AIR QUALITY PERMITTING AND OTHER CLEAN AIR ACT REQUIREMENTS AFFECTING WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES

National air quality regulations have existed in the United States since 1970. However, many wastewater treatment facilities (except for those with combustion sources and a few large facilities) have had little experience in dealing with air regulations. Many wastewater treatment plant operations with air emissions have historically not been required to have air permits, but instead have been able to operate under permit exemptions. Though some have been required to provide periodic air emissions inventories and some have needed to install odor control facilities, wastewater treatment facilities generally have not had to deal with air quality permits or air pollution control. However, this situation has recently changed because of regulations developed pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA).The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA) include the following eleven titles that have been codified into the Clean Air Act.Provisions for Attainment and Maintenance of National Ambient Air Quality Standards.Provisions Relating to Mobile Sources.Hazardous Air PollutantsAcid Deposition ControlPermitsStratospheric Ozone ProtectionProvisions Relating to EnforcementMiscellaneous ProvisionsClean Air ResearchDisadvantaged Business ConcernsClean Air Employment Transition AssistanceThe objective of this paper is to discuss several Title I, III, V, and VII provisions that could affect wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs).