According to EPA's Preliminary Study, the industry is becoming more efficient. This has led to substantial changes in how the industry operates. Pollutant loadings are down due to increased wastewater recycle rates on many manufacturing processes, more efficient process operation, elimination of obsolete processes, improved computerization of manufacturing, changes in market demands, and improved wastewater treatment processes. Many better-performing mills are discharging wastewater loadings far below EPA's current standards. However, not all of the industry has improved wastewater treatment or has implemented proactive pollution prevention practices.
Some mills continue to discharge in excess of current effluent guidelines.
Status of EPA Activities EPA has nearly completed its data collection activities for this rule reassessment. EPA is currently analyzing the gathered data. The Agency's iron and steel contacts consulted with the major industry trade associations to develop a useful survey instrument and to ensure an accurate mailing list. In October 1998, EPA mailed 398 industry surveys to a statistical sampling of the identified population. The surveys had due dates ranging between January and April 1999 depending on the type of mill and the survey each mill received.