California Code of Regulations
Title 22 - Social Security
Division 4 - Environmental Health
Chapter 15 - Domestic Water Quality and Monitoring Regulations
Article 12 - Best Available Technologies (BAT)
Section 64447.3 - Best Available Technologies (BATs) - Radionuclides
The technologies listed in tables 64447.3-A, B and C are the best available technology, treatment technologies, or other means available for achieving compliance with the MCLs for radionuclides in tables 64442 and 64443.
Table 64447.3-A
Best Available Technologies (BATs) Radionuclides
| Radionuclide | Best Available Technology |
| Combined radium-226 and radium-228 | Ion exchange, reverse osmosis, lime softening |
| Uranium | Ion exchange, reverse osmosis, lime softening, coagulation/filtration |
| Gross alpha particle activity | Reverse osmosis |
| Beta particle and photon radioactivity | Ion exchange, reverse osmosis |
Table 64447.3-B
Best Available Technologies (BATs) and Limitations for Small Water Systems Radionuclides
| Unit Technologies | Limitations (see footnotes) | Operator Skill Level Required | Raw Water Quality Range and Considerations | |
| 1. Ion exchange | (a) | Intermediate | All ground waters; competing anion concentrations may affect regeneration frequency | |
| 2. Point of use, ion exchange | (b) | Basic | All ground waters; competing anion concentrations may affect regeneration frequency | |
| 3. Reverse osmosis | (c) | Advanced | Surface waters usually require pre-filtration | |
| 4. Point of use, reverse osmosis | (b) | Basic | Surface waters usually require pre-filtration | |
| 5. Lime softening | (d) | Advanced | All waters | |
| 6. Green sand filtration | (e) | Basic | All ground waters; competing anion concentrations may affect regeneration frequency | |
| 7. Co-precipitation with barium sulfate | (f) | Intermediate to advanced | Ground waters with suitable quality | |
| 8. Electrodialysis/electrodialysis reversal | (g) | Basic to intermediate | All ground waters | |
| 9. Pre-formed hydrous manganese oxide filtration | (h) | Intermediate | All ground waters | |
| 10. Activated alumina | (a), (i) | Advanced | All ground waters; competing anion concentrations may affect regeneration frequency | |
| 11. Enhanced coagulation/filtration | (j) | Advanced | Can treat a wide range of water qualities |
Limitation Footnotes:
a The regeneration solution contains high concentrations of the contaminant ions, which could result in disposal issues.
b When point of use devices are used for compliance, programs for long-term operation, maintenance, and monitoring shall be provided by systems to ensure proper performance.
c Reject water disposal may be an issue.
d The combination of variable source water quality and the complexity of the water chemistry involved may make this technology too complex for small systems.
e Removal efficiencies can vary depending on water quality.
f Since the process requires static mixing, detention basins, and filtration, this technology is most applicable to systems with sufficiently high sulfate levels that already have a suitable filtration treatment train in place.
g Applies to ionized radionuclides only.
h This technology is most applicable to small systems with filtration already in place.
i Chemical handling during regeneration and pH adjustment may be too difficult for small systems without an operator trained in these procedures.
j This would involve modification to a coagulation/filtration process already in place.
Table 64447.3-C
Best Available Technologies (BATs) for Small Water Systems by System Size Radionuclides
| Compliance Technologies for System Size Categories Based On Population Served | ||||
| 25-500 | 501-3,300 | 3,301-10,000 | ||
| Unit Technologies | ||||
| Contaminant | (Numbers Correspond to Table 64447.3-B) | |||
| Combined radium-226 and radium-228 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 | |
| Gross alpha particle activity | 3, 4 | 3, 4 | 3, 4 | |
| Beta particle activity and photon radioactivity | 1, 2, 3, 4 | 1, 2, 3, 4 | 1, 2, 3, 4 | |
| Uranium | 1, 2, 4, 10, 11 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 | |
1. New section filed 5-12-2006; operative 6-11-2006 (Register 2006, No. 19).
Note: Authority cited: Section 116370, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Section 116350, Health and Safety Code.
