Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 62-610.668 - Cooling Water Applications

(1) Once-through cooling.

(a) Reclaimed water may be used for once-through cooling.

(b) Setback distances shall be as established in Rule 62-610.662, F.A.C.

(c) Reclaimed water, upon flowing out of the once-through, non-contact, cooling system, that is returned to the domestic wastewater facilities for additional treatment or disposal or reuse, shall be defined to be a "domestic wastewater." This definition is made solely for the purposes of classifying wastewater treatment, reuse, and effluent disposal facilities associated with the domestic wastewater facilities. This definition shall apply only if the sole change to the quality of the reclaimed water during the once-through, non-contact, cooling process is a temperature increase, and conditioning chemicals, other than chlorine and other chemicals accepted by the Department, have not been added to the reclaimed water.

(d) Reclaimed water which has not been disinfected may be used for once-through cooling purposes at industrial facilities if the following conditions are met:

1. The reclaimed water has received at least secondary treatment as defined in subparagraph 62-600.420(1)(b) 2., F.A.C.

2. The reclaimed water is conveyed and used in closed systems which are not open to the atmosphere.

3. The reclaimed water is returned to the domestic wastewater treatment facility.

(e) Water used for once-through cooling under the provisions of paragraph 62-610.668(1)(d), F.A.C., shall be considered "reclaimed water" and the use of this water shall be considered "reuse."

(2) Open cooling towers.

(a) Reclaimed water may be used in open cooling towers, if the requirements in paragraphs 62-610.668(2)(b), (c), or (d), F.A.C., are met.

(b) All requirements of Part III of this chapter, including minimum system size requirements, shall be met.

(c) As an alternative to the requirements in paragraph 62-610.668(2)(b), F.A.C., all of the following requirements shall apply:

1. Preapplication waste treatment shall result in a reclaimed water that meets secondary treatment and basic disinfection.

2. A 300-foot setback distance shall be provided from the cooling tower that receives reclaimed water to the site property line.

3. The cooling tower shall be designed and operated to minimize aerosol drift to areas beyond the site property line that are accessible to the public.

4. The cooling tower shall be designed, operated, and maintained utilizing best engineering practices to control biological growth.

(d) As an alternative to the requirements in paragraph 62-610.668(2)(b), F.A.C., all of the following requirements shall be met in the facility's industrial wastewater permit:

1. The high-level disinfection requirements of subsection 62-600.440(5), F.A.C.

2. The filtration requirements of subsection 62-610.460(3), F.A.C.

3. The continuous monitoring requirements of subsection 62-610.463(2), F.A.C.

4. In lieu of the operation, staffing, and reliability provisions in Rule 62-610.462, F.A.C., operation, maintenance, staffing and reliability requirements shall be addressed in the facility's industrial wastewater permit in accordance with applicable industrial wastewater rules.

5. The cooling tower shall be designed, operated, and maintained utilizing best engineering practices to control biological growth.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 62-610.668

Rulemaking Authority 403.051, 403.061, 403.087 FS. Law Implemented 403.021, 403.051, 403.061, 403.062, 403.085, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088 FS.

New 1-9-96, Amended 8-8-99, Amended by Florida Register Volume 47, Number 051, March 16, 2021 effective 4/1/2021.

New 1-9-96, Amended 8-8-99, 4-1-21.