Capabilities of Air Force Wastewater Treatment Plants in Complying with Projected Regulatory Requirements.

摘要

One of the major environmental regulations that directly affects the Air Force is the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA). The 1972 FWPCA amendments set forth a series of national goals regarding water quality. The main mechanism for achieving these goals was the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). NPDES is a program requiring dischargers to limit the quantity of pollutants discharged into the receiving waters. This research effort predicts changes in future NPDES permit requirements, and evaluated the capabilities of Air Force wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in meeting those future requirements. It was found that future permit requirements will likely include de-chlorination, nutrient removal and possibly metal removal. It was also found that current WWTPs will not be able to meet these requirements. Also, several states are now developing new water quality assessment criteria. Wastewater, Environment, Pollution, Regulations.