Office of Water
(Mail Code 4301)
EPA 820-B-94-001
January 1994
&EPA
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A MESSAGE
FROM THE DIRECTOR
|/ie 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
risks 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.
/<&
/ n
Tudor T. Davies, Director
Office of Science and Technology
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OFFICE OF WATER
Assistant Administrator
for Water
Off ice of
Wastewater Enforcement
and Compliance
Of lice of Science
and Technology
Otlice of Wetlands,
Oceans and Watersheds
Office of Groundwater
and Drinking Water
^,
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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.
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OFFICE OF SCIENCE
AND TECHNOLOGY
Ihe 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.
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.
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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).
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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.
Engineering and
Commodities
Metels
Brom*
fc*. >>
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.
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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.
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY BRANCH
The Chemical Industry Branch develops effluent guidelines for the following industries:
organic chemicals, inorganic chemicals, oil and gas, soaps and adhesives, pesticides
manufacturing.
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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.
Health and Ecological Criteria
SLUDGE RISK
ASSESSMENT BRANCH
Human Ri»k
Assortment
Branch *
The Sludge Risk Assess-
ment Branch is respon-
sible 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.
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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.
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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
Standards and Applied Science Division
* , ' "~s°- ,1 ^'t.
Standards
ond M
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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.
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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.
The Office of Water Resource Center
Mail Code (4100)
Room G099 East Tower, Basement
8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
Monday Friday
(202)260-7786
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PUBLISHED (OR EXISTING) GUIDELINES
1 NDUSTRIES
Aluminum Forming
Asbestos Manufacturing
Battery Manufacturing
Builder's Paper and Board Mills
Carbon Black Manufacturing
Cement Manufacturing
Coal Mining
Coil Coating
Copper Forming
Dairy Products Processing
Electroplating
Electrical and Electronic Components
Explosive Manufacturing
Feedlots
Ferroalloy Manufacturing
Fertilizer Manufacturing
Fruits and Vegetables Processing
Glass Manufacturing
Grain Mills Manufacturing
Gum and Wood Chemicals Manufacturing
Hospitals
Ink Formulating
Inorganic Chemicals
Iron and Steel Manufacturing
Leather Tanning and Finishing
Meat Products
40CFR
467
461
461
431
458
411
434
465
468
405
413
469
457
412
424
418
407
426
406
454
460
447
415
420
425
432
YEAR
1983
1984
1984
1982
1978
1974
1985
1982
1983
1974
1981
1983
1976
1974
1974
1 974/79
1974
1974/86
1974
1976
1976
1975
1982
1982
-t
1982
1 974/76
1 NDUSTRIES
Metal Finishing
Metal Molding and Casting (Foundries)
Mineral Mining and Processing
Nonferrous Metals Forming and Metal Powders
Nonferrous Metals Manufacturing
Oil and Gas Extraction
Ore Mining and Dressing
Organic Chemicals, Plastics and Synthetic Fibers
Organic Chemicals (Remand)
Paint Formulating
Paving and Roofing Materials (Tars & Asphalt)
Pesticide Chemicals
Petroleum Refining
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Phosphate Manufacturing
Photographic Processing
Plastics Molding and Forming
Porcelain Enameling
Pulp, Paper and Paperboard
Rubber Manufacturing
Seafood Processing
Soap and Detergent Manufacturing
Steam Electric Power Generating
Sugar Processing
Textile Mills
Timber Products Processing
40CFR
433
464
436
471
421
435
440
414
414
446
443
455
419
439
422
459
463
466
430
428
408
417
423
409
410
429
YEAR
1983
1985
1977
1985
1984
1993
1982/88
1987
1993
1976
1975
1993
1982
1983
1976
1976
1984
1982
1982
1974
1974
1975
1982
1974
1982
1981
15
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NOTES
16
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1994-0-518-802
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