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The Problem
• 25 years ago 1/3 of the waters of the US were safe for fishing or swimming
• Wetland Losses were estimated at 460,000 acres annually
• Agricultural runoff resulted in the erosion of 2,250,000,000 tons of soil and the deposit of large amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen
Foundation of Modern Water Laws
• 1948 Water Pollution Control Act- focused on protection of human health not environment. Had few if any federal goals, objectives, limits, and or guidelines.
• Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1956 and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1961- focused on funding for municipal wastewater treatment plants.
• Water Quality Act of 1965 – required States to develop water quality standards for interstate waters. About half of states complied.
• Refuse Act Permit Program (RAPP)-permitting program to control water pollution. Required facilities discharging wastes into public waterways to obtain federal permits.
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) Amendments of 1972
• Distinct change in philosophy of water pollution control in the United States
• Requirements for water-quality based controls• Emphasis on technology-based or end-of-pipe control strategies• Maintained discharge of pollutants to a navigable water is not a
right.• Effluent limits must be based on treatment technology
performance, but more stringent limits may be imposed if the technology-based limits do not prevent violations of water quality in the receiving water.
• Created the NPDES Program
Clean Water Act
• Established 126 pollutants that are toxic
• Defined conventional and non conventional pollutants.
• Adjusted technology based standards to reflect a shift towards controlling toxics.
• Goal was to restore all waters of the US to a fishable and swimmable quality
What is an NPDES Permit
• All facilities which discharge pollutants from any point source into waters of the US must obtain a permit.
• Two levels of control 1) technology based limits 2)water quality based limits
• Categorized Point sources vs. non point sources
Point Source
• Discharges from publicly owned treatment works(POTWs), discharges from industrial facilities , and discharges associated with urban runoff.
Non-point Source (Non-regulated)
• Majority of agricultural facilities
• Exempt from NPDES regulations
Non-point Source (Regulated)
• Urban Runoff from citizens going about their everyday or rainfall activities
• Includes sediment, nitrogen, fertilizers, pesticides, motor oil, and household hazardous wastes.
• Reports show that this is the leading cause of water pollution in the US
What is Jefferson County?
• Phase I municipalities are all cities or counties over 100,000 people.
• Jefferson County has a Phase I Municipal Separate Sewer System (MS4) Permit.
Permit Requirements for Construction Sites
• Home sites must be submitted to the local agency for review prior to construction.
• Commercial Sites less than one acre must be submitted for review
• All sites greater than 1 acre must have an Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) Permit as well as be submitted to local agencies for acceptance.
• THE MAIN OBJECTIVE IS TO KEEP SEDIMENT ON YOUR SITE!!!!
Primary Pollutants of Concern on Single Family Residential sites
• Sedimentation• Nitrogen• Common chemicals
such as paint, toxins, and other building chemicals
• Debris• BE RESPONSIBLE KEEP
YOUR SITE CLEAN