PUBLIC NOTICE

WHAT IS PROPOSED:

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (Department or DEQ) is proposing to renew the 1700J wash water general permit and has prepared a draft permit for public comment. The 1700J permit was originally issued on January 4, 1993. The permit covers disposal of wash water from a variety of cleaning activities. Several changes are being proposed to this permit as a result of studies conducted by the DEQ.

Proposed wash water permits:

The following is a list of major changes and requirements being proposed by DEQ.

• · The existing 1700J permit allows the discharge of wash water to surface waters and to the ground. The Department is proposing to separate the 1700J permit into two separate permits because the regulatory requirements for discharges to surface waters differ form those to the ground. Discharges to surface waters are covered by National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits (a federal permit). Discharges to the ground that do not reach surface waters are covered by Water Pollution Control Facilities (WPCF) permits (a State permit). The two proposed permits are the 1700A NPDES and the 1700B WPCF. This is primarily an administrative change.
• · The proposed permits would not be issued to mobile washing operations. Mobile washers can continue to conduct washing activities and discharge wash water to surface waters and the ground only at facilities that are permitted. The facility where the activity is being conducted is the responsible party and must have an adequate treatment system in place to treat the wastewater prior to disposal . If the facility is not permitted, the wash water must either be collected and recycled, or collected and discharged to a sewage treatment plant.
• · Boat washing activities are not covered by the proposed permits. The Department develop a separate general permit that will address boat washing.
• · The permits also would prohibit discharges form facilities washing the inside of trailers, railroad cars, and other large commodity-carrying containers. This is due to the wide variety of pollutants that can be generated form the different materials being hauled.
• · The permits identify deminimis activities that are allowed without having to obtain a permit. These include the following:
  • Washing of buildings and swept, paved surfaces, paved surfaces (roads, parking lots, sidewalks, etc.) without the use of chemicals , soaps, detergents, steam, or hot water. Chemicals, soaps, detergents, steam or hot water may be used if there is no runoff off site and no discharge to surface water, storm sewer or dry wells.
  • Washing of the chute and exterior of ready-mix concrete trucks at the construction site provided there is no runoff off site and no discharge to surface water, storm sewer or dry wells.
  • Washing of construction and logging equipment and vehicles at the site provided there is no runoff off site and no discharge to surface water, storm sewer or dry wells.
  • Washing of golf carts and mowing machines provided there is no runoff off site and no discharge to surface water , storm sewer or dry wells.
  • Washing of new or used vehicles awaiting sale, lease, or delivery without the use of chemicals, soaps, detergents, steam or hot water. Chemicals, soaps, detergents, steam, or hot water may be used if there is no runoff off site and no discharge to surface water, storm sewer or dry wells.
  • Business that wash the exterior of less than 8 vehicles per week without the use of chemicals, soaps, detergents, steam or hot water. Chemicals, soaps, detergents, steam or hot water may be used if there is no runoff off site and no discharge to surface water, storm sewer or dry wells. For facilities that do not discharge to surface waters or storm sewers, the Department may allow 8 or more vehicles to be washed on a case-by-case basis provided there is no impact to soils and the groundwater at the site.
  • Vehicle washing conducted by private citizens and fund-raising groups such as schools, churches, boy/girl scouts, etc. Fund-raising groups shall limit the frequency of washing activities to once per month and follow the best management practices developed by the Department.

1700A NPDES Permit- Effluent Limits, Monitoring, & Reporting Requirements

• The proposed permit requires facilities that conduct any engine cleaning, acid and/or caustic washing, metal brightening, steam cleaning, or hot water washing to meet the following effluent limits and monitoring requirements:

• All washing operations covered by this permit (except engine washing, washing with acids, caustics or metal brighteners, steam cleaning, and hot water washing operations) shall comply with the following effluent limits and monitoring requirements:

1700B WPCF Permit - Effluent Limits, Monitoring, & Reporting Requirements

• · The 1700B WPCF permit would include limits and monitoring requirements for oil & grease and pH for facilities that dispose wash water by means of seepage and/or irrigation. The limits for these parameters are the same as those in the 1700A NPDES permit. The monitoring frequency is once per month for both these parameters. The reporting requirement for the 1700B permit is annually.

WHO IS AFFECTED:

The changes to the permit would affect all commercial operations that wash their vehicles and do not fit under the deminimis activities identified in the permits.

PUBLIC P-ARTICIPATION:

Public Hearings: DEQ is soliciting comments on the draft NPDES and WPCF permits and has scheduled public hearings at the following locations:

Written Comments - If you wish to provide written comments on the draft permits, please send them to the following address by December 9, 1997:

HOW TO GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

If you would like to receive a copy of a proposed permit and/or permit evaluation report, please write to "Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division, 811 SW 6th, Portland, Oregon, 97204" or call Chris Watson at (503) 229-5029. If you have questions regarding the permit, please contact Raj Kapur at (503) 229-5185. You may also call toll free in Oregon at 1-800-452-4011. Persons with a hearing impairment can receive help by calling DEQ's TTY number at (503) 229-6993.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT:

DEQ will review and consider all comments received during the public comment period. Following this review, the permit may be issued as proposed or with modifications. You will be notified of DEQ's final decision if you present either oral or written comments during the comment period. Otherwise, if you wish to receive notification, please call or write DEQ at the above address.

ACCOMMODATION OF PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENTS:

In order to accommodate persons with physical impairments, please notify DEQ of any special physical or language accommodations you may need as far in advance of the meeting date as possible. To make these arrangements, please contact Ed Sale (503) 229-5766 or toll free in Oregon 1-800-452-4011. For the hearing impaired, DEQ's TTY number is (503) 229-6993.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION:

This publication is available in alternate format (e.g. large print, braille) upon request. Please contact Ed Sale in DEQ Public Affairs at (503) 229-5766 to request an alternate format.

Return to: Environmental Power Washing Reports and Ordinances

Delco Cleaning Systems of Fort Worth
2513 Warfield Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76106-7554
Phone: 800-433-2113; Fax: 817-625-2059
URL: http://www.dcs1.com/del ; email: delco@dcs1.com

Last updated: November 19, 1997 by Robert M Hinderliter

Copyright 1997 Delco Cleaning Systems of Fort Worth. All rights reserved.