Guidelines for Point Source Discharges from Steam Electric Power Plants
On April 19th, EPA proposed a regulation that would set federal limits on the discharge of several toxic pollutants (e.g., mercury, lead, arsenic, selenium, and other dissolved metals as well as nitrogen) from steam electric power plants into surface waters. These pollutants can be harmful to public health and the environment. The currently applicable regulations were last updated in 1982 and do not specifically address the pollutants being discharged.
ASDWA believes that it’s extremely important to effectively use the tools provided under other statutes and programs – in this case, the Clean Water Act – to protect sources of drinking water; so that the pressure, challenge, and costs for removing contaminants are not passed on to water treatment facilities. ASDWA and it members look forward to reviewing the proposed regulation during the 60-day public comment period, once the proposed is published in the Federal Register. More information is available at the following link: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/wastetech/guide/steam-electric/index.cfm
