodged from

 filter media when water is forced back through a filter (backwashed) to clean the filter.

4 Thickener Supernatant - A stream containing the decant from a sedimentation basin,

 clarifier or other unit that is used to treat water, solids, or semi-solids from the primary

 treatment processes.

4 Liquids From Dewatering Processes - A stream containing liquids generated from a

 unit used to concentrate solids for disposal.