Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 835 - Narragansett Bay Commission
Chapter 20 - Sewer Usage
Subchapter 00 - N/A
Part 1 - Use of the Wastewater Facilities
Section 835-RICR-20-00-1.5 - Discharge Requirements, Limitations, and Prohibitions

Universal Citation: 835 RI Code of Rules 20 00 1.5

Current through September 18, 2024

1.5.1 Authority

The NBC may limit, reject or prohibit any direct or indirect discharge of pollutants or combination of pollutants, as defined by applicable Federal or State law or as described below, into the facilities. The NBC may, in its discretion, affix labels to those tanks which contain substances which are prohibited from being discharged to the facilities or which may not be discharged to the facilities without adequate pretreatment.

1.5.2 General Discharge Limitations and Prohibitions

A. In addition to those limitations and prohibitions specified in §§1.5.3, 1.5.4, 1.5.5, and 1.5.6 of this Part, no person shall discharge or cause or allow to be discharged directly or indirectly into the facilities any other substances, water, or wastewater that either singly or by interaction with other substances will, or is likely to:
1. Interfere with the operation of the facilities by:
a. Harming either the sewerage system or wastewater treatment process;

b. Being otherwise incompatible with the treatment process; or

c. Contaminating the sludge or contributing to sludge disposal problems; or

2. Violate applicable Federal or State law, including Federal or State hazardous waste regulations, or the terms of the NBC's Federal and State permits, including but not limited to, the NBC's RIPDES Permits; or

3. Endanger the environment by adversely affecting receiving waters or otherwise; or

4. Endanger the health or welfare of persons.

1.5.3 Specific Discharge Limitations

A. No person shall discharge or cause or allow to be discharged either directly or indirectly into the facilities any substance, water, or wastewater which has:
1. Heat in amounts which will inhibit biological activity in the NBC's Facilities resulting in Interference, but in no case heat in such quantities that the temperature at the NBC's Wastewater Treatment Plants exceeds forty degrees Centigrade (40° C) (one hundred four degrees Fahrenheit (104° F)).

2. Pollutants that result in the presence of toxic gases, vapors, or fumes within the NBC's facilities in a quantity that may cause acute worker health and safety problems.

3. Any water, waste, or chemical which by itself or by interaction with other materials, emits chemical contaminants into the atmosphere of any confined area of the wastewater system at levels in excess of short term exposure limit Threshold Limit Value (TLV-STEL) established for air borne contaminants by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

4. Unusual concentrations of dissolved solids such as, but not limited to, sodium sulfate.

5. A discharge effluent with a pH outside of the approved pH range or having any other corrosive properties capable of causing damage or hazard to facility equipment or structures or which may be injurious to NBC personnel. The pH range for Field's Point is 5.0 standard units (s.u.) to 11.0 s.u. The pH range for Bucklin Point is 5.0 s.u to 11.0 s.u.

6. Any radioactive wastes or isotopes of such half-life or concentration as may exceed limits established by State or Federal laws or Regulations.

7. Color or turbidity in such an amount that it will impact or discolor the influent wastewater of the treatment facilities or prevent the NBC from discharging a treated effluent in compliance with any State or Federal Rules, Regulations or permit requirements.

8. Petroleum oil, non-biodegradable cutting oils, waste oils, or products of mineral oil origin that would result in a Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon concentration greater than twenty-five (25) mg/l.

9. Fats, wax, grease, or oils of vegetable or animal origin with concentrations in excess of one hundred (100) mg/l or containing other substances which may solidify or become viscous at temperatures between zero degrees Centigrade (0° C) (thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit (32° F)) and forty degrees Centigrade (40° C) (one hundred four degrees Fahrenheit (104° F)). Waters or wastes containing such substances, excluding normal household waste, shall exclude all visible floating oils, fats and greases. The use of chemical or physical means (such as temperature variation, emulsifying agents, mechanical mixers) to bypass or release fats, oils and greases into the wastewater facilities is prohibited.

10. Total Oil and Grease (Fats, Oils and Grease) (FOG) of mineral, animal, vegetable and other origins is not to exceed one hundred twenty-five (125) mg/l.

11. Any garbage that has not been properly shredded to at least particles less than one half inch (1/2") in any dimension. Garbage grinders may be connected to public sewers from homes and residential units. Hotels, institutions, restaurants, hospitals, catering establishments or similar places where garbage originates from the preparation of food in commercial facility kitchens may be permitted, providing that all requirements of §1.8.8(A)(7) of this Part are satisfied. The installation and operation of any garbage grinder equipped with a motor of three quarters (3/4) horsepower (0.76 hp metric) or greater shall be subject to the review and approval of the NBC.

12. Chlorine demand in such quantities as to constitute a significant load on the wastewater facilities or which may cause the effluent from the NBC's Wastewater Treatment Facilities to violate any State or Federal Rules, Regulations or permit requirements, including, but not limited to, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Rhode Island Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (RIPDES) permits.

1.5.4 Specific Facility Limitations

A. No person shall discharge or cause or allow to be discharged either directly or indirectly into the facilities, any substance, water, or wastewater which has concentrations of the substances listed below in excess of the assigned discharge limitations. There will be no waivers or exceptions granted with respect to compliance with any of the limits listed below.
1. Field's Point Discharge Limitations:

Parameter

Maximum Daily Limit (mg/L)

Ammonia

50+*

Arsenic (Landfills)

0.40

Arsenic (All other users)

0.02

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

300* ++

Cadmium

0.11

Chromium

2.77

Copper

1.20

Cyanide (Metal Finishing and Non-Ferrous Metal Forming Facilities)

0.58

Cyanide (All other users)

0.40

Lead

0.60

Mercury

0.005

Nickel

1.62

Nitrogen

115+*

Total Oil & Grease (O&G)

125

Silver

0.43

Total Suspended Solids (TSS)

300* ++

Total Toxic Organics (TTO) including xylene and acetone

2.13

Zinc

2.61

pH Range at all times

5.0-11.0 standard units

+ Seasonal Limit applicable from May 1st to October 31st

* Applies to all users not subject to mass-based limits

++ Concentrations exceeding these limits may be subject to a surcharge as determined by rates set and approved by the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission.

2. Field's Point Mass-based Limits:

Category

BOD (lbs./1,000 gal.)

TSS (lbs./1,000 gal.)

Total Nitrogen (lbs./1,000 gal.)

Ammonia (lbs./1,000 gal.)

Pharmaceutical Operations

5

5

-

-

Textile Operations

20

20

-

-

Industrial Laundries

10

10

-

-

Facilities Discharging Toxic and/or Prohibited Pollutants with High Conventional Pollutant Loads

10

10

-

-

Non-Textile Operations Using Pigments & Dyes

20

20

-

-

Wholesale Food Processing Operations with High Conventional Pollutant Loads

75

75

10

2

Manufacturers with High Conventional Pollutant Loads with Low Flow

10

10

-

-

Brewing & Distilling Operations

10

10

-

-

3. Bucklin Point Discharge Limitations:

Parameter

Maximum Daily Limit (mg/L)

Ammonia

50+*

Arsenic

0.03

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

300* ++

Cadmium

0.11

Chromium

2.77

Copper

1.20

Cyanide (Metal Finishing and Non-Ferrous Precious Metal Forming Facilities)

0.50

Cyanide (All other users)

0.40

Lead

0.69

Mercury

0.06

Nickel (Metal Finishing and Non-Ferrous Precious Metal Forming Facilities)

1.62

Nickel (All other users)

0.50

Nitrogen

115+*

Total Oil & Grease (O&G)

125

Silver

0.40

Total Suspended Solids (TSS)

300* ++

Total Toxic Organics (TTO) including xylene and acetone

2.13

Zinc

1.67

pH Range at all times

5.0 -11.0 standard units

+ Seasonal Limit applicable from May 1st to October 31st

* Applies to all users not subject to mass-based limits

++ Concentrations exceeding these limits may be subject to a surcharge as determined by rates set and approved by the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission.

4. Bucklin Point Mass-based Limits:

Category

BOD (lbs./1,000 gal.)

TSS (lbs./1,000 gal.)

Total Nitrogen (lbs./1,000 gal.)

Ammonia (lbs./1,000 gal.)

Pharmaceutical Operations

5

5

-

-

Textile Operations

20

20

-

-

Industrial Laundries

10

10

-

-

Facilities Discharging Toxic and/or Prohibited Pollutants with High Conventional Pollutant Loads

10

10

-

-

Non-Textile Operations Using Pigments & Dyes

20

20

-

-

Aerogel Manufacturing with High Conventional Pollutant Load

570

10

300 lbs./day

300 lbs./day

Wholesale Food Processing Operations with High Conventional Pollutant Loads

75

75

10

2

Manufacturers with High Conventional Pollutant Loads with Low Flow

10

10

-

-

Brewing & Distilling Operations

10

10

-

-

1.5.5 General Discharge Prohibitions

No person shall discharge or cause or allow to be discharged either directly or indirectly into the NBC's Facilities, any substance, water, or wastewater which may cause Pass Through or Interference.

1.5.6 Specific Discharge Prohibitions

A. Certain substances are specifically prohibited from being discharged into the NBC's Facilities. These prohibited substances include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Groundwater, stormwater, and surface waters, roof runoff, tidewater, subsurface drainage, non-contact cooling water, and uncontaminated industrial process waters, unless approved by the NBC (See § 1.4 of this Part)

2. Slugs as defined in § 1.2 of this Part

3. Sludge or deposited solids of any type, including but not limited to, those generated from an industrial or commercial pretreatment, water treatment, or wastewater treatment process (e.g., hydroxide or degreaser sludge)

4. Concentrated discharges as defined in § 1.2 of this Part

5. Batch discharges as defined in § 1.2 of this Part unless prior written approval is granted from the NBC

6. Any material identified as hazardous waste according to 40 C.F.R. Part 261 (2018), incorporated herein by reference, not including later amendments, except as may be specifically authorized by the NBC

7. Any wastewater having a lethal concentration of fifty percent (LC50) as determined by a toxicity test of ninety-six (96) hours or less using one hundred percent (100%) of the industrial user's discharge and aquatic test species chosen by the NBC

8. Gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil, or other flammable or explosive liquids, solids, or gases

9. Any substances which by reason of their nature or quantity may create a fire or explosion hazard in the NBC's Facilities or be injurious to NBC personnel or to the operation of the NBC's Facilities including, but not limited to, waste streams with a closed cup flash point of less than sixty degrees Centigrade (60° C) (one hundred forty degrees Fahrenheit (140° F)) using the test methods specified in 40 C.F.R. § 261.21 (2018)

10. Any solid or viscous pollutants in amounts which may cause obstruction to the flow in a sewer or may result in interference with the operation of the collection system or waste treatment facilities such as, but not limited to: grease, garbage with particles greater than one half inch (1/2") in any dimension, wipes (even those labelled as "flushable") or any material which can be disposed of as trash, ashes, bones, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, underground garbage, whole blood, hair and fleshings, entrails, paper or Styrofoam dishes, cups, milk containers, lime slurries, and grease from deep-frying operations

11. Any trucked or hauled pollutants except at discharge points designated by the NBC

12. Black boils, pickling solutions, acid etches, acid activators, and brite dip acids

13. Solvents in concentrations exceeding the NBC discharge limitation specified in §1.5.4 of this Part. Solvents include but are not limited to trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, xylene, Freon, paint thinners, and strippers.

14. Cyanide, acid, or solvent-based stripping solutions

15. Concentrated plating baths or solutions

16. Waste oils

17. Isolation Wastes or Regulated Medical Waste (See definitions under § 1.2 of this Part)

18. Any substance which may cause a public nuisance, cause hazard to life or prevent entry into the sewers for maintenance or repair

19. Concentrated dyes and pigments that have not been thoroughly exhausted through the coloring process and colored wastewater in concentrations that would cause discoloration of the influent to the NBC Wastewater Treatment Facilities

1.5.7 Federal Categorical Pretreatment Standards

Users subject to categorical pretreatment standards are required to comply with applicable standards as set out in 40 C.F.R. Chapter I, Subchapter N (2018) incorporated herein by reference, not including later amendments.

1.5.8 Dilution Prohibition

No user shall, by increasing the use of wastewater or water, in any way, attempt to dilute a discharge as a partial or complete substitute for adequate treatment to achieve compliance with the limitations contained in the Federal Categorical Pretreatment Standards, 40 C.F.R. Chapter I, Subchapter N (2018), or in any other pollutant specific limitation developed by the NBC. The NBC shall, in its sole discretion, use EPA formulas or any other reasonable method for determining discharge levels where dilution is reasonably suspected.

1.5.9 Remedies

A. If any wastewater is discharged or is proposed to be discharged to the wastewater facilities in violation of the limitations or prohibitions described in § 1.5 of this Part, the NBC may in its sole discretion:
1. Reject the wastes;

2. Require a discharger to demonstrate and implement those in-plant modifications which will reduce or eliminate the discharge of such substances to conform with this Part;

3. Require pretreatment, including storage facilities or flow equalization necessary to reduce or eliminate the objectionable characteristics or substances, so that the discharge will not violate this Part;

4. Require controls to be installed which will regulate the quantities and rates of discharge;

5. Require surcharge payments to be made to the NBC to cover its added cost of handling, monitoring, and treating the wastes which exceed threshold values in accordance with rates set and approved by the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission;

6. Revoke a discharger's permit; and

7. Take any other administrative sanctions, enforcement actions, and remedial actions as may be desirable, necessary, or permitted to achieve the purpose of this Part.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Rhode Island may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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