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WQBELs Karen Holligan May 6, 2015

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WQBELs A Four-Piece Puzzle Numerical criteria (toxic pollutants) Water body quality Effluent fraction Bioavailable fraction WQBELs A Four-Piece Puzzle Numerical criteria (toxic pollutants) Water body quality Effluent fraction Bioavailable fraction

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Numerical Criteria for Toxic Pollutants Found in 30 TAC Chapter 307 the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards Table 1 aquatic life Table 2 human health Criteria revisited every three years Numerical Criteria for Toxic Pollutants Found in 30 TAC Chapter 307 the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards Table 1 aquatic life Table 2 human health Criteria revisited every three years

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Numerical Criteria for Toxic Pollutants Aquatic Life Table 1 in the Standards Freshwater acute chronic Saltwater acute chronic Note: Acute toxicity exposures of 4 days. Chronic toxicity exposures of 7 days. Numerical Criteria for Toxic Pollutants Aquatic Life Table 1 in the Standards Freshwater acute chronic Saltwater acute Chronic Note: Acute toxicityexposures of 4 days. Chronic toxicityexposures of 7 days.

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Most criteria are for total concentrations. Some criteria are for dissolved concentrations: aluminum arsenic cadmium chromium (tri and hex) copper lead nickel silver (free ion) zinc Numerical Criteria for Toxic Pollutants Aquatic Life But wait! Permit limits are written for total concentrations. Numerical Criteria for Toxic Pollutants Aquatic Life Most criteria are for total concentrations. Some criteria are for dissolved concentrations: aluminum arsenic cadmium chromium (tri and hex) copper lead nickel silver (free ion) zinc But wait! Permit limits are written for total concentrations.

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Numerical Criteria for Toxic Pollutants Aquatic Life Conversion from dissolved criteria to total limits uses ambient total suspended solids (TSS) of nearest downstream classified segment. H INT : Dissolved fraction = bioavailable fraction. Numerical Criteria for Toxic Pollutants Aquatic Life Conversion from dissolved criteria to total limits uses ambient total suspended solids (TSS) of nearest downstream classified segment. H INT : Dissolved fraction = bioavailable fraction.

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Numerical Criteria for Toxic Pollutants Aquatic Life Freshwater criteria for pentachlorophenol depend on pH of receiving water body. Pentachlorophenol more toxic at lower pH values. Numerical Criteria for Toxic Pollutants Aquatic Life

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Some freshwater criteria depend on hardness of receiving water body: cadmium chromium (trivalent) copper lead nickel zinc Example: copper Numerical Criteria for Toxic Pollutants Aquatic Life

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These metals are more toxic in soft water, so freshwater criteria are lower at smaller hardness values. Example: copper Segment Number Water Body Name Hardness (mg/L of CaCO 3 ) Acute Criterion (g/L) Chronic Criterion (g/L) 0505 Sabine River Above Toledo Bend Reservoir 426.274.51 1412 Colorado River Below Lake J. B. Thomas 31041.224.8 Numerical Criteria for Toxic Pollutants Aquatic Life These metals are more toxic in soft water, so freshwater criteria are lower at smaller hardness values. Example: copper Segment Number 0505, Sabine River Above Toledo Bend Reservoir: Hardness = 42 milligrams per liter, Acute Criterion = 6.27 micrograms per liter, Chronic Criterion = 4.51 micrograms per liter Segment Number 1412, Colorado River Below Lake J. B. Thomas: Hardness = 310 milligrams per liter, Acute Criterion = 41.2 micrograms per liter, Chronic Criterion = 24.8 micrograms per liter

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Numerical Criteria for Toxic Pollutants Human Health Table 2 (2014) Water and Fish Fish Only Water columnbased criteria Note: Human health criteria based on - Childhood exposure (non-carcinogens) Lifetime exposure (carcinogens). Numerical Criteria for Toxic Pollutants Human Health Table 2 (2014) Water and Fish Fish Only Water columnbased criteria Note: Human health criteria based on - Childhood exposure (non-carcinogens) Lifetime exposure (carcinogens).

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Water quality data for each classified segment in Procedures to Implement the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards (IP). TSS pH Total hardness Total dissolved solids (TDS) Chloride Sulfate Water Body Quality Water quality data for each classified segment in Procedures to Implement the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards (IP). TSS pH Total hardness Total dissolved solids (TDS) Chloride Sulfate

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Water Body Quality TSS used to calculate bioavailable fraction of metals pH used to calculate freshwater aquatic life criteria for pentachlorophenol Total hardness used to calculate freshwater aquatic life criteria for most metals Chloride used in calculating bioavailable fraction of silver (freshwater only) Water Body Quality TSS used to calculate bioavailable fraction of metals pH used to calculate freshwater aquatic life criteria for pentachlorophenol Total hardness used to calculate freshwater aquatic life criteria for most metals Chloride used in calculating bioavailable fraction of silver (freshwater only)

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Water Body Quality Critical values of ambient water quality data: TSS 15 th percentile pH 15 th percentile Total hardness 15 th percentile Chloride 50 th percentile Water Body Quality Critical values of ambient water quality data: TSS 15 th percentile pH 15 th percentile Total hardness 15 th percentile Chloride 50 th percentile

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Effluent Fraction Critical mixing conditions: Critical effluent percentages (lakes, bays, estuaries, wide tidal rivers) or Critical flows (streams, rivers, narrow tidal rivers) Effluent Fraction Critical mixing conditions: Critical effluent percentages (lakes, bays, estuaries, wide tidal rivers) or Critical flows (streams, rivers, narrow tidal rivers)

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Effluent Fraction Numerical criteria apply at the edge of each zone: Name of ZoneAcronym Applicable Criteria Zone of Initial Dilution ZID Acute Aquatic Life Aquatic Life Mixing Zone MZ Chronic Aquatic Life Human Health Mixing Zone HHMZHuman Health Effluent Fraction Numerical criteria apply at the edge of each zone: Zone of Initial Dilution (ZID) - Acute Aquatic Life Aquatic Life Mixing Zone (MZ) - Chronic Aquatic Life Human Health Mixing Zone (HHMZ) - Human Health

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Effluent Fraction Regulatory zones and critical effluent percentages for bays, estuaries, and wide tidal rivers If receiving water at discharge point 400 feet wide: ZID = 50 feet (30%) MZ = 200 feet (8%) HHMZ = 400 feet (4%) Effluent Fraction Regulatory zones and critical effluent percentages for bays, estuaries, and wide tidal rivers If receiving water at discharge point 400 feet wide: ZID = 50 feet (30%) MZ = 200 feet (8%) HHMZ = 400 feet (4%)

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Effluent Fraction Regulatory zones and critical effluent percentages for lakes If receiving water at discharge point 200 feet wide: ZID = 25 feet (60%) MZ = 100 feet (15%) HHMZ = 200 feet (8%) Effluent Fraction Regulatory zones and critical effluent percentages for lakes If receiving water at discharge point 200 feet wide: ZID = 25 feet (60%) MZ = 100 feet (15%) HHMZ = 200 feet (8%)

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Effluent Fraction Regulatory zones and critical flows for streams and rivers MZ 300' downstream, 100' upstream 7-day, 2-year low flow (7Q2) ZID 60' downstream, 20' upstream 25% of 7Q2 HHMZ 300' downstream, 100' upstream Harmonic mean flow (HM) Effluent Fraction Regulatory zones and critical flows for streams and rivers MZ 300' downstream, 100' upstream 7-day, 2-year low flow (7Q2) ZID 60' downstream, 20' upstream 25% of 7Q2 HHMZ 300' downstream, 100' upstream Harmonic mean flow (HM)

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Effluent Fraction Streams and Rivers What is Q E ? Effluent Fraction Streams and Rivers

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Q E = Effluent flow Aquatic life Domestic final average permitted flow Industrial new or amendment to increase flow permitted average flow requested renewal - highest daily average flow reported in last two years Effluent Fraction Streams and Rivers Q E = Effluent flow Aquatic life Domestic final average permitted flow Industrial new or amendment to increase flow permitted average flow requested renewal - highest daily average flow reported in last two years

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Effluent Fraction Streams and Rivers Q E = Effluent flow Human health Domestic final average permitted flow Industrial new or amendment to increase flow permitted average flow requested renewal - average daily average flow reported in last two years Effluent Fraction Streams and Rivers Q E = Effluent flow Human health Domestic final average permitted flow Industrial new or amendment to increase flow permitted average flow requested renewal - average daily average flow reported in last two years

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Bioavailable Fraction For most metals, numerical criteria for aquatic life are dissolved concentrations, but effluent limits are expressed as total concentrations. The bioavailable fraction, which is a function of TSS, is used to make this translation. Bioavailable Fraction For most metals, numerical criteria for aquatic life are dissolved concentrations, but effluent limits are expressed as total concentrations. The bioavailable fraction, which is a function of TSS, is used to make this translation.

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Bioavailable Fraction The bioavailable fraction equals: C d C T where: C d = dissolved concentration C T = total concentration This fraction depends on TSS : Bioavailable Fraction

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The term K P, the partition coefficient, also depends on TSS: where b and m are values found in Table 6 in the 2010 IP(p. 160). Bioavailable Fraction

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Putting All the Pieces Together Numerical CriteriaWater Body Quality Effluent Fraction Bioavailable Fraction Putting All the Pieces Together Numerical Criteria Water Body Quality Effluent Fraction Bioavailable

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Putting All the Pieces Together Three easy steps to calculate WQBELs for aquatic life and human health! Calculate waste load allocation WLA Calculate long-term average LTA Calculate effluent limits: daily average (DLY AVG) daily maximum (DLY MAX) Putting All the Pieces Together Three easy steps to calculate WQBELs for aquatic life and human health! Calculate waste load allocation WLA Calculate long-term average LTA Calculate effluent limits: daily average (DLY AVG) daily maximum (DLY MAX)

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Putting All the Pieces Together Aquatic Life Calculate WLAs for both acute and chronic aquatic life protection: Putting All the Pieces Together Aquatic Life

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Compare acute and chronic LTAs Use the smaller LTA to calculate daily average and daily maximum effluent limits based on aquatic life criteria: Putting All the Pieces Together Aquatic Life

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Putting All the Pieces Together Human Health Calculate WLA for human health protection: Calculate LTA for human health protection: Putting All the Pieces Together Human Health

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Calculate daily average and daily maximum effluent limits based on human health criteria: Putting All the Pieces Together Human Health

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Putting All the Pieces Together Compare Aquatic Life and Human Health Limits Some pollutants have both aquatic life and human health criteria. Compare limits based on aquatic life with limits based on human health Include the lower concentrations in the permit Putting All the Pieces Together Compare Aquatic Life and Human Health Limits Some pollutants have both aquatic life and human health criteria. Compare limits based on aquatic life with limits based on human health Include the lower concentrations in the permit

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Help! My draft permit includes a new or more stringent WQBEL what can I do? Call your permit writer! Help! My draft permit includes a new or more stringent WQBEL what can I do? Call your permit writer!

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Why did I get this limit? Big Picture: New limit Average concentration from application is 85% of calculated daily average WQBEL More stringent limit Calculated WQBELs are more stringent than existing limits Down in the weeds: numerical criteria, water body quality, effluent fraction, bioavailable fraction Why did I get this limit? Big Picture: New limit: Average concentration from application is 85% of calculated daily average WQBEL More stringent limit: Calculated WQBELs are more stringent than existing limits Down in the weeds: numerical criteria, water body quality, effluent fraction, bioavailable fraction

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All Pollutants Effluent fraction river or stream: Critical flows Stream type which criteria apply? intermittent acute (no dilution) perennial chronic, acute, HH intermittent with perennial pools chronic (no dilution), acute (no dilution), HH Stream flows 7Q2, HM All Pollutants Effluent fraction river or stream: Critical flows Stream type which criteria apply? intermittent acute (no dilution) perennial chronic, acute, HH intermittent with perennial pools chronic (no dilution), acute (no dilution), HH Stream flows 7Q2, HM

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All Pollutants Effluent fraction lake or bay: Critical mixing conditions Relocate outfall narrow arm smaller mixing zones = larger effluent fractions = lower permit limits wider area larger mixing zones = smaller effluent fractions = higher permit limits All Pollutants Effluent fraction lake or bay: Critical mixing conditions Relocate outfall narrow arm = smaller mixing zones = larger effluent fractions = lower permit limits wider area = larger mixing zones = smaller effluent fractions = higher permit limits

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All Pollutants Numerical Criteria: Site-specific standard adopted in Appendix E of the Standards Temporary variance allows time for permittee to develop comprehensive information to support site- specific standard. Permittee must request variance Permit must show that existing standard may not be appropriate Request included in public notices All Pollutants Numerical Criteria: Site-specific standard adopted in Appendix E of the Standards Temporary variance allows time for permittee to develop comprehensive information to support site- specific standard. Permittee must request variance Permit must show that existing standard may not be appropriate Request included in public notices

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All Pollutants Numerical Criteria: Site-specific standard (cont.) Temporary variance (cont.) Must be approved by EPA Three-year permit term Permit language requires a study Variance may be extended Coordinate with TCEQ staff All Pollutants Numerical Criteria: Site-specific standard (cont.) Temporary variance (cont.) Must be approved by EPA Three-year permit term Permit language requires a study Variance may be extended Coordinate with TCEQ staff

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All Pollutants Numerical Criteria: Site-specific standard (cont.) Review EPA criteria development document Remove non-native species data Add native species data Caution: reducing total number of species may make criteria more stringent Coordinate with TCEQ staff All Pollutants Numerical Criteria: Site-specific standard (cont.) Review EPA criteria development document Remove non-native species data Add native species data Caution: reducing total number of species may make criteria more stringent Coordinate with TCEQ staff

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Metals (except mercury or selenium) Numerical criteria: Site-specific standard (cont.) Water-effect ratio (WER): Use whole effluent toxicity testing to account for difference in toxicity in receiving water. This is w or m factor in Table 1 of Standards Saltwater: ~2; freshwater: ~3.5-8.5 Streamlined procedure for copper (freshwater) Coordinate with TCEQ staff Metals (except mercury or selenium) Numerical criteria: Site-specific standard (cont.) Water-effect ratio (WER): Use whole effluent toxicity testing to account for difference in toxicity in receiving water. This is w or m factor in Table 1 of Standards Saltwater: ~2; freshwater: ~3.5-8.5 Streamlined procedure for copper (freshwater) Coordinate with TCEQ staff

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Metals Numerical criteria, water body quality Site-specific hardness: affects criteria for cadmium, trivalent chromium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc 30 samples from receiving water upstream of discharge and outside of MZ 1 week between successive samples Coordinate study design with TCEQ staff Metals Numerical criteria, water body quality Site-specific hardness: affects criteria for cadmium, trivalent chromium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc 30 samples from receiving water upstream of discharge and outside of MZ 1 week between successive samples Coordinate study design with TCEQ staff

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Metals Water body quality, bioavailable fraction Site-specific TSS: affects bioavailable fraction 30 samples from receiving water upstream of discharge and outside of MZ 1 week between successive samples Coordinate study design with TCEQ staff Metals Water body quality, bioavailable fraction Site-specific TSS: affects bioavailable fraction 30 samples from receiving water upstream of discharge and outside of MZ 1 week between successive samples Coordinate study design with TCEQ staff

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Metals Bioavailable fraction Site-specific ratio of dissolved to total metal concentration 30 samples from receiving water upstream of discharge and outside of MZ 1 week between successive samples Mix samples with effluent to equal critical dilution If no water upstream, critical dilution is 100% effluent Metals Bioavailable fraction Site-specific ratio of dissolved to total metal concentration 30 samples from receiving water upstream of discharge and outside of MZ 1 week between successive samples Mix samples with effluent to equal critical dilution If no water upstream, critical dilution is 100% effluent

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Metals Bioavailable fraction Site-specific ratio of dissolved to total metal concentration (cont.) Measure total and dissolved metal concentrations Measure TSS of receiving water and effluent each time a sample is collected and mixed with effluent (unless critical dilution is 100%) Coordinate study design with TCEQ staff Metals Bioavailable fraction Site-specific ratio of dissolved to total metal concentration (cont.) Measure total and dissolved metal concentrations Measure TSS of receiving water and effluent each time a sample is collected and mixed with effluent (unless critical dilution is 100%) Coordinate study design with TCEQ staff

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Metals - Aluminum Bioavailable fraction Although aluminum is assumed to be 100% bioavailable, permittees may: Conduct a study to develop a site-specific ratio of dissolved to total aluminum concentration Perform whole effluent toxicity testing to determine the mean no observed effect concentration (NOEC) for total aluminum Metals - Aluminum Bioavailable fraction Although aluminum is assumed to be 100% bioavailable, permittees may: Conduct a study to develop a site-specific ratio of dissolved to total aluminum concentration Perform whole effluent toxicity testing to determine the mean no observed effect concentration (NOEC) for total aluminum

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Metals Aluminum (cont.) Bioavailable fraction TCEQ will: Compare NOEC to aluminum limit calculated using the site-specific ratio of dissolved to total aluminum Use revised limit if NOEC is significantly greater than proposed effluent limit Metals Aluminum (cont.) Bioavailable fraction TCEQ will: Compare NOEC to aluminum limit calculated using the site-specific ratio of dissolved to total aluminum Use revised limit if NOEC is significantly greater than proposed effluent limit

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Any Questions? We are always full of questions!