Stormwater quality from metal recycling pad.

[lindbls]

I'm looking for information on the quality of runoff from a asphalt area used to temporarily stockpile recyclable metal. We're evaluating how best to handle this water. Can we treat the water using stormwater treatment technologies ("Stormfilters", wet ponds, bioretention facilities, etc), or do we need to send to a nearby leachate system?

The site is a closed landfill with existing leachate collection system. However, a pump station and 800ft force main is needed to connect.

Our Environmental health staff indicated they are most concerned about TSS, Oils/Grease, and metals.

 

[orenda1168]

Contact Dave Orlebeke, Aquatic Technologies at 541-557-4108 for treatment options.

Orenda

Orenda

 

[greenone]

So, it sounds as if you have no analytical data? Can you not ensure the metal is raised up, on a pallet or wood blocks and cover it? If you do that, generally you can go to storm. You can also circle the metal with some oil absorbent booms to lessen the chance of O&G in the runoff. Does the site have a NPDES or SPDES permit? What does the permit require? Are there numeric effluent limits? Does the runoff go directly to a storm pipe, or just sheet drain to an unpaved area?
Depending on your answers, ttreatment may not be needed.

 

[DMcGrath]

You will surely need some benchmark sampling up front to quantify what is actually in the waste stream. If this is in the US, the application process for this would require an EPA Form 2-F submittal, which has the benchmark sampling requirements. Once that is done and reviewed by your state environmental agency, they will determine how much treatment is required and what levels of each contaminant you are allowed to discharge to the stormwater system. It may end up that the flow from your site is so contaminated that a full treatment system may be required, so it may be more cost-effective to pump to the leachate system. Even then, you will have to make the receiving treatment works aware and they may have limits as well.

 

[lindbls]

We have no existing water quality data. The existing recycling area is flat area on native soil. There is no collection.
As we construct our new aphalt pad to stockpile the metal on, we'll begin collecting runoff data for analysis. We'll base a decision on how to handle the water once we do get a baseline the water quality.
Thanks for the feedback.

 

[blueoak]

As greenone suggests covering your metal is the best option. Not only do you not have treatment requirements then, but also you can quite often stay out of the whole permitting and regulating requirements that are only getting more time consuming for industries (not that I do not necessarily disagree after working with recyclers especially car recylcing).

As for treatment, some places benchmark data is not required and only opens an unending path in trying to figure out how to get the permits done and the site fixed. If you want to treat the Stormvault/Stormfilter supposedly has filters that can remove dissolved metals. Your sampling will show problems with the asphalt also.

http://www.contech-cpi.com/stormwater/products/filtration/stormfilter/media/51

I think that as for stormwater quality programs go Wisconsin is one of the best technically. California and Maryland have some good info too, but Wisconsin ran some really advanced tests on pollution from different ladn uses and different treatments and have some specific info on metal recycling. I would contact their staff directly if you want examples of pollutants they found.

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/wm/nps/stormwater.htm