Agency Compiles Urban Stormwater BMPs

Jan. 1, 2000
EPA has completed a Preliminary Data Summary of Urban stormwater Best Management Practices. The study is based largely on existing literature and data on best management practices (BMPs) that are used to control urban stormwater runoff. EPA conducted the study to explore how the Effluent Guidelines program can contribute to the Agencys efforts in implementing the NPDES stormwater program.

EPA has completed a Preliminary Data Summary of Urban stormwater Best Management Practices. The study is based largely on existing literature and data on best management practices (BMPs) that are used to control urban stormwater runoff. EPA conducted the study to explore how the Effluent Guidelines program can contribute to the Agencys efforts in implementing the NPDES stormwater program.

Topics covered include: BMP performance measures and measurable goals, availability of measurement methods, design criteria, monitoring issues, costs and cost minimization opportunities, and the benefits and economic impacts of constructing and operating BMPs.

The discussion of BMP performance includes structural BMPs such as infiltration devices, ponds, filters and constructed wetlands; and the effectiveness of non-structural BMPs, low impact development practices and management measures such as maintenance practices, street sweeping, public education and outreach programs. Literature sources include BMP performance studies compiled for the new National stormwater BMP Database and BMP design manuals and guidance prepared by EPA and other Federal agencies, states and local governments.

The report may be downloaded from the Internet at www.epa.gov/OST/stormwater.

EPA Announces Class V Injection Well Final Rule

EPA has released new rules for Class V injection wells that eliminate or reduce injection of wastes from large capacity cesspools and motor vehicle waste disposal wells.

Class V injection wells typically are shallow disposal systems that are used to place a variety of fluids below the land surface.

New motor vehicle waste disposal wells and new large cesspools will be prohibited nationwide as of April 2000. Existing motor vehicle waste disposal wells, which typically receive waste fluids from vehicle maintenance and repair in un-sewered areas, will be phased out through January 2007. Existing cesspools will be phased out nationwide by April 2005.

EPA Settles Complaint Against Puerto Rico Authority

EPA recently settled a complaint it had issued against the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) for Clean Water Act violations at its Puerto Nuevo Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. PRASA has agreed to pay $98,000 for the violation.

On March 12, EPA issued a complaint to PRASA for violations of its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The complaint alleged that PRASA discharged raw sewage directly into a creek when a 20-in. sewer line collapsed during the passage of Hurricane Georges and that it had not provided any mitigation, such as disinfection of the raw sewage, nor had it installed a temporary line until the sewer line was repaired.

Men Sentenced In Grease Case

The U.S. District Court in Philadelphia has sentenced Harry J. Bowman, his son Jeremy R. Bowman, and their corporation, Modern Disposal, Inc. (Modern), for dumping restaurant grease waste into the sewer systems of Philadelphia, Doylestown and E. Norriton Township.

The men were charged in February under the Clean Water Act with knowingly dumping grease trap waste collected from fast-food restaurants into municipal sewer systems. The government alleged that the Bowmans illegally used their company to dispose of approximately 570,000 gallons of grease waste between 1992 and 1996.

The Bowmans and their company were fined $25,000, and ordered to pay $9,959 in restitution to the city of Philadelphia. Additionally, Jeremy Bowman was sentenced to eight months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and Harry Bowman was sentenced to six months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

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