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Cement Manufacturing Effluent Guidelines
The EPA promulgated the Cement Manufacturing Effluent Guidelines and Standards (40 CFR Part 411Exit EPA’s website) in 1974 and amended the regulation in 1975 and 1977. The regulation covers directdirectA point source that discharges pollutants to waters of the United States, such as streams, lakes, or oceans. and indirectindirectA facility that discharges pollutants to a publicly owned treatment works (municipal sewage treatment plant). dischargers. The Cement Manufacturing Effluent Guidelines and Standards are incorporated into NPDES permits for direct dischargers, and permits or other control mechanisms for indirect dischargers (see Pretreatment Program).
On this page:
* What is the Cement Manufacturing Industry?
* Pollutants and Subcategories
* Rulemaking History
* Additional Information
What is the Cement Manufacturing Industry?
Related Information * Stormwater Fact Sheet (Sector E: Glass, Clay, Cement, Concrete, and Gypsum Product Manufacturing Facilities)
The Cement Manufacturing category covers manufacturers of Portland cement, a hydraulic cement used in the construction industry. The regulation does not cover other types of cement manufacturing. Portland cement is manufactured in various types to meet different requirements. The basic ingredients of Portland cement are lime (calcium oxide), silica, alumina, and iron. Gypsum is added to adjust the setting time. The components are heated in a kiln and then ground to produce a fine cement powder. Most of the water used by cement plants is for equipment cooling. Portland cement manufacturing is included within NAICS group 327310. The NAICS listing is provided as a guide and does not define the coverage of the Cement Manufacturing category. For precise definitions of coverage, see the applicability sections in 40 CFR Part 411Exit EPA’s website.
Pollutants and Subcategories
Regulated Pollutants
- TSS
- Temperature
- pH (abnormally high or low)
Regulation Subcategories
- Nonleaching (Subpart AExit EPA’s website; kiln dust is not contacted with water as an integral part of the process and water is not used in wet scrubbers to control kiln stack emissions)
- Leaching (Subpart BExit EPA’s website; kiln dust is contacted with water as an integral part of the process or water is used in wet scrubbers to control kiln stack emissions)
- Materials Storage Piles Runoff (Subpart CExit EPA’s website)
Rulemaking History
1977 Amendment
Subpart C: NSPS * Documents, including: * Final Rule (February 23, 1977) * Proposed Rule (October 15, 1976)
1975 Amendment
PSES * Documents, including: * Final Rule (February 11, 1975) * Proposed Rule (February 20, 1974)
1974 Initial Rulemaking
BPT, BAT, NSPS, PSNS
* Documents, including:
* Final Rule (February 20, 1974)
* Proposed Rule (September 7, 1973)
* Development Document (January 1974)
Industry description, wastewater characterization, treatment technologies, regulatory compliance cost estimates and pollutant loadings for the final rule
Additional Information
For additional information regarding the Cement Manufacturing Effluent Guidelines, please contact Erica Mason (mason.erica@epa.gov) or 202-566-2502.
Effluent Guidelines
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