Florida Administrative Code › 62 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › 62 - Departmental › Chapter 62-660 - INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER FACILITIES › Section 62-660.400 - Effluent Limitations

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
The following effluent limitations apply to plants and
				  installations which discharge industrial wastes into waters of the
				  state.
(1) Effluent Limitations Based
				on the Availability of Technology.
(a) Section
				301 of Public Law 92-500, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of
				1972 (FWPCA), as amended, requires all existing point source discharges of
				pollutants to meet uniform technology-based effluent limitations as a minimum.
				Two levels of effluent limitations are established.
1. The first level is defined as "best
				practical control technology currently available" (BPT). FWPCA Section
				301(b)(1)(A), 33 U.S.C.A.
				Section 1311(b)(1)(A). By no
				later than July 1, 1977, dischargers were required to apply BPT as defined by
				specific effluent limitations issued by the Administrator of the United States
				Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pursuant to Section 304(b)(1).
2. The second level is defined as either
				"best available technology economically achievable" (BAT) or "best conventional
				pollutant control technology" (BCT). FWPCA Section 301(b)(2)(A) and
				301(b)(2)(E) respectively. By March 31, 1989, dischargers of toxic pollutants
				as defined in Section 307 of FWPCA were required to apply BAT, as defined by
				effluent limitations issued by the Administrator pursuant to FWPCA Section
				304(b)(2). Also by March 31, 1989, dischargers of conventional pollutants as
				defined in FWPCA Section 303(a)(4) were required to apply BCT as defined by
				effluent limitations issued by the Administrator pursuant to FWPCA Section
				304(b)(4).
3. BCT is not an
				additional effluent limitation for industrial dischargers, but rather it
				replaces BAT for the control of conventional pollutants. BAT will remain in
				force for all non-conventional and toxic pollutants. Effluent limitations
				representing BCT may not be more stringent than BAT. In no case will BCT
				limitations be less stringent than BPT.
4. FWPCA Section 306 requires the
				Administrator to establish effluent limitations containing performance
				standards for new sources. For this purpose, "new sources" are defined as any
				source the construction of which commenced after the publication of proposed
				regulations prescribing standards for these sources. FWPCA Section 306(a)(2),
				33 U.S.C.A. Section
				1316(a)(2). After the
				effective date of new sources performance standards, it is a violation of the
				Federal Water Pollution Control Act to operate any new source in violation of
				such standards. FWPCA Section 306(e).
5. FWPCA Section 307(a) requires and
				authorizes the Administrator to establish and promulgate effluent limitations
				for toxic pollutants, which may include a prohibition of the discharge of such
				pollutants or combination of such pollutants. After the effective date of such
				effluent standards, it is a violation of the FWPCA to operate any source in
				violation of such standard or prohibition.
6. FWPCA Section 307(b) requires and
				authorizes the Administrator to establish and promulgate pretreatment standards
				for introduction of pollutants into publicly owned sewage treatment facilities
				which are not susceptible to treatment by such facilities or which would
				interfere with the operation of such treatment works.