ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF ENFORCEMENT
REPORT ON
WATER QUALITY
I
WASTE SOURCE INVESTIGATIONS
MISSOURI RIVER & PAPILLION CREEK
OMAHA, NEBRASKA
NATIONAL FIELD INVESTIGATIONS CENTER-DENVER
DENVER.COLORADO
AND
REGION VII, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
MARCH 1973
tLEAl
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF ENFORCEMENT
Report on
WATER-QUALITY AND WASTE-SOURCE INVESTIGATIONS
MISSOURI RIVER AND PAPILLION CREEK
OMAHA, NEBRASKA
National Field Investigations Center-Denver
Denver, Colorado
and
Region VII, Kansas City, Missouri
March 1973
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
LIST OF APPENDICES iv
LIST OF FIGURES v
LIST OF TABLES vi
GLOSSARY OF TERMS vii
I. INTRODUCTION 1
A. BACKGROUND 1
B. WATER QUALITY INVESTIGATIONS 1972 4
II. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 7
III. RECOMMENDATIONS 15
IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA 19
V. WASTE SOURCES 23
A. MUNICIPAL 26
Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant . . 26
Papillion Creek Wastevater Treatment Plant. . 32
B. INDUSTRIAL 33
Allied Chemical Corporation -
Agricultural Division 33
Central Wastewater Pretreatment Facility ... 35
Flinn Paving Company Asphalt Plant 37
National By-Products, Inc 38
The Quaker Oats Company 40
Union Pacific Shops 41
C. SEWERAGE SYSTEM 42
Diversion Structures 46
Grit Removal Facilities 47
Monroe Street, South Omaha, and
Minne Lusa Facilities 47
Missouri Avenue, Riverview Park,
Farnam Street, and Burt Izard Facilities . . 48
Hickory Street, Pierce Street,
Leavenworth Street, Jones Street,
and Bridge Street Facilities 50
Lift Stations 51
iii
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont.)
Page
VI. STREAM SURVEYS 55
A. LITTLE PAPILLION CREEK 55
B. BIG PAPILLION CREEK 60
C. PAPILLION CREEK 60
D. MISSOURI RIVER 62
VII. STATUS OF WATER POLLUTION ABATEMENT 65
A. PAST AND PRESENT ABATEMENT ACTIONS 65
B. POLLUTION CONTROL REQUIREMENTS OF THE
FWPCA AMENDMENTS OF 1972 70
VIII. REFERENCES 75
APPENDICES
A EXCERPTS FROM NEBRASKA WATER
QUALITY STANDARDS
B MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT REPORTS
C INDUSTRIAL PLANT REPORTS
D STUDY METHODS
E CHAIN OF CUSTODY PROCEDURES
F EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND
PRETREATMENT REQUIREMENTS
G COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL USE OF
PUBLIC SEWERS AND DRAINS
OMAHA INDUSTRIAL WASTE ORDINANCE
RULES AND REGULATIONS, MAY 1965
H INTERIM UPGRADING TREATMENT MEASURES FOR
MISSOURI RIVER WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
EXISTING PAPILLION CREEK WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
CENTRAL WASTEWATER PRETREATMENT FACILITY
iv
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LIST OF FIGURES
Follows
Figure No. Page
1 Location Map-Missouri River,
Omaha, Nebraska 20
2 Sampling Locations-Omaha, Nebraska Area 24
3 Sampling Locations-South of Omaha,
Nebraska Area 24
4 Sewage Collection for the Missouri River
Wastewater Treatment Plant,
Omaha, Nebraska 1972 42
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LIST OF TABLES
Table No. Page
1 MAJOR MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL SOURCES-
MISSOURI RIVER, OMAHA, NEBRASKA,
JULY-AUGUST 1972 24
2 MINOR MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT
FACILITIES IN THE PAPILLION CREEK WATERSHED 25
3 SUMMARY OF ANALYTICAL DATA FOR MUNICIPAL
AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE-SOURCE EVALUATIONS,
MISSOURI RIVER-OMAHA, NEBRASKA AREA
JULY-AUGUST 1972 27
4 SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES OF
MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE DISCHARGES,
OMAHA, NEBRASKA, JULY-AUGUST 1972 30
5 SERVICE AREAS IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA 43
6 LIFT STATIONS AND GRIT-REMOVAL FACILITIES,
MISSOURI RIVER WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
SERVICE AREA, OMAHA, NEBRASKA, AUGUST 1972 44
7 SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND
ANALYTICAL DATA - LITTLE PAPILLION CREEK,
BIG PAPILLION CREEK, PAPILLION CREEK, AND
THE MISSOURI RIVER, 31 JULY - 11 AUGUST 1972 56
8 RESULTS OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES,
MISSOURI RIVER AND PAPILLION CREEK,
31 JULY - 5 AUGUST 1972 58
9 SUMMARY OF HEAVY METAL AND NUTRIENT DATA AT
SELECTED STATIONS ON THE MISSOURI RIVER,
7-11 AUGUST 1972 59
vi
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GLOSSARY OF TERMS
BOD - Biochemical Oxygen Demand, 5-day
COD - Chemical Oxygen Demand
DO - Dissolved Oxygen
MPN - Most Probable Number
MF - Membrane Filter
N1I.-N - Ammonia as Nitrogen
N0_ + NO_-N - Nitrate Nitrite as Nitrogen
«3 *m
RM - River Mileage (e.g. 367.5/4.0), with the first number
denoting distance from mouth of the Missouri River to
the confluence with a tributary stream, and second
value indicating distance upstream of mouth of the
tributary stream.
TOC - Total Organic Carbon
TKN - Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (Ammonia + Organic Nitrogen)
TSS or SS - Suspended Solids
VSS - Volatile Suspended Solids
WWTP - Wastewater Treatment Plant
C - Centigrade temperature scale
F - Fahrenheit temperature scale
cfm - Flow rate given in cubic feet per minute
cfs - "• " " " " " " second
gpd - " " " " gallons per day
gph - " " " " gallons per hour
gpm - " " " " gallons per minute
vii
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GLOSSARY OF TERMS (Cont.)
mgd - Flow rate given in million gallons per day
mg/1 - Concentration given in milligrams per liter
yg/1 - '' " " micrograms per liter
Vimhos/cm - Unit of specific conductance (mho—the inverse of the
standard unit of electrical resistance, the ohm)
measured over a 1-centimeter distance, conventionally
at 25°C.
ppm - Concentration given in parts per million parts
viii
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I. INTRODUCTION
A. BACKGROUND
The Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service,
having had reason to believe that pollution of the Missouri River from
untreated domestic sewage and industrial waste discharges was endangering
the health and welfare of persons in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri
convened an enforcement conference on the matter of pollution of the
Missouri River on 14 June 1957.-
The Conferees concluded that the major sources of pollution in the
Missouri River, from north of Omaha, Nebraska, to St. Joseph, Missouri,
were municipal and industrial discharges from Omaha, Nebraska. They also
concluded that the effects of this pollution were "(1) deterioration of
water quality for public water supply of St. Joseph, Missouri, with
associated enhancement of possible disease transmission; (2) increased
concentrations of coliform and other organisms associated with human
diseases which constitute a health hazard to commercial and recreational
uses of the river; (3) deterioration of water quality so as to interfere
with its use for stock watering; (4) deterioration of water quality so
as to prevent full use of the commercial fishery of the Missouri River
below Blair, Nebraska; (5) deterioration of water quality so as to
create conditions inimical to fish and wildlife in the area; and (6)
impairment of water quality for many industrial uses."
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In addition, the Conferees agreed that the bulk of the wastes
(i.e., grease, paunch manure, bone, hair, etc.) fron the meat-packing
industries in South Omaha would be removed by the plants themselves
before being discharged into city sewers. As a result, the Conferees
recommended that adequate wastewater treatment be provided by the
municipalities and industries along the Missouri River as soon as
possible and that the construction contract for the last treatment
plant in Omaha be awarded by 1 January 1960.
A second session of the enforcement conference was held 21 July
21
1964— on the basis "... that pollution of the Missouri River, caused
by discharges of sewage and industrial wastes from the City of Omaha,
was continuing to endanger the health or welfare of persons in States
other than in which the discharges originate." The Conferees re-
luctantly agreed to accept a proposal by Omaha whereby the city would
finance and build a treatment plant to treat all packing-house wastes
prior to being discharged into the city sewers. This new plant was to
be completed and in operation by 15 December 1966. After this date
"no wastes are to be discharged to the Missouri River from Omaha with-
out at least primary treatment."
Progress evaluation meetings were held 11 and 12 February 1965,-
LI 5/
27 January and 29 March 1966,— and on 8 March 1967.- During these
meetings the Conferees discussed requirements for the effluent from
the Central Wastewater Pretreatment Plant. It was recommended that
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"suspended solids in the Missouri River Sewage Treatment Plant influent
should not exceed 400 parts per million" and that the maximum grease to
be received in south inlet (i.e., the point where packing-house wastes
enter) should not exceed 18,000 Ib/day.
The Omaha Public Works director stated, during the 29 March 1966
meeting, that the packing-house wastewater treatment facility "from
a technical standpoint...will adequately treat the packing wastes so
that subsequent treatment at the Missouri River Sewage Treatment Plant
of the wastes will result in the discharge to the Missouri River of a
normal primary treatment plant effluent."
Water quality standards were established by the Nebraska Depart-
*
ment of Environmental Control and approved as Federal Standards
[Appendix A]. These standards consist of three components: (1) Stream
classifications (interstate waters) that designate water uses to be
protected; (2) Water quality criteria that specify water quality con-
ditions which must be maintained; and (3) An implementation plan that
establishes time schedules for providing adequate wastewater control
facilities for all sources of pollution.
The Federal Water Quality Administration (Department of the Interior)
Missouri River Basin Region conducted a water-quality survey of the Missouri
River, during the fall of 1968 and the winter of 1969,— in order to de-
velop technical support for stringent water quality standards. Results
The Department of Environmental Control revised these standards on
20 June 1972 but has not received Federal approval.
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of the study showed a decrease in the water quality of the river down-
stream from Omaha, as evidenced by an increase in fecal coliform organisms,
Salmonella were present in the river from Omaha to St. Joseph, Missouri.
B. WATER QUALITY INVESTIGATIONS 1972
The Environmental Protection Agency, Region VII, requested the
National Field Investigations Center-Denver (NFIC-D), Office of En-
forcement, EPA, to conduct water-quality investigations in the Missouri
River Basin (Omaha Area). These studies, conducted during the period
of 30 July to 12 August 1972, included an evaluation of municipal and
industrial wastewater treatment facilities and limited stream surveys
on the Missouri River and Papillion Creek to determine the impact of
waste loads on the quality of the receiving waters. The primary ob-
jectives of the survey were to:
1. Evaluate water pollution control practices for municipal and
industrial waste sources and determine compliance or non-compliance
with Nebraska Water Quality Standards (i.e., the requirement for a
minimum of secondary treatment for all municipal wastes by 31 December
1975, and an equivalent degree of treatment for all other wastes),
and Federal regulations, e.t>., Refuse Act and the Federal Water Pol-
lution Control Act, as amended.
2. Evaluate the adequacy of the sewerage system and the water
pollution control program proposed by the City of Omaha.
* Adequate degree of treatment for an industrial waste is considered
to be that treatment which is presently obtainable by installation
of the best practicable control technology currently available for
a particular industry.
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3. Determine progress, in pollution abatement, since the Second
Session of the Conference on Pollution of Interstate Waters of the
Missouri River, Omaha, Nebraska, Area, June 1967.
4. Determine whether abatement actions are required.
On 18 October 1972 the Federal Water Quality Act Amendments of 1972
were enacted. Elements of this legislation that are relevant to the water
quality situation in the Omaha area include requirements for establishment
of a State-Federal waste discharge permit system and application of ef-
fluent limitations, the promulgation of water-quality standards for
intrastate streams, the prohibition of discharges of toxic materials,
application of best practicable control technology for treatment of indus-
trial wastewaters, secondary treatment (as defined by EPA) for publicly
owned treatment works, and the requirement of pretreatment of industrial
wastewaters discharged Into publicly owned and operated wastewater col-
lection and treatment system. This report discusses the impact of the
1972 Amendments upon the Omaha situation and recommends the necessary
actions to meet the requirements so imposed.
The cooperation provided by representative from City, State, and
Federal agencies and from industries in conducting the survey is grate-
fully acknowledged.
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II. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. Durinp, the survey period (30 July to August 1972) municipal
and industrial wastewater sources in the Omaha, Nebraska, area are known
to have discharged daily loads of at least 135,000 Ib of BOD and
170,000 Ib of suspended solids. During this same period a number of
lift stations were inoperative, resulting in the by-passing to the
Missouri River of at least 14 mgd of raw sewage. These discharges con-
tained an additional 30,000 Ib each of BOD and suspended solids.
2. The Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) removed an
average of 13 percent BOD and 22 percent suspended solids during the
period of the survey. These levels of waste removal are low for a pri-
mary treatment plant. Removals of 35 percent BOD and up to 50 percent
suspended solids are normally expected. The average influent (26.1 mgd)
waste strength was high — 630 mg/1 BOD, 835 mg/1 suspended solids, and
1,200 mg/1 COD, thus indicating the presence of strong industrial wastes.
The wastewater received in the north inlet was septic. No disinfection
was practiced, and the high fecal-coliform bacterial densities in the
effluent sustained the upstream bacterial contamination of the Missouri
River. Secondary treatment is to be installed and operative at this plant
by 31 December 1975, a date that City of Omaha officials have stated can
only be met if adequate (80 percent) funding support is available. Federal
grant funds allocated to the State of Nebraska will not be sufficient
to provide a full 75 percent Federal funding of the Missouri River WUTP
additions before 31 December 1975 (estimated cost of 30 million dollars).
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3. The combined sewage system often by-passes wastewater to the
Missouri River, primarily from 22 diversion structures and 11 lift stations,
due to equipment failure and storm runoff. Equipment failure usually
occurs in the grit-removal facility (i.e., bucket elevators, grit con-
veyors, bearings, and motors). The frequency of by-passing and the
amount by-passed from each structure varies. During the survey at least
14 mgd of raw sewage was being by-passed. In 1971 two of the largest
lift stations, Leavenworth Street and Burt Izard, by-passed flow A3 and
36 percent of the time, respectively. The Leavenworth facility was
inoperative during the entire study period; Burt Izard facility was
inoperative for three days. The dry-weather flow from these two faci-
lities is estimated to be 12 and 14 mgd, respectively.
Visual inspection of diversion structures during the survey revealed
a buildup of grit within several of the smaller (Spring Street, Harney
Street, and Douglas Street) structures, resulting in continuous by-passing
of the untreated sewage.
The City of Omaha intends ID modify the grit facilities for Leavenworth
Street and Durt Izard lift stations by 31 December 1974 if funds are
available. Construction grant funds for these facilities will be re-
quested from EPA. However, such funds will not be available until at
least FY 1975. There are no formal plans, at this time, for improvements
to the remaining grit-removal facilities. Thus, frequent by-passing of
substantial quantities of raw sewage to the Missouri River can be ex-
pected to continue.
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4. Presently, there are no plans to proceed with a general reno-
vation program to replace the deteriorating brick sewers with separate
storm and sanitary sewers. In the absence of such a program, maintenance
of grit-removal facilities and lift stations will continue to be a dif-
ficult problem and cause by-passing of raw sewage, and combined storm
and sanitary sewage will continue to be by-passed during wet weather.
Operational difficulties resulting from combined wet-weather flows will
hamper improved treatment at the Missouri River WWTP.
5. The Quaker Oats Company discharged daily waste loads of at
least 21,000 Ib of BOD, 10,200 Ib of TOG, 4,400 Ib of suspended solids,
and 900 Ib of furfural into the Pierce Street sewer. The discharge
(590 mg/1) of suspended solids violates the Omaha Industrial Waste
Ordinance and causes operational problems in the grit-renoval facility
at the Pierce Street Lift Station (i.e., broken grit conveyors and
broken bucket elevator). When the grit facility is out of service (18
percent of the time In 1971) the entire flow in the Pierce Street sewer,
containing high concentrations (75-110 mg/1) of furfural, is by-passed.
The discharge of furfural, a toxic substance, to the river causes
localized water-quality degradation. The company is constructing a
clarifier that is designed to reduce the suspended-solids concentration
to 100 mg/1 or less. This reduction of suspended solids in the Pierce
Street sewer should decrease operational problems at the Pierce Street
Lift Station.
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6. The Central Wastewater Pretreatment Facility receives wastewater
from 13 packing houses. This facility contributed daily loads of 19,500 Ib
of grease, 67,200 Ib of suspended solids, and 72,600 Ib of BOD to the
Missouri River WUTP. The suspended-solids concentration (1,130 mg/1)
violated the maximum limits (i.e., 400 mg/1) of the Omaha Industrial
Waste Ordinance. The oil-and-grease load exceeded the requirement of the
Enforcement Conference, that is, the total grease load received at the
south inlet of the Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant shall not
exceed 18,000 Ib/day.
7. The Missouri River is degraded by inadequately treated municipal
wastes discharged from the Missouri River plant and by the by-passing of
raw sewage at upstream lift stations. The log-mean, fecal-coliform bac-
terial density of 4,100/100 ml immediately upstream of the Missouri River
plant (RM 611.87) violated the Nebraska Water Quality Standards. The plant
discharge (RM 611.42) increased the log-mean, fecal-coliform bacterial
density 14-fold in the river immediately downstream.
8. The Papillion Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, based on design
criteria, is hydraulically (51 percent) and organically (46 percent)
overloaded. All wastewater received at least primary treatment, but
less than 50 percent (13 mgd) received secondary treatment. During the
survey BOD removal ranged from 15 to 23 percent. No disinfection of
the effluent was being provided. The City of Omaha has failed to pro-
vide secondary treatment and disinfection of wastewater discharged to
Palillion Creek by 1 January 1972, as required by the Nebraska Water
Quality Standards.
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A new secondary treatment plant (total capacity, 70 mpd) Is to be
constructed and In operation by 31 December 1975. Construction grants
have been approved for the first 50-mgd capacity of the plant, with
anticipated completion 860 days after the awarding of the grant. (This
should meet the 31 December 1975 deadline.) A grant application has
been made for the last 20-mgd capacity. However, funds will not be
available for this portion of the plant until at least FY 1975.
9. Big Pap11lion Creek is degraded by the discharge from the Papillion
Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. The DO was reduced from a range of 5.6
to 9.2 mg/1, upstream, to a range of 1.2 to 4.4 mg/1, downstream from the
plant discharge. Also, there was a noticeable increase in turbidity and
floating solids. Violations of Sections C-3 (turbidity and solids de-
posits) and C-6 (dissolved oxygen) of the Nebraska Water Quality Standards,
were thus evident.
10. Allied Chemical Corporation provides no treatment of wastes dis-
charged to the Missouri River. The range of NH.-N concentrations in the
river increased from 0.01 to 0.06, upstream, to 0.42 to 2.37 mg/1, down-
stream from the discharge, producing violations of the Nebraska Water
Quality Standards for ammonia.
During the survey a pump packing failed, allowing an estimated 40 Ib
of copper to enter the river. This discharge violates provisions in
Section A-4 (no toxic materials shall be discharged) of the Nebraska
Water Quality Standards. The State of Nebraska has required that this
industry provide the equivalent of secondary treatment by 31 December 1975.
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Company officials stated that at present there are no plans to construct
waste treatment facilities.
11. Flinn Paving Company asphalt plant discharged to Little Papillion
Creek untreated wastewater containing an average of 880 Ib/day of suspended
solids. The resulting discoloration and a sediment blanket constitute
violations of the Nebraska Water Quality Standards. In addition, the
company failed to provide adequate treatment by the compliance date of
1 January 1972.
12. The National By-Products, Inc., plant, prior to the fire that
destroyed the plant on 18 August 1972, discharged wastewater to Papillion
Creek that contained daily loads of 4,000 Ib of BOD, 28,000 Ib of COD,
and 32,000 Ib of suspended solids. The grease concentration ranged from
570 to 13,000 mg/1. The company has not complied with the 1 January 1972
date for construction of adequate waste treatment. A new processing
plant and treatment facility are scheduled to be in operation by 1 July
1973. The company is considering either pretreatment of wastes with
the effluent being discharged to the new Papillion Creek Wastewater
Treatment Plant or treatment of wastes with the effluent being discharged
to Papillion Creek. Design data related to the required treatment faci-
lities for company wastewaters were not available at the time of the EPA
survey. Thus, no evaluation of the capability to treat the waste load
could be made.
13. In order to trace the dispersion of wastewater from National
By-Products, Inc., in Papillion Creek and subsequently into the Missouri
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River, Rhodamine WT dye was introduced into the industrial outfall. The
dye was traced downstream into the Missouri River. Samples collected
concurrently at selected points showed that the discharged wastes reached
the river. The concentration of oil and grease in the Missouri River
upstream (RM 596.68) was 9 mg/1 or less, while downstream (RM 596.47)
from the mouth of the Papillion Creek it was 790 mg/1 or more. Analysis
of samples from the effluent and the receiving waters by gas chromato-
graphic technique positively identified the source to be National By-
Products, Inc. Grease balls were observed in the effluent, in Papillion
Creek downstream from the discharge, and in the Missouri River downstream
from Papillion Creek. Violations of the Nebraska Water Quality Standards
occurred (i.e., no visible film or globules of grease shall be present,
and emulsified oil and grease shall be less than 15 mg/1).
14. Abatement of pollution of the Missouri River and tributaries
in the Omaha area, has not been achieved, in spite of:
a. Promulgation of State-Federal Water Quality Standards applicable
to interstate streams (the Missouri River);
b. Promulgation of State Water Quality Standards applicable to
intrastate streams (Big-Little Papillion and Papillion Creeks):
c. Implementation schedules established in conjunction with the
water quality standards;
d. Recommendations of Federal Enforcement Conferences:
e. The Omaha Industrial Waste Ordinance.
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Moreover, except for improvements to two lift stations, necessary
upgrading of sewers and lift stations, as well as adequate financing of
required improvements in the collection and treatment systems are not
presently in the active planning stages. The City of Omaha must take
immediate steps toward the planning and financing of needed improvements
in the collection and treatment systems in order to comply with the
requirements of the 1972 Amendments.
15. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972
require that all industrial waste discharges must, by July 1977, meet
effluent limitations based on the best practicable control technology
currently available. The 1972 Amendments further require that publicly
owned treatment works provide secondary treatment, as defined by the
Administrator, by this same date. Further, the Amendments specifically
provide that any effluent linitation or compliance schedule required by
any State to be implemented prior to July 1977 will remain in effect
(e.g., the 31 December 1975 compliance date established for the Missouri
River and Papillion Creek wastewater treatment plants). In addition, the
States can require compliance with any effluent limitation or schedule of
compliance at dates earlier than those established statutorily. The 1972
Amendments establish a new national program for the elimination of pol-
lution (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) from the waters
of the United States and clearly contemplates that the States will assume
primary responsibility for operating the permit system. Corrective
action must be expeditiously taken in the Omaha area in order to comply
with the requirements of the Act.
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III. RECOMMENDATIONS
In order to abate pollution of the waters of the Missouri River and
attain compliance with the 1972 Amendments to the Federal Water Pollution
control Act it is recommended that:
1. Appropriate officials of the City of Omaha be formally advised
that the following actions are required:
a. All wastewaters discharged to the Missouri River and
tributaries must receive secondary treatment by 31 December 1975.
b. A program, including a time schedule acceptable to the State
of Nebraska and EPA, must be developed and initiated immediately in order
to replace the deteriorating combined sewers with separate storm and
sanitary systems.
c. The grit collection and pumping stations must be upgraded
so that by-passing of raw sewage is eliminated at all points by
31 December 1975.
d. Adequate financing be acquired to cover costs of this
program which exceed available Federal funds.
e. The industrial waste pretreatment ordinance be upgraded
to comply with the 1972 Amendments and regulations published pursuant
thereto.
f. Treatment by the Central Wastewater Pretreatment Facility
be upgraded to meet the requirements of the pretreatment ordinance and
the 1972 Amendments.
R. Planned improvements to the Leavenworth and Burt-Izard
grit-removal facilities be completed by 31 December 1974 as scheduled
by the City.
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2. Until the proposed facilities are constructed, City of Omaha
officials consider the installation of interim treatment measures
[Appendix H] at the Missouri River and Papillion Creek WWTP.
3. The State of Nebraska, in the allocation of grant funds, continue
to Rive a high priority to the construction of the new Papillion Creek
and Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plants by 31 December 1975;
the effluent from these plants be required to meet the limitations
based on secondary treatment being promulgated pursuant to the 1972
Amendments of the FWPCA.
4. The effluent limitations to be prescribed for the discharge
permit to Allied Chemical Corporation, based on best practicable control
technology and present production rates, include the following:
a. The suspended solids discharged shall not exceed 20 mp/1
or 160 Ib/day, whichever is less.
b. The Total KJeldahl nitrogen (ammonia plus organic nitrogen)
discharged shall not exceed 20 me/1 or 140 Ib/day, whichever is less.
c. The nitrite-nitrate nitrogen shall not exceed 10 mg/1 or
45 Ib/day, whichever is less.
d. The oil and grease discharged shall not exceed 10 mc,/l
or 65 Ib/day, whichever is less.
e. The pH shall be between 6.5 and 9.0.
f. No toxic or hazardous material, as designated under the pro-
visions of Section 307 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act as amen-
ded, or known to be hazardous or toxic by the permittee, shall be dis-
charged except with the approval of the Administrator (KPA) or his designee.
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5. The effluent limitations to be prescribed for the discharge
permit to Flinn Paving Company include the following:
a. The suspended solids discharged shall not exceed 20 mg/1
or 5 Ib/day, whichever is less.
b. No oil and grease shall be discharged.
c. The pH shall be between 6.5 and 9.0.
6. National By-Products, Inc. provide pretreatment consistent
with the requirements of the 1972 Amendments and discharge all waste-
water to the new Papillion Creek WWTP, and EPA, Region VII, request
additional information from National By-Products, Inc. on the status
of new plant construction, with the following effluent limitations, based
on best available control technology and present production rates, being
prescribed for the discharge permit:
a. The BOD discharged shall not exceed 10 mg/1 or 0.04 lb/1,000
Ib raw material, whichever is less.
b. The suspended solids discharged shall not exceed 10 mg/1 or
0.05 lb/1,000 Ib raw material, whichever is less.
c. The oil and grease discharged shall not exceed 10 mg/1 or
20 Ib/day, whichever is less.
d. The number of fecal collform bacteria in the effluent shall
not exceed 1,000/100 ml.
e. The pH shall be between 6.5 and 9.0.
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7. The effluent limitations to be prescribed for the discharge
permit to Union Pacific Shops include the following:
a. The oil and grease discharged shall not exceed 10 mg/1 or
50 Ib/day, whichever is less, nor create a visible oil sheen on the
water surface.
b. The suspended solids discharged shall not exceed 30 mp/1
or 150 Ib/day, whichever is less.
c. The pH shall be between 6.5 and 9.0.
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IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA
The Omaha metropolitan area is located on the west bank of the
Missouri River in east central Nebraska [Figure 1]. The majority of
the population and industrial activity is located in Douglas County,
Nebraska. The Council Bluffs portion of the metropolitan area lies
eastward across the Missouri River in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
In 1970 the City of Omaha had a population of about 350,000 people
living in the 79-square-mile corporate city limit. Total population
of the metropolitan area was approximately 550,000. Suburban and
nearby communities include Ralston, Millard, Irvington, LaVista, and
Papillion, Nebraska, and Carter Lake and Council Bluffs, Iowa. South
of Omaha lies Bellevue, Nebraska, and Offutt Air Force Base, Headquarters
of the Strategic Air Command.
The transportation network responsible for makinp Omaha a key
distribution point for the central United States includes four inter-
state highways, eight railroads, and five barge lines. The city is the
fourth largest rail center in the country; the Union Pacific Railroad
maintains its home office in Omaha. It is a major port on the Missouri
River. A municipal dock has warehouses for storage of liquid-and
solid-bulk commodities.
The metropolitan area has many diverse industrial and manufacturing
activities. Omaha is the largest livestock market-meat processing center
in the nation, also the second largest producer of frozen food products
and one of the more important grain markets. Typical products manu-
factured by other area industries include: furniture, clothing,
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20
paper boxes, batteries, soap, farm machinery, feeds, fertilizers,
railroad equipment, serums, boots, and paints. In addition, the
city is an important communications and medical insurance center.
The Omaha area is situated midway between two distinctive climatic
zones, the humid east and the dry west. This causes a wide fluctuation
and rapid changes in weather conditions. The average annual temperature
is about 52 degrees, with daytime summer and winter temperatures
averaging about 86 and 33 degrees, respectively. The average frost-
free period is 188 days. Most precipitation falls as evening or
nighttime showers and thundershowers during the six-month period,
April through September. The average normal precipitation rate is
about 26 inches, with only ten percent of this falling as snow during
the winter months.
The metropolitan area lies on gentle hills, ranging from 962 to
1,270 feet above sea level, adjacent to the Missouri River. Construction
of levees, bank stabilization programs, and six main-stem dams on the
upper reaches of the river have made the river virtually flood-free
through this stretch. This river channelization has created flow
velocity which reaches a three-to-five mile-per-hour rate in certain
sections depending upon the river stage. Several of the area industries
are located adjacent to the river in areas protected by the levee system.
The Missouri River has an average flow of about 35,000 cubic feet
per second (cfs). Extremes in flow range from 1,600 cfs to more than
400,000 cfs. The low flow of record occurred prior to the construction
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Fi|in 1. Licitiii Mip-Missiiri livir, Nail, Nebraska
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21
of the six different upstream regulating reservoirs. The last major
dam on the Missouri was closed in the early 1960"s, providinp almost
76 million acre-feet of storape in the upper reach of the system.
Such a low flow is not expected to occur again in the future.
As a general rule, two distinct flow conditions prevail in the
Missouri River at Omaha. Approximately nine months of the year, navi-
gation flows are maintained at 30,000 cfs or more. During the three
winter months, flows range between 10,000 and 15,000 cfs with the
upper reaches subject to periods of ice cover and ice jams.
Papillion Creek and its tributaries flow through the Omaha metro-
politan area, discharging into the Missouri River south of Bellevue
[Figure 1]. The tributaries include West Papillion Creek, Big
Papillion Creek, and Little Papillion Creek. In the lower reach of
Papillion Creek, the flow consists primarily of small industrial dis-
charges and municipal sewer effluents that also contain industrial
wastes and urban runoff.
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22
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23
V. WASTE SOURCES
Two municipal and six industrial waste sources [Table 1] were eval-
uated, from 30 July to 12 August 1972, in order to determine the charac-
teristics of the discharge and receiving waters [Figure 2 and 3]. The
two municipal sources, the Missouri River and Papillion Creek Wastewater
Treatment Plants, serve a total population of approximately 362,000.
Numerous small treatment plants in the Papillion Creek watershed [Table 2]
are presently in operation. However, proposed abatement plans include
abandonment of these plants with all wastes being diverted to the new
Papillion Creek treatment plant as soon as it is completed. The sewerage
system for the Missouri River plant was evaluated relative to operation
problems and the incidence of by-passing.
The industrial waste sources evaluated include:
1. Allied Chemical Corporation
2. Central Wastewater Pretreatment Facility
3. Flinn Paving Company asphalt plant
4. National By-Products, Inc.
5. The Quaker Oats Company
6. Union Pacific Shops
At each of the facilities data were obtained on water-pollution
control practices. Specifically, information included in this section
was secured through in-plant surveys, inspection of Refuse Act Permit
applications, and contact with plant representatives. [Individual re-
ports on each municipal and industrial waste source evaluated are con-
tained in Appendices B and C, respectively. Study methods and custody
procedures are discussed in Appendices D and E.]
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TABLE 1
MAJOR MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL SOURCES - MISSOURI RIVER
OMAHA, NEBRASKA
JULY-AUGUST 1972
Key
Name
Receiving Water
Treatment Facilities
Abatement Needs
Remarks
Missouri River Uastewater
Treatment Plant
(RM 611.58)
Missouri River
Grease removal
Primary clarifiers
Additional grease removal
Pretreatment of Industrial
wastes; secondary treat-
ment ; adequate disinfection
City plans to have a new
secondary treatment plant
in operation by 12/31/75.
Papillion Creek Wastewater
Treatment Plant ..
(RM 596.60/8.30/4.41)-'
Big Papillion Creek
Secondary activated
sludge plant
Construction of a new
secondary treatment plant
with disinfection
Owing to hydraulic overloading
only 13 mgd receives secondary
treatment, with the remaining
flow receiving primary. The
City plans to have a new plant
located at the mouth of
Papillion Creek, In operation
by 12/31/75.
Allied Chemical Corp.
Agriculture Division
(RM 592.26)
Central Wastewater
Pretreatment Facility
Flinn Paving Company
asphalt plant
(RM 596.60/8.30/5.42/1.73)
c/
National By-Products, Inc.-'
(RM 596.6/2.0)
The Quaker Oats Company
(cooling water - RM 615.23)
Missouri River
Missouri River
Wastewater Treatment
Plant
Little Papillion
Creek
Papillion Creek
Process Water
Missouri River Waste-
water Treatment Plant
None
Grease and Paunch
removal
None
Primary clarifiers
pH control
Installation of the best
practicable control
technology currently avail-
able for this industry
Improved suspended solids
and grease removal
Installation of the best
practicable control
technology currently avail-
able for this industry
Installation of the best
practicable control
technology currently avail-
able for this Industry
Pretreatment of wastewater
to meet the requirements of
the 1972 Amendments and the
Omaha Industrial Waste
Ordinance
The company had no immediate
plans to construct treatment
facilities.
Roughing filters are to be
constructed at the Missouri
River Wastewater Treatment
Plant to further treat the
effluent from this facility.
Spilled asphalt was discharged
to the Creek.
Company Is constructing an
entirely new plant and treat-
ment facilities. The new
facility is scheduled to be
in operation by 7/1/73.
Company plans to construct a
clarlfler to reduce suspended
solids concentration to
100 mg/1 or less.
Union Pacific Shops
(RM 616.15)
Cooling Water
Missouri River
Missouri River
None
Oil separation and
solids removal
Temperature control
None
Company is considering build-
ing a cooling tower and re-
circulating the cooling water.
a/ See Figures 2 and 3.
bj This number describes the location of the waste source. After each slashllne (/) a new stream Is denoted. This waste source location can be described
as follows: Mile 596.60 on the Missouri River is the mouth of Papillion Creek; upstream 8.30 miles from the mouth of Papillion Creek Is the mouth of
Big Papillion Creek; 4.41 miles upstream from the mouth of Big Papillion Creek is the location of the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
cl The plant was destroyed by fire on 18 August 1972.
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Figure 2- Sampling Locations-Omaha, Nebraska Area
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H
I
LEGEND
I»IV Eft STATIONS
EFFLUENTS
Figure 3. Sampling Locations-South of Omaha, Nebraska Area
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TABLE 2
MINOR MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES IN THE PAPILLION CREEK WATERSHED
Name of Facility^
Bellevue No. 2
Plant.
District 31 Plant
Hoi ling Heights
Plant
Estimated
Present Flow
(mad)
1.5
1.0
0.71
Receiving Stream
Papillion Creek
Hell Creek
West Papillion Creek
Type of Treatment
2 mgd, primary; 1 mgd.
secondary (standard
rate TF)
Secondary - trickling
filter and extended
aeration
Secondary - contact
stabilization
Remarks
Part of the flow receives secondary
treatment. The remainder, only
primary treatment.
Hydraulically and organically over-
loaded. Designed for 0.7 mgd.
The plant is reported to be obtainin
93% BOD and 92Z suspended solids
Jacobson Plant
LaVlsta Plant
Oak Hills Plant
Offutt Air Force
City of Papillion
0.22
0.58
0.12
1.2
0.5
West Papillion Creek
Big Papillion Creek
Secondary - contact
stabilization
Secondary - contact
stabilization
West Papillion Creek Secondary - trickling
filter
Papillion Creek
Papillion Creek
Secondary - trickling
filter
Secondary - contact
stabilization
removal. Designed for 1.25 mgd.
Plant designed for 0.20 mgd. The
plant is reported to be obtaining
70% BOD, 39Z suspended-solids removal.
Plant designed for 0.5 mgd. Due to
hydraulic overload BOD reduction has
been 65 to 75%.
Plant designed for 0.21 mgd. Plant
is reported to be obtaining 89Z BOD
and 82% suspended solids removal.
Based on a survey by Kelly Air Force
Base, BOD and suspended-solids removals
were 75 and 63%, respectively.
Effluent BOD and suspended solids
concentrations are reported to be
less than 30 mg/1 each.
* Except for the City of Papillion plant, these facilities will be abandoned after the proposed Papillion Creek WWTP is completed.
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26
A. MUNICIPAL
Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant
The Missouri River plant is a primary treatment facility with dry-
and wet-weather design flows of 72 and 200 mgd, respectively. Based
on the report of the design engineers,— the dry-weather wastewater
flow in 1970 was estimated to be 38 mgd of which more than 50 percent
was of industrial origin. According to the report, more than 60 percent
of this flow (24 mgd) is received in the north inlet, with the remainder
(14 mgd) entering the plant through the south inlet. As a result of
inoperative lift stations (e.g., Leavenworth, Jones Street, and Hickory
Station) — during the survey, at least 14 mgd of raw sewage was being
by-passed to the Missouri River as only 9.7 mgd was being received in
the north inlet.
Only three of the eight primary clarifiers were in use. The
average detention time in each clarifier was 1.87 hr (design, 1.8 hr)
The wastewater was septic (i.e., black coloration and the odor of
H_S) at the north inlet and in the clarifiers. Hydrogen peroxide was
being added to the influent to help control the odor problem with
apparent success; the septic odors were confined mainly to the vicinity
of the north Inlet and the clarifiers.
The in-plant survey showed that BOD removal ranged from minus 39
(increase in BOD) to 38 percent, with an average of 13 percent [Table 3].
These low removal efficiencies demonstrate that treatment of the waste-
water is not adequate (i.e., the average removal efficiency is generally
less than the 35 percent that normally can be achieved from a primary
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TABLE 3
SUMMARY OF ANALYTICAL DATA FOR MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL HASTE-SOURCE EVALUATIONS
MISSOURI RIVER - OMAHA, NEBRASKA AREA
JULY-AUGUST 1972
Parameter2'
Description
Missouri River WWTP
N Inlet Influent
S Inlet Influent
Final Effluent
Papllllon Creek WWTP
Influent
Effluent
Allied Chemical Corporation
Effluent
Central Wasteuater
Pre treatment Facility
Influent
Effluent
Flinn Paving Company
asphalt plant
Effluent
National By-Products, Inc.
Effluent
The Quaker Oats Company
Pierce Street Sewer
Upstream ,.
In-Plant Station-
Pierce Street Sewer
Downstream
Cooling Water Intake
Cooling Water Effluent
l50
20-54
24-30
46-62
45-56
23-24
42-56
BOD
Range
160-1 .000
170-910
380-700
130-170
110-140
280-1,500
640-1,700
1,200-2,300
260-450
2,600-3,000
2,400-2,700
Average
450
680
480
160
130
1,100
1,300
1,800
330
2,800
2,600
COD
Range
380-1,900
380-2.080
760-1.100
375-410
270-360
24-25
330-16,000
760-4,480
2,280-22,500
230-530 .
3,600-4,150='
3.230-3,840
56-78
23-83
Average
900
1,460
900
400
330
24
7,100
2.900
12.000
360
3.900
3,500
66
45
TOC
Range
120-480
130-420
210-310
99-140
82-110
11-21
78-1,000
210-1,000
600-680
63-170 .
1.400-1,400='
980-1,450
7-11
5-6
Average
240
340
250
120
94
16
810
740
640
110
1,400
1,100
9
5
i a
Effluent
6.5-8.5
450-2,000
23-34
37-88
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TABLE 3 (Cont.)
SUMMARY OF ANALYTICAL DATA FOR MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE-SOURCE EVALUATIONS
MISSOURI RIVER - OMAHA, NEBRASKA AREA
JULY-AUGUST 1972
Total Solids
Description
Missouri River WWTP
N Inlet Influent
S Inlet Influent
Final Effluent
Papillion Creek WWTP
Influent
Effluent
Allied Chemical Corporation
Effluent
Central Wastewater Pretreatment Facility
Influent
Effluent
Flinn Paving Company asphalt plant
Effluent
National By-Prod ucts, Inc.
Effluent
The Quaker Oats Company
Pierce Street Sewer
Upstream ,.
In-Plant Station-
Pierce Street Sewer
Downstream
Cooling Water Intake
Cooling Water Effluent
Union Pacific Shops
Effluent
Range
1,200-2,900
1,470-2,810
1,600-2,060
800-920
750-860
607-707
2,250-9,960
2,010-3,050
2,600-9,500
25,300-35,500
540-1,070
5,060-5,920
4,720-5,890
534-612
549-660
745-954
Average
1,760
2,220
1.800
850
810
661
4,830
2,770
6,050
30,500
780
5,400
5,250
575
622
827
Suspended
Range
216-488
248-1,060
328-520
160-190
170-210
38-51
104-5,050
252-2,040
1,910-6,600
12,000-16,000
134-296
472-682
628-2,830
76-110
62-114
17-48
Parameter1
Solids
Average
328
724
423
170
190
46
2,780
1,130
4,100
14 ,000
235
586
1,890
88
82
30
ii
Settleable Solids^' Oil & Grease^
Range Average Range Average
14-120 47
78-300 200
2.5-4.2 3.4 88-150 120
11-51 28
17-1,100 220
120-7,400 4,200
55-1,400 500
d/
18-31 23 24-19,000=' 6,400
570-13,000 6,800
3-8 6
a/ All units are in mg/1 unless otherwise noted.
b/ These units are in ml/1.
c/ These are hexane-extractable materials.
d_/ Large piece of tar was in the sample.
e/ This range represents two dayfe data.
if This station contains the majority of the wastewater flow
g/ Flow values were obtained from company officials.
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29
treatment facility). The major portion of the organic loading (121,000
Ib/day of BOD) received is from the Central Wastewater Pretreatment
Facility (72,600 Ib/day of BOD). Operational problems at the pretreat-
ment plant directly affect the operation of the Missouri River plant.
If one of the separation basins fails to remove grease, the grease load
to the Missouri River plant increases, and the skimmers on the primary
clarifiers cannot remove this additional grease.
The log-mean fecal-coliform bacterial density in the effluent
was 17,000,000/100 ml [Table 4]. This discharge violates the
Nebraska water-quality criterion for fecal coliform of 2,000/100 ml
causing an increase in organisms in the Missouri River; the numbers
rise from 4,100/100 ml upstream (RM 611.42) to 57,000/100 ml downstream
(RM 611.42). Thus, even if the upstream bacterial contamination was
reduced, the standards would be violated as a result of the discharge
from the Missouri River plant.
The Nebraska Department of Environmental Control has required that
the City of Omaha, by 31 December 1975, have secondary treatment facilities
with disinfection in operation. An engineering study has been completed,
and a construction grant application submitted. Estimated construction
8/
costs are 30 million dollars.— Information obtained from EPA construc-
tion grants personnel, Region VII, indicated that Federal funds will not
01
be available for this grant until at least 1975.- City officials stated
9/
that without adequate funding support the 1975 date would not be met.—
With the required installation of secondary treatment facilities by
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TABLE 4
SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES OF
MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE DISCHARGES
OMAHA, NEBRASKA
JULY-AUGUST 1972
Map .
Key^'
A
F
Station Description
Missouri River Wastewater
Treatment Plant effluent
National By-Products, Inc.
effluent
Total
Dates Max.
8/1-8/3
7/31-8/5 28xl06
Coliforms/100 ml Fecal
Log Mean Min. Max.
24xl06
4xl06 IxlO6 3.5xl06
Coliforms/100 ml
Log Mean
17xl06
0.52xl06
Min.
8.2xl06
0.17xl06
Fecal Streptococci/100 ml
Max. Log Mean
3.3xl06 1.3xl06
9.2xl06 l.lxlO6
Min.
0.63xl06
0.13xl06
£/ See Figures 2 and 3.
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31
31 December 1975 and the unavailability, before FY 1975, of construction
grant funds, the City of Omaha could make an effort to improve the
present primary facilities. There are several possible interim measures
[Appendix H, Section B] to improve existing treatment efficiencies at
the Missouri River WWTP. These measures could be used until the new
plant facilities are operative.
Secondary treatment design data pertaining to the required improve-
ments at the Missouri River plant were reviewed. The new facilities con-
sist of two-stage secondary treatment of the south inlet flow employing
roughing filters followed by completely mixed activated-sludge treatment,
and completely mixed, activated-sludge treatment of the north inlet flows.
The facilities are designed for a dry-weather flow of 65 mgd and a minimum
\
of 90 percent removal of BOD and suspended solids. However, without pre-
ft
treatment of Industrial wastewater the requirements of the 1972 Amendments
will not be met.
The pH fluctuations observed in the effluent (2.1 to 7.2) indicate that
operational problems could result in the biological treatment system. The
City of Omaha must enforce the industrial waste ordinance in order to prevent
**
these wastes from upsetting the proposed biological treatment system.
* The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 require that
for publicly owned treatment works, effluent limitations based on sec-
ondary treatment oust be met by 1 July 1977. In order currently to meet
the requirements of the Act EPA is proposing to limit both BOD and SS
to a monthly average of 30 mg/1 and weekly average of 45 mg/1, or 85
percent overall reduction, whichever produces better water quality. This
level of treatment is obtainable through secondary treatment. Further,
the proposed regulations limit the fecal-coliform bacterial density to a
weekly average of 400/100 ml and a monthly average of 200/100 ml.
** Section 307 of the 1972 Act requires the establishment and enforcement
of pretreatment standards for pollutants that would prevent publicly
owned treatment works from meeting effluent limitations established
for such treatment works.
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32
Papillion Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant
The existing Papillion Creek plant is a secondary treatment facility
with a design capacity of 18 mgd. According to plant officials, about 15
percent of the flow is of industrial origin. No disinfection of the ef-
fluent is being provided.
The in-plant survey, 8 through 10 August 1972, indicated that the
plant was receiving an average daily flow of 27.3 mgd with peak flows
in excess of 38 mgd. Only 13 mgd received secondary treatment, with
all flow in excess of this amount receiving only primary treatment. The
overall BOD removal efficiency ranged from 15 to 23 percent. During the
three-day survey the suspended-solids concentrations in the effluent
exceeded that in the influent [Table 3]. The plant is both hydraullcally
and organically overloaded. Moreover, the Papillion Creek plant does
not meet the Nebraska Water Quality Standards that required the implemen-
tation of secondary treatment and disinfection by 1 January 1972.
The City of Omaha plans to construct a new secondary treatment fa-
cility near the mouth of Papillion Creek by 31 December 1975. This new
facility will treat wastewaters now treated at the Papillion Creek plant
as well as wastewater presently treated at Holling Heights, Oak Hills,
Jacobson, La Vista, District 31, Bellevue No. 2, and Offutt Air Force Base.
The design engineers, llennington, Durham and Richardson, have
recommended that a 70-mgd trickling filter-activated sludge treatment
plant be constructed based on projected 1995 flows. The plant is de-
signed to provide 90 percent BOD removal with the final effluent BOD
and suspended solids levels each to be 35 mg/1 or less. These levels
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33
are commensurate with the secondary-treatment effluent limitations pro-
posed by EPA pursuant to the 1972 Amendments of the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act.
The new plant will be built in three phases — 35, 15, and 20 mgd,
respectively. Construction grants have been approved for the first
two phases, with anticipated completion 860 days after the awarding
of the grant. The City is currently considering an additional bond
issue (financed by increased sewer rates) to cover part of the cost of
the second phase of the plant (15 mgd).
Thus, a 50-mgd plant should be operative by the 31 December 1975
deadline. A grant application has been made for the third phase; however
no funds will be available for this project until at least FY 1975.
With the unavailability of funds some effort could be made to improve the
existing Papillion Creek WWTP. Interim treatment measures [such as dis-
cussed in Appendix H, Section C] could improve present plant removal
efficiencies.
B. INDUSTRIAL
Results of industrial evaluations are summarized in the following
paragraphs. [Additional details on the in-plant evaluations that were
conducted during the survey can be found in Appendix C.] Pollution
abatement measures were predicated on the installation of best practi-
cable control technology currently available for each industry and
compliance with water quality standards.
Allied Chemical Corporation - Agriculture Division
This company manufactures liquid nitrogen fertilizer (1,250 ton/day),
urea (450 ton/day), nitric acid (290 ton/day), anhydrous ammonia (610
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34
ton/day), and ammonium nitrate (360 ton/day). All nitric acid produced
is converted to ammonium nitrate.
Wastewaters from the nitric acid-ammonia nitrate process operations
(2.4 to 3.5 mgd); urea process (6.8 to 8.3 mgd); ammonia synthesis
process-Train I (9.3 to 9.5) mgd); and ammonia synthesis process-Train II
(0.29 to 0.35 mgd) eventually combine and are discharged without treat-
ment, through an open ditch, to the Missouri River (RM 595.26).
The Refuse Act permit application states that the average daily
discharge (19.7 mgd) to the Missouri River contains 86 mg/1 of suspended
solids, 80 mg/1 of ammonia, and 2 mg/1 of oil and grease. Except for oil
and grease, the quantities found as a result of the in-plant survey were
not significantly different from those stated in the application. The
discharge to the river contained 45 mg/1 of suspended solids, 200 mg/1 of
oil and grease, and 77 mg/1 of ammonia (NH.-N). In the Missouri River
ammonia concentrations ranged from 0.01-0.06 mg/1 upstream of, and
0.42-2.37 mg/1 downstream from, the Allied Chemical effluent channel.
The Nebraska water quality criterion for ammonia were violated at the
downstream concentrations [Appendix A].
During the survey a copper acetate spill occurred because of faulty
packing in a pump located in the Train II processing area. The spill
resulted in approximately 40 Ib of copper being discharged to the river,
which violates Section A-4 of the Nebraska Water Quality Standards.
The 1972 Amendments provide that the Refuse Act permit applications
be processed through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES).
-------
These Standards require the equivalent of secondary treatment, by
31 December 1975, for all wastes discharged to the Missouri River.
The 1972 Amendments require that a permit be obtained for this dis-
charge, and that best practicable control technology be applied.
Company officials stated that, at present, the firm had no plans to
construct wastewater treatment facilities.
Central Wastewater Pretreatment Facility
This facility, also known as the Carver-Greenfield Plant, receives
wastewater from 13 meat-nackintt houses located in South Omaha. The
facility was designed to remove paunch manure and grease from the
wastewater prior to its being discharged to the Missouri River Waste-
water Treatment Plant. The maximum concentration of suspended solids
that can be discharged under the City of Omaha Industrial Waste Ordinance
is 400 mg/1. In addition, the maximum daily grease load to be received
at the south inlet of the Missouri River WWTP (i.e., the point where
the effluent from the pretreatment facility enters) was not to exceed
18,000 lb.-'
An in-plant survey was conducted 30 July through 5 August 1972 in
order to ascertain the daily waste quantities being discharged to the
Missouri River WWTP. The survey verified that the facility received
weak wastes on the 30 July (Sunday) — because of the limited activity
in the packing houses. Effluent concentrations on that Sunday met the
Omaha City Ordinance, as suspended-solids and oil-and-grease concen-
trations were 252 and 55 mg/1, respectively. On the other hand durinp
-------
the period 31 July through 5 August 1972 the concentration of suspended
solids averaged 1,280 mg/1, or more than three times the value stipulated
by the City ordinance. Maximum flows during the six-day period occurred
from 0800 to 2100 hr and averaged 7.5 mgd. Concentrations of oil and
grease in the samples collected during the period (one grab sample dally)
ranged from 240 to 1,400 mg/1 (average of 580 mg/1), thus yielding an
average grease load of 19,500 Ib dally during the 13-hr period. This
load violates requirements established by the enforcement conference.
The six-day flow (3.54 to 8.21 mgd) constituted from 25 to 48 percent
of the flow received In the south Inlet of the Missouri River plant.
The amount of suspended solids discharged by the pretreatment facility
ranged from 24 to 86 percent of the load received at the south inlet.
These high loads of suspended-solids, as well as the grease loads,
adversely affect the operation of the Missouri River wastewater treat-
ment plant. With an increasing grease load the skimmers on the clari-
fiers were unable to remove all the grease; the excess was discharged
to the Missouri River.
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 stipulate
that the EPA Administrator publish regulations requiring that industrial
wastewaters which are discharged to publicly owned treatment works be
pretreated to meet specific standards. While such regulations have not
been issued, it is expected that the standards will require removal of
Although no oil and grease samples were collected during the night,
grease was visible in the effluent at all times.
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37
pollutants to levels that will neither inhibit treatment of the combined
wastes or pass through the public system in concentrations inconsistent
with required effluent limitations. The Central Wastewater Pretreatment
Facility will probably not meet these requirements. Implementation of
measures for upgrading the wastewater pretreatment facility [such as
those discussed in Appendix H, Section D] will be necessary to meet the
effluent limitations.
Fllnn Paving Company Asphalt Plant
This company produces, from April through December, an average of
300 tons/day of asphaltic concrete (paving material). Water from the
air scrubber was discharged to Little Papillion Creek (KM 596.60/8.30/
5.42/1.73) without treatment. Spilled asphaltic cement from the storage
tank area was observed entering the effluent stream. The company has
failed to provide the equivalent of secondary treatment by 1 January
1972, as required by the Nebraska Water Quality Standards.
On its Refuse Act permit application the company reported that it
discharges a 0.051 mgd effluent containing 6,120 mg/1 suspended solids
and no measurable quantity of oil and grease.
Results of the in-plant survey, 7 through 9 August 1972, showed that
concentrations of suspended solids and of oil and grease ranged from
1,900 to 6,600 mg/1 and from 24 to 19,000 mg/1, respectively [Table 3].
Chunks of asphaltic cement were visible in the effluent and account for
these high concentrations of oil and grease. Preventative measures such
-------
38
as dikes around the storage tanks and the loading areas could eliminate
future discharges of oil and grease. Company officials stated they are
considering the Installation of settling ponds and the use of chemical
flocculants to reduce suspended solids in the effluent.
Little Paplllion Creek downstream from this discharge was visibly
discolored, and a sediment blanket covered the bottom of the creek.
These conditions violated the General Water Quality Criteria of the
Nebraska Water Quality Standards relative to bottom deposits, turbidity,
and color. The discharge is also subject to the 1972 Amendments which
require that a permit be obtained and best practicable control technology
be applied.
National By-Products, Inc.
Prior to the fire which on 18 August 1972 destroyed the National
By-Products plant, the company was processing approximately 1,500,000
Ib/week of fats and proteins that were used in animal and fowl feeds.
All wastewater was treated in two primary clarifiers operated in
parallel. The effluent was discharged to Papillion Creek (RM 596.6/2.0).
The Nebraska Water Quality Standards established a compliance date of
1 January 1972 for the industry to provide the equivalent of secondary
treatment. The 1972 Amendments require that a permit be obtained for
this discharge and that best practicable control technology be applied.
The company failed to meet this date, but no action was taken against then
*
by the State. The company has filed a Refuse Act permit application which
The 1972 Amendments provide that the Refuse Act permit application
be processed through the national Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES).
-------
indicates that the daily waste discharge was 0.25 mgd containing 3,960 Ib
of BOD, 8,000 Ib of COD, 1,220 Ib of suspended solids, and 32 Ib of oil
and grease.
On the other hand, results of the in-plant survey indicated that
National By-Products, Inc., discharged average daily loads of 4,000 Ib
of BOD, 28,000 Ib of COD, and 32,000 Ib of suspended solids. The oll-
and-grease concentration ranged from 570 to 13,000 ng/1 [Table 3]. The
log mean of total- and fecal-coliform bacteria densities were 4,000,000
and 520,000/100 ml, respectively [Table.4].
Rhodamlne WT dye was used to trace the effluent from the point of
discharge downstream to the confluence with the Missouri River. Samples
were collected for oil-and-grease analyses from the effluent, from
Papilllon Creek upstream and downstream from the discharge, and from the
Missouri River upstream and downstream from Papillion Creek, concurrently
with the dye trace. The results Indicated that the grease concentra-
tion in the Missouri River upstream was 9 mg/1 or less, and increased
to 790 mg/1 or greater downstream from the mouth of Papillion Creek.
The latter concentration constitutes a violation of the oil-and-grease
* The samples were hydrolyzed and characterized by gas chromatography.
The results showed that the grease contained esters of stearic, palmitic,
and myristic acids. (Animal fats are made up of glycerol esters of these
parent acids.) These esters were not evident in Papillion Creek upstream
of the discharge or in the Missouri River upstream of the mouth of the
Creek. These techniques, therefore, positively identify the grease as
being from National By-Products, Inc.
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40
water quality criterion established for the Missouri River (maximum
of 5 mg/1 of emulsified oil and grease).
National By-Products, Inc., is building a new process plant and
treatment facilities, to be in operation by 1 July 1973. They are
currently negotiating with the City of Omaha to connect to the new
Paplllion Creek WWTP interceptor. The City will require pretreatment
of the wastewaters. City pretreatment requirements should be consistent
with levels developed pursuant to the 1972 Amendments. If such a
connection is not made, the company must provide complete treatment
*
consistent with best practicable control technology.
The Quaker Oats Company
This company manufactures furfural, furfuryl alcohol, and levulinic
acid. Process wastes are neutralized and discharged into the Pierce
Street sewer. Once-through cooling water Is discharged to the Missouri
River (RM 615.23) without treatment.
Results of the in-plant survey revealed that the process wastewater
contained at least 21,000 Ib of BOD, 10,200 Ib of TOC, 4,400 Ib of
suspended solids, and 900 Ib of furfural. The high concentration of
suspended solids (600 mg/1), which violates requirements of the Omaha
Industrial Waste Ordinance, causes operational problems (e.g., broken
screw conveyors, broken elevator chains and buckets, etc.) in the grit
removal facility in the Pierce Street Lift Station.
* Industrial wastes shall receive treatment that is obtainable by
installation of best practicable control technology currently avail-
able for each particular industry.
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41
During the survey the Fierce. Street sewer by-passed flow to the
Missouri River. Analysis of the wastewater in the Pierce Street sever
downstream from Quaker Oats indicated a furfural concentration of
75 to 110 mg/1. There were no samples collected from the Missouri
River to show the effect of this by-pass. However, the furfural
concentration may exceed levels (6-25 mg/1) known to be toxic to fish.—
A new clarifier, scheduled to be in operation 1 January 1973, is
designed to produce an effluent containing 100 mg/1 or less of suspended
solids. [Construction difficulties have caused this date to be postponed
to 1 June 1973.] Additional treatment is needed to reduce the BOD and
furfural loads in order to meet pretreatment requirements [Appendix F].
Union Pacific Shops
The Union Pacific Shops service, repair, and maintain railroad
equipment. All wastewater, Including storm run-off, is collected and
pumped to their treatment plant. The plant, designed for 1,200 gpm
(1.73 mgd), consists of two settling basins equipped with oil skimmers
and an air flotation tank. The effluent is discharged into the Missouri
River at RM 616.15.
Results of the in-plant survey indicated that the effluent dis-
charged by Union Pacific Shops met the requirements of best practicable
control technology. This discharge does not cause detectable changes
in oil and grease concentrations in the Missouri River [Table 3].
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C. SEWERAGE SYSTEM
The Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant treats wastes origi-
nating In the northern and southern portions of the City of Omaha.
It has been estimated that more than 60 percent (24 mgd) of the waste-
water (38 mgd) received at the plant originates in the northern portion
of Omaha and enters the treatment plant through the north Inlet. The
remaining flow originates in the southern portion of Omaha and enters
the plant through the south inlet. Approximately 40 percent of the
industrial wastewater is received in the south inlet of the Missouri
River plant.-
Wastewater and storm run-off originating in each service area flow
by gravity through combined sewers [Figure 4] to 22 diversion structures
and are then pumped to the Missouri River WWTP by 11 lift stations
located along the Missouri River [Table 5]. The 10 lift stations in
North Omaha pump the flow into an interceptor sewer that has been laid
parallel to the Missouri River. The one lift station in South Omaha
pumps directly into the Missouri River WWTP. This system of diversion
structures, lift stations, and interceptors by-passes excess wastewater
directly to the Missouri River when the flow exceeds a set ratio of the
designed, dry-weather flow. Upstream of the Council Bluffs Water Intake
(RM 618.8) the design ratios are five times the dry-weather design flow
for the Mlnne Lusa and Bridge Street structures [Table 6]. The design
* More than 50 percent of this flow is of industrial origin.-
7/
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LEGEND
SEIVICl IIEI IOUNDMIES
SEWEI LINE
NUN INTEICEPTOI
iT. IIIMZUD ST. ME*
I-4BO
COUKCIL HUFFS
WITH INURE
SCUE IN HUES
BRIDGE ST. LIFT STA
MORMON ST. DIVERSION
SIR t OUTLET
MINNE IUSA DIVERSION
STB. ( OUTLET
AIRPORT STRUCTURE
GRACE ST DIVERSION
STR 1 OUTLET
CARTER LAKE OUTLET
' BURT-IZARD LIFT STA
DIVERSION STR I OUTLET
CHICAGO ST. OUTLET
DOUGLAS ST DIVERSION
STB 1 OUTLET
FARNAM ST LIFT STA.
DIVERSION STR 1 OUTLET
HARNEV ST DIVERSION
STR 1 OUTLET
JONES ST. LIFT STA
DIVERSION STR * OUTLET
LEAVENWORTH ST LIFT STA.
DIVERSION STR I OUTLET
PIERCE ST. LIFT STA.
DIVERSION STR 4 OUTLET
HICKORY ST LIFT STA.
DIVERSION STR 1 OUTLET
MARTHA ST DIVERSION
STR. 1 OUTLET
SPRING ST. LIFT STA.
DIVERSION STR. 1 OUTLET
GROVE* ST. DIVERSION
STR < OUTLET
RIVERVIEW PARK LIFT STA.
DIVERSION STR. 1 OUTLET
HOMER ST DIVERSION
STR. S OUTLET
MISSOURI AVE LIFT STA.
DIVERSION STR ( OUTLET
SOUTH OMAHA SEWER
DIVERSION STR t OUTLET
"U" ST. OUTLET
TREATMENT PLANT SITE
MONROE ST LIFT STA
Finn 4. Siwin Cillictiu fir thi Missiiri Dim Wastmtir Tnatitit Plait,
liaka, Nilraska 1S72
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TABLE 5
SERVICE AREAS IN OMAHA. NEBRASKA
Map Key='
Name of
Service Area
Name of Structured-
Location in Service Area
Point of Discharge
1
2
3
5
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Bridge Street
Mormon Street
Minne Lusa Street
Grace Street
Burt-Izard Street
Leavenworth Street
Greater Missouri
Avenue
15
16
17
19
IB
20
21
22
23
25
South Omaha
Monroe Street
Bridge Street Lift Station
Mormon Street Diversion Structure
Minne Lusa Diversion Structure
Grace Street Diversion Structure
Burt-Izard Diversion Structure and Lift Station
Chicago Street Diversion Structure
Douglas Street Diversion Structure
Farnam Street Diversion Structure and Lift Station
Harney Street Diversion Structure
Jones Street Diversion Structure and Lift Station
Leavenworth Street Diversion Structure and Lift Station
Pierce Street Diversion Structure and Lift Station
Hickory Street Diversion Structure and Lift Station
Martha Street Diversion Structure
Spring Street Diversion Structure and Lift Station
Rlverview Park Diversion Structure and Lift Station
Grover Street Diversion Structure
Homer Street Diversion Structure
Missouri Avenue Diversion Structure and Lift Station
South Omaha Diversion Structure
Missouri River In-Flant Lift Station
Monroe Street Diversion Structure and Lift Station
North Interceptor to Burt-Izard Lift Station
North Interceptor to Burt-Izard Lift Station
North Interceptor to Burt-Izard Lift Station
Burt-Izard Lift Station
South Interceptor to MRUUTP North Inlet
Burt-Izard Lift Station
Farnam Street Lift Station
South Interceptor to MRWUTP North Inlet
Farnam Street Lift Station
South Interceptor to MRWWTP North Inlet
South Interceptor to MRWWTP North Inlet
South Interceptor to MRWWTP North Inlet
South Interceptor to MRWWTP North Inlet
Hickory Street Lift Station
South Interceptor to MRWWTP North Inlet
South Interceptor to MRWWTP North Inlet
Rivervlew Park Lift Station
Rlverview Park Lift Station
South Interceptor to MRWWTP North Inlet
MRWWTP In-Plant Lift Station
MRWWTP South Inlet
MRWWTP
al See Figure 4 for location of structure.
b/ Structures are listed, In order, from north to south.
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TABLE 6
LIFT STATIONS AND GRIT-REMOVAL FACILITIES
MISSOURI RIVER UASTEUATER TREATMENT PLANT SERVICE AREA
OMAHA, NEBRASKA
AUGUST 1972
"""a/
Keyi'
1
3
7
10
12
13
14
IS
17
19
21
22
25
Name
Bridge
Street
Mlnne Lusa
Burt-Izard
Farnam
Street
Jones
Street
Leavenworth
Street
Fierce
Street
Hickory
Street
Spring
Street
Rlvervlew
Park
Missouri
Avenue
South Omaha
Monroe
Street
Number
of
Pumps
2
0
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
3
3
0
5
Rated
Capacity
of Each
Pump
<8pm)
410
0
17,000
1.425
835
12,700
820
1,800
95
1.225
585
0
14,000
Wet-Weather
Design Flow
(mgd)
0.58
41.5
48.5
4.1
2.4
36.6
1.9
5.2
0.14
3.5
1.7
80
Ratio of
Wet-Weather
Flow to
Design
Dry-Weather
Flow^'
5:1
5:1
3:1
3:1
3:1
3:1
3:1
3:1
3:1
3:1
3:1
3:1
3:1
Location of
Crl t-Removal
Facilities
Within lift
station
Separate^-
Separate
Separate
Within lift
station
Within lift
station
Within lift
station
Within lift
station
None
Separate
Separate
Separate^
Within lift
station
Percent of Time
Lift Station
By-Passed0-'
1970 1971
23
7
26
18
4
40
20
45
16
19
18
33
1
0
36
24
15
43
18
18
1
9
4
2
6
Observations During ..
30 July-5 August 1972 Survey^'
None
Approximately 50 gpm being by-passed
By-passing occurred for 3 days while grit
conveyor bearings were replaced.
By-passing occurred for 9 days while grit
elevator motor was repaired.
By-passing occurred for the entire survey
period while elevator chain was repaired.
By-passing occurred for the entire survey
period while grit conveyor bearings were
replaced and grit conveyor motor was repaired.
By-passing occurred at least 1 day as evident
by Rodamlne WT dye released in the sewer up-
stream of the lift station.
By-passing occurred for the entire survey
period while the controls on lift pumps were
replaced.
Partial by-passing occurred continuously as
a result of solids buildup in the diversion
structure.
By-passing occurred for the entire "survey due
to water-line break. Water is used to cool
lift-pump bearings.
No by-passing was observed.
No by-passing was observed.
Minor «50 gpm) by-passing was observed
continuously during the survey.
aj For location See Figure 4.
b/ The structure with 5:1 ratios are located upstream of Council Bluffs Water Intake.
c/ The data were obtained from City records.
d_/ A 6-hour power outage at the Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant resulted in the by-passing of all lift stations.
e/ The flow from this grit facility is diverted to the Burt-Izard lift station.
II The flow from this grit facility Is diverted directly to the Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant.
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ratio for all other structures downstream from the Council Bluff Intake
(e.g., Burt-Izard, Leavenworth, Pierce Street, etc.) is three times the
dry-weather design flow. Although these ratios are adequate, the flow
records and observations during the survey indicate that wastewater is
*
by-passed at ratios less than three to one.
Prior to the turn of the century many of the combined sewers serving
the City of Omaha were constructed of bricks. These brick-ring sewers
are beginning to deteriorate, with the bricks being carried by the waste-
water to the grit-removal facilities. These facilities were not designed
to remove large material. As a result, the grit facilities and lift
pumps are frequently damaged, and the wastewater is by-passed to the
Missouri River.
The City is replacing combined sewers on a piece-meal basis. As
extensions are added to the combined sewer and as repairs are made to
the existing sewers, the City is constructing separate sanitary sewers
parallel to the combined sewer being repaired. However, until a combined
sewer is separated throughout its entire length (i.e., to the main inter-
ceptor), there is little relief offered through' this method. The City has
no firm plan for separating all combined sewers. City officials arc
cognizant of the problem, but the cost to implement such separation in
the near future is prohibitive.
The estimated dry-weather flow is 38 mgd. The maximum flow reported at
the Missouri River plant, from March 1971 to July 1972, was approximately
65 mgd.
-------
During the survey at least 14 mgd of raw sewage was by-passed to
the Missouri River due to inoperative lift stations (e.g., Leavenworth,
Jones Street, and Hickory Street).
The City of Omaha has 16 employees who are responsible for main-
taining and operating the sewerage system. Four of these employees are
*
involved in preventative maintenance of 103 separate facilities. Based
on observations and records of by-passing, inoperative lift stations,
grit-removal equipment break downs, etc., there should be additional
resources devoted to the maintenance of the system.
Diversion Structures
Three types of diversion structures are employed in this sewerage
system. These are: (1) a diversion dam constructed in the sewer
line (when the water level exceeds the height of the dam, excess flow
is by-passed to the river); (2) a double-pipe arrangement with the
diversion pipe being installed at a lower elevation than the by-pass
pipe (when the flow in the sewer exceeds the capacity of the diversion
pipe, flow is by-passed to the river)-and (3) a hydraulic gate which
controls the direction of the flow. The gates are operated by use
of a level sensing bubbler-tube control system. When the flow exceeds
the design wet-weather flow, the gate automatically closes,and all
wastes are discharged to the river. The gates can also be closed from
a remote position (the Missouri River WWTP).
These 103 facilities not only include the Missouri River WWTP and
sewerage system but also five treatment plant and collection systems.
-------
Visual inspections of several diversion structures were made by EPA
personnel on 11 August 1972. The Homer Street and Grover Street structures
were by-passing the entire wastewater flow (estimated at 1.5 mgd) to
the river. This by-passing was caused by the build-up of solids in front
of the pipes leading to the pump station. Solids had also built up
in the Spring Street, Harney Street, and Douglas Street structures.
As a result, partial by-passing of wastewater to the river was observed
in these diversion structures.
Grit-Removal Facilities
Monroe Street [25], South Omaha J2JZJL, and Minne Lusa Facilities [3]
Grit removal at these three facilities is accomplished by diverting the
wastewater flow into an open concrete basin. [Monroe Street has two such
basins operated in parallel.] Diffused air, added in the basin, keeps
organic material from settling with the grit. Settled grit is removed
by means of a clam shell mounted on a moveable crane and then is hauled
to a landfill.
Maintenance of these three facilities is adequate, and operational
problems are minimal. Generally, by-passing of these grit facilities
[Table 6] results from operational problems at the lift stations (i.e.,
pumps out of service for repair). During the survey flows of 50 gpm or
less were observed being discharged to the river from both the Monroe
Street and Minne Lusa Diversion Structures. This small flow is assumed
to result from leakage under the hydraulic diversion gates.
* [Number in brackets refer to location of facility as shown on Figure 4.]
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48
Missouri Avenue .[21]., Riverview Park J19J[, Farnam Street UP], and
Burt Izard [7] Facilities - At these sites the grit-removal facility is
located in the sewer line between the diversion structure and the lift
station. At each location the flow passes through an aerated chamber
where grit settles out and is carried by a screw conveyor into a grit
sump. The grit is continuously removed by a bucket elevator, washed,
and stored in a pit outside and adjacent to the facility.
Continual operational problems have been experienced with the grit
conveyor system at each of these facilities. Operational problems result
from broken chains and buckets on the elevator; jammed or broken screw
**
conveyors; and failure of bearings. As a result, the entire flow from
each service area is by-passed to the Missouri River. City records indi-
cate that from 1970 to 1971 the frequency of by-passing at the Farnam
Street and Burt-Izard facilities increased [Table 6].
During the survey the Farnam Street Lift Station was out of service
from 1 August to 9 August, by-passing an estimated 1.5 mgd: Burt-Izard
Lift Station from A August to 6 August, by-passing an estimated 12 mgd:
and Riverview Park Lift Station from 30 July to 12 August, by-passing
***
an estimated 1 mgd. Except for Riverview, these facilities were out
of service as a result of problems associated with the grit-removal
* Except for the Missouri Avenue facility, each grit-renoval facility
receives wastewater from more than one diversion structure [Table 5].
** Large pieces of material (e.g., bricks, lumber, rocks, pieces of metal,
etc.) that enter the grit chamber and cannot be renoved by the ",rit
equipment are responsible for most of the failures.
*** During the days when these stations as well as Leavenworth were down
at least 26 mgd of raw sewage was by-passed.
-------
equipment. Riverview Park Lift Station was by-passing wastewater because
of a broken pipe that supplies cooling water for the lift-pump bearings.
Burt-Izard, the largest of these facilities (14 mgd dry-weather
flow), requires from two to three weeks to be repaired. A complete set
of spare parts for this facility is maintained by the City in order to
reduce the period of by-passing. City officials have planned modifi-
cations of this facility with a scheduled completion date of 31 December
1974. The modifications, recommended by Kirkham, Michael and Associates,—
consist of replacing the grit conveyor system with an overhead crane and
clam-shell bucket similar to the one used at the Minne Lusa facility.
An additional grit-removal and storage facility will be constructed on the
North Interceptor between the Grace Street Diversion Structure and the
Burt-Izard Lift Station. This new facility, also a grit-chamber-clam-shell
bucket type, is designed to reduce the grit load presently received from the
North Interceptor. These modifications will reduce the frequency of by-
passing from the Burt-Izard facility. However, the scheduled completion
date can only be met if funds are available. A grant application for
construction of the new grit facilities has been submitted to the Nebraska
Department of Environmental Control, but no grant funds will be available
until at least FY 1975.
City officials should also modify the Missouri Avenue, Riverview
Park, and Farnam Street grit facilities. Modification of these (i.e.,
replacing grit conveyor system with a overhead crane and clam-shell)
facilities would reduce the frequency of by-passing wastewater to the
Missouri River.
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50
Hickory Street [15], Pierce Street [141, Leavenworth Street .[1.3].,
es. Street [12], and Bridge Street [1] Facilities - Each of these
grit-removal facilities are located within the lift-station wet well.
Grit settles out in the wet well and is carried by a screw conveyor,
located in the center of the well, to a sump. The grit in the sump is
removed by a bucket elevator, washed, and transported by a second screw
conveyor to a storage pit located outside and adjacent to the facility.
Operational records show that this grit-removal system is the least
reliable of all three types [Table 6]. Waste flows from service areas
with large loads of grit (i.e., Pierce Street and Leavenworth Street)
result in the breakdown of conveyors and bucket elevators, thus requiring
city personnel to remove grit manually from the facility. The physical
separation between the bottom of the lift-pump intakes and the top of
the grit conveyor is limited. As grit (including bricks, posts, rein-
forcing bar, large rocks, etc.) is transported by the conveyor, the
pump impellers pick up the grit and are damaged. Wastewater flows are
then by-passed until the pumps can be repaired.
During the survey, wastewater was by-passed continuously from the
Hickory Street, Jones Street, and Leavenworth Street facilities (esti-
mated at 14 mgd). Grit-removal equipment was being repaired in Jones
Street and Leavenworth. Pump controls were inoperative at the Hickory
Street facility. Of further interest is that Rhodamine WT dye released
in the Pierce Street sewer revealed by-passing of the lift station was
-------
51
occurring, although operational problems during the period of the survey
I
were not reported by the City.—
Kirkham, Michael and Associates— have recommended constructing a
new grit-removal facility for the Leavenworth Street Sewer. The new
facility, which would be located approximately 800 ft upstream from
the lift station, would consist of an aerated grit chamber employing an
overhead crane and clam-shell bucket to remove grit. This facility is
intended to reduce the frequency of by-passing wastewater from this
service area. City officials have scheduled a completion date of 31
December 1974. However, the funding difficulties faced on this project
are similar to those encountered for the Burt-Izard facility.
New grit-removal facilities should also be constructed for the
Hickory Street, Pierce Street, Jones Street and Bridge Street Stations
in order to reduce the frequency of by-passing.
Lift Stations
The lift stations each have a wet well to facilitate collection of
wastewater so that it can be pumped into the interceptors — with the
exception of Monroe Street Lift Station which pumps directly to the
Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant. Each station is equipped
with a bar screen, barminutor or comminutor, and variable speed pumps.
Downstream from the Council Bluffs Water Intake (RM 618.8) the pumping
capacity at each lift station is three times the design dry-weather
flow; it is five times the design dry-weather flow upstream of the
intake [Table 6].
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52
Pump controls are arranged so that all pumps, except one, can
operate at one time. The remaining pump Is for emergency standby to be
used In case of a pump failure. The variable-speed motors are controlled
by the depth of water In the wet well. As the depth of the water In-
creases, the speed of the motor (i.e., pumping capacity) increases. As
the pump capacity reaches a preset value, additional pumps start and
operate in the same manner.
The variable-speed motors are of the slip-ring (rotor) type. These
rings are subject to excessive wear, electrical arcing, and electrical
surges. Because of these and other problems, by-passing of all waste
flow occurs frequently [Table 6]. An alternate type of pumping system
should be investigated by the City of Omaha to determine whether these
pumps can be either modified or replaced to reduce or eliminate opera-
tional problems.
In summary, the Omaha sewerage system has a history of operational
problems associated with the failure of grit-removal equipment (e.g.,
broken buckets and conveyors, failure of bearings, etc.) which lead to
the by-passing of large quantities of raw sewage to the Missouri River.
City maintenance records show that to repair the large grit facilities,
Burt-Izard and Leavenworth, a minimum of two weeks is required. During
these frequent and protracted periods, raw sewage is by-passed to the
Missouri River.
The Burt-Izard and Leavenworth facilities have dry-weather flows
of approximately 26 mgd. The city has scheduled modification of the
-------
grit-removal facilities at Burt-Izard and Leavenworth. These modifica-
tions are to include replacment of the present equipment with overhead
cranes and clam-shells and are intended to reduce the frequency of
by-passing.
There are no plans at present to replace or improve grit-removal
facilities at the remaining locations. Thus, dry-weather by-passinp
of raw sewage during periods of equipment failure can be expected to
continue indefinitely
Further, there are no plans, at this time, to proceed with a general
improvement program to replace the deteriorating brick sewers and to
separate storm and sanitary sewage. In the absence of such a program
maintenance of grit-removal facilities and lift stations will continue
to be a difficult problem and to be the cause of by-passing of raw
sewage; and combined storm and sanitary sewage will continue to be by-
passed during wet-weather. Operational difficulties resulting from
combined wet-weather flows will hamper improved treatment at the
Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant.
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-------
55
VI. STREAM SURVEYS
During the period 31 July through 11 August 1972, EPA personnel ob-
tained water-quality data at selected locations on the Missouri River
from downstream of Allied Chemical Corporation (RM 595.2) to upstream of
the Union Pacific Shops (RM 616.2); Little Paplllion Creek from down-
stream of Flinn Paving Company asphalt plant (RM 596.60/8.30/5.42/1.70)
to upstream of the plant (RM 596.60/8.30/5.42/1.80); Big Paplllion
Creek from Harrison Street (RM 596.60/8.30/4.16) to Q Street
(RM 596.60/8.30/4.82); and Papillion Creek from near the mouth
(RM 596.6/1.0) to upstream of National By-Products, Inc. (RM 596.6/2.5).
[Results of field measurements, and chemical and bacteriological analyses
are provided in Tables 7, 8, and 9.]
A. LITTLE PAPILLION CREEK
Little Papillion Creek has been classified by the State of Nebraska
as a Class C water designated for agricultural and Industrial uses, partial
body-contact sports, and growth and propagation of fish and wildlife. The
creek upstream of Flinn Paving Company asphalt plant contained 36 mg/1 of
suspended solids. As a result of the asphalt plant discharge, the concen-
tration of suspended solids increased to 380 mg/1. Sediment deposits
blanketed the stream bed downstream from the discharge; the increase in
turbidity was noticeable for approximately 1/2 mile downstream. Viola-
*
tions occurred of the specific suspended solids standard C-3 which reads
* This notation refers to Parameter 3 for a Class C water in the State
of Nebraska water quality standards. [Appendix A.]
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TABLE 7
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL DATA
LITTLE PAPILLION CREEK. BIG PAPILLION CREEK, PAPILLION CREEK, AND THE MISSOURI RIVER
31 July - 11 August 1972-'
Mapb/
Key- Station Description
Flow
cfs
Dates Avg
PH
Range
y mhos /cm
Range
IGfflp •
•c
Range
DO
Range
DO
Z Sat
Range
BOD
Range Avg
COD
Range Avg
TOC
Range Avg
Suspended
Solids
Range Avg
Oil S.
Crease^'
Range Avg
1. Little Papillion Ck.,
upstream of
Flinn Paving Co.
(RM 596.60/8.30/5.42/1.80)
2. Little Papillion Ck.,
downstream from Flinn
Paving Co.
(RM 596.60/8.30/5.42/1.70)
3. Big Papillion Ck.,
upstream of Papillion WWTP
(RM 596,6e/8.30/4.82)
4. Big Papillion Creek
downstream from
Papillion Creek WWTP
(RM 596.60/8.30/4.16)
5. Papillion Creek, upstream
of National By-Products,
Inc. (RM 596.6/2.5)
6. Papillion Ck., down-
stream from National
By-Products, Inc., near
the mouth (RM 596.6/1.0)
8/7-9
a/7-9
8/7-10
8/7-10
7/31-
8/5
7.3-9.0 400-700 13-23
7.4-8.8 425-625 14-22
7.4-8.7 500-650 15-21 5.6- 58-94
9.2
6.9-7.4 650-850 16-21 1.2- 13-50
4.4
90 6.5-7.8 280-800
18-24 0.2
o.4
o.l
30-40 36
234-528 380
2-6 25-40 30
3°-60
48-76 62
22-23 22 32-58 49
2-6
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TABLE 7 (Cont.)
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL DATA
LITTLE PAPIULION CREEK. BIG PAPILLION CREEK. PAPILLION CREEK, AND THE MISSOURI RIVER
31 July - 11 August 1972-'
Map f
Key^ Station Description
7. Missouri River, upstream
of Union Pacific Shops
(RM 616.2)
8. Missouri River downstream
from Union Pacific Shops
Flow
cfs
Dates Avg
8/10- 52,100
12
8/10- 52,100
12 (est.)
PH
Range
8.2-8.6
8.3-8.6
Conductivity
umnos/cm
Range
675-725
650-700
Temp. DO
"C
Range Range
24<'
24-25
DO BOD COD TOC Suspended
Z Sat Solids
Range Range Avg Range Avg Range Avg Range Avg
Oil |,
Grease^'
Range Avg
1-5 3
2-11 5
(RM 616.1)
9. Missouri River, upstream
of Missouri River WWTP
(RM 611.87)
10. Missouri River, downstream
from Missouri River WWTP
(RM 611.42)
11. Missouri River upstream
of Papillion Creek
(RM 596.68)
12. Missouri River, downstream
from Papillion Creek
(RM 596.47)
13. Missouri River, upstream
of Allied Chemical Corp.
(RM 595.32)
14. Missouri River, downstream
From Allied Chemical Corp.
(RM 595.20)
7/31- 52,100 8.0-9.0
8/5 (est.)
7/31- 52.200
8/5 (est.)
6.6-8.6
7/31- 52,300^ 7.5-8.3
8/5
7/31- 52,400
8/5 (est.)
8/7- 52,400
11 (est.)
8/7- 52,500
11 (est.)
7.1-8.2
6.8-8.6
6.9-9.0
580-750
580-800
650-720
660-750
380-750
380-750
23-25 7.0-
8.6
23-25
7.2-
7.9
23-25 7.3-
7.9
23-25 4.8-
5.4
20-26
20-25
a/ All units are in mg/1 unless otherwise noted.
t>/ See Figures 2 and 3.
£/ This is hexane-extractable material.
d/ All values were the same.
£/ Flow data were provided by USGS Water Resources Division, Council Bluffs, Iowa.
~f/ Data consist of a single value.
85-102
88-98
88-96
58-67
6-9 8
790-3100 1900
23-89 45 5-10 7
21-74 42 5-7
102-172 138
59-133 99
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TABLE 8
RESULTS 07 BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES
MISSOURI RIVER AND PAPILLION CREEK
31 July - 5 August 1972
in
CO
Description
Missouri River, upstream
of Missouri River WWTP
(RM 611.87)
Missouri River, downstream
from Missouri River UWTP
(RM 611.42)
Missouri River, upstream
of Papillion Creek
(RM 596.68)
Missouri River, downstream
from Papillion Creek
(RM 596.47)
Papillion Creek, upstream
Total
Minimum
24,000
25,000
66,000
580,000
6,200,000
Coliiorm Count/100 ml
Log Mean
79,000
450,000 2
130,000
1,400,000 4
> 10, 000, 000 23
Maximum
160,000
,000,000
230,000
,300,000
,000,000
Fecal
Minimum
1,000
1.400
4,500
35.000
250,000
Collform Count/100 ml
Log Mean Maximum
4,100 8,000
57,000 390,000
11,000 19,000
65,000 140,000
790,000 2.900,000
Fecal Streptococci
Count/100 ml
Minimum Log Mean
630 2,
1,200 >14,
2,800 6,
6,800 17,
37,000 130,
400
000
300
000
000
Maximum
6,200
> 100, 000
9,000
24,000
580,000
of National By-Products
effluent
(RM 596.6/2.5)
Papillion Creek, near
mouth
(RM 596.6/1.0)
7,900,000 15,000,000 26,000,000 260,000 800,000 2,300,000 34,000 93,000 200,000
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59
TABLE 9
SUMMARY OF HEAVY METAL AND NUTRIENT DATA
AT SELECTED STATIONS ON THE MISSOURI RIVER
7-11 August 1972
Parameter^
Missouri River,
upstream of Allied
Chemical Corporation
(RM 595.32)
Missouri River,
downstream of Allied
Chemical Corporation
(RM 595.2)
Zinc
Copper
Cadmium
Total Kjeldahl-Nltrogen
Ammonia-Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
N03 + N02- Nitrogen
Total Phosphorus
0.155-0.249
0.022-0.066
0.010-0.015
0.55-0.93
<0.01-0.06
0.55-0.92
0.36-0.47
0.09-0.15
0.178-0.198
0.015-0.067
0.005-0.015
1.20-6.25
0.42-2.37
0.78-4.69
0.47-1.08
0.11-0.18
aj All values are expressed as mg/1.
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60
"none from wastewater sources which will permit objectionable deposition
or be deleterious for the designated uses ..." and of general water
quality criteria (i.e., "... waters shall be free of substances attrib-
utable to discharges ... that will form objectionable deposits ...
color ... or turbidity ...")•
B. BIG PAPILLION CREEK
Big Papillion Creek, a Class C water, was relatively unpolluted
upstream of the Papillion Creek Uastewater Treatment Plant. The water
quality of the Creek was degraded by the plant wastewater which contained
average loads of 28,800 Ib of BOD and 42,800 Ib of suspended solids.
In Big Papillion Creek this discharge markedly affects the DO that ranged
from 5.6 to 9.2 mg/1 (58 to 94 percent saturation) upstream (RM 8.30/4.82)
then decreased to a range of 1.2 to 4.4 mg/1 (13 to 50 percent saturation)
downstream (RM 8.30/4.41) from the treatment plant discharge [Table 7].
Visual observations revealed a significant increase in the turbidity
of the water and floating solids and grease. These conditions violate
sections C-3 (turbidity and solids); C-6 (dissolved oxygen criteria);
C-9 (oil and grease) and C-10 (aesthetic considerations) of the Nebraska
Water Quality Standards [Appendix A].
C. PAPILLION CREEK
Papillion Creek, a Class C water, receives flow from numerous
tributaries Including Big Papillion and Little Papillion Creeks, and
empties into the Missouri River at RM 596.6.
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At the upstream station (RM 596.6/2.5) the stream was a gray color
and contained an average of 30 mg/1 BOD, 62 mg/1 suspended solids,, and
4 mg/1 oil and grease. All concentrations of DO measured were less than
1 mg/1 [Table 7]; total- and fecal-coliform bacterial densities were
greater than 10,000,000 and 790,000/100 ml, respectively [Table 9].
Violations of DO standards (section C-6) bacterial standards (section
C-l) and General Water Quality Criteria occurred at this station.
At the time of the survey Papillion Creek was grossly polluted
near the mouth (RM 596.6/1.0). The BOD, suspended solids, and DO con-
centrations, and total- and fecal-coliform bacterial densities were similar
to those observed at the upstream Papillion Creek station. As a result,
the creek flow (115 cfs) entering the Missouri River contained a daily
waste load of 41,600 Ib of BOD, 47,000 Ib of suspended solids, and total-
and fecal-coliform bacterial densities of 15,000,000 and 800,000/ml. The
oil-and-grease concentration (520 mg/1) significantly increased. Grease
balls from National By-Products were visible in the discharge, at the
mouth of Papillion Creek, and in the Missouri River.
Rhodamine WT dye was introduced into the effluent in order to trace
the dispersion of wastewater from National By-Products, Inc., into
Papillion Creek and the Missouri River. Samples were collected imme-
diately upstream of the discharge to determine background fluorescence
and oil-and-grease concentrations. Samples were also collected
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62
immediately downstream of the discharge when the dye was introduced:
usinp, fluorometric techniques, the dye was traced to the mouth of
Papillion Creek and into the Missouri River downstream from the creek.
Results indicated that the discharge from National By-Products
increased the oil-and-prease concentration on the surface of the
Missouri River from 9 mp/1 or less upstream of the mouth of Papillion
Creek, to 790 mg/1 or more, downstream. Grease balls were visible at
the downstream station. The downstream water-quality conditions are
in violation of the Nebraska Water Quality Standards (Section A-9, no
globules of grease shall be present, and emulsified oil and grease
shall be less than 10 tnp/1) [Appendix A].
D. MISSOURI RIVER
The flow of the Missouri River is controlled by six large reser-
voirs located between its headwaters and Yankton, South Dakota.— The
river in the Omaha area has been levied for flood control and channelized
for navigation. During the survey the average flow observed in the
Missouri River at Bellevuc, Nebraska (RM 601.3), was 52,200 cfs.*
The DO concentrations in the Missouri River upstream of the Missouri
River Wastewater Treatment Plant (RM 611.87) ranp.etl from 7.0 to 8.6 m^/1
(85 to 102 percent saturation) [Table 7]. The total- and fecal-coliforrn
* Flow data were provided by USGS Water Resources Division, Council
Bluffs, Iowa.
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63
bacterial levels were 79,000 and 4,100/100 ml, respectively. These high
bacterial levels are believed to be a direct result of raw-sewage by-pass
from the Leavenworth and other lift stations [Table 8] and cause
violations of the Nebraska Water Quality Standards. The Missouri River
Wastewater Treatment Plant which provides no disinfection, discharged an
effluent containing an average of 99,100 Ib/day of BOD; 93,300 Ib/day,
suspended solids: 125 mg/1 of oil and grease: and a fecal-coliform bac-
teria density of 17,000,000/100 ml. The effects of the plant discharge
were measured downstream in the Missouri River (RM 611.42). Although the
DO remained essentially the same (7.2 to 7.9 mg/1), the total- and fecal-
coliform bacterial densities had Increased to 450,000 and 57,000/100 ml,
respectively [Table 8]. The bacterial densities discharged sustained
the water-quality standards violation.
Papillion Creek joins the Missouri River at RM 596.6. Despite
the flow dilution provided by the Missouri River, the effect of the
waste load in Papillion Creek is reflected in the river downstream from
the confluence of the two streams. The dissolved oxygen (5 mg/1), oil
and grease (10 mg/1), and bacterial density (65,000/100 ml), [Table 8]
all violated the Nebraska Water Duality Standards [Appendix A].
Allied Chemical Corporation, Agriculture Division, discharged wastes
into the Missouri River at RM 595.26. The effluent contained high con-
centrations of oil and grease (27 to 1,100 mg/1), ammonia-nitrogen (70.8
to 82.2 mg/1), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (100 to 116 mg/1), and of copper
-------
(0.047 to 0.244 mg/1). As a result of the discharge the total Kjeldahl
nitrogen and ammonia-nitrogen (NH.-N) concentrations increased significantly
in the Missouri River [Table 9]. The Increase in NH--N concentrations
which ranged from 0.01 to 0.06, upstream of the discharge (RM 595.32),
and from 0.42 to 2.37 downstream (RM 595.20), violated the Nebraska Water
Quality Standards.
In summary, the discharges from the Missouri River Wastewater Treat-
ment Plant and Allied Chemical Corporation and the waste inflow from
Papillion Creek cause violations of the Water Quality Standards established
by the State of Nebraska for the Missouri River for DO, bacteria, NH3~N,
and oil and grease. Observed copper concentrations exceeded the recom-
mended limits specified by the National Technical Advisory Committee.
* The Nebraska Water Quality Standards do not specify a limit for copper
in waters classified as fisheries. The report of the National Technical
Advisory Committee (NTAC)—recommends the following criteria for
copper in freshwater. "The maximum copper (expressed as Cu) concen-
tration (not including copper attached to silt particles or in stable
organic combination) at any time or place should not be greater than
l/10th the 96-hour TL value nor should any 24-hour average concentra-
tion exceed 1/30 of tf?e 96-hou^.TL ." A 96-hour TLffl of 0.47 mg/1 has been
reported for fathead minnows.— The levels observed in the Missouri
River as a result of the Allied Chemical Corporation discharge exceeded
the NTAC recommendation.
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65
VII. STATUS OF WATER POLLUTION ABATEMENT
A. PAST AND PRESENT ABATEMENT ACTIONS
As mentioned previously, an Enforcement Conference was held 14 June
1957 on the Matter of Pollution of the Missouri River. Several specific
recommendations for pollution control in the Omaha, Nebraska, area were
made. These recommendations along with the action taken, are summarized
in the following paragraphs.
All municipalities and industries along the Missouri River were
to provide adequate wastewater treatment (primary implied), with the
City of Omaha to commence construction no later than 1 January 1960.
However, satisfactory treatment was not in operation when the second
session of the conference convened 21 July 1964.
At this second session the conferees accepted the proposal by the
City for construction of a pretreatment plant (i.e., the Central Waste-
water Treatment Facility). This pretreatment facility was to be in
operation by 15 December 1966 after which time all wastes discharged to the
Missouri River from Omaha were to receive a minimum of primary treatment.
Progress evaluation meetings were subsequently held in February
1965, January and March 1966, and March 1967 to discuss effluent re-
quirements for the pretreatment facility. It was recommended that the In-
fluent to the Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant not exceed 400 mg/1
of suspended solids and that the oil-and-grease load not exceed 18,000
Ib/day at the south inlet (i.e. the point at which the Central Wastewater
Treatment Facility discharge would enter the Missouri River plant).
In spite of the conference recommendations—that the Central Waste-
water Treatment Facility be in operation by 15 December 1966 and that no
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wastes be discharred to the Missouri River without at least primary treat-
ment, the prctreatment facility did not commence operation until 1970, or
almost four years later. In the interim, the packing house wastes flowed
directly to the south inlet of the Missouri River plant, and because the
capacity of the latter was exceeded, these wastes were by-passed directly
to the river, an obvious violation of the conference recommendations.
Pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1965 the State
of Nebraska established water quality standards and an implementation plan
for pollution abatement. Standards were established for the Missouri
River and tributaries in the Omaha area. Bis Papillion, Little Papillion,
West Papillion, and Papillion Creek all received Class C designations
[Appendix A]. Under the 1972 Amendments the Standards for the tribu-
tary streams will become Federal Standards when accepted.
Specific compliance dates established by Nebraska and the present
status of compliance are summarized in the following:
1. All municipal, industrial, and other waste sources that discharge
into intrastate and interstate waters except for those waste sources dis-
charging directly into the Missouri Paver shall be in compliance* by
1 January 1972. i.'astc sources in the Omaha area to which this requirement
applies are:
Ijndustri^l Sources Remarks
Flinn Paving Company Not in compliance
National By-Products, Inc. Not in compliance
* All municipal wastes shall receive at least secondary treatment nlus such
additional treatuent as is required to maintain l.'ater Ouality Criteria, as
set forth in these Standards. All other wastes shall receive an equivalent
decree of treatment or control consistent with waste characteristics, uses.
and quality of receiving waters.
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67
Municipal Sources
Bellevue Plant No. 2*
District 31 Plant*
Rolling Heights Plant*
Jacobson Plant*
LaVista Plant*
Oak Hills Plant*
Offutt Air Force*
Papillion Creek Plant
Remarks
Not in compliance. About one-
half of waste water receives
secondary treatment. No
disinfection.
Not in compliance. Secondary
treatment plant is hydraulically
and organically overloaded. No dis-
infection.
Adequate secondary treatment
(17 mp/1 BOD and suspended solids)
but no disinfection.
Not in compliance. Inadequate
secondary treatment and no
disinfection.
Not in compliance. Secondary
treatment plant is hydraulically
overloaded. No disinfection.
Secondary treatment adequate
(20 mg/1 BOD and 28 mg/1 suspended
solids) but no disinfection.
Not in compliance. Secondary
treatment inadequate. Status of
disinfection unknown.
Not in compliance. Secondary
treatment for less than one-half
of waste flow. No disinfection.
2. All municipal, industrial)and other waste sources discharging to
the Missouri River shall be in compliance by 31 December 1975. Waste
sources in the Omaha area to which this requirement applies are:
Industrial Sources
Allied Chemical
Union Pacific Railroad Company
Remarks
Permit application filed with EPA.
No treatment proposed by company.
Present discharge violates water
quality standards.
In compliance with requirements.
* Plants to be abandoned and connected to a new Papillion Creek WWTP
by 31 December 1972.
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68
Municipal Sources Remarks
Missouri River Wastewater Presently provides inadequate
Treatment Plant primary treatment. Secondary
treatment planned for completion
by 31 December 1975. Contingent
on adequate Federal and state
funding support (i.e., 80 percent).
In addition to the above, the Nebraska Standards also cover pollution from
combined sewer overflows with the following statement:
Combined sewer overflows are recognized as a source of objection-
able pollutants in many of the older sewer systems. It is hoped
that through some of the Federal aid programs that the problem of
combined sewer overflows will be researched and a solution pro-
vided by 31 December 1977. In the meantime, it is the policy
of the Nebraska Water Pollution Control Council to encourage
the separation of storm and sanitary sewers and to disapprove
any extension of combined sewers.
The City of Omaha experiences continual problems with combined sewers.
By-passing from the larger sewers (e.g., Burt Izard and Leavenworth) has
occurred more than 25 percent of the time during the past two years.
Because of heavy solids, debris, etc., carried through these sewers,
breakdowns occur at lift stations and in grit chambers. During the recent
EPA survey at least 14 mgd of raw sewage wastes were by-passed daily to
the Missouri River during dry-weather flow, constituting violations of
the Nebraska Water Quality Standards and of the conference recommendations
that all wastes discharged to the Missouri River receive primary treatment
by 15 December 1966.
In the enforcement of Its water quality criteria and other pollution
control regulations, procedures for abatement actions as stated in the
Water Quality Standards [Appendix A] include:
1. An informal conferance with the person or persons
responsible for the violation;
2. Formal hearing; and
3. Court action where necessary.
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69
To date, the State has held no formal hearings or pursued any court
action against polluters in the Omaha, Nebraska, area. This apparent re-
luctance to pursue enforcement action possibly stems from the lack of
adequate State and Federal funding, in the case of municipal pollution
abatement, and of a clear definition of "equivalent secondary treatment,"
in the case of industrial abatement. With the passage of the 1972 Amend-
ments to the Water Pollution Control Act the States have a clearly de-
fined course of action to pursue.
The City of Omaha has an ordinance [Appendix G] regulating the
quantity and quality of discharges to municipal treatment systems.
An industrial waste surveillance and control program is currently in
existence. This program is directed toward regulating the discharge
of industrial wastes to the municipal plants that could damage the
conveyance system or impair the efficiency of treatment facilities.
At the time of the survey, limited enforcement of this ordinance was
being pursued. However, City officials Indicated that a more viable
program was being initiated. Changes in this ordinance could be ne-
cessary, pursuant to the pretreatment requirements to be promulgated
under the 1972 Amendments to the Water Pollution Control Act.
Until the new Papillion Creek plant can be constructed, interim
abatement measures have been proposed by Omaha to alleviate some of
the inadequate treatment problems at several of the small plants
[Table 1]. These measures Include a) expansion of the Jacobson plant,
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70
b) diverting excess flows from the District 31 plant to the Jacobson
plant, and c) installation of chlorination at the Jacobson and
District 31 plants.
City officials are cognizant of the problems associated with
the combined sewers. Complete separation of the storm water from the
sanitary sewers would be a massive undertaking and, according to the esti-
mate of one City official, it would cost at least 250 million dollars.
The City is currently undertaking separation on a piece-meal basis,
e.g., when a section of combined sewer is repaired a parallel sewer
is laid to carry the sanitary wastes. However, this procedure will
not provide relief in the interceptor system until the entire length
of a combined sewer is separated. A concerted effort to accomplish
the latter throughout the city is badly needed but is not being actively
pursued at this time.
B. POLLUTION CONTROL REQUIREMENTS OF THE FWPCA AMENDMENTS OF 1972
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 require
EPA to promulgate standards, guidelines, and regulations that will
implement many of the enforceable requirements of the Act.
Most important are the limitations on the quantity and quality of
effluents which may be discharged into any water of the Nation. All
point sources of pollution (including Federal facilities), other than
publicly owned treatment works, that discharge directly into the navi-
gable waters (defined as the "waters of the United States including the
territorial seas") are required to achieve, not later than 1 July 1977,
effluent limitations that shall require the application of the
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71
best practicable control technology currently available, as determined
by the EPA. Not later than 1 July 1983 the same point sources must
achieve effluent limitations that shall require the application of the
best available technology economically achievable.
Industries, including Federal facilities, discharging into publicly
owned treatment works must comply with pretreatraent standards which are
to be promulgated by the EPA.
Publicly owned treatment works must meet, by 1 July 1977, effluent
limitations that are based on secondary treatment, and by July 1, 1983,
th£ best practicable waste treatment technology.
The 1972 Amendments provide for the continuation of the framework
of State water quality standards required under the Water Quality Act
of 1965. In addition, water quality standards applicable to intrastate
waters must be submitted to the EPA within a required time frame. In
every case, the promulgated effluent limitations must be sufficiently
stringent to maintain water quality, as prescribed by the standards.
Authority is reserved to each State to irapose effluent limitations more
stringent than those required by the EPA where the State deems such
action necessary to meet its own State water quality standards.
National Standards of Performance must be prescribed by EPA that
require effluent linitations for new sources of pollution reflecting
the best available demonstrated control technology, including where
practicable, no discharge of pollution.
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72
Effluent standards must also be established for the control of
toxic pollutants. Pretreatment standards must be met by industrial
waste sources discharging to publicly owned treatment works.
The discharge of any pollutant by any person is unlawful unless
permitted under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(Permit Program). The EPA is authorized to Issue permits for the dis-
charge of pollutants. The issuance of permits is a practical device
whereby the various effluent limitations, standards, and other require-
ments of the Act are actually applied to individual sources of pollution.
The Permit Program (NPDES) established under the 1972 Amendments, sup-
plants the permit program previously established pursuant to Section 13
of the Rivers and Harbors Act of March 3, 1899.
The EPA must establish guidelines within which the separate States
must operate their permit programs if they desire to assume this respon-
sibility. Each State program must be approved by EPA and is subject to
assumption of operation by EPA if the State does not administer the pro-
gram consistent with the 1972 Act. When a State permit program has been
approved by the EPA, the State becomes the permit-issuing authority for
sources within its jurisdiction, and the EPA ceases to issue permits
within that State. EPA, however, retains a permit-by-permit veto power
in cases where a State permit does not conform to the guidelines and
requirements of the law or where waters of a State downstream are being
polluted by a permitted effluent discharge in another State upstream.
Violations of the conditions (effluent limitations compliance schedules,
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73
etc.) of a permit issued by the Administrator or by a State pursuant to
the NPDES are subject to enforcement.
Enforcement prerogatives are available to the EPA when any person
violates Effluent Limitations, Water Quality-Related Effluent Limitations,
National Standards of Performance, Toxic and Pretreatment Effluent
Standards, Inspection and Monitoring Requirements, or any permit con-
dition Including compliance schedules.
The present pollution abatement regulations of the State of
Nebraska partially fulfill the requirements of the 1972 Amendments.
Actions necessary to comply with the Amendments include:
1. The enactment of State legislation providing the pollution
control apency permit issuing authority under the NPDES program}
2. Federal approval of water-quality criteria presently established
for intrastate streams in the Omaha area;
3. The requirement that all publicly owned treatment works provide
secondary treatment as defined by EPA of all wastes discharged
to the Missouri River and its tributaries by no later than
31 December 1975;
A. The requirement that the best practicable control technology
currently available be applied to all industrial waste dis-
charges to the Missouri River and its tributaries by no later
than 31 December 1975;
5. The requirenent that industrial wastes, discharged to publicly
owned treatment works, be pretreated in order to remove toxic
-------
substances to levels that will not inhibit treatment of the
combined wastes or pass through the public system in concen-
trations which are deleterious to the established uses of
the receiving waters.
6. Revision of toxlclty provisions of present Board Resolutions
in order to conform with the requirements of Sections 307 and
502(13) of the 1972 Amendments and of the list of toxic sub-
stances which is to be promulgated by EPA.
Detailed requirements for approval of State permit programs are con-
tained in the Federal Register, Volume 37, Number 247, "State Program
Elements Necessary for Participation in National Pollution Discharge
Elimination System," published 22 December 1972.
Federal activities discharging wastewaters directly to the re-
ceiving water must conform to the requirements for best practicable
control technology by 1 July 1977, best available technology econo-
mically achievable by 1 July 1983, and the pretreatment provision
applicable to industrial wastewater discharges.
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75
REFERENCES
1. Summary of Conference on Pollution of Interstate Waters of the
Missouri River — Omaha, Nebraska, Area. U. S. Department of Health,
Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service. Kansas City, Missouri.
June 1957.
2. Stannary of Conference (Second Session) on Pollution of Interstate
Waters — of the Missouri River in the Omaha, Nebraska,Area (Nebraska,
Iowa, Missouri, Kansas). U. S. Department of Health, Education, and
Welfare, Public Health Service, 21 July 1964.
3. Summary of Progress Evaluation fleeting of Conferences on Pollution
of the Interstate Waters of the Missouri River in the Omaha, Nebraska
Area (Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas). U. S. Department of
Health, Education, and Welfare. Federal Water Pollution Control
Administration. Kansas City, Missouri. 11-12 February 1965.
4. Progress Evaluation Meetings of Conferences in the Matter of Pol-
lution of the Interstate Waters of the ffissouri River — Omaha Area.
U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. 27 January and
29 March 1966.
5. Progress Evaluation Meeting in the Matter of Pollution of Interstate
Waters of the Missouri River, Omaha, Nebraska}Area. U. S. Department
of Interior, Federal Water Quality Administration. 8 March 1967.
6. Everyone Can't Live Upstream, A Contemporary History of the Water
Quality Problems on the Missouri River (Sioux City, Iowa, to Hermann,
Missouri). Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Programs,
Kansas City, Missouri. April 1971.
7. Study and Report on Post-primary Treatment, Missouri River Plant,
Omaha, Nebraska. Kirkham, Michael and Associates, March 1972.
8. Telephone Conversation with Mrs. Rosalie M. Michelson, Environmental
Protection Agency, Region VII. 1000 hours. 29 December 1972.
9. Gene E. Jordan, Written Communication to Jerome H. Svore, Regional
Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Director,
Public Works, City of Omaha. 17 May 1972.
10. II. Tumbull, J. G. DeMann, and R.F. Weston. "Toxicity of Various
Refinery Materials to Fresh Water Fish." Symposium on Waste Disposal
in the Petroleum Industry, Industrial Engineering Chemistry 46:324, 1954,
-------
76
11. Charles A. Geisler, Written Communication and Attachments to
J. L. Biggins, Department of Environmental Control, State of
Nebraska. City Sanitation Engineer, Public Works, City of Omaha.
14 September 1972.
12. Water Quality Criteria, Report of the National Technical Advisory
Committee to D.C. 1 April 1968.
13. Donald I. Mount and Charles E. Stephan, "Chronic Toxicity to
Fathead Minnow, (Pimephales Promelas)," Journal of the Fisheries
Research Board of Canada. Vol. 26, No. 9. 1969.
-------
APPENDIX A
EXCERPTS FROM
NEBRASKA WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
-------
A-l
STATEMENT OF AUTHORITY, OBJECTIVE AND POLICY
The Federal Water Quality Act of 1965 (Public Law 89-234)
provides that the States may, prior to June 30, 1967, and after
public hearing, adopt Water Quality Criteria applicable to
interstate waters or portions thereof within the State, together
with a plan for implementation and enforcement of such criteria.
These standards were initially adopted by the Nebraska
Hater Pollution Control Council, a predecessor agency of the
Department of Environmental Control. In the Environmental
Protection Act of 1971 it was provided:
81-1505(5). All standards of quality of air, water or
land adopted pursuant to law prior to the effective date of
this act and applicable to specified air, waters or land are
hereby approved and adopted as standards of quality of such
air, waters, or land.
The Environmental Protection Act also provided:
81-1502(20). Water pollution shall mean contamination
or other alteration of the physical, chemical, or biological
properties of any waters of the state, including change in
temperature, taste, color, turbidity, or odor of the waters
or such discharge of any liquid, gaseous, solid, radioactive,
or other substance into any waters of the state as will or is
likely to create a nuisance or render such waters harmful,
detrimental, or injurious to public health, safety or welfare,
or to domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recre-
ational, or other legitimate beneficial uses, or to livestock,
wild animals, birds, fish or other aquatic life, or degrade
the water from its intended use...
81-1503 (11). The department is hereby designated as
the state air pollution and water pollution control agency
for this state for all purposes of... the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act, as amended (33 United States Code 466) ,
and for the administration of all federal and state grants and
incentives for environmental protection, and it is hereby
authorized to take all action necessary or appropriate to
secure to this state the benefits of those acts.
Section 81-1505(5) provides that all standards of quality
of air adopted pursuant to law prior to the act were approved
and adopted. This is interpreted to include the following
policy:
To protect and enhance the quality of productivity of the
waters, all municipal wastes shall receive at .least secondary
treatment plus such additional treatment as is required to main-
tain Water Quality Criteria. All industrial wastes shall receive
-------
A-2
an equivalent degree of treatment or control consistent with
waste characteristics, uses and quality of receiving waters.
The objective of treatment or control will be to reduce
the organic level, oil, grease, solids, alkali, acids, toxic
materials, color and turbidity, taste and odor products and
other deleterious materials to such a level as to meet the
Water Quality Criteria contained in these Standards.
Waters whose existing quality is better than the established
standards as of the date on which such standards become effective
will be maintained at this high quality unless it has been affirm-
atively demonstrated to the State that a change is justifiable as
a result of necessary economic or social development. Any in-
dustrial, public or private project or development which would
constitute a new source of pollution or an increased source of
pollution to high quality waters will be required to provide the
necessary degree of waste treatment to maintain high water
quality. In implementing this policy, the Secretary of the
Interior will be kept advised and will be provided with such
information as he will need to discharge his responsibilities
under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended.
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A-3
INTRODUCTION
The values presented on the enclosed Water Quality Criteria
table are criteria for the receiving waters of the State. Waste
from municipal, industrial, agricultural or any other type of
man's activity shall not degrade the water quality of the receiving
waters beyond the limits prescribed by the Water Quality Criteria
Table. The criteria are designed to protect and enhance the re-
ceiving waters for the designated uses.
Many parameters may be used to measure water quality in
streams. We have selected those which are believed to be the
most significant and the most critical for the given use in each
Class. Future research and technology will undoubtedly necessitate
modification of the water quality criteria.
Existing water quality data are somewhat limited. However,
the criteria on the enclosed table generally are in accordance
with those found in Nebraska waters. Where the existing water
quality is better than the proposed criteria, it is the intent
of the Council to maintain the existing high quality commensurate
with present and future water uses.
When a stream or reservoir (Table 1 - Interstate Stream
Uses in Nebraska) has more than one water use classification,
the most stringent parameters will apply. (Table II - Water
Quality Criteria)
INTERSTATE STREAMS
"The Guidelines for Establishing Water Quality Standards
for Interstate Waters" issued by the Department of Interior,
May 1966, defines interstate waters as all rivers, lakes, and
other waters that flow across or form a part of State boundaries
including coastal waters. In Nebraska interstate streams are of
three specific types:
(1) Those streams entering Nebraska from another State.
(2) Those streams leaving Nebraska to another State.
(3) Those streams acting as a boundary of the State.
Major streams entering Nebraska from another state are Ponca
Creek, Horse Creek, Keya Paha River, Niobrara River, North Platte
River, Lodgepole Creek, South Platte River, Frenchman River, North
Fork Republican River, Arikaree River, South Fork Republican River,
Beaver Creek, Sappa Creek, Prairie Dog Creek, and South Fork Nemaha
River.
Major streams leaving Nebraska to another State are White Clay
Creek, White River, Hat Creek, Republican River, Little Blue River,
Big Blue River, and Platte River.
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A-4
The Missouri River is the only river that acts as a boundary
with other States which are South Dakota, Iowa, and Missouri.
In addition to the major streams listed, it is recognized that
there are many minor tributaries to the above streams that cross
the various State boundaries. These streams will not support de-
tailed criteria without flow augmentation. As shown, only general
criteria are proposed for these streams. Appendix I shows the
location of all interstate streams in Nebraska.
Since water quality, in many instances, is affected by the
volume of flow in a stream, it is essential to ascertain the flow
characteristics of a stream. In the State of Nebraska, almost all
flow data in streams have been gathered by the United State Geological
Survey in cooperation with the Nebraska Department of Water Resources
and other State and Federal Agencies through a network of stream-
gaging stations. Pertinent data on stream flew at selected stations
on interstate streams in Nebraska are shown in tabular form in
Appendix II. These flow data were obtained from "Stream Flow
Characteristics" for Sub-Basins 3, 5, 6, 7, and 9 of the Missouri
River Basin prepared by the Work Group in Hydrologic Analysis and
Projections, Standing Committee of Comprehensive Basin Planning,
Missouri Basin Inter-Agency Committee in August 1966.
DEFINITION AND EXPLANATION OF WATER USES
Water Supply
This is raw water source which is intended for use as a potable
water supply. It is suitable for treatment by coagulation, sedi-
mentation, filtration, and chlorination to yield a finished water
suitable for human consumption. After such treatment, this water
may be used for domestic drinking water supply, food processing,
liquid ingredient in beverages, and other similar uses.
Full Body Contact Sports
This is a surface raw water source which is intended for uses
where the human body may come in direct contact with the raw water
to the point of complete body submergence. The raw water may be
ingested accidentally and certain sensitive body organs, such as
the eyes, ears, nose, etc., may be exposed to the water. Although
the water may be ingested accidentally, it is not intended to be
used as a potable supply unless acceptable treatment is applied.
This water may be used for swimming, water skiing, skin diving, and
other similar activities.
Partial Body Contact Sports
This is a surface raw water source where the human body may
come in direct contact with the water but normally not to the point
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A-5
of complete submergence. It is very unlikely that this water will
be ingested nor will critical orqans such as eyes, ears and nose
normally be exposed to the water. This water may be used for
fishing, hunting, trapping, boating, and other similar activities.
Fish, Wildlife, and Other Aquatic and Scmiaauatic Life
This is a surface raw water source suitable for the growth
and propagation of fish, waterfowl, furbearers, other aquatic
life, semiaquatic life, and wildlife.
This water may be used for trout habitat, warm water fish
habitat, wildlife habitat and other similar uses.
Agricultural
This is a raw water supply which is suitable for general
agricultural usage. It may be used for irrigation, livestock
watering and other similar uses.
Industrial
This is a raw water source which is intended for use in
manufacturing processes other than food, beverage or similar
processing. This water may be used for cooling water, a liquid
ingredient in products other than food products, equipment-
washing and similar activities. Two of the major uses of indus-
trial water are hydroelectric power generation and cooling water
for steam power generation.
GENERAL WATER QUALITY CRITERIA
All surface waters shall meet general aesthetic standards
and shall be capable of supporting desirable diversified aquatic
life. These waters shall be free of substances attributable to
discharges or wastes having materials that will form objectionable
deposits, floating debris, oil scum and other matter producing
objectionable color, odor, taste or turbidity - materials including
radionuclides, in concentration or combinations which are toxic
or which produce undesirable physiological responses in human,
fish or other animal life or plants and substances and conditions
or combinations thereof in concentrations which produce undesirable
aquatic life.
Facilities for expediting mixing and dispersing all waste
water into receiving waters, shall be provided when deemed necessary
by the Nebraska Environmental Control Council, to maintain the
quality of the receiving waters in accordance with applicable
water quality criteria.
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A-6
GENERAL DEFINITION OF TERMS
1. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) - The BOD is the measure of
the amount of oxygen necessary to satisfy the biochemical
oxidation requirements of pollution at the time the sample
is collected. Unless otherwise specified, this term will
mean the 5-day BOD incubated at 20°C.
2. Coliform Group Organisms (Total Coliform Organisms) - The
coTTforrn group includes all of the aerobic and facultative
anaerobic, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped
bacteria that ferment lactose broth with gas formation
within 48 hours at 35°C.
3. Colloidal Substances - Minute clay or other substances which
do not settle out without the use of a floculant.
4. Disinfection - A method of reducing the pathogenic or
objectionable microorganisms by means of chemicals or other
acceptable means.
5. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) - This is a measure of the amount of
free oxygen in the water.
6. Fecal Coliform - The portion of the coliform group which is
present in the gut or the feces of warm-blooded animals
generally includes organisms which are capable of producing
gas from lactose broth in a suitable culture medium within
24 hours at 44.5° + 0.5°C.
7. Feedlot - Shall mean the confined feeding of food, fur or
pleasure animals in buildings, lots, pens, pools or ponds
which normally are not used for raising crops or for grazing
animals.
8. Membrane Filter (MF) - A technique of bacteriological analysis.
This technique involves the running of a certain volume of
water through a cellulose ester wafer which is then impreg-
nated with growth media for bacteria.
9. Milligrams per Liter (mg/1) - Milligrams of solute per liter
of solution. Equivalent to parts per million assuming unit
density.
10. "Most Probable Number" (MPN) - A test of bacterial density
expressed as a number of organisms per hundred milliliters.
It is a number most likely to occur, using statistical methods,
under the given circumstances or conditions of the test.
11. pH - The pH value indicates the relative intensity of acidity
or alkalinity of water with the neutral point at 7.0.
-------
A-7
12. Primary Treatment - The removal of settleable and floatable
materials from a waste water.
13. Secondary Treatment - A method of waste treatment beyond
primary treatment where pollutants in solution or the colloidal
state are biologically or chemically removed. The minimum
treatment required under this method is removal of at .least
85 percent of the BOD and suspended solids.
14. Settleable Solids - Substances such as erosional silt, organic
detritus, plankton, and sand, which, because of particle size
or lack of water currents, settle to the bottom of a stream
course (or a laboratory sample bottle).
15. Sodium Absorption Ratio - (SAR) This is an expression of the
relative activity of sodium ions in exchange reaction with
soil and is an index of sodium or alkali hazard to the soil.
This ratio should be known especially for water used for
irrigation. The SAR is calculated by the use of the follow-
ing empirical equation:
SAR •> Na+/ Y Ca+if * Mg++ / 2
where Na+, Ca++, and Mg++. represent the concentrations in
milliequivalents per liter of the respective ions.
16. Specific Conductivity - (Conductance) - A measure of ion
concentration of water, expressed as micromhos per centimeter
at 25eC.
17. Suspended Solids - Substances such as erosional silt, organic
detritus, plankton, and sand, which are held in suspension by
water currents.
18. Total Dissolved Solids - Solids which are present in solution.
Note:
The method of water sample collection, sample preservation,
analysis, and measurement to determine water quality and the
accuracy of results shall be in accordance with the latest Edition
of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater,
or by appropriate regulations or procedures approved" by the
Nebraska Environmental Control Council.
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TABLE I
INTERSTATE STREAM USES IN NEBRASKA
>
Stream Reach of Stream Classification of Water Uses* <»
From To
1. North Fork Republican River Colo.-Nebr. Line Confluence Republican River C
2. South Fork Republican River Kans.-Nebr. Line Confluence, Republican River C
3. Arikaree River Kans.-Nebr. Line Confluence Republican River C
4. Republican River Confluence North Fork Swanson Reservoir C
Republican River
Swanson Reservoir B, C
Swanson Reservoir Harlan County Reservoir C
Harlan County Reservoir B, C
Harlan County Reservoir Nebr.-Kans. Line C
5. Frenchman River Colo.-Nebr. Line Enders Reservoir C
Enders Reservoir B, C
Enders Reservoir Confluence Republican River C
6. Beaver Creek Kans.-Nebr. Line Confluence Sappa Creek C
Confluence Sappa Creek Confluence Republican R. C
7. Sappa Creek Kans.-Nebr. Line Confluence Beaver Creek C
8. Prairie Dog Creek Kans.-Nebr. Line Confluence Republican River C
-------
Stream
TABLE I (Continued)
INTERSTATE STREAM USES IN NEBRASKA
Reach of Stream
Classification of Hater Uses*
From
To
9. Little Blue River
10. Big Blue River
11. Horse Creek
12. North Platte River
13. South Platte River
14. Platte River
15. Lodgepole Creek
16. Niobrara River
Headwaters
Confluence Cottonwood Creek
Confluence Cottonwood Kans.-Nebr. Line
Creek
Headwaters
Wyo.-Nebr. Line
Wyo.-Nebr. Line
Kans.-Nebr. Line
Confluence North Platte River
Lake McConaughy
Lake McConaughy
Lake McConaughy Confluence Platte River
Colo.-Nebr. Line Confluence Platte River
Confluence S. Platte Confluence Missouri River
River
Wyo.-Nebr. Line Kimball Reservoir
Kimball Reservoir
Kimball Reservoir Nebr.-Colo. Line
Wyo.-Nebr. Line Box Butte Reservoir
Box Butte Reservoir
Box Butte Reservoir Confluence Missouri River
A, C
C
A, C
C
C
B, C
C
C
C
C
B, C.
C
A, C
B, C
A, C
-------
Stream
TABLE I (Continued)
INTERSTATE STREAM USES IN NEBRASKA
Reach of Stream
Classification of Water Uses*
From
To
17. Keya Paha River
18. White River
19. Hat Creek
20. White Clay Creek
21. Ponca Creek
22. South Fork Nemaha River
23. Missouri River
S. Dak.-Nebr. Line Confluence Niobrara River A, C
Headwaters Crawford Water Intake A, C
Crawford Water Intake S. Dak.-Nebr. Line C
Headwaters S. Dak.-Nebr. Line A, C
Headwaters S. Dak.-Nebr. Line A, C
S. Dak.-Nebr. Line Confluence Missouri River C
Kans.-Nebr. Line Confluence Missouri River C
S. Dak.-Nebr. Line Kans.-Nebr. Line A, C
* A = Domestic Water Supply
B = Full Body Contact Sports
C = Agricultural, Industrial and other Beneficial Uses
For a detailed description of these uses, see page 9
of this document.
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A-ll
MATER USE CLASSIFICATION
Water Quality Criteria were adopted in accordance with
existing quality and present and future uses. These are intended
to maintain or enhance the present water quality.
Water use classifications were determined by the Nebraska
Environmental Control Council and substantiated by public hearings.
These classifications are:
CLASS
•A1
USE
Domestic Water
Supply
Full Body
Contact Sports
Agricultural,
Industrial &
Other Beneficial
Uses
DESCRIPTION
Those waters of the State that are
currently used for water supply and
portions of other waters of the State
which currently have a very high quality
water. These waters can be utilized for
water supply with treatment as outlined
above, and those uses listed in the
Class 'C1 category below.
This shall include all water or parts
thereof within or adjacent to publicly
operated recreation areas and all ex-
isting reservoirs, ponds, and other
impoundments, excepting those desig-
nated by the Nebraska Environmental
Control Council as wastewater lagoons.
For purpose of delineating boundaries,
the upstream limit(s) of an impoundment
is considered to be the point in a
stream bed(s) having the same elevation
as a principal spillway. Full body
contact criteria will protect the waters
for all beneficial uses except water
supply.
All waters not designated as water
supply or full body contact sports are
protected by these criteria. The
quality of this water is intended to
be such as to be suitable for partial
body contact sports, growth and propa-
gation of fish, waterfowl, furbearers,
wildlife, and other aquatic and semi-
aquatic life. It is also suitable for
agricultural use including irrigation
and livestock watering, and industrial
use. The aesthetic value of these
waters will also be protected.
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A-12
STATE OF NEBRASKA ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL COUNCIL
WASTE WATER SHALL HOT DEGRADE THE RECEIVING WATERS IELOW THE TOLLOWIKO CRITERIA. THESE CUTOU
\PARAMETER
>v
WATER USEX^
CLASSY
DOMESTIC
WATER SUFPIY
CLASS'S*
FULL BODY
CONTACT
SPORTS
CLASS V
Agricultural uses
Including irriga-
tion b livestock
watering
Partial Body
Contact Sports
Growth & Propaga-
tion of fish.
waterfowl, fur
bearers , & other
aquatic and semi-
aquatic life, and
wildlife
Industrial
INTERMITTENT
Uacer Quality
Criteria for
Interelccent
Stream1
COLIFORMS 1
GROUP
ORGANISMS
Coll form group and fecal
coll form organisms shall
not exceed a geometric
nean 10,000 total or
2,000 fecal coll form
organisms per 100 mllll-
llters No more than 201
of samples shell exceed
20,000 total or 4,000
fecal colifora bacteria.
Shall not exceed a
feometric mean of 200
ecal collfom organisms
per 100 mill Ulters and '
shall not exceed 400 per
100 mllllliters In more
than 101 of the samples
Same ai WATER SUPPLY -1-
Collform group end fecal
collform organisms shall
not exceed s geometric
mean of 20 000 cocal
collform organisms or
4,000 fecsl collfon
organisms per 100
•llllllcers.
TASTE a ODOR 2
PRODUCING
SUBSTANCES
Concentration of sub-
stances shall be less
than that amount which
would degrade the water
quality for the desig-
nated use Phenols
concentration shall not
exceed 0 001 mg/1.
None In amounts which
would be sufficient to
Interfere with desig-
nated u«
Same as WATER SUPPLY -2-
Shall not contain
concentrations of sub-
stances which will
render any undesirable
taste to fish, flesh, or
In any other way make
such fish flesh Inedible.
Same es Agricultural,
Industrial and other
Beneficial Uses
SUSPENDED . 3
COLLOIDAL, OR
SETTLEABLE SOLIDS
None from waste vater
sources which will
permit objectionable
deposition or be
deleterious for the
designated uses In
no case shall turbidity
caused by waste water
Impart more than a 10%
increase In turbidity
to the receiving stream
Same as WATER SUPPLY
•3-
Same as WATER SUPPLY -3-
Susperded Solids shall
not exceed 30 mg/1.
TOXIC AND 4
' DELETERIOUS
SUBSTANCES
None alone or In
combination with other
substances or wastes in
Concentration of such
nature so as to render
the receiving water
unsafe or unsuitable for
the designated use Raw
water shall be of such
quality that after
treatment by coagulation,
filtration, sedlocncation,
the water will meet Public
Health Drinking Water
Standards Radiological
limits shall be In accor-
dance with the
Radiological Health
Regulations. State of
Nebraska. 1st edition
1966. and as amended In
lea latest edition
'same as WATER SUPPIY -4-
Sane as WATER SI PPLY -<•-
Plus ar-xnnla nftiaten
consent ratine* shell not
exceed 1 4 iwj/1 in tiout
h treat • nor cxieod 3 !t
np/1 in warm watei i>i reams
where the oH in thcr.t
streams does not e*c>,*J a
PH value of 8 3 If the
pH of a scream exceeds
8 3, che undlssoclated
sznonlua hydroxide as
nitrogen shall not exceed
one- tenth mg/1 In IIOUL
streams nor exceed 0 25 •
mg/1 in warm water streams
For Irrigation use, the
boron concentration shall
not exceed 0 71 tng/1
For toxic materials not
specified biossay net hods
acceptable to Nebraska
Uacer Tol.ution Control
Council will be used
Same as Agricultural,
Industrial and other
Beneficial Uses -4*
The oechod of water larepla collect lor. lairple preiervatlon, anlljrali end neeiurnent Co detercilne water quality and Che
accuracy of Che raaulca ihill be In accordance with the latest Edition of Standard Method! £ai the Inanimation ef Uatar and Wancevacar.
or by appropriate regulation! or procedural approved by Che Nebraeka Environmental Control Council Every effort ihall b. made
Co nake Che amplaa rapreeenceclve of the receiving water! after raaaonabie opportunity for nixing with the waltawatar.
'see definition of Intermittent itream on Page 17 2See Appendix VII.
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A-13
ARE APPLICABLE AT FLOW EQUAL TO Oil GREATER THAN THE LOWEST FLOW FOR SEVEN (7) CONSECUTIVE DAYS WHICH CAN IE EXPECTED TO OCCUR AT A
FREQUENCY OF ONCE EVERY TEN YEARS.
For Temperatures- Flow considered art fat Ice-free conditions
5
TEMPERATURE
The teaperecure of
che receiving
vacer shall noc be
Increased by a
cocal of more
than J°F from Nay
through October
and noc more Chan
a cocal of 10°F
from November
through April
Maximum rate of
change limited Co
2°F per hour.
Same as WATER
SUPPLY -J-
Trout Maters3
Allowable Changa
Maximum Limit 65°F
Warn water HJierj
Allowable Changa
May thru Oct. 10°F
Nov thru April
Maximum Limit 90°F
Maximum Rate of
limited to 2°
per hour
sit
For Missouri River.
from South Dakoca-
Nebraska State line
near Ft Randall
Dam to Sioux City,
Iowa.
Maxlnum temp 65°F
Allowable Change
6
DISSOLVED
OXYGEN
Shall noc be lower
Chan J mg/1 In
warm waters and
6 mg/1 In trout
wacers
Same as WATER
SUPPLY -6-
Samo as VATER
SUPPLY -6-
Wascewater dis-
charges shall noc
exceed 30 mg/1 In
I.O.O.*
7
HYDROGEN ION
Hydrogen Ion
concentration!
expressed as pH
shall be
maintained between
6 i & 9 0 wlch a
maxlnjB cocal
change of 1.0 pH
unit from the
velue In the
receiving stream.
Same aa WATER
SUPPLY -7-
Sane as WATER
SUPPLY -7-
Saae as WATER
SUPPLY -7-
TOTAL 8
DISSOLVED
SOLIDS
A point source discharge
shall not Increase che
cocal dissolved solids (TOS
coneenereclon of a
receiving wecer by more
than 101 and In no case
shall the total dissolved
solids of a stream exceed
600 mg/1
Data regarding specific
conductivity will be
considered In lieu of IDS
data. A point source
dlacharge shall not In-
crease the conductivity of
the receiving water by
more Chan 101 and In no
case ahall the conductivity
exceed 900 etlcromhos per
centimeter et 25°C
Same aa Agricultural,
ETC. -8-
A point source discharge
shall not Increase the tot-
al dlasolved solids concen-
by more that 201, thli valie
shall not exceed 100 mx/1
and In no case shall che
total dissolved solids of e
stream exceed 1SOO ng/1
Data regerdlng specific
conductivity will be consi-
dered In lieu of IDS data
A point source discharge
shell not Increase the con-
ductivity of che recovery
wacer by more than 70X,
this value shall not ex-
ceed 130 nlcromhos/centl-
mecer. end In no case shall
che conductivity of the
receiving waters exceed
2250 mlcromhos/centlmeter
et 25°C
For Irrigation use the SAH
value and conductivity shall
not be greater than a C3-S2
class Irrigation water as
shown In Fig 25 of Aerl-
culcural Handbook 60 "
RESIDUE 9
OIL a FLOATING
SUBSTANCES
No residue
attributable to
waste water or
visible film of
oil or globules
of grease shall
be present.
Emulsified oil and
?rease shall be
ess than li mg/l
Same aa WATER
SUPPLY -9-
Sama as WATER
SUPPLY -9-
Same as WATER
SUPPLY -9-
10
AESTHETIC
CONSIDER-
ATIONS
No evidence of
ratter that
creates
nuisance condl ions
or Is offenslv
co che senses f
sight, toui.h.
••ell. or tast ,
including colo
Sane as WATER
SUPPLY -10-
Same as WATER
SUPPLY -10-
Sare a* \TFf-
SIPPLY -\'i-
'see Appendix VIII 'sea Appendix U
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A-14
PLAN OF IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT
General
It is recognized that a comprehensive program of monitoring,
surveillance and control is necessary -to meet the requirements of
the Federal Water Quality Act-of 1965.
Water quality criteria only state the quality to be established
to protect beneficial water uses. A plan of implementation and
enforcement will project existing high quality waters and improve
waters that are degraded by pollutants.
A. Water Uses
All surface waters have .been evaluated and placed in groups
on beneficial uses of the waters for present and future uses. These
uses and water quality to protect these uses are a part of the
standards.
It is anticipated that the present uses of the waters will
also be the future uses since Nebraska has an abundance of ground
water which is more economical to develop at the present time than
surface water for municipal and industrial purposes. It is realized
that consideration must be given to changing water quality criteria
on a stream to protect water uses that are not predictable at the
present time.
It is the consensus of the Nebraska Environmental Control
Council that the water quality criteria are essentially being
met. As more detailed monitoring and surveillance is initiated,
more areas of degradation will undoubtedly be uncovered.
A map entitled Appendix I shows the interstate waters.
B. Sources of_ Pollution and Treatment Needs
A list of the known sources of municipal and industrial wastes
has been compiled. These lists are contained in Supplement A to
the Water Quality Standards.
It is recognized that there are numerous industrial sources of
pollution for which no reliable data relating to strength and
volume are available at the present time. The preparation of an
industrial waste inventory, including agricultural and related
wastes, will be completed by December 31, 1968, and together with
a plan of implementation and enforcement will be submitted within
one month thereafter to the Secretary of the Interior.
-------
A-15
C. Other Programs to Control and Abate Pollution^
1. Combined Sewer Overflows
Combined sewer overflows are recognized as a source of
objectionable pollutants in many of the older sewer systems. It
is hoped that through some of the Federal aid programs that the
problem of combined sewer overflows will be researched and a
solution provided by December 31, 1977. In the meantime, it is
the policy of the Nebraska Environmental Control Council to
encourage the separation of storm and sanitary sewers and to
disapprove any extension of combined systems.
2. Agricultural Wastes
Feedlots: The State of Nebraska supports a large and
important livestock industry. The northwestern section of the
State is noted for the production of feeder cattle. However,
the concentration of cattle in lots undergoing intensified feeding
for the slaughter market is distributed throughout the State with
heaviest concentration of lots in the eastern one-third of the
State.
Information supplied to the Nebraska Environmental Control
Council from recent Federal agricultural statistics indicates
that the number and size of cattle feedlots is as follows:
Size (No. of Head) Number in Nebraska
Under 1,000 20,719
1,000-2,000 285
2,000-4,000 120
4,000-8,000 60
8,000-Plus 24
The Nebraska.Environmental Control Council will work with
livestock feeders to develop sound feedlot waste disposal practices.
Feedlot wastes shall be effectively controlled by no later than
December 31, 1972, with earlier compliance where necessary.
Irrigation: The State has 3,200,000 acres of land under
irrigation; of these 1.1 million acres use surface water supplies,
2.1 million acres use wells as sources of irrigation water. The
irrigated land is primarily in the central and western portions
of the State. The use of water for irrigation is a consumptive
use and this affects water quality through increases in total
dissolved solids, silt, nutrients, temperature, and in some cases
pesticides.
The, Nebraska Environmental Control Council will work with irri-
gation interests to develop good irrigation practices. A joint
survey will be made with the Nebraska Department of Water Resources
-------
A-16
to inventory irrigation return flows in the State and identify
those which are causing degradation of water quality. This
survey is scheduled to be completed by December 31, 1972.
3. Wastes from Vessels and Marinas
Boat pollution is covered by rules and regulations of the
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission; "every vessel equipped with
kitchen or toilet facilities shall handle and treat solid and
liquid wastes in a manner that will prevent water pollution. No
wastes or container of such wastes shall be placed, left or
discharged in or near any waters of the State".
An effective and uniform set of regulations will be operational
by December 31, 1972.
4. Land Erosion
The Soil Conservation Service reports that approximately
18,000,000 acres of land have received proper land treatment to
prevent erosion. The total land area of the State which could
possibly benefit from good soil conservation practices is
47,443,000 acres. In addition, 1,935,000 acres have been seeded
to grass; 900,000' acres have been leveled; 37,598 farm ponds have
been constructed; and 146,000 miles of terraces have been constructed.
It is with pride that the State of Nebraska reports that in 1966,
the State ranked 2nd in the amount of land that had been leveled,
2nd in the amount of terracing which had been accomplished, 9th
in the number of acres of strip cropping, 7th in the number of acres
returned to grass and llth in the number of farm ponds completed
as a part of its soil conservation activity.
It is the policy of the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation
Commission that this cooperative federal-state program will be
continued or even accelerated to control runoff and silt to the
streams of the State.
The Nebraska Environmental Control Council will cooperate
with the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Commission in develop-
ing a program to combat this form of pollution.
5. Sand and Gravel Extraction
The Council is presently working with the Nebraska Sand
and Gravel Association and is in the process of developing guide-
lines to adequately control waste discharges from sand and gravel
pumping operations. Waste discharges from these operations shall
be effectively controlled by January 1, 1972.
6. Operation and Maintenance of Wastewater Treatment Facilities
Wasfewater treatment plants shall be operated continuously
-------
A-17
at their maximum capability to attain the highest possible levels
of water quality, including dissolved oxygen, to preserve, main-
tain, and enhance the waters of the State for the specified uses.
A visit will be made to each treatment plant by Department
of Environmental Control personnel on at least an annual basis to
determine the degree of treatment provided, the status of needed
improvements, and to provide technical assistance to the operator.
More frequent visits will be made to larger plants or to those having
problems. A formal report will be prepared, and submitted to the
controlling authority and the operator. Enforcement procedure will
be initiated in cases where a plant is by-passed without authority
or inadequately operated.
Operator training is presently provided through a correspondence
course and training programs administered by the Nebraska Water
Pollution Control Association and the Nebraska Department of Environ-
mental Control. This program includes a voluntary certification
program. Certification of operators and operator training is en-
couraged at all times.
A program will be developed which will require operators of
significant municipal and industrial waste treatment plants to
submit routine operating reports including specific waste quality
data to the State.
D. Date of_ Compliance
All municipal wastes shall receive at least secondary treatment
plus such additional treatment as is required to maintain Water
Quality Criteria, as set forth in these Standards. All other wastes
shall receive an equivalent degree of treatment or control consistent
with waste characteristics, uses and quality of receiving waters.
k
The date for compliance with the requirements of these Standards
for all municipal, industrial, and other wastes which discharge into
intrastate and interstate waters of the State, except for those waste
sources discharging directly into the Missouri River, shall be
January 1, 1972, with earlier compliance where necessary. The date
for compliance with these Standards for all municipal, industrial,
and other wastes discharging directly into the Missouri River shall
be December 31, 1975, with earlier compliance where necessary. All
proposed construction of waste treatment facilities in the interim
periods prior to the dates of compliance shall provide treatment
consistent with the policies and objectives of these Standards.
A supplemental document indicating waste sources and waste
treatment facilities on Nebraska waters is available to all interested
persons.
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A-18
E. •State Statutory Authority
Enforcement of water quality criteria and other requirements
of these Standards will initially be by informal conference with
the person or persons responsible for the violation. This pro-
cedure will be followed up by formal hearing and court action
where necessary to secure compliance, all in accordance with
the Environmental Protection Act, as amended.
F. Stream Surveillance Program
Proposed monitoring, sampling, and surveillance of streams
and other bodies of waters is intended to supplement existing
sampling stations currently in operation in Nebraska by various
State and Federal agencies. A current program is under way in-
volving various State and Federal agencies whereby water data
collection will be coordinated by all agencies.
The Nebraska Department of Environmental Control has es-
tablished a total of 28 regular sampling stations on various
streams throughout the State. These regular stations are being
sampled monthly. The minimum monthly schedule may be amended to
determine seasonal changes due to irrigation return flows, in-
dustrial activity, and temperature effects.
In addition to the regular sampling stations, approximately
225 additional sampling sites have been established on Nebraska
waters to ascertain basic water quality. These sites are generally
sampled on a quarterly basis.
The United States Geological Survey also obtain records of
fish kills and other reported cases of acute water pollution.
These may involve physical, chemical, and biological evaluation
of the streams. When full compliance with the Water Quality
Standards is achieved, the latter activity hopefully will be
diminished.
It is anticipated that surveys will be made on all streams
to evaluate their water quality. Routine monitoring of existing
and future waste water discharges will be implemented in some
cases. A basic record of the location, source, and type of
pollutant will be compiled and kept current.
G. Method of_ Water Sample Collection
The method of water sample collection, sample preservation,
analysis, and measurement to determine waste quality and the
-------
A-19
accuracy of the results shall be in accordance with the latest
Edition of Standard Methods for the -Examination of_ Water and
Wastewater, or by approprictte regulations or procedures approved
by the Nebraska'Environmental Control Council or the U. S.
Environmental Protection Agency*
H. Stream Flow Design Criteria
The Water Quality Criteria contained in these standards are
applicable at flows equal to or greater than the lowest flow for
seven consecutive days which can be expected to occur at a
frequency of once every ten years except as shown before. For
design purposes, this flow may be determined by any accepted
statistical procedure using published stream flow data such as
Gumbel's method of logarithmic extremal probability using low
mean discharge data from the Missouri Basin Inter-Agency Committee
studies. The drought flow at any point along a stream may be
determined by relating the drought flows at gaging stations and
their drainage areas to the drainage above the point of interest
on the stream.
"Water Quality Criteria for Intermittent Waters shall apply:"
(1) Whenever the waste source is discharging into waters with a
record of periodic zero flows, (7-consecutive day one in 10-year
low flow), (2) Whenever the design flow of the waste source is
greater than the design drought flow, (7-consecutive day one in
10-year low flow), (3) Whenever the actual flow of the receiving
w'aters is less than the waste source discharge.
I. Criteria for Intermittent Waters
All municipal of domestic wastes discharged into intermittent
waters shall have been subjected to at least secondary treatment or
its equivalent and, when prescribed such additional treatment as
necessary to maintain Water Quality Criteria. Industrial, agri-
cultural, or other waste waters not amenable to biological treat-
ment discharged into intermittent waters shall be physically or
chemically treated such as to maintain Water Quality Criteria.
J. Storage and Handling of Toxic and Other Objectionable Materials
No substance shall be stored, kept, or allowed to remain in
or upon any site without reasonable safeguards adequate to prevent
the escape or movement of the substance or a solution thereof from
the site under any conditions or failure of the storage facilities
whereby pollution of any waters of the State might result there-
from. Safeguards such as diking, holding ponds or other controls
around such structures shall comply to the requirements of the
Nebraska Environmental Control Council for interstate waters.
-------
A-20
It shall be the duty of the owner or other responsible person
of a storage facility to notify the Chairman of the Nebraska
Environmental Control Council of any loss of stored material
either by accident or otherwise when such loss involves a sub-
stance which would be likely to enter any waters of the State.
Said notice shall be by telephone or other comparable means
and shall be made immediately upon discovery of the loss.
K. Date of Compliance
All persons must comply with these Standards by no later
than March 1, 1971, with the exception of those sections
specifically dealing with the requirement of mandatory secondary
treatment.
-------
S .«HcmT IKET* WUM•..i, Q-^Asorlk.
I « 4"*" •-""•••'" '"M",-..."^"" *%
.••'
EnmaSTpw*"
IP i~ i—--.—' . "
TTWWSTON ': \.
"TLOU* raMFiCLO IwMCtikiH iSioTsoii istANiot* CUMIN* l_ !^ '
'•UHT '•/
L L I [ r*1"" Ju '':•
:»»TNUS ]Se>MiR$ON - TUSSAN—feiTel JvACCrT^lmKLTYH feiirT "^coLfixTicMtl- '
. •/.. I :.
STATE OF NEBRASKA INTERSTATE STREAMS
LEGEND:
WATER USE CLASSIFICATIONS
A.C
B.C
g
X
A U.S.G.S. Stations
A Nat'l Water Quality Network Stations
• Monthly Department Stations
0 Quarterly Department Stations
to
-------
A-22
APPENDIX VII
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE LIMIT OF AMMONIA EXPRESSED AS N
AT VARIOUS pH VALUES
Maximum Limit of Ammonia
pH Expressed as parts per million N
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7
8.8
8.9
9.0
Trout Waters
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.84
0.72
0.60
0.56
0.48
Warm Waters
3.5
2.9
2.4
2.1
1.8
1.4
.1.2
1.1
-------
A-23
APPENDIX VIII
STREAM CLASSIFICATIONS IN THE STUDY AREA
The following waters are designated as
Class A, B, or C.
COUNTY
Cass
Douglas
Sarpy
CLASS "A" WATERS
Missouri River
Missouri River
Missouri River
Douglas
Sarpy
CLASS "B" WATERS
Two Rivers Lakes
King Lake
Carter Lake
Boystown Lake
Hitchcock Park Lake, Omaha
Benson
Hanscom
Miller
Fontennelle" "
Offutt Air Force Lake
CLASS "C" WATERS
All Category 1 waters which are not designated A or B above,
shall be Class C.
-------
APPENDIX B
MUNICIPAL WASTEWATEF TREATMENT PLANT REPORTS
-------
B-l
MISSOURI RIVER WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
OMAHA, NEBRASKA
A. GENERAL
The Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant Is a primary treat-
ment facility, with dry- and wet-weather design flows of 72 and 200 mgd,
respectively. The present dry-weather flow is estimated at 38 mgd of
which more than 50 percent Is reported to be industrial.— The plant
was built in 1964 and designed for daily wasteloads of 270,000 Ib of
BOD, 244,000 Ib of suspended solids, and 68,000 Ib of grease. However,
the south inlet complex of this plant [Figure 1] was not placed Into
*
service until 1970.
During the survey EPA personnel evaluated water pollution control
practices at the Central Wastewater Pretreatment Facility and The
Quaker Oats Company. The effluent from each is discharged into the
Missouri River plant for additional treatment. A combination of high
solids-and-grease loadings and pH fluctuations results in operational
problems (i.e., failure of grit-removal equipment, sollds-and-grease
carry-over in clarifier effluent, etc) within the Missouri River
Wastewater Treatment Sewerage System. [Individual reports on each of
these waste sources are contained in Appendix C.]
The Missouri .River plant is manned continuously and is staffed
with one superintendent, two foremen, one chemist, three engineers,
* The packing-house wastes did not receive pretreatment until 1970.
The paunch, manure, and grease load in the south inlet exceeded the
design capacity of the plant. The wastes were by-passed to the
Missouri River.
-------
3-2
31 operators (26 class-1 and 5 class-2 operators ), and ]7 mechanics.
Water pollution control practices were evaluated 3] July through 5 August
1972 by EPA personnel from the National Field Investipations Center-
Denver. Charles Oeisler, city sanitary engineer, provided assistance
and information.
The sewerage system is comprised almost entirely of combined
sewers (i.e., storm water and sanitary sewer). The combined flow is
pumped by lift stations, located along the Missouri River, into an
interceptor, except for two stations that pump directly into the
Missouri River plant. Numerous problems have occurred with these lift
stations, resulting in by-passing of raw sewage into the Missouri River.
21
The Enforcement Conference held in 1957— concluded that the maior
source of pollution in the Missouri River from north of Omaha, Nebraska,
to St. Joseph, Missouri, was the Omaha area and that the effects of this
pollution were "(1) deterioration of water quality for the public water
supply of St. Joseph, Missouri, with associated enhancement of possible
disease transmission: (2) increased concentrations of coliform and
other organisms associated with human diseases which constitute a
health hazard to commercial and recreational users of the river; (3)
deterioration of water quality so as to interfere with its use for
stock watering; (4) deterioration of water quality so as to prevent
full use of the commercial fishery of the Missouri River below Blair,
Nebraska; (5) deterioration of water quality so as to create conditions
* The City of Omaha has a voluntary certification program for waste-
water treatment plant operators — Class 2 being the highest level.
-------
SlUIIE
IRCIREIATIOR
SlIIIE
OEWATERIHR
FACILITIES
ASH LARORRS
HI
SOUTH OMAHA SEWEI
'U' SHEET SEWER
P
I *~\ UFT
UFT STATION
I E 6 E N I
STATION DESCRIPTION
A NOITH INLU MW IRFIIEKT
I SOVTN INLET MW INFLUENT
C CONJOINED It* INFLUENT
0 FINAL EFFLUENT
WASTEWATEO
SLUDSE
OAI SCIEENS
I
EOIT REMOVAL
SOUTH INLET
NOT TO SCALE
Fifure 1. Schiiitic if Missuri Rivir Wastewitor Treatment Plant. Omaha. Nebraska
-------
B-.1
Inimical to fish and wildlife in the area- and (6) Impairment of water
quality for many industrial uses."
It was recommended that adequate wastewater treatment be provided
by the municipalities alone the Missouri River as soon as possible and
that the construction contract for the last treatment plant in Omaha
be awarded by 1 January 1960.
3/
Durino the second session of the Conference, July 1964,— the
conferees required that after 15 December 1966 ''no wastes are to be
discharged to the Missouri River from Omaha without at least primary
treatment."
The Nebraska State Department of Environmental Control has required
that all wastewaters discharged into the Missouri River shall receive at
4/
least secondary treatment and disinfection by 31 December 1975.— The
City is presently in the planning stages [Table 1] of secondary treat-
ment for the Missouri River plant, and a prelininary Study and Report
has been completed by Kirkham, Michael and Associates.—
B. WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES
Because of the differences in characteristics of wastewater from
the north and south areas of Omaha, each flow receives separate prelimi-
nary trentnent [Figure 1]. The flow entering the south inlet contains
(1) the effluent from the Central Wastewater Pretreatnent Facility which
is pumped by the Monroe Street Lift Station, after screening and grit
removal, (2) sewage fror the South Omaha and ''U1' Street sewers, and
(3) in-plant wastes (e.g., supernatant). These wastes receive pre-
liminary treatment as follows:
-------
TABLE 1
CITY OF OMAHA
SCHEDULE OF PROJECTS PROVIDING SECONDARY TREATMENT OF MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTES
Award of
Engineering Financing . Final Plans & Construccion
Project Description Report Arrangements^ Specifications Contract Completion of Project
Missouri River post-primary
treatment plant. 3/10/72 6/73 4/73 7/73 10/75
Grit removal structures. 6/72 6/73 10/73 1/74 12/75
Leavenworth, Burt-Izard,
and North Interceptor
Stations.
al All financing arrangements are contingent upon Federal payment of 55 percent of eligible cost and State payment of 25 percent of eligible cost.
Financing of local share of Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant and grit-removal structures will require, in June 1973, upward revision in
the City of Omaha sewer service charge for some classes of users. (Note: Federal payment of 75% of eligible costs Is now authorized.)
-------
B-5
1. Bar screens - mechanically cleaned with 3/4-in. spacings be-
tween bars.
2. Aeration tanks (3) for grease and grit removal - each 30 ft
wide by 50 ft long by 20 ft deep, equipped with diffused
aeration equipment.
3. Flocculation tanks (3) - each 30 ft wide by 100 ft long
by 20 ft deep and supplied with diffused air for slow mixing
to aid in the settling of organic solids.
The north inlet contains most of the domestic, commercial, and in-
dustrial wastes from north and east Omaha. The flow enters the plant
through the south interceptor force main. Preliminary treatment con-
sists of two grit-removal basins, each 30 ft in diameter.
After preliminary treatment the flow from both the north and south
inlets enters a splitter box. Here, the flow can either remain separated
or be combined with treatment as follows:
1. Primary clarifiers (8) - each 120 ft in diameter with an
8-ft side water depth and equipped with a surface skimmer.
(At design flow each clarifier has a surface overflow rate of
800 gpd/sq ft and a detention time of 1.8 hr.)
2. Anaerobic sludge digesters (5) - each 100 ft in diameter and
40 ft deep with three of the digesters used for primary
sludge digestion and two for secondary digestion.
3. Vacuum filters (3) - each 11.5 ft in diameter and 12 ft wide.
4. Sludge drying and incineration - ash sluiced to ash lagoons.
-------
B-6
C. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
From 31 July through 5 August 1972 EPA personnel evaluated the
Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant. Seven 24-hr composite
samples (composited on flow basis) were collected of the north inlet
influent, south inlet influent, the combined raw influent, and the
final effluent [Figure 1]. Grab samples for oil-and-grease analysis
were collected periodically from the north inlet, the south inlet,
and the final effluent. From 1 through 3 August 1972 grab samples
of the final effluent for bacteriological analysis were collected.
Each time a sample was collected, temperature, pH, and conductivity
were measured. [Tables 2, 3, 4, and 5 summarize field measurements,
organic data, heavy metal data, and bacteriological results, respectively.]
During the survey only three out of the eight clarifiers were being
used. Based on the average flow (26.1 mgd) the detention time in each of
these clarifiers averaged 1.87 hr, approximately equal to the design
detention time (i.e. 1.8 hr). The wastewater was septic (i.e. black
coloration and H.S gas) in the north inlet and clarifiers. The plant
personnel were adding hydrogen peroxide to the wastewater in an attempt
to correct this problem.
Large accumulations of grease were observed dally on these clari-
fiers. Skimmers were removing the majority of the grease, but visual
observations revealed carry over of the grease into the final effluent,
resulting in grease concentrations ranging from 88 to 152 mg/1 [Table 3].
The weirs on each clarifier needed cleaning.
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TABLE 2
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND FLOW DATA
MISSOURI RIVER WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
30 JULY THROUGH 5 AUGUST 1972
B-7
Station Description
North inlet
South inlet
Combined influent
Plant effluent
Date
7/30/72
7/31/72
8/1/72
8/2/72
8/3/72
8/4/72
8/5/72
7/30/72
7/31/72
8/1/72
8/2/72
8/3/72
8/4/72
8/5/72
7/30/72
7/31/72
8/1/72
8/2/72
8/3/72
8/4/72
8/5/72
7/30/72
7/31/72
8/1/72
8/2/72
8/3/72
8/4/72
8/5/72
Flow
ragd
12.9
16.2
12.2
12.9
8.5
2.6
2.5
11.9
19.3
18.3
17.5
16.8
17.1
14.3
24.8
35.5
30.5
30.4
25.3
19.7
16.8
24.8
35.5
30.5
30.4
25.3
19.7
16.8
Temp.
°C
(range)
25-28
21-28
22-32
21-24
20-26
22-29
29-31
21-24
20-28
21-26
20-26
20-26
22-27
20-25
24-26
21-25
22-26
22-24
21-25
22-26
23-25
24-26
21-28
21-26
22-24
22-24
22-25
23-24
Conductivity
limhos/cm
(range)
900-2,800
650-1,700
750-2,600
900-1,700
600-1,700
600-2,600
1,700-3,000
1,600-3,500
1,050-3,250
1,450-3,500
1,500-3,000
1,450-3,000
1,750-3,000
1,100-2,500
1,250-2,300
1,100-2,200
1,400-2,400
1,400-2,400
1,550-2,250
1,600-2,700
1,750-2,300
1,400-2,000
1,200-2,400
1,100-2,300
1,000-2,200
1,500-2,400
950-2,700
1,400-2,400
pH
(range)
1.5-11.3
6.7-7.4
5.0-8.5
6.8-7.6
6.3-8.8
6.9-7.1
5.8-7.3
6.3-8.6
6.2-8.3
6.5-7.4
6.5-7.2
6.5-7.2
5.6-8.0
6.3-7.7
4.8-11.7
6.8-7.4
6.5-7.8
6.9-7.3
6.6-7.5
6.9-7.2
6.4-7.3
2.1-7.1
6.8-7.2
6.7-7.1
6.7-7.1
6.7-7.1
6.8-7.0
6.0-6.9
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B-8
TABLE 3
SUMMARY OF CHEMICAL DATA
MISSOURI RIVER WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
30 JULY THROUGH 5 AUGUST 1972
Parameter^
BOD
Ran p,e
Average
COD
Range
Average
TOC
Range
Average
Total Solids
Range
Average
Suspended Solids
Range
Average
VSS
Range
Average
Sectleable
Solids ml/1
Range
Average
Oil & Grease^-'
Range
Average
Furfural
Range
Average
North
inlet
influent
160-1,000
450
380-1,900
900
120-480
240
1,200-2,900
1,760
216-448
328
108-270
195
14-120^
41
<0.5-25
I3h/
South
inlet
influent
170-910
680
383-2,080
1,460
130-420
340
1,470-2,810
2,210
248-1,060
724
192-880
563
78-300
200
Combined
raw , .
influent^'
3fiO-930
630
648-1,980
1,220
160-500
340
1,610-2,640
2,110
348-1,450
835
232-938
547
Final
effluent
375-700
480
757-1,090
900
210-310
250
1,600-2,060
1,800
328-520
423
204-420
301
2.5-4.2
3.4
88-152^
125
<0.5-2.3
0.6k/
• Removal ..
efficiency^-'
%
(-39) -38
13
(-13)-44
24
(-32J-28
13
(-10)-21
9
(-27)-55
22
(-19) -66
25
a/ All units are mg/1 unless otherwise noted.
b_/ This sample contains supernatant.
c/ With the exception of VSS, the negative removal efficiencies occurred on Sunday, 30 July 1972.
d/ Numbers in parenthesis Indicate that the parameter measured had a higher concentration in the
effluent than in the influent.
£/ This is hexane-extractable material.
tl The range is based on five values.
j>/ The range is based on six values.
h/ All values recorded as "less than" have not been used to calculate the average.
-------
B-9
TABLE 4
SUMMARY OF HEAVY METALS DATA-^
MISSOURI RIVER WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
30 JULY THROUGH 5 AUGUST 1972
Missouri River
Treatment Plant Effluent
Mercury (yg/1)
range 0.6-1.8
average 1.1
Lead . .
range <0.05^f-
average
Zinc
range 0.411-0.513
average 0.473
Copper
range 0.026-0.093
average 0.061
Chromium ..
range <0.1--0.4
average 0.2
Cadmium
range 0.026-0.035
average 0.030
a/ All units are mg/1 unless otherwise noted.
b_/ This represents minimum detectable limits.
c/ All values are the same.
d/ All values recorded as "less than" have not been used to
calculate the average.
-------
00
I
TABLE 5
BACTERIOLOGICAL RESULTS
MISSOURI RIVER WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT AND SELECTED MISSOURI RIVER STATIONS
31 JULY THROUGH 5 AUGUST 1972
Station Description
Missouri River, up-
stream of treatment
plant effluent
(RM 611.87)
Treatment plant
effluent
(RM 611.58)
*lissouri River,
downstream from
treatment plant
effluent
(RM 611. 42)
Date
7/31/72
8/1/72
8/3/72
8/4/72
8/5/72
Log Hean
8/1/72
8/1/72
8/2/72
8/3/72
8/3/72
Log Mean
7/31/72
8/1/72
8/3/72
8/4/72
8/5/72
Log Mean
Time
Collected
0915
0615
1552
1822
1400
1120
1220
1100
1100
1300
0940
0631
1605
1850
1415
Total
Coliforms
24,000
160,000
83,000
130,000
74,000
79,000
25,000
270, 000
950,000
2,000,000
1,400,000
450,000
Fecal
Coliforms
1,000
7,000
8,000
4,900
4.300
4,100
21,000,000
24,000,000
19,000,000
8,200,000
16^000,000
17,000,000
1,400
15,000
250,000
390,000
290,000
57,000
Fecal
Streptococci
630
3,600
6,200
2,400
630,000
940,000
2,100,000
3,300,000
870,000
1,300,000
1,200
4,600
69,000
MOO, 000
> 14, 000
-------
B-ll
Also during the survey flow-measuring equipment for the north and
south inlets was checked. The data indicated that the north inlet
recorder was reporting flows less than the actual flow passing through
the Parshall flume. A plot of the measured flou recorded vs. head was
made on log-log paper'[Figure 2]. A method of least squares was used
to fit the values obtained from the flow recorder. This procedure
indicated that the recorded flows at the north inlet were 50 percent
lower than the measured flow rate. Flows recorded during the survey
have been adjusted accordingly.
As noted earlier, the Missouri River plant was designed for daily
BOD and suspended-solids loadings of 270,000 and 244,000 Ib, respectively.
The maximum loads observed (147,000 Ib of BOD and 177,000 Ib of sus-
pended solids) are well below the design criteria. Approximately
50 percent of the loadings received at the treatment plant are from
the Central Wastewater Pretreatment Facility.
During the investigation, removal efficiencies [Table 3] for BOD
and suspended solids ranged from minus 39 to 38 percent (average of 13
percent) and minus 27 to 55 percent (average of 22 percent), respec-
tively. Monthly operational data, for the period March 1971 through
July 1972 [Tables 6 and 7], were obtained from Missouri River plant
officials. The plant data indicated that monthly average BOD and
suspended solids removals ranged from minus 34 to 41 percent and from
minus 3 to 76 percent, respectively.
These average removal ratios for both the survey and the period of
record are less than normally obtained with primary treatment (i.e., 35
percent for BOD and 65 percent for suspended solids). At times the effluent
-------
TABLE 6
MONTHLY CONCENTRATIONS AND REMOVAL EFFICIENCIES OF BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND
MISSOURI RIVER WASTEWATER TREAT'ENT PLANT
OMAHA, NEBRASKA^
MARCH 1971 - JULY 1972
, .Flow mad
North Inletr-
Max.
1971
March 23.8
April 20.0
May 28.9
June 18.0
July 16.2
Aug. 34.0
Sept. 9.2
Oct. 25.4
Nov. 18.1
Dec. NO DATA
1972
Jan. 19.8
Feb. 18.2
March 26.2
April 27.9
May NO DATA
June 19.0
July 22.6
Av?
15.0
13.0
9.2
9.0
7.0
13.7
2.0
8.5
7.4
Min.
3.0
5.3
2.2
1.1
0.7
3.8
0.1
2.4
1.4
South Inlet
Max.-
41.7
8.4
17.8
20.0
16.3
21.0
12.1
13.8
12.0
AVR
14.0
5.8
5.0
8.2
9.0
9.1
9.2
7.4
7.4
Min.
1.0
2.3
.3
2.5
3.0
4.3
5.9
3.9
4.5
North Inlet
(mg/1)
Max.
880
1.280
760
940
880
840
620
390
695
AVR
580
460
400
672
617
640
316
258
286
Min.
250
140
120
400
360
440
130
120
70
BOD
South Inlet
Max.
1,540
980
1,460
4,320
5,800
2,200
3,040
2,680
2,820
(me/I)
AVR
900
480
860
1,461
1,623
1,720
1,835
1,632
1,320
Min.
380
140
460
600
840
1,240
1,280
1,080
380
Combined Effluent
Max.
1,420
980
1,360
1,220
1,180
1,200
1,880
1,480
2,000
(nB/1)
Ava
570
480
570
733
750
1,040
1,074
963
860
Min.
100
140
360
460
360
880
400
600
320
Removal .
Efficiency^
(»
AVR
9
21
19
21
24
28
(-22)
(-21)
Range
(-93) -70
(-55) -79
(-58) -51
(-63) -79
(-6)-67
88*'
(-57) -85
(-116) -63
(-16O-69
AVAILABLE
14.2
11.4
15.6
11.9
5.0
5.5
7.5
4.1
11.0
6.3
9.9
13.3
6.0
4.9
5.5
6.7
1.8
2.7
1.6
2.7
1,460
1,040
840
1,160
572
723
486
olv
250
200
260
360
2,920
2,600
1,740
2,520
1,387
1,579
1,012
1,153
480
1,000
320
360
2,520
2,320
1,760
1,480
829
1,321
670
660
280
720
170
2UU
(-1)
(-34)
(-1)
13
(-43)-78
(-112) -10
(-133) -60
(-/2)-50
AVAILABLE
12.0
10.8
4.5
1.9
9.0
37.5
7.4
10.4
3.5
3.2
720
880
450
590
260
200
2,?4T
3,160
!,/••"»
1,657
720
840
1,440
1,000
719
707
240
400
15
41
(-57)-61
23-73
al Efficiencies are calculated on the basis of data provided by the Missouri River plant officials.
b/ Based on data obtained during the survey, these flow rates are 50 percent lower than actual flows.
cj Negative removals indicate that net loadings discharged in the effluent exceed the combined loadings in
d/ This figure is based on one day's data.
the influent.
-------
LEAST SQUARES
FIT OF
RECORDED VALUES
• MEASURED FLOW
A RECORDED FLOW
4 5
Figure 2. Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant-North Inlet Flow
Omaha, Nebraska, August 1972
-------
TABLE 7
MONTHLY CONCENTRATIONS AND REMOVAL EFFICIENCIES OF SUSPENDED SOLIDS
MISSOURI RIVER WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT-OMAHA, NEBRASKA^
MARCH 1971 - JULY 1972
Total Suspended
h/ Flow
North Inlet-'
1971
March
April
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1972
Jan.
Feb.
March
April
nay
June
July
Max.
23.8
20.0
28.9
18.0
16.2
34.0
9.2
25.4
18.1
NO DATA
19.8
18.2
26.2
27.9
riu UATA
19.0
22.6
Avg
15.0
13.0
9.2
9.0
7.0
13.7
2.0
8.5
7.4
Min.
3.0
5.3
2.2
1.1
0.7
3.8
0.1
2.4
1.4
mgd
South Inlet
Max.
41.7
8.4
17.8
20.0
16.3
21.0
12.1
13.8
12.0
Avg
14.0
5.8
5.0
8.2
9.0
9.1
9.2
7.4
7.4
Min.
1.0
2.3
.3
2.5
3.0
4.3
5.9
3.9
4.5
North Inlet
(mR/1)
Max.
910
1.220
540
1.220
770
390
420
900
420
Ave
350
290
210
302
314
2,090
137
216
192
Min.
80
120
60
60
60
60
20
20
60
Solids
South Inlet
Max.
2.040
1.540
2.620
4.400
3.340
2,100
2.180
2,040
1.080
(mg/1)
AVR
700
1,050
960
1,457
900
968
812
970
635
Min.
80
220
240
200
440
200
340
270
220
Combined Effluent
(mR/1)
Max.
340
1,060
540
1,200
480
430
1,020
1,520
610
Avg
300
270
270
470
294
2,760
458
463
321
Min.
50
120
100
220
140
140
100
160
120
Removal .
Efficiency^'
(Z)
Avg Range
48 (-4 3) -85
44 (-6 5) -84
38 (-22) -62
32 (-90) -78
49 18-72
45 26-63
29 (-79)-68
(-3) (-167)-97
21 (-93) -60
AVAILABLE
14.2
11.4
15.6
11.9
5.0
5.5
7.5
4.1
11.0
6.3
9.9
13.3
6.0
4.9
5.5
6.7
1.8
2.7
1.6
2.7
500
480
640
1,540
301
288
322
451
100
120
150
200
900
2.010
4.695
2,620
669
804
870
1,543
100
240
400
450
530
580
760
750
279
351
308
340
60
160
160
140
29 (-27)-67
22 (-125) -67
29 (-75) -82
53 (-8)-90
AVAILABLE
12.0
10.8
4.5
1.9
9.0
37.5
7.4
10.4
3.S
3.2
740
800
25"
3«5
ml
60
3,620
3,660
2,154)
1.624
«20
380
500
360
307
202
200
90
62 21-88
76 44-95
a/ Efficiencies are calculated on the basis of data provided by the Missouri River plant officials.
b/ Based on data obtained during the survey, these flow rates axe 50 percent lower than actual flows.
cl Negative removals indicate that net loadings discharged in the effluent exceed the combined loadings in the influent.
-------
B-14
BOD is equivalent to that of normal raw sewage, i.e., 250 mg/1.
Disinfection of the plant effluent was not provided. As a result,
the log mean of fecal-coliform bacterial organisms increased in the
Missouri River from 4,100, upstream (RM 611.87) to 57,000/100 ml,
downstream (RM 611.42) from the discharge [Table 4]. Both of these
bacterial densities violate the Nebraska Water Quality Standards for
the Missouri River (i.e., fecal coliform organisms shall not exceed
a geometric mean of 1,000/100 ml). If the water-quality criteria
had been met upstream of the discharge, the effluent from the Missouri
River plant (fecal coliform density of 17,000,000/100 ml) would still
have caused a violation of the standards.
According to Kirkham, Michael and Associates,— temperature, pH,
total dissolved solids, and toxic substances were reviewed for the
wastewater received by the Missouri River plant. None of these were
"...expected to cause any significant deleterious effects on treat-
ment efficiencies..."
The pH fluctuation (1.5 to 11.3) observed [Table 2] in the north,
inlet influent on 30 July 1972 is believed to be a direct result of the
discharge from The Quaker Oats Company. After treatment the pH of
the Missouri River plant effluent ranged from 2.1 to 7.1. Neutral-
ization of wastes by contributing sources will need to be enforced in
order to prevent damage to the sewers and to the secondary wastewater
treatment processes proposed.
* Although no sampling was conducted at The Quaker Oats Company on this
date, data obtained during the period 3 through 5 August 1972 showed
wide fluctuations in the effluent. [For additional information, see
Appendix C.]
-------
B-15
In addition to the fluctuation in pH and BOD loadings, the dis-
charge from The Quaker Oats Company resulted in furfural concentration
in the Pierce Street sewer ranging from 75 to 110 mg/1. The concentra-
tion of furfural ranged from less than 0.5 to 2.3 mg/1 in the effluent.
These concentrations will not cause operational problems in a secon-
dary plant or water-quality degradation in the Missouri River. However,
during periods when the Pierce Street Lift Station is by-passing flow to
the Missouri River, the concentration of furfural is high enough to be
toxic to aquatic life in the immediate vicinity of the discharge.
The industrial waste ordinances will need to be enforced to prevent
occurrence of these high and low pH values as well as toxic substances.
As indicated earlier, Kirkham, Michael and Associates have com-
pleted an engineering report on secondary treatment for the Missouri
River WWTP. Based on recommendations contained within the report, City
of Omaha City officials plan to construct a completely mixed, activated-
sludge treatment system with disinfection. The south inlet flow will
receive two-stage secondary treatment, which includes roughing filters
and intermediate clarifiers, followed by activated sludge. The new
secondary plant, designed for a dry-weather flow of 65 mgd, is to have
sufficient hydraulic capacity to pass a 200-mgd wet-weather flow. The
effluent discharged from this new plant must meet the requirements
of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 which
stipulate that for publicly owned treatment works, effluent limitations,
*
based on secondary treatment, must be met by 1 July 1977.
* To meet the requirements of the Act, EPA is currently proposing to limit
both BOD and suspended solids, in the effluent, to a monthly average of
30 mg/1 and weekly average of 45 mg/1, or 85 percent overall reduction,
whichever produces better water quality. This level of treatment is
obtainable through secondary treatment. Furthermore, the interim
regulations limit the fecal-coliform bacterial density to a weekly
average of 400/100 ml and a monthly averape of 200/100 ml.
-------
B-16
The interim dates [Table 1] relative to construction of the new
secondary treatment plant have been met. A construction grant appli-
cation has been submitted, but information obtained from EPA construc-
tion grant personnel, Region VII,— indicated that the Federal funds
will not be available for this grant until at least FY 1975. City of-
ficials stated that without adequate funding support the 1975 date
would not be met.— With the required Installation of secondary treat-
ment facilities by 31 December 1975 and of the unavailability, before
FY 1975, of construction grant funds, the City of Omaha could make an
effort to improve the present primary facilities. There are several
possibile interim measures [Appendix H, Section B] to improve existing
efficiencies at the Missouri River WWTP. These measures could be used
until the new plant facilities are operative.
D. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. The Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant had a removal ef-
ficiency of biochemical oxygen demand ranging from minus 39 percent (In-
crease in BOD) to 38 percent and removal efficiencies of suspended solids
ranging from minus 27 percent (increase, in SS) to 55 percent. Plant re-
cords, over a 14-month period from March 1971 to July 1972, showed average
removals from minus 34 to 41 percent for BOD and from minus 3 to 76 per-
cent for suspended solids. Highly soluble BOD and septic clarifiers are
considered to be the reason for these low removal rates.
2. The Central Wastewater Treatment Facility contributes approxi-
mately 50 percent of the total waste load received by the Missouri River
-------
B-17
plant. Any operational problems (i.e., Inadequate grease or solids
removal) experienced at the pretreatment plant directly affect the
operation of the Missouri River plant.
3. The effluent from the Missouri River plant was not disinfected.
The high fecal-coliform bacterial density (log mean of 17,000,000/100 ml)
increased the concentration in the Missouri River (from 4,100/100 ml,
upstream of, to 57,000/100 ml, downstream from the treatment plant dis-
charge) . Bacterial densities at both river stations were in violation
of the bacterial requirements of the Nebraska Water Quality Standards.
4. The City of Omaha plans, by 31 December 1975, to construct new
secondary treatment facilities. The plant will provide a minimum of
90 percent BOD and suspended solids removal plus disinfection. The
survey data indicated that, unless steps are taken to control the pH
fluctuation, variation in BOD loadings, and the septic conditions of
the sewage, there could be operational problems in the biological treat-
ment system.
E. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that:
1. Industrial wastes discharged to the Missouri River Wastewater
Treatment Plant be pretreated in order to remove toxic substances and
other pollutants to levels that will not inhibit treatment of the com-
bined wastes by biological treatment systems or pass through the public
systems in concentrations or loads inconsistent with effluent limitations
and conditions prescribed by permits issued under NPDES.
-------
B-18
2. The new secondary treatment facilitv be placed in operation
no later than 31 December 1975, and that it meet the treatment require-
ments of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972.
3. City officials consider the installation of interim measures
[Appendix H, Section B] at the Missouri River WWTP until the proposed
facilities are constructed.
F. REFERENCES
J./ WanteDater Collection and '"rvatnent, Technical Supplement No. 2 to
the Conprehensive Water Pollution Control Plant, Omaha-Council
Bluffs Metropolitan Area Planning Apency. HenninRson, Durham,
Richards and Stanlev, Consultants. Preliminary submittal. June 1972.
1J Swrmanj of Conference on Pollution of Interstate "aters of the
'Jissouri River-Omaha, '.'ebratl'a Area (?lebrasl:a, To^sa, Missouri, one1
Kansas). U. S. Public Health Service, U. S. Department of Health,
Education, and Welfare. Kansas City, Missouri. June 1957.
3/ Summanj of Progress "valuation f'eetina for Conference on Pollution
of the Interstate l.'aterr, of thn 'finsoun' River in the fataha, Nebraska
Area (Nebraska, loioa, "isnouri , and Kansas). U. S. Public Health
Service, U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Kansas
City, Missouri. February 11-12, ]965.
4/ h'ater Duality Standards Applicable to yebrasl:a l-'aterr,t Department
of Environmental Control, Lincoln Nebraska. June 20, 1972.
J3/ Study and Report on ^ost-nrimarv Treatment, Missouri River Waste-
water Treatment PJant, Kirkham, Michael ind Associates. March 1972.
f>_/ Telephone Conversation with Mrs. Rosalie M. Michelson, Environmental
Protection Aj»encv, Ret»ion VIT. 1000 hours. 29 December 1972.
II Gene E. Jordan, Written Comnnni ration tn Jerome II. Svore,
Administrator, Reeion VII, ICnvironncntal Protection Appncv. Office
of Director, Public Works , Citv of Onahn. 17 Vav 1972.
-------
B-19
PAPILLION CREEK WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
OMAHA, NEBRASKA
A. GENERAL
Nine municipal wastewater treatment plants [Table 2 in Chapter V]
are located in the Papillion Creek watershed. The largest of these,
the Papillion Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant which is operated by
the City of Omaha, was evaluated by EPA personnel of the National Field
Investigations Center-Denver 8 through 10 August 1972. Joseph Van
Rycheghem, foreman, and James Swan, plant operations engineer, provided
information and assistance.
The Papillion Creek plant is a secondary treatment facility de-
signed with a hydraulic capacity of 18 mgd and an organic load capacity
of 24,200 Ib per day BOD. The plant was constructed in 1941.
A Conference on the Matter of Pollution of the Missouri River -
Omaha, Nebraska, Area was held in 1957.— The Conference concluded that
the major source of pollution originated in the Omaha, Nebraska, area
nd recommended the expansion of the Papillion Creek plant. As a result,
the plant was expanded in 1958 to its present capacity (18 mgd). However,
the present flow received at the plant is approximately 26 mgd of which
plant officials estimate 15 percent is industrial wastes.
Flow in the combined sewers, during periods of rainfall, exceeds
the hydraulic capacity of the treatment units, and, to prevent flooding
of the plant, the entire flow is by-passed into Big Papillion Creek.
The plant is staffed with a foreman, an engineer, a chemist, and
-------
B-20
23 operators. Eighteen operators are certified as Class 1: the remainder,
*
as Class 2.
B. WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES
The principal components for this treatment facility [Figure 1] are:
1. Bar Screen and grit chamber.
2. Primary clarifiers (6) - each 15 ft wide, 65 ft long, and 9.5 ft
deep and with a skimmer to remove floating solids.
3. Activated sludge system - 3 aeration basins, each consisting of
2 tanks 120 ft long, 20 ft wide, and 14 ft deep, with the system
designed to treat 13 mgd.
4. Aeration basin - flow in excess of 13 mgd receives treatment
in this basin consisting of 2 tanks, each 120 ft long, 20 ft
wide and 14 ft deep.
5. Secondary clarifier (4) - each 75 ft in diameter with a side
water depth of 10 ft, and no skimmers.
6. Sludge digesters (4) -, each 53 ft in diameter and 26 ft deep
with two primary digesters heated with heat exchangers and two
secondary dlgestors heated with water.
7. Sludge-holding tanks (2) - each 19 ft wide, 25 ft long, and
16 ft deep, receiving both digested sludge and raw sludge and
being equipped with air diffusers for mixing and conditioning
sludge.
8. Sludge incinerator - waste sludge from this plant, Holling
The City of Omaha has a voluntary certification program for wastewater
treatment plant operators. Class 2 is the highest of the two classes
of certification.
-------
INFLUENT
KEY
SLUDGE
WASTEWATER
NOT TO SCALE
ACTIVATED
SLUDGE-AERATION
BASINS (3)
BAR SCREEN, GRIT REMOVAL
SUPERNATANT
PRIMARY CLARIFIERS
(6)
.-/DIGESTERS]
ISLUDGE HOLDING!
TANKS (2) | I
PRIMARY AERATION
BASIN
J
I
SLUDGE
INCINERATOR
ASH LAGOON
'EFFLUENT TO BIG PAPILLION CREEK
Figure 1. Papillion Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, Omaha, Nebraska
-------
Heights, Oak Hills, Jacobsen, and District 31 plants being
incinerated at this facility with ashes disposed of in a
lagoon. Effluent fron the lagoon is combined with plant
effluent. The activated sludge units and secondary clari-
fiers are divided into three separate systems. Each of
these systems, consisting of one aeration basin and one
clarifier, functions as a separate secondary plant.
C. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
The Papillion Creek plant was evaluated 8 through 10 August 1972.
Three 24-hour composites (composited on flow basin) were collected of
both the influent and combined effluent of the plant. Drab samples of
the effluent to Big Papillion Creek vp.re collected once daily for oil and
grease analysis. Temperature, nH, and conductivity measurements were made
every hour [Table 1]. Flow was obtained from hourly readings of a staff
gage near the headworks of the plant.
Daily, during the survey, it was observed that the skimmers on the
primary clarifiers, designed for 18 mgd, were submerged, thus allowing
floating solids and crease to pass through the plant. Peak hourly flows
were in excess of 38 mgd. The secondary activated sludpe nortion of the
plant treated 13 nj»d, the desipn capacity. Any flow in excess of this
receives only primary treatment.
Analysis of thr data [Table ]] indicates that the plant was hydrau-
lically and organically overloaded by 51 anc! 4fi percent, respectively.
As a result, the removal efficiency for BOD ranged from 15 to 23 percent:
concentrations of suspended solids in thn effluent exceeded influent
-------
w
I
TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
PAPILLION CREEK WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
8 THROUGH 10 AUGUST 1972
Parameter^
Flow (mgd)
Temperature (°C)
PH
Conductivity
(limhos/cm)
BOD
COD
TOC
Total Solids
c/
Suspended Solids^1
VSS^'
Oil & Grease
INFLUENT
range average
15-20
6.6-7.3
625-1,100
130-170 155
375-412 395
99-140 116
797-921 852
160-186 169
132-146 141
EFFLUENT
range
25.8^-28.6
16-20
6.6-7.0
750-1,000
110-140
273-362
82-110
746-860
168-210
154-172
11-51
average
27.3
125
326
94
808
189
165
28
Percent
Removal
range
15-23
9-27
10-25
2-7
(-5) -(-18)
(-5)-(-27)
aj Unless otherwise noted all units are mg/1.
b_/ This figure is based on 22-hour flow, as plant was by-passing all flow for 2 hours due to rain.
cj Effluent concentration is higher than influent concentration, resulting in negative removal
efficiency.
-------
B-23
concentrations on all three days. The treatment provided at this plant
was less than that normally expected from primary treatment. There was
no disinfection. These conditions constitute violations of the Nebraska
Water Quality Standards which requires a minimum of secondary treatment
and adequate disinfection.
Water quality degradation in Big Papillion Creek was evident from
visual observations (i.e. increased turbidity, sludge blankets, floating
matter, etc.) and decreased concentrations of dissolved oxygen. Grab
samples collected of Big Papillion Creek upstream (RM 596.60/8.30/4.82)
and downstream (RM 596.60/8.30/4.16) from the plant discharge revealed
that the DO was reduced from a range of 5.6 to 9.2 mg/1 to 1.2 to
4.4 mg/1, espectively.
The City of Omaha [Table 2] plans to construct a new secondary
*
treatment facility by 31 December 1975. The new plant will be located
adjacent to the Missouri River near the mouth of Papillion Creek and will
treat wastewaters from the Rolling Heights plant, Oak Hills plant,
Jacobson plant, District 31 plant, Bellevue Plant No. 2, La Vista,
Offutt Air Force Base plant and possibly those from the present Papillion
Creek plant. Interceptor lines are currently under construction from
the mouth of Papillion Creek upstream to the present Papillion Creek
plant. Additional interceptors will be built to intercept wastewater
from other plants [Table 2].
21
The design engineers - Henningson, Durham, and Richardson— - have
recommended construction of a 70-mgd trickling filter-activated sludge
The Nebraska Water Ouality Standards require municipal and industrial
waste discharges into the Missouri River to receive secondary treatment,
or its equivalent, plus disinfection by 31 December 1975.
-------
TABLE 2
CITY OF OMAHA
SCHEDULE OF PROJECTS PROVIDING SECONDARY TREATMENT OF MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTES
ra
CO
Project Description
Engineering
Report
Financing .
Arrangements—
Final Plans &
SpeclfIcatlons
Award of
Construction
Contract
Completion
of Project
Papillion Creek Interceptor
Sewer Phase I, Missouri River
to Highway N-870 (NEBR-308)-
Phase II, Highway N-370 to 60th
b/
Street and Harrison St. (NEBR-308)-
Benson-Westslde Interceptor Sewer,
60th and Harrison St. to 83rd and
Seward St.
West Branch Papillion Creek
Interceptor Sewer, Papillion
Creek to 132nd and "Q" St.
Papillion Creek Treatment Plant—
2/6/67
2/6/67
2/6/67
2/6/67
5/72
9/28/71
1/1/72
1/1/72
lfl/72
1/1/72
8/71
12/71
12/72
12/72
1/73
10/11/71
4/72
3/73
3/73
4/73
5/73
5/73
7/74
7/74
10/75
aj All financing arrangements are contingent upon Federal payment of 55 percent of eligible cost and State payment of
25 percent of eligible cost. This is assured now for only Projects 1 and 2.
b/ This Is the Construction Grant designation.
c/ The construction of the Papillion Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant will be completed in phases. It is expected that
the first phase, site preparation, will be placed under contract in August 1972.
-------
B-25
treatment plant, based on proiectec! 199*1 flows. The plant would consist
of the following:
1. Preliminary treatment - trash racks (4) rind Grit-Grease-Pre
Aeration tanks (4):
2. Primary treatment - twelve clarifiers, each 115 ft in diameter;
3. Secondary treatment - eight tricklino filters, each ISO ft in
diameter: eipht aeration tanks, ench 50 ft wide and 260 ft
long; and eipht final clarifiers, each 145 ft In diameter:
4. Sludge dicpstion - anaerobic digestion followed by incineration:
5. Disinfection - chlorination and detention in two tanks each
110 ft in diameter with 9-ft side water denth.
The effluent discharged from this plant should meet the requirements
of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 which
stipulate that for publicly owned treatment works, effluent limitations,
*
based on secondary treatment, must be met.
Interim dates [Table 21 relative to construction of the new secon-
dary treatment plant have been met. The new plant will be built in
three phases—35, 15, and 20 mgd, respectively. Construction grants
have been approved for the first two phases with anticipated completion
360 days after the awarding of the grant.— [The grant is to be made
from FR 1973 and 1974 monies.] Also, the City is presentlv considering
* To meet the requirements of the Act, EPA is currently proposinp to
limit both BOD and suspended solids in the effluent to a monthly
average of 30 mr/1 and weekly average of AS mg/1, of 85 percent overall
reductions, whichever produces better water quality. This level of
treatment is obtainable through secondary treatment. Furthermore, the
proposed regulations Unit the fecal-coliform bacterial density to a
weekly average of 400/100 ml and a monthly average of 200/100 ml.
-------
B-26
an additional bond issue (financed by increased sewer rates) to cover
part of the cost of the second phase of the plant (15 mgd). Thus, a
50-mgd plant should be operative by the 31 December 1975 deadline. A
grant application has been made for the third phase; however no funds
will be available for this proiect until at least FY 1975. City
officials stated that without adequate funding support the 1975 date
4/
could not be met.- With the unavailability of funds some effort
could be made to improve the existing plant facilities. Interim treat-
ment measures [such as these discussed in Appendix H, Section C] could
improve present plant removal efficiencies.
D. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. The Papillion Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant was hydraulicallv
and organically overloaded by more than 51 and 46 percent, respectively.
2. During the survey the BOD removal efficiency ranged from 15 to
23 percent which is less than would be expected from a properly function-
ing primary plant.
3. Disinfection of the effluent was not being provided.
4. The plant discharge caused water-quality degradation in Bip,
Papillion Creek. The DO concentration was reduced from a range of 5.6-
9.2 mg/1, upstream, to 1.2-4.4 mc/1 downstream from the point of discharge,
5. A new wastewater treatment plant to be constructed by 31 December
1975 will be designed to treat the wastewaters presently treated by the
Holling Height plant, Oak Hills plant, Jacobson plant, District 31 plant
-------
B-27
Bellevue Plant No. 2, La Vista, Offutt Air Force Base plant, and
possibly the Papillion Creek plant. According to the consultants'
report, the plant will produce an effluent containing 35 nig/1 or less
each of BOD and suspended solids. This will not meet the secondary
treatment guidelines to be proposed by EPA.
E. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that:
1. Wastes discharged to publicly owned treatment works be pre-
treated to remove toxic substances and other pollutants to levels that
will not inhibit treatment of the combined wastes or pass through the
public systems in concentrations or loads inconsistent with effluent
limitations and conditions prescribed by permits issued under NPDES.
2. The new Papillion Creek Wastewater Treatment plant be placed
in operation no later than 31 December 1975. This new plant shall meet
the treatment requirements of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
Amendments of 1972.
3. Until the proposed facilities are constructed, City of Omaha
officials consider the installation of interim measures at the existing
Papillion Creek WWTP [such as those in Appendix H, Section C].
F. REFERENCES
Til Summary of the Conference on Pollution of Interstate Waters of the
Hfissouri River - Omaha, Nebraska Area (Nebraska, Iowa, fisnouri,
and Kansas). U. S. Public Health Service, Department of Health,
Education, and Welfare. Kansas City, Kansas. June 1957.
-------
B-28
2/ Fanillion Creek Water Pollution Control Plant, Desipn Report,
Hennington, Durham and Richardson, Omaha, Nebraska. March 1972.
}/ Telephone Conversation with Mrs. Rosalie M. Kichelson, Environmental
Protection Agency, Repion VII. 1000 hours. 29 December 1972.
4/ Gene E. Jordan, Written Communication to Jerome H. Svore, Regional
Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency Recion VII, Office
of Director, Public Works, City of Omaha. 17 May 1972.
-------
APPENDIX C
INDUSTRIAL PLANT REPORTS
-------
C-l
ALLIED CHET1ICAL CORPORATION
AGRICULTURAL DIVISION
P.O. BOX 7354
OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68107
A. GENERAL
The Allied Chemical Corporation plant, located sonth of Omaha,
manufactures fertilizer. Natural pas, from Oklahoma and Texas, is
used to produce hydrogen and carhon dioxide. With pure iron as
the catalyst, nitropen, obtained from the atmosphere, is converted
to ammonia (in the Haber process) by reacting it with the hydropen.
Products manufactured at this plant include liquid nitrogen fertilizer
(1,250 ton/day), urea (450 ton/day), nitric acid (291 ton/day),
anhydrous ammonia (610 ton/day), and ammonium nitrate (360 ton/day).
All the nitric acid produced is converted to ammonium nitrate. The
princip.il product marketed, "Golden Uran," contains 34.8 percent
urea and 45.1 percent ammonium nitrate, which Is equivalent to 32 per-
cent total nitrogen. The plant operates continuously and employs
250 people.
The original ammonia section (referred to as Train No. I) .ind the.
urea sections of the plant were constructed in 1954. The nitric acid
and ammonium nitrate sections were added in 1956. Thp modern ammonium
section (referred to as Train No. II) was placed in operation in 19^5.
From 7 through 11 Aueust 1972 EPA personnel of the National Field
Investipations Center-Denver evaluated water-nollution control nrpc-
tices. C. G. Swanson, Jr., assistant to the manaper, provided infor-
mation and assistance.
-------
C-2
A study conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency, Region
VII, in April 1971, disclosed that the effluent contained 105 to 120 mg/1
of NH.-N and 30 to 500 up/1 of copner. Based on these results, EPA
officials concluded that the discharge contained 2,500 Ib/day of
NH_-N and that the discharge of heavy metals could be reduced by
installing a closed-circuit coolinR-water system. However, specific
recommendations were not offered.
The Refuse Act permit application states that the average daily
discharge (19.7 mgd) to the Missouri River contains 86 mg/1 of suspended
solids, 80 mg/1 of NH -N, and 2 mg/1 of oil and grease.
B. WATER SUPPLY AND USES
Water used within the plant, approximately 20 mgd, is obtained
from 20 wells ranging in depth from 91 to 146 feet. The water is
used for once-through cooling, steam generation, sanitary service,
internal plant consumption (e.g., some steam is used in the hydroeen-
producing process), and for scrubbing gases from the ammonium nitrate
process. Mr. Swanson provided water-balance information for all pro-
cesses, [Figure 1.].
All water is chlorinated and phosphate is added to the cooling
water. Boiler feed water treatment consists of the addition of lime,
sand filtration, and zeolite ion exchange.
C. WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
Wastewater generated within the plant consist of once-through cool-
ing water, air-scrubber discharge from ammonium nitrate operation, and
-------
GALS. PER DAY
TYPICAL
SOLU1
SOLUTIO
1.20
END PR)
12.001
'
DONS AN
'
*
T
AN
PLANT
1
IS AREA
•OOD UREA
5,10
.
•
T
UREA
SYNTHESIS
t
1
(DUCTS
,000
EVAPO
750
IREA
'
t
T
NH03
PLANT
1
PLANT
1.000
,
1
UREA
PRODUCTION
t
WELL
20.50
1
RATION
000
1
TRAIN
SYNTH
H4if.ni
mm H I 10 r
RECL
WAI
1
LOADING
TRAIN 1 GAS
~*"~ REFORMING
SANITARY
_^B_ W1TCD ^^^_^^_
^^^^ • H 1 Kll ^^^^^^^^^
50.000
IOILER
-*~ HOUSE -,
600,000
PROCESS
-*- WATER
50.000
FIELD
D.OOO
\ \
\
1 NH3
ESIS
IMEO
FER
\
\
TRAIN
REFORI
TRAIN
7,000
1
TRAIN
SYNTHE
TRAIN
50.1
\
GAS
IING
1 NH3
.000
OUTFAI
19,700
1 NH3
SIS
II NH3
(00
L
.000
Figure 1. Total Witir Balanco, OBI hi Plant. Alliid Chemical Corporation July, 1972
-------
C-3
cooling-water blowdown and condensate. Sources of wastewater discharge
include: (1) solutions area (includes wastes from solutions, ammonium
nitrate, and nitric acid plants); (2) urea plant; (3) Train I; and
(4) Train II. All wastewaters are combined and discharged into the
Missouri River (RM 695.26) without treatment through a drainage ditch
[Figure 2], Company officials stated that at present there are no
plans to construct waste-treatment facilities.
D. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
The waste-source survey at Allied Chemical Corporation was con-
ducted 7 through 11 August 1972. On 31 July 1972 W. P. Chamberlain,
plant manager, granted permission (written) to sample the wastewater
discharges.
Twenty-four-hr composite samples (composited on an equal-volume
basis) were collected manually from five positions within the plant,
the final effluent, and two Missouri River Stations [Figure 2]. Grab
samples were collected periodically from the final effluent for oil-
and-grease analysis. Chain-of-custody procedures were continuously
maintained on the samples from the final effluent and the river stations
[Appendix E]. Temperature, pH, and conductivity were measured each time
a sample was taken. EPA personnel also made flow measurements. [Tables
1, 2, and 3 summarize the data. ]
Owing to operational problems, Train II was shut down at 2400 lir
8 August 1972. An attempt was marie to start up operations asain at 3940
* Because of a saranlinp error, samples collected on 7 Aupust 1972 vere
not analyzed.
-------
TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL DATA
ALLIED CHEMICAL CORPORATION
7 through 11 August 1972
PARAMETERS?-'
Map .
Key^'
b
c
d
c
a
P
f
h
Flow
(mgd)
Allied Chemical effluent 2.4-3.5
from nitric acid, ammonia
nitrate, and process
operation
Allied Chemical effluent 6.8-8.3
from urea process
Allied Chemical effluent 9.3-9.5
from Train I
Allied Chemical effluent 0.294-0.347
from Train II
Allied Chemical well 20. 5^
Missouri River, upstream of
Allied Chemical (RM 595.32)
Allied Chemical effluent 20.1-20.5
to river (RM 592.26)
Missouri River downstream
(RM 595.20)
Temp
PC)
22-34
23-32
31-43
20-40
13-17
20-25
28-38
20-25
Conductivity
(umhos/cm)
625-3,000
725-1,500
500-1,500
690-1,800
460-1,100
380-750
675-1,300
380-750
pll COD
6.2-10.1 6.8-57
7.0-11.5 20-51
5.5-9.2 17-21
6.6-9.5 23-110
6.8-8.3 16-20
6.8-8.6 23-89
6.6-9.4 24-25
6.9-9.0 21-74
Total
TOC Solids
4-47 737-936
16-37 453-614
5-7 546-598
6-22 710-928
2-14 471-564
5-10 596-744
11-21 607-707
5-7 610-719
Suspended
Solids
14-21
30-52
29-33
17-21
5-26
102-172
38-51
59-133
Oil & ,
VSS Grease^
4-5
10-20
6-8
7-15
2-8
18-48
7-32 17-1,100
5-42 2s'
aj For location see Figure 2.
b/ All units are in rag/1, unless otherwise noted.
£/ This is hexane-extractable material.
d/ Estimated, all values are the same.
e/ This number is based on one value.
-------
-N-
NOT TO SCALE
TRAIN 1
AMMONIA
LOADING
AMMONIA
SYNTHESIS AND
PURIFICATION
BOILER HOUSE
AND WATER
TREATMENT
DRAINAGE
DITCH
TRAIN 2
COPPER
PURIFICATION
C02
REMOVAL
GAS
REFORMING
NOTE: SEE TABLE FOR STATION
LOCATION DESCRIPTION
Figure 2. Sampling Locations for Omaha Plant, Allied Chemical Corporation,
La Platta, Nebraska
-------
TABLE 2
Of NITTIKMTS DATA - ALLIED CHEMICAL CORPORATION
7 through 11 August 1972
Map .
Kev^'
b
c
d
e
a
f,
f
h
Station Description
Allied Chemical effluent
from nitric acid, ammonia
nitrate, and process opera-
tions
Allied Chemical effluent
from urea process
Allied Chemical effluent
from Train I
Allied Chemical effluent
from Train II
Allied Chemical well
Missouri River, upstream
of Allied Chemical
(RM 695.32)
Allied Chemical effluent
to river (RN 695.26)
Missouri River, downstream
from Allied Chenical
(RM 595.20)
Total Kj-N
mg/1
66.8-
160
172-
210
19.5-
30.1
25.0-
80.3
5.70-
5.90
0.55-
0.93
100-
116
1.20-
6.25
*JH3-N
mp,/l
51.7-
80.0
154-
164
14.8-
29.5
24.0-
78.8
3.31-
4.50
<0.01-
0.06
70.8-
82.2
0.42-
2.37
PARAMETER
Organic-N
mg/1
15.1-
94.1
8.0-
56.0
0.6-
5.3
1.0-
9.1
1.25-
2.48
0.55-
0.92
17.8-
41.2
0.78-
4.69
N03+M02-N Total P
mg/1 mp,/l
42.0-
59.5
3.39-
3.72
3.23-
3.70
11.0-
11.6
2.48-
3.23
0.36- 0.09-
0.47 0.15
17.1- 0.43-
23.0 0.55
0.47- 0.11-
1.08 1.18 n
i
Ln
a/ For location see Figure 2.
-------
TABLK 3
o
SlWtARY OF HEAVY '1ETALS DATA m
ALLIED CHErnCAL CORPORATION
7 throuph 11 August 1972
PARA^fETHRS-'-'
Station Description Mercury Lead—
(ug/1)
Mlied Chemical effluent 0.5-0.7 <0.05
from nitric acid, ammonia
nitrate, and process
operations
Mlied Chemical effluent <0.02-0.6 <0.05
from urea process
Mlied Chemical effluent <0. 02-1.0 <0.05
fron Train I
Allied Chenical effluent <0. 2-1.1 <0.05
from Train II
Mlied Chemical well <0.2-0.8 <0.05
Missouri River, uostrean <0.2— <0.05
of Mlied Chemical
(R'l 695.32)
Allied Chemical effluent <0.2-0.5 <0.05
to river (RM 595.26)
''issouri River, downstream <0.2-0.4 <0.05
from Allied Chemical
(R'T 595.20)
Ztnc Conper Chromium Cadmium Nickel Silver—
0.152-1.351 0.021-0.238 <0.1-' 0.007-0.012 <0. 02-0. 02 <0.06
0. 141-0. 203 0.023-0.138 <0.1-^ 0.116-1.13 <0. 02-0. 03 <0.06
0.123-0.154 0.063-0.174 <0.1-' 0.012-0.023 <0. 02-0. 03 <0.06
0.268-0.382 0.271-S.52 <0.1-1.3 0.013-0.028 <0. 02-0. 03 <0.06
0.136-0.226 0. (U2-0.066 <1.1-^ 0.007-0.011 <0.02- <0.06
0.155-0.249 0.022-0.166 <0.1-0.3 0.010-0.015 <0. 12-0. 02 <0.06
0.137-0.224 0.047-0.244 <1.1-^ 0.002-0.007 <0. 02-0. 02 <0.06
0.178-0.198 0.020-0.067 <0.1-' 0.005-0.015 <0.2-/ <0.06
a/ All units are mp/1 excent where noted.
b/ All data values shown as "<" are minimum detectable amounts.
c/ All values are the same.
-------
C-7
hr 9 Aupust 1972, but compressor problems developed. Train II was
immediately shut down again. The effluent durinp the period was pri-
marily cooling-water blowdown. At 2210 hr 10 Aueust 1972 a blue-ereen
color was observed in the effluent from Train II. A srab sample was col-
lected, and company officials were notified. According to the Allied
officials, the color was the result of a conner-acetate «?pill from a
pump packing located in Train II. Results of the prab sample indicated
that the effluent contained, at that time, 66.9 mp./l of copper. The
effects of the spill were also noted in the 24-hr composite samnles
from Train II and the final effluent which showed concentrations of
3.52 and 0.24 mR/1, respectively [Table 3]. This spill resulted in
at least 40 pounds of copper being discharged into the Missouri River.
However, it occurred during the period when samples were not bein°
collected from the river stations, and therefore, an increase in con-
centrations was not detected.
The effluent from the Allied Chemical Corporation significantly
increases the concentration of nitrogen in the Missouri River. For
example, the measured NH.-N concentration ranped from greater than
0.01 to 0.06 mg/1 upstream and from 0.42 to 2.37 mp/1 downstream of
this discharge [Table 2]. The maxinun NH -N concentration observed
(2.37 tnp/1) in the Missouri River downstream from the di«-»charpp
resulted at a pH greater than 8.4- therefore, a violation of the Nebraska
Water Ouality Standards [*nne:icHy A] occurred.
In-plnnt sampling revealed that more than 70 percent of the ammonia
load being discharged by Allied Chemical originated fron the urea
-------
C-8
process. The flow from this process comprises less than 37 percent of
the total waste flow.
The effluent container! from 17-1100 mg/1 of oil and grease and fron
38-51 mp/1 of suspended solids [Table 1]. Samples collected downstream
from the effluent channel in the Missouri River did not reflect an
increase in the concentration of these parameters; however, oil was
visible on the water surface.
The Nebraska Water Quality Standards established a compliance
date of 31 December 1975, at which time the industrv was to provide
the equivalent of secondary treatment. An effluent containing not more
than 20 mg/1 of suspended solids; 20 mg/1 of total Kjeldahl nitrogen
(as N); and 10 mg/1 of oil and grease, and with the pH between 6.5 and
9.0 is obtainable by installation of best practicable control technology
currently available for this industry.
E. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. The Allied Chemical Corporation discharge of untreated waste-
water into the Missouri River, an interstate stream, resulted in vio-
lation of the Nebraska Water Quality Standards for ammonia.
2. The discharge from the urea process contained 70 percent of the
ammonia load discharged (13,500 Ib/day). The flow from this process
was less than 37 percent of the total flow.
3. The State of Nebraska has required the. billed Chemical Cornoratinn
to construct treatment facilities in order to provide the equivalent of
secondary treatment, by 31 December 1975, of wastewators discharged
to the Missouri River.
-------
C-9
F. RECOftMENDATIONS
It is recommended that, based on best practicable control technology
and present production rates, the effluent limitations to be prescribed
for the permit to Allied Chemical Corporation include the following:
1. The suspended solids discharged shall not exceed 20 mg/1 or
160 Ib/day, whichever is less.
2. The total Kjeldahl nitrogen (ammonia plus organic nitrogen) dis-
charged shall not exceed 20 mp/1 or 140 Ib/day, whichever is less.
3. The nitrite-nitrate nitrogen shall not exceed 10 mg/1 or
45 Ib/day, whichever is less.
4. The oil and grease discharged shall not exceed 10 mg/1 or
65 Ib/day, whichever is less.
5. The pH shall be between 6.5 and 9.0.
6. No toxic or hazardous material, as designated under the pro-
visions of Section 307 of The Federal Water Pollution Control Act as
amended, or known to be hazardous or toxic by the permittee, shall be
discharged except with the approval of the Administrator (EPA) or
his dcsignee.
-------
C-10
-------
C-ll
CENTRAL WASTEWATER PRKTREAT!ENT FACILITY
OMAHA, NEBRASKA
A. GENERAL
The Central Wasteuater Pretreatnent Facility (also known as the
Carver-Greenfield Plant) was placed in operation October 1969 in order
to provide pretreatment of wastes from 19 caching houses of which fi
have since ceased Operations. Wastewater (containing paunch manure,
fat, grease, and blood) from the remaining 13 packing houses [Table 1]
is carried by a separate sewer to the nretreatment facility.
Data provided by the City of Omaha indicated that the total head
*
killed of cattle were as follows: 1971, 1 January to 30 June - 798,187
and 1 July to 31 December - 761,179; and 1 January to 30 June 1972 -
779,898.
The pretreatment facility operates continuously and is staffed with
21 operators (including maintenance personnel), A persons involved in the
disposal of solids and grease, and an administrator. The facility was
evaluated 30 July through 5 August 1972 by personnel of the EPA National
Field Investigations Center-Denver. Charles Geisler, City sanitary
engineer, nrovided information and assistance.
A Conference on the Matter of Pollution of the Missouri River -
Omaha, Nebraska Area, held in June 1957, recommended that the wastewater,
from the meat-packing industries in South Omaha, which contained prease,
bone, hair, and paunch manure receive pretreatment by each industry prior
to being discharged into the City sewer.
* Slaughter houses do not report numbers of sheep and hops processed.
-------
r-12
TABLE 1
PACKING-HOUSE OPERATIONS DISCHARGING TO THE
CENTRAL WASTEWATER PRETREATMENT FACILITY
Union Packing Company
4501 South 36th Street
Omaha, Nebraska
E. W. Knelp Company
4401 South 36th Street
Omaha, Nebraska
Wilson Certified Foods, Inc.
27th & "Y" Street
Omaha, Nebraska
American Beef Packers, Inc.
25th & "Z" Street
Omaha, Nebraska
O'Neill Packing Company, Inc.
Box 7194
4801 South 38th Street
Omaha, Nebraska
Midwest Packing Company
3120 "G" Street
Omaha, Nebraska
Cornhusker Packing Company
4436 Dahlman
Omaha, Nebraska
Nebraska-Iowa Dressed Beef Company
P. 0. Box 7203, South Omaha Station
Omaha, Nebraska 68107
Sioux Beef Company
P. 0. Box 7183
4003 Dahlman
Omaha, Nebraska
Greater Omaha Packing Company
5102 South 26th Street
Omaha, Nebraska
Morris Beef Company
5941 South 25th Street
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha Dressed Beef Company
4640 South 31st Street
Omaha, Nebraska
Armour & Company
5025 South 33rd Street
Omaha, Nebraska
-------
c-n
During the second session of the Conference, the conferees agreed
to accept the proposal by the City of Omaha whereby the municipality
would finance and build a pretreatment plant.to treat all packing-house
wastewaters prior to their being discharged into the City sewers. It was
recommended that this new pretreatment plant, now known as the Central
Wastewater Pretreatment Facility, be completed and in operation by 15
December 1966. This deadline was not met.
During progress evaluation meetings, held in 1965, 1966','and 1967,
the conferees discussed requirements for the effluent from the new pre-
treatment facility. It was recommended that "suspended solids in the
Missouri River Sewage Treatment Plant influent should not exceed 400
parts per million" and that the maximum grease load received at the
*
south inlet should not exceed 18,000 Ib/day. During a progress eva-
luation meeting on 29 March 1966 the public works director for the City
of Omaha stated "...from a technical standpoint the proposed collection
and treatment facilities will adequately treat the packing wastes so
that subsequent treatment, at the Missouri River Sewage Treatment Plant,
of the wastes will result in the discharge to the Missouri River of a
normal primary treatment plant effluent."
In addition to the pretreatment facility, a by-products plant
employing the Carver-fJreen field process for continuous dehydration of
grease and paunch manure was constructed. The City expected that
financial aid for the pretreatment plant would be forthcoming from
* Wastes from the pretreatment nlant enter the south inlet of the
I-'issouri River WWTP through the Monroe Street Lift Station.
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C-14
funds obtained from the sale of by-products yielded by thp Carver-
Greenfield process. The process did not prove successful, and onJv
the pretreatment units have been operative since 14 August 1970.
The City of Omaha has adopted an Industrial Waste Ordinance. It
requires that any industrial waste discharpcd into a municipal sewer shal]
not contain more than 400 mg/1 of suspended solids. In addition, the dis-
charge shall not contain gut casings, fleshings, entrails, paunch manure,
hair, or bone.
B. WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES
The principal components for the pretreatment facility [Figure 1] are:
1. Bar screens (2) in parallel.
2. Gravity separation basins (4) - each 20 ft wide, 50 ft long,
an average of 12 ft deep, and with a bottom collection system
to remove the settled solids and a skimmer to remove floating
material.
3. Air flotation basins (4) - each 20 ft wide, 100 ft long, an
average of 12 ft deep, and with a bottom collection system to
remove settled solids and a skimmer to remove anv floatine
material.
4. Pressure retention tanks (4) - in which air is dissolved into
the recycled wastewater prior to beinp returned into the air
flotation basins.
The effluent is discharged, through the Monroe Street Lift Station,
to the south inlet of the Missouri River plant. Crease and paunch manure
removed in the pretreatment units are land filled.
-------
INFLUENT
BAR
SCREENS
PAUNCH
MANURED.
TO LANDFILL
GRAVITY SEPARATION
BASINS (4)
GREASE TO
LANDFILL
AIR FLOTATION
BASIN (4)
AIR
RECYCLE
NOT TO SCALE
EFFLUENT TO
MUD CREEK SEWER
Figure 1. Central Wastewater Pretreatment Facility,
Omaha, Nebraska
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C-15
C. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
The Central Wastewater Pretreatment Facility was evaluated 30 July
through 5 August 1970. Seven 24-hr composites were collected of the
influent and effluent. Samples were manually composited on a flow-
weighted basis with measurements taken from the flow recorder. Grab
samples for oil-and-greasc analysis were collected once daily from the
influent and the effluent. Temperature, pH, and conductivity measure-
ments were taken every hour [Table 2].
The survey revealed that the facility received weak wastes on
Sunday (30 July 1972) because of limited activity in the packing
houses. As the concentrations of suspended solids and oil and grease
were 252 and 55 mg/1, respectively, the effluent concentrations met
the Omaha City ordinance.
However, during the period 31 July through 5 August 1972 the
suspended-solids concentration averaged 1,275 mg/1, more than three
times the value stipulated by the City Ordinance. During the six-day
period the maximum flows occurred from 0300 to 2100 hr and averaged
7.5 mgd. In the samples collected during this period (one grab sample
daily) the oil-and-prease concentration ranged from 240-1,400 mg/1
(average = 575 mg/1), thus yieldine a grease load of 19,500 lb daily
*
within this 13-hr period. This load violated the requirements of
the enforcement conference.
The six-day flow (3.54 to 8.21 im»d) constituted from 25 tn 4S ncrcnnt
* Although no oil-and-prease samples were collected during the nifht,
rrca.se was visible in the effluent at nil times.
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r-16
TABLE 2
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL DATA
CENTRAL WASTEWATER PRETREATMENT FACILITY
30 JULY THROUGH 5 AUGUST 1972
Parameter^
Flow (mgd)
Temperature (°C)
Conductivity
(umhos/cm)
pH (S.U.)
BOD
COD
TOC
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
VSS
Oil & Grease^
Influent
Range
25-40
1,400-5,600
6.0-9.5
280-1,500
332-16,000
78-1,040
2,250-9.960
104-5,050
80-4,770
120-7,400
Influent
Average
1,100
7,120
800
4,830
2,780
2,520
4.150*'
Effluent
Range
1.06-8.21
26-38
1,700-3,800
5.5-7.8
640-1,700
760-4,480
210-1,030
2,010-3,050
252-2,040
240-1,850
55-1,400
Effluent
Average
6.35
1,310
2,920
740
2,770
1,130
988
500
&l Unless otherwise noted, all units are in mg/1.
b/ This represents hexane-extractable material.
£/ This figure is based on four values.
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C-17
of the flow received in the south inlet of the Missouri River WTP.
The amount of suspended solids discharped by the pretreatment facility
ranged from 24 to 86 nercent of the load received at the south inlet.
These high suspended-solids loads, as well as p.rease loads, adversely
effect the operation of the Missouri River HHTP. With an increasing
prease load the skimmers on the clarifiers werp unable to remove all
the crease and the excess was discharged to the Missouri River.
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 stipu-
late that the EPA Administrator publish regulations requiring that
industrial wastewaters which are discharped to publicly owned treatment
works be pretreated to meet specific standards. While such regulations
have not been issued, it is expected that the standards will require
reduction of pollutants to levels that will neither inhibit treatment
of the combined wastes nor pass through the public system in concen-
trations inconsistant with required effluent limitations. The Central
Wastewater Pretreatment Facility discharge does not now meet this
requirement. Implementation of measures for upgrading the wastewater
pretreatment facility [such as those discussed in Appendix H, Section D]
will be necessary to meet the effluent limitations.
D. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. The Central Wastewater Pretreatment Facility was not meetinc the
requirements of the Missouri River Enforcement Conference, thp Citv of
Omaha Industrial Waste Ordinance (i.e. , removal of suspended solids and
oil and grease), and the nretreatment regulations to be promulgated under
the 1972 Amendments.
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C-18
2. The effluent from this facility accounted for 38 percent of the
flow and 66 percent of the suspended solid.s discharged to the south inlet
of the Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant. The solids loading
results in operational problems in the Missouri River plant.
E. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that the treatment system he upgraded and the
wastewater be pretreated to reduce pollutants to levels that will neither
inhibit the treatment of combined wastes nor pass through the public
system in concentrations or loads inconsistent with required effluent
limitations.
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C-19
FLINN PAVING COMPANY ASPHALT PLANT
66TH AND GROVER
OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68106
A. GENERAL
Flinn Paving Company asphalt plant produces asphaltic concrete
(SIC 2951). Raw materials used to produce the paving material include
"blow sand," agricultural lime rock (3/8-in. or less), rock (S/8-in. or
less), road gravel, and asphalt cement. The plant employs 3 people and
operates approximately 40 hr per week, during April through December,
producing an average of 300 tons/day of paving material.
Water-pollution control practices were evaluated by EPA personnel
of the National Field Investigations Center-Denver 7 through 9 August
1972. John Jantzon, plant superintendent, provided assistance and
information.
The Refuse Act Permit Application stated that the average daily dis-
charge (0.051 ragd) contained 6,120 mg/1 of suspended solids and no trace
of oil and grease.
B. WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
Water obtained from a company well (20,000 to 50,000 gpd) is used
in an air scrubber to remove dust particles produced during the mixing
of the asphaltic concrete.
The wastewater from the air scrubber was discharged, without treat-
ment, through a ditch into Little Papillion Creek. Asphalt cement, which
has been spilled over a period of time in the storage tank area, entered
the ditch and was discharged to the creek. Company officials stated they
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C-20
plan to install a settling pond and use chemical f1oc:culnnt(s) in ordnr
to reduce the suspended solids in the effluent. However, they provided
no definite time schedule as to when this is expected to he accomplished.
C. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINPINHS
The waste-source survey at the Flinn Pavinr. Company asphalt plant was
conducted 7 through 9 August 1972. On 25 July 1972 M. L. Flinn, company
president, had granted written permission to sample the wastewater.
Three eight-hr composite samples (composited on equal-volume basis)
were manually collected of the effluent and of the Little Papillion Creek
upstream and downstream from the discharge. A prah sample of the effluent
was collected once daily for oil-and-prease analysis [Table I]. The tem-
perature, pH, and conductivity were measured each time a sample was col-
lected. EPA personnel determined the flow using a 60-degree V-notch weir
and stage recorder.
Results of the in-plant survey revealed that the suspended solids
discharged to Little Papillion Creek (RM 596.60/8.30/5.42/1.73) ranged
from 1,910 to 6,660 mg/1 (430-1170 Ib/day). This discharge resulted in
an increase in the suspended-solids concentration from an average of
36 mg/1 upstream of the discharge (RM 596.60/8.10/5.42/1.80) to 379 mp,/l
downstream (RII 596.60/8.30/5.42/1.70). There was visual discoloration
and a sediment blanket in the creek downstream from the discharge. These
* This number refers to the location of the discharge to the receiving
stream. For example, 596.60 is the mileage up the Missouri River to
the mouth of Papillion Creek; 8.30, the mileage up Papillion Creek
to Big Papillion Creek; 5.42, the mileape UP Birr Papillion Creek to
Little Papillion Creek and 1.80 miles up Little Papillion Creek to
the Flinn Paving Company discharge.
-------
TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
FLINN PAVING COMPANY ASPHALT PLANT
7 THROUGH 9 AUGUST 1972
Scatlon Description
Flinn Paving Company
effluent (RM 596.60/8.30/5.42/1.73)
Little Paplllion Creek,
upstream of Fllon
Paving Company effluent
(RM 5.96.60/8.30/5.42/1.80)
Little Paplllion Creek,
downstream from Flinn
Paving Company effluent
(RM 596.60/8.30/5.42/1.70)
Date
8/7/72
8/8/72
3/9/72
8/7/72
8/8/72
8/9/72
8/7/72
8/8/72
8/9/72
Temp
Flow range
mgd "C
0.033 32-45
0.027 47-49
0.021 13->50
14-23
18-22
13-20
14-22
18-22
14-20
Conductivity
range
II mhos /cm
280-2,000
300-850
520-1,700
580-675
560-575
400-700
560-600
560-570
425-625
pH
range
10.4-10.9
10.1-10.6
7.9-10.5
7.8-9.0
7.6-8.6
7.3-8.8
7.8-8.8
7.6-8.5
7.4-8.4
Total
Solids
mR/1
5,460
2,600
9,500
426
301
350
708
626
1,010
Suspended Settleable
Solids Solids
mg/1 ml/1
3,740 31
1,910 18
6,660 20
40
38
30
234
376
528
Oil & .
Grease5'
ng/1
W.OOO^
166
24
at This represents hexane-extractable material.
b/ There was a large piece of tar in sample.
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r-22
conditions violate the General Water Quality Criteria of the Nebraska
Water Quality Standards (e.g. "...waters shall be free of substances
attributable to discharges ... having materials that will form objec-
tionable deposits ... or turbidity...").
The pH of the effluent ranged from 7.9 to 10.9. The oil-and-grease
concentration ranged from 24 to 19,000 mg/1 as a result of the spilled
asphaltic cement entering the discharge ditch. Chunks of asphaltic cement
were visible in the effluent and account for the high concentrations of
oil and grease.
The company has failed to provide adequate treatment, thus constituting
a violation of the Nebraska Water Quality Standards. The discharge is
also subject to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments, which
require that a permit be obtained and best practicable treatment be applied.
Best practicable control technology currently available for this industry
will produce an effluent containing not more than 20 mg/1 of suspended
**
solids, no detectable oil and grease, and with a pH between 6.0 and 8.5.
D. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. Flinn Paving Company asphalt plant discharged untreated waste-
water to Little Papillion Creek which contained from 430 to 1,170 Ib/day
* The Nebraska Water Quality Standards require industries to provide
equivalent secondary treatment. This has been defined as that degree
of treatment attainable by installation of best practicable control
technology currently available.
** The discharge of oil from this company can be eliminated by the con-
struction of dikes around the asphaltic tanks and loading areas in
order to contain all the spilled asphaltic cement.
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C-23
of suspended solids and from 24 to 19,000 rag/I of oil and grease. This
discharge increased the suspended-solids concentration and formed objec-
tlonal bottom deposits in Little Fapillion Creek, a violation of the
Nebraska Water Quality Standards.
2. Failure of the company to provide adequate treatment also
constitutes a violation of the Nebraska Water Quality Standards.
E. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that the effluent limitations to be prescribed
for the Flinn Paving Company permit include the following:
1. The suspended solids discharged shall not exceed 20 mg/1
or 5 Ib/day whichever is less.
2. No oil and grease shall be discharged.
3. The pH shall be between 6.5 and 9.0.
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r-24
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C-25
NATIONAL BY-PRODUCTS, INC.
P. 0. BOX 7187
OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68107
A. GENERAL
Prior to a fire that destroyed the National By-Products plant on
18 August 1972 the company was processing approximately 750 ton/week
of fallen animals, offal, "shop scran," and bone to produce 350 ton/week
of fats and proteins that are used for animal and fowl feeds. Hides from
fallen animals were cured and shipped to a tanner. The plant operated
continuously, Monday through Friday, and 8 hr on Saturday. Approximately
60 people were employed.
A new plant is being constructed adjacent to the present facility.
The new plant, which will have the same rated capacity as the present
plant, was originally scheduled to be in operation by 1 July 1973. However,
because of the fire the anticipated date of completion is now May 1973.
The Refuse Act Permit Application indicates that the daily waste
discharge (0.25 mgd) contained 3,960 Ib of BOD, 8,000 lh of COD, 1,220 Ib
of suspended solids, and 32 Ib of oil and grease.
Water pollution -control practices at this plant were evaluated bv
EPA personnel of the. National Field Investisations Conter-Oenver 31 July
through 3 August 1972. Francis Kellison, plant superintendent, nrovidcd
assistance and information.
B. WASTE SOURCES AMD TREATMENT
Water obtained from three company wells (80 ft Hf>ep) was usrH for
cooling and plant cleanup. Upon connlction of tho new plant, water
be purchased from the City of Bellevue.
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C-26
Uastcwater was treated in two Primary clarifiers operated in parallel
The units were located in the basement of the plant. The smaller clari-
fier (40 ft long, 5 ft wide, and 4.75 ft deep) received approximately
40 percent of the wastewater. The remainder was treated in a clarifier
(68 ft long, 5 ft wide and 4.75 ft deep). Skimninps and solids were
recycled, and the effluent was discharged through a drainage ditch
(approximately 400 yd) to Papillion Creek (RM 596.60/2.0).
According to the plant superintendent, the company is considerinp
pretreatment of the wastewater and then discharging it to the new
Papillion Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, to be completed in 1975.
If this cannot be carried out, a trpatment system consistinc of a set-
tling basin, two anaerobic laroons (in series), followed by a polishin^
pond is to be constructed with the effluent discharged to Papillion
Creek. A final decision had not been made at the time of this survey.
C. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
The waste-source survev at National By-Products, Inc., was conducted
31 July through 3 August 1972. On 25 July 1972 Francis Kellison, plant
superintendent, granted written permission to sample the wastewater
discharge. Two 24-hr composite samples (composited on equal-volume
basis) of the effluent and Papillion Creek upstream an^i downstream fron
the discharge were manually collected. Grab samples for oil-and-greaso
analysis were collected periodically from these stations and from the
Missouri River upstream and downstream from the mouth of Papillion Creek.
Also collected were grab samples of the affluent for bacteriological
-------
c-.1?
analysis. Each time samoles were taken, EPA personnel made temperature,
pH, and conductivity measurements. Flow measurements were obtained by
using a 60-degree V-notch weir and stage recorder. [Table 1 summarizes
field measurements and analytical data. Bacteriological results arc
summarized in Table 2.] Chain-of-custodv procedures were continuously
maintained on the effluent samples [Appondix E].
Visual observations revealed that there was little, if any, operation
and maintenance of clarifiers. The sides of the units were covered with
grease. In addition, approximately two inches of grease and water were
observed on the floor around the clarifiers.
The drainage ditch was covered with solidified grease and solids.
(The depth of tiiis scum was estimated to be in excess of 2 ft.) Floating
solids and grease were observed daily entering Papillion Creek. Crease
balls were observed in Papillion Creek downstream from the discharge and
in the Missouri River downstream from the mouth of Papillion Creek. On
the other hand, these grease balls were not observed either in Papillion
Creek upstream of the discharge or in the Missouri River upstream of
the creek.
Results of the in-riant survey disclosed that, during the survey,
National Uy-Products, Inc. was discharging daily loads ranging from
2,800 to 5,200 Ib (1,200-2,300 mg/1) of BOD: 5,Tin to 51,000 Ib (2,2^0-
22,500 mg/1) of COD; and 27,700 to 36,300 Ib (12,00^-36,000 mg/l) of
suspended solids. Based on the grab sannles, the oil an:! greasr dis-
charged in thp effluent rnnpec' fron 570 to 13,000 mg/1.
-------
TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
NATIONAL BY-PRODUCTS, INC.
31 JULY TO 3 AUGUST 1972
Station Description
Effluent from plant
Papillion Creek, upstream of
National By-Products, Inc.
Papillion Creek, downstream from
National By-Products, Inc.
Missouri River, upstream—
of Papillion Creek
Missouri River, downstream—
of Papillion Creek
Date
7/31/72
8/1/72
8/2/72
7/31/72
8/1-/72
8/2/72
7/31/72
8/1/72
8/2/72
8/3/72
8/2/72
8/3/72
8/2/72
8/3/72
Flow
cfs
0.43
0.42
116
167
136
Temp
range
°C
20-46
42-54
21-22^
20-24
18-23
21-25
21-24
19-24
24
24
Conductivity
range
W mhos /cm
500-3,000
700-2,000
280-625^
500-775
600-800
500-800
400-750
650-800
700
700
pH
range
6.0-8.3
6.1-7.4
7.2-7.7
6.5-7.5
6.6-7.8
7.2-7.9
6.5-7.5
6.4-7.5
8.2
8.2
BOD
rns/l
1,200
2,300
40
25
40
60
30
COD TOC
mg/1 mg/1
2,280 680
22,500 600
74 22
83 23
80 22
Total
Solids
rng/1
25,300
35,500
491
481
613
1,370
501
Suspended
Solids
mg/1
12,000
16,000
48
76
58
56
32
VSS D.O.
mg/1 mg/1
10,700
13,900
0.2
44
24 0.4
38 0.1
46
8 0.0
Oil & ,
Crease*'
mg/1
570
13.000
2
6
520
9
6
3,100
790
al This is hexane-extractable material.
b/ This figure is based on two values.
£/ One grab sample was collected daily from this station.
-------
TABLE 2
BACTERIOLOGICAL RESULTS
NATIONAL BY-PRODUCTS, INC. EFFLUENT
31 JULY TO 5 AUGUST 1972
C-29
Date
7/31/72
7/31/72
8/02/72
8/03/72
8/04/72
8/05/72
Time
Collected
0755
0900
1610
1700
1925
1450
Total
Coll forms
1,000,000
4,000,000
2,600,000
3,300,000
28,000,000
5,200,000
Fecal
Coll forms
170,000
190,000
470,000
370,000
3,500,000
1,000,000
Fecal
Streptococci
130,000
680,000
2,900,000
590,000
9,200,000
Log Mean
4,000,000
520,000
1,100,000
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C-30
Tilt company does not provide disinfection of tlio pf fluent. Bncterio-
lo'ical data [Table 21 disclosed that the lo° moan of fpcal coliforn
organisms discharged in thp effluent was 5?n,0nn/101 ml.
The company has failed to provide adpnuate treatripp.t of wastewators,
*
constituting a violation of thp Nebraska Uater Ouality Standards. , The
1972 Amendments of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act require that
n permit be obtained for this discharge, an 1 that best nr.icticable treat-
ment technology be. applied. Rest practicable treatment technology vill
produce an effluent containing not more than 10 ma/] of 'JOD, in mi»/i o f
suspended solids, 10 np/1 of oil and prease, and fecal coliforn oroanisns
of i,non/io."> mi.
Rhodamine UT Jye (12.5 lh) was released into the effluent of National
3y-Products on 1 and 2 August 1972. The injected dye was traced downstream
into the Missouri Piver throuf'i fie use of a C. '". Turner *ioAcl m fluoro-
mc'ter. (Prior to iLs u-^e, tvc fluoroineter u.is zeroed a^ni-ist hack"rouiu!
water.) Samples were collected for oi l-and-oreasp analysis of tiip ef-
fluent, fron Papillion Creel' mfatrcari and dov/r.strean fron thn
.iinl fron the J'issouri River upsLr"
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C-31
TABLE 3
CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF WASTEWATER
NATIONAL BY-PRODUCTS, INC.
1 AND 2 AUGUST 1972
Station Description
Papillion Creek, upstream of National
By-Products
Effluent from National By-Products
Papillion Creek, 100 feet downstream
from National By-Products
Missouri River, upstream of Papillion
Creek
Missouri River, downstream from Papillion
Creek
Date
8/1/72
3/2/72
8/1/72
8/2/72
8/1/72
8/2/72
8/1/72
8/2/72
8/1/72
a/2/72
Hexane extractables
fflR/1
<1
5
2,270
2,620
13
460
6
<1
440
2,970
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C-32
The results indicated that the oil-and-prease concentrations In tlic
Missouri River upstream were 9 im»/] or less, nnd increased to 790 m?»/L
or more downstream from the mouth of Papillion Creek.
The latter concentrations constitute a violation of the oil ami grease
water quality criteria established for the Missouri River ("...emulsified
oil and grease shall he less than 15 mp,/l" and "...waters shall be free
from substances attributed to discharges ... havinp materials that will
from objectionable ... floatinq debris, oil scum....").
D. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. National By-Products, Inc., discharged, into Papillion Creek,
inadequately treated wastewater that contained daily loads of 2,300-
5,200 Ib of BOD: 5,300-51,000 lh of COD: 27,700-36,300 Ib of susnende
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C-33
thp. present waste load discharged to Papillion Crook. The company is con-
sidering either pretreatment of thp wastpwater with the effluent discharged
to Mew Papillion Creek WHIP to be complete-' in 1975 or secondary treatment
of the wastewater with the effluent discharged into Papillion Creek.
E. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that:
1. The Company, provide pretreatment consistent with the require-
ments of the 1972 Amendments to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
and discharge all wastewaters to the new Papillion Creek Wastewater
Treatment Plant.
2. If the effluent is discharged to Papillion Creek, the permit
issued to National By-Products, Inc., based on best available control
technology, include the following:
a. The BOD discharged shall not exceed 10 me/1 or 0.04 lb/1,000 Ib
raw material, whichever is less.
b. The suspended solids discharged shall not exceed 10 mg/1
or 0.05 lb/1,000 Ib raw material, whichever is less.
c. The oil and grease discharged shall not exceed 10 mg/1 or
20 Ib/day, whichever is less.
d. The number of fecal coliform bacteria in the effluent shall
not exceed 1,000/100 ml.
e. The pH shall be between 6.5 and 9.0.
3. In the event the proposed Papillion Creek Wastewater Treatment
Plant has not bep.n completed at the time the industrial wastewator con-
nection is made, the industry provide best practicable control technology.
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r-34
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C-35
THE QUAKER OATS COMPANY
302 PIERCE STREET
OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68103
A. GENERAL
The Quaker Oats Company manufactures furfural, furfuryl alcohol,
and levulinic acid. Production figures are considered confidential by
company officials. Raw materials include sulfuric acid, corncobs, oat
hulls, and flax shives. Corn cobs are used in the process 90 percent
of the time. The plant operates continuously and employes approximately
100 people.
Water-pollution control practices were evaluated by EPA personnel
of the National Field Investigations Center-Denver from 3 through 5
August 1972. J. F. Nelson, plant manager, and R. N. Meyer, technical
department manager, provided information and assistance.
B. WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
Cooling water (7 mgd), used primarily for once-through flow, is
purchased from the Omaha Public Power District. This water is discharged
into the Missouri River (RM 615.23) without treatment.
Process and domestic water is purchased from the City of Omaha.
Process wastewater is neutralized in a two-stage basin. The wastewater
(pH of approximately 2) flows through the mixing basin (8.3 ft long by
7.5 ft wide by 8 ft deep) where impure calcium hydroxide is added
and then into the reaction tank (16.7 ft square by 19 ft deep). The
effluent is discharged into the Pierce Street sewer.
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C-36
The company plans to construct additional wastewatnr treatment facil-
ities consisting of a clarificr (28 ft in diameter with a S-ft SWD).
According to company officials, tho clarifier that is schcduledd to be
in operation approximately 1 January 1973 is designed tn produce nn
effluent containing 100 mg/1-or-lcss of suspended solids. [Construction
difficulties have caused this date to be postponed to 1 June 1971. 1
C. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINPINCS
A waste-source survey of The Quaker Oats Company was conducted 3
through 5 August 1972. On 21 July 1972 J. F. Nelson, plant manager,
granted written permission to sample the wastewater discharges. Three
24-hour composites (composited on an equal-volume basis) were manually
collected of the cooling water (influent and effluent) from an in-plant
* **
manhole and from the Pierce Street spwer (upstream and downstream
from The Quaker Oats Company discharge). Each time a sample was col-
lected EPA personnel made temperature, pll, and conductivity measurements
[Table 1],
According to company data, fi.^ mp.fl of cooling water and 1.1 mgd
of process water were discharged during the survey. An estimated flow
of 0.9 mgd was discharged through the in-plant manhole. Analysis of
this 0.9 mgd flow revealed that The Quaker Oats Commny discharges
average daily loads of at least 21,000 ]b of B0[), 10,700 lb of TOC,
4,400 lb of suspended solids, and 900 lb of furfural. The resultant
* According to company officials, the flow at thin station should he
representative of the totril discharge.
** Flow in the Pierco Street Sewer proceeds into the Pierce StrnnL Lift
Station and is subsequently pumped into the interreptor to t.ic "isnouri
Wastewater Treatment Plant.
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TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS
THE QUAKER OATS COMPANY
3-5 AUGUST 1972
Station Description
Pierce St. sewer.
upstream of Quaker
Oats Co.
Quaker Oats Co.
In-Plant Station
Pierce St. sewer,
downstream from
Quaker Oats Co.
Quaker Oats Co.
cooling-water
Intake
Quaker Oats Co.
cooling-water
effluent
Date
8/3/72
8/4/72
8/5/72
8/3/72
8/4/72
8/5/72
8/3/72
8/4/72
8/5/72
8/3/72
8/4/72
8/5/72
8/3/72
8/4/72
8/5/72
Flow
mgd
6.9
6.9
6.9
6.9
6.9
6.9
Temp
•c
range
24-27
24-30
25-27
46-53
50-58
48-62
45-56
46-52
46-56
20-24
22-24
22-24
42-55
44-56
43-54
Conductivity
umhos/cm
range
425-700
425-700
375-700
2,800-4,000
2,900-5.500
800-3,500
2,000-6,000
700-3,000
1,300-4,000
475-750
500-725
400-700
600-850
600-750
500-700
pH
range
7.2-8.5
7.1-8.2
7.2-8.1
6.9-9.8
7.0-10.0
3.1-9.8
6.9-10.2
6.2
4.0-11.0
6.2-8.4
7.0-8.4
7.5-8.6
7.5-8.4
6.8-8.1
7.3-8.5
BOD
mg/1
450
270
260
2,600
2,800
3,000
2,700
2.400
2,700
COD
mg/1
526
330
226
4,150
3,600
3,230
3.840
3,390
56
63
78
29
83
23
TOC
mg/1
170
96
63
1,410
1,370
980
1,350
1,100
11
7
8
6
5
5
Total
Solids
mg/1
1.070
720
540
5,060
5.920
5,200
5,890
' 5,130
4,720
612
580
534
659
660
549
Suspended
Solids
mg/1
134
296
276
472
688
600
628
2,830
2,200
110
76
78
114
62
70
VSS
mg/1
108
256
236
212
424
320
304
2,430
1,930
32
52
42
8
50
22
Furfural
rag/1
<0>05a/
<0.05^
<0.05^
140
115
105
75
110
110
<0-05a/
<0.05^
<0.05S'
<0>055/
~i
<0.05-
aj This is a minimum detectable.
b/ Sample was broken in shipment.
-------
C-38
large concentration of suspended solids in the Pierce Street sewer causes
operational problems with the grit-removal facility at the Pierce Street
Lift Station.
Moreover, this hiph concentration of suspended solids violates the
Omaha Industrial Waste Ordinance that requires the suspended solids to
be 400 mg/1 or less in wastewaters discharged to the municipal sewer.
The pH limit of 6.5 to 9.5 was also violated.
The wastewater discharged to the Pierce Street sower must be
pretreated to remove toxic substances and other pollutants to levels
that will neither inhibit treatment of the combined rastns by biological
treatment systems nor pass through the public systems in concentrations
or loads inconsistent with effluent limitations and conditions prescribed
by permits issued under NPDES.
At the times when the Pierce Street Lift Station is out of service
the entire Clow of the sewer and, thus, the high concentrations of
furfural are by-passed into the Missouri River. Rhodamine WT dye wns
released, during the survey, into the Pierce Street sewer upstream of
the company discharge. Visual observations showed that this dye entered
the Missouri River (i.e., the lift station was by-passing flow to the
river). Analysis of the wastewater in the Pierce Street sewer down-
stream from The Quaker Oats Company discharge yielded a furfural con-
centration of 75-110 mg/1. Furfural, highly soluble in water, has been
shown, at concentrations of 6-25 mg/l,— to be toxic to certain species
*
of fish. Although there were no stream data collected during this
* There was no collection of samples of river water downstream from
The Quaker Oats Company discharge.
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C-39
survey to illustrate the effects of the by-passed furfural waste,
degradation of water quality would occur in a localized section of
the Missouri River.
Analysis of the cooling water (6.9 mgd) indicated that only minor
changes in concentrations of the measured parameters occurred, except
for temperature, between the Intake and discharge. The temperature
increased from a maximum of 24°C (intake) to 56°C (effluent). No samples
were collected in the river; however, the discharge of this heated ef-
fluent to the river (temperature of approximately 25°C) could cause a
temperature increase in a localized area that would violate the Nebraska
Water Quality Standards, I.e., "The temperature of the receiving water
should not increase by a total of more than 5°F from natural May-October..."
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 stipulate
that the EPA Administrator publish regulations .requiring that industrial
wastewaters which are discharged to publicly owned treatment works be
pretreated to meet specific standards. While such regulations have not
been issued, it is expected that the standards will require removal of
pollutants to levels that will neither Inhibit treatment of the combined
wastes nor pass through the public system in concentrations Inconsistent
with required effluent limitations. The Quaker Oats Company discharge
does not now meet this requirement.
D. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. The Quaker Oats Company discharges once-through cooling water
to the Missouri River without treatment. The temperature of the effluent
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r-40
ranged from 42 to 56°C, or approximately twice the river temperature,
and could cause localized areas which are in violation of Nebraska
Water Quality Standards.
2. Process wastes, containing average daily loads of at least
21,000 Ib of BOD, 10,000 TOC, 4,400 Ib of suspended solids, and
900 Ib of furfural, and with a pH ranging from 3.1 to 10.0 were dis-
charged into the Pierce Street sewer. This discharge constituted a
violation of the requirement of the Omaha Industrial Waste Ordinance
(i.e. suspended solids and pH), and the pretreatment requirements to
be promulgated under the 1972 Amendments.
3. The high concentrations of suspended solids caused operational
problems at the Pierce Street Lift Station. During the time the lift
station is Inoperative, the entire flow of the Pierce Street sewer is
by-passed into the Missouri River. This condition was observed during
the survey. To aid in correcting this problem The Quaker Oats Company
plans to construct a new clarlfier designed to produce an effluent,
containing 100 mg/1 or less of suspended solids, that meets the stipu-
lations of the Industrial Waste Ordinance.
E. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that the Quaker Oats Company:
1. Provide pretreatment of wastewater discharged to the Pierce
Street sewer to reduce toxic substances and other pollutants to levels
that will not inhibit treatment of combined wastes or pass through the
public system in concentrations or loads inconsistent with effluent
limitations and conditions prescribed by permit issued under NPDES.
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C-41
2. The permit issued for the cooling-water discharge limit the
temperature such that the river temperature shall not Increase by more
than 5°F (May-October) or 10°F (November-April) or cause the maximum
river water temperature to exceed 90°F.
F. REFERENCE
\J H. Turnball, J. G. DeMann, R. F. Weston. "Toxicity of Various
Refinery Materials to Fresh Voter Fish." Symposium on Waste
Disposal in the Petroleum Industry. Industrial Engineering
Chemistry. 46:324. 1954.
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r-42
-------
C-43
UNION PACIFIC SHOPS
9TH AND CASS STREETS
OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68102
A. GENERAL
The Union Pacific Shops service, repair, and maintain railroad equip-
ment, principally locomotive units (SIC 3742). The shops, constructed
prior to 1900, are presently being remodeled. Upon completion (1974),
the new function of these shops will be to overhaul components (i.e.,
engines, drive units, traction motors, etc.) received from other locations
around the United States. The shops operate continuously and about 1,350
people are employed.
EPA personnel of the National Field Investigations Center-Denver
evaluated, 10 through 12 August 1972, the water pollution control
practices at the Shops. L. R. Burdge, design engineer; P. L. Stageman,
environmental engineer; F. Wees, pollution control engineer; and E. C.
Osborne, treatment plant operator, provided information and assistance.
B. WASTE SOURCES AND TREATMENT
Water, purchased from the City of Omaha, is used for boiler feed,
steam cleaning, cleaning vats, once-through cooling of air compressors,
and sanitary purposes.
All industrial wastes from the shop area, as well as storm runoff,
are collected and pumped to the treatment plant. An operator is on duty
8 hr/day, 5 days/week. The plant, designed for 120 gpm [Figure 1],
consists of the following:
1. Two settling basins - each, 55.5 ft by 23 ft by 7 ft,
-------
r-44
equipped with oil skimmers. (Reclaimed oil is sent by rail to
Wyoming and used for soil stabilization along the railroad right-
of-way. Settled solids are land-filled at the Gilmore Siding
(located about 7 miles south of Omaha).)
2. Surge tank - 1,250 gal.; air is injected into the wastewater
upstream of the surge tank to aid in separation of oil in
the air-flotation tank.
3. Air flotation tank - 22.5 ft (diameter) by 13.3 ft (deep);
18 gph of coagulants (aluminum sulfate and sodium silicate)
are added to the wastewater. (Settled solids are returned to
the settling tanks for removal. Oil particles that adhere to
air bubbles rising to the surface are skimmed from the tank and
disposed of by spreading on the land at the Gilmore Siding.)
4. The pH of the wastewater is monitored and maintained between
6.0 and 9.0.
The effluent is discharged into the Missouri River (RM 616.15)
through the Chicago Street sewer.
C. DISCUSSION OF IN-PLANT SURVEY AND FINDINGS
The waste-source survey at the Union Pacific Shops wastewater treat-
ment plant was conducted 10 through 12 August 1972. On 26 July 1972
R. M. Brown, chief engineer, granted written permission to sample the
wastewater effluent. Three 24-hr composites (composited on an equal
volume basis) were manually collected of the effluent. Grab samples
for oil-and-grease analysis were collected once daily for the effluent
-------
INFLUENT
C9
AIR
SETTLING BASINS (2)
EQUIPPED WITH
OIL SKIMMERS
NOT TO SCALE
EFFLUENT TO MISSOURI RIVER
Figure 1. Wastewater Treatment Plant, Union Pacific Shops
-------
C-45
and from the Missouri River upstream and downstream from the discharge.
Each tine EPA personnel collected a sample, temperature, pH, and con-
ductivity measurements were also made. Company officials provided flow
estimates [Table 1]. Chain-of-custody procedures were continuously
maintained on all samples collected [Appendix E],
Durinp, the time of the survey the Union Pacific Shops dtscharpp.d
an effluent that contained some oil and p.reasp (3 to 8 mp/l) and minor
concentrations of heavy metals. The wastewater treatment provided is
meeting that expected of best practicable control technology currently
available for this type of waste. The effluent contains less than
10 mp,/l of oil and proase and less than 30 mp,/l of suspended solids.
Oil-and-p,rease samples were collected from thp surface of the
Missouri River upstream and downstrp.an from the discharpe. The data
[Table 1] indicate that this discharge caused no detectable change in
the oi]-and-?*rease concentration in the Missouri River.
As previously indicated, the wastewater treatment was operated
8 hr/day, 5 days/week. Durinp the 64 hr from Friday evening to Monday
morning the treatment riant is on automatic operation. Therefore, an
operational problem could develop durinr that period, result!np in the
cMschnrpo of larpo amounts of oil and prease to the "'issouri Rivnr.
D. SUiClARY AND CONCLUSIONS
I. Union Pacific Shop1?, Omaha, Nebraska, nrovldp'l adequate treatment
of vastewatpr and at prespnt, meets the renuirements spprifled for host
nr.icticabln control techno!ot»v ciirrentlv available for ollv wastewaters.
-------
TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYTICAL DATA
UNION PACIFIC SHOPS
10-12 AUGUST 1972
Station Description
Effluent from
treatment plant
Missouri River,-7
upstream of
Union Pacific
Shops discharge
Missouri River,—
downstream from
Union Pacific
Shops discharge
Date
8/10/72
8/11/72
8/12/72
8/10/72
8/11/72
8/12/72
8/10/72
8/11/72
8/12/72
. Temp
Flow^' "C
mgd range
0.64 28-33
0.64 31-33
0.64 31-34
24
24
24
24
25
24
Conductivity
umhos/cm
range
725-1,100
450-1,300
700-2.000
700
675
725
650
700
700
Total Suspended
pH COD TOC Solids Solids VSS
range mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1
6.5-8.5 68 24 745 25 17
6.5-6.8 88 18 782 48 26
6.6-6.9 37 13 954 17 4
8.5
8.6
8.2
8.5
8.6
8.3
Oil & . .
Grease2- Zn
mg/1 mg/1
8 0.347
3 0.166
6 0.164
3
2
5
11
2
4
Cu Cd
me/1 mg/1
0.087 0.017
0.039 0.008
0.045 0.033
Note: Analysis for mercury, lead, and chromium indicated that the concentrations of these heavy metals were below the minimum detectable limits of
0.2 ug/1, 0.05 mg/1, and 0.1 mg/1, respectively.
a/ These values have been estimated by company officials.
W This is a hexane-extractable material.
c/ One grab sample was taken daily from this station.
-------
C-/.7
2. The wastrwatcr treatment plant is orer-ited .-lutonati c.-il lv over
weekends (6 A hr) . Operational nrob]ens couli! develop, result in" in a
lane riniount >>f oil ami preasp hein»» discharged to the Missouri '»iver.
E. RCCOM?:i:NDATTrv:s
It Ls rcconriK'nded that:
1. The wastewator trnatnent nlanL havr an oncrator on dutv a
mini nun of 3 lir/day, 7 davs/wonk, In order to reduce the possibility
nf i*qiiip~icnt imlfunction that could result in the discharge of a l.ir/c
amount of oil an>' crease to the "is«?ouri River.
2. The Pemit issued to the Union Pacific Shops contain the
following limitations:
a) The oil and prease discharged shall not excp^f1 1^ mp/l or
50 Ib/d.iv, whichever is less:
b) The suspended solids discharged shall not exceed 30 mg/1 or
150 lb/'lny, whichever is less; and
c) The pH shall be- between (>.5 am! 0.0.
-------
r-48
-------
APPENDIX D
STUDY METHODS
-------
D-l
STUDY HETHODS
WASTE SOURCE EVALUATIONS
Two municipal and six industrial waste sources were investigated.
Information was obtained, through in-plant surveys, review of Refuse
Act permit applications, and riant officials, on water pollution control
practices at each plant.
Influent waste water samples of the Missouri River Wastewater Treat-
ment and the PapilHon Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant were collected up-
stream of the point of supernatant return. Samples from the Missouri
River WWTP, the Papillion Creek WWTP, and the Central Wastewater Pretreat-
ment Facility were collected manually, and flow composited according to
instantaneous flow readings obtained near the point of collection.
Samples from Allied Chemical Corporation, Flinn Paving Company asphalt
plant, National By-Products, Inc., Quaker Oats Company, and Union Pacific
Shops were collected manually and time composited (I.e. equal portions
in each grab sample).
Samples for chemical analyses were collected in clean, unused con-
tainers: those for bacteriological analvscs were collected in sterile
glass containers. The dissolvcd-oxygen samples were collected in 300-ml
bottles by use of a Sarqent sampler.
Each time a sample was collected field measurements of pH, temper-
ature, and conductivity were made. Samples were delivered to the NFIC-D
mobile laboratory (Omaha, Nebraska) and analyzed for selected nara-neters
(e.j»., BOD, DO, settleable solids, suspended solids, volatile suspended
-------
D-2
solids, and oil and prease). Appropriate, pre'serve-1 alinuots were shippcil
to the NFIC-D Laboratory (Denver, Colorado) am! analyzed for TOC, COD,
heavy metals, nutrients, phenolic materials, and furfural.
Grab samples of selected municipal and industrial effluents were
analyzed for total coliforns, fecal coliforms, an'' fecal streptococci
at the NFIC-D mobile laboratory.
Bacteriological analyses for total and fecal coliforms and for
*
streptococci were performed, accordinc to the accepted methods, usinp
the membrane filter techninue.
The BOD and DO tests were conducted according to the accepted
*
standard procedures, usinp the azide modification of the Winkler Method.
Concentrations of furfural were determined colorimetrically by the
**
method of Ettinger, ot al, and by sas chromatopraphy.
All other laboratory analyses and field measurements employed were
***
conducted in accordance with accepted standard techniques.
STREAM SURVEYS
Limited stream surveys were conducted from 31 July to 11 August
1972 in order to determine the effects of waste water discharpfis on the
receiving waters. The collection times for DO, oil ami Crease, and
bacteriological samples were varied to achieve a time spread. Samples
* Standard 'lethod for the Examination of Water and Vastff.Jatar3 13th
Edition, American Public Health Association. New York, N.Y. 1971.
** M. B. Ettinger, B. J. Lishka, and W. A. Moore, n1ie "etermination one
Persistence of Furfural in Piver Waters, Proc. Ind. Waste Conf., 8th
Conf. 1953, pp. 206-U. (1954)
*** Methods for Chewlcal final-uses of Water and ''astcfsf Environmental
Protection Agency, National Environmental Research Center, Analytical
Quality Control Laboratory. Cincinnati, Ohio. 1971.
-------
D-3
for chemical analyses that were collected upstream and downstream from
the Allied Chemical effluent were time composited.
Sampling and analytical procedures were similar to those described
in the previous section. Stream flow measurements were made only on
Papillion Creek upstream of National By-Products, Inc. Flow rates for
the Missouri River were obtained from USCS data.
-------
APPENDIX E
CHAIN OF CUSTODY PROCEDURES
-------
E-l
CHAIN OF CUSTODY PROCEDURES
POLICY: Chain of Custody procedures will be followed on sufficient
samples to prove a water quality standard violation and a
Refuse Act violation should court action ensue.
General ;
The evidence gathering portion of a survey should be characterized
by the absolute minimum number of samples required to give a fair repre-
sentation of the effluent or water body from which taken.
The quantity of samples and sample locations will be determined
prior to the survey and based on the requirements to establish a Refuse
Act (civil or criminal) and Water Quality Standards violation.
Chain of Custody record tags will be prepared prior to the actual
survey field work and will contain as much information as possible to
minimize clerical work by field personnel. The source of each sample
should also be written on the container itself prior to any field survey
work.
Field log sheets will also be pre-filled to the extent possible to
minimize repetitive clerical field entries.
Chain of custody procedures must be followed to maintain the docu-
mentation necessary to trace sample possession from the time taken until
the evidence is introduced into court. A sample is in your "custody" if:
1. It is in your actual physical possession, or
2. It is in your view, after being in your physical possession,' or
3. It was in your physical possession and then you locked it up in
a manner so that no one could tamper with it.
All survey participants will receive a copy of the study plan and
will be knowlcdgaab! c of its contents prior to the survey. ft p|-e-s|."-v°y
briefing will be held to reappraise all participants of the survey
objectives, sample locations and Chain of Custody procedures. After all
Chain of Custody samples are collected, a de-briefing will be held in the
field to determine adherence to Chain of Custody procedures and whether
tional pvlHpnrp tvn
-------
Chain of Custody Procedures (Cont'd)
Sample Collection (Contd)
2. Stream and effluent samples should be obtained, using standard
field sampling techniques.
3- The Chain of Custody record tag, red in color, (Exhibit 1)
should be attached to the sample container at the time the
sample is collected and should contain the following infor-
mation: sample number, time taken, date taken, source of
sample (to include type of sample and name of firm), the pre-
servative, analyses required, name of person taking sample and
witnesses. The front side of the card (which has been pre-
filled) should be signed, timed and dated by the person
sampling. The sample container should then be sealed with a
preprinted, gummed seal containing our Agency designation, date
and sampler's signature (Exhibit II). The seal should cover the
string or wire tie of the Chain of Custody tag so it cannot be
removed. It should also prevent the opening of the container
without breaking the seal. The tags and seals must be legibly
filled out in ballpoint (waterproof ink).
4. Blank samples should also be taken. Include one sample con-
tainer without preservative and containers with preservatives
which will be analyzed by the laboratory to exclude the possi-
bility of container contamination.
5. A bound field notebook, or log, should also be maintained to
record field measurements and other pertinent information
necessary to refresh the sampler's memory in the event he later
takes the stand to testify regarding his action's during the
evidence gathering activity. A separate set of field notebooks
should be maintained for each survey and stored in a safe place
where they could be protected and accounted for at all times.
A standard format (Exhibit III) should be established to mini-
mize field entries and should include the date, time, survey,
type of samples taken, volume of each sample, type of analysis,
sample numbers, preservatives, sample location, field measure-
ments such as temperature, conductivity, DO, pH, and any other
pertinent iriroi mdtion or observations. The entries should then
be signed by the field sampler. The preparation and conservation
of the field notebooks during the survey will Jae the responsi-
bility of the survey coordinator. Once the survey is complete,
field logs will be retained by the survey coordinator, or his
designated representative, as a part of the per^-r-er-t -°--"-d.
6. The field sampler is responsible for the care and custody of
the samples collected until properly dispatched to the receiving
laboratory or turned over to an assigned custodian. He muot
assure that each container is in his physical possession or in his
viev; at all ti.^es, cr Iccksd in such a piece and n^
one c?n tc'noe'" v en it.
-------
E-3
Chain of Custody Procedures (Cont'd)
Sample Collection (Cont'd)
7. Colored slides or photographs should be taken which would
visually show the outfall sample location and any water pollution
to substantiate any conclusions of the investigation. Written
documentation on the back of the photo should include the sig-
nature of the photographer, time, date and site location. Photo-
graphs of this nature, which may be used as evidence, should also
be handled recognizing Chain of Custody procedures to prevent
alteration.
Transfer of Custody and Shipment:
1. When turning over the possession of samples, the transferee will
sign, date and time the reverse side of the Chain of Custody
record tag. Custody transfers, if made to a sample custodian
in the field, will be made for individual samples. The back
side of the card (Exhibit 1) "Receipt of Sample", must be
filled in by the second person who takes custody. If a third
person takes custody, he must fill in the second "Receipt of
Sample" portion. An additional custody card must be filled in
by persons who thereafter take "custody"; therefore, the number
of custodians in the chain should be as few as possible.
Additional cards should be numbered consecutively.
2. The field custodian or field sampler, if a custodian has not
been assigned, will have the responsibility of properly packaging
and dispatching samples to the proper laboratory for analysis.
The "Dispatch of Sample" portion of the Chain of Custody record
tag will be properly filled out, dated, and signed.
3. Samples will be properly packed to avoid breakage. Preprinted
gummed seals will be utilized to seal the package so that
tampering can be detected (Exhibit II).
k. All packages will be accompanied by a Sample Transmittal Sheet
showing identification of the contents (Exhibit IV). The
original and one copy will accompany the shipment, a copy mailed
directly to the laboratory, a copy mailed to Data Management
and a copy retained by the survey coordinator.
5. If sent by mail, register the package with return receipt re-
quested. If sent by common carrier, a Government Bill of Lading
should be obtained. Receipts from post offices and bills of
lading will De sent to ana retained oy tne iaooratory cus-
todians as part of the permanent Chain of Custody documentation.
6. If sanples are delivered to the laboratory when appropriate
personnel are not there to receive them, the samples must be
-------
Chain of Custody Procedures (Cont'd)
Transfer of Custody and Shipment (Cont'd)
locked in a designated area within the laboratory in a manner
so that no one can tamper with them. The same person must then
return to the laboratory and unlock the samples and deliver
custody to the appropriate custodian.
Laboratory Custody Procedures:
1. The laboratory shall designate one full-time employee as a
"sample custodian". An alternate will be designated in his
absence. In addition, the laboratory shall set aside a
"sample storage security area". This should be a clean, dry,
isolated room which can be securely locked from the outside.
The custodian shall also maintain a permanent log book in
which he records, for each sample, the person delivering the
sample, the person receiving the sample, date and time received,
source of sample, sample number, how transmitted to lab, and a
number assigned to each sample by the laboratory. A standardized
format should be established for log book entries.
2. All samples should be handled by the minimum possible
number of persons.
3- All incoming samples shall be received only by the custodian,
who will indicate receipt by signing the Sample Transmittal
Sheets accompanying the samples and retaining the sheets as
permanent records.
k. Immediately upon receipt, the custodian will affix a number to
the attached tag, record the required information in the log book
and place the sample in the sample room, which will be locked at
all times except when samples are removed or replaced by the
custodian. To the maximum extent possible, only the custodian
should be permitted in the sample room.
5. The custodian shall ensure that heat-sensitive or light-sensitive
samples, or other sample materials having unusual physical
characteristics, or requiring special handling, are properly
stored and maintained.
6. Only the custodian will distribute samples to personnel who
are to perform tests. The custodian will enter into the log
the laboratory sample number, time and date, and the signature
of the person to whom given.
7- Laboratory personnel should examine the seal on the container
prior to opening and should be prepared to testify that their
examination or the container indicated that it had not been
opened or otherwise tamoered with.
-------
E-5
Chain of Custody Procedures (Cont'd)
Laboratory Custody Procedures (Cont'd)
8. The analyst will record in his log book the name of the person
from whom the sample was received, whether it was sealed,
identifying information describing the sample (by origin and
sample identification number), the procedures performed and
the results of the testing. The notes should be signed and
dated by the person performing the tests and retained as a
permanent record in the laboratory. In the event that the
person who performed the tests is not available as a witness
at time of trial, the government may be able to introduce the
notes in evidence under the Federal Business Records Act.
9- To the extent possible, standard methods of laboratory analyses
shall be used. If laboratory personnel deviate from standard
procedures, they should be prepared to justify their decision
during cross-examination.
10. Laboratory personnel are responsible for the care and custody
of the sample once it is handed over to them and should be pre-
pared to testify that the sample was in their possession and
view or securely locked up at all times from the moment it was
received from the custodian until the tests were run.
11. Once the sample testing is completed, the unused portion of the
sample, together with all identifying tags and seals, should be
returned to the custodian who will make the appropriate entries
in his log. The returned tagged sample will be retained in the
sample room until it is required for trial. Strip charts and
other documentation of work will also be turned over to the
custodian.
12. Samples, tags and laboratory records of tests may be destroyed
only upon the order of the laboratory director, who will first
confer with the DPI Director to make certain that the infor-
mation is no longer required or the samples have deteriorated.
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E-6
EXHIBIT 1
CHAIN OF CUSTODY RECORD
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
National Field Investigations Center-Denver
Denver Federal Center
Denver, Colorado 80225
SAMPLE NO TIME TAKEN (hours
SOURCE OF SAMPLE
SAMPLE COLLECTOR WITNES
REMARKS. (Analyses Required. Sample Type, etc )
) DATE TAKEN
PRESERVATIVE
S(ES)
Front
1 hereby certify that 1 received this sample and disposed of it as noted below
RECEIPT OF
SAMPLE
RECEIVED FROM
DISPOSITION OF SAMPLE
DATE RECEIVED
SIGNATURE
TIME RECEIVED
1 hereby certify that 1 received this sample and disposed of it as noted below
RECEIPT OF
SAMPLE
RECEIVED FROM
DISPOSITION OF SAMPLE
DATE RECEIVED
SIGNATURE
TIME RECEIVED
1 hereby certify that 1 obtained this sample and dispatched it as shown below
It
H
inul
O
DATE OBTAINED TIME OBTAINED
SOURCE
DATE DISPATCHED TIME DISPATCHED METHOD OF SHIPMENT
SENT TO
SIGNATURE
Back
-------
E-7
EXHIBIT II
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
SAMPLE NO.
SIGNATURE
PRINT NAME AND TITLE (Inspector, Analyst or Technician
z
w
i
a
u
n
u
5
a
a
U.CM
-------
CO
DATE
EXHIBIT I I I
FIELD DATA RECORD
SAMPLER
5 AT I ON
NUMBER
DATE
TIME
TEMPERATURE
°C
CONDUCTIVITY
pmhos/cm
PH
S.U.
1
D.O.
mg/1
Gage Ht. '
or Flow
Ft. or CFS
i
-------
FOR
EXHIBIT II I
SURVEY, PHASE
, DATE
TYPE OF S/.I FIE
STATION
NUMBER
i
n
STATION DESCRIPTION
REMARKS
': leld Measurements
UJ
2:
_j
o
£
O
TYPE CONTAINER
rH
(PRESERVATIVE
rt
CO
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LU
i— •
cs;
j—
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1
o
o
co
(\
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p
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o
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z>
<;
SUSPENDED SOLIDS i'
p
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Hj
s
CD
-X
Q.
P
*
>
_J
rs
o
<_>
•X
LU
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Zi
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o
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Z)
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cz>
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LO
ci:
:o
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/I
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^
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Sampler(s)
vo
-------
EXHIBIT IV
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF ENFORCEMENT
R-10 DIVISION OF FIELD INVESTIGATIONS-DENVER CENTER
BUILDING 53 , ROOM B1405A DENVER FEDERAL CENTER
DENVER, COLORADO 80225
SAMPLE TRANSMITTAL SHEET
TO: (Laboratory Name & Address)
FROM: (Field custodian or Field Sampler)
Sample No. Lab Number Preservative Analysis Required
To be completed in field:
Prepared by: Date:
Signature
Field Notebook No. Time:
To be completed by Laboratory:
Received by: Date:
Time:
Distribution: Orig. £ 1 copy - Accompany shipment
1 copy - mail directly to Laboratory
I copy - mail to Data Management.
1 copy - Survey Coordinator Field Files
-------
APPENDIX F
EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS
AND
PRETREATMENT REQUIREMENTS
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F-l
Effluent Limitations
and
Pretreatment Requirements
The recommended effluent limitations based on the best practicable
control technology currently available and/or pretreatment requirements
for those industries evaluated are summarized herein. The permits issued
to the industries should contain the requirements listed as follows.
Allied Chemical Corporation. Agriculture Division, P.O. Box 7354. Omaha,
Nebraska 68107
1. The suspended solids discharged shall not exceed 20 mg/1 or
160 Ib/day, whichever is less.
2. The total Kjeldahl nitrogen (ammonia + organic nitrogen) dis-
charged shall not exceed 20 mg/1 or 140 Ib/day, whichever is less.
3. The nitrite-nitrate nitrogen shall not exceed 10 mg/1 or
45 Ib/day, whichever is less.
4. The oil and grease discharged shall not exceed 10 mg/1 or
65 Ib/day, whichever is less.
5. The pH shall be between 6.5 and 9.0.
6. No toxic or hazardous material, as designated under the pro-
visions of Section 307 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act as
ammended, or known to be hazardous or toxic by the permittee, shall be
discharged except with the approval of the Administrator (EPA) or
his designee.
Central Wastewater Pretreatment Facility, Omaha, Nebraska
This facility shall pretreat the wastewater discharged into the
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F-2
city sewers in order to meet the requirements of the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972. These amendments require
that Industrial wastes, discharged to publicly owned treatment works,
be pretreated to reduce pollutants to levels that will neither inhibit
treatment of the combined wastes nor pass through the public system in
concentrations inconsistent with required effluent limitations.
Flinn Paving Company Asphalt Plant, 60th and Grover, Omaha, Nebraska 68106
1. The suspended solids discharged shall not exceed 20 mg/1 or
5 Ib/day, whichever is less.
2. The effluent shall contain no oil and grease.
3. The pH shall be between 6.5 and 9.0.
National By-Products, Inc.. Box 7187. Omaha. Nebraska 68107
1. The BOD discharRed shall not exceed 10 mp/1 or 0.04 lb/1,000 Ib
of raw material, whichever is less.
2. The suspended solids discharged shall not exceed 10 mp/1 or
0.05 lb/1,000 Ib of raw material, whichever is less.
3. The oil and grease discharged shall not exceed 10 mg/1 or
20 Ib/day, whichever is less.
A. In the effluent the number of fecal coliform bacteria shall
not exceed 1,000/100 ml.
5. The pH shall be betwpen 6.5 and 9.0.
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r-3
The Quaker Oats Company, 302 Pierce Streot, Onaha, "ebnsi.n
1. The temperature of the coolln<* i/«iler 'llsc'.i.irno.1 nlinJ 1 not
increase the river water temperature by morc> thin S°F (Vny-Ortober) or
10° F (!Iovemher-Aprll) , and the- run 1 -.iui« river water temperature shall
not exceed 90°F.
2. Industrial process w.istewatern, dtsc'iarreJ to riibllcly owned
treatment works shall be pretreateJ Lo reilucc the pollutants to levels
that will neither inhibit treatment of the corcklpR'i w.iKtcs nor nn«n
throuph the. public system 1n concentrations inconslsffnt vit'i requiri"!
effluent limitations.
Union Pacific Shops, 9th am' Cass Streets, Onaha, Nebr.isha
1. The suspended solids discharged shall not exceed 30 ip>»/l or
150 Ib/day, whichever is less.
2. The oil and p.rease i1iar.har?cd shall not exceed 10 mc/1 or
50 Ib/day, whichever is less.
3. The p!l shall be between 6.5 and 9.0.
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APPENDIX C,
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL USE
OF
PUBLIC SEWERS AND DRAINS
OMAHA INDUSTRIAL WASTE ORDINANCE
RULES AND REGULATIONS, MAY 196r>
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G-l
OMAHA INDUSTRIAL WASTE ORDINANCE
Ordinance 23364 Adopted May 1965
Ordinance 23732 Amended March 1966
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G-2
"AN ORDINANCE to amend Title 51 of the Omaha Municipal Code, entitled
"Sewers" by adding thereto a new Chapter numbered 51.18, entitled
"Commercial and Industrial Use of Public Sewers and Drains"; to
establish regulations for commercial and industrial use of public
sewers and drains, and the discharge of water and wastes therefrom
into the sewer system and into natural outlets; to provide for defi-
nitions; to provide for adoption of Rules and Regulations governing
the discharge of sewage and industrial wastes and other matter into
the City of Omaha sewerage system; to establish rates of surcharge
and defining terms; to regulate the discharge of certain commercial
and industrial wastes into the sewerage system of the City of Omaha;
to regulate discharge thereof into natural water courses under per-
mit; to require that such wastes to be discharged into the city sewer
system be authorized by permit from the Chief Plumbing Inspector
of the Permits and Inspections Division of the Public Safety Depart-
ment On the approval of City Sanitary Engineer; to provide a program
of inspection and regulation of all discharges of commercial and in-
dustrial wastes in the city and its environs, to protect the City's Sew-
age Treatment Plants; to preclude said wastes from entering such
eewer system, unless excessive concentrations are reduced by im-
proved housekeeping and in plant controls to relieve the City's sewage
treatment works and plants of the undur burdon thereof; to avoid
wrongful or prohibited or improper pollutional effects on the receiv-
ing streams; to prohibit the discharge into the city sewer system or
into any natural watercourse of the city of certain soluble, insoluble,
inflammable, toxic, corrosive, or irritating substances or noxious
or deleterious wastes and to authorize the City Sanitary Engineer to
make reasonable regulations to govern all discharges, commercial
and industrial wastes and the storage of dangerous materials; to
require reports from all persons, storing or discharging same, and
inspect all such wastes or materials stored or discharged into the
city sewer system, or into natural water courses in the city; to deter-
mine compliance with the provisions of this ordinance and the regula-
tions authorized hereby; to provide penalties; to provide for appeal;
to provide a severability clause; and to provide the effective date
hereof.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OMAHA:
Section I. That Title 51 of the Omaha Municipal Code, entitled
"Sewers", be, and hereby is, amended by adding thereto a new chapter numbered
51.18, reading as follows:
"Chapter 51.18
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL USE
OF
PUBLIC SEWERS AND DRAINS
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G-3
"51.IB.010 Definitions. Unless the context specifically indicates
otherwise, the meaning of terms uflccl in this ordinance shall be as
follows:
'City* shall mean the Cit/ of Omaha, Nebraska.
'Sewage Works' shall mean all facilities for collecting, removal,
discharge, conducting, carrying, transporting, pumping, treating,
and disposing of sewage.
'Sewage' shall mean a combination of the water carried wastes from
residence, business buildings, institutions, and industrial establish-
ments, together with such ground, surface, and storm waters as may
be present, containing animal and vegetable matter in suspension or
solution and may include liquid from laboratories and industry con-
taining minerals in solution.
'Sanitary Sewage* shall mean wastes which are comparable to v/astes
which originate in residential units and contain only excrement and
waste from kitchen, laundry, bathing, and other usual household
facilities.
'Sewer' shall mean a pipe or conduit carrying sewage and other
liquid wastes.
'Combined Sewers' shall mean a sewer receiving both surface runoff
water and sewage.
'City Sewer' shall mean a sewer serving abutting property and sub-
ject to control and regulation by the city.
'Sanitary Sewer' shall mean a sewer which carries sewage and which
does not carry storm, surface and ground waters.
'Storm Sewer' or 'Storm Drain' shall mean a pipe or conduit which
carries storm and surface waters and drainage, but excludes sewage
and industrial and commercial wastes; it may, however, carry cool-
ing waters and unpolluted waters.
'Sewage Treatment Plant* shall mean any arrangement of devices
and structures, (above or below ground), used for treating, disposal,
carrying and conducting sewage.
'Commercial and Industrial Wastes' shall mean the water-carried.
wastes from commercial and industrial establishments (processes)
as distinguished from household type sanitary sewage.
'Garbage* shall mean solid food wastes from the preparation, cook-
ing, and disposing of food, and from the handling, storage, and sale
of products.
'Properly Shredded Garbage' this shall mean the wastes from the
preparation, cooking, and the dispensing of food has been shredded to
such a degree that all particles may be carried and normally under
the flow conditions normally prevailing in the city sewer and with no
particle greater than 1/2 inch in any dimension.
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G-4
'B.O. D.1 (abbreviation for bio-chcmiral, oxygen demand), shall
mean the quantity of oxygen utilised in the bio-chemical oxidation of
organic matter under standard Laboratory procedure in five (5) days
at 20° centigrade, (68° fahrenheit) expressed in parts per million by
weight.
tpH' shall mean logarithm of the reciprocal weight of hydrogen ions
in grams per liter of solution.
'Suspended Solids' shall mean solids that either float on the surface
or arc in suspension in water, sewage, or other liquids, and which
are removable by laboratory filtering.
•Natural Outlet1 shall mean any outlet into watercourse, pond, ditch,
lake, or other body of surface or ground water.
'Water Courses' shall mean a channel in which a flow of water
occurs either continuously or intermittently.
•Person" shall mean an individual, firm, company, association,
society, corporation, or group.
•Standard Laboratory Methods' shall mean methods of analysis and
testing as outlined in the Twelfth edition of 'Standard Methods for
the Examination of Water and Waste Water1 I960, published jointly
by the American Public Health Association,. American Waterworks
Association, and Water Pollution Control Federation. Three (3)
copies of which are on file in the Office of the City Clerk of the City
of Omaha, Nebraska, and the same are hereby adopted and incorpor-
ated as fully as if set out in length herein and from the date on which
this Chapter shall take effect.
'Receiving Stream' shall mean any natural water course into which
sewage in discharged.
•S-Meter' shall mean (L) a meter or meters used on a water supply
Other than a municipal water supply, that is, wells, private water
company, etc., or (Z) a meter or meters used to supplement the
meter or meters measuring a municipal water supply and considered
necessary in the determination of the sewage charge and surcharge.
'Slug' shall mean any water or wastes exceeding a concentration
greater than five (5) times that of the 'normal sewage1, and which is
discharged continuously for a period longer than fifteen minutes or at
a rate exceeding one thousand (1,000 g.p.m.) gallons per minute.
•Cooling Water' shall mean the water discharged from any system
of condensation, air conditioning, cooling, refrigeration, or other,
but which shall be free from an increase in odor and oil. It shall
contain no polluting substances which would increase B. O. D., or
suspended solids each in excess of 10 parts per million by weight.
•Unpolluted Water or Waste' shall mean any water or waste contain-
ing none of the following:
Free or emulsified grease or oil; acid or
-------
G-5
alk.ili; phenols or other substanr.rs imparting tastes and odor in
receiving w.ilurs; toxic or poisonous subst.incRH in suspension,
colloidal st.ito or solution; .md noxious or oHorous g'j.sus. It shall
contain not more than 8,000 parts per million by weight of dissolved
solidn, of which not more than 2,500 parts per million shall be as
chloride with permissible volume subject lo review by the City Sani-
tary Engineer, and shall not cause an increase of more than ten (10)
parts per million each of suspended solids, and B.O. D. The color
shall not exceed fifty (50 ppm) parts per million. Any water or
wastes, meeting these standards, may be discharged to the waters
of the state, under direct supervision of the city, and under permit
from the Nebraska Water Pollution Control Council'. Determination
of 'unpolluted waters or wastes' shall be made by the City of Omaha
working in conjunction with the Nebraska Water Pollution Control
Council of the Department of Health, State of Nebraska.
'Recoverable Grease' shall mean 70% of the total grease by n-hexane
(B.P. 67"- 70" c) extraction.
'Foreign Accounts' shall mean the water accounts of a political sub-
division, other than the Metropolitan Utilities District, which sup-
plies water to and bills the account for the service.
'Waters of the State' shall mean all streams, lakes, ponds, marsh-
es, watercourses, waterways, wells, springs, irrigation systems,
drainage systems, and all other bodies, or accumulations of water
surface or underground, natural or artificial, which are situated
wholly or partly within the jurisdiction of the State of Nebraska which
drain to, or affect a junction with other waters draining to the Mis -
souri River from the territory within the Missouri River Watershed.
'Water Supply Meter* shall mean any meter used on any water
supply line supplying water to a premise from any source whether
municipal or private, that is, meters on service branches from the
municipal water mains, meters on the service branches from private
water company water mains, meters on lines from wells and any
other meters that shall be determined by the City of Omaha's City
Sanitary Engineer.
'Normal Sewage' shall mean sewage that, when discharged in the
Papillion Creek Plant service area sewer system, contains not over
300 ppm of suspended solids (2, 500) pounds per million gallon and
contains not over 240 ppm of the B. O. D., by weight (2, 000) pounds
per million gallon,, or; when discharged in the Missouri River Plant
service area sewer system, contains not over 400 ppm of suspended
solids (3,332) pounds per million gallons, and which does not con-
tain any of the materials or substances as follows:
1). Any liquid or vapor having a temperature higher than 150°
fahrenhelt, except where the volume of discharge represents a
significant portion of the flow to a particular sewer, a lower
limit may be prescribed by resolution of the Omaha City Council
to prevent odor nuisances.
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G-6
2). Wastes having a pH II-SB than 6.5 or greater than 9.75 or
otherwise having chemical properties which arc hazardous or
capable of causing damage to the sewage works or personnel.
3). Insoluble oils, fats, and grease, HO called n-hexane (B.P.67°-70°c)
oils may be admitted to the extent of 100 ppm, recoverable
(833 Ibs. per million gallon) provided subsequent dilution in
the sewers or treatment plant docs not result in separation.
4). Any solvent, liquid or gas which by reason of its major
quantity may cause fire or explosion.
5). Any solvent or viscose material which could cause an ob-
struction to the flow in the sewers, or in any way interfere
with the treatment processes; in part being such items or
material as: ashes, wax, paraffin, cinders, sand, mud, straw,
shavings, metal, blood, grease, rags, lint, feathers, tar, plastics,
wood, sawdusts, lubricants, hair, fleshings, and paunch manure,
entrails, lime slurrys, beer and distillery slops, grain pro-
cessing wastes, grinding combinations, accetylene generation,
sludge, chemical residues, acid residues, and food processing
bulk solids.
6). Wastes contming phenolic compounds over .50 ppm express-
ed as phenol.
7). Wastes containing cyanides or compounds capable of libera-
ting hydrocyanic acid gas over 2 ppm expressed as hydrogen
cyanide.
8). Wastes containing sulfides over 10 ppm expressed as hydro-
gen sulfide.
9). Wastes containing solutions of metals of such concentration
as to have an adverse affect upon the sewage works, treatment
process, or receiving stream.
10). Septic tanks sludge, from residential dwellings, except
that such sludges may be discharged into selected treatment
plants at locations designated by the City Sanitary Engineer,
for this purpose.
11). Any corrosive, noxious or malodorous material or sub-
stance which, either singularly or by reaction with other wastes,
causes or may cause damage to the sewage works or constitutes,
or may constitute a public nuisance or hazard or is of such
nature as to prevent entry into or about the sewers for main-
tenance and repair thereof.
12). Concentrated dye wastes and other wastes that are either
highly colored or may become highly colored by reacting with
other wastes.
13). Any material or substance not specifically mentioned in
this section which is in itself corrosive, irritating to human
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G-7
beings and animals, toxic or noxious, or which by intcrraction
with other wastes could produce effects harmful to health and
general welfare, including in part deleterious action on the sew-
age works, adversely affect any treatment process, constitute a
hazard to human or animal or have an adverse effect upon the
receiving st ream.
14). Chlorinated solvents.
'Shall' is mandatory and 'may1 is permissive.
'Paunch Manure' The material found in the upper stomachs or paunch-
es of cattle containing feed the animal ate some hours before it was
slaughtered plus gastric or digestive excretions within the animal.
*(ppm)' denotes parts per million.
'Surcharge' a charge in addition to Sewer Service Charge for any
sewage or industrial wastes other than 'normal' sewage, entering the
sewage system.
"51.18.020 Rules and Regulations — Adoption. With the authoriza-
tion of the City Council, the City Sanitary Engineer shall make the
Rules and Regulations establishing the types and characteristics of
sewage, industrial wastes and other matter which shall not be dis-
charged into the City of Omaha Sewerage System, and the types and
characteristics of sewage and industrial wastes admissible to the
City of Omaha Sewerage System only after pre-treatment; and other-
wise governing the discharge of sewage and other matter into the City
of Omaha Sewerage System in the interest of the safe and efficient
operation of said system. Said Rules and Regulations shall be adopt-
ed by resolution by the City Council, City of Omaha, a copy of which
shall be on file with the City Clerk, City of Omaha.
"51.18.030 Surcharge - Special Surcharge. There is hereby charged
to each lot, parcel of land, building or premises discharging sewage
industrial wastes, water or other liquid, other than 'Normal Sewage',
either:
1). Into the City of Omaha Sewerage System;
2). Into a stream; or,
3). In a manner contrary to law.
A surcharge established herein, in addition to the charge now or
hereafter fixed for 'Normal Sewage'. The basis of the surcharge
shall be determined on each of three constituents of the water or
wastes:
a). Total suspended solids as herein provided; and
b). B.O. D., five (5) days at 20 degree centigrade where
applicable as outlined elsewhere in this section.
c). Recoverable grease and as herein provided.
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G-8
When anyone or all of the total suspended solids B. O. D., and recover'
able grease of a water or wastes accepted for admission to the city
sewage works exceeds the values of these constituents for 'normal1
sewage, the excess concentration in each case shall be evaluated
volumetrically in terms of 'Normal' sewage and be subject to sur-
charge on the volume derived in accordance with the following:
MISSOURI RIVER PLANT SERVICE AREA.
Sv = (Sw - 3332) x .65 x F x 133690
3332
Sv - F ( (Sw - 3332) 26.8 ) Suspended Solids
B. O.D. shall not be a factor in determining surcharge rates
until the Missouri River Plant effluent becomes a factor
for consideration by Regulatory Agencies or until it
effects inplant operation and efficiency, then limits
shall be set and approved by resolution of City Council
of the City of Omaha.
Sv - (Gw - 833) x . 70 x F x 133690
833
Sv - F ( (Gw - 833) 112 ) Grease
Where Sv is the derived volume of wastes in cubic feet subject to
surcharge.
Sw is pounds per million gallons of suspended solids from the wastes
as discharged.
3332 - the pounds per million gallons of suspended solids in the
'Normal1 Sewage.
Gw - is pounds per million gallons of grease from the wastes as
discharged.
833 - the pounds per million gallons of grease in 'Normal' Sewage.
0.65 - factor allowance for 65% degree of purification of suspended
solids.
0.70 - factor allowance for 70% degree of purification of grease.
F - the flow expressed in million gallons of the waste discharged.
133,690 - is equal to the factor to convert million gallons to cubic
feet.
THE PAPILLION CREEK PLANT SERVICE AREA
Sv =• (Sw - 2500) x . 90 x F x 133690
2500
Sv = F ( (Sw - 2500) 48 ) Suspended Solids
Sv ~(Bw - 2000) x .85 x F x 133690
2000
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G-9
Sv=-F ( (Bw - 2000) .57 ) D.O.D.
Sv - (Gw - 833) x .70 x F x 133690
Sv - F ( (Gw - 833) 112 ) Grease
NOTE:
Where Sv is the derived volume of wastes in cubic feet subject to
surcharge.
Sw is pounds per million gallons of suspended solids from the wastes
as discharged.
2500 - the pounds per million gallons of suspended solids in the
•Normal1 Sewage.
Bw - is pounds per million gallons of B. O. D., in the wastes as
discharged.
2000 - the pounds per million gallons of B. O. D., in 'Normal' Sewage.
Gw - is the pounds per million gallons of grease from the wastes as
discharged.
833 - the pounds per million gallons of grease in 'Normal' Sewage.
0.90 - factor allowance for 90% degree of purification of suspended
solids.
0.85 - factor allowance for 85% degree of purification of B.O. D.
0.70 - factor allowance for 70% degree of purification of grease.
F - the flow expressed in million gallons of the waste discharged.
133,690 - is equal to the factor to convert million gallons to cubic
feet.
The equivalent volume of 'normal1 sewage as derived from the excess
above the normal strength of any water and waste shall be subject to
a surcharge for the volume of equivalent 'normal* sewage as comput-
ed from the formula for the Missouri River Plant Service Area at
a flat rate of $ .0085 for each one hundred cubic feet on the highest
single value applicable to the contributing wastes as above computed.
The equivalent volume of 'normal1 sewage as derived from the excess
above the normal strength of any water and waste shall be subject to
a surcharge for the volume of equivalent 'normal1 sewage as comput-
ed from the formula for the Papillion Creek Plant Service Area at
the flat rate of $ .0175 for each one hundred cubic feet on the high-
est single value applicable to the contributing wastes as above com-
puted.
No statement contained in this Section shall be construed as prevent-
ing any special agreement or arrangement between the City of Omaha
and any industrial concern whereby an industrial waste of unusual
strength of character may be accepted by the City of Omaha for
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G-10
treatment, subject to payment therefore by the industrial concern.
Discharge of wastes from packing industry, in excess of 'Normal1
Sewage shall be subject to surcharge rates as stipulated in this
Section.
The rate of surcharge in addition to the surcharge for disposal
of paunch manure and normal Sewage Service Charge shall be
determined on each of the three constituents of the water or wastes:
a). Total suspended solids; and,
b). B. 0. 0. five (5) day at 20 degree centigrade.
c). Recoverable grease being defined as 70% of the total
grease by n-hexane (B.P. 67° - 70° c ) extraction and
as herein provided.
NOTE: No surcharge shall be charged on the B.0.0. for the
the Missouri River Plant Service Area; it being understood
that if the B.O.D. in the plant effluent becomes a factor
of consideration by Regulatory Agencies or effects inplant
operation and efficiency, then new limits shall be established
on B.O.D. admissible to the sewer system. Limits so set shall
be as recommended by the City Sanitary Engineer and approved
by resolution of the City Council, City of Omaha.
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The highest volume value in cubic feet of either ,a), b), or c), times
the rate for each 100 cubic feet of water or wastes, shall be the rate
of surcharge.
"51.18.040 Unlawful Dinpoaition of Wastes. It shall be unlawful for
any person to place, deposit, or permit to be deposited in an unsani-
tary manner upon'public or private property within the City of Omaha
or in any area under the jurisdiction of such city, any human or
animal excrement, garbage, or other objectionable wastes. It shall
be unlawful to discharge into any natural outlet channel within the
City of Omaha or in any area under the jurisdiction of such city, any
water or wastes containing a toxic or poisonous substance in suffic-
ient quantity to constitute a hazard to humans, animals or fish, or
any noxious or malodorous gas or substance constituting a public
nuisance.
Storm water and all other unpolluted drainage shall be discharged in-
to such sewers as are specifically designated as combined sewers or
storm sewers, 'or to natural outlets approved by the Chief Plumbing
Inspector of Permits and Inspections Division of the Public Safety
Department of the City of Omaha. Commercial and Industrial un-
polluted cooling water or unpolluted process waters may be discharg'
ed upon approval of the City Sanitary Engineer of the City of Omaha
to a storm sewer combination or natural outlet.
"51.18.050 Discharge of Water or Waste in Public Sewer. Except
as herein provided, no persons shall discharge or cause to be dis-
charged any of the following described waters or wastes to any pub-
lic sewer in the Papillion Creek Service Area.
1. Any wastes having a five (5) day B.O.D., greater than 240
parts per million (ppm) by weight, or
2. Containing more than 300 parts per million (ppm) by weight
of suspended solids, or
3. Any wastes or water having temperature higher than 150°
fahrenheit. (65 centigrade).
4. Any water or wastes which may contain more than (100) one-
hundred parts per million (ppm) recoverable by weight fat,
oil or grease.
5. Any gasoline, benzine, naphtha, fuel, oil, paint, or other
flammable or explosive liquid, solid or gas.
6. Any garbage that has not been properly shredded.
7. Any ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal,
glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastic, wood, lubricants, or
any other solids, or viscose substance capable of causing
obstruction to the flow in sewers or other interference with
the proper operation of the sewage works'.
8. .Any water or wastes having a pH lower than (6. 5) or higher
than (9.75), or having any other corrosive property capable
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of causinp damage or hazard to structures, equipment, and
personnel of the sew.igc works.
9. Any waters or wastes, containing
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personnel of the sewage works.
9. Any waters or wastes, containing a toxic or poisonous substance
in sufficient quantity to injure or interfere with any sewage treat-
ment process, constitute a hazard to humans or animals, or
create any hazard in the receiving waters of the sewage treat-
ment plant.
10. Blood in sufficient quantities so as to cause discoloration of
Missouri River Plant Plant effluent.
H. Any waters or wastes containing suspended solids of such chara-
cter and quantity that ur.usual attention or expense is required to
handle such material at the sewage treatment plant.
12. Gut casings, fleshings, entrails, paunch manure, pen manures, hair
and bone.
13. Any noxious or malodorous gas or substance capable of creating a
public nuisance. Under no condition will any of the mimmums set
forth in this chapter be maintained by dilution without the specific
permission of the City Sanitary Engineer.
"51.18.060 Interceptors - When Provided. Grease, oil, and sand
separators on interceptors shall be provided when they are necessary
in the opinion of the City Sanitary Engineer and with the approval of
the Chief Plumbing Inspector of the Permits and Inspections Divi-
sion of the Public Safety Department of the City of Omaha for the
proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease and excessive a-
mounts of any flammable wastes, sand and other harmful ingredients,
except that such interceptors shall not be required for private living
quarters or dwelling units. All interceptors shall be of a type and
capacity approved by the City Sanitary Engineer and the Chief Plumb-
ing Inspector of the Plumbing Section of the Permits and Inspections
Division of the City of Omaha and shall be located as to be readily
and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection.
"51.18.070 Interceptors - Maintenance. Where installed, all
grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be maintained by the owner
or persons in possession at his expense in continuous efficient
operation at all times.
"51.18.080 Waste Disposition - Requirements. The admission into
the public sewers of any waters or wastes.
1). Having a five (5) day B.O.D., greater than the stipulated
parts per million (ppm) by weight in Section 51.18.050 and
Section 51.18.P55.
2). Containing more than the stipulated parts per million (ppm)
by weight of suspended solids or item, as set forth in Section
51.18.050 and Section 51.18.055.
3). Containing any quantity or substances having a character-
istic described in Section 51.18.010, as herein provided, or
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4). Having an average fluily flow greater than 2% of the average
daily sewage flow of the city.
shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Sanitary
Engineer.
Where necessary, the owner shall provide, at his expense, such pre-
liminary treatment as may be necessary to:
a). Reduce the B.O. D. and the suspended solids to limits per-
mitted in various treatment plant service areas.
b). Reduce objectionable characteristics or constituents to
within the maximum limits provided for in Section 51.18.110,
or control the quantity and rates of discharge of such waters
or wastes. Plans, specifications, and any other pertinent
information relating to proposed preliminary treatment facili-
ties shall be submitted for the approval of the City Sanitary
Engineer and no construction of such facilities shall be commenc-
ed until said approval is obtained in writing.
"51.18.090 Preliminary Treatment Facilities - Maintenance. Where
preliminary treatment facilities are provided tor any waters or
wastes, they shall be maintained continuously in satisfactory and
effective operation by or in behalf of the owner at his expense and
without any expense to the city.
"51.18.100 Manholes - Required - When. Where or when required
by the City Sanitary Engineer, the owner of any property served by
a building sewer carrying industrial wastes shall install a suitable
control manhole in the building sewer to facilitate observation,
sampling and measurement of the combined waste, such manhole
when required, shall be accessible and safely located, and shall be
of standard construction in accordance with plans and specifications
of the City of Omaha. The manhole shall be installed by or in behalf
of the owner at his expense and without expense to the City, it shall
be maintained by him, so as to be safe and accessible at all times.
"51.18.^10 Sampling and Measurement. All measurements, tests,
and analysis of the characteristics of the water and wastes to which
reference is made in Section 51.18.010, as above, shall be deter-
mined in accordance with 'Standard Method for Examination of Water
and Waste Water, and shall be determined at the control manhole
provided for in Section 51.18.100, or upon suitable samples taken at
said manhole, at the expense of the City and owner, as outlined in
the Rules and Regulations which are a part of this Chapter. In the
event that no special manhole has been required, the control man-
hole shall be considered to be the nearest downstream manhole in
the public sewer to the point at which the building sewer is connected.
"51.18.120 Permit Required. No person shall discharge wastes
except normal sewage, as defined in this Chapter, from any commer-
cial or industrial establishment into the City sewers without a permit
from the Chief Plumbing Inspector of the Plumbing Section of the
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Permits and Inspections Division of the City of Omaha, of the Public
Safety Department, after approval of application by City Sanitary
Engineer. Application to permit the discharge of commercial and
industrial wastes into the sewer system shall be filed in writing,
upon forms provided, with the City Sanitary Engineer and shall pro-
vide at least information including in part: the name, address,
telephone number of the applicant; type of products handled or manu-
factured; the quantity of wastes included, seasonally, weekly, daily
or regarding variations; and the chemical, physical and other chara-
cteristics of the wastes; all as requested on the forms provided for
by the City of Omaha for this purpose; and any other pertinent nec-
essary information. If, after examining the information contained in
the application, it is determined by the City Sanitary Engineer that
the characteristics of the proposed discharge do conform with the
provisions of this Chapter, a permit shall be issued by the Chief
Plumbing Inspector of the Plumbing Section of the Permits and In-
spections Division of the Public Safety Department of the City of
Omaha, allowing the discharge of such wastes into the City Sewer
system; but, if after it is determined by the City Sanitary Engineer
that the characteristics of the wastes are not in compliance with the
provisions of this Chapter, no permit shall be issued. Any such per-
mit may be revoked for cause at any time upon giving the holder
thirty (30) days written notice by the Chief Plumbing Inspector of the
•Permits and Inspections Division of the Public Safety Department of
the City of Omaha.
"51.18.130 Inspection Authority. Any duly authorized representative
of the City Sanitary Engineer or the Plumbing Section of the Permits
and Inspection Division of the Public Safety Department possessing
proper credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter all
properties at reasonable times for the purpose of inspection, observ-
ation, measurement, sampling and testing; in accordance with the
provisions of this Chapter.
"51.18.140 Penalties.
1). The owner of any commercial or industrial establishment found
to be violating any provisions of this Chapter shall be notified in
writing by the Chief Plumbing Inspector of the Permits and Inspect-
ions Division of the Public Safety Department, of the City of Omaha,
stating the nature of the violation and providing a reasonable time
limit for the correction thereof. The owner of such establishment
shall permanently cease all violations within the period of time
stated in the notice, and shall certify to the City Sanitary Engineer
that the corrections have been accomplished.
2). The owner of any commercial or industrial establishment
violating any provisions of this Chapter, who shall continue such
violation beyond the time limit provided in subsection 1, above, shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction be fined not less
than $5. 00 nor more than $500. 00 or be sentenced to no more than
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90 days in jail, or both, for each offense, at the discretion of the
court, and every such person, or persons, firm or corporation, shall
be deemed guilty of a separate offense for every day on which such
violation shall continue.
3.). In cases of repeated violation, the City Sanitary Engineer shall
request the Chief Plumbing Inspector of the Permits and Inspections
Division of the Public Safety Department of the City of Omaha to re-
voke the permit for the discharge of the wastes into the sewer system.
4). Any person violating any of the provisions of this Chapter shall
be liable to the City for any expense, loss and damage incurred as a
result of such violation.
"51.18.150 Rates - Changes. The City Council, in order to main-
tain solvency and equity in the Surcharge Revenue Fund, may raise
or Ipwer the sewage surcharge rate, upon recommendation of the
City Sanitary Engineer, based upon supporting data and with proper
allocation to the various factors involved.
"51.18.160 Surcharge a Lien on Property - Recovery. Where the
sewage surcharge established herein is not paid, or the rules or
regulations promulgated by the City Sanitary Engineer pursuant to
this Chapter, or the provisions of Chapter 51.20 of the Omaha Muni-
cipal Code are not complied with, the City of Omaha shall have the
right to remove or close sewer connections at the expense of the
owner, until payment is made, or the rules and regulations of the
City of Omaha are complied with. If the Sewage Surcharge so estab-
lished is not paid when due, such sum may be recovered by the City
in a civil action; or it may be assessed against the premises served,
and constitute a lien thereon and be collected in the same manner as
other special assessments.
"51.18.170 Surcharge - Date - Applicable. The surcharge for sew-
age service established herein shall start and be made applicable on
all sewer accounts on the date of the adoption of this Chapter, ex-
cept as otherwise provided herein.
"51.18.180 Appeals. Any person aggrieved by the issuance, denial,
suspension, cancellation or revocation of any permit provided for in
this Chapter may, within five (5) days of the receipt of written notice
of the entry of such order, appeal to the Administrative Appeals
Board by complying with the provisions of Chapter 4. 08 of the Omaha
Municipal Code. Notification of the order of denial, suspension or
revocation shall be made in writing and personally delivered or sent
by registered mail. Such order shall not become effective until the
expiration of the time for appeal. Pending the determination of such
appeal, the operation of any order of suspension, cancellation or
revocation shall be stayed. The operation of any order denying a
permit or the renewal thereof shall likewise be stayed and the appli-
cant ..for such permit shall be permitted to continue in business pend-
ing the determination of such appeal. "
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"$1.18.185 Compliance - Time When. The provisions of Chapter 51.18
of the Omaha Municipal Code shall be complied with on December 15, 1966.
"51.16.190 Severability. If any section, paragraph, clause, phrase,
provision, or part of portion of any section, clause or provision of
this Chapter, or the application thereof to any person or circumstances
held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such invalidity or unconstitution-
ality shall not affect the validity or application or any other section,
paragraph, clause, phrase, provision or part of the portion of this Chapter.
Section 2. This Ordinance shall be in full force and take effect
fifteens(15) days from and after the date of its passage.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMAN
APPROVED BY:
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF OMAHA DATE
PASSED:.
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF OMAHA
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CITY ATTORNEY
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APPENDIX H
INTERIM UPGRADING TREATMENT MEASURES
FOR
MISSOURI RIVER WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
EXISTING PAPILLION CREEK WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
CENTRAL WASTEWATER PRETREATMENT FACILITY
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INTERIM UPGRADING TREATMENT MEASURES
A. INTRODUCTION
The City of Omaha is planning to provide secondary treatment at both
the Missouri River and Papillion Creek Wastewater Treatment Plants. The
State has required that these facilities he available by'31 December 1975;
the source of funds is uncertain, and it is questionable whether this
deadline can be met.
In order to prevent the present gross pollution of the Missouri River
and its tributaries from continuing until the new plants are constructed
(December 1975), it is recommended that interim steps be taken to upgrade
treatment levels and reduce pollution.
With this objective in mind, the available data on these two plants
were analyzed. The uppradinR interim measures that could significantly
improve effluent quality are sugccsted on the following pap.es. The cost
of these measures will be only a snail percentape of that to be incurred
in providing secondary treatment. In most cases, the upgrading measures
taken would be consistent with the overall treatment plans and will still
be effective when secondary treatment is provided. The modifications
suggested could be in operation within six months of a decision to
proceed with a course of action.
Inasmuch as the Central Wastewater Pretrpatment Facility nrovidos
a significant proportion of the wastewater to the ''issouri River '.7WT?,
measures are also su^pested tli.it will improve its effluent quality.
It is not the- function of the Fedpra] Coverntuo.nt to sprve as a con-
sultant. The d.itn from this survcv wnrc not analyzed in dentil, as would
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be necessary to provide firm recommendations. The analysis did, however,
indicate that significant improvements could be made for a relatively
modest expenditure of funds. It is recommended that a competent con-
sultant be hired by the City of Omaha to consider these suggestions and
other possible interim upgrading techniques.
B. MISSOURI RIVER WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
Analysis of the data available on the Missouri River Wastewater
Treatment Plant disclosed that, at 26.1 mgd with three of the eight
clarifiers in service, the overflow rate in the primary clarifiers was
2
769 gpd/ft . The average overall BOD removal was about 20 percent, the
suspended-solids removal was 26 percent, and only 11 percent of the oil
and grease was removed.
Septic conditions in the north influent wastewater caused bubbling
and, evidently, flotation in the primary settlers. This probably ac-
counted, in part, for the poor removals. Until this problem is corrected,
it is unlikely that any other treatment can significantly improve removals,
The septicity of influent wastewater is a significant problem in many
areas of the country. In addition to degrading the effectiveness of
treatment, septicity causes corrosion of interceptors and odor problems
at the plant. One of the least expensive methods for solving the problem
*
was discussed by Laughlin. In this case history the problem was solved
by the injection of air into a force main that delivered wastewater to
the plant. This procedure seems particularly appropriate for the Missouri
* James E. Laughlin. "Studies in Force Main Aeration. " Journal of the
Sanitary Engineering Division, American Society of Civil Engineers.
December 196A.
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River WWTP since air can be injected into the pump discharpc at one or
more of the lift stations. Although the referenced article discusses a
project started i'n 1962, the technology has not changed appreciably
since then.
Air injection could account for sipnificant improvement in the
plant effluent quality. It not only would eliminate the naturally
occuring undesirable flotation in the primary clarifiers but also could
stablize some of the organic material in the force main. Alternate
procedures that could control septicity include the use of oxygen instead
of air, chemical treatment, or chlorination; however, air injection is
simple and straightforward, and is probably the least-cost solution
to the problem.
There is no doubt that injection of enough air in the force mains
will solve the septicity problem. Further improvement in effluent
quality could undoubtedly be obtained by the addition of chemicals before
primary sedimentation. Jar tests should be conducted to determine appro-
priate chemicals and optimum dosages. Adequate mixing would have to
be provided.
C. EXISTING PAPILLION CREEK WASTEHATER TREATMENT PLANT
As mentioned previously, the Papillion Creek Wastewater Treatment
Plant is grossly overloaded. Even with design flow (18 mp,d) passing
2
through the primary clarlfiers, the overflow rate would be l.OSO pNpd/ft .
This overloads the clarifiers by a factor of at least two. At a flow of
2
27.3 mgd the overflow rate is 4,670 gncl/ft .
The activated sludgr plant, at 11 HP;'', has nn aeration time of
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2.77 hr which Is probably not adequate if the conventional plug flow
arrangement is used.
The purpose of the "aeration basin" used to treat all primary ef-
fluent in excess of 13 mgd is vague. Even if this were converted to an
aeration basin in the activated sludge system, the total aeration time
would be only 1.76 hr (at 27.3 mgd). This is insufficient time using
any modification of the activated sludge process.
The final clarifiers, at a flow of 18 ragd, have an overflow rate
of 1,020 gpd/ft2. At 27.3 mgd the overflow rate is 1,545 gpd/ft2. With
a well-settling activated sludge (long aeration time), the former value
may be barely adequate. The latter value would not be adequate under
any circumstances. The increase in suspended solids from the influent
concentration to that of the effluent is probably caused by the gener-
ation of biological solids in the aeration basin that have no change of
settling in the final clarifier.
As an interim solution some of the existing tankage could be used
to equalize the flow, and other tanks be used to provide primary treatment
2
with an overflow rate of 600 to 800 gpd/ft . The addition of chemicals
(as determined by jar test) should result in suspended-solids removals
in excess of 75 percent and BOD removal of about 50 percent. With the
present configuration and load, chemically assisted primary treatment
will provide better removals than secondary treatment as now practiced.
D. CENTRAL WASTEWATER PRETREATMENT FACILITY
Analysis of the data on the Central Wastewater Pretreatment Facility
disclosed that, at the average maximum flow of 7.5 mgd, the overflow rate
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2
in the sedimentation basins is 1,375 gpcl/ft . The overflow rate in the
2
air flotation unit is O.fiS Rpm/ft , and the detention time in this unit
is 13S minutes. The KPA Design Tlanual on Suspended Solids Removal recom-
2
mends an overflow rate of 1-6 rrnm/ft anrl a detection time of 10-40 min-
utes for the" air-flotation process. The lonp detention time could he
causing break-up of the floe and reduction in solids removal.
The facility obtains 60 percent removal of suspended solids,
60 percent of COD, 61 percent of VSS, and 88 percent removal of oil and
grease. It is difficult to explain the minus 19 percent BOD removal.
Except for BOD, these removal efficiencies represent good performance
for a primary plant.
With the information available, a specific course of action to
improve removals at this plant can not bn made. There are, however,
several possible courses of action that could be effective. These
are discussed in the following paragraphs:
*
1. A report on the meat industry states that both polyelectrolytes
and alum improve separation of oil and grease in a flotation
unit. Ferric iron can also be effective in this application.
In addition to promoting flocculation, these chemicals help
in breaking up enulsions. Adequate mixing of the chemicals
must be provided
2. A long detention time and slow foam skimmer speed in the flota-
tion unit could both re-enter the water phase and work toward
denradation of product nualitv hv allowing the foam to break up.
* A. J. Steffen. Waste Disposal in tlic. Iteat Indus tri i. Water and Wastes
Enpineerinn. March and May, 1970.
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Small-scale experimentation could determine if either of these
factors is limiting removal efficiency.
3. The report by Steffin states that a typical range of grease
concentration from a meat-packing plant is 200-1,000 mg/1, as
opposed to the range of 120^-7 ,400 mg/1 in the raw wastewater
entering the Central Wastewater Pretreatment Facility. Improved
housekeeping and dry waste recovery (particularly of paunch
manure) in the meat-packing plants that contribute wastes would
undoubtedly reduce the load to the pretreatment facility and
improve effluent quality.
4. Because of the production processes of the waste source, the
flow rate varies widely over a 24-hr period. Equalization of the
flow rate to reduce the peaks would provide better effluent
quality.
Implementation of one or more of the preceding procedures should allow
the pretreatment facility to meet the State standards for suspended
solids and oil and grease to 400 mg/1 and 1,800 Ib/day, respectively.
The oil-and-grease discharge, however, is equivalent to 288 mg/1 in a flow
of 7.5 mgd. The roughing filter planned for the Missouri River WWTP
(in 1975 or later) will probably reduce this concentration such that the
activated sludge plant can meet the standards being set by EPA for sec-
ondary treatment. In the meantime, the high levels of oil and grease
discharged from the Central Wastewater Pretreatment Facility will likely
continue to pollute the Missouri River.
* A. J. Steffen. Ibid.
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