Timber Products Processing Effluent Guidelines
EPA promulgated the Timber Products Processing Effluent Guidelines and Standards (40 CFR Part 429) during 1974-6 and amended the regulation in 1981. The regulation covers direct and indirect dischargers. The Effluent Guidelines and Standards are incorporated into NPDES permits for direct dischargers
direct dischargerA 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 dischargerA facility that discharges pollutants to a publicly owned treatment works (municipal sewage treatment plant). (see Pretreatment Program).
- What is the Timber Products Processing Industry?
- Pollutants and Subcategories
- Rulemaking History
- Additional Information
What is the Timber Products Processing Industry?
- sawmills
- millwork and finishing operations
- veneer and plywood plants
- wood preserving plants
- particleboard plants
- hardboard plants, and
- insulation board plants.
- 3211: Sawmills and Wood Preservation
- 3212: Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing
- 337: Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing
Note: The NAICS listing is provided as a guide and does not define the coverage of the Timber Products Processing category. For precise definitions of coverage, see the applicability sections in 40 CFR Part 429.
Pollutants and Subcategories
Regulated Pollutants
The regulated pollutants vary by subcategory, and include:
- arsenic
- biochemical oxygen demand
- chemical oxygen demand
- copper
- chromium
- pH (abnormally high or low)
- phenols
- oil & grease
- suspended solids
Portions of 15 subcategories are subject to zero discharge requirements.
Regulation Subcategories
- Barking
- Veneer
- Plywood
- Dry Process Hardboard
- Wet Process Hardboard
- Wood Preserving—Water Borne or Nonpressure
- Wood Preserving Steam
- Wood Preserving—Boulton
- Wet Storage
- Log Washing
- Sawmills and Planing Mills
- Finishing
- Particleboard
- Manufacturing Insulation Board
- Wood Furniture and Fixture Production Without Water Wash Spray Booth(s) or Without Laundry Facilities
- Wood Furniture and Fixture Production with Water Wash Spray Booth(s) or with Laundry Facilities
Rulemaking History
Minor Amendments
- Final Rule (July 30, 2004)
Modification to definition of "process wastewater" - Final Rule (November 23, 1981)
Revision of NSPS applicability for Subpart E; error corrections
1981 Amendment
- Documents, including:
- Final Rule (January 26, 1981)
- Development Document (January 1981)
Industry description, wastewater characterization, treatment technologies, regulatory compliance cost estimates and pollutant loadings for the final rule (wood preserving, insulation board, and wet process hardboard sectors only) - Proposed Rule (October 31, 1979)
1976 Amendment
- Documents, including:
- Final Rule (December 9, 1976)
- Proposed Rule (June 2, 1975)
- Proposed Rule (January 16, 1975)
- Proposed Rule (April 18, 1974)
1975 Amendment
- Documents, including:
- Final Rule (January 16, 1975)
- Proposed Rule (August 26, 1974)
1974 Initial Rulemaking
- Documents, including:
- Final Rule (April 18, 1974)
- Development Document (April 1974)
- Proposed Rule (January 3, 1974)
Additional Information
For additional information regarding Timber Products Processing Effluent Guidelines, please contact Ahmar Siddiqui (siddiqui.ahmar@epa.gov) or 202-566-1044.