2018-10-22_REVISION - M2008078 (12)

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Appendix B Page 58 of 67 Permit No.:COG500000 C. Accelerated Testing If accelerated testing is being performed,testing will be at least once every two weeks for up to five tests,at the appropriate IWC, but only one test should be run at a time. For chronic WET testing, only the IC25 statistical endpoint is used to determine if the test passed or failed at the appropriate IWC. However,if accelerated testing is required due to failure of one statistical endpoint in two consecutive monitoring periods, and in both of those failures it was the NOEC endpoint that was failed,then the NOEC shall be the only statistical endpoint used to determined whether the accelerated testing passed or failed at the appropriate IWC. Accelerated testing shall continue until; 1)two consecutive tests fail or three of five tests fail,in which case a pattern of toxicity has been demonstrated or 2)two consecutive tests pass or three of five tests pass,in which case no pattern of toxicity has been found. Note that the same dilution series should be used in the accelerated testing as was used in the initial test(s)that result in the accelerated testing requirement. If no pattern of toxicity is found the toxicity episode is considered to be ended and routine testing is to resume. If a pattern of toxicity is found,a TIE/TRE investigation is to be performed. If a pattern of toxicity is not demonstrated but a significant level of erratic toxicity is found,the Division may require an increased frequency of routine monitoring or some other modified approach. The permittee shall provide written notification of the results within 14 calendar days of completion of the Pattern of Toxicity/No Toxicity demonstration. D. Toxicity Identification Evaluation/Toxicity Reduction Evaluation(TIE/TRE) If a TIE/TRE is being performed,the results of the investigation are to be received by the Division within 180 calendar days of the demonstration of acute WET in the routine test,as defined above,or if accelerated testing was performed,the date the pattern of toxicity is demonstrated. A status report is to be provided to the Division at the 60 and 120 calendar day points of the TIE/TRE investigation. The Division may extend the time frame for investigation where reasonable justification exists. A request for an extension must be made in writing and received prior to the 180 calendar day deadline. Such request must include a justification and supporting data for such an extension. Under a TIE,the permittee may use the time for investigation to conduct a preliminary TIE(PTIE)or move directly into the TIE. A PTIE consists of a brief search for possible sources of WET,where a specific parameter(s)is reasonably suspected to have caused such toxicity,and could be identified more simply and cost effectively than a formal TIE. If the PTIE allows resolution of the WET incident,the TIE need not necessarily be conducted in its entirety. If,however,WET is not identified or resolved during the PTIE,the TIE must be conducted within the allowed 180 calendar day time frame. The Division recommends that the EPA guidance documents regarding TIEs be followed. If another method is to be used,this procedure should be submitted to the Division prior to initiating the TIE. If the pollutant(s)causing toxicity is/are identified,and is/are controlled by a permit effluent limitation(s),this permit may be modified upon request to adjust permit requirements regarding the automatic compliance response. If the pollutant(s)causing toxicity is/are identified, and is/are not controlled by a permit effluent limitation(s),the Division may develop limitations the parameter(s),and the permit may be reopened to include these limitations. If the pollutant causing toxicity is not able to be identified,or is unable to be specifically identified,or is not able to be controlled by an effluent limit,the permittee will be required to either: 1. Conduct an investigation which demonstrates actual instream aquatic life conditions upstream and downstream of the discharge,or identify,for Division approval,and conduct an alternative investigation which demonstrates the actual instream impact. This should include WET testing and chemical analyses of the ambient water. Depending on the results of the study,the permittee may also be required to identify the control program necessary to eliminate the toxicity and its cost. Data collected may be presented to the WQCC for consideration at the next appropriate triennial review of the stream standards;or 2. Move to a TRE by identifying the necessary control program or activity and proceed with elimination of the toxicity so as to meet the WET effluent limit.