Pat Quinn, Governor
|
|
|
||
|
Pat Quinn, Governor |
|||
|
|
News Releases - 2003South Pekin Granted 45 Day Provisional Variance from Some Discharge Limits to Repair Tornado Damage at Wastewater Treatment Plant Last Spring
Springfield, Ill. -- South Pekin, in Tazewell County, has been granted a 45-day variance from limits on two components of the wastewater discharged from its sewage treatment plant, to allow the community to replace lagoon liners that were severely damaged by a tornado last May 10. The city expects to have the repairs completed by Dec. 31. Specifically, the community asked for temporary increases in the levels of CBOD5 and total suspended solids discharged during the time that replacement work is underway. The plant will have to meet all other limits in its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. CBOD5 refers to the five day carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand, a measurement used to determine that sufficient oxygen is available to support aquatic life. Total suspended solids are articles such as tiny bits of organic matter, soils or other non-dissolved substances that can affect turbidity, or the clarity of the water in the receiving stream. NPDES permits are required under the federal Clean Water Act for activities that discharge to the waters of the state, including the operation of wastewater treatment plants. After reviewing the city's request, the Agency has concluded there should be only minimal environmental impacts from the planned activity, that no other reasonable alternative appears available, that no public water supplies should be affected, that no federal regulations would prohibit granting the request, and that the city will face an arbitrary and unreasonable hardship if the request is not granted. South Pekin is required by the variance to notify the IEPA when the repair work begins and again when it is completed. |
|
| Copyright © 1996-2011 Illinois EPA | Agency Site Map | Privacy Information | Kids Privacy | Web Accessibility | Agency Webmaster |
