SECTION 252:621-5-1. Operation and maintenance for non-industrial discharging and public water supply lagoons

  The construction requirements contained in 252:656 shall apply to all non-industrial lagoons. The following operation and maintenance requirements shall apply to all non-industrial discharging and public water supply lagoons treating or storing wastewater:

(1)   Erosion control. Protect all lagoon dikes and berms against erosion by using soil, gravel, concrete pads, shallow-root vegetation or other methods. Trees and deep-root vegetation shall not be used as erosion control and shall be removed in a timely manner to maintain the integrity and stability of the lagoon. Protect inner dikes from wave action and outer dikes from runoff and floodwaters.

(2)   Holding capacity. Total retention lagoons shall be sized to contain the design flow of wastewater (including biosolids from non-industrial discharging wastewater lagoons and residuals from public water supply lagoons) plus expected rainfall plus 3 feet of freeboard. Where total retention is obtained by surface evaporation, the required area shall be based on design flow plus 90th percentile rainfall less the pan evaporation rates for the area where the lagoon will be located. Overflows shall be considered a violation of this Chapter and be subject to enforcement as an unpermitted discharge to waters of the state in violation of the Oklahoma Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Act.

(3)   Liner protection. No action shall take place during the use, maintenance, or operation of the lagoon which would destroy or diminish the effectiveness of any liner system or increase the liner permeability.

(4)   Lagoon and system protection. No action shall be allowed to breach the walls, berms, dikes, or other structures causing or allowing the wastewater contained to escape, unless specifically allowed in a discharge permit as an allowable discharge from a discharging lagoon.

(5)   Use and purpose of lagoon or disposal system. All lagoons and systems covered by this Chapter shall be designed for a specific treatment purpose (such as settling, biological degradation, beneficial reuse or final disposal), and shall be maintained and operated to produce optimum treatment results. No unauthorized industrial wastewater, hazardous substances, chemicals or wastes shall be placed in a discharging or public water supply lagoon system.

(6)   Site security. Restrict access to discharging or public water supply lagoon systems and land application sites covered by this Chapter with fences, secured gates or other reasonable means. Post a sign listing the name of the facility operator, an emergency telephone number and the DEQ permit number.

(7)   Maintenance of wind action. Trees, weeds, cattails, and all other obstructions shall be removed whenever they appear on or around the dikes or in the lagoon itself. Grass shall be mowed frequently to prevent the development of any obstructions to wind action and access.

(8)   Access road. The access road to the lagoon shall be maintained so as to be passable during inclement weather conditions.

(9)   Other maintenance requirements. All structures shall be maintained in good working order.

(10)   Prevention of pollution.

(A)   Seepage. Whenever seepage is suspected or discovered, the owner shall notify the Department by telephone within 24-hours and follow-up with a written report within 5 days. The operator must take actions necessary to stop all seepage exceeding 500 gallons/acre/day (5.4 X 10^-7 cm/sec).

(B)   Total retention lagoon. Discharge of wastewater from a total retention public water supply lagoon is prohibited.

(C)   Seals. The owner shall maintain the seal, whether it is a natural or artificial, to prevent seepage. The Department may require that a different type of seal be provided if the one in place does not work.

(D)   Freeboard. Maintain at least 3 feet of freeboard on all lagoons covered by this Chapter unless otherwise specified in a permit. At no time shall wastewater be allowed to spill over the tops of the dikes.

(E)   Closure of the site. Closure may be required by the DEQ if the facility is found to be in violation of applicable rules. Closure is required when the lagoon or land application site is permanently taken out of service. The owner shall close the site according to the requirements of Subchapter 9 of this Chapter.

(11)   Septic lagoons. Take steps necessary to prevent septic conditions in lagoon systems. If a septic condition develops, take steps to correct the condition but in no case violate DEQ rules when taking corrective action.

(12)   Vector control. Take steps to control vectors. In particular, mosquitoes and flies shall be controlled by providing adequate lagoon depth and wind action and by preventing the development of septic conditions.

(13)   Testing requirements.

(A)   All discharging and public water supply lagoons must conform with the minimum testing requirements of 252:606.

(B)   No testing of raw or treated waste is required for total retention lagoons unless otherwise specified by the Department. However, it is recommended that testing for temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and alkalinity be run on each cell twice weekly. Monthly operational reports shall include a report of estimated flow to the lagoon, population served, dates of site visits, specific types of maintenance performed, and problems encountered.

(14)   Surfactants. The use of surfactants or other chemicals or additives that would increase the seepage rate through a lagoon bottom is specifically prohibited.

[Source: Added at 18 Ok Reg 1576, eff 6-1-01; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 1267, eff 7-1-11]