There are three methods for disposing of treated wastewater effluent: surface water discharge, subsurface discharge, and land application for beneficial use.
Federal, state, and local regulations prohibit the disposal of untreated wastewater into storm drains or surface waters. In some cases, a permitted facility may discharge treated wastewater into surface waters. DEQ’s Idaho Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (IPDES) Program sets requirements and issues permits for this type of discharge, including specifying pretreatment requirements and limits on what can be discharged to ensure that the discharge does not harm water quality or public health.
Subsurface discharge occurs on-site where wastewater is treated by discharging septic tank effluent underground where it leaches through a drainfield.
Treated wastewater can also be applied to land for irrigation. The small amount of pollutants remaining in the wastewater after treatment is absorbed by the crop or are assimilated into the soil structure. Depending on the contaminants, the water may require pretreatment before discharge to meet water quality standards. DEQ issues permits for facilities treating wastewater and sludge through this method.
The reuse of recycled water is regulated by the “Recycled Water Rules” (IDAPA 58.01.17). Recycled water is water that has been treated to be safe for its intended beneficial use and has a reuse permit from DEQ.
These rules contain requirements based on the source (either municipal or industrial wastewater) and intended use of the recycled water. Municipal or industrial reuse permits specify standard conditions common to all facilities as well as site-specific conditions as necessary to address the particular quality of recycled water. The most common form of water reuse for both municipal and industrial facilities is the irrigation of agricultural crops. Reuse permits are issued for terms of five to ten years.
For facilities seeking a new reuse permit or renewing an existing permit, the process begins with a pre-application meeting with DEQ.
For facilities with an existing reuse permit, it is recommended that a pre-application meeting be requested by the permittee one year before their permit’s expiration date.
After the pre-application meeting, the facility must submit an application package. The contents of the application package will be discussed in the pre-application meeting, but generally includes sufficient documentation to develop a comprehensive understanding of the proposed site, treatment method, recycled water uses, and any other details that may be requested by DEQ.
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Municipal recycled water is wastewater collected from homes and/or businesses and treated at a wastewater treatment facility. Municipal reuse permits classify recycled water as one of five classes (Class A, B, C, D, or E). Each class of recycled water has specific treatment requirements and allowable uses. Class A is the highest quality and has more allowable uses, but requires additional operating and monitoring requirements. Lower quality municipal recycled water has fewer allowable uses and includes buffer zones and other restrictions.
Industrial wastewater is discharged from industrial processes, the characteristics of which can be variable and may change with production rates and schedules. Industrial recycled water is permitted with consideration of its source, treatment, and use. Many of Idaho’s industrial reuse facilities are associated with food processing (e.g., potatoes, sugar beets, onions, dairy products, meat processors).
Operators of POTW and industrial facilities are encouraged to schedule a pre-application meeting with DEQ to describe the facility or activity and discuss the available wastewater management alternatives. If an IPDES surface water discharge permit is deemed the most appropriate avenue to pursue, DEQ will explain the permitting process and estimated permit issuance date.
Applicants must submit permit applications through the IPDES E-Permitting system. This system helps applicants submit the necessary information to ensure that an application for an IPDES permit is completed in a timely manner. DEQ reviews the submitted application to ensure all required information and data are included. DEQ will issue a completeness determination within 30 days for new dischargers and 60 days for renewal applicants.
All individual permits follow the same process for development and issuance. An IPDES permit writer is assigned to every facility and is responsible for determining application completeness, composing a draft permit and fact sheet, navigating the documents through the public comment process, and issuing or reissuing the permit. Once a final IPDES permit has been issued, a hardcopy will be sent to the facility.
New dischargers must apply for an IPDES permit before discharging. Existing dischargers must reapply for IPDES permit renewal every 5 years.
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IPDES Individual municipal permits are issued to POTWs that provide services for municipalities, sewer districts, and communities. These services include treatment of domestic sewage, storm water drainage, and sewage sludge disposal, all of which require an IPDES permit.
To submit an application, go to DEQ’s E-Permitting system. For assistance, please contact the IPDES E-Permitting Support at (833) 473-3724 or IPDESE-Permitting@deq.idaho.gov
Industrial, commercial, and manufacturing facilities that discharge process wastewater or cooling water must seek coverage of an IPDES individual industrial permit. The types of raw material, production processes, treatment technologies used, and pollutants discharged at industrial facilities vary widely. Dischargers who require an individual industrial permit include food product manufacturers, placer mining operations, pulp and paper manufacturing facilities, and hydropower facilities.
DEQ rates IPDES individual industrial permits as major or minor (permit rating worksheet).
To submit an application, go to DEQ’s E-Permitting system. For assistance, please contact the IPDES E-Permitting Support at (833) 473-3724 or IPDESE-Permitting@deq.idaho.gov
An application must be submitted using the IPDES E-Permitting system, in which applicants must provide the following information:
- Owner and/or operator contact information
- Facility mailing address
- Personnel and billing contacts
- Type of facility
- Contractor information (if applicable)
- Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) or North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) applicable codes, which can be found in Appendix A of the IPDES User’s Guide to Permitting and Compliance Volume 1—General Information
- Existing environmental permits associated with the facility
- Associated IPDES information (including outfall locations, process flow, intake, nature of discharge, treatment processes codes found in the IPDES Users Guide to Permitting and Compliance Volume 3—Non-POTW
- Size and nature of the business
- Topographic map with outfalls clearly labeled
- Analytical data for discharge (Group A, B, C, and D pollutant lists can be found in the IPDES User’s Guide to Permitting and Compliance Volume 3–Non-POTW)
- EPA Industry Category, if applicable (refer to the IPDES Effluent Limit Development Guidance for a list of primary industries)
Discharge of process wastewater from mines must be permitted and is covered under IPDES individual industrial permits. New facilities must apply and receive coverage before discharging. Legacy mine discharge, including adit discharge, also requires a permit.
A mine may also need coverage of storm water discharge under the Multi-Sector General Permit for Storm Water.