United States Office of Water (WH 550G) EPA 570/9 91-036F
Environmental Protection January 1992
Agency
v>EPA Best Management Practices
For Protecting Ground Water
For Electroplaters Using Shallow
Industrial Waste Disposal Wells
(Class V Well BMP Fact Sheet Number 2D)
EPA recognizes that certain industrial waste disposal practices using drainage wells may pose unacceptable
risks to Underground Sources of Drinking Water These operations allow the discharge ot various wastes to a
drainage system neither designed for nor capable of treating them. Accordingly, BMPs for Industrial Disposal
Welte focus on well closure and alternative disposal methods We have also included BMPs for waste minimiza-
tion to help facilities reduce waste disposal costs, regardless of the disposal method they use In addition local
county, and State regulations may prohibit use of these wells Note: these practices are recommendations only
For more information, contact the person named below
The BMPs listed below apply to the electroplating industry. Fact Sheet Number 2
in this series lists BMPs that are applicable to Industrial Disposal Wells in general
(including those used by electroplaters), particularly for closure and alternative
disposal. In addition the Agency believes that wastes from Electroplaters pose
significant risks to ground water when injected. Industrial Disposal Wells at these
facilities will probably be closed.
Waste Minimization
• Use deionized water in place of tap water to facilitate recycling and
minimize the generation of sludges
• Extend plating bath life and recover metals and additives through treat-
ment
— For example, use electrolytic dummying to remove excess copper
— Other methods include high surface area electrowinning/
electrorefining, ion exchange, ion transfer, evaporators, and reverse
osmosis
• Convert process baths to non-cyanide plating baths where technically
feasible
• Substitute trisodium phosphate or ammonia for cyanide cleaners where
technically feasible
• Replace hexavalent chromium solutions with trivalent chromium solutions
where technically feasible
• Use sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide in place of chromic acid where
technically feasible
• Withdraw parts from plating baths slowly to minimize "drag-out"
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United Stales Office of Water (WH 550G) EPA 570/9 91-036F
Environmental Protection Ja 1 gg^ UJDr
Agency '
v>EPA Best Management Practices
For Protecting Ground Water
For Electroplaters Using Shallow
Industrial Waste Disposal Wells
(Class V Well BMP Fact Sheet Number 2D)
EPA recognizes that certain industrial waste disposal practices using drainage wells may pose unacceptable
risKs to Underground Sources of Drinking Water These operations allow the discharge of various wastes to a
drainage system neither designed for nor capable of treating them. Accordingly, BMPs tor Industrial Disposal
Welte focus on well closure and alternative disposal methods We have also included BMPs for waste minimiza-
tion to help facilities reduce waste disposal costs, regardless of the disposal method they use In addition local
county, and State regulations may prohibit use of these wells Note: these practices are recommendations only
For more information, contact the person named below
The BMPs listed below apply to the electroplating industry. Fact Sheet Number 2
in this series lists BMPs that are applicable to Industrial Disposal Wells in general
(including those used by electroplaters), particularly for closure and alternative
disposal. In addition the Agency believes that wastes from Electroplaters pose
significant risks to ground water when injected. Industrial Disposal Wells at these
facilities will probably be closed.
Waste Minimization
• Use deionized water in place of tap water to facilitate recycling and
minimize the generation of sludges
• Extend plating bath life and recover metals and additives through treat-
ment
— For example, use electrolytic dummying to remove excess copper
— Other methods include high surface area electrowinning/
electrorefining, ion exchange, ion transfer, evaporators, and reverse
osmosis
• Convert process baths to non-cyanide plating baths where technically
feasible
• Substitute trisodium phosphate or ammonia for cyanide cleaners where
technically feasible
• Replace hexavalent chromium solutions with trivalent chromium solutions
where technically feasible
• Use sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide in place of chromic acid where
technically feasible
• Withdraw parts from plating baths slowly to minimize "drag-out"
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