Stormwater 101: What and Why Wastewater Operators Need To Know About Stormwater at WRRFs

The Atlanta DWM recently conducted training for Water Resources Recovery Facilities (WRRFs) personnel to facilitate compliance with the Georgia General Permit GAR050000, Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity. WRRFs treating domestic sewage with a design flow of 1.0 mgd or more, having an approved pretreatment program as required by 40 CFR Part 403, or having land dedicated to the disposal of sewage sludge with the confines of the facility, are considered industries under the General Permit, as well as under the federal Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) program upon which the General Permit is based.The following stormwater discussion focuses on Georgia-specific Sector T, Treatment Works, requirements, but includes examples from other states to illustrate the range of regulations applicable to WRRFs across the country. Operational and regulatory compliance lessons learned from the authors’ experience in Georgia and other states is provided to improve designs for new or rehabilitated WRRFs.