Effluent Standards for Mine Discharges

Section 406 Section 406.106  Effluent Standards for Mine Discharges a)         The effluent limitations in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 304 do not apply to mine discharges or non-point source mine discharges. b)         Except as provided in Sections 406.109 and 406.110, a mine discharge effluent must not exceed the following levels: Constituent Concentration Acidity (total acidity must not exceed total alkalinity) Iron (total) 3.5 mg/L Lead (total) 1 mg/L Ammonia Nitrogen (as N) 5 mg/L pH (range) 6-9 Zinc (total) 5 mg/L Fluoride (total) 15 mg/L Total suspended solids 35 mg/L Manganese 2.0 mg/L 1)         The ammonia nitrogen standard applies only to discharges from facilities using ammonia in wastewater treatment. 2)         The manganese effluent limitation applies only to discharges from facilities where chemical addition is required to meet the iron or pH effluent limitations.  The upper limit of pH must be 10 for any facility unable to comply with the manganese limit at pH 9.  The manganese standard is not applicable to mine discharges associated with areas where no active mining, processing, or refuse disposal has taken place since May 13, 1976. c)         New source coal mines are subject to a total iron limitation of 3.0 mg/L in addition to the requirements of subsection (b).