South Carolina Code of Regulations › Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL › Subchapter 61-58.3 - Surface Water Sources and Treatment › Section 61-58.3.F - Waste Handling and Disposal

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 6, June 28, 2024
Waste handling and disposal practices shall meet all applicable
				rules and regulations of the Department. Provisions must be made for proper
				disposal of water treatment plant waste such as sanitary, laboratory,
				clarification sludge, softening sludge, iron sludge, filter backwash water,
				filter to waste, and brine waste. In locating waste disposal facilities, due
				consideration shall be given to preventing potential contamination of the water
				supply. For projects involving a surface water discharge of water treatment
				residuals or waste water, a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
				(NPDES) permit must be obtained from the Department. For projects involving
				land application of water treatment residuals or waste water, a No Discharge
				(ND) permit must be obtained from the Department.
(1) Sanitary Waste--The sanitary waste from
			 water treatment plants, pumping stations, etc., must receive treatment. Waste
			 from these facilities must be discharged directly to a sanitary sewer system,
			 when feasible, or to an adequate on-site waste treatment facility.
(2) Alum Sludge--Mechanical concentration or
			 lagooning may be used as a method of handling alum sludge. Acid treatment of
			 sludge for alum recovery may be a possible alternative. Alum sludge can be
			 discharged to a sanitary sewer only if acceptable to the receiving sewer system
			 and approved by the Department before final designs are made.
(a) Lagoons shall be designed to shall meet
			 the following requirements:
(i) A minimum of
			 two (2) lagoons are required for handling alum sludge.
(ii) The location shall be such that the top
			 of the dike is at least one (1) foot above the one hundred (100) year flood
			 plain;
(iii) Where necessary,
			 dikes, deflecting gutters or other means of diverting surface water runoff
			 shall be provided so that it does not flow into the lagoon;
(iv) A minimum usable depth of five (5) feet
			 with adequate freeboard shall be provided so as not to interfere with normal
			 plant operation;
(v) Dikes shall be
			 constructed of relatively impervious material and compacted to at least ninety
			 (90) percent Standard Proctor Density to form a stable structure. Vegetation
			 and other unsuitable materials shall be removed. Minimum dike width shall be
			 eight (8) feet. Dike slopes shall not be steeper than one (1) foot vertical to
			 three (3) feet horizontal;
(vi) A
			 minimum separation of four (4) feet between the bottom of the lagoon and the
			 maximum groundwater elevation shall be maintained;
(vii) A synthetic liner of at least twenty
			 (20) mil (0.20 inches) thickness or a natural liner consisting of one foot of
			 compacted clay having a hydraulic conductivity (coefficient of permeability) of
			 no more than .0000001 centimeters per second shall be used;
(viii) A monitoring system shall be
			 constructed to measure the water quality in the upper most aquifer. One (1)
			 upgradient monitoring well and an adequate number of down gradient monitoring
			 wells, so as to fully define any potential leacheate plume, shall be
			 provided;
(ix) An adjustable
			 decanting device must be provided;
(x) Effluent sampling point and flow
			 measurement device must be provided;
(xi) Erosion control through grassing,
			 rip-rap, or other means is required on both the inside and outside dike
			 surfaces; and,
(xii) Adequate
			 safety provisions must be installed.