United States Office of Water EPA 820-B-95-014 Environmental Protection (Mai! Code 4301) SeDtember 1995 Agency SEPA Primer Office of Science and Technology Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water fl Office of Water ¦ Office of Water M Office of Water ¦ Office of Water M Office of Water M Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water M Office of Water ¦ Office of Water I Office of Water H Office of Water M Office of Water ¦ Office of Water fl Office of Water M Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water H Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of • Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water Office of Water S Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of Water ¦ Office of , ,0 Printed on Recycled Paper ------- A Messa From the The Water Program is evolving beyond its foundation as a command and control, highly centralized, technology-based regulatory program. By and large, we have reduced large-scale water pollution problems caused by industrial discharges and urban development. While we can claim this as a ,significant success, we have much work to do to fulfill the objective of the Clean Water \Act: to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the [nations waters. The mission of the Office of Science and Technology is both service oriented and strate- gic in nature. As a service organization, we provide scientific and technical tools to aid EPA Regional, State, and Local environmental managers implement the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act programs. We are also a creative scientific organiza- tion whose products form the foundation of a very complex regulatory system. The work ahead is just as critical as the work we have completed, but the remaining problems pose vastly different challenges for people at all levels of government involved in protecting our water resources. To be most effective, we must understand the real hsks to ecosystems and human health that pollution presents and balance these risks with the needs and concerns of our customers. Sound science must be an integral component of both the development and implemen- tation of water regulatory programs. We must continue to work within the framework of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWAJ programs and design our efforts to fill the science gaps that still exist. Tudor T. Davies, Director Office of Science and Technology l ------- Office of Water Assistant Administrator for Water 2 Pu H o Office of Wastewater Management Office of Science and Technology Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds 1 Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water 2 I ------- Introduction For the next three to five years, OST will continue its major role in developing the science to protect human health and ecological systems from water-borne risks. The Office will also develop and implement a cross-media strategy to reduce ecological impacts caused by contaminated sediments. OST will focus on ~ developing sound, scientifically defensible standards, criteria, advisories, and guidelines under the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act and pro- vide implementation support to the EPA Regional Offices, Regions. States, and Local governments; ~ developing effluent guidelines according to the schedule set forth in the consent decree. The guidelines program will continue to be expanded to include pollution prevention and cooperative efforts with other EPA offices to develop multi-media guidelines; ~ developing a national inventory of contaminated sediment sources and sites re- quired under WRDA; and ~ determining the fate and transport of chemicals through aquatic ecosystems to develop criteria that are protective of aquatic life and wildlife. The Office of Science and Technology consists of the following offices: Engineering and Analysis Division; Health and Ecological Criteria Division; Standards and Applied Science Division; Policy and Communications Staff; and Budget and Program Man- agement Staff 3 I ------- Sr. Science Advisor Budget and Program Management Staff Office Director and Deputy Director Policy and Communications Staff Engineering and Analysis Division Health and Ecological Criteria Division Standards and Applied Science Division 4 I ------- Office of Science and Technology The Office of Science and Technology (OST) provides policy and management leader- ship for developing the scientific foundation of the Office of Water's regulatory and non-regulatory programs. OST staff work with representatives of other organizations to develop scientifically-based criteria, guidelines, and advisories that serve as the regula- tory framework for (1) restoring and maintaining the physical, chemical and biological integrity of the nation's water resources; (2) protecting the nation's drinking water; and (3) achieving technology-based industrial and municipal wastewater treatment require- ments. OST staff also develop risk assessment methodologies and risk management support for the Office of Water. Sr. Science Advisor I u h Office Director and Deputy Director Budget and Program Management Staff Policy and Communications 1 Staff 1 Senior Science Advisor The Senior Science Advisor to the Assistant Administrator for Water resides in the Imme- diate Office of the Office of Science and Technology. He represents the Office of Water (OW) in working with the Office of Research and Development on planning and budget processes. The advisory is involved in risk assessment issues and represents the Office on the Council of Science Advisors and is closely involved with other scientific aspects related to OW programs.. 5 I ------- Budget and Program Management Staff The Budget and Program Management Staff (BPMS) assists the Office of Science and Technology (OST) in carrying out its mission by planning, developing, and presenting the OST annual budget, annual operating guidance, the Strategic Target Activities for Results System and the Quarterly Management Reviews, The staff also oversees contract manage- ment, compliance with the Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA) and re- source management within the Office. The staff also maintains liaison with the Regional Offices and coordinates Regional visits and Branch Chiefs' meetings. Policy and Communications Staff The Policy and Communications Staff is responsible for long-term program planning, computer resource management, and communications support for the Office of Science and Technology. This includes developing the long-term OST strategic plan and integrat- ing it into the OW strategic plan; conducting OST's legislative activities; incorporating changes in OST policies to reflect changes in Agency policy; conducting special analyses and studies; managing OST's software resources to ensure effective use; and providing support to OST divisions in developing major briefings and public communications. The staff also assists the OST divisions in preparing documents for printing and distribution and managing their distribution through the Office of Water Resource Center (see page 14 for a description of the OW Resource Center). 6 I ------- Engineering and Analysis Division The Engineering and Analysis Division develops national technology-based limita- tions and standards to control or eliminate the discharge of pollutants from indus- trial sources into waterways and publicly owned treatment works and identifies appropriate wastewater treatment technologies. Effluent guidelines involve extensive industry-specific engineering and economic studies, wastewater analyses, treatment option assessments, and economic analyses of potential impacts of the regulations on the regulated industries. Effluent guidelines set national standards for regulated industries. They ensure that wastewaters discharged, either di- rectly into surface waters or indirectly into sewage treatment plants, will achieve levels of pollutants based on the best technology that is economically possible. The EPA has developed many technology-based guidelines, regulating over fifty industrial categories (such as oil and gas extraction and pulp and paper manufacturing). Conven- tional pollutants are regulated, such as oil and suspended solids; pollutants that are identi- fied as toxic (like lead and benzene); and nonconventional pollutants, including many pesticides. See page 15 for a list of the regulated industrial categories Effluent Guidelines Development The Clean Water Act (CWA) required EPA to publish effluent guide- lines for both direct and indirect industrial dis- chargers and provided specific factors to be considered for conven- tional pollutants (BPT. BCT), toxic pollutants (BAT), and new sources (NSPS), EPA uses these factors in developing regulatory options. Engineering and Analysis Division Commodities Branch Chemicals Branch Economic and Statistical Analysis Branch I 7 ------- Developing a guideline for any industrial category begins with a study of the industry and of the actual performance of technologies already in place, including pollution prevention, reuse, recycling, and wastewater treatment. EPA analyzes wastewater samples, and pre- pares an economic analysis to help assess the potential impact of any proposed guideline. This combination of economic, engineering, and wastewater databases enables EPA to develop guideline options for the industrial category being considered Analytical Methods Staff The Analytical Methods Staff provides analytical services support and develops analytical methods for detection of pollutants in wastewaters. Economic and Statistical Analysis Branch The Economical and Statistical Analysis Branch conducts economic and statistical analy- ses and studies. The Branch prepares economic impact and regulatory analyses to identify national, regional, and international impacts and benefits of regulations developed by Office of Water. It also develops statistical sampling and survey schemes. Commodities Branch The Commodities Branch develops effluent guidelines for specific industries: pulp and paper, leather, foundries, textiles, timber, painting, hazardous waste treaters, laundries, hospitals. It also provides technical assistance to discharge permitting authorities. Energy Branch The Energy Branch develops effluent guidelines for the following: mining; metals manu- facturing; metals finishing; plating and painting; and the manufacturing of specialty prod- ucts, such as batteries and photographic supplies. Chemicals Branch The Chemicals Branch develops effluent guidelines for the following industries: organic chemicals, inorganic chemicals, oil and gas. soaps and adhesives, pesticides manufacturing. 8 ------- Health and Ecological Criteria Division The Health and Ecological Criteria Division develops sound, scientifically defensible criteria for surface water, drinking water, and sewage sludge under the Clean Air Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Division is also responsible for the develop- ment and refinement of the methodologies and risk and exposure assessment tools which are the basis for various criteria. Human Risk Assessment Branch The Human Risk Assessment Branch is responsible for developing human health criteria for deriving maximum contaminant level goals (MCLGs) and health advisories for con- taminants in drinking water; developing health-based levels for use by the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water in unreasonable risk to health guidance, providing human health toxicological and exposure assessment documentation to support drinking water standards, ambient water quality criteria, sediment quality criteria, and sewage sludge criteria; assisting in emergency situations by providing scientific and toxicological advice; developing risk assessment and exposure assessment methodologies applicable to Office of Water programs; coordinating OW research needs with ORD regarding human health, risk assessment, exposure assessment, and criteria development activities, in consultation with OW and Regional offices; providing support for OW to the Risk Assess- ment Council; providing support to the Risk Assessment Forum; coordination of OW interactions with other offices and agencies regarding science and risk assessment issues. Multi-Media Rjsk Assessment Branch The Multi-Media Risk Assessment Branch is responsible for the development of technical regulations and guidelines on munici- pal sludge under Section 405 of the Clean Water Act, (CWA). These regula- tions identify the uses for sludge disposal, including determining the measures and prac- tices applicable to each such use and identification of pollutants which interfere with each such use or disposal practice. Health and Ecological Criteria Division Human Risk Assessment Branch Multi-Media Risk Assessment | Branch Ecological Risk Assessment Branch I ------- The Branch also develops new risk assessment methods and/or utilizes existing models to determine which pollutants should be regulated and the method of regulation and devel- ops and issues technical regulations pursuant to Section 405(d) of the Clean Water Act. Ecological Risk Assessment Branch The Ecological Risk Assessment Branch is responsible for the development and publica- tion of water quality criteria and advisories and sediment criteria which reflect the latest scientific knowledge on the kind and extent of identifiable effects of pollutants on health and welfare. These include plankton, fish, shellfish, wildlife, plant life, shorelines, beaches, aesthetics and recreation in and on the water as they relate to section 304(a) of the Clean Water Act. ai :> 2 Oh H oo o 10 I ------- Standards and Applied Science Division The Standard and Applied Science Division directs the national program for adoption of water quality standards. It develops policies and guidance and provide assistance to EPA Regional Offices and States on the translation and use of criteria in specific waterbodies, and on development of total maximum daily loads to meet water quality standards. It also develops and manages cross-media, agencywide policies to ensure specific exposure goals are attained. The Division also conducts environmental assess- ments to help assess the effects of regulations on water quality. Water Quality Standards Branch The Water Quality Standards Branch provides guidance, direction, and support to the national water quality standards program, in which States adopt water quality standards in accordance with EPA regulations and guidance. The Branch is responsible for develop- ing and implementing changes to the national program where necessary to help ensure that the goals of the Clean Water Act are met. The Branch is also responsible for coordi- nating water quality standards activities as they relate to the Endangered Species Act. Risk Assessment and Management Branch The Risk Assessment and Management Branch develops and manages cross-media, agencywide policies to address specific problems causing high risk to human health and the environment, with particular emphasis on problems arising from contaminated sedi- ments and contaminated fish and shellfish. The Branch also develops methodologies and guidance to assist EPA Regional Offices. States, and local authorities assess risk from these sources, establish pro- grams to reduce or elimi- nate the risks, and com- municate the risks to the public. Standards and Applied Science Division Water Quality Standards Branch Risk Assessment and Managementj Branch Assessment Branch 11 ------- Exposure Assessment Branch The Exposure Assessment Branch directs and manages health and environmental expo- sure assessment programs, including environmental assessments for effluent guidelines, environmental benefits for Regulatory Impact Analyses, and other assessments on the extent and severity of pollution problems. The Branch also manages programs to develop technical guidance and provide training in support of water quality-based controls, includ- ing total maximum daily loads technical, wasteload allocations and load allocations, develops methodologies and technical guidance on the application and implementation of water quality standards. 12 ------- Intentionally Blank Page 13 I ------- Office of Water Resource Center The Resource Center maintains a reference file consisting of one copy of every document that has ever been published by OST and two other offices in the Office of Water. The Resource Center is the central point of contact for all requests for documents and coordi- nates document distribution through two national clearinghouses. While all documents are physically stored in the National Center for Environmental Publications and Informa- tion (NCEPI) facility in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Resource Center provides protected storage for all camera-ready boards, original artwork, negatives, color separations, and other similar items The Resource Center distributes copies of documents that are requested by attendees at conferences and also maintains a file of handouts, viewgraphs. photographs, and slides that may be used to prepare presentations and publications. INTERNET: The EPA Office of Water, Office of Science and Technology, has a home page on the Internet. Under development, the new Water Information Network (WIN) is a means to promote partnerships and communication between the Office ane its many stakeholders. The WIN utilizes EPA's public access servers and can be accessed over the World Wide Web or Gopher. Enter the Universal Resource Locator (URL) for the EPA homepage: The Office of Water Resource Center Room G099 East Tower. Basement 8:30 a.m. — 5:00 p.m. Monday — Friday (202) 260-7786 Mail Code (4100) http://www.epa.gov.OST and go directly to WIN 14 J ------- PUBLISHED (OR EXISTING) GUIDELINES 1NDUSTR1ES 40CFR YEAR 1 INDUSTRIES 40CFR YEAR Aluminum Forming 46 7 1983 Metal Finishing 433 1983 Asbestos Manufacturing 461 1984 Metal Molding and Casting (Foundries) 464 1985 Battery Manufacturing 461 1984 Mineral Mining and Processing 436 1977 Builder's Paper and Board Mills 431 1982 Nonforrous Metals Forming and Metal Powders 471 1985 Carbon Block Manufacturing 458 1978 Nonferrous Metals Manufacturing 421 1984 Cement Manufacturing 411 1974 Oil and Gas Extraction 435 1993 Coal Mining 434 1985 Ore Mining and Dressing 440 1982/88 Coil Coating 465 1982 Organic Chemicals, Plastics and Synthetic Fibers 414 1987 Copper Forming 46 B 1983 Organic Chemicals (Remand) 414 1993 Dairy Products Processing 405 1974 Paint Formulating 446 1976 Electroplating 413 1981 Paving and Roofing Materials (Tars & Asphalt) 443 1975 ¦Eledrical and Electronic Components 469 1983 Pesticide Chemicals 455 1993 Explosive Manufacturing 457 1976 Petroleum Refining 419 1982 Feediots 412 1974 Pharmaceutical Manufacturing 439 1983 Ferroalloy Manufacturing 424 1974 Phosphate Manufacturing 422 1976 Fertilizer Manufacturing 418 1974/79 Photographic Processing 459 1976 Fruits ond Vegetables Processing 407 1974 Plastics Molding and Forming 463 1984 Glass Manufacturing 426 1974/86 Porcelain Enameling 466 1982 Grain Mills Manufacturing 406 1974 Pulp, Paper ond Paperboard 430 1982 Gum and Wood Chemicals Manufacturing 454 1976 Rubber Manufacturing 428 1974 Hospitals 460 1976 Seafood Processing 408 1974 Ink Formulating 447 1975 Soap and Detergent Manufacturing 417 1975 Inorganic Chemicals 415 1982 Steam Electric Power Generating 423 1982 Iron and Steel Manufacturing 420 1982 Sugar Processing 409 1974 Leather Tanning ond Finishing 425 1982 Textile Mills 410 1982 Meal Products 432 1974/76 Timber Products Processing 429 1981 15 I ------- Notes 2 cu H oo o 16 I ------- |