Exh 9AAGENDA ITE\I #9A
DECEM[tER 10, 2001
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACII
CITY COMMISSION h1EETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM: Report on Effluent Copper Permit Limitations at Wastewater Treatment
Plant No. 2
SUBMITTED BY: Donna lCaluzrtiak, CEP, Utility Directoq~y~
DATE: December 3, 2001
BACKGROUND: During the permitting process for expansion of the Buccaneer Wastewater
Treatment Plant #2, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) included an
Administrative Order (AO) as part of the plant permit, because previous monitoring indicated
elevated levels of copper, mercury and nickel in the effluent. Staff requested time to determine if
the new equipment and the Sequencing Batch Reactor process might result in improved
performance. DEP included the AO to requ've quarterly monitoring of the three metals, with a
December 31, 2001 deadline to meet the permitted levels for copper and mercury.
Testing has shown that mercury and nickel are within limits, but occasional exceedences of copper
still occur. The effluent limitation for copper is extremely stringent, more than 400 times as
stringent as that for drinking water. (The effluent limitation for copper is 2.9 parts per billion, and
the Gmit for drinking water is 1300 pacts per billion). Based on our drinking water analysis, as
well as monitoring of plant influent, effluent, and values in the collection system, we are fairly
certain the copper is merely residua] levels from the potable water source, as opposed to an
industrial contribution.
Waitz &Moye, one of the City's continuing contract engineering firms, is working with staff to
determine the most cost efficient means to meet the permit requirements. There are several
options, including effluent fdtration, chemical addition, or a request for a mieirrg zone from the
Department of Environmental Protection. A mixing zone would allow the City to discharge
effluent with greater than permitted levels of copper based on dilution characteristics in the
receiving stream, but may be more costly than other alternatives, as it would require extensive
continued testing of the effluent and the river, and modeling of the receiving stream
characteristics.
Staff and Waitz &Moye met with DEP to discuss extending the December 31, 2001 deadline on
the Administrative Order, and DEP is willing to allow a time extension while the City explores
options to meet the copper limitation.
As additional information, DEP has included monitoring of copper levels in the draft pemvt for
Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 1. If monitoring shows levels above the limit at this treatment
plant, a plan of action will be needed there also. In addition, DEP has included the monitoring
AGENDA ITEM N9A
DECEIIBE[210, 2001
requirement in the draft permit for Neptune IIeach, and has indicated they will be including this
condition for the City of Jacksonville Beach as well.
BUDGET: Statfhas authorized R'aitz & Moye to research the various methods for reducing
copper levels, to be billed at the hourly rates, not to exceed $9,000. These funds were available in
the Sewer Treatment account no. 410-5508-535-3100.
RECOM1Ib1ENDATION: This report is provided for information purposes only, and no action is
requested of the City Commission at this time.
ATTACHM1IENTS:
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER: ~~~--