Pollution Series No. 69
A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM FOR
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
for the
CENTRAL COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
Public Health Service
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A COMPREHENSIVE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL PROGRAM
for the
CENTRAL COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN
Developed by the Washington Pollution Control Commission
in cooperation with the
Washington State Department of Health
Adopted by
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
Public Health Service
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Public Health Service Publication No. 381
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FOREWORD
Our country's development over the past 50 years has been marked by tremendous progress
in many fields. It has made possible great gains in the health, comfort, and well-being of the
people. But it has not been without cost. Part of the cost has been the damage to the Nation's
water resources that has resulted from wastes discharged to the streams by our growing cities
and industries. All water uses have been affected--public water supplies, recreation, agricul-
ture, industry, fish and aquatic life.
In enacting the Federal Water Pollution Control Act in 19^5, the Congress declared that
"water pollution has become a matter of grave concern in many areas and its damaging effects on
the public health and national resources are a matter of definite Federal concern as a menace to
national welfare. Abatement must be undertaken in order to control it."
The Public Health Service, as part of its responsibilities under this Act, is required-to
prepare or adopt, in cooperation with other Federal agencies, State and Interstate water pollu-
tion control agencies, and municipalities and industries, comprehensive programs for the abate-
ment of pollution.
This publication summarizes "A COMPREHENSIVE POLLUTION CONTROL PROGRAM FOR THE CENTRAL
COLUMBIA AND COLUMBIA BASIN RECLAMATION AREA," developed by the Washington State Pollution Con-
trol Commission. This. Commission is the official Washington State agency which has legal au-
thority to adopt and enforce measures for the abatement, prevention and control of pollution of
the waters of the State (Chapter 2l6, Laws of 19lf5, as amended, State of Washington). The pro-
gram is sound and gives full consideration to the several present uses and to the reasonably
anticipated future uses of the waters of the Central Columbia River Basin. It provides an equi-
table balance in the pollution control requirements for the various private and public groups
concerned, and through full cooperation of the Washington State Health Department can assure
that proper emphasis will be placed on public health aspects of the program.
I am pleased, therefore, in my capacity as Surgeon General of the Public Health Service,
to adopt the program developed by the State of Washington for the Central Columbia River Basin,
as a comprehensive program which fully meets the requirements of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act.
This program is based on beneficial water uses and related conditions that prevailed on
January 1, 195^- Comprehensive programs for pollution control must necessarily be flexible.
They must allow for growth, development, and changing conditions. Any significant changes
affecting water quality, such as changes in stream flow, water use, industrial development or
population may require changes in the pollution control program.
Obviously the mere adoption of this program will not, in itself, reduce pollution or im-
prove the usefulness of the waters in the Central Columbia River Basin. It does provide to the
citizens of the area and to the city officials and industrial leaders, farmers, fishermen, con-
servationists, and others an objective plan based on good engineering practice, and reflecting
sound economics. It is a plan which the public can support and must support if progress is to
be made in the abatement of pollution.
Certain additional considerations beyond the mere acceptance of a plan are essential to
its successful execution. The citizens of the areas affected must see that sufficient re-
sources are provided to the State water pollution control agencies concerned to enable them to
make the technical investigations necessary to aid those responsible for constructing pollution
abatement works.
We must recognize, too, that in order to be fully effective the plans and programs of one
State must be geared closely to those of adjoining States, since State boundaries are no barrier
to pollution traveling in interstate streams. Above all, no program of this nature can progress
beyond the report stage if its meaning and purpose are not made clear and understandable* to the
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citizens of the area. In the final analysis they are the ones who will pay, directly or in-
directly, for the pollution abatement works that are needed.
It is my hope that this program for the Central Columbia River Basin will be carried
through to completion so that the area may enjoy all the benefits that clean water can provide,
in health and recreational opportunities for the people and in sound growth of industry and
agriculture.
?
U.
Leonard A. Scheele
Surgeon General
11
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COIWENTS
Page
Foreword.
Discussion .................... ........ ................
General. ... ................. . ...................... 1
Physical Description ............................... 1
Eydr ology ......... . ................................ 2
Water Uses .......... . ....... ....... ...... . ......... 3
Sources cf Pollution ........ .... ................... 5
Damage to Water Resources ................. • ........ 9
Water Quality Objectives. .......................... 10
Benefits and Costs ......................... ........ 10
Comprehensive Program ................................. 11
.Municipal Requirements ........................... •• 11
Industrial Requirements .... .......... ......... ..... 13
Appendix I. Water Quality Objectives and
Minimum Treatment Requirements .................. 15
Appendix II. Minimum Requirements for the
Prevention of Industrial Waste Pollution ........ 17
A. Slaughterhouses and Msat Packing Plants ........ 17
B. Vegetable, Fruit and Fruit Juice Canneries ..... 17
C. Milk and Milk Products Plants .................. 18
D. Wineries ... ............................... ..... Id
E. Breweries ......... * .......................... • » 19
F. Coal and Gravel Industries ........ . .......... . « 19
G. Beet Sugar Factories.... ..... .................. 19
H. Miscellaneous Uses of Oil ................. ..... 20
I. ; Logging Industry ............................... 20
J. Agriculture Industry ...... . .................... 20
K. Hew Industries. ................................ 20
MAPS
1. Central Columbia and Columbia Basin Reclamation
Area - General Reference Map. iv
2. Central Columbia and Columbia Basin Reclamation
Area - Sources of Municipal and Industrial
Wastes and Pollution Abatement Needs 8
iii
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i
^•~\
I D A
fV~
| H E V
ADA
CENTRAL COLUMBIA
AND
COLUMBIA BASIN RECLAMATION AREA
LOCATION MAP
LEGEND
-~- CANAL
™« TUNNEL
< SIPHON
«o) RIVER MILE
CENTRAL COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN
GENERAL REFERENCE MAP
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION. AND WELFARE
Public Health Service
DIVISION OF WATER POLLUTION CONTML
MAP NO. I
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CENTRAL COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN
DISCUSSION
General
This document describes briefly the comprehensive water pollution control program devel-
oped by the Washington Pollution Control Commission with the cooperation and assistance of the
Washington State Department of Health for the "Central Columbia and Columbia Basin Reclamation
Area." The program is given in detail in the Pollution Control Commission's report entitled,
"A Comprehensive Pollution Control Program for the Central Columbia and Columbia Basin
Reclamation Area," published in September 1952.
The area embraced by the program of the Washington Pollution Control Commission has been
designated for convenience as the "Central Columbia River Basin." The Central Columbia River
Basin, as referred to in this document, includes the Columbia Basin Reclamation Area and, in
addition, two adjacent areas which are closely related to the Reclamation Area in topography and
economy. These adjacent areas consist of: (l) land lying to the westward and northward of the
Reclamation Area on both sides of the Columbia River which drains to the Columbia River below
Grand Coulee Dam, and (2) land lying to the eastward of the Reclamation Area which drains into
the Reclamation Area. The extent of the Central Columbia River Basin and the relation of the
Columbia Basin Reclamation Area to the entire area are indicated on hfap No. 1.
This area comprises a substantial partjpf the "Columbia River Basin above the Yakima
River," which is one of the major sub-basins* into which the Columbia River Basin has previously
been divided as convenient bases for preparatioh of comprehensive water pollution control pro-
grams. Subsequently a comprehensive program will be developed for the entire Columbia River
Basin above the Yakima River, which will include the comprehensive water pollution control pro-
gram herein described.
Prior to the development of the comprehensive program, and at the request of interested
citizens, a meeting was held in the basin under the leadership of the Quincy Chamber of Com-
merce for the purpose of discussing the water pollution problem. This meeting was attended by
mayors, officials, and interested citizens from the cities in the basin, as well as representa-
tives of industry, the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project, the Washington Pollution Control Com-
mission, and the Washington State Health Department. Following this meeting and at the request
of the group, studies and investigations were made by the Pollution Control Commission of
sources and magnitudes of polluting wastes discharged into the Columbia River and its tribu-
taries in the basin and the effects of these wastes upon the quality of the receiving waters.
The comprehensive program for the basin was developed after completion of these studies. At a
later date, under the chairmanship of the Quincy Chamber of Commerce, the Director of the Pollu-
tion Control Commission met with the group and outlined the comprehensive program to them. At a
third meeting, officers "were elected by the group and a work group was name"d to cooperate with
the "pollution Control Commission in carrying forward these pollution control activities.
The Columbia Basin Irrigation-Project wider development by the Bureau of Reclamation,
Department of the Interior, will eventually provide irrigation for about one million acres of
land located in the Columbia Basin Reclamation Area. Water for this irrigation project is being
pumped from Lake Roosevelt, the impoundment of Columbia River water formed by Grand Coulee Dam.
The availability of irrigation water to this vast semi-arid area included in the Columbia
Basin Reclamation Area will, of course, greatly change its economy. For this reason, the region
is expected to be the most rapidly developing area in the State of Washington during the next
decade. As this development will be attended "by problems of waste disposal, the adoption and
carrying out of this comprehensive water pollution control program as the area develops will as-
sure maximum protection to the water resources of the area.
Physical Description
The Central Columbia River Basin is located in the northern section of the Columbia Pla-
teau in eastern Washington between spurs of the Rocky Mountains on the east and the Cascades on
the west. This basin is approximately 150 miles long, north and south, and 120 miles wide, east
and west.
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The Columbia River itself, except in the southern part of the Central Columbia River
Basin, flows in a canyon varying from 300 feet to 2,000 feet in depth, forming a dividing line
between the plateau areas to the eastward and the mountain areas to the westward.
The Central Columbia River Basin is comprised chiefly of the area to the eastward of the
Columbia River which is enclosed in the Big Bend of the Columbia. In general, this area is
bounded on the north and west by approximately 310 miles of the main stem of the Columbia River
from its confluence with the Snake River in the south to its confluence with the Spokane River
in the north, and on the east and south by the ridges which separate the Columbia River Basin
from the Spokane and Snake Basins. The Central Columbia River Basin includes also a narrow
strip of land along the west bank of the Columbia River which extends from the mouth of the
Snake River upstream to Grand Coulee Dam. However, the basins of the principal streams which
drain into this reach of the Columbia from the west, including the Okanogan, Methow, Chelan,
Entiat, and Wenatchee Rivers, are not included in this document. They were omitted because of
the great differences in the physical characteristics and economies of these basins as compared
to the Central Columbia River Basin.
That portion of the Columbia River Basin to the east of the Columbia River is a broadly
rolling semi-arid plateau which drains to the Columbia River, in general from the north and
east. This plateau area varies in elevation from about 500 feet above sea level in the south to
about 1,500 feet in the northern part of the basin. Crab Creek, the only stream of significance
in the plateau, has a drainage area of about 5,000 square miles. Upper Crab Creek heads near
Reardan and disappears into the ground a ,few miles southeast of the Town of Soap Lake. Flows
are intermittent through a large portion of the remainder of the upper drainage area. Lower
Crab Creek has its source in Moses Lake. Some sections lack surface flow during periods of dry
weather. There are numerous small creeks and coulees in the plateau area which carry water only
intermittently and for short periods of time. A number of lakes are formed by the water stand-
ing in the pools of these intermittent watercourses. Some lakes, such as Soap Lake and Medical
Lake, have no outlets and are highly mineralized. The narrow strip of the Central Columbia
River Basin tp the west of the Columbia River includes mountains, mountain valleys and plateaus,
and drains directly to the Columbia River.
Hydrology
The annual precipitation over the Central Columbia River Basin varies from about 6 inches
in the lower southwestern part to about 10 inches in the northeastern uplands, with an average
of 7-75 inches at Ephrata in the heart of the area. Most of the rainfall occurs in the winter
and spring months. Winter snowfall averages from 12 to 15 inches annually.
The watercourses from that area of the Central Columbia River Basin lying to the eastward
of the Columbia River originate in this semi-arid plateau area and have little flow during the
summer and fall months or are intermittent in character. Because of the low precipitation,
relatively little runoff from this area reaches the Columbia River. The major tributaries
draining through the narrow strip of land along the west banks, being snow-fed, contribute sub-
stantially larger-quantities of runoff to the Columbia River, but their basins are not included
in the scope of this comprehensive program.
The flow in the main stem of the Columbia River through the Central Columbia River Basin
is very large, but subject to considerable variation. The Columbia is fed by numerous snow-fed
tributaries and is characterized by large summer flows. Peak flows usually occur during June or
July, and high discharges are maintained throughout the summer and early fall. Minimum annual
flows occur during the winter months. During the period of record, 1913 to 1950 inclusive, at
Trinidad, Washington, near the midpoint of this reach of the Columbia, the average recorded flow
was 116,800 second-feet. The maximum recorded daily flow during this period was 692,000 second-
feet, while the minimum daily flow was 20,000 second-feet. The average daily flow during the
minimum month of record was 20,900 second-feet, and occurred in February 1937. Extreme minimum
flows of fractional day duration as low as U,120 second-feet have occurred as a result of regu-
lation by Rock Island Dam, 12 miles upstream from Trinidad.
Extreme maximum and minimum flows of the Columbia River through the Central Columbia
River Basin are partially regulated through control of the outlet gates at Grand Coulee Dam and
use of the storage in Frank!in D. Roosevelt Lake. This Lake, impounded by Grand Coulee Dam,
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has an active storage capacity of 5,072,000 acre-feet and is the source of water supply for the
Columbia Basin Irrigation Project. Water for irrigation is pumped from the lake into an equal-
izing reservoir, having a usable storage capacity of 700,000 acre-feet. This reservoir was
formed by blocking the inlet and outlet ends of an ancient channel of. the Columbia River, known
as Grand Coulee. From the equalizing reservoir, over 5*000,000 acre-fe'et of water per year will
eventually be distributed through the Irrigation Project Area by means of a system of canals and
pumping stations. The quantity of water diverted for irrigation purposes from the Columbia
River and tributaries above the Central Columbia River Basin, however, is negligible in propor-
tion to the total Columbia River flow.
Smaller reservoirs in the Kbotenai, Fend Oreille, Spokane, Okanogan and Chelan River
Basins are also used in regulating flows of the Columbia River, Further regulation will be pro-
vided by Libby Reservoir on Kbotenai River and Priest Rapids Dam on Columbia River, both of
which are authorized for construction, and to a minor extent by the power pool impounded by
Chief Joseph Dam now under construction on Columbia River near Bridgeport and others not con-
sidered pertinent to this document.
The character of Upper and Lower Crab Creek, and of many of the intermittent creeks, and
coulees tributary to the Columbia River, is expected to change as a result of the Columbia
River Irrigation Project. Some of these small tributaries may flow continuously as a result of
the return irrigation water which will find its way into them.
Water Uses
Water provides the basis of almost the entire economy of the Central Columbia River
Basin. There are three general sources of water in the basin: natural watercourses, ground
water, and water from irrigation canals and ditches. The main stem of the Columbia River is the
major source of surface water supply, although there are many lakes which also provide sources.
The chief uses of water in the basin are for generation of hydroelectric power and for irriga-
tion; other Important uses are for domestic and industrial water supply, livestock watering,
wildlife refuges, fisheries, recreation, and maintenance of downstream navigation.
Grand Coulee Dam and power plant, located in the northern part of the Central Columbia
River Basin, with a generating capacity of 1,91*4,000 kilowatts, is the nation's largest power
plant. Downstream, the Chief Joseph Dam and power plant, now under construction at Bridgeport,
will have capacity for producing 1,024,000 kilowatts of power. About 10 miles below Wenatch.ee
is the Rock Island Dam and power plant, with a capacity of 210,000 kilowatts. In addition to
these dams now existing or under construction, the Priest Rapids Dam and power plant is proposed
for construction at Priest Rapids downstream from the Rock Island Dam, and is to have a gener-
ating capacity of 1,219*000 kilowatts. Thus, with a present potential capacity for producing
over 4,000,000 kilowatts, and an estimated total capacity of 7,440,000 kilowatts, Central
Columbia River Basin is expected to be one of the leading power-producing areas of the world.
In addition to making possible the pumping of tremendous quantities of water for irriga-
tion purposes, the existing power has already attracted to the basin and the surrounding area
the Eanford Works of the Atomic Energy Commission and several aluminum and magnesium plants, all
of which produce critical materials. Other smaller industries have likewise been attracted and
it is expected that new industries will continue to come into the region. Then, too, power pro-
duced by these hydroelectric plants, because of its use for domestic and general purposes in
both rural and urban areas, is now and will continue to be a great boon to the economic life of
the entire region.
Next to hydroelectric power development in importance, and having an even greater effect
on the economy of the Central Columbia River Basin, is the use of water for irrigation. Because
of the fact that the Columbia is characterized by a large volume of flow, with sustained high
flows during the summer months, the period of maximum need, this river is ideally suited as a
source of irrigation water. By far the largest Irrigation project in the basin is the Columbia
Basin Irrigation Project, whicn makes use of Columbia River water. There are also other areas'
under irrigation in the basin, located chiefly along the main stem of the Columbia River.
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The lands to be irrigated by the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project cover an area of about
3,9OO square miles, located in the southern part of the basin, extending from Ephrata to Fasco,
about 80 miles, north and south, and about 60 miles to the eastward from the-Big Bend of the
Columbia River. Under the current schedule, about 14-13,000 acres of this area will be irrigated
by 1959, and 1,029,000 acres will be irrigated ultimately. The land is very productive and
adapted to the raising of a variety of farm crops. Water requirements, under full development,
are anticipated at the net rate of about four acre-feet per acre of irrigated land per year,
amounting to approximately 2,000,000 acre-feet of water annually for the currently scheduled
initial development and about k,300,000 acre-feet per year ultimately. Some idea of the eco-
nomic value of this irrigation project to the region can be gained from experiences in other
irrigated areas in the State. Although the value of irrigated crops raised in those areas is
quite variable, a reasonable average annual value of $125 per acre can be assumed. Using this
figure, it is estimated that the annual value of crops from the currently scheduled project will
be $56,000,000, and from the .ultimate development will be over $125,000,000.
Most domestic water supplies of the Central Columbia River Basin are obtained from deep
drilled wells and serve incorporated cities and towns, unincorporated communities, industries,
and farms. A few communities obtain their public water supplies from surface water sources.
Many industrial plants secure water from community water supplies, while a few have their own
deep wells. At present the ground water of the basin is free of contamination and constitutes a
suitable source of both domestic and industrial supplies.
The Columbia River is the only substantial source of surface water supply in the basin.
Except for certain sections of Crab Creek and several of the larger springs, the watercourses
of the basin are not capable of providing a dependable source of water supply. Those lakes
which are not mineralized are generally considered as satisfactory sources for water supplies,
having limited demands, if properly treated. Although future return flows from irrigation will
greatly increase the available surface water in the basin, the chemical quality of the return
flows may limit their usefulness for some purposes. Heavy algal blooms, stimulated by nutrients
in the return flows, will also tend to discourage uSe of the water for many purposes. Further,
a considerable acreage of sloping agricultural land is to be Irrigated as part of the project.
Unless proper irrigation, practices are employed, greatly increased erosion with resultant in-
creases in turbidity may be expected from these areas..
Communities obtaining their water supplies from deep drilled wells are: Almira, Brewster,
Bridgeport, Connell, Creston, Davenport, East Wenatchee, Electric City, Ephrata, Harrington,
Lind, Mansfield, Medical Lake, Moses Lake, Nespelem, Odessa, Othello, Quincy, Reardan, Ritzville,
Rock Island, Soap Lake, Warden, Waterville, and Wilson Creek. In addition, Coulee City secures
water from an artesian spring and Wilbur has an auxiliary shallow well supply.
Coulee Dam secures water from Lake Roosevelt and other surface sources; Grand Coulee from
Lake Roosevelt; Brewster partially from a surface source; Kennewick from an infiltration gallery
on the Columbia River, supplemented by a well; Pasco and Wenatchee from the Columbia River. The
latter two communities treat the river water by coagulation, rapid sand filtration, and disin-
fection.
There is now some use of the waters of the Central Columbia River Basin for the watering
of livestock. This use will become much more important along with the expected increase in
livestock raising as the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project develops.
The Columbia Basin Reclamation Area is an important waterfowl hunting area, since it is
located along a major migration route of the Pacific Flyway. There is also some hunting of up-
land game birds. Then, too, the Columbia River, Lower Crab Creek, and the various lakes, except
the most highly mineralized lakes, provide good waters for sport fishing. The most important
kinds of fish are steelhead and rainbow trout, mountain whitefieh, small-mouth and large-mouth
black bass. The Fish and Wildlife Service has estimated that the Columbia Basin Project will
increase the annual value of wildlife in the area by more'than nine times. They have also esti-
mated that, exclusive of Lake Roosevelt, the Project would nearly double annual fisheries values.
There are now several wildlife preserves iii the basin, including the Lenore Lake National
Wildlife Refuge and Stratford State Game Reserve. The State Game Department is developing a
trout fishery in the Sun Lakes group and a bass-fishing area in the Equalizing Reservoir.
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This Department, which is responsible for the rearing of game and fish and supervision of
hunting and fishing activities, plans to develop more wildlife preserves and fisheries. Trout
fisheries are planned for Goose and Black Lakes and bass fisheries for Long Lake, Moses Lake,
Potholes Reservoir, Scooteney Lake and Scooteney Reservoir. Areas for which wildlife preserves
are planned Include Long Lake, Columbia Wasteway and Winchester Wasteway.
The main stem of the Columbia River supports migrations of anadromous fish, including
steelhead trout and blueback, chinook and silver salmon. The construction of Grand Coulee Dam
stopped such migrations into the Upper Columbia River and tributaries, but new runs of these
fish have been established in the tributaries below the dam to replace those lost above Grand
Coulee Dam.
Recreational boating, swimming and picnicking activities in the Central Columbia River
Basin have in the past been confined largely to certain portions of the Columbia River and* to
Soap Lake and other lakes in the area below Dry Falls. There are at present several State parks
in the basin with general recreational facilities, including the Dry Falls, Sun Lakes, and Moses
Lake State parks. Many new recreational areas will be created, however, with the development of
the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project and the corresponding increased demand for recreational
facilities. Water recreation is favored because of the high summer temperatures. Thus, use of
the waters of the basin for recreation will become increasingly important.
The State Parks and Recreation Commission, in cooperation with the Federal agencies in-
volved, has plans fc-r the development of boating, swimming, picnicking and similar types of rec-
reational facilities, centered chiefly around Potholes Reservoir, Equalizing Reservoir, Moses
Lake, and Long Lake. The plans of the State Parks and Recreation Commission contemplate the de-
velopment of two new State Park areas of Long Lake, and the enlargement of two existing State
Parks, the Sun Lakes and Moses Lake State Parks.
The control of the Columbia River water impounded in the basin facilitates the mainte-
nance of downstream navigation. Commercial navigation at present does not extend above Pasco
and Kennewick, approximately k miles above the mouth of the Snake River, but provision has been
made for a future lock in the authorized Priest Rapids Dam, should navigation to Wenatchee
become justifiable.
Sources of Pollution
There are kk municipalities*/ in the Central Columbia River Basin with a total 1952
estimated population of 105,OOO^/. Thirty of these municipalities, with a population of
94,800£/, have sewers which serve approximately 8^,30c£/. Table 1 summarizes the waste disposal
facilities for these 30 municipalities.
*"Municipalities," as used herein, includes incorporated and unincorporated municipalities)
institutions, military establishments, and other population centers.
» These population figures do not include the populations of the two military establishments.
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TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF MUNICIPAL WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES
Type of
Treatment
Secondary
Primary -
Sub- surface
Land Disp.
Primary
None
Total
No. of
Munici-
palities
8
8
11*
3
30
Population
Served
32,UOO
8,8002/
28,300
1U,800
84,300
No. of Treat-
ment Plants
with Adequate
Capacity
8
U
6*
-
18
No . Treatment
Plants of Ade-
quate Capacity
Needing Improved Operation
3
0
1
-
k
* Includes one plant under construction.
Fourteen municipalities in the basin at present do not have any community sewer systems
or sewage treatment facilities. These Ik municipalities are: Appleyard, Creston, Electric City,
Elmer City, Hartline, Hatton, Marlin (formerly known as Krupp), Medical Lake, Nespelem, Odessa,
Pateros, Warden, Wilson Creek, and West Wenatchee. Only five of these communities, however,
have estimated populations in excess of 750, as follows: West Wenatchee (unincorporated),
2,690; Appleyard (unincorporated), l,Vf9j Odessa, 1,127; Pateros, 866; and Electric City, 799.
Some residences, business places, and industries in these municipalities have adequate private
waste disposal facilities, while others do not have adequate facilities and are discharging
wastes to watercourses.
There were ^5 industrial plants in operation in the basin as of January 1, 1951*, and an
additional plant under construction. A considerable increase in the number of industrial plants
is anticipated as the area develops. Fifteen of these plants are connected to municipal sewer
systems; the other 30 either discharge their wastes through a separate outlet or have no wastes
of pollutional significance.
The fifteen plants connected to municipal systems increase the population equivalent of
the raw wastes before treatment from 84,3003/ to 87,300_y. After treatment in 27 municipal
sewage treatment plants, the population equivalent of these wastes is reduced to U9,300^/ before
they are discharged into various nearby watercourses.
Of the industrial plants having separate outlets, 7 produce no wastes of consequence.
Six plants produce only inorganic wastes and, although all of these plants have provided some
type of treatment, two of the treatment works need improved operation and a third needs to
expand and Improve its treatment facilities.
2/ These population figures do not include the populations of the two military establishments.
-' Does not include population of two military establishments.
-' Does not include population of two military establishments or wastes from large canning plant
having a population equivalent of 50,000.
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Nine of the 17 industrial plants producing significant quantities of organic wastes
utilize some type of land disposal—either lagoons, oxidation ponds, or subsurface disposal
systems. Seven of the 9 are indicated as having no needs; one should provide additional facili-
ties and improved operation, and the other needs only adequate operation and maintenance. Six
of the remaining 6 industrial plants have some type of treatment other than land disposal. How-
ever, 5 of the 6 treatment plants are inadequate and need additional facilities, the sixth
having no needs at present. One of the 2 plants having no vasts treatment facilities should
secure a connection to the municipal sewage system. The other plant needs new waste treatment
facilities.
Table 2 summarizes "by type the significant sources of pollution presently existing in the
basin and indicates needed pollution abatement action. Map Ho. £ shows the distribution of
sources of wastes in the basin and needed facilities.
TABLE 2
SUMMARY OF POLLUTION ABATEMENT NEEDS
Type of
Source
Municipality
Municipality
Municipality
Industry
Industry
Industry
Industry
Industry
Totals
Ho. of
Sources
9'
4
3
4
61/
2
2
1
31
Existing
Treatment
Yes
Yea
No
Connect to
City Sewer
Yes
Under Con-
struction
Yes
No
Waste Treat-
ment Needs
Additions
Improved Operations
New plants
Improvements
Additions
None
Improved Operation
New Facilities
P.E. Dis-
charged to
Stream
3,375£/
750
16,77527
-V
2,480
2,500
o5/
230
23,110
I/ includes 3 plants having waste treatment facilities which need improved operation.
£/ Does not include populations of tvo military installations.
3/ Does not include wastes froa large canning plant having peak P.S. of 50,000.
•]*/ Included elsewhere In document with Industrial wastes discharged to municipal sewers.
£/ One plant has inorganic wastes. The other uses subsurface land disposal.
In addition to the requirements indicated in Table 2, all industrial plants should comply
with the "Minimum Requirements for the Prevention of Industrial Waste Pollution" as adopted by
the Washington Pollution Control Commission.
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TREATMENT NEEDS
^3
----^-l • • •
CENTRAL COLUMBIA
E32£*sw*
UKtotxf COLUMBIA BASIN RECLAMATION AREA
village
LOCATION MAP
cr5
MUNICIPAL
NEW PLANT
REPLACEMENT, ENLAHSEMENT. OR ADDITIONS
IMPROVEMENT IN OPERATION
SEWERS AND TREATMENT PLANT
EXISTING TREATMENT ADEQUATE
TREATMENT WHEN SEWER* ARE BUILT
INDUSTRIAL
WASTE PREVENTION, TREATMENT, OR OTHER SATISFACTORY DISPOSAL FACILITIES
EXISTING DISPOSAL FACILITIES ADEQUATE
aibfrs appearing t>/ symbols indicate total number of initustrigi sources o
Me area,
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Daciage to Water Resources
In the past, with the exception of the main stem of the Columbia River, there has been a
very limited amount of surface water in the basin. This will change with the formation of the
Equalizing Reservoir, Potholes Reservoir, and numerous other lakes and streams which may be
formed as a result of irrigation.
Ground water levels in the area of the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project are presently
comparatively far below the surface. During the first few years of irrigation, however, most
of the- water not lost by evaporation will be stored in the subsurface strata. Eventually the
water level will probably rise to the elevation of the larger drainage ditches. The elevation
of these ditches will largely determine the ground water levels. A point of equilibrium will
eventually be reached at which the return water will be equal to that applied, minus that lost
by evaporation and transpiration. At such time, the surface run-off will probably account for a
significant portion of the return water. In certain locations, the top soil may become water-
logged, and swampy areas will result. In other areas, the water level may be at a considerable
depth. Small seasonal dropping of ground water levels will probably occur as a result of the
fact that the irrigation ditches will be dry during the winter months.
Three inter-related factors are expected to have an important bearing upon water
pollution control in the Central Columbia River Basin and must be considered in connection with
a comprehensive water pollution control program. These factors are: (l) the underlying geologi-
cal formation and the character of the soil in the basin; (2) the expected effect upon existing
ground water levels of the extensive irrigation being developed under the Columbia Basin Irriga-
tion Project; and (3) land disposal of sewage and industrial wastes made necessary by the lack
of surface streams, a method nov in common use in the basin.
The plateau areas of the basin are largely underlain by successive layers of basalt lava,
each of which usually has a shattered zone at its base. The basalt layers are of varying
thickness and are deformed by folds which have caused the formation of several subsurface basins.
Between successive layers of basalt are discontinuous pervious layers of unconsolidated material,
such as gravel and sand. The soil cover consists of varying thicknesses of clay, silt, sand,
and gravel. The surface of the soil has been eroded by water and wind. These natural factors
of surface and subsurface soil character and topography determine the rate at which irrigation
water will percolate into the soil and the proportion of this water which will enter the water
table. The porosity of the soil will determine how much of the water will be stored as the
water table rises and how much will return to the Columbia River either as surface run-off or as
return flow in the drainage ditches and natural watercourses.
Land disposal, both surface and subsurface, has in the,past provided a satisfactory
method of final disposal of sewage effluents without causing pollution of the ground water. It
is quite possible, however, that the combination of the above-mentioned factors may adversely
affect the quality of some shallow ground waters from which veil supplies are drawn, as well as
the quality of the irrigation water in the ditches and the return flows in the drains.
The exact pattern and scope of the changes which will occur as a result of the above-
mentioned combination of factors cannot be foretold because of the variability and complexity
of these factors. Consequently, no certain analysis of the resulting problems can be made at
this time, nor can their exact effect upon the basin's water resources be determined. Each
problem will require individual study. The sewage and waste disposal problems must be given at
least equal consideration with other factors in the planning of the development of communities
and industries. The degree of treatment must be adapted to suit the local conditions of
disposal.
In many areas of the basin where geological and topographical conditions favor subsurface
disposal of wastes, ground water is the only satisfactory source from which domestic and
industrial requirements can be supplied. Extensive use of subsurface methods of waste disposal
in such areas may adversely affect the quality of ground waters and could conceivably limit or
prevent further development.
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Water Quality Objectives
Waste reduction and treatment provides for the Central Columbia River Basin the most eco-
nomical and desirable means of eliminating existing pollution and of preserving the generally
high quality of its waters, upon which the economy of the basin is so largely dependent. The
.Washington Pollution Control Commission has, therefore, in conjunction w5th the other States in
the Columbia River Basin, developed water quality objectives for the principal uses of the
waters of the Columbia River Basin. These objectives indicate the minimum treatment
requirements for domestic sewage and the quality of water which should be maintained in order
that the waters may be used for: (1) drinking, culinary, and food processing purposes; (2) bath-
ing, swimming, and recreation; (3) growth and propagation of fish and other aquatic life; and
(k) agriculture and industrial water supply. The water quality objectives developed by the
States of the Columbia River Basin are included in Appendix I.
Benefits and Costs
The carrying out of the comprehensive water pollution control program for the Central
Columbia River Basin will bring many benefits to the health and welfare of the people, to
agriculture, and to industry, and will facilitate further expansion of the economy of the basin.
The people will receive the benefits of improved quality of water supplies, increased
freedom from the dangers of waterborne diseases, cleaner recreational and bathing water, in-
creased property values, and the pleasure of living in a clean, progressive region. Benefits to
agriculture will include improvement of water,quality, which will make it more suitable for
irrigation of leafy vegetable crops and safer as a source of rural domestic water supply.
Industry will benefit through by-product recovery, increased availability of water supplies for
future expansion, fewer damage suits and lower legal expenses, and through improved public re-
lations. These benefits will help to assure a continuation of the healthy economic growth of
the"Central Columbia Basin.
The construction costs of the various facilities needed to carry out the comprehensive
program for abatement of municipal pollution in the basin are estimated to be approximately
$2,1400,000. This figure is based on average per capita costs for a number of projects of com-
parable size constructed in the Pacific Northwest during 1952 and early 1953 and is presented to
give some idea of the magnitude of needed facilities. An individual project may vary widely
from the average figures used. Further, this figure is used to portray only current needs. The
rapid growth of the area may double or triple the cost of pollution abatement works needed
during the next 10 to 25 years.
The cost of facilities which will be required to abate the industrial pollution cannot be
estimated until the possibilities of by-product recovery and waste reduction through process
changes have been evaluated and the degree of treatment required has been determined by the
Commission. However, the requirements of the Pollution Control Commission are reasonable and
the cost should not be excessive.
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COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM
The present water pollution abatement needs in the Central Columbia River Basin are
known and are tabulated at the end of this section of the document. However, it is not possible
to predict in detail at this time the future needs for pollution abatement in the basin. The
water quality objectives referred to in a previous section of this document . have been developed
as a guide to the solution of pollution problems which may logically be expected to occur as the
economy of the basin progresses. Since these pollution problems will differ widely and since
many of them cannot be foreseen at this time, the comprehensive program of water pollution con-
trol must be flexible enough to provide for a vide variety of conditions.
In order to meet the water quality objectives set forth in the foregoing discussion, the
Washington Pollution Control Commission has adopted the following comprehensive program of water
pollution control for the Central Columbia River Basin. The program includes all sources of
domestic sewage and wastes from industrial processes as well as other operations which may
affect the quality of surface or underground waters.
1. Adequate sewage treatment facilities for all sewered municipalities, and adequate sewage
treatment facilities at the time sewer systems are found necessary for communities
presently unsewered. Adequate treatment facilities for domestic wastes discharged to
surface waters should be secondary treatment with effective disinfection of effluents,
except for wastes discharged directly to the Columbia River. In these cases a minimum of
primary treatment with effective disinfection of effluents will be required.
2. The employment of waste prevention methods for all industries, and pre-treatment, where
needed, for those industries discharging their wastes to municipal sewer systems. Ade-
quate treatment of vastes from industries discharging directly, or indirectly, to
watercourses.
Waste disposal should be considered as an important factor in the choice of locations for
new industrial establishments. Waste prevention, treatment or .disposal should be considered in
the design of such establishments. In all cases, the Washington Pollution Control Commission
should be consulted during the planning stage of any industry which will have a waste disposal
problem. Specific "Minimum Requirements for the Prevention of Industrial Waste Pollution" have
been adopted by the Washington Pollution Control Commission. These minimum requirements are
given in Appendix II.
3. Protection of the basin from activities that destroy or damage tte water resources. The
State and Federal agricultural agencies have developed programs for farming and irri-
gation practices which, if followed, will greatly reduce erosion and soil losses to
ditches and streams. This comprehensive water pollution control program encourages the
adoption, of these practices by all farmers, and recommends full cooperation with the
agencies promulgating them.
A tabulation of specific municipal and industrial requirements included under the Washl
ington Pollution Control Commission Comprehensive Program for water pollution control in the
Central Columbia River Basin follows:
s!/
Municipal Requirement
Type of Waste
Kame To Be Treated Requirements
Almira Domestic Improved operation
Appleyard " Sewers and new treatment plant
Bridgeport " New sludge pump
Connell " Improved operation
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Municipal Requirements—/
Name
Coulee City
Coulee Dam
Crestoni/
East Wenatchee
Electric Cityi/
Elmer City£/
Ephrata
Ephrata Air Base
Grand Coulee
Harrington
Hartlinel/
Type of Waste
To Be Treated
Domestic
Lind
Marl in (or Krupp)— '
Medical Lake£/
Larson Air Force Base
Nespelemf/
Odessa^/
Pas co
Pateros
.Quincy
Reardan
Warden
Waterville
Wenatchee
Domestic and
Industrial
Domestic
Domestic and
Industrial
Domestic and
Industrial
Requirements
Additional treatment (secondary
treatment and chlorination)
Additional treatment (sludge
disposal and chlorination)
Sewers and new treatment plant
Sewers and new treatment plant
Sewers and new treatment plant
Sewers and new treatment plant
Enlargement of existing plant and
additional treatment (chlorination)
Additional treatment (chlorination)
New treatment plant
New treatment plant
Sewers and new treatment plant
Sewers and new treatment plant
Secondary treatment
Sewers and new treatment plant
Sewers and new treatment plant
Improved operation (chlorination)
Sewers and new treatment plant
Sewers and new treatment plant
New treatment plant (under construction)
Sewers and new treatment plant
Enlargement of existing plant and
additional treatment (chlorination)
Improved operation
Sewers and new treatment plant
New treatment plant
New treatment plant
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Municipal Requirements (Continued)
Name
West Wenatchee
Wilson Creeki/
•type of Waste
To Be Treated
Domestic
Requirements
Sewers and new treatment plant
Sewers and new treatment plant
I/ "Municipalities," as used herein, includes incorporated and unincorporated municipalities,
institutions, military establishments, and other population centers.
2J These communities have no municipal system. They are served by individual waste disposal
systems, principally septic tanks followed by subsurface disposal. At such time as a commu-
nity system is built, adequate waste treatment facilities should be included as part of the
project.
Industrial Requirements
The following industries should provide facilities to comply with the "Minimum Require-
ments for Prevention of Industrial Waste Pollution" (see Appendix H), adopted by the Washington
Pollution Control Commission, and/or in addition where needed should provide connections to
municipal sewers or other facilities for treatment or disposal of liquid wastes, whichever is
appropriate in each specific case:
Name
Allied Chemical Corporation
Battermann'a Quality Sand
and Gravel
D. and D. Foods
Lind Packing Co.
Mclnroy Meat Co.
Moses Lake Meat Co.
Pacific Pulp Moulding Co.
Quincy Corporation
Twin City Livestock 8c Poultry Co.
Wenatchee Packing Co.
Wenatchee Rendering Works
Wenatchee Valley Foods
Location
Hedges
Wenatchee
Wenatchee
Lind
Wilbur
Moses Lake
Wenatchee
Quincy
Kennewick
Wenatchee
Wenatchee
Wenatchee
Type of Industry
Inorganic chemicals
Dredge mining
Canning
Meat packing
Meat packing
Meat packing
Paper products
Diatomaceous earth
mining
Meat packing
Meat packing
Rendering
Cannery
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Appendix 1
Water quality objectives and mini mam treatment requirement* (developed toy the Uublngton Pollution Control Connie a ion for the Yaklna River Buln)
water quality aaaaa»a^
Viler uses «•>•••»
A. Water supply, drinking, ou-
llnary, tart food process ing r
Without treatment other than
simple disinfection and re-
noval of naturally present
impurities.
B. Water supply, drinking, cu-
linary, and food processing:
With treatment equal to co-
agulation, sedimentation,
filtration, disinfection and
any additional treatment
necessary for moving natu-
rally present Inpuritles.
C. Bathing, swimming and recre-
ation
Note: When waters are used
for recreational purposes
such aa fishing t lotting.
exclusive of bathing t svlm-
nlng, the number "1000- nay
be substituted for "240" In
statement of oollform objec-
tive.
0. Qrowth and propagation of
fish, shellfish and other
aquatic life
E. Agricultural and industrial
water supply!
Without treatment except for
the removal of natural la-
purities to BMt special
quality requirements, other
than those classified under
•A" above.
Not*: Permissible
limits for total concentra-
tion percent aodiun, boron,
chlorides, and sulphates to
receive further study. Sug-
gested value for percent
sodium is less than 40. Per-
cent aodiun means the ratio
of sodium to total cations
expressed in equivalent
weights calculated froa the
fonula
Na X 100/Na t K + C« * Mg
when Na, Ca, and Mg are all
expressed In equivalents.
Water quality objectives, applicable to receiving waters,
for salt and fresh surface waters and underground waters
Organisms of the
collforn group
Mast probable number coil-
font bacterial content of
a representative number
of samples should average
Less than 20 per 100 ml.
Ln any month.
H.P.N. conform bacterial
content of a representa-
tive number of samples
should average less than
2,000 per 100 ml. and
should not exceed this
number In more than 20 1
percent of samples
examined In any month when
associated with domestic
aswage.
M.F.N. collfom bacterial
content of a representa-
tive number of samples
should average less than
2« per 100 al. and should
not exceed this number In
anre than 20 percent of
samples examined when as-
sociated with domestic
sewage.*
M.P.N. oollform bacterial
content of a representa-
tive number of samples
should not have a median
concentration greater than
70 per 100 ml. In waters
used for the growth t
propagation of shellfish.
Floating, suspended and
settleable solids end
sludge deposits
Done attributable to sewage, in-
dustrial, wastes or other wastes
or which, after reasonable di-
lution k mixture with receiving
waters Interfere with the best
use of these waters for the pur-
pose indicated.
Same as for use "A" above.
Same as for use "A" above.
Seme as for use "A" above.
Same aa for use "A" above.
Taste or odor pro-
ducing aubstances
lone attributable to sewage,
Adustrlal wastes, or other
wastes.
None attributable to sewage,
industrial wastes, or other
wastes which, after reasonable
dilution t mixture, will In-
crease the threshold odor num-
ber above eight (8).
tone attributable to sewage,
Industrial wastes, or other
wastes which, after reasonable
dilution k mixture, will In-
terfere with the best use of
these waters for the purpose
Indicated.
Hone attributable to sewage,
Industrial wastes, or other
wastes which will Interfere
with the marketability or
propagation of recreational
or commercial fish, shellfish,
or other edible aquatic forms.
None attributable to sewage,
Industrial wastes, or other
wastes which will adverse!?
affect the marketability of
agricultural or Industrial
produce.
Dissolved
oxygen
Greater than
Ive (5)
parts per
million
xcept for
underground
waters.
reater than
five (5) parts
per million
except for
underground
waters.
Greater than
five (5) parts
per million.
Sreater than six
(6) parti per
million.
Greater than
three (3) part*
per Billion.
PH
Hydrogen,
on conoen-
ration
xpreaaed
aapH
bould
be main-
tained be-
tween 6.5
t 8.5
Seme as for
use "A"
above.
Same aa for
use "A"
above.
Same as for
use "A"
above.
Hydrogen
ion concen-
tration ex-
pressed as
pR should
be main-
tained be-
tween 6.0
ft 9.5
•See note under "C" above.
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Water quality objectives and minima treatment requirements (developed by the Washington Pollution Control Conaiaslon for the Yakima River Basin) —Continued
Water quail tya*^B*^^
Water useaaBBBaesi
A. Water supply, drinking, cu-
linary, and food processing:
Without treatment other than
simple disinfection and re-
moval of naturally present
Impurities.
B. Water supply, drinking, cu-
linary, and food processing:
With treatment equal to co-
agulation, sedimentation,
filtration, disinfection and
any additional treatment
necessary for removing natu-
rally present Impurities.
C. Bathing, swimming and recre-
ation
Note: When waters are used
for recreational purposes
such as fishing t boating.
exclusive of bathing k swim-
ming, the number •1000" may
be substituted for "240" in
statement of collfom objec-
tive.
D. Growth and propagation of
fish, shellfish and other
aquatic life.
E. Agricultural and industrial
water supply;
Without treatment eicept for
the removal of natural Im-
purities to meet special
quality requirements, other
than those classified under
"A" above.
Note: Permissible
limits for total concentra-
tion percent sodium, boron,
chlorides, and aulphates to
receive further study. Sug-
gested value for percent
sodium is less than 40. Per-
cent sodium means the ratio
of sodium to total cations
expressed in equivalent
velghts calculated from the
formula
Na X 100/Na * K + Ca + Mg
when Na, Ca, and Mg are all
expressed In equivalents.
Water quality objectives, applicable to receiving waters,
for salt and fresh surface waters and underground waters
Toxic, colored, or
other deleterious
substances
None alone or- in combina-
tion with other substances
or wastes in sufficient
amounta or of such nature
as to make receiving vater
unsafe or unsuitable for
use indicated (U.S.P.H.S.
SIDS.).
Same as for use "A" above.
Same as for use "A" above.
None alone or In combina-
tion with other substances
or wastes in sufficient
amount or of such charac-
ter as to make receiving
waters unsafe or unsuit-
able for use Indicated.
Same as for use "A1* above.
Phenolic
compounds
Less than five (5) parts per
billion.
Less than five (5) parts per
billion.
Less than 25 parts per bil-
lion or none In sufficient
amounts such as to impart a
residual taste to recrea-
tional or conmerelal fish,
shellfish, or other aquatic
fonts.
Same as for use "C" above.
None in sufficient quantity
as to make receiving water
unsuitable for use Indicated.
Oil
None.
None alone or in
combination with
other substances
or wastes as to
make receiving
water unfit or
unsafe for the
use Indicated.
Same as for use
"B" above.
Same as for use
"B" above.
Same as for use
"B- above.
High
temperature
wastes
Not In sufficient
quantities alone or in
combination with other
wastes to Interfere
with the use Indi-
cated.
Same as for use "A"
above.
Same as for use "A"
above*
Not In sufficient
quantity as to in-
crease the temperature
of the receiving water
beyond that optimum
for the normal aquatic
life of the specific
water.
Same as for use "A"
above.
Minimum treatment
requirements for
domestic sewage
Primary treatment and
effective disinfection.
Primary treatment and
effective disinfection.
Primary treatment and
effective disinfection.
Primary treatment for
all uaes under this
group but disinfection
required in addition
only if discharged into
waters used for the
growth 4 propagation of
shellfish, either com-
mercial or recrea-
tional.
Primary treatment and
effective disinfection.
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Appendix II
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR PREVENTION OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE POLLUTION
Adopted by the Washington Pollution Control Commission
A. Slaughterhouses and Meat Packing Plants
All slaughterhouses and meat packing plants should provide the necessary facilities to
conform to the following minimum requirements whether or not the plant is connected to
a municipal sewer system:
1. Yards and holding pens shall be dry cleaned before washing down.
2. Kill blood shall be separately collected and the blood thoroughly squeegeed
.from the floor into the collection tank. The disposal, or utilization, of the
blood thus collected will depend upon local facilities, but must be accom-
plished in a manner which conforms to sanitation regulations.
3. Paunch manure and hog stomach contents shall be collected separately and
used as fertilizer, land-fill or in any other satisfactory manner. A fine
screen is recommended wherever its installation is feasible.
4. Fleshings, grease particles and other solid material shall be collected by dry
cleaning of floors and screening of wastes.
5. Adequate grease recovery basins shall be installed on drain lines from by-
product processing rooms. These traps shall be skimmed and cleaned at
least once each day. (Note: In the larger plants it is recommended that
small basins be located wherever high grade greases can be recovered in
significant quantity and that a main basin be installed on the main drain line.
Wastes not containing grease should be by-passed around the basin.)
Plants should connect with the respective municipal sewer systems where feasible in
order that the added treatment with municipal sewage will be provided. The two plants in
Grandview are presently connected to the city system. For those connected or where a
connection is not feasible, septic tanks and drain fields for domestic sewage and appro-
priate treatment facilities for washings and other process waste waters should be pro-
vided. Plans for these facilities should be submitted to the Pollution Control Commission
prior to construction.
B. Vegetable, Fruit and Fruit Juice Canneries
All canneries should provide the necessary facilities to comply with the following
minimum requirements whether or not the plant is connected to a municipal sewer system:
1. Vegetable and fruit canneries (unless other arrangements are made with this
Commission) shall provide an efficient screen for the removal of skins,
seeds, pomace, culls, discarded product and other suspended material from
the wastes from the washing, sorting, or other canning processes. This
screen should be at least EO-mesh, U. S. Standard gage, and may be of the
vibrating, rotary or any other effective type. It shall be located on the main
outlet sewer line or lines from the cannery in such a way that all waste
waters will pass through the screen except cooling condenser or other clean
waters. The latter may be by-passed around the screen or discharged
through a separate outlet. Prior to the installation of the screen a plan
drawing of the facility shall be submitted to the Pollution Control Commis-
sion for approval together with data as to capacity.
2. Screenings and other solid material removed from the product during the
cannery operations shall be disposed of in a manner which will assure that
it will not enter a State water.
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Because large canneries have the effect of overloading municipal treatment plants,
especially in small communities, efforts should be directed toward segregating these
wastes from the municipal system and providing other means of disposal. Operations of
these canneries are seasonal (from six weeks to three or four months) and in many cases
the wastes can be disposed of by irrigation or lagooning.
All canneries and any new canneries should, in addition to adequate screening:
1. Segregate cooling and other clean waters for separate discharge to the
waterways of the basin or to storm drains if such are available.
2. Provide for the recirculation of process waters within the cannery to reduce
to a practical limit the quantity of waste discharged,
3. Provide for the lagooning of the waste and for use of the water for irrigation.
The lagoons should be constructed according to the recommendations of the
National Cannery Association (Bulletin No. 23).
4. In event conditions are such that lagooning or irrigation is not possible or
practical, arrangements should be made for the further treatment of the
screened waste through conferences with the staff of the Pollution Control
Commission.
C. Milk and Milk Products Plants
All milk bottling plants and plants manufacturing milk products should provide the
necessary equipment and facilities to conform to the following minimum requirements
whether or not the plant drains are connected to a municipal sewer system:
1. Whole milk, skim milk, buttermilk, whey, condensed milk products, dried
milk products or spoiled milk or milk products shall not be dumped or
otherwise allowed to enter a drain line which leads, either directly or in-
directly, to a State water.
2. Mechanical can washers, both straight-line or rotary, shall be equipped
with a drip collector and the drip milk collected and disposed of in a man-
ner which conforms to sanitation regulations.
3. Milk or milk products left in sanitary lines, tanks and equipment before
washing shall be drained into suitable containers and disposed of in a satis-
factory manner as directed above. It is recommended that these lines
and equipment be installed to slope slightly to the point of collection.
4. Leaks in pumps, pipe lines and other equipment handling milk or milk prod-
ucts shall be repaired as rapidly as possible.
5. Accidental spillage shall be reduced to a minimum by providing appropriate
alarms or automatic equipment to prevent such accidents and by proper in-
struction to personnel.
D. Wineries
All wineries should conform to the following minimum requirements as they apply to
the specific industry:
1. Pomace which is a garbage-like material shall not be allowed to enter the
liquid waste waters. If disposed of on land, the location of the disposal field
shall be such that seepage water from the pile will not enter a surface water
and that flood waters will not carry the material into public waters. Preven-
tion of ground water contamination in the area must be also considered in the
location of the field.
2. The major portion of the lees shall be separated and disposed of along with
the pomace unless arrangements are made by agreement with this office and
the respective municipal officials for disposal in a municipal sewage system
18
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and treatment plant. If discharge to a municipal system is approved, the facili-
ties to spread the discharge over a period of time, rather than in batches, must
be provided.
3. Still slops shall not be disposed of in the sewer system. This waste product dis-
posal is a locality problem and is subject to the same requirements given for
pomace if land disposal is used.
^Adequate screening facilities are usually necessary to accomplish the effective col-
lection or recovery of the waste materials listed above. These screens should have an
efficiency equivalent to the screening facilities recommended for canneries; namely, 20-
mesh, U. S. Standard gage.
E. Breweries
Breweries of the Basin should comply with the following minimum requirements:
It Under no conditions will brewer's grains be discharged to the sewer system.
(Note: Grains have a definite market value and are almost always recovered and
sold for cattle feed; however, provision must be made for holding or storage in
case of breakdown or delay in transportation.)
2. Because of high concentration of the grain liquor, grain should be sold in a wet
condition. In case the grain is dehydrated, special arrangements must be made
for the disposal of the liquor by agreement with the Pollution Control Commis-
sion.
3. Spent hops shall be collected and disposed of as fertilizer, dumping on land,
incineration or in some manner as to prevent this material from entering a
State water.
4. Methods shall be devised for the separation and recovery of the yeast to prevent
its entrance to the liquid waste drains.
F. Coal and Gravel Industries
Coal mining and gravel operations, where washing is practiced as a part of the
operations, should provide effective ponds or other means for the removal of fine coal,
coal dust, sand and silt, as the case may be. This material must be removed before the
washings are discharged to any waterway of the Basin. Recirculation of washer water after
settling should be used where practical. The detention periods in the ponds unless recir-
culation is employed should be established by conference with the Pollution Control Com-
mission staff.
G. Beet Sugar Factories
Beet sugar factories should conform, at least, to the following minimum requirements:
1. An effective screen shall be provided for the factory and process wastes from
the manufacture of beet sugar. The screenings will be removed and disposed of
on land or in any other satisfactory manner. It is suggested that the slot open-
ings of the screen be 1/8" x 3/4".
2. Steffens waste shall never be discharged to a State waterway. This waste must
either be evaporated or ponded. In the latter case, it will be necessary to make
arrangements with the Pollution Control Commission for the discharge of the
ponded waste under controlled conditions, and during high-water periods.
3. Settling ponds shall be used for the removal of settleable material from factory
and process waste. It is suggested that short-period ponds, constructed to
operate in parallel, are more effective than large ponds operated in series. Cer-
tain of these ponds will be used until the material which settles starts to decom-
pose. The waste will then be directed to other ponds.
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H. Miscellaneous Uses of Oil
The following minimum requirements should be met by all users of oil:
1. Tankers, railroad tank cars, tank trucks or other facilities used for loading,
unloading, and transportation of oil shall be equipped for the collection of the
drip from hose or other connections and the excess oil contained in hose or
pipe lines, wherever there is a possibility that this oil will find its way,
either directly or indirectly, into a body of water. Provision shall be made
also for catching accidental spills and these facilities shall be of such a ca-
pacity as to hold the maximum quantity of oil possible from any one spill.
2. Roundhouses shall be provided with facilities for the collection of all oil and
oil-and-water mixtures and an adequate separator shall be installed for the
separation and recovery of both light and heavy oils from these mixtures.
These separators shall be operated in such a manner as to assure their maxi-
mum efficiency.
3. Wherever practical, all waste oils and lubricants from industrial operations
should be collected in containers for proper disposal. Oil emulsions used for
machine cutting and tool cutting should be collected, treated and reused
wherever possible. In event these emulsions are discarded, the emulsion
must be broken down and the oil recovered for proper disposal. The general
wastes from processes, if they contain oil, must first be passed through an
adequate and well-operated oil separator before being discharged into the
waters of the State.
4. Service stations with direct outlets to a body of water shall not discard oil to
that water or so dispose of it in such a manner that it will be washed into the
waters by run-off.
5. Officials of cities, towns and sewer districts are directly responsible for the
control of oil discharged from their respective sewerage systems. It is •
strongly urged that ordinances be passed which will make it unlawful to dump
or otherwise discharge oil into these sewer systems.
6. Since it is usually desirable to dispose of waste or recovered oil by burning,
this should be accomplished with due regard to local or other regulations and
without the production of nuisances or hazards. The location of disposal
points shall be such as to eliminate any possible pollution of either surface or
underground waters.
I. Logging Industry
All logging operations, especially in the upper reaches of the various tributaries,
should be conducted in such a manner as to minimize the effects of these operations on
the uses of these waters. Attention should be given to such items as the location, and
construction of logging roads, the disposal of slashings and other refuse, burning-over
of areas, and other factors which increase the rate of run-off, cause erosion, and the
silting of the streams. The waterways should be kept free of barriers to the movement
of fish. Special attention should be given to control of logging operations in watersheds
from which domestic and industrial supplies are or may be taken.
J. Agriculture Industry
Irrigation practices should be controlled to minimize erosion and the loss of soil
to ditches and streams.
K. New Industries
Waste disposal should be considered as one of the major factors in the location of
new industries. Those considering the establishment or development of new industries
where the disposal of a liquid waste is involved should contact the Pollution Control
Commission prior to the final planning stage.
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