Savings Possible Through Use of Variable Effluent Limits for Advanced Waste Treatment Projects

Gao ID: RCED-83-57 December 1, 1982

The Water Pollution Control Act requires advanced waste treatment projects to have a pollution discharge permit to establish the variable effluent limits (VEL's) or restrictions on the amount, rate, or concentration of pollutants that may be discharged into the water.

GAO believes that potential exists for savings through the use of VEL's in the operation and construction of advanced waste treatment facilities. While reliable nationwide savings estimates are not available, a number of federal and state officials estimate that millions of dollars in operating costs can be saved each year. The use of VEL's offers state and local governments an opportunity to reduce the cost of constructing and operating municipal and industrial advanced treatment facilities while maintaining water quality. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) direction on the use of VEL's together with technical assistance to develop VEL's should help stimulate greater use at the state and local government levels.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

Director: Hugh J. Wessinger Team: General Accounting Office: Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division Phone: (202) 275-5489


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