Southern California POTW Strategies Under EPA´s 301(h) Waiver Program

Late i n 1981 Southern California POTWs (Publicly Owned Treatment Works) received tentative EPA approval for waiver of full secondary treatment requirements for their marine discharges [PL95-217, sec. 301(h) Clean Water Act amendments of 1977]. Approval was based on submittal of extensive compliance documentation demonstrating that eight basic waiver criteria would be met by waste treatment short of full secondary. Extensive and intensive monitoring of marine biology, water quality and human health aspects is integral to a 5-year waiver renewal process. Upstream source control coupled with toxics monitoring assures a cost-effective treatment approach, prior to marine disposal, eliminating significant environmental effects.