The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) has released its second round of draft amendments to Regulation 8, Rule 8: Wastewater Collection and Separation Systems (Rule 8-8). The amendments aim to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and methane from wastewater collection and separation systems as required by BAAQMD’s Best Available Retrofit Control Technology (BARCT) implementation schedule for Assembly Bill 617 (AB 617). BAAQMD is holding a public hearing on December 20, 2023, at 9:00 AM to consider the adoption of the proposed amendments and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Initial Study and Negative Declaration. BAAQMD will accept written and/or email comments on the proposed amendments and supporting documents until 5:00 PM on November 26, 2023.
BAAQMD Rule 8-8 Proposed Amendments
The proposed amendments to Rule 8-8 include the following:
- Expand applicability and emission standards to total organic compounds (TOCs), which includes both methane and VOC emissions;
- Addition of a vapor-tight emission standard (500 ppmv as methane) for applicable wastewater collection and separation system components at refineries;
- Prohibiting the discharge of non-aqueous phase hydrocarbon streams into wastewater collection system components and any free phase organic liquid streams into wastewater secondary treatment process components;
- More stringent leak detection and repair protocols as follows:
- Quarterly inspection of collection and separation components
- Reinspection of any leak repair or minimization within 24 hours
- Monthly inspection of recurring leaks; and
- Repair of leaks within 24 hours if discovered by BAAQMD
- Expanding sampling and monitoring requirements to include source testing requirements on abatement devices and wastewater organic concentration monitoring for refineries;
- Addition of new administrative requirements such as placing unique tags and identification codes on wastewater collection and separation components; and,
- Minor editorial changes.
The public hearing will be held at the BAAQMD’s Headquarters’ Board Room at 375 Beale Street, San Francisco, CA 94105 and via webcast (links and other information will be provided in the “Hearing, Workshop and Other Events” table). Interested parties can read the proposed amended rule language and accompanying documents on BAAQMD’s website. Written comments can be submitted via e-mail to [email protected] by 5:00 PM on November 26, 2023. Comments will also be accepted up to the day of and during the public hearing.
If you would like to discuss the proposed amendments and how they may impact your facility, please contact Trinity’s Oakland office or call 510.285.6351.
