ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
June 6, 2002
IN THE MATTER OF:
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO
AMMONIA NITROGEN STANDARDS
35 ILL. ADM. CODE 302.100, 302.212,
302.213, AND 304.122
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R02-19
(Rulemaking - Water)
Proposed Rule. First Notice.
OPINION AND ORDER OF THE BOARD (by R.C. Flemal, G.T. Girard, M.E. Tristano)
This matter comes before the Board on a proposal for rulemaking filed by the Illinois
Association of Wastewater Agencies (IAWA) filed on January 17, 2002. IAWA, with support
of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Agency), proposes that the Board amend
Illinois water quality regulations for ammonia to more closely track recent guidance published
by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).
The principal features of the proposed amendments are: (1) modification of the acute
and chronic general use water quality standards from un-ionized ammonia to total ammonia
nitrogen; (2) addition of a sub-chronic general use total ammonia nitrogen water quality
standard; and (3) repeal of the rule allowing alternative standards for effluent modified waters.
No amendments are proposed for the total ammonia nitrogen ceiling limit of 15 mg/L.
By today’s action the Board adopts, with modifications, the IAWA proposal for first
notice.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
The Board has held two hearings in this matter. The first was held in Chicago on
March 25, 2002, and the second in Springfield on April 23, 2002.
1 At the first hearing IAWA
presented various testimony in support of its proposal. Included was the testimony of Michael
Callahan, Executive Director of the Bloomington and Normal Water Reclamation District; Dr.
Robert Sheehan, Professor of Fisheries and Zoology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale;
Dr. David Zens, consulting engineer with Consoer Townsend Envirodyne Engineers, Inc.;
Tim Bachman, Director of Waste Treatment Operations of the Urbana and Champaign, Illinois
Sanitary District; Michael Zima, Director of the DeKalb, Illinois Sanitary District; and James
Daughtery, District Manager of the Thorn Creek Basin Sanitary District.
1
Citations to the transcript for the first hearing will be cited at “Tr.1 at __.” Citations to the
transcript for the second hearing will be cited as “Tr.2 at __.”
2
The Agency presented the testimony of Robert Mosher, Acting Manager of the Water
Quality Standards Section of the Agency’s Division of Water Pollution Control. The Agency
offered its support of the proposal. Questions were posed to both IAWA and the Agency
regarding various aspects of the proposed rules.
At the second hearing IAWA offered additional testimony, and additional questions
were asked of both IAWA and the Agency.
Exhibits admitted at the hearings were: Exh.1: November 8, 2001 Letters From Water
Reclamation District to Joel Cross and Glenn Kruse; November 20, 2001 Letter to Keith
Shank; January 18, 2002 Letter from Illinois Association of Wastewater Agencies to David
Pfeifer; Exh. 2: October 25, 2001 Letter to Toby Frevert from Mary Pat Tyson (and
attachment
);
Exh. 3: Testimony of Robert J. Sheehan; Exh. 4: Table 1. Spawning periods
for fishes in Illinois; Exh. 5: 1999 Update of Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia;
Exh. 6: Testimony of David Zenz; Exh. 7: Testimony of Tim Bachman; Exh. 8: Testimony
of Michael Zima; Exh. 9: Testimony of Robert Mosher; Exh. 10: Proposal with amended
appendices
The Board received four public comments regarding the proposal. The Urbana and
Champaign Sanitary District (PC 1), the Environmental Law and Policy Center, Prairie Rivers
Network and Sierra Club (Environmental Groups) (PC 2), the IAWA (PC 3), and the Agency
(PC 4) all submitted public comments.
PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT
The Board most recently considered its ammonia water quality regulations in Triennial
Water Quality Review Amendments to 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.202, 302.212, 302.213,
304.122, and 304/301 (Ammonia Nitrogen), R94-1(B), (Dec. 19, 1996).
2 The amendments
adopted in docket R94-1(B) were primarily based on the USEPA’s then current National
Criteria Document (NCD) for ammonia.
3 The principal features of the R94-1(B) action were
the adoption of acute and chronic general use water quality standards for un-ionized ammonia,
and the authorization of Effluent Modified Waters (EMW). An EMW is a management tool
intended to allow ammonia National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) limits
to be driven by effluent rather than water quality standards.
See
R94-1(B) final opinion.
In 1999 USEPA issued a significant update of the ammonia NCD.
4 In 2000 IAWA,
with the support of the Agency, began reviewing the 1999 ammonia NCD towards the goal of
2 An expedited correction issued February 20, 1997.
3 Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia, United States Environmental Protection
Agency Document - 1984. United States Environmental Protection Document EPA-440/5-85-
001, 1995. National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA.
4 1999 Update of Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia. United States Environmental
Protection Agency Office of Water Document EPA-822-R-99-104, December 1999. This
document is Exh. 5 in the instant docket.
3
proposing conforming amendments. Tr.1 at 29-31, 95. Today’s proposal is the result of that
process.
PROPOSAL OVERVIEW
Today’s proposed amendments involve changes to four sections of the Board’s water
quality regulations, plus the addition of an appendix. All proposed changes are to 35 Ill. Adm.
Code 302 and 304.
Section 302.100 – Definitions
Proposed today at 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.100 is a definition for “Early Life Stages.”
This definition is intended to support the use of this term in Section 302.212(b)(2) and
302.212(e). The definition is taken from rules adopted by the Ohio River Valley Water
Sanitation Commission to conform that agency’s rules with the 1999 ammonia NCD. Tr.2 at
9, 18.
Section 302.212 – Ammonia General Use Water Quality Standards
Revision of Numerical Standards
Most of the amendments proposed today occur within 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.212,
which contains the Board’s ammonia water quality standards applicable in general use waters
of the State. The principal features of the amendments are: (1) replacement of current un-
ionized ammonia nitrogen standards with total ammonia nitrogen standards; (2) recasting of
the formulae for calculation of the acute and chronic water quality standards for total ammonia
nitrogen; and (3) the addition of a new standard for ammonia, the sub-chronic standard total
ammonia standard.
The purpose of today’s proposed amendments is to revise Illinois’ water quality
standards for ammonia with the best current understanding of ammonia toxicity, as reflected in
the 1999 ammonia NCD. Tr.1 at 30-31. Modifications of the formulae for calculating total
ammonia acute standard (AS) and chronic standard (CS) values, as here proposed, are based on
reevaluation of the ammonia toxicity mechanism, as well as the existence of larger and more
appropriate toxicity data sets than were available under the 1984 ammonia NCD. Tr.1 at 20-
22; 48-52.
Under the 1984 ammonia NCD and the Board’s current ammonia regulations, ammonia
general use water quality standards are expressed in terms of un-ionized ammonia with
corrections for the effects of temperature and pH on ammonia toxicity. However in the 1999
ammonia NCD, USEPA concludes that a definitive, thorough, and theoretical approach for
describing pH effects on ammonia toxicity is lacking, and that there is no adequate scientific
basis for specifying how temperature adjustments to un-ionized ammonia should be made.
Tr.1 at 50. Accordingly, the 1999 ammonia NCD bases criteria for ammonia toxicity on
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empirical relationships between toxicity and total ammonia concentrations at various
temperatures and pHs. Tr.1 at 50; 62-63. That approach underpins today’s proposal.
The proposed formulae for determining the total ammonia nitrogen acute, chronic, and
sub-chronic standards at Section 302.212(b) mirror the standards recommended in the 1999
ammonia NCD. However, the proposed attainment requirements at Section 302.212(c)(2) and
(c)(3) deviate somewhat from the 1999 ammonia NCD. While the 1999 ammonia NCD
recommends using a 30-day average ammonia concentration to show compliance with the
ammonia CS, the IAWA’s proposal requires a minimum of four consecutive samples collected
over a period of at least 30 days. In case of the sub-chronic standard, while the 1999 ammonia
NCD recommends that the highest four-day average within the 30-day period be used for
demonstrating attainment, proposed Section 302.212(c)(3) requires daily samples collected
over a period of any four consecutive days to show compliance.
When questioned at the second hearing, Mosher testified that proposed Section
302.212(c)(2) required at least four samples collected consecutively over a period of at least 30
days. Tr.2 at 32. Mosher explained that such a standard would allow the Agency to use its
ambient monitoring network to collect a sample once every six weeks, and then take any four
consecutive samples, and average them to assess attainment of the ammonia CS. Tr.2 at 32.
Mosher clarified that the language did not mean that four samples would be collected within 30
days. Tr.2 at 30. Mosher maintained that the Agency wanted the proposed requirement to
follow the its routine monitoring program, although the federal guidance recommends that the
ammonia CS be evaluated on the basis of 30-day average due to its toxicity characteristics.
Tr.2 at 31 and 37.
The 1999 ammonia NCD states that the averaging period for ammonia CS needs to be
shorter than the length of the laboratory tests upon which it is based, because the
concentrations in the field are typically much more variable than concentrations in the
laboratory tests, and variable concentrations are more toxic than constant concentrations. Exh.
5 at 81. Further, the 1999 ammonia NCD recommends that the averaging time for showing
attainment of the ammonia CS be increased from four days to 30 days. In this regard, the
federal guidance states that the longer 30-day averaging period is justified with the restriction
that the highest four-day average concentration within that 30-day span not exceed 2.5 times
the ammonia CS, i.e. the sub-chronic standard. Exh. 5 at 82. The 1999 ammonia NCD
maintains that the 30-day average period without the sub-chronic standard limitation would
have substantial effects on certain aquatic species. Exh. 5 at 82. Therefore, the 1999
ammonia NCD recommends a 30-day average concentration of total ammonia be used to show
compliance with the chronic ammonia standard with the restriction that the highest four-day
average within the 30-day span should not exceed the sub-chronic standard, which is 2.5 times
the ammonia CS.
The Board notes that although IAWA’s proposal includes both the chronic and sub-
chronic total ammonia standards recommended by the federal guidance, there is no linkage
between the averaging periods of the two standards. IAWA’s proposed language for Section
302.212(c)(2) requires attainment of the ammonia CS be demonstrated on the basis of four
5
consecutive samples taken over a period of at least 30 days. As explained by Mosher, this will
allow the Agency to obtain samples on a 6-week cycle. Under this scenario, the averaging
time would be closer to 6 months instead of 30 days, as recommended in the 1999 ammonia
document. The Board expressed concern regarding the proposed averaging period for
demonstrating attainment at the second hearing in this matter, and asked the proponents and the
Agency to provide additional clarification. Tr.2 at 30-33, 38-39. IAWA did not address this
issue in its comments; and the Agency’s post-hearing comments reiterated its support of
IAWA’s proposed language. PC 4 at 5.
While the Board recognizes the Agency’s desire to fashion an attainment averaging
period to fit its routine ambient monitoring network sampling schedule, the Board continues to
be concerned by the substantial increase in the averaging period allowed by the IAWA
proposal. The Board’s concern is based on the fact that the 1999 ammonia NCD very clearly
states that even the 30-day averaging period is only justified because of the restriction that the
highest four-day average concentration of ammonia be less than or equal to the sub-chronic
standard. Further, the Board notes that USEPA’s “Water Quality Standards Handbook:
Second Edition” defines “averaging period” as:
[t]he period of time over which the receiving water concentrations is averaged
for comparison with criteria concentrations. The averaging period limits the
duration of concentrations above the criteria.
Because of the Board’s concern, today the Board amends IAWA’s proposal at Section
302.212(c)(2) to limit the averaging period for showing attainment of the ammonia CS to 30
days.
The instant proposed language at 302.212(c)(2) caps the time in which to take samples
for the ammonia CS to 30 days. This proposed language reflects the 1999 ammonia NCD, and
does not, as suggested by IAWA, require taking four samples during the 30 days. The Board
welcomes comments on the proposed attainment requirements.
In addition to revisions of the AS and ammonia CS standards, the 1999 ammonia NCD
also supports a new type of standard, called a sub-chronic standard. The sub-chronic standard
limits the magnitude and duration of otherwise allowable excursions above the ammonia CS
standard. Tr.1 at 57-60. The proposed sub-chronic standard limits the total ammonia
concentration to 2.5 times the ammonia CS. Compliance with the sub-chronic standard is
achieved by averaging the four highest sample results collected over a four-day period within
the 30 day averaging of the ammonia CS. See 302.212(b)(3) and (c)(3). Again, the Board
welcomes comments on the proposed language.
Revision of Seasonal Applicability
Today’s proposed amendments retain the provision for seasonally different ammonia
standards. This provision is based on the well-accepted principle that ammonia toxicity differs
6
seasonally due to differences in water temperature that produce differences in the proportion of
ammonia that is present in the ionized versus un-ionized ammonia forms.
Today’s proposal goes further, however, in also recognizing the toxicity of ammonia
based on the presence of sensitive aquatic life stages during different seasons. It is commonly
accepted that early life stages of many aquatic organisms are more sensitive to ammonia than
are later and adult forms of the same organisms. Tr.1 at 52-53. For this reason it is
appropriate to provide a greater level of protection during times in which early life stages are
present.
Today’s proposal provides that everywhere in Illinois early stage life forms are deemed
to be present, for the purpose of this regulation, from March to October, inclusive. See
proposed Section 302.212(e). This is conservative in that there will be waters where, during
some portion of this period, such forms are not actually present. However, the proponents
accept and the Board agrees, that such conservatism is warranted to provide workable
protection for the great majority of aquatic species. Tr.1 at 32; 139.
Moreover, today’s proposal also provides the Agency with authority to apply early life
stages present standards outside the March - October period when such stages are present. See
proposed Section 302.212(e). This provision provides an additional element in the ability of
Illinois to assure protection against ammonia toxicity.
Section 302.213 – Effluent Modified Waters
IAWA requests repeal of the provisions for EMWs found at 35 Ill. Adm. Code
302.213. The record in this proceeding demonstrates that EMWs have not been a useful
construct. Tr.1 at 23-26; 119-120. Due to difficulties unforeseen at the time of promulgation
of the EMW provisions, no discharges have applied for EMWs, and the Agency has not
established any EMWs. Tr.1 at 26-28; 121. Moreover, IAWA contends convincingly that
EMWs are unnecessary if the Board adopts today’s proposal. Tr.1 at 28-31.
The public comment received from the Environmental Groups reflects their support for
repealing the EMW provisions. PC 2 at 3. The Environmental Groups believe that the EMW
provisions cannot be reconciled with the Clean Water Act, unless the provisions are interpreted
very restrictively. PC 2 at 5. The Environmental Groups also assert that EMW provisions are
not useful. PC 2 at 5.
Section 302.APPENDIX C
Proposed 35 Ill. Adm. Code Section 302.APPENDIX C presents a table of values for
the equations presented in 302.212(b). The purpose is to provide an easy alternative to
calculation of values for the equations. There are three tables, one for the AS equation at
302.212(b)(1), and one each for the Early Life Stage Present and Early Life Stage Absent
equations for the ammonia CS at 302.212(b)(2).
7
Section 304.122 – EMW Provisions in the Effluent Regulations
Today’s action also includes proposed repeal of the EMW provisions that are found in
the effluent portion of the Board’s water quality regulations at 35 Ill. Adm. Code 304.122.
Repeal of these provisions is a companion action to repeal of the provisions at 302.213.
ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS
Impetus for the IAWA’s proposal, aside from any considerations of having regulations
reflect best available knowledge, is that adoption of the proposed amendments would have
beneficial economic impact on many of IAWA’s members. Effluent limits driven by the
current ammonia water quality standards often result in NPDES permit limits that have pushed
the limits of technical attainability of many wastewater treatment plants in Illinois, particularly
in the winter season. Tr.1 at 19; 23-24; 70-81. This difficulty has arisen when the current un-
ionized ammonia standard is back-calculated into winter NPDES permit limits. Tr.1 at 23-24.
This procedure leads to significantly lower permit limits than the 1999 ammonia NCD
procedure would provide , because this procedure assigns all of the ammonia toxicity to un-
ionized ammonia, contrary to the assignment under the 1999 ammonia NCD. Tr.1 at 23.
IAWA members believe, and the record provides supporting evidence, that adoption of the
instant proposed amendments would maintain environmental integrity and also provide for
attainable NPDES winter permit limits for ammonia. Additionally, the Agency believes
today’s proposal will meet federal requirements and continue to assure protection of state’s the
water resources. PC 4 at 1.
The record provides some examples of the difference in permit limits that exist under
the current regulations, as compared to limits that are anticipated should the proposed
amendments be adopted. For example, Michael Zima, District Manager of the DeKalb
Sanitary District testified that for December 2000 through December 2003 from April to
October, the NPDES permit requires a monthly average of 1.5 mg/L as a monthly ammonia-
nitrogen average and 3.0 mg/L as a daily maximum ammonia nitrogen average. Exh. 8 at 4,
Tr.1 at 99. For November through March, the NPDES permit requires a monthly average of
3.6 mg/L and a daily maximum of 7.2 mg/L. Exh. 8 at 4, Tr.1 at 99-100. Zima testified that
if the proposal were adopted the permit limits would be: from March – October, a monthly
average of 1.5 mg/L and a daily maximum of 6.7 mg/L; from November-February, a monthly
average of 3.1 mg/L and a daily maximum of 6.7 mg/L. Exh. 8 at 11, Tr.1 at 108.
Tim Bachman, Director of Waste Treatment Operation at the Urbana and Champaign
Sanitary District testified that if the proposal is adopted, the northeast plant for March –
October will have a monthly average of 1.23 mg/L instead of a final monthly average of 0.9
mg/L and a daily maximum of 5.40 mg/L instead of a final daily maximum of 3.0 mg/L.
From November – February, the monthly average will be 2.71 mg/L instead of a final monthly
average of 2.4 mg/L and a daily maximum of 6.07 mg/L instead of a final daily average of 4.8
8
mg/L. Exh.7 at 2-3, Tr.1 at 87-88. The southwest plant will also have higher monthly
averages and daily maximums, if the proposal is adopted. Exh.7 at 2-8; Tr.1 at 88-89.
CONCLUSION
Based on the record developed to date in this matter, the Board finds that adoption of
the following amendments, as requested by the IAWA, for the purposes of first notice is
warranted. Accordingly, the Board will so order.
ORDER
The Board directs the Clerk to cause the filing of the following with the Secretary of
State for first notice publication in the
Illinois Register
.
TITLE 35: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
SUBTITLE C: WATER POLLUTION
CHAPTER I: POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
PART 302
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
SUBPART A: GENERAL WATER QUALITY PROVISIONS
Section
302.100 Definitions
302.101 Scope and Applicability
302.102 Allowed Mixing, Mixing Zones and ZIDS
302.103 Stream Flows
302.104 Main River Temperatures
302.105 Antidegradation
SUBPART B: GENERAL USE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
Section
302.201 Scope and Applicability
302.202 Purpose
302.203 Offensive Conditions
302.204 pH
302.205 Phosphorus
302.206 Dissolved Oxygen
302.207 Radioactivity
302.208 Numeric Standards for Chemical Constituents
302.209 Fecal Coliform
302.210 Other Toxic Substances
302.211 Temperature
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302.212 Ammonia Nitrogen and Un-ionized Ammonia
302.213 Effluent Modified Waters (Ammonia)(Repealed)
SUBPART C: PUBLIC AND FOOD PROCESSING WATER SUPPLY STANDARDS
Section
302.301 Scope and Applicability
302.302 Algicide Permits
302.303 Finished Water Standards
302.304 Chemical Constituents
302.305 Other Contaminants
302.306 Fecal Coliform
SUBPART D: SECONDARY CONTACT AND INDIGENOUS AQUATIC LIFE
STANDARDS
Section
302.401 Scope and Applicability
302.402 Purpose
302.403 Unnatural Sludge
302.404 pH
302.405 Dissolved Oxygen
302.406 Fecal Coliform (Repealed)
302.407 Chemical Constituents
302.408 Temperature
302.409 Cyanide
302.410 Substances Toxic to Aquatic Life
SUBPART E: LAKE MICHIGAN BASIN WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
Section
302.501 Scope, Applicability, and Definitions
302.502 Dissolved Oxygen
302.503 pH
302.504 Chemical Constituents
302.505 Fecal Coliform
302.506 Temperature
302.507 Thermal Standards for Existing Sources on January 1, 1971
302.508 Thermal Standards for Sources under Construction But Not in Operation on
January 1, 1971
302.509 Other Sources
302.510 Incorporations by Reference
302.515 Offensive Conditions
302.520 Regulation and Designation of Bioaccumulative Chemicals of Concern (BCCs)
302.521 Supplemental Antidegradation Provisions for BCCs
10
302.525 Radioactivity
302.530 Supplemental Mixing Provisions for BCCs
302.535 Ammonia Nitrogen
302.540 Other Toxic Substances
302.545 Data Requirements
302.550 Analytical Testing
302.553 Determining the Lake Michigan Aquatic Toxicity Criteria or Values - General
Procedures
302.555 Determining the Tier I Lake Michigan Basin Acute Aquatic Life Toxicity
Criterion (LMAATC): Independent of Water Chemistry
302.560 Determining the Tier I Lake Michigan Basin Acute Aquatic Life Toxicity
Criterion (LMAATC): Dependent on Water Chemistry
302.563 Determining the Tier II Lake Michigan Basin Acute Aquatic Life Toxicity Value
(LMAATV)
302.565 Determining the Lake Michigan Basin Chronic Aquatic Life Toxicity Criterion
(LMCATC) or the Lake Michigan Basin Chronic Aquatic Life Toxicity Value
(LMCATV)
302.570 Procedures for Deriving Bioaccumulation Factors for the Lake Michigan Basin
302.575 Procedures for Deriving Tier I Water Quality Criteria in the Lake Michigan
Basin to Protect Wildlife
302.580 Procedures for Deriving Water Quality Criteria and Values in the Lake
Michigan Basin to Protect Human Health – General
302.585 Procedures for Determining the Lake Michigan Basin Human Health Threshold
Criterion (LMHHTC) and the Lake Michigan Basin Human Health Threshold
Value (LMHHTV)
302.590 Procedures for Determining the Lake Michigan Basin Human Health
Nonthreshold Criterion (LMHHNC) or the Lake Michigan Basin Human Health
Nonthreshold Value (LMHHNV)
302.595 Listing of Bioaccumulative Chemicals of Concern, Derived Criteria and Values
SUBPART F: PROCEDURES FOR DETERMINING WATER QUALITY CRITERIA
Section
302.601 Scope and Applicability
302.603 Definitions
302.604 Mathematical Abbreviations
302.606 Data Requirements
302.612 Determining the Acute Aquatic Toxicity Criterion for an Individual Substance –
General Procedures
302.615 Determining the Acute Aquatic Toxicity Criterion - Toxicity Independent of
Water Chemistry
302.618 Determining the Acute Aquatic Toxicity Criterion - Toxicity Dependent on
Water Chemistry
302.621 Determining the Acute Aquatic Toxicity Criterion - Procedures for
Combinations of Substances
11
302.627 Determining the Chronic Aquatic Toxicity Criterion for an Individual Substance
- General Procedures
302.630 Determining the Chronic Aquatic Toxicity Criterion - Procedure for
Combination of Substances
302.633 The Wild and Domestic Animal Protection Criterion
302.642 The Human Threshold Criterion
302.645 Determining the Acceptable Daily Intake
302.648 Determining the Human Threshold Criterion
302.651 The Human Nonthreshold Criterion
302.654 Determining the Risk Associated Intake
302.657 Determining the Human Nonthreshold Criterion
302.658 Stream Flow for Application of Human Nonthreshold Criterion
302.660 Bioconcentration Factor
302.663 Determination of Bioconcentration Factor
302.666 Utilizing the Bioconcentration Factor
302.669 Listing of Derived Criteria
APPENDIX A References to Previous Rules
APPENDIX B Sources of Codified Sections
APPENDIX C
Maximum total ammonia nitrogen concentrations allowable for certain
combinations of pH and temperature
TABLE A: pH-Dependent Values of the AS (Acute Standard)
TABLE B:
Temperature and pH-Dependent Values of the CS (Chronic Standard)
for Fish Early Life Stages Absent
TABLE C:
Temperature and pH-Dependent Values of the CS (Chronic Standard) for
Fish Early Life Stages Present
AUTHORITY: Implementing Section 13 and authorized by Sections 11(b) and 27 of the
Environmental Protection Act [415 ILCS 5/13 11(b), and 27]
SOURCE: Filed with the Secretary of State January 1, 1978; amended at 2 Ill. Reg. 44, p.
151, effective November 2, 1978; amended at 3 Ill. Reg. 20, p. 95, effective May 17, 1979;
amended at 3 Ill. Reg. 25, p. 190, effective June 21, 1979; codified at 6 Ill. Reg. 7818;
amended at 6 Ill. Reg. 11161, effective September 7, 1982; amended at 6 Ill. Reg. 13750,
effective October 26, 1982; amended at 8 Ill. Reg. 1629, effective January 18, 1984;
peremptory amendments at 10 Ill. Reg. 461, effective December 23, 1985; amended at R87-27
at 12 Ill. Reg. 9911, effective May 27, 1988; amended at R85-29 at 12 Ill. Reg. 12082,
effective July 11, 1988; amended in R88-1 at 13 Ill. Reg. 5998, effective April 18, 1989;
amended in R88-21(A) at 14 Ill. Reg. 2899, effective February 13, 1990; amended in R88-
21(B) at 14 Ill. Reg. 11974, effective July 9, 1990; amended in R94-1(A) at 20 Ill. Reg. 7682,
effective May 24, 1996; amended in R94-1(B) at 21 Ill. Reg. 370, effective December 23,
1996; expedited correction at 21 Ill. Reg. 6273, effective December 23, 1996; amended in
R97-25 at 21 Ill. Reg. 1356, effective December 24, 1997; amended in R99-8 at 23 Ill. Reg.
12
11249, effective August 26, 1999; amended in R01-13 at 26 Ill. Reg. 3505, effective February
22, 2002; amended in R02-19 at 26 Ill. Reg. _________, effective____________.
SUBPART B: GENERAL USE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
Section 302.100
Unless otherwise specified, the definitions of the Environmental Protection Act (Act) (Ill.
Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 111 1/2, par. 1001 et seq.) [415 ILCS 5] and 35 Ill. Adm. Code 301
apply to this Part. As used in this Part, each of the following definitions has the specified
meaning.
"Acute Toxicity" means the capacity of any substance or combination of
substances to cause mortality or other adverse effects in an organism
resulting from a single or short-term exposure to the substance.
"Adverse Effect" means any gross or overt effect on an organism,
including but not limited to reversible histopathological damage, severe
convulsions, irreversible functional impairment and lethality, as well as
any non-overt effect on an organism resulting in functional impairment
or pathological lesions which may affect the performance of the whole
organism, or which reduces an organism's ability to respond to an
additional challenge.
"Chronic Toxicity" means the capacity of any substance or combination
of substances to cause injurious or debilitating effects in an organism
which result from exposure for a time period representing a substantial
portion of the natural life cycle of that organism, including but not
limited to the growth phase, the reproductive phases or such critical
portions of the natural life cycle of that organism.
"Criterion" means the numerical concentration of one or more toxic
substances derived in accordance with the procedures in Subpart F of this
Part which, if not exceeded, would assure compliance with the narrative
toxicity standard of Section 302.210 of this Part.
"Hardness" means a water quality parameter or characteristic consisting
of the sum of calcium and magnesium concentrations expressed in terms
of equivalent milligrams per liter as calcium carbonate. Hardness is
measured in accordance with methods specified in 40 CFR 136,
incorporated by reference in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 301.106.
“Early Life Stages” of fish means the pre-hatch embryonic period, the
post hatch free embryo or yolk-sac fry, and the larval period, during
which the organism feeds. Juvenile fish, which are anatomically similar
13
to adults, are not considered an early life stage.
"Mixing Zone" means a portion of the waters of the State identified as a
region within which mixing is allowed pursuant to Section 302.102(d) of
this Part.
"Total Residual Chlorine" or "TRC" means those substances which
include combined and uncombined forms of both chlorine and bromine
and which are expressed, by convention, as an equivalent concentration
of molecular chlorine. TRC is measured in accordance with methods
specified in 40 CFR 136, incorporated by reference in 35 Ill. Adm. Code
301.106.
"Toxic Substance" means a chemical substance which that causes adverse
effects in humans, or in aquatic or terrestrial animal or plant life. Toxic
substances include, but are not limited to those substances listed in 40
CFR 302.4, incorporated by reference in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 301.106, or
any "chemical substance" as defined by the Illinois Chemical Safety Act
(Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 111 1/2, par. 951 et seq.) [430 ILCS 45 et
seq.]
"ZID" or "Zone of Initial Dilution" means a portion of a mixing zone,
identified pursuant to Section 302.102(e) of this Part, within which acute
toxicity standards need not be met.
(
Source: Amended at 26 Ill. Reg. _________, effective ___________)
Section 302.212 Total Ammonia Nitrogen and Un-ionized Ammonia
a) Total ammonia nitrogen (as N: STORET Number 00610) shall must in no case
exceed 15 mg/L.
b) The total Un-ionized ammonia nitrogen (as N: STORET Number 0061000612)
shall not exceed the acute, and chronic, and sub-chronic standards must be
determined by the equations given below subject to the provisions of Section
302.208(a) and (b), and Section 302.213 of this Part. Attainment of each
standard must be determined by subsections (c) and (d) of this Section in mg/L.
1)
The acute standard (AS) must be calculated using the following equation:
AS = 0.411 +
58.4
1 + 10
7.204-pH
1 + 10
pH-7.204
14
From April through October, the Acute Standard (AS) shall be 0.33
mg/L and the Chronic Standard (CS) shall be 0.057 mg/L.
2)
The chronic standard (CS) must be calculated using the following
equations:
A)
During the Early Life Stage Present period, as defined in
subsection (e) of this Section:
i)
When water temperature is less than or equal to 14.51ºC:
()
85
.
2
10
1
487
.
2
10
1
0577
.
0
CS
688
.
7
pH
pH
688
.
7
+
+
+
=
−
−
ii)
When water temperature is above 14.51ºC:
()
)
T
25
(
*
028
.
0
688
.
7
pH
pH
688
.
7
10
*
45
.
1
10
1
487
.
2
10
1
0577
.
0
−
−
−
+
+
+
=
CS
Where T = Water Temperature, degrees Celsius
B)
During the Early Life Stage Absent period, as defined in
subsection (e) of this Section:
i)
When water temperature is less than or equal to 7ºC:
()
504
.
0
688
.
7
pH
pH
688
.
7
10
*
45
.
1
10
1
487
.
2
10
1
0577
.
0
+
+
+
=
−
−
CS
ii)
When water temperature is greater than 7ºC:
()
)
T
25
(
028
.
0
688
.
7
pH
pH
688
.
7
10
*
45
.
1
10
1
487
.
2
10
1
0577
.
0
−
−
−
+
+
+
=
CS
Where T = Water Temperature, degrees Celsius
From November through March, the AS shall be 0.14 mg/L and the CS
shall be 0.025 mg/L.
15
3)
The sub-chronic standard must equal 2.5 times the chronic standard.
c)
Attainment of the Total Ammonia Nitrogen Water Quality Standards
1) The acute standard of total ammonia nitrogen (in mg/L) must not be
exceeded at any time except in those waters for which the Agency has
approved a ZID pursuant to Section 302.102.
2) The total ammonia nitrogen (in mg/L) must not exceed the chronic standard
(CS) except in those waters in which mixing is allowed pursuant to Section
302.102 of this Part. Attainment of the chronic standard (CS) must be
evaluated pursuant to subsection (d) of this Section using one or more
samples collected within 30 days.
3) The total ammonia nitrogen (in mg/L) must not exceed the sub-chronic
standard except in those waters in which mixing is allowed pursuant to
Section 302.102. Attainment of the sub-chronic standard must be evaluated
pursuant to subsection (d) of this Section by averaging the highest sample
results collected over four consecutive days within the 30 day period
specified in subsection 302.212(c)(2).
For purposes of this Section, the concentration of un-ionized ammonia nitrogen
as N and total ammonia nitrogen as N shall be computed according to the
following equations:
U =_________N_______________
[0.94412(1+10
x) + 0.0559]
and N = U [0.94412(1+10
x)+0.0559]
where: X = 0.09018 + 2729.92 - pH
(T + 273.16)
U = Concentration of un-ionized ammonia as N in mg/L
N = Concentration of ammonia nitrogen as N in mg/L
T = Temperature in degrees Celsius
d)
The water quality standard for each water body must be calculated based on the
temperature and pH of the water body measured at the time of each ammonia
sample. The concentration of total ammonia in each sample must be divided by
the calculated water quality standard for the sample to determine a quotient.
The water quality standard is attained if the mean of the sample quotients is less
than or equal to one for the duration of the averaging period.
16
The following tables indicates the maximum total ammonia nitrogen
concentrations (mg/L as N) allowable pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this
Section for certain combinations of pH and temperature:
1)
Summer (April through October) Acute un-ionized ammonia 0.33 mg/L
PH 6.5 7.0 7.5 7.75 8.0 8.25 8.5 9.0
°F °C
55 12.8 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 13.8
7.9
4.6 1.7
60 15.6 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 11.2 6.5 3.8 1.4
65 18.3 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 9.8 5.3 3.1 1.2
70 21.1 15.0 15.0 15.0 13.2 7.6 4.4 2.6 1.1
75 23.9 15.0 15.0 15.0 10.9 6.3 3.7 2.2
0.9
80 26.7 15.0 15.0 15.0 9.0 5.2 3.1 1.9 0.8
85 29.4 15.0 15.0 13.1 7.5 4.4 2.6 1.6 0.7
90 32.2 15.0 15.0 10.9 6.3 3.7 2.2 1.4 0.7
2)
Summer (April through October) Chronic un-ionized ammonia 0.057
mg/L
PH 6.5 7.0 7.5 7.75 8.0 8.25 8.5 9.0
°F °C
55 12.8 15.0 15.0 7.4 4.2 2.4 1.4 0.8 0.3
60 15.6 15.0 15.0 7.0 3.4 1.9 1.1 0.7 0.2
65 18.3 15.0 15.0 4.9 2.8 1.6 0.9 0.5 0.2
70 21.1 15.0 12.6 4.0 2.3 1.3 0.8 0.5 0.2
75 23.9 15.0 10.3 3.3 1.9 1.1 0.6 0.4 0.2
80 26.7 15.0 8.6 2.7 1.6 0.9 0.5
0.3 0.1
85 29.4 15.0 7.8 2.3 1.3 0.8 0.4 0.3 0.1
90 32.2 15.0 5.8 1.9 1.1 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.1
3)
Winter (November through March) Acute un-ionized ammonia 0.14
mg/L
PH 6.5 7.0 7.5 7.75 8.0 8.25 8.5 9.0
°F °C
32 0.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 9.2 5.2 1.7
35 1.7 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 14.1 8.0 4.5 1.5
40 4.4 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 11.3 6.4 3.7 1.3
45 7.2 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 9.0 5.1 2.9 1.0
50 10.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 12.8 7.3 4.1 2.4 0.9
55 12.8 15.0 15.0 15.0 10.3 5.9 3.4 2.0 0.7
60 15.6 15.0 15.0 14.8 8.4 4.8 2.7 1.6 0.6
17
4)
Winter (November through March) Chronic un-ionized ammonia
0.025mg/L
PH 6.5 7.0 7.5 7.75 8.0 8.25 8.5 9.0
°F °C
32 0.0 15.0 15.0 9.1 5.1 2.9 1.6 0.9 0.3
35 1.7 15.0 15.0 7.9 4.4 2.5 1.4 0.8 0.3
40 4.4 15.0 15.0 6.3 3.6 2.0 1.1 0.7 0.2
45 7.2 15.0 15.0 5.0 2.8 1.6 0.9 0.5 0.2
50 10.0 15.0 12.7 4.0 2.3 1.3 0.7 0.4 0.2
55 12.8 15.0 10.2 3.3 1.8 1.0 0.6 0.3 0.1
60 15.6 15.0 8.3 2.6 1.5 0.9 0.5 0.3 0.1
e)
The Early Life Stage Present period must occur from March through October.
In addition, during any other period when early life stages are present, and
where the water quality standard does not provide adequate protection for these
organisms, the water body must meet the Early Life Stage Present water quality
standard. All other periods must be subject to the Early Life Stage Absent
period.
BOARD NOTE:Acute and chronic standard concentrations for total ammonia nitrogen (in
mg/L) for different combinations of pH and temperature are shown in Appendix C.
(Source: Amended at 26 Ill. Reg. _____, effective __________)
Section 302.213 Effluent Modified Waters (Ammonia) (Repealed)
a)
Effluent modified waters are those waters or portions of waters that the Agency
has determined, pursuant to 35 Ill. Adm. Code 309: Subpart A, to have the
potential to exceed, and are therefore not subject to, the chronic ammonia
standards of Section 302.212(b) downstream of an effluent outfall and outside of
any allowable mixing zone. The Agency shall not identify a waterbody as an
effluent modified water if it:
1)
has uses known to be adversely impacted by ammonia as designated
under 35 Ill. Adm. Code 303.201 outside of any allowable mixing zone;
or
2)
exceeds the acute standard of Section 302.212(b) of this Part.
b)
All effluent discharges to an effluent modified water must meet the requirements
of 35 Ill. Adm. Code 304.122(d) prior to dilution with the receiving water.
18
(Source: Repealed at 26 Ill. Reg. ___________, effective _________________)
Section 302.APPENDIX C Maximum total ammonia nitrogen concentrations allowable for
certain combinations of pH and temperature
Section 302.Table A: pH-Dependent Values of the AS (Acute Standard)
PH
Acute Standard (mg/L)
6.0
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
7.0
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
8.0
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7
8.8
8.9
9.0
55.0
54.2
53.2
52.0
50.5
48.8
46.8
44.6
42.0
39.2
36.1
32.9
29.5
26.2
23.0
19.9
17.0
14.4
12.1
10.1
8.41
6.95
5.73
4.71
3.88
3.20
2.65
2.20
1.84
1.56
1.32
19
(Source: Added at 26 Ill. Reg.___________, effective _____________)
20
Section 302.Table B: Temperature and pH-Dependent Values of the CS (Chronic
Standard) for Fish Early Life Stages Absent
pH Temperature,
Celsius
0-7
8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
6 11.3 10.6 9.92 9.30 8.72 8.17 7.66 7.19 6.74 6.32
6.1 11.2 10.5 9.87 9.25 8.67 8.13 7.62 7.15 6.70 6.28
6.2 11.2 10.5 9.81 9.19 8.62 8.08 7.58 7.10 6.66 6.24
6.3 11.1 10.4 9.73 9.12 8.55 8.02 7.52 7.05 6.61 6.19
6.4 11.0 10.3 9.63 9.03 8.47 7.94 7.44 6.98 6.54 6.13
6.5 10.8 10.1 9.51 8.92 8.36 7.84 7.35 6.89 6.46 6.06
6.6 10.7 9.99 9.37 8.79 8.24 7.72 7.24 6.79 6.36 5.97
6.7 10.5 9.81 9.20 8.62 8.08 7.58 7.11 6.66 6.25 5.86
6.8 10.2 9.58 8.98 8.42 7.90 7.40 6.94 6.51 6.10 5.72
6.9 9.93 9.31 8.73 8.19 7.68 7.20 6.75 6.33 5.93 5.56
7 9.60 9.00 8.43 7.91 7.41 6.95 6.52 6.11 5.73 5.37
7.1 9.20 8.63 8.09 7.58 7.11 6.67 6.25 5.86 5.49 5.15
7.2 8.75 8.20 7.69 7.21 6.76 6.34 5.94 5.57 5.22 4.90
7.3 8.24 7.73 7.25 6.79 6.37 5.97 5.60 5.25 4.92 4.61
7.4 7.69 7.21 6.76 6.33 5.94 5.57 5.22 4.89 4.59 4.30
7.5 7.09 6.64 6.23 5.84 5.48 5.13 4.81 4.51 4.23 3.97
7.6 6.46 6.05 5.67 5.32 4.99 4.68 4.38 4.11 3.85 3.61
7.7 5.81 5.45 5.11 4.79 4.49 4.21 3.95 3.70 3.47 3.25
7.8 5.17 4.84 4.54 4.26 3.99 3.74 3.51 3.29 3.09 2.89
7.9 4.54 4.26 3.99 3.74 3.51 3.29 3.09 2.89 2.71 2.54
8 3.95 3.70 3.47 3.26 3.05 2.86 2.68 2.52 2.36 2.21
8.1 3.41 3.19 2.99 2.81 2.63 2.47 2.31 2.17 2.03 1.91
8.2 2.91 2.73 2.56 2.40 2.25 2.11 1.98 1.85 1.74 1.63
8.3 2.47 2.32 2.18 2.04 1.91 1.79 1.68 1.58 1.48 1.39
8.4 2.09 1.96 1.84 1.73 1.62 1.52 1.42 1.33 1.25 1.17
8.5 1.77 1.66 1.55 1.46 1.37 1.28 1.20 1.13 1.06 0.99
8.6 1.49 1.40 1.31 1.23 1.15 1.08 1.01 0.95 0.89 0.84
8.7 1.26 1.18 1.11 1.04 0.98 0.92 0.86 0.80 0.75 0.71
8.8 1.07 1.01 0.94 0.88 0.83 0.78
0.73 0.68 0.64 0.60
8.9 0.92 0.86 0.81 0.76 0.71 0.66
0.62 0.58 0.55 0.51
9.0 0.79 0.74 0.69 0.65 0.61
0.57
0.54 0.50 0.47 0.44
* At 15 C and above, the criterion for fish ELS absent is the same as the criterion for fish ELS
present.
(Source: Added at 26 Ill. Reg. ________, effective _________)
21
Section 302.Table C: Temperature and pH-Dependent Values of the CS (Chronic Standard)for
Fish Early Life Stages Present
pH Temperature,
Celsius
0 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
6 6.95 6.95 6.32 5.55 4.88 4.29 3.77 3.31 2.91 2.56
6.1 6.91 6.91 6.28 5.52 4.86 4.27 3.75 3.30 2.90 2.55
6.2 6.87 6.87 6.24 5.49 4.82 4.24 3.73 3.28 2.88 2.53
6.3 6.82 6.82 6.19 5.45 4.79 4.21 3.70 3.25 2.86 2.51
6.4 6.75 6.75 6.13 5.39 4.74 4.17 3.66 3.22 2.83 2.49
6.5 6.67 6.67 6.06 5.33 4.68 4.12 3.62 3.18 2.80 2.46
6.6 6.57 6.57 5.97 5.25 4.61 4.05 3.56 3.13 2.75 2.42
6.7 6.44 6.44 5.86 5.15 4.52 3.98 3.50 3.07 2.70 2.37
6.8 6.29 6.29 5.72 5.03 4.42 3.89 3.42 3.00 2.64 2.32
6.9 6.12 6.12 5.56 4.89 4.30 3.78 3.32 2.92 2.57 2.25
7 5.91 5.91 5.37 4.72 4.15 3.65 3.21 2.82 2.48 2.18
7.1 5.67 5.67 5.15 4.53 3.98 3.50 3.08 2.70 2.38 2.09
7.2 5.39 5.39 4.90 4.31 3.78 3.33 2.92 2.57 2.26 1.99
7.3 5.08 5.08 4.61 4.06 3.57 3.13 2.76 2.42 2.13 1.87
7.4 4.73 4.73 4.30 3.78 3.32 2.92 2.57 2.26 1.98 1.74
7.5 4.36 4.36 3.97 3.49 3.06 2.69 2.37 2.08 1.83 1.61
7.6 3.98 3.98 3.61 3.18 2.79 2.45 2.16 1.90 1.67 1.47
7.7 3.58 3.58 3.25 2.86 2.51 2.21 1.94 1.71 1.50 1.32
7.8 3.18 3.18 2.89 2.54 2.23 1.96 1.73 1.52 1.33 1.17
7.9 2.80 2.80 2.54 2.24 1.96 1.73 1.52 1.33 1.17 1.03
8 2.43 2.43 2.21 1.94 1.71 1.50 1.32 1.16 1.02 0.90
8.1 2.10 2.10 1.91 1.68 1.47 1.29 1.14 1.00 0.88
0.77
8.2 1.79 1.79 1.63 1.43 1.26 1.11 0.97 0.86 0.75
0.66
8.3 1.52 1.52 1.39 1.22 1.07 0.94 0.83 0.73 0.64 0.56
8.4 1.29 1.29 1.17 1.03 0.91 0.80 0.70 0.62 0.54 0.48
8.5 1.09 1.09 0.99 0.87 0.76 0.67 0.59 0.52 0.46 0.40
8.6 0.92 0.92 0.84 0.73 0.65 0.57 0.50 0.44 0.39 0.34
8.7 0.78 0.78 0.71 0.62 0.55 0.48 0.42 0.37 0.33 0.29
8.8 0.66 0.66 0.60 0.53 0.46 0.41 0.36 0.32 0.28 0.24
8.9 0.56 0.56 0.51 0.45 0.40 0.35 0.31 0.27 0.24 0.21
9 0.49 0.49 0.44 0.39 0.34 0.30 0.26 0.23 0.20
0.18
(Source: Added at 26 Ill. Reg. _______, effective ______________)
TITLE 35: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
SUBTITLE C: WATER POLLUTION
22
CHAPTER I: POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
PART 304
EFFLUENT STANDARDS
SUBPART A: GENERAL EFFLUENT STANDARDS
Section
304.101 Preamble
304.102 Dilution
304.103 Background Concentrations
304.104 Averaging
304.105
Violation of Water Quality Standards
304.106 Offensive Discharges
304.120 Deoxygenating Wastes
304.121 Bacteria
304.122
Total Ammonia Nitrogen (as N: STORET number 00610)
304.123
Phosphorus (STORET number 00665)
304.124 Additional Contaminants
304.125 pH
304.126 Mercury
304.140
Delays in Upgrading (Repealed)
304.141
NPDES Effluent Standards
304.142
New Source Performance Standards (Repealed)
SUBPART B: SITE SPECIFIC RULES AND EXCEPTIONS NOT OF GENERAL
APPLICABILITY
Section
304.201
Wastewater Treatment Plant Discharges of the Metropolitan Water
Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
304.202
Chlor-alkali Mercury Discharges in St. Clair County
304.203 Copper Discharges
by Olin Corporation
304.204
Schoenberger Creek: Groundwater Discharges
304.205
John Deere Foundry Discharges
304.206
Alton Water Company Treatment Plant Discharges
304.207
Galesburg Sanitary District Deoxygenating Wastes Discharges
304.208
City of Lockport Treatment Plant Discharges
304.209
Wood River Station Total Suspended Solids Discharges
304.210
Alton Wastewater Treatment Plant Discharges
304.211
Discharges From Borden Chemicals and Plastics Operating Limited
Partnership Into an Unnamed Tributary of Long Point Slough
304.212 Sanitary District
of Decatur Discharges
304.213
PDV Midwest Refining, L.L.C. Refinery Ammonia Discharge
304.214
Mobil Oil Refinery Ammonia Discharge
304.215
City of Tuscola Wastewater Treatment Facility Discharges
23
304.216
Newton Station Suspended Solids Discharges
304.218
City of Pana Phosphorus Discharge
304.219
North Shore Sanitary District Phosphorus Discharges
304.220
East St. Louis Treatment Facility, Illinois-American Water Company
304.221
Ringwood Drive Manufacturing Facility in McHenry County
304.222
Intermittent Discharge of TRC
SUBPART C: TEMPORARY EFFLUENT STANDARDS
Section
304.301
Exception for Ammonia Nitrogen Water Quality Violations (Repealed)
304.302
City of Joliet East Side Wastewater Treatment Plant
304.303
Amerock Corporation, Rockford Facility
Appendix A
References to Previous Rules
AUTHORITY: Implementing Section 13 and authorized by Section 27 of the Environmental
Protection Act [415 ILCS 5/13 and 27].
SOURCE: Filed with the Secretary of State January 1, 1978; amended at 2 Ill. Reg. 30, p.
343, effective July 27, 1978; amended at 2 Ill. Reg. 44, p. 151, effective November 2, 1978;
amended at 3 Ill. Reg. 20, p. 95, effective May 17, 1979; amended at 3 Ill. Reg. 25, p. 190,
effective June 21, 1979; amended at 4 Ill. Reg. 20, p. 53 effective May 7, 1980; amended at 6
Ill. Reg. 563, effective December 24, 1981; codified at 6 Ill. Reg. 7818: amended at 6 Ill.
Reg. 11161, effective September 7, 1982; amended at 6 Ill. Reg. 13750, effective October 26,
1982; amended at 7 Ill. Reg. 3020, effective March 4, 1983; amended at 7 Ill. Reg. 8111,
effective June 23, 1983; amended at 7 Ill. Reg. 14515, effective October 14, 1983; amended at
7 Ill. Reg. 14910, effective November 14, 1983; amended at 8 Ill. Reg. 1600, effective
January 18, 1984; amended at 8 Ill. Reg. 3687, effective March 14, 1984; amended at 8 Ill.
Reg. 8237, effective June 8, 1984; amended at 9 Ill. Reg. 1379, effective January 21, 1985;
amended at 9 Ill. Reg. 4510, effective March 22, 1985; peremptory amendment at 10 Ill. Reg.
456, effective December 23, 1985; amended at 11 Ill. Reg. 3117, effective January 28, 1987;
amended in R84-13 at 11 Ill. Reg. 7291 effective April 3, 1987; amended in R86-17(A) at 11
Ill. Reg. 14748, effective August 24, 1987; amended in R84-16 at 12 Ill. Reg. 2445, effective
January 15, 1988; amended in R83-23 at 12 Ill. Reg. 8658, effective May 10, 1988; amended
in R87-27 at 12 Ill. Reg. 9905, effective May 27, 1988; amended in R82-7 at 12 Ill. Reg.
10712, effective June 9, 1988; amended in R85-29 at 12 Ill. Reg. 12064, effective July 12,
1988; amended in R87-22 at 12 Ill. Reg. 13966, effective August 23, 1988; amended in R86-3
at 12 Ill. Reg. 20126, effective November 16, 1988; amended in R84-20 at 13 Ill. Reg. 851,
effective January 9, 1989; amended in R85-11 at 13 Ill. Reg. 2060, effective February 6,
1989; amended in R88-1 at 13 Ill. Reg. 5976, effective April 18, 1989; amended in R86-17(B)
at 13 Ill. Reg. 7754, effective May 4, 1989; amended in R88-22 at 13 Ill. Reg. 8880, effective
May 26, 1989; amended in R87-6 at 14 Ill. Reg. 6777, effective April 24, 1990; amended in
R87-36 at 14 Ill. Reg. 9437, effective May 31, 1990; amended in R88-21(B) at 14 Ill. Reg.
12538, effective July 18, 1990; amended in R84-44 at 14 Ill. Reg. 20719, effective December
24
11, 1990; amended in R86-14 at 15 Ill. Reg. 241, effective December 18, 1990; amended in
R93-8 at 18 Ill. Reg. 267, effective December 23, 1993; amended in R87-33 at 18 Ill. Reg.
11574, effective July 7, 1994; amended in R95-14 at 20 Ill. Reg. 3528, effective February 8,
1996; amended in R94-1(B) at 21 Ill. Reg. 364, effective December 23, 1996; expedited
correction in R94-1(B) at 21 Ill. Reg. 6269, effective December 23, 1996; amended in R97-25
at 22 Ill. Reg. 1351, effective December 24, 1997; amended in R97-28 at 22 Ill. Reg. 3512,
effective February 3, 1998; amended in R98-14 at 22 Ill. Reg.687, effective December 31,
1998; amended in R02-19 at 26 Ill. Reg. ________, effective _________.
BOARD NOTE: This Part implements the Illinois Environmental Protection Act of July 1,
1994.
SUBPART A: GENERAL EFFLUENT STANDARDS
Section 304.122 Total Ammonia Nitrogen (as N: STORET number 00610)
a) No effluent from any source which discharges to the Illinois River, the Des
Plaines River downstream of its confluence with the Chicago River System or
the Calumet River System, and whose untreated waste load is 50,000 or more
population equivalents shall contain more than 2.5 mg/L of total ammonia
nitrogen as N during the months of April through October, or 4 mg/L at other
times.
b) Sources discharging to any of the above waters and whose untreated waste load
cannot be computed on a population equivalent basis comparable to that used for
municipal waste treatment plants and whose total ammonia nitrogen as N
discharge exceeds 45.4 kg/day (100 pounds per day) shall not discharge an
effluent of more than 3.0 mg/L of total ammonia nitrogen as N.
c) In addition to the effluent standards set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this
Section, all sources are subject to Section 304.105 unless the Agency determines
as part of the NPDES Permit Program under 35 Ill. Adm. Code 309: Subpart A
that alternate effluent standards are applicable pursuant to subsection (d) of this
Section.
d)
All dischargers to effluent modified waters as defined at 35 Ill. Adm. Code
302.213, except for treatment works qualifying under Section 304.120(c), shall
have an effective NPDES permit with monthly average effluent limits of 1.5
mg/L total ammonia as N during the months of April through October, and 4.0
mg/L total ammonia as N at other times, as well as the following restrictions:
1)
Dischargers achieving lower ammonia concentrations than given above,
yet not meeting the chronic water quality standards of 35 Ill. Adm. Code
302.212(b), shall maintain their existing level of performance consistent
25
with the facility's expected organic and hydraulic loadings for the
duration of their NPDES permit.
2)
New or expanded discharges that increase ammonia loading to general
use waters and/or create effluent modified waters or portions of waters
must demonstrate compliance to the Agency with the nondegradation
requirements at 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.105.
(Source: Amended at 26 Ill. Reg. _____, effective __________)
IT IS SO ORDERED.
I, Dorothy M. Gunn, Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control Board, hereby certify that
the Board adopted the above opinion and order on June 6, 2002, by a vote of 7-0.
Dorothy
M.
Gunn,
Clerk
Illinois
Pollution
Control
Board
