Pollutant Minimization Plan for Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
in the Delaware River Estuary
Robert HindtDelaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority
100 East Fifth StChester, PA 19016
&John Botts
Aquatic Sciences Consulting2130 Glencourse Ln
Reston, VA 20191
Delaware Estuary Science & Environmental SummitThe Grand Hotel Cape May NJThe Grand Hotel, Cape May, NJ
January 13, 2009
Delaware River Basin
Fish tissue concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) often exceed human h lth it i [i f d lhealth criteria [i.e., federal criteria of 0.17 ng/L and Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) criteria ( )of 0.0079 – 0.064 ng/L as total PCBs (later revised to 0.016 ng/L for all zones)]
DRBC set total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for PCBs for zones 1 – 6
TMDLs allocated to point and non-point discharges
Existing Loadings Versus Stage 1 TMDLsDelaware Estuaryy
Taken from DRBC’s TMDL Report – September 2003
Pollutant Minimization Plan
PCBs have been banned since the late 1970s and municipal pretreatment ordinances prohibit PCB discharge to sewerpretreatment ordinances prohibit PCB discharge to sewer systems.
Residual PCBs are contributed from unknown and diffuse sources (e g atmosphere recycling); however treatment tosources (e.g., atmosphere, recycling); however, treatment to criteria levels is impractical
DRBC chose a pollution prevention approach:Section 4 30 9 of the 2005 Water Quality RegulationSection 4.30.9 of the 2005 Water Quality Regulation Amendments require dischargers to prepare and implement Pollutant Minimization Plans (PMP) to identify and control PCB sources in their service areas/facilities
Goal is to achieve a 50 percent reduction of the aggregate point and nonpoint loads of total PCBs within the next five years y
PCB Sources
Known Sources (i.e., contribute PCB levels in excess of the (water quality criteria and have defined pathway of release);Examples: atmospheric deposition, CSO tide gate infiltration, intake water, water supply
Potential Sources (i.e., PCBs present, but no pathway of release);E l l ki l t i l i t hExamples: non-leaking electrical equipment such as transformers, current and former waste sites, commercial and household materials
Unknown Sources - to be identified through “trackdown”
Pollution Prevention Effortsfor Known and Potential Sourcesfor Known and Potential Sources
Education ProgramsgPresentations at public meetings (EAC, LEPC)Handout PCB Brochure to interested groupsEducation of DELCORA personnel
Industrial User AwarenessRequested data on PCBs removed and stored at permitted Industrial Users; Documented survey results in data baseIndustrial Users; Documented survey results in data baseInspections now include review of site for potential PCB containing equipment and issues
Assess Waste and Abandoned SitesAssess Waste and Abandoned SitesVisited several sites within our sewer systemReviewing DelTriP reports and coordinating site visits with agencies
PCB Reduction Since 1990s(Documented by Internal Review and(Documented by Internal Review and
Industrial User Survey)
Project PCB Fluids Removed
DELCORA - Transformers 2960 KDELCORA Transformers and Capacitors 2960 Kg
Other Facility Projects 2025 lbs / 920 KgOther Facility Projects 2025 lbs / 920 Kg
Other Industrial Users 80,000+ KgOther Industrial Users 80,000 Kg
Total Over 83,000 Kg
Pollution Prevention Effortsfor Known and Potential Sourcesfor Known and Potential Sources
(continued)
Upgrade CSO and Stormwater InfrastructureRebuilt 24 storm inlets in 2006 and 30 in 2007Rebuilt 3 CSO Regulator ChambersInstalled remote monitoring systems at all CSOs
Clean and Rehabilitate SewersCleaned sediment from over 225,000 ft of sewer in 2006 and 380 000 ft in 2007380,000 ft in 2007Cleaned 300 ft of on-site storm sewerReplaced 160 ft of collapsed brick sewer and 3700 ft of pipe
Ph 1 T kd T t l PCB b S li L ti
Central Delaware County Authority
Phase 1 Trackdown: Total PCBs by Sampling Location
Authority
Central Delaware PS
ND69
ND2
ND
WRTP ServiceArea
Industry B95
Legend
33255
Chester PS
EPS-1 PS
g
12
Pump Station
Water (ng/L)
PISCES (ng/L)*
I d t i l U /WRTP I fl t
NM
23**7
255
ND19
ND27
WRTP Influent
Marcus Hook PSNaamans Creek PS
237
Industrial User/WRTP InfluentWater (ng/L)
PISCES (ng/L)*
ND – not detected by HRGC/LRMSNM = not measurable due to matrix interferencesNM Marcus Hook PS
Industry Ainterferences* PISCES – passive in-situ continuous extraction sampler** 2006 sample
Phase 2 Trackdown – EPS-1 Sewershed Sampling Locations95
95
Legend
Stony Creek Interceptor
Booth St Interceptor
West End Interceptor
Delaware Ave Interceptor
Trainer Sewer Line
DE
BNBE
Sampling Location
29195 Highway
291WE
BESI
WES
WENWEW
322
291TDEM
BSW WE
DESEPS
DE
CWRTP INF
Phase 2 Trackdown – EPS-1 Sewershed Results
CDE
291BSW10
WE18
Actual location (further east)
CDE16
T17
10
DEM18
DE37
Legend
Stony Creek Interceptor
Booth St Interceptor
West End InterceptorEPS
WRTP
C<1
INF23
West End Interceptor
Delaware Ave Interceptor
Trainer Sewer Line
CDE16
Sampling Locationand Total PCB Result (ng/L)
EPS67
WRTP 23
Question & Answer