Permitting of Improvement Projects at Wastewater Treatment Plants for Regulatory Air Compliance

Wastewater treatment plant improvements include process optimization, rehabilitation, and installation of new processes. Activities resulting in significant emissions of air pollutants from an improvement (project) will likely require approval of a state agency. The extent of the permitting effort at a plant is related to the new air pollutants emitted, quantity of emissions, air quality area designation, existing plant air emissions, air permitting requirements, and emissions controls mandated by regulations.This paper presents the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority's air management program at its Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant and discusses the regulatory complexities of the Biosolids and the Enhanced Nitrogen Removal Projects.Federal and state air regulations associated with the permitting of these projects are discussed such as Nonattainment New Source Review and Prevention of Significant Deterioration programs. Additionally, implications of federally mandated control technology programs focused on limiting emissions and installing control requirements are discussed.