vvEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
(4606)
EPA 816-F-01-019
June 2001
www.epa.gov/safewater
Filter Backwash Recycling Rule:
A Quick Reference Guide
Overview of the Rule
Title
Purpose
General
Description
Utilities
Covered
Filter Backwash Recycling Rule (FBRR)
66 FR 31086, June 8, 2001, Vol. 66, No. 111
Improve public health protection by assessing and changing, where
needed, recycle practices for improved contaminant control, particularly
microbial contaminants.
The FBRR requires systems that recycle to return specific recycle flows
through all processes of the system's existing conventional or direct
filtration system or at an alternate location approved by the state.
Applies to public water systems that use surface water or ground water
under the direct influence of surface water, practice conventional or
direct filtration, and recycle spent filter backwash, thickener supernatant,
or liquids from dewatering processes.
Public Health Benefits
Implementation of
FBRR will result in
Reduction in risk of illness from microbial pathogens in
drinking water, particularly Cryptosporidium.
Estimated impacts of
the FBRR include . , ,
FBRR will apply to an estimated 4,650 systems serving
35 million Americans.
Fewer than 400 systems are expected to require capital
improvements.
Annualized capital costs incurred by public water systems
associated with recycle modifications are estimated to be
$5.8 million.
Mean annual cost per household is estimated to be less
than $1.70 for 99 percent of the affected households and
between $1.70 and $100 for the remaining one percent of
affected households.
Conventional and Direct Filtration
Conventional filtration, as defined in 40 CFR 141.2, is a series of processes including
coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration resulting in substantial
participate removal. Conventional filtration is the most common type of 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
participate removal. Typically, direct filtration can be used only with high-quality raw
water that has low levels of turbidity and suspended solids.
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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.
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.
Liquids From Dewaterina Processes - A stream containing liquids generated from a
unit used to concentrate solids for disposal.
Critical Deadlines and Requirements
For Drinking Water Systems
December 8, 2003
June 8, 2004
June 8, 2006
Submit recycle notification to the state.
Return recycle flows through the processes of a system's
existing conventional or direct filtration system or an alternate
recycle location approved by the state (a 2-year extension is
available for systems making capital improvements to modify
recycle location).
Collect recycle flow information and retain on file.
Complete all capital improvements associated with relocating
recycle return location (if necessary).
For States
June 8, 2003
June 8, 2005
States submit FBRR primacy revision application to EPA
(triggers interim primacy).
Primacy extension deadline - all states with an extension must
submit primacy revision applications to EPA.
.at does a recycle notification include?
Plant schematic showing origin of recycle flows, how recycle flows are conveyed,
and return location of recycle flows.
Typical recycle flows (gpm), highest observed plant flow experienced in the previous
year (gpm), and design flow for the treatment plant (gpm).
State-approved plant operating capacity (if applicable).
For additional information on
the FBRR
Call the Safe Drinking Water
Hotline at 1-800-426-4791; visit
the EPA web site at
www.epa.gov/safewater; or
contact your state drinking water
representative.
Additional material is available at
www.epa.gov/safewater/
filterbackwash.html.
What recycle flow information does a system need
to collect and retain on file?
Copy of recycle notification and information submitted to the state.
List of all recycle flows and frequency with which they are returned.
Average and maximum backwash flow rates through filters, and average and
maximum duration of filter backwash process (in minutes).
Typical filter run length and written summary of how filter run length is determined.
Type of treatment provided for recycle flows.
Data on the physical dimension of the equalization and/or treatment units, typical
and maximum hydraulic loading rates, types of treatment chemicals used,
average dose, frequency of use, and frequency at which solids are removed, if
applicable.
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