Wastewater

Q: If I violate a permit condition what needs to be done?
A: The first thing to do is to stop the violation from occurring as soon as possible. As per Chapter 523 the permittee shall verbally report any non-compliance, which may endanger health or the environment within 24 hours followed by a written response within 5 days of becoming aware of the circumstances. The call needs to be made to your inspector within 24 hours notifying them of the violation. This includes weekend notification if the violation occurred after hours on Friday through Monday morning. A written report must be filled out also and sent into the DEP. The DEP has a reporting form that you can use or you can write up your own response as long as it includes all the information required by Chapter 523 of the Maine Statutes. Click for the Statutes.
Q: Why are overflows a concern?
A: Sewer overflows increase the level of bacteria in our streams. E Coli and Fecal Coliforms are an indicator that human or animal waste and disease-causing organisms are in the water. High levels of coliform bacteria have been linked to gastrointestinal illnesses among people who ingest or swallow contaminated water during recreation. High levels of bacteria will cause clam flats to be closed as well as beach closings.
Q: What is an SSO and what must be done when one occurs?
A: A sanitary sewer overflow occurs when there is too much wastewater for the sewer system or treatment plant to handle, such as after heavy rainstorms. The wastewater comes out of a manhole, tank or into someone’s basement due to decreased capacity in the system or too much hydraulic loading on the system. The owner of the collection system is responsible to notify the regional office where the event occurred. If the owner has a contract with the POTW, the POTW will report the occurence to the State.
Q: How can I prevent future sewer backups from blockages?
A: The two most common causes of sewer backups are roots in the sewer line and grease blockages. Know where your sewer line is located. Remove trees and shrubs near the sewer line wherever possible. Roots can creep into the sewer pipe and, over time, cause a blockage. For pipes containing a blockage, call a professional sewer cleaning service to have the roots cut and the blockage cleared. For grease problems, develop a good sewer use ordinance and enforce against disposal of grease and oil. Vegetables, meat scraps, butter, cooking oils, and many other foods deposit grease and solids that can build up in pipes, and eventually create a blockage in your sewer line.
Q: What is causing the pH to drop?
A: The process of nitrification in which the ammonia is converted into nitrate strips alkalinity out of your system and if the alkalinity is not high enough there will be a drop in pH. Another cause that must be investigated is the possibility of something acidic entering the system. Check the influent pH and any process side streams for a low pH.
Q: The pH is approaching my limit of 6.0 what needs to be done?
A: A source of alkalinity needs to be added before the pH drops below 6.0. There are many chemicals available to raise the pH. You must consider all the advantages and disadvantages of each one. Check the solubility to see if it will dissolve quickly or just sit in the bottom of the tank. Will it need to be vigorously mixed to cause it to dissolve or will it readily disperse? Is it dangerous to work with because it is so corrosive? What is the freezing point? If it is stored outside will it solidify if the temperature is cold?
Q: What can be done to prevent algae?
A: Increase mixing to decrease the ability of the sunlight to penetrate. Increase aeration to promote waste breakdown and carbon release. Reduce sources of nutrients available. One of the ways of doing this is to keep the layer of sludge from releasing phosphorus by keeping it fresh. As the sludge is anaerobically digested it releases phosphorus.
Q: What hazardous wastes are generated in the laboratory?
A: The following hazardous wastes are generated in the labatory:
  • Samples that are preserved or treated with acid to below a pH of 2.
  • Waste from the ammonia analysis using nessler’s reagent contains mercury.
  • Waste from the nitrate procedure, which uses the cadmium reduction procedure.
  • Waste from COD testing using the mercury reagent.
  • SPADNS reagent for fluoride analysis contains arsenic.
  • Silver electrodes, which contain silver chloride as a filling solution.
  • Acid washing glassware waste.
Q: Why do I have to have a Quality Assurance/Quality Control Plan?
A: It is required by the standard conditions in your discharge permit. It is a requirement so that the data that is generated can be used in decision-making processes. Failure to have an adequate plan can be considered a violation of your permit conditions.
Q: What requirements are there for a BOD5 to be valid?
A: BOD5 requirements:
  • The instrument must be calibrated as per manufacturer's instructions if using a dissolved oxygen meter to measure dissolved oxygen.
  • A Blank must be run that meets the criteria of the method or data must be qualified when reporting results.
  • A glucose-glutamic acid standard or a similar known standard must have been analyzed to show the system is capable of producing a valid result.
  • The sample must deplete a minimum of 2 mg/l with a final D.O. of 1.0 mg/l. For 300 mls of sample that does not meet this criteria the results are reported as less than 2.0 mg/l or the mdl.
Q: Where can I get a copy of the wastewater methods from “EPA Methods For Chemical Analysis of Water And Wastes” as well as information on other analytical methods?
A: http://www.nemi.gov/