The Clean Water Act requires wastewater treatment plants to achieve a minimum removal rate of what percentage for TSS and BOD?

The Clean Water Act establishes requirements aimed at regulating the discharge of pollutants into the waters of the United States to protect water quality and public health. For wastewater treatment plants, achieving a minimum removal rate of 85% for Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is critical to reducing the environmental impact of treated effluent.

This removal rate standard reflects the necessary effectiveness of treatment processes in filtering out solids and organic material from wastewater, which can lead to oxygen depletion in receiving waters if not adequately treated. A removal rate of 85% indicates that a significant majority of pollutants are being removed from the wastewater before its discharge, thereby promoting cleaner water bodies and protecting aquatic life.

The other percentages listed do not align with the regulatory framework set by the Clean Water Act for these parameters, emphasizing the importance of the 85% benchmark in achieving compliance and maintaining ecological health.