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Source: https://www.epa.gov/eg/pulp-paper-and-paperboard-effluent-guidelines

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Pulp, Paper and Paperboard Effluent Guidelines

The EPA promulgated initial Effluent Guidelines and Standards for the Pulp, Paper and Paperboard category (40 CFR Part 430Exit EPA’s website) in 1974 and 1977, amended the regulations in 1982 and 1986, and promulgated a major amendment covering toxic pollutants in 1998. The Effluent Guidelines are incorporated into NPDES permits for direct dischargersdirect dischargersA point source that discharges pollutants to waters of the United States, such as streams, lakes, or oceans., and permits or other control mechanisms for indirect dischargersindirect dischargersA facility that discharges pollutants to a publicly owned treatment works (municipal sewage treatment plant). (see Pretreatment Program). The 1998 "Cluster Rule" also promulgated toxic air emission standards (NESHAPs) for the industry under the Clean Air Act (see Pulp and Paper Production (MACT I & III)). On this page: * Pollutants and Subcategories * Guidance Document * Rulemaking History * Additional Information

Pollutants and Subcategories

Related Information * Stormwater fact sheet (Sector B)

Regulated Pollutants

The regulated pollutants vary by subcategory, and include: Conventional pollutants * biochemical oxygen demand * suspended solids * pH (abnormally high or low)

Priority pollutants * 2,4,6-trichlorophenol * 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p -dioxin (TCDD)

Nonconventional pollutants * adsorbable organic halides (AOX) * chemical oxygen demand * chloroform * trichlorosyringol * 2,4,5-trichlorophenol * 3,4,5-trichlorocatechol * 3,4,5-trichloroguaiacol

Facilities Covered

Pulp, Paper and Paperboard Subcategories
| Subpart | Processes Included |
| --- | --- |
| A. Dissolving KraftExit EPA’s website | Dissolving pulp at kraft mills |
| B. Bleached Papergrade Kraft and SodaExit EPA’s website | Market pulp at bleached kraft mills; paperboard, coarse paper, and tissue paper at bleached kraft mills; pulp and fine papers at bleached kraft mills; and pulp and paper at soda mills |
| C. Unbleached KraftExit EPA’s website | Pulp and paper at unbleached kraft mills including linerboard or bag paper and other mixed products; pulp and paper using the unbleached kraft-neutral sulfite semi-chemical (cross recovery) process; and pulp and paper at combined unbleached kraft and semi-chemical mills, wherein the spent semi-chemical cooking liquor is burned within the unbleached kraft chemical recovery system |
| D. Dissolving SulfiteExit EPA’s website | Pulp at dissolving sulfite mills for the following grades: nitration, viscose, cellophane, and acetate |
| E. Papergrade SulfiteExit EPA’s website | Calcium, magnesium, or sodium-based pulps; ammonium-based pulps; specialty grade pulps. Pulp and paper at papergrade sulfite mills where blow pit pulp washing techniques are used and pulp and paper at papergrade sulfite mills where vacuum or pressure drums are used to wash pulp |
| F. Semi-ChemicalExit EPA’s website | Pulp and paper at semi-chemical mills using an ammonia base or a sodium base |
| G. Mechanical PulpExit EPA’s website | Pulp and paper at groundwood chemi-mechanical mills; pulp and paper at groundwood mills through the application of the thermo-mechanical process; pulp and coarse paper, molded pulp products, and newsprint at groundwood mills; and pulp and fine paper at groundwood mills |
| H. Non-Wood Chemical PulpExit EPA’s website | Pulp and paper at non-wood chemical pulp mills |
| I. Secondary Fiber DeinkExit EPA’s website | Pulp and paper at deink mills including fine papers, tissue papers, or newsprint |
| J. Secondary Fiber Non-DeinkExit EPA’s website | Paperboard from wastepaper from noncorrugating medium furnish or from corrugating medium furnish; tissue paper from wastepaper without deinking at secondary fiber mills; molded products from wastepaper without deinking; and builders' paper and roofing felt from wastepaper |
| K. Fine and Lightweight Papers from Purchased PulpExit EPA’s website | Fine papers at nonintegrated mills using wood fiber furnish or cotton fiber furnish; and lightweight papers at nonintegrated mills or lightweight electrical papers at nonintegrated mills |
| L. Tissue, Filter, Non‑woven, and Paperboard from Purchased PulpExit EPA’s website | Tissue papers at nonintegrated mills; filter and non-woven papers at nonintegrated mills; and paperboard at nonintegrated mills |

Best Management Practices

For subparts B and E: * control of leaks and spills * control intentional diversions of spent pulping liquor, soap, and turpentine

Guidance Document

Rulemaking History

2007 Amendment

Approved an analytical method for measurement of chlorinated phenolics. * Final ruleExit EPA’s website (March 12, 2007)

2002 Amendment

Technical amendment. Reduced monitoring requirements for chloroform for Subpart B facilities; allows demonstration of compliance by self-certification. * Final ruleExit EPA’s website (September 19, 2002)

1999 Amendment

Follow-up to 1998 rule with milestones plan requirements * Final ruleExit EPA’s website (July 7, 1999)

1998 Amendments

Minor Corrections

Cluster Rule

Established effluent limitations for toxic pollutants in Subparts B and E; merged Builders Paper Category (formerly 40 CFR Part 431) * Final ruleExit EPA’s website (April 15, 1998) * Development Document (1997)
Industry description, wastewater characterization, treatment technologies, regulatory compliance cost estimates and pollutant loadings for the final rule * Technical Support Document for Best Management Practices (1997)
BMPs for bleached papergrade kraft and soda, and papergrade sulfite mills. The BMPs establish controls that reduce the release of toxic, conventional, and nonconventional pollutants to surface waters. * Economic Analysis * Proposed rule (December 17, 1993)

1986 Amendment

BCT * Final rule (December 17, 1986)

1982 Amendment

All standards except BCT * Final rule (November 18, 1982) * Development Document (October 1982)
Industry description, wastewater characterization, treatment technologies, regulatory compliance cost estimates and pollutant loadings for the final rule

1977 Amendment

1974 Initial Rulemaking

Additional Information

For additional information regarding Pulp, Paper and Paperboard Effluent Guidelines, please contact Ahmar Siddiqui (siddiqui.ahmar@epa.gov) or 202-566-1044.

Effluent Guidelines

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