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Regulatory Policy: Options and Implementation

Regulatory Policy: Options and Implementation. Regulating Dental Office Wastewater in King County Patricia Magnuson King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. King County Wastewater Treatment Division. Sewer Service Area 1.4 million customers

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Regulatory Policy: Options and Implementation

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  1. Regulatory Policy: Options and Implementation Regulating Dental Office Wastewater in King County Patricia Magnuson King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks

  2. King County Wastewater Treatment Division Sewer Service Area • 1.4 million customers • Collect and treat municipal and industrial wastes (200 mgd) • 147 permitted industrial users discharge (3 mgd) • 1300 dentists

  3. Mercury Limits • Biosolids “Exceptional Quality” limit 17 mg/kg • Local limit • 0.1 mg/L for > 5000 gpd • 0.2 mg/L for < 5000 gpd • Limits apply to all businesses in King County Sewer Service Area

  4. Initial concern with mercury in dental office wastewater • 1989 NPDES violation issued for mercury violations at West Point Treatment Plant. DOE required King County to investigate • 1991 Metro (King County) identified dental office wastewater as “significant and identifiable” source of mercury • 1991 – 1994 Research and document development

  5. Early policy choices • 1994 Industrial Waste Program drafted a rule for dentists that required the installation of amalgam separators • 1995 King County decided to postpone the rule and work with dental community to achieve voluntary compliance • 1995 – 2000 Intensive voluntary program

  6. Path to compliance… “Tell me when it’s the law!” • 2000 Report published by LHWMP concluded that voluntary program did not achieve widespread compliance • 25 out of potential 900 dental offices had installed amalgam separators • Industrial Waste Pretreatment Program determined need to re-evaluate policy

  7. Current concern with mercury in dental office wastewater • Maintain “marketability” of biosolids • Equity - need to meet our Local Limits (0.2 mg/L) for mercury 100% Recycled

  8. Option for compliance # 1… Continue with voluntary program • Only 25 dentists had installed separators • Voluntary program did not motivate compliance

  9. …option for compliance # 2… Promulgate a rule • Would require all dentists to install separators, whether needed or not • Redundant - appears that most dentists can be in compliance with local limits with pretreatment

  10. …option for compliance # 3… Issue a General Permit • Requires more oversight at IW • Fee would need to be assessed to process paperwork • Additional paper work for dentists

  11. …option for compliance # 4Implemented Enforce compliance with existing regulations • IW able to administer with current workforce • Dentists have option of demonstrating compliance and applying for permit under current rules and procedures or install a pretreatment unit • Local limits achievable with pretreatment

  12. Developing the message • 2000 – 2001 Meetings with stakeholders • Industrial Waste Advisory Board • Dental Association Meetings • Washington State Department of Ecology

  13. Requirements for compliance • All dental offices must use Best Management Practices (BMPs) for amalgam waste • All dental practices need to demonstrate compliance with our local limits (0.2 mg/L) for mercury through ONE of the following routes: • Install and maintain an approved amalgam separator unit • Apply for and receive a permit to discharge • Be an exempt specialty or practice • Orthodontist, Oral surgeon, radiologist… • Place or remove amalgams less than 3 days per year

  14. Primary Message for Dentists that place or remove amalgam (Most general practice dentists) • Installation of “KC Approved” ASU = In Compliance • No sampling required • No permit required • Need to maintain equipment and keep waste disposal records for at least 3 years

  15. King County Approved Separator List • KC notified known vendors requesting documentation for inclusion on list • Required ISO certification – 95% removal • King County checked paperwork only Photo Courtesy of DRNA

  16. Getting the message out: July 2001 – July 2003 • Develop and distribute informational documents • Initial letter • Fact sheet • Approved separator list • ASU comparison chart • Permit application • Reminder postcards • Web page development • Articles in local and state dental society journal • Attend trade shows • Personal visits by Public Health Inspectors

  17. Implementation • 2001 – 2002 Voucher incentive program • 2002 Workshops • 2002 – 2003 Informational site visits continued • Mid-term check (July 2002) • Approximately 200 separators installed

  18. Program Maintenance • Web page • Documents • Database • Re-evaluate program annually • Compliance Inspections • Goal 20% first year

  19. Program Costs • Public Health Visits – Already planned • Industrial Waste Program • ¾ FTE in 2001 and 2002 • ½ FTE in 2003 • Goal – Incorporate into existing program • Mailings and materials • Voucher Incentive program • $160,000 for 370 separators

  20. ASU installation is required - 93% Compliance

  21. ASU installation is voluntary - 43% Compliance

  22. Results tracked from vendor sales Notification letter mailed Compliance Deadline Source: Sales data supplied by manufacturers of ASUs

  23. What changed? • Problem Definition • Biosolids marketability • Voluntary program did not work • Equity issue • Policy Formation • Local limits are achievable with pretreatment • Technology available • Politics • Mercury in the “news” • Local dental association position changed

  24. Lessons Learned • Dentists are not the only stakeholders • Other permitted industries • Local environmental groups • Biosolids’ customers • You can’t do it alone • Public Health Inspectors • EnviroStars Program • Local and State Dental Associations

  25. Thank you Patricia Magnuson King County Industrial Waste Program130 Nickerson Street, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98109206-263-3021 FAX 206-263-3001 patricia.magnuson@metrokc.gov http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/indwaste

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