Surface Water Treatment Rule Turbidity Guidance Manual
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Guidance Manual for Compliance with the Surface Water Treatment Rules: Turbidity Provisions Office of Water (4606M) EPA 815-R-20-004 June 2020 Disclaimer This document provides guidance to states, tribes, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) exercising primary enforcement responsibility under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and contains EPA’s policy recommendations for complying with the suite of Surface Water Treatment Rules (SWTR). Throughout this document, the terms “state” and “states” are used to refer to all types of primacy agencies including states, U.S. territories, Indian tribes, and EPA. The statutory provisions and EPA regulations described in this document contain legally binding requirements. This document is not a regulation itself, nor does it change or substitute for those provisions and regulations. Thus, it does not impose legally binding requirements on EPA, states, or the regulated community. This guidance does not confer legal rights or impose legal obligations upon any member of the public. While EPA has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the discussion in this guidance, the obligations of the regulated community are determined by statutes, regulations, or other legally binding requirements. In the event of a conflict between the discussion in this document and any statute or regulation, this document would not be controlling. The general description provided here may not apply to a particular situation based upon the circumstances. Interested parties are free to raise questions and objections about the substance of this guidance and the appropriateness of the application of this guidance to a particular situation. EPA and other decision makers retain the discretion to adopt approaches on a case-by-case basis that differ from those described in this guidance, where appropriate. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for their use. This is a living document and may be revised periodically without public notice. EPA welcomes public input on this document at any time. This Page Intentionally Left Blank Contents CHAPTER 1 – Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Purpose of Document .................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Overview of Suite of Surface Water Treatment Rules (SWTRs) ................................................. 1 1.3 Other Applicable Rules ................................................................................................................. 4 1.4 Summary of Chapters and Appendices ......................................................................................... 5 1.5 References ..................................................................................................................................... 6 CHAPTER 2 – Turbidity Requirements ................................................................................................. 8 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 8 2.2 Performance Standards and Monitoring Requirements ................................................................ 8 2.2.1 CFE Requirements ................................................................................................................ 8 2.2.2 Special Provisions for PWSs that Use Lime Softening....................................................... 16 2.2.3 IFE Turbidity Requirements ............................................................................................... 16 2.2.4 LT2ESWTR Toolbox Options ............................................................................................ 21 2.3 Reporting and Recordkeeping ..................................................................................................... 24 2.3.1 CFE Reporting .................................................................................................................... 24 2.3.2 IFE Reporting ...................................................................................................................... 24 2.3.3 LT2ESWTR Toolbox Reporting Requirements .................................................................. 25 2.3.4 Recordkeeping Requirements ............................................................................................. 26 2.4 Additional Compliance Issues .................................................................................................... 26 2.4.1 Individual Filter Follow-up Actions.................................................................................... 27 2.4.2 Notification ......................................................................................................................... 28 2.5 References ................................................................................................................................... 30 CHAPTER 3 – Turbidity Methods & Measurement ............................................................................ 33 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 33 3.2 Approved Turbidity Methods...................................................................................................... 33 3.2.1 EPA Method 180.1 .............................................................................................................. 33 3.2.2 Standard Method 2130B ..................................................................................................... 33 3.2.3 Great Lakes Instrument Method 2 (GLI 2) ......................................................................... 33 3.2.4 Hach FilterTrak Method 10133 ........................................................................................... 34 3.3 Turbidimeters .............................................................................................................................. 34 3.3.1 Bench Top Turbidimeters ................................................................................................... 34 3.3.2 Continuous Turbidimeters ................................................................................................... 36 3.4 Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) ............................................................................. 38 3.4.1 QA Organization and Responsibilities ................................................................................ 38 3.4.2 QA Objectives ..................................................................................................................... 38 3.4.3 SOPs .................................................................................................................................... 38 3.4.4 Sampling Strategy and Procedures...................................................................................... 40 3.4.5 Calibration and Verification ................................................................................................ 43 3.4.6 Data Screening and Reporting ............................................................................................ 46 3.4.7 Performance and System Audits ......................................................................................... 46 3.4.8 Preventative Maintenance ................................................................................................... 46 3.5 Data Collection and Management ............................................................................................... 47 3.5.1 Data Collection Methods .................................................................................................... 47 3.5.2 Data Management ............................................................................................................... 48 3.6 References ................................................................................................................................... 49 Guidance Manual for Compliance with the i Surface Water Treatment Rules: Turbidity Provisions CHAPTER 4 – Treatment Optimization ............................................................................................... 52 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 52 4.2 Tools Available for Optimization ............................................................................................... 52 4.2.1 Composite Correction Program Approach .......................................................................... 53 4.2.2 Area-Wide Optimization Program (AWOP) ....................................................................... 53 4.3 Evaluating System Processes ...................................................................................................... 56 4.3.1 Coagulation/Rapid Mixing .................................................................................................. 56 4.3.2 Flocculation ......................................................................................................................... 59 4.3.3 Sedimentation ..................................................................................................................... 61 4.3.4 Filtration 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