MARCH 1998  VOL. 8, NO. 1  EPA Begins Wastewater Examination By Harvey Pierman, American Spring Wire, Environmental Affairs Subcommittee Chair The Clean Water Act of 1977 requires EPA to publish wastewater effluent limitations guidelines and standards for various industries and industrial categories. These guidelines and standards are the basis for permit requirements controlling the discharge of pollutants either into navigable waters or to publicly owned treatment works. EPA, as part of a settlement of a lawsuit brought by environmental groups, is required to reassess regulations for a number of industrial sectors including iron & steel manufacturing, forming and finishing. The reassessment will focus on advances in manufacturing technologies, pollution prevention processes, water conservation practices, and wastewater treatment. EPA is currently developing a questionnaire to be used in the study of the current state of industry technology. It should be approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the next two weeks. The questionnaire will be sent to manufacturers to ascertain current practices on effluents in the industry. Following OMB approval, AWPA will have the opportunity to comment on the questionnaire. EPA has requested member plant information from AWPA to be used in gathering data for the study. AWPA is currently consulting with other steel trade associations and working with the agency to determine the appropriate means to provide input to EPA as a new standard is promulgated in the coming years. Back to Wireline Contents American Wire Producers Association 6232 Roudsby Lane Alexandria, VA 22315-5285 Tel (703) 971-6454 | Fax (703) 971-6997 | E-mail info@awpa.org