In July, 2004, EPA released its new Local Limits Development Guidance, which replaces the previously issued Guidance Manual on the Development and Implementation of Local Discharge Limitations Under the Pretreatment Program (December 1987) and Supplemental Manual on the Development and Implementation of Local Discharge Limitations Under the Pretreatment Program (May, 1991). This new release is contained in two manuals, the guidance document as noted and a separate Local Limits Development Guidance Appendices.

The manuals provide guidance to municipalities on developing and implementing local controls for industrial or commercial waste discharges to sewage treatment plants (STPs). They include specific information on determining pollutants of concern, collecting and analyzing data, calculating maximum allowable headworks loadings, designating and implementing local limits to protect wastewater treatment and collection systems, and performing annual reviews and periodic reevaluations.

Establishing local limits at an STP will enable operators to prevent discharges into their plants which may endanger worker health and safety, or damage plant equipment or operations, or which may cause the STP to violate its permits or interfere with its residuals management. Although written for agencies intending to implement or modify a pretreatment program under 40 CFR Part 403, the manuals contain technical information and procedures of interest to all operators of municipal and regional STPs.

The new manuals can be accessed on the Web at www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/final_local_limits_guidance.pdf and www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/final_local_limits_appendices.pdf.

More information on STPs may be found at www.state.nj.us/dep/dwq/sius.htm. Additional guidance for non-delegated local agency operators of municipal and regional STPs, which may need to do only parts of the process outlined in the EPA guidance manuals, may be found at www.state.nj.us/dep/dwq/pdf/ppcnla.pdf.

For additional information or questions regarding the guidance manuals, please contact Mr. Gary Torres at (609) 633-3823.