5 Colo. Code Regs. § 1002-32.51
The provisions of C.R S. 25-8-202(1)(a), (b) and (2); 25-8-203; 25-8-204; and 25-8-402; provide the specific statutory authority for adoption of these regulatory amendments. The Commission also adopted in compliance with 24-4-103(4) C.R.S. the following statement of basis and purpose.
BASIS AND PURPOSE
In August of 2005, the Commission adopted revisions to the Basic Standards and Methodologies for Surface Waters (Regulation #31) to add a Water + Fish (W+F) table value standard for chronic arsenic of 0.02 micrograms per liter (µg/L). W+F standards are numeric human health-based water quality standards that are calculated protective values that take into account the combined exposure from the pollutant in drinking water and the pollutant accumulated in fish flesh. This criterion automatically went into effect for Aquatic Life Class 1 waters which also have a Domestic Water Supply use, when the changes to the Basic Standards became effective. It was also adopted on a segment by segment basis for Aquatic Life class 2 waters with Domestic Water Supply where the Commission determined there are fish of a catchable size of species that are normally consumed. Because of the complicated nature of the arsenic standards, specific values were added to the basin tables in the basin hearings between 2006 and 2009.
In this hearing, the Commission adopted temporary modifications for W+F chronic arsenic where a permitted discharger with a water quality-based effluent limit compliance problem exists. The adopted temporary modification is listed in the regulation tables as "As(ch)=hybrid". An explanation of the temporary modification and its expected implementation into control requirements, such as Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS) effluent limitations, is described in 32.6(2)(d). The temporary modification was established by the Commission to allow for a temporarily less stringent application of the chronic arsenic standard in control requirements for both existing discharges and new or increased discharges.
For discharges existing on or before 6/1/2013, the temporary modification adopted for W+F chronic arsenic is "current condition", expiring on 12/31/2021. The Commission intends that, when implementing the temporary modification of "current condition" in a CDPS permit, the Division will assess the current effluent quality, recognizing that it changes over time due to variability in treatment facility removal efficiency and influent loading from natural or anthropogenic sources, and due to changes in the influent flow and concentration over time. Maintaining the current condition will include maintaining permitted total arsenic loading to a treatment facility from arsenic contributors at the levels existing on the effective date of the temporary modification, while expressly allowing for variability in such loading due to changes in effluent quality as described above and due to changes in the influent flow and concentration over time within the permitted design flow of that facility. The Commission understands that the Division's past practice implementing this requirement in permits has been through reporting regarding the arsenic loading to the facility, and not through numeric effluent limitations. The Commission intends that the Division will continue this practice. For facilities that lack enough representative data to quantify arsenic loading, the permittee may satisfy reporting requirements through narrative descriptions of potential sources of arsenic. No permit action shall be approved that allows an increase in permitted total arsenic loading to a treatment facility. The expiration date of the temporary modification was set at 12/31/21 to allow for CDPS permits that are issued prior to the effective date of anticipated changes to the chronic arsenic standard in the 2016 Basic Standards Rulemaking to not have the temporary modification expire within the term of a permit. The Commission adopted this temporary modification to allow time for the Division, dischargers and stakeholders to continue a workgroup process to resolve the uncertainty regarding the appropriateness of the W+F chronic arsenic standard of 0.02 µg/L with respect to a technologically feasible level of treatment.
For new or increased discharges that commence on or after 6/1/2013, the temporary modification adopted is As(ch) = 0.02-3.0 µg/L (Trec), expiring on 12/31/2021. The Commission decided that since the technologically achievable arsenic level is less stringent than the calculated W+F criterion, the temporary modification for new or increased discharges will be a range of 0.02-3.0 µg/L. The first number in the range is the health-based value, based on the Commission's established methodology for human health-based standards that protect against the combined exposure of drinking water and eating fish. The second number in the range is the Commission's initial determination of a technologically achievable value for arsenic, set at 3.0 µg/L. Control requirements, such as discharge permits effluent limitations, shall be established using the first number in the range as the ambient water quality target, provided that no effluent limitation shall require an "end of pipe" discharge level more restrictive than the second number in the range during the effective period for this temporary modification. The expiration date of the temporary modification was set at 12/31/21 to allow for CDPS permits that are issued prior to the effective date of anticipated changes to the chronic arsenic standard in the 2016 Basic Standards Rulemaking to not have the temporary modification expire within the term of a permit. The Commission adopted this temporary modification to allow time for the Division, dischargers and stakeholders to continue a workgroup process to resolve the uncertainty regarding the appropriateness of the W+F chronic arsenic standard of 0.02 µg/L with respect to a technologically feasible level of treatment.
The technologically feasible level of 3.0 µg/L for arsenic is based upon testimony heard by the Commission at the December 13, 2011 Emergency Revisions to Regulation #38. At the December 13, 2011 hearing, the Commission determined, as a practical manner, that 3.0 µg/L is the lowest level that is technologically achievable for common types of water treatment facilities. At the April 8, 2013 Rulemaking, the Commission heard testimony that concurred with the finding from December 13, 2011 that an initial reasonable lower limit of treatment technology for arsenic is 3.0 µg/L, pending further investigation by the Division, dischargers and stakeholders. The Division intends to address the uncertainty of the W+F chronic arsenic standard with respect to a technologically feasible level of treatment through a continued workgroup process, and propose a revised W+F chronic arsenic standards as part of the 2016 Basic Standards Rulemaking Hearing
Temporary modifications were adopted on the following segments. The segments identified have the previously adopted W+F chronic arsenic standard of 0.02 µg/L and an identified CDPS permit or permits that discharge immediately to or directly above the identified segment.
Upper Arkansas River 1b
Upper Arkansas River 3
Upper Arkansas River 5
Upper Arkansas River 12a
Upper Arkansas River 12b
Upper Arkansas River 13
Upper Arkansas River 15
Upper Arkansas River 16c
Upper Arkansas River 17a
Upper Arkansas River 19
Upper Arkansas River 20
Upper Arkansas River 24
Middle Arkansas River 2
Middle Arkansas River 3
Middle Arkansas River 5
Middle Arkansas River 7
Middle Arkansas River 9
Middle Arkansas River 11
Middle Arkansas River 13
Middle Arkansas River 17
Middle Arkansas River 18b
Fountain Creek 1a
Fountain Creek 3a
Fountain Creek 3b
Lower Arkansas River 1b
Lower Arkansas River 1c
Lower Arkansas River 3a
Lower Arkansas River 5a
PARTIES TO THE RULEMAKING HEARING
5 CCR 1002-32.51