STREAMLINING THE PERMIT PROCESS FOR LAND APPLICATION OF FOOD-PROCESSING WASTEWATER

The food-processing industry contributes significantly to California's economy, and also generates a considerable volume of high-strength wastewater that must be treated and disposed. To discharge recycled effluent to land, Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) must be obtained from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board). The Regional Board adopts WDRs based on information provided by the applicant in a Report of Waste Discharge (RWD). This paper describes the information that is required in the RWD, and indicates how to provide the necessary data in a suitable format. Specific examples are cited for a variety of food processors and a number of land application programs. Suggestions for facilitating the permitting process and evaluating proposed impacts are presented. By providing the required information in the RWD, and preparing a wastewater land application design that provides reasonable loading rates that protect groundwater quality, the process of obtaining WDRs can be streamlined.