Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-14-6-.23
Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024
Section 335-14-6-.23 - Drip Pads(1)Applicability.(a) The requirements of 335-14-6-.23 apply to owners and operators of facilities that use new or existing drip pads to convey treated wood dirge, precipitation, and/or surface water run-off to an associated collection system. Existing drip pads are those constructed before December 6,1990 and those for which the owner or operator has a design and has entered into binding financial or other agreements for construction prior to December 6, 1990. All other drip pads are new drip pads. The requirement of 335-14-6-.23(4)(b)3. to install a leak collection system applies only to those drip pads that are constructed after December 24, 1992 except for those constructed after December 24, 1992 for which the owner or operator has a design and has entered into binding financial or other agreements for construction prior to December 24, 1992.(b) The owner or operator of any drip pad that is inside or under a structure that provides protection from precipitation so that neither run-off nor run-on is generated is not subject to regulation under 335-14-6-.23(4)(e) or 335-14-6-.23(4)(f), as appropriate.(c) The requirements of 335-14-6-.23 are not applicable to the management of infrequent and incidental drippage in storage yards provided that:1. The owner or operator maintains and complies with a written contingency plan that describes how the owner or operator will respond immediately to the discharge of such infrequent and incidental drippage. At a minimum, the contingency plan must describe how the facility will do the following: (i) Clean up the drippage;(ii) Document the cleanup of the drippage;(iii) Retain documents regarding cleanup for three years; and(iv) Manage the contaminated media in a manner consistent with State of Alabama regulations.(2)Assessment of existing drip pad integrity.(a) For each existing drip pad as defined in 335-14-6-.23(1), the owner or operator must evaluate the drip pad and determine that it meets all of the requirements of 335-14-6-.23, except the requirements for liners and leak detection systems of 335-14-6-.23(4)(b). No later than the effective date of 335-14-6-.23, the owner or operator must obtain and keep on file at the facility a written assessment of the drip pad, reviewed and certified by a qualified professional engineer that attests to the results of the evaluation. The assessment must be reviewed, updated and re-certified annually until all upgrades, repairs, or modifications necessary to achieve compliance with all of the standards of 335-14-6-.23(4) are complete. The evaluation must document the extent to which the drip pad meets each of the design and operating standards of 335-14-6-.23(4), except the standards for liners and leak detection systems, specified in 335-14-6-.23(4)(b).(b) The owner or operator must develop a written plan for upgrading, repairing, and modifying the drip pad to meet the requirements of 335-14-6-.23(4)(b) and submit the plan to the Department no later than two years before the date that all repairs, upgrades, and modifications are complete. This written plan must describe all changes to be made to the drip pad in sufficient detail to document compliance with all the requirements of 335-14-6-.23(4). The plan must be reviewed and certified by a qualified professional engineer.(c) Upon completion of all repairs and modifications, the owner or operator must submit to the Department, the as-built drawings for the drip pad together with a certification by a qualified professional engineer attesting that the drip pad conforms to the drawings.(d) If the drip pad is found to be leaking or unfit for use, the owner or operator must comply with the provisions of 335-14-6-.23(4)(m) or close the drip pad in accordance with 335-14-6-.23(6).(3)Design and installation of new drip pads. Owners and operators of new drip pads must ensure that the pads are designed, installed, and operated in accordance with one of the following: (a) All of the applicable requirements of 335-14-6-.23(4) (except 335-14-6-.23(4)(a)4.), (5), and (6) or(b) All of the applicable requirements of 335-14-6-.23(4) (except 335-14-6-.23(4)(b)), (5), and (6).(4)Design and operating requirements. (a) Drip pads must: 1. Be constructed of non-earthen materials, excluding wood and non-structurally supported asphalt;2. Be sloped to free-drain treated wood drippage, rain and other waters, or solutions of drippage and water or other wastes to the associated collection system;3. Have a curb or berm around the perimeter;4.(i) Have a hydraulic conductivity of less than or equal to 1 X 10-7 cm/sec, e.g., existing concrete drip pads must be sealed, coated, or covered with a surface material with a hydraulic conductivity of less than or equal to 1 X 10-7 cm/sec such that the entire surface where drippage occurs or may run across is capable of containing such drippage and mixtures of drippage and precipitation, materials, or other wastes while being routed to an associated collection system. This surface material must be maintained free of cracks and gaps that could adversely affect its hydraulic conductivity, and the material must be chemically compatible with the preservatives that contact the drip pad. The requirements of this provision apply only to existing drip pads and those drip pads for which the owner or operator elects to comply with 335-14-6-.23(3)(b) instead of 335-14-6-.23(3) (a).(ii) The owner or operator must obtain and keep on file at the facility a written assessment of the drip pad, reviewed and certified by a qualified Professional Engineer that attests to the results of the evaluation. The assessment must be reviewed, updated and recertified annually. The evaluation must document the extent to which the drip pad meets the design and operating standards of 335-14-6-.23(4), except for 335-14-6-.23(4)(b).5. Be of sufficient structural strength and thickness to prevent failure due to physical contact, climatic conditions, the stress of installation, and the stress of daily operations; e.g., variable and moving loads such as vehicle traffic, movement of wood, etc. Note: ADEM will generally consider applicable standards established by professional organizations generally recognized by industry such as the American Concrete Institute (ACI) or the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) in judging the structural integrity requirements of 335-14-6-.23(4)(a).
(b) If an owner/operator elects to comply with 335-14-6-.23(3)(a) instead of 335-14-6-.23(3)(b), the drip pad must have: 1. A synthetic liner installed below the drip pad that is designed, constructed, and installed to prevent leakage from the drip pad into the adjacent subsurface soil or groundwater or surface water at any time during the active life (including the closure period) of the drip pad. The liner must be constructed of materials that will prevent waste from being absorbed into the liner and prevent releases into the adjacent subsurface soil or groundwater or surface water during the active life of the facility. The liner must be: (i) Constructed of materials that have appropriate chemical properties and sufficient strength and thickness to prevent failure due to pressure gradients (including static head and external hydrogeologic forces), physical contact with the waste or drip pad leakage to which they are exposed, climatic conditions, the stress of installation, and the stress of daily operation (including stresses from vehicular traffic on the drip pad);(ii) Placed upon a foundation or base capable of providing support to the liner and resistance to pressure gradients above and below the liner to prevent failure of the liner due to settlement, compression or uplift; and(iii) Installed to cover all surrounding earth that could come in contact with the waste or leakage; and2. A leakage detection system immediately above the liner that is designed, constructed, maintained, and operated to detect leakage from the drip pad. The leakage detection system must be: (i) Constructed of materials that are: (I) Chemically resistant to the waste managed in the drip pad and the leakage that might be generated; and(II) Of sufficient strength and thickness to prevent collapse under the pressures exerted by overlaying materials and by any equipment used at the drip pad; and(ii) Designed and operated to function without clogging through the scheduled closure of the drip pad.(iii) Designed so that it will detect the failure of the drip pad or the presence of a release of hazardous waste or accumulated liquid at the earliest practicable time.3. A leakage collection system immediately above the liner that is designed, constructed, maintained and operated to collect leakage from the drip pad such that it can be removed from below the drip pad. The date, time, and quantity of any leakage collected in this system and removed must be documented in the operating log.(c) Drip pads must be maintained such that they remain free of cracks, gaps, corrosion, or other deterioration that could cause hazardous waste to be released from the drip pad. Note: See 335-14-6-.23(4)(m) for remedial action required if deterioration or leakage is detected.
(d) The drip pad and associated collection system must be designed and operated to convey, drain, and collect liquid resulting from drippage or precipitation in order to prevent run-off.(e) Unless protected by a structure, as described in 335-14-6-.23(1)(b), the owner or operator must design, construct, operate, and maintain a run-on control system capable of preventing flow onto the drip pad during peak discharge from at least a 24-hour, 25-year storm, unless the system has sufficient excess capacity to contain any run-on that might enter the system.(f) Unless protected by a structure or cover, as described in 335-14-6-.23(1)(b), the owner or operator must design, construct, operate, and maintain a run-off management system to collect and control at least the water volume resulting from a 24-hour, 25-year storm.(g) The drip pad must be evaluated to determine that it meets the requirements of 335-14-6-.23(a) through (f), and the owner or operator must obtain a statement from a qualified professional engineer certifying that the drip pad design meets the requirements of 335-14-6-.23(4).(h) Drippage and accumulated precipitation must be removed from the associated collection system as necessary to prevent overflow onto the drip pad.(i) The drip pad surface must be cleaned thoroughly in a manner and frequency such that accumulated residues or hazardous waste or other materials are removed, with residues being properly managed as hazardous waste, so as to allow weekly inspections of the entire drip pad surface without interference or hindrance from accumulated residues of hazardous waste or other materials on the drip pad. The owner or operator must document the date and time of each cleaning and the cleaning procedure used in the facility's operating log.(j) Drip pads must be operated and maintained in a manner to minimize tracking of hazardous waste or hazardous waste constituents off the drip pad as a result of activities by personnel or equipment.(k) After being removed from the treatment vessel, treated wood from pressure and non-pressure processes must be held on the drip pad until drippage has ceased. The owner or operator must maintain records sufficient to document that all treated wood is held on the pad following treatment in accordance with this requirement.(l) Collection and holding units associated with run-on and run-off control systems must be emptied or otherwise managed as soon as possible after storms to maintain design capacity of the system.(m) Throughout the active life of the drip pad, if the owner or operator detects a condition that may have caused or has caused a release of hazardous waste, the condition must be repaired within a reasonably prompt period of time following discovery, in accordance with the following procedures: 1. Upon detection of a condition that may have caused or has caused a release of hazardous waste (e.g. upon detection of leakage by the leak detection system), the owner or operator must: (i) Enter a record of the discovery in the facility operating log;(ii) Immediately remove the portion of the drip pad affected by the condition from service;(iii) Determine what steps must be taken to repair the drip pad, remove any leakage from below the drip pad, and establish a schedule for accomplishing the cleanup and repairs;(iv) Within 24 hours after discovery of the condition, notify the Department of the condition and within 10 working days, provide written notice to the Department with a description of the steps that will be taken to repair the drip pad and clean up any leakage and the schedule for accomplishing this work.2. The Department will review the information submitted, make a determination regarding whether the pad must be removed from service completely or partially until repairs and cleanup are complete, and notify the owner or operator of the determination and the underlying rationale in writing.3. Upon completing all repairs and clean up, the owner or operator must notify the Department in writing and provide a certification, signed by an independent, qualified registered professional engineer, that the repairs and cleanup have been completed according to the written plan submitted in accordance with 335-14-6-.23(4) (m)1.(iv).(n) The owner or operator must maintain, as part of the facility operating log, documentation of past operating and waste handling practices. This must include identification of preservative formulations used in the past, a description of drippage management practices, and a description of treated wood storage and handling practices.(5)Inspections.(a) During construction or installation, liners and cover systems (e.g., membranes, sheets, or coatings) must be inspected for uniformity, damage, and imperfections (e.g., holes, cracks, thin spots, or foreign materials). Immediately after construction or installation, liners must be inspected and certified as meeting the requirements of 335-14-6-.23(4) by a qualified professional engineer. The certification must be maintained at the facility as part of the facility operating record. After installation, liners and covers must be inspected to ensure tight seams and joints and the absence of tears, punctures, or blisters.(b) While a drip pad is in operation, it must be inspected weekly and after storms to detect evidence of any of the following: 1. Deterioration, malfunctions, or improper operation of run-on and run-off control systems;2. The presence of leakage in and proper functioning of leak detection system;3. Deterioration or cracking of the drip pad surface. Note: See 335-14-6-.23(4)(m) for remedial action required if deterioration or leakage is detected.
(c) For inspections performed pursuant to rule 335-14-6-.23(5)(b), the owner or operator must record inspections in an inspection log or summary and keep these records for at least three years from the date of inspection. At a minimum, these records must include the date and time of the inspection, the name of the inspector, a notation of the observations made, and the date and nature of any repairs or other remedial actions.(6)Closure. (a) At closure, the owner or operator must remove or decontaminate all waste residues, contaminated containment system components (pad, liners, etc.), contaminated subsoils, and structures and equipment contaminated with waste and leakage, and manage them as hazardous waste.(b) If, after removing or decontaminating all residues and making all reasonable efforts to effect removal or decontamination of contaminated components, subsoils, structures, and equipment as required in 335-14-6-.23(6)(a), the owner or operator finds that not all contaminated subsoils can be practically removed or decontaminated, he must close the facility and perform post-closure care in accordance with closure and post-closure care requirements that apply to landfills [335-14-6-.14(11)] . For permitted units, the requirement to have a permit continues throughout the post-closure period.(e)1. The owner or operator of an existing drip pad, as defined in 335-14-6-.23(1), that does not comply with the liner requirements of 335-14-6-.23(4)(b)1. must: (i) Include in the closure plan for the drip pad under 335-14-6-.07(3) both a plan for complying with 335-14-6-.23(6)(a) and a contingent plan for complying with 335-14-6-.23(6)(b) in case not all contaminated subsoils can be practicably removed at closure; and(ii) Prepare a contingent post-closure plan under 335-14-6-.07(9) for complying with 335-14-6-.23(6)(b) in case not all contaminated subsoils can be practicably removed at closure.2. The cost estimates calculated under 335-14-6-.07(3) and 335-14-6-.08(5) for closure and post-closure care of a drip pad subject to 335-14-6-.23(6)(e) must include the cost of complying with the contingent closure plan and the contingent post-closure plan, but are not required to include the cost of expected closure under 335-14-6-.23(6)(a).Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-14-6-.23
January 25, 19 92. Amended: January 1, 1993. Amended: Filed: November 30, 1994; effective January 5, 1995. Amended: Filed February 26, 1999; effective April 2, 1999. Amended: Filed March 9, 2001; effective April 13, 2001. Amended: Filed February 8, 2002; effective March 15, 2002. Amended: Filed March 13, 2003; effective April 17, 2003. Amended: February 28, 2006; effective April 4, 2006. Amended: February 27, 2007; effective April 3, 2007. Amended: Filed February 28, 2012; effective April 3, 2012.Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXV, Issue No. 05, February 28, 2017, eff. 3/31/2017.Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XLI, Issue No. 07, April 28, 2023, eff. 6/12/2023.Author: Stephen C. Maurer; C. Edwin Johnston; Michael B. Champion; Bradley N. Curvin; Jonah Harris; Vernon H. Crockett
Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 22-30-11; 22-30-16.