Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 33 - ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Part III - Air
Chapter 21 - Control of Emission of Organic Compounds
Subchapter M - Limiting Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Emissions from Industrial Wastewater
Section III-2153 - Limiting VOC Emissions from Industrial Wastewater

Universal Citation: LA Admin Code III-2153

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 12, December 20, 2024

A. Definitions. Unless specifically defined in LAC 33:III.111, the terms in this Chapter shall have the meanings normally used in the field of air pollution control. Additionally the following meanings apply, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Affected Source Category-any facilities of the following source categories located in the parishes of Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, and West Baton Rouge and having the potential to emit 25 TPY or more of VOC, or located in the parishes of Calcasieu and Pointe Coupee and having the potential to emit 50 TPY or more of VOC:

a. organic chemicals, plastics, and synthetic fibers manufacturing industry under Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes 2821, 2823, 2824, 2865, and 2869;

b. pesticides manufacturing industry under SIC code 2879;

c. pharmaceutical manufacturing industry under SIC codes 2833, 2834, and 2836; and

d. hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities industry under SIC codes 4952, 4953, and 4959.

Affected Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Wastewater- a VOC wastewater stream from an affected source category with either a VOC concentration greater than or equal to 10,000 parts per million by weight (ppmw) or a VOC concentration greater than or equal to 1000 ppmw and a flow rate greater than or equal to 10 liters per minute (2.64 gallons per minute), as determined in accordance with Subsection H of this Section.

Chemical Manufacturing Process Unit- the equipment assembled and connected by pipes or ducts to process raw materials and to manufacture an intended product. A chemical manufacturing process unit consists of more than one unit operation. For the purpose of this Section, chemical manufacturing process unit includes air oxidation reactors and their associated product separators and recovery devices; reactors and their associated product separators and recovery devices; distillation units and their associated distillate receivers and recovery devices; associated unit operations; associated recovery devices; and any feed, intermediate and product storage vessels, product transfer racks, and connected ducts and piping. A chemical manufacturing process unit includes pumps, compressors, agitators, pressure relief devices, sampling connection systems, open-ended valves or lines, valves, connectors, instrumentation systems, and control devices or systems. A chemical manufacturing process unit is identified by its primary product.

Components- includes, but is not limited to, wastewater storage tanks, surface impoundments, drains, junction boxes, lift stations, weirs, and oil-water separators.

Continuously Monitor- measure at least once every 15 minutes.

Maintenance Wastewater- wastewater generated by the draining of process fluid from components in the facility prior to or during maintenance activities. Maintenance wastewater can be generated during planned or unplanned shutdowns and periods that are not associated with shutdowns. Examples of activities that can generate maintenance wastewater include descaling of heat exchanger tube bundles, cleaning of distillation column traps, draining of low legs and high point bleeds, draining of pumps, and draining of unrecovered portions of a facility prior to repair.

Plant-all facilities located within a contiguous area, under common control, and identified by the Plant ID number as assigned by the department, within the parish in which the plant is primarily located, for inclusion in the emissions inventory.

Point of Determination- each exit point where process wastewater exits the chemical manufacturing process unit.

Properly Operated Biotreatment Unit- a suspended growth process that generates and recycles biomass to maintain biomass concentrations in the treatment unit. The average concentration of suspended biomass maintained in the aeration basin of a properly operated biotreatment unit shall equal or exceed 1.0 kilogram per cubic meter (kg/m3), measured as total suspended solids.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Wastewater- water which, as part of a facility process, has come into contact with VOC and is intended for treatment, disposal, or discharge without further use in a process unit. Examples of potential VOC wastewater are: product or feed tank drawdown; water formed during a chemical reaction; water used to wash impurities from organic products or reactants; water used to cool or quench organic vapor streams through direct contact; and condensed steam from jet ejector systems pulling a vacuum on vessels. Examples of water streams that are not VOC wastewater are: water being used within a facility process; rainfall runoff; fire, safety, and other exigency-use water; spills; once-through noncontact cooling water; cooling tower blowdown; and maintenance wastewater. The VOC content of noncontact cooling water shall be minimized through a leak detection program.

Wet Weather Retention Basin- an impoundment or tank that is used to store rainfall runoff that would exceed the capacity of the wastewater treatment system until it can be returned to the wastewater treatment system or, if the water meets the applicable discharge limits, discharged without treatment. These units may also be used to store wastewater during periods when the wastewater treatment system is shut down for maintenance or emergencies.

B. Control Requirements. Any person who is the owner or operator of an affected source category within a plant shall comply with the following control requirements. Any component of the wastewater storage, handling, transfer, or treatment facility, if the component contains an affected VOC wastewater stream, shall be controlled in accordance with Paragraph B.1, 2, or 3 of this Section. The control requirements shall apply from the point of determination of an affected VOC wastewater stream until the affected VOC wastewater stream is either returned to a process unit, disposed of in an underground injection well, incinerated, or treated to reduce the VOC content of the wastewater stream by 90 percent and also reduce the VOC content of the same wastewater stream to less than 1000 ppm by weight. For wastewater streams that are combined and then treated to remove VOC, the amount of VOC to be removed from the combined wastewater stream shall be at least equal to the total amount of VOC that would be removed from each individual stream so that they meet the reduction criteria mentioned above in this Subsection.

1. The wastewater component shall meet the following requirements:
a. all components shall be fully covered or be equipped with water seal controls;

b. all openings shall be closed and sealed, except when the opening is in actual use for its intended purpose or the component is maintained at a pressure less than atmospheric pressure;

c. all liquid contents shall be totally enclosed;

d. for junction boxes and vented covers the following apply:
i. if any cover or junction box cover, except for junction boxes described in Clause B.1.d.ii of this Section, is equipped with a vent, the vent shall be equipped with either a control device or a vapor recovery system that maintains a minimum control efficiency of 90 percent VOC removal or a VOC concentration of less than or equal to 50 parts per million by volume (ppmv) (whichever is less stringent) or a closed system which prevents the flow of VOC vapors from the vent during normal operation;

ii. any junction box that is filled and emptied by gravity flow (i.e., there is no pump) or is operated with no more than slight fluctuations in the liquid level may be vented to the atmosphere, provided it is equipped with a vent pipe at least 90 centimeters (cm) (36 inches) in length and no more than 10.2 cm (4.0 inches) in diameter;

e. all gauging and sampling devices shall be vapor-tight except during gauging or sampling;

f. all seals and cover connections shall be maintained in proper condition. For purposes of these regulations, proper condition means that covers shall have a tight seal around the edge and shall be kept in place except as allowed herein, that seals shall not be broken or have gaps, and that sewer lines shall have no visible gaps or cracks in joints, seals, or other emission interfaces;

g. if any seal or cover connection is found not to be in proper condition, the repair or correction shall be completed as soon as possible but within 15 days of detection, unless the repair or correction is technically impossible without requiring a unit shutdown, in which case the repair or correction shall be made before the end of the next unit shutdown;

h. fixed roof wastewater tanks that meet the following conditions do not require that vents be equipped with control devices or recovery devices as long as the tanks are not used for mixing (by means of a process that results in splashing, frothing, or visible turbulent flow on the surface during normal process operations), heating (except during conditions requiring that the material be heated to prevent freezing or to maintain adequate flow conditions), or treating with an exothermic reaction:
i. have a capacity less than 250 gallons at any vapor pressure;

ii. have any capacity and a vapor pressure less than 1.5 psia; or

iii. have a capacity greater than 250 gallons and less than 40,000 gallons and a vapor pressure greater than 1.5 psia (requires submerged fill); and

i. Repealed.

2. Any wastewater tank equipped with a floating roof or internal floating cover shall meet the following requirements:
a. all openings in an internal or external floating roof, except for automatic bleeder vents and rim space vents, shall provide a projection below the liquid surface and be equipped with a cover, seal, or lid. Any cover, seal, or lid shall be in a closed (i.e., no visible gap) position at all times except when the opening is in actual use for its intended purpose;

b. automatic bleeder vents shall be closed at all times except when the roof is floated off or landed on the roof leg supports;

c. rim vents, if provided, shall be set to open only when the roof is being floated off the roof leg supports or at the manufacturer's recommended setting;

d. any emergency roof drain shall be provided with a slotted membrane fabric cover that covers at least 90 percent of the area of the opening;

e. there shall be no visible holes, tears, or other openings in any seal or seal fabric;

f. secondary seals shall be the rim-mounted type (i.e., the seal shall be continuous from the floating roof to the tank wall). The accumulated area of gaps that exceed 1/8 inch (0.32 cm) in width between the secondary seal and tank wall shall be no greater than 1.0 inch2 per foot (21 cm2 per meter) of tank diameter; and

g. if any seal is found not to meet the requirements of Paragraph B.2 of this Section, the tank shall be emptied and/or the repairs shall be completed within 45 days of identification in any inspection required by Paragraph D.2 of this Section. If the tank cannot be emptied or the repair cannot be completed within 45 days, a 30-day extension may be requested from the administrative authority*.

3. A properly operated biotreatment unit and wet weather retention basin shall meet the following requirements:
a. the VOC content of the wastewater shall be reduced by 90 percent; and

b. the average concentration of suspended biomass maintained in the aeration basin of the biotreatment unit shall equal or exceed 1.0 kilogram per cubic meter (kg/m3), measured as total suspended solids, or an alternate parameter, as approved by the administrative authority, may be measured to ensure proper operation of the biotreatment unit.

4. Any wastewater component that becomes subject to this Section by exceeding the provisions of Subsection G of this Section, or becoming an affected VOC wastewater stream as defined in Subsection A of this Section, will remain subject to the requirements of this Section. This will be the case even if the component later falls below the above-mentioned provisions unless and until emissions are reduced to a level at or below the controlled emissions level existing prior to the implementation of the project by which throughput or emission rate was reduced and less than the applicable exemption levels in Subsection G of this Section, and if the following conditions are met:
a. the project by which throughput or emission rate was reduced is authorized by any permit or permit amendment or standard permit or standard exemption required by LAC 33:III.501.B. If a standard exemption is available for the project, compliance with this Subsection must be maintained for 30 days after the filing of documentation of compliance with that standard exemption; or

b. if authorization by permit or standard exemption is not required for this project, the owner or operator has given the department 30 days notice of the project in writing.

C. Alternate Control Requirements. Alternate methods of demonstrating and documenting compliance with applicable control requirements or exemption criteria may be approved by the administrative authority* if emission reductions are demonstrated to be substantially equivalent.

D. Inspection and Monitoring Requirements. Any person who is the owner or operator of a facility subject to the control requirements of Subsection B of this Section, shall comply with the following inspection and monitoring requirements:

1. all seals and covers used to comply with Paragraph B.1 of this Section shall be inspected according to the following schedules to ensure compliance with Subparagraphs B.1.f and g of this Section:
a. initially and semiannually thereafter to ensure compliance with Subparagraph B.1.f of this Section; and

b. upon completion of repair to ensure compliance with Subparagraphs B.1.f and g of this Section;

2. floating roofs and internal floating covers used to comply with Paragraph B.2 of this Section shall be subject to the following requirements and all secondary seals shall be inspected according to the following schedules to ensure compliance with Subparagraph B.2.e of this Section:
a. if the primary seal is vapor-mounted, the secondary seal gap area shall be physically measured annually to ensure compliance with Subparagraph B.2.f of this Section;

b. if the tank is equipped with a metallic type shoe or liquid-mounted primary seal, compliance with Subparagraph B.2.f of this Section shall be determined annually by visual inspection; and

c. all secondary seals shall be visually inspected semiannually to ensure compliance with Subparagraph B.2.e of this Section;

3. monitors shall be installed and maintained as required by this Section to measure operational parameters of any emission control device or other device installed to comply with Subsection B of this Section. Such monitoring and parameters shall be sufficient to demonstrate proper functioning of those devices and be conducted as follows:
a. for an enclosed combustion device (including, but not limited to, a thermal incinerator, boiler, or process heater), continuously monitor and record the temperature of the gas stream either in the combustion chamber or immediately downstream before any substantial heat exchange;

b. for a catalytic incinerator, continuously monitor and record the temperature of the gas stream immediately before and after the catalyst bed;

c. for a condenser (chiller), continuously monitor and record the temperature of the gas stream at the condenser exit;

d. for a carbon adsorber, continuously monitor and record the VOC concentration of the exhaust gas stream to determine if breakthrough has occurred. If the carbon adsorber does not regenerate the carbon bed directly in the control device (e.g., a carbon canister), the exhaust gas stream shall be monitored at intervals no greater than daily. As an alternative to conducting monitoring, the carbon may be replaced with fresh carbon at a regular predetermined time interval that is less than the carbon replacement interval determined by the maximum design flow rate and the VOC concentration in the gas stream vented to the carbon adsorber. For pressure-swing adsorption (PSA) systems, as an alternative to monitoring the VOC concentration of the exhaust gas stream, the temperature of the bed near the inlet and near the outlet may be continuously monitored and recorded. Proper operation shall be evidenced by a uniform pattern of temperature increases and decreases near the inlet and a fairly constant temperature near the outlet;

e. for a flare, continuously monitor for the presence of a flare pilot light using a thermocouple or any other equivalent device to detect the presence of a flame;

f. for a steam stripper, continuously monitor and record the steam flow rate, the wastewater feed mass flow rate, the wastewater feed temperature, and the condenser vapor outlet temperature;

g. in lieu of the monitoring and parameters listed in Subparagraphs D.3.a-f of this Section, other monitoring and parameters may be approved or required by the administrative authority*; and

h. monitoring of the following units is not required:
i. a boiler or process heater with a design heat input capacity of 44 megawatts or greater;

ii. a boiler or process heater into which the emission stream is introduced with the primary fuel; and

iii. a boiler or process heater burning hazardous waste for which the owner or operator:
(a). has been issued a final permit under 40 CFR Part 270 and complies with the requirements of 40 CFR Part 256 Subpart H; or

(b). has certified compliance with the interim status requirements of 40 CFR Part 266 Subpart H; and

4. biological treatment units used to comply with Paragraph B.3 of this Section shall:
a. initially demonstrate 90 percent reduction in VOCs by using methods found in Subsection E of this Section. For existing units, this shall be done as soon as practicable, but no later than May 15, 2000; and

b. measure the total suspended solids (or approved alternate parameter) in the aeration basin of the biotreatment unit weekly.

E. Approved Test Methods. Compliance shall be determined by applying the following test methods, as appropriate:

1. for determination of gas flow rate-Test Methods 1-4 ( 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix A, as incorporated by reference at LAC 33:III.3003);

2. for determination of gaseous organic compound emissions by gas chromatography-Test Method 18 (40 CFR Part 60, Appendix A, as incorporated by reference at LAC 33:III.3003);

3. for determination of VOC leaks and for monitoring a carbon canister in accordance with Paragraph D.3 of this Section-Test Method 21 (40 CFR Part 60, Appendix A, as incorporated by reference at LAC 33:III.3003);

4. for determination of total gaseous nonmethane organic emissions as carbon-Test Method 25 (40 CFR Part 60, Appendix A, as incorporated by reference at LAC 33:III.3003);

5. for determination of total gaseous organic concentration using a flame ionization or a nondispersive infrared analyzer-Test Method 25A or 25B (40 CFR Part 60, Appendix A, as incorporated by reference at LAC 33:III.3003);

6. for determination of VOC concentration of wastewater samples-Test Method 5030 (purge and trap) followed by Test Method 8015 with a DB-5 boiling point (or equivalent column) and flame ionization detector, with the detector calibrated with benzene (Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods, SW-846, and 40 CFR Part 261); Test Methods 3810, 5030 (followed by 8020), 8240, 8060, and 9060 (SW-846 and 40 CFR Part 261); Test Methods 601, 602, and 624 ( 40 CFR Part 136); Test Method 5310(B) (Standard Methods 17th Edition); Test Method 25D (40 CFR Part 60); Test Method 305 ( 40 CFR Part 63); or Test Method 415.1 (Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes-EPA-600/4-79-020);

7. for determination of true vapor pressure-American Society for Testing and Materials Test Methods D323-89, D2879, D4953, D5190, or D5191 for the measurement of Reid vapor pressure, adjusted for actual storage temperature in accordance with American Petroleum Institute Publication 2517, Third Edition, 1989. In lieu of testing, vapor pressure data or Henry's Law Constants published in standard reference texts or by the U.S. EPA may be used;

8. for determination of total suspended solids-Method 160.2 (Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, EPA-600/4-79-020) or Method 2540D (Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 18th Edition, American Public Health Association);

9. for determination of biotreatment unit efficiency-Methods found in 40 CFR 63 Appendix C or 40 CFR 63.145. A stream-specific list of VOCs shall be used and is determined as follows:
a. compounds with concentrations below 1 ppm or below the lower detection limit may be excluded;

b. for the owner or operator that can identify at least 90 percent, by mass, of the VOCs in the wastewater stream or aqueous in-process stream, the individual VOCs that are 5 percent, by mass, or greater are required to be included on the list. If less than half of the total VOCs in the wastewater are represented by the compounds with a mass of 5 percent or greater, the owner or operator shall include those individual VOCs with the greatest mass on the stream-specific list of VOCs until 75 compounds or every compound, whichever is fewer, is included on the list, except as provided by Subparagraph E.9.a of this Section. The owner or operator shall document that the site-specific list of VOCs is representative of the process wastewater stream and forms the basis of a good compliance demonstration; and

c. for the owner or operator that can identify at least 50 percent, by mass, of the VOCs in the wastewater stream, the individual VOCs with the greatest mass on the stream-specific list of VOCs up to 75 compounds or every compound, whichever is fewer, are to be included on the list, except as provided by Subparagraph E.9.a of this Section. The owner or operator shall document that the site-specific list of VOCs is representative of the process wastewater stream and forms the basis of a good compliance demonstration; and

10. alternative test methods or minor modifications to these test methods as approved by the administrative authority*.

F. Recordkeeping Requirements. Any person who is the owner or operator of an affected source category within a plant shall comply with the following recordkeeping requirements:

1. complete and up-to-date records shall be maintained as needed to demonstrate compliance with Subsection B of this Section. These shall be sufficient to demonstrate the characteristics of wastewater streams and the qualification for any exemptions claimed under Subsection G of this Section;

2. records shall be maintained of the results of any inspection or monitoring conducted in accordance with the provisions specified in Subsection D of this Section;

3. records shall be maintained of the results of any testing conducted in accordance with the provisions specified in Subsection E of this Section;

4. records shall be maintained of the dates and reasons for any maintenance and repair of the required control devices and duration of any VOC emissions during such activities; and

5. all records shall be maintained at the plant for at least five years and be made available upon request to representatives of the department, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or any local air pollution control agency having jurisdiction in the area.

G. Exemptions

1. Any affected plant with an annual VOC loading in wastewater, as determined in accordance with Subsection H of this Section, less than or equal to 10 megagrams (Mg) (11.03 tons) shall be exempt from the control requirements of Subsection B of this Section.

2. At any affected plant with an annual VOC loading in wastewater, as determined in accordance with Subsection H of this Section, greater than 10 Mg (11.03 tons), any person who is the owner or operator of the affected source category may exempt from the control requirements of Subsection B of this Section one or more affected VOC wastewater streams for which the sum of the annual VOC loading in wastewater for all of the exempted streams is less than or equal to 10 Mg (11.03 tons).

3. If compliance with the control requirements of Subsection B of this Section would create a safety hazard in a component of a wastewater storage, handling, transfer, or treatment facility, the owner or operator may request the administrative authority* to exempt that component from the control requirements of Subsection B of this Section. The administrative authority* shall approve the request if justified by the likelihood and magnitude of the potential injury and if the administrative authority* determines that reducing or eliminating the hazard is technologically or economically unreasonable based on the emissions reductions that would be achieved.

4. Wastewater components are exempt from the control requirements of Subsection B of this Section if the overall control of VOC emissions from the wastewater of affected source categories is at least 90 percent less than the 1990 baseline emissions inventory, and the following requirements are met:
a. the owner or operator of the wastewater components shall submit a control plan, no later than 180 days after promulgation of this rule, to the department and the appropriate regional office which demonstrates that the overall control of VOC emissions from wastewater at the affected source categories will be at least 90 percent less than the 1990 baseline emissions inventory by November 15, 1996. At a minimum, the control plan shall include the applicable emission point number (EPN); the plant identification number (PIN); the calendar year 1990 emission rates of wastewater from affected source categories (consistent with the 1990 baseline emissions inventory); a plot plan showing the location, EPN, and PIN associated with a wastewater storage, handling, transfer, or treatment facility; and the projected calendar year 1996 VOC emission rates. The projected 1996 VOC emission rates shall be calculated in a manner consistent with the 1990 baseline emissions inventory;

b. in order to maintain exemption status under this Subsection, the owner or operator shall submit an annual report no later than March 31 of each year, starting in 1997, to the Office of Environmental Compliance that demonstrates that the overall control of VOC emissions at the affected source category from which wastewater is generated during the preceding calendar year is at least 90 percent less than the 1990 baseline emissions inventory. At a minimum, the report shall include the EPN; the PIN; the throughput of wastewater from affected source categories; a plot plan showing the location, EPN, and PIN associated with a wastewater storage, handling, transfer, or treatment facility; and the VOC emission rates for the preceding calendar year. The emission rates for the preceding calendar year shall be calculated in a manner consistent with the 1990 baseline emissions inventory; and

c. all representations in initial control plans and annual reports become enforceable conditions. It shall be unlawful for any person to vary from such representations if the variation will cause a change in the identity of the specific emission sources being controlled or the method of control of emissions, unless the owner or operator of the wastewater component submits a revised control plan to the Office of Environmental Services within 30 days of the change. All control plans and reports shall include documentation that the overall reduction of VOC emissions from wastewater at the affected source categories continues to be at least 90 percent less than the 1990 baseline emissions inventory. The emission rates shall be calculated in a manner consistent with the 1990 baseline emissions inventory.

5. The owner or operator of wastewater components subject to the control requirements of Subsection B of this Section may request an exemption determination from the administrative authority* if the overall control of VOC emissions from wastewater at the affected source categories is at least 80 percent less than the 1990 baseline emissions inventory, and the following requirements are met:
a. each request for an exemption determination shall be submitted to the Office of Environmental Services. Each request shall demonstrate that the overall control of VOC emissions from wastewater at the affected source categories will be at least 80 percent less than the 1990 baseline emissions inventory. The request shall include the applicable EPN; the PIN; the calendar year throughput of wastewater from affected source categories; the VOC emission rates; and a plot plan showing the location, EPN, and PIN associated with a wastewater storage, handling, transfer, or treatment facility. The emission rates shall be calculated in a manner consistent with the 1990 baseline emissions inventory;

b. the administrative authority* shall approve the exemption for specific wastewater components if it is determined to be economically unreasonable to control the associated emissions subject to these regulations, all reasonable controls are applied, and the overall control of VOC emissions from wastewater at the affected source categories is at least 80 percent less than the 1990 baseline emissions inventory. The administrative authority* may subsequently direct the holder of an exemption under this Section to reapply for the exemption if there is good cause to believe that it has become economically reasonable to meet the requirements of Subsection B of this Section. Within three months of an administrative authority* request, the holder of an exemption under this Section shall reapply for the exemption. If the reapplication for an exemption is denied, the holder of the exemption shall meet the requirements of Subsection B of this Section as soon as possible, but no later than two years from the date of denial; and

c. all representations in initial control plans and annual reports become enforceable conditions. It shall be unlawful for any person to vary from such representations if the variation will cause a change in the identity of the specific emission sources being controlled or the method of control of emissions unless the owner or operator of the wastewater component submits a revised control plan to the Office of Environmental Services within 30 days of the change. All control plans and reports shall include documentation that the overall reduction of VOC emissions at the plant from wastewater affected source categories continues to be at least 80 percent less than the 1990 baseline emissions inventory.

6. Any component of a wastewater storage, handling, transfer, or treatment facility that is subject to the Hazardous Organic National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (HON) wastewater provisions or National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPS) Subpart FF (benzene waste operations) or Subpart YYY (Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI) wastewater provisions) is exempt from the provisions of this Section.

7. Equipment that is installed temporarily or is portable (such as containers) is exempt from the provisions of this Section.

8. Unless specifically required, any component of a wastewater storage, handling, transfer, or treatment facility to which the requirements of this Section apply or which is specifically exempted shall be exempt from the requirements of any other portion of this Chapter.

9. Any wastewater sources identified in an enforceable commitment of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Early Reductions Program which grants a six-year compliance extension to otherwise applicable standards issued under Section 112(d) of the Clean Air Act are exempted from the provisions of this Chapter.

H. Determination of Wastewater Characteristics

1. The characteristics shall be determined at a location between the point of determination and the point before which the wastewater stream is exposed to the atmosphere, treated for VOC removal, or mixed with another wastewater stream. For wastewater streams that, prior to November 15, 1993, were either actually being mixed or construction had commenced that would result in the wastewater streams being mixed, this mixing shall not establish a limit on where the characteristics may be determined.

2. The flow rate of a wastewater stream shall be determined on the basis of an annual average by one of the following methods:
a. the highest annual quantity of wastewater managed, based on historical records for the most recent five years of operation, or for the entire time the wastewater stream has existed if less than five years but at least one year;

b. the maximum design capacity of the wastewater component;

c. the maximum design capacity to generate wastewater of the process unit generating the wastewater stream; or

d. measurements that are representative of the actual, normal wastewater generation rates.

3. The VOC concentration of a wastewater stream shall be determined on the basis of a flow-weighted annual average by one of the following methods or by a combination of the methods. If the administrative authority* determines that the VOC concentration cannot be adequately determined by knowledge of the wastewater or by bench-scale or pilot-scale test data, the VOC concentration shall be determined in accordance with Subparagraph H.3.c of this Section. A VOC with a Henry's Law Constant less than 7.5x10-5 atm-m3/mole at 25°C (and compounds having normal boiling points of 350°F (177°C) or greater) shall not be included in the determination of VOC concentration.
a. Knowledge of the Wastewater. Sufficient information shall be used to document the VOC concentration. Examples of information include material balances, records of chemical purchases, or previous test results.

b. Bench-Scale or Pilot-Scale Test Data. Sufficient information shall be used to demonstrate that the bench-scale or pilot-scale test concentration data are representative of the actual VOC concentration.

c. Measurements. Collect a minimum of three representative samples from the wastewater stream and determine the VOC concentration for each sample in accordance with Subsection E of this Section. The VOC concentration of the wastewater stream shall be the flow-weighted average of the individual samples.

4. The annual VOC loading in wastewater for a wastewater stream shall be the annual average flow rate determined in Paragraph H.2 of this Section multiplied by the annual average VOC concentration determined in Paragraph H.3 of this Section.

5. The annual VOC loading in wastewater for an affected source category shall be the sum of the annual VOC loading in wastewater for each affected VOC wastewater stream.

I. Parishes and Compliance Schedules. For the affected facilities in the parishes of Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, and West Baton Rouge, any person who is the owner or operator of an affected source category within a plant shall be in compliance with these regulations no later than November 15, 1996. If an additional affected VOC wastewater stream is generated as a result of a process change, the wastewater shall be in compliance with this Section upon initial start-up or by November 15, 1998, whichever is later, unless the owner or operator demonstrates to the administrative authority* that achieving compliance will take longer. If this demonstration is satisfactory to the administrative authority*, compliance shall be achieved as expeditiously as practicable, but in no event later than three years after the process change. An existing wastewater stream that becomes an affected VOC wastewater stream due to a process change must be in compliance with this Section as expeditiously as practicable, but in no event later than three years after the process change. A facility that has become subject to this regulation as a result of a revision of the regulation shall comply with the requirements of this Section as soon as practicable, but in no event later than one year from the promulgation of the regulation revision.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:2054.

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