Water Quality-Based Effluent Limits

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Chapter 6Water Quality-Based EffluentLimitsPermit writers must consider the impact of every proposed surface waterdischarge on the quality of the receiving Water . Water quality goals for a Water bodyare defined by State Water quality standards. A permit writer may find, by analyzingthe effect of a discharge on the receiving Water , that technology- based permit limitsare not sufficiently stringent to meet these Water quality standards. In such cases, theCWA and EPA regulations require development of more stringent, Water quality -basedeffluent Limits (WQBEL) designed to ensure that Water quality standards are met.

Chapter 6 Water Quality-Based Effluent Limits 6.1 Overview of Water Quality Standards WQBELs involve a site-specific evaluation of the discharge and its effect on the receiving water. A WQBEL is designed to protect the quality of the receiving water by ensuring that State water quality standards are met. To understand how to develop

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