1. When will the chloride water quality standard become effective?

2. Is creating a waterbody variance the only option?

3. What would happen to NPDES and MS4 permit holders if they decide not participate in the Chloride Workgroup (mainly what actions will the IEPA take)?

 

The chloride water quality standard becomes effective July 1, 2018

No. Creating a Waterbody Variance is not the only option. Apart from compliance with the chloride standard, there are three types of regulatory relief available in this instance:

1. Adjusted Standard;

2. Site Specific Standard; and a

3. Variance – Discharger or Waterbody specific.

Adjusted Standards are discharger specific; meaning, each discharger seeking regulatory relief must file individually with the IPCB.
A Site Specific Standard requires individual demonstrations to be made for each of the 13 segments needing relief. It must be demonstrated that the data considered by the IPCB is not representative of that particular segment. Further, enough data must be shown to establish a standard that is representative of that segment.

A Variance can either be individually sought or waterbody specific. A Discharger Specific Variance requires each discharger seeking relief to file individually with the IPCB. A Waterbody Specific Variance allows several dischargers to seek relief for a particular waterbody in one filing before the IPCB.

Upon implementation of the chloride standard, a permittee must demonstrate compliance. If a waterbody is impaired for chlorides, a permittee is prohibited from any additional chloride loading. Projects requiring a 401 certification are also prohibited from any additional loadings.