&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Filter Backwash Recycling Rule:
A Rule Summary for Systems
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Office of Water (4606M)
EPA816-R-02-013
www.epa.gov/safewater
August 2002
This document does not substitute for EPA regulation
nor is this document regulation itself. Thus, it cannot
impose legally-binding requirements on EPA, States, or
the regulated community, and may not apply to a
particular situation based upon the circumstances.
Printed on Recycled Paper
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Filter Backwash Recycling Rule:
A Rule Summary for Systems
BACKGROUND
What is the purpose of the rule?
The Filter Backwash Recycling Rule (FBRR) is intended to reduce the opportunity for
recycle practices to adversely affect the performance of drinking water treatment plants and
to help prevent microbes, such as Cryptosporidium, from passing through treatment systems
and into finished drinking water. Customers may become ill if they drink such contaminated
water.
What is Cryptosporidium?
Cryptosporidium is an intestinal parasite that can be passed
through a water treatment plant and into the drinking water
supply. Infection can cause gastro-intestinal illness, lasting
up to two weeks, and may even be life-threatening for
people with weakened immune systems. Several outbreaks
of cryptosporidiosis have been traced to Cryptosporidium in
drinking water. The worst outbreak occurred in Milwaukee
in 1993 when more than 400,000 people fell ill with flu-like
symptoms. Cryptosporidium is difficult to treat (inactivate)
because it is resistant to most disinfectants used by water
treatment systems. Consequently, other treatment processes,
such as sedimentation and filtration, must be effective in
removing Cryptosporidium oocysts from raw water and
recycle streams.
Spent filter backwash water,
thickener supernatant, and liquids
from dewatering processes can
contain microbial contaminants,
often in very high concentrations.
Recycling these streams can
reintroduce microbes and other
contaminants to the treatment
system. Additionally, large
volumes of recycle streams may
upset treatment processes, allowing
contaminants to pass through the
system. To minimize these risks,
the FBRR requires that recycle
streams pass through all the
processes of a system's existing
conventional or direct filtration
system (as defined in 40 CFR 141.2) that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
recognized as capable of achieving 2-log (99 percent) Cryptosporidium removal. The FBRR
also allows recycle streams to be reintroduced at an alternate location, if the location is
State-approved.
Which systems are affected by the FBRR?
(Rule reference: 40 CFR 141.76(a))
Public water systems that meet all of the following criteria are subject to the FBRR:
$ The system is a Subpart H system, (i.e. uses surface water or ground water under the
direct influence of surface water (GWUDI)).
$ The system treats water using conventional or direct filtration. (See the box on page
2 for definitions of conventional and direct filtration.)
$ The system recycles one or more of the following: spent filter backwash water,
thickener supernatant, or liquids from dewatering processes.
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Conventional Filtration
Conventional filtration treatment, as defined in 40 CFR 141.2, is a series of processes including
coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration resulting in substantial particulate removal.
Conventional filtration is the most common type of filtration.
Direct Filtration
Direct filtration, as defined in 40 CFR 141.2, is a series of processes including coagulation and filtration,
but excluding sedimentation, and resulting in substantial particulate removal. Typically, direct filtration
can be used only with high-quality raw water that has low levels of turbidity and suspended solids.
What are the requirements of the FBRR?
The FBRR has three main components:
1. Reporting. The FBRR requires a system to notify the State in writing about its
recycle practices if the system is a Subpart H system, practices conventional or
direct filtration, and recycles one or more of the regulated recycle streams. More
information on reporting is contained in Section 1 beginning on page 3.
2. Recycle Return Location. The FBRR requires regulated recycle streams to be
returned through all processes of a system's existing conventional or direct
filtration system, as defined in 40 CFR 141.2. However, a system may recycle at
an alternate location if approved by the State. More information on recycle
return location is provided in Section 2 beginning on page 4.
3. Recordkeeping. The FBRR includes recordkeeping requirements related to
recycling procedures. These requirements are outlined in greater detail in
Section 3 beginning on page 6.
Recycle and Regulated Recycle Flows
Recycle - The act of returning recycle streams to a plant's primary treatment process.
Recycle Flows - Any water, solid or semi-solid generated by a plant's treatment processes, operational
processes, and residual treatment processes that is returned to the plant's primary treatment process.
Also referred to as recycle streams.
Spent Filter Backwash Water - A stream containing particles that are dislodged from filter media
when water is forced back through a filter (backwashed) to clean the filter. Spent filter backwash
water contains particles including coagulants, metals, and microbes such as Cryptosporidium.
Thickener Supernatant - A stream containing the decant from a sedimentation basin, clarifier or
other unit that is used to treat water, solids, or semi-solids from the primary treatment processes. The
"clear water" that exits the units after particles have been allowed to settle out is thickener supernatant
(or sludge thickener supernatant).
Liquids from Dewatering Processes - A stream containing liquids generated from a unit used to
concentrate solids for disposal. Processes may consist of centrifuges, filter presses, belt presses,
vacuum filters, monofills, or other sludge concentrating equipment. Such equipment may be used to
dewater sludge from treatment units used in recycling processes or sludge from units found in the
primary processes.
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SECTION 1
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
(Rule reference: 40 CFR 141.76(b))
What information must be submitted to the State?
Each system that uses conventional or direct filtration and recycles spent filter backwash
water, thickener supernatant, or liquids from dewatering processes must provide the State
with the following written information by December 8, 2003:
$ A plant schematic showing the origin of all flows which are recycled, how the flows
are transported, and the location where the flows are reintroduced back into the
treatment process;
$ Typical recycle flow, highest observed plant flow experienced in the previous year,
and design flow for the treatment plant (all flows must be reported in gallons per
minute); and
$ The State-approved operating capacity for the plant, if the State has made such a
determination.
The submitted data will be evaluated by the State to determine whether the system's current
recycle return location is acceptable or if the system must make modifications. A system
that fails to submit this information to the State commits a monitoring/reporting violation,
which requires Tier 3 public notification (see box below). Failure to notify the public within
the appropriate time period is a public notification violation. Table 2 lists the information
that must be submitted to the State.
Violations & Public Notification
EPA has assigned each violation and situation requiring public notice to one of three categories, or
tiers, based on the risk of adverse health effects. After you learn of a violation or situation, public
notice must be provided according to the following requirements:
$Tier 1 -requires public notice within 24 hours by broadcast media, hand delivery, posting, or another
method to reach others.
$Tier 2 - requires public notification within 30 days by mail, hand delivery, or another method to reach
others.
$Tier 3 -requires public notification within one year by mail, hand delivery, or another method to
reach others.
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SECTION 2
RECYCLE RETURN LOCATION
(Rule reference: 40 CFR 141.76(c))
Why is the point of return for recycle streams important?
Recycle streams must be introduced at a point in the treatment plant that incorporates all
treatment processes of a conventional or direct filtration system to reduce the opportunity for
recycle practices to adversely affect plant performance. An alternate location may also be
approved by the State. The point of introduction should ensure effective mixing and
thorough dispersion of the recycle stream with raw water prior to subsequent treatment. The
continuous and steady introduction of recycle streams tends to have a much less negative
impact on the water treatment process than the sporadic introduction of larger volume
recycle streams that vary in quality and quantity.
How can a plant that currently does not return its recycle streams through all
treatment processes comply with the FBRR?
A system whose recycle streams currently do not pass through all the direct or conventional
treatment plant's unit processes has two options:
$ Begin the necessary capital improvements to move the recycle location. Any such
capital improvements must be completed by June 8, 2006.
$ Request approval of an alternate recycle location. Any requests for alternate recycle
locations must be approved by the State no later than June 8, 2004. If capital
improvements are required to return recycle streams to a State- approved recycle
location, all capital improvements must be completed by June 8, 2006.
What factors will the State consider in deciding whether to approve an
alternate location?
Each State has the flexibility to determine the criteria and factors they will utilize in
evaluating and approving alternate recycle locations. Examples of factors that a State may
use to evaluate requests for alternate recycle locations include (but are not limited to):
$ Does the plant require recycle to an alternate recycle location to maintain optimal
finished water quality?
$ Does the plant have unique treatment requirements or processes that require the
return of recycle streams to an alternate location?
$ Is the plant in compliance with the turbidity limits established in the Interim
Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule/Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water
Treatment Rule?
• What impacts would the use of the alternate recycle location have on treatment
processes and finished water quality?
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What if a proposed or current alternate recycle location has not received
State approval?
If a system returns recycle to a location which does not provide treatment by all
conventional or direct filtration processes (as defined in 40 CFR 141.2) without State
approval, it commits a treatment technique violation which requires Tier 2 public
notification. (See the box on page 3 for a discussion of violation categories.) Failure to
notify the public within the appropriate time frame will result in a public notification
violation. A system has until June 8, 2004, to receive State approval of its alternate recycle
location.
What if a system does not complete capital improvements within the specified
time period?
If capital improvements are required to comply, a system must complete such improvements
no later than June 8, 2006. A system that does not complete capital improvements by the
required date commits a treatment technique violation, which requires Tier 2 public
notification. Failure to notify the public within the appropriate time frame is a public
notification violation.
Are funds (grants, loans, etc.) available for making capital improvements?
No special funds have been set aside for improvements to meet the FBRR. However, the
Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund is available to assist in funding infrastructure
upgrades that will ensure safe drinking water. More information about the Drinking Water
State Revolving Loan Fund is available at www.epa.gov/safewater/dwsrf.html. Systems
may also contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791, or by e-mail at
hotline-SDWA@epa.gov. EPA also provides funding to States that have primary
enforcement responsibility for their drinking water programs through the Public Water
Systems Supervision (PWSS) grants program. Other Federal funds may be available
through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development
Block Grant Program and the Rural Utilities Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Individual States may have other loan or grant programs that could provide additional
funding for necessary capital improvements. Contact your State for more information
regarding such programs.
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TABLE I:
Recycle Return Location Compliance Schedule
If:
Capital improvements are necessary to
relocate the point of recycle return . . .
You are planning to request State approval
for use of an alternate location . . .
You are planning to request State approval
for use of an alternate location AND capital
improvements are necessary . . .
You already return flows through the
processes of your existing conventional or
direct filtration system . . .
(No capital improvements are necessary and
you are not seeking approval for an alternate
location)
You Must:
complete all improvements . . .
receive approval from the State . . .
receive approval from the State for
alternate recycle return location . . .
complete all improvements . . .
meet only the reporting and record-
keeping requirements of the FBRR.
By:
June 8, 2006
June 8, 2004
June 8, 2004
June 8, 2006
See the Reporting and
Recordkeeping Checklist
on page 8.
SECTION 3
RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS
(Rule reference: 40 CFR 141.76(d))
What additional data must be collected and maintained?
In addition to the information submitted to the State, a system must collect and maintain the
following data to comply with the FBRR.
$ A copy of all information that is submitted to the State (see Section 1).
$ A list of recycle streams and the frequency with which they are returned.
$ Average and maximum backwash flow rates through the filters and the average and
maximum durations of the filter backwash process, in minutes.
$ Typical filter run length and a written summary of how filter run length is
determined (headloss, turbidity, time, etc.).
$ The type of treatment provided for the recycle stream before it re-enters the
conventional or direct filtration process.
$ If applicable, data about the physical dimensions of the equalization or treatment
units, typical and maximum hydraulic loading rates, type of treatment chemicals
used, average dose of chemicals, frequency of chemical addition, and frequency of
solids removal.
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This information must be collected by June 8, 2004. Systems are not required to submit this
information unless requested to do so by the State. However, the information must be
retained and made available at the treatment plant for State review during sanitary surveys,
Comprehensive Performance Evaluations (CPEs), or other site visit activities. After the
State reviews this information, a system may be required to modify its recycling practices.
Failure to comply with the reporting requirements is a recordkeeping violation, which
requires Tier 3 public notification. Failure to notify the public within the appropriate time
frame is a public notification violation. Table 2 provides a list of information the system
must collect and retain.
What are other sources of information on the FBRR and other drinking
water treatment issues?
A number of documents can be found at www.epa.gov/safewater/filterbackwash.html.
• The Filter Backwash Recycling Rule - This document contains the preamble and
regulatory language of the Filter Backwash Recycling Rule, as published in the Federal
Register.
• The Filter Backwash Recycling Rule Technical Guidance Manual - This document
provides greater detail on many of the topics mentioned in this document.
Copies of these documents may be ordered through EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-
800-426-4791), the National Service Center for Environmental Publications (1-800-490-
9198 ), or the National Technical Information Service at (1-800-553-6847) or www.ntis.gov
EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) can also provide general drinking
water information. You may e-mail the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at hotline-
SDWA@epa.gov. The EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water web page is also a
good source of general drinking water information (www.epa.gov/safewater).
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Table 2:
Reporting and Recordkeeping Checklist
Information Qualifying Systems Must Submit to the State by December 8, 2003
Plant Schematic
Origin of recycle streams
Recycle stream transport
Point where recycle stream enters treatment train
Typical recycle flow (in gpm)
Highest observed plant flow (in gpm) for previous year
Design flow for treatment plant (gpm)
State- approved operating capacity
Information Qualifying Systems Must Collect and Retain Onsite by June 8, 2004
Copy of information submitted to the State
List of recycle streams
Frequency with which recycle streams are returned
Average backwash flow rate
Maximum backwash flow rate
Average duration of filter backwash (in minutes)
Maximum duration of filter backwash (in minutes)
Typical filter run length (in minutes)
How is run length determined (turbidity, time, head loss, other)
Type of treatment provided for the recycle flow
Dimensions of equalization unit(s) (if applicable)
Dimensions of treatment unit(s) (if applicable)
$ Typical/average hydraulic loading rates
$ Maximum hydraulic loading rates
$ Type of treatment chemicals used
$ Average dose of chemicals
$ Frequency of chemical use
$ Frequency of solids removal
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