The EPA has finalized a rule establishing requirements for cooling water intake structures (CWIS). The rule’s purpose is to reduce impingement and entrainment of fish and other aquatic organisms at such structures, and applies to existing power generation and manufacturing facilities that are designed to withdraw more than 2 million gallons per day of water from the United States and use at least 25 percent of withdrawn water for cooling purposes.
These national requirements, which will be implemented through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, apply to the location, design, construction, and capacity of CWIS at regulated facilities by setting requirements that reflect the best technology available (BTA) for minimizing adverse environmental impact.
EPA’s action affects 1,050 facilities, including 521 factories and 544 power plants. The rule was published in the Federal Register on August 15, 2014, and goes into effect on October 14, 2014.
Click here for a more indepth look at the new rule.
The final rule can be accessed here.