EPA Proposed Effluent Guidelines for Airport Deicing Waste
Posted on Mon, May 10, 2010 @ 06:16 AM
By Brian Boissonneault, Industrial Account Manager
On August 28, 2009 the U.S. EPA issued a proposed rule regarding the effluent standards from airport deicing activities. Under this proposed rule, EPA is proposing technology-based effluent limitation guidelines (ELG) and New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The ELGs would be incorporated into the NPDES permits issued by EPA, states and tribes. EPA expects that compliance with this regulation would reduce the discharge of deicing regulated pollutants by at lease 44.6 million pounds annually. The proposed guidelines would apply to primary commercial airports whose annual departures exceed 1000 and perform deicing operations. There may be others included in the regulation once it is announced.
The proposed rules would affect two pollutant sources: aircraft deicing fluid and airfield pavement deicers. Airports with more than 1,000 but less than 10,000 annual departures would be required to meet the standards for only airfield pavement deicers. Airports with annual departures in excess of 10,000 would need to meet both standards for airfield pavement deicers and aircraft deicing fluids.
After an exhaustive study of both effectiveness of pollution reduction methods and cost estimates for implementing measures to meet the new standards, EPA has proposed best available technologies (BAT) for managing both airfield pavement deicers and aircraft deicing fluids. These proposals may include changes, additions, or upgrades to the current programs employed at operating airports. The EPA has also proposed management standards for new sources of pollutants at new airports.
Elements to consider for compliance with the proposed regulations:
- Annual Departures
- Volume of aircraft deicing fluids used annually
- Chemical composition of airfield pavement deicers
- Type of collection system employed for aircraft deicing fluids
- On-site Waste water treatment capabilities and efficiencies
- Local pretreatment effluent standards before discharge to POTW
Triumvirate Environmental is ready to take you over this new hurdle. Contact a representative for help sorting through your compliance with the proposed regulation.