Proposed Water Quality Standard Update for Manganese

On July 25, 2020, the Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board (EQB) published a proposed update to the regulation and implementation of manganese Water Quality Standards (Chapters 93 and 96). The EQB is proposing to eliminate the current 1.0 mg/L water quality criterion in Table 3 in Chapter 93.7 and add a 0.3 mg/L limit to Table 5 in Chapter 93.8c.

What does this mean to the regulated community?

This change will mean that manganese will be regulated as a toxic substance, which will give the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) considerably more authority and latitude in regulating sources of manganese contamination because a pollutant identified as a toxic substance requires control of the substance in all surface waters to protect all water uses.

If this new human health toxics criterion for manganese is promulgated, new and existing NPDES permits that will or already have a manganese discharge limitation, will have this sharply decreased standard inserted into the permit. This, in turn, may significantly increase the costs for control.

Three virtual public hearings will be held for the purpose of accepting comments on this proposed rule making:

• September 8, 2020, at 2 p.m.

• September 9, 2020, at 6 p.m.

• September 10, 2020, at 2 p.m.

The EQB is accepting public comments on this proposed rule through September 25, 2020.

Find all of the details here:

http://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pabull?file=/secure/pabulletin/data/vol50/50-30/992.html

WE can help.

If manganese is a current regulated pollutant at your facility, or if you are unaware of how this rule may affect your facility, SE Technologies can help. Our environmental professionals can align your facility operations with environmental regulations efficiently and effectively.

Click link below to download PDF

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