Section 330. Sector Z - Leather tanning and finishing  


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  • A. Discharges covered under this section. The requirements listed under this section apply to stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity from leather tanning, currying and finishing (commonly identified by SIC Code 3111).

    B. Stormwater pollution prevention plan requirements. In addition to the requirements of Part III, the SWPPP shall include, at a minimum, the following items.

    1. Site description.

    a. Site map. The site map shall identify where any of the following may be exposed to precipitation or surface runoff: processing and storage areas of the beamhouse, tanyard, retan-wet finishing and dry finishing operations.

    b. Summary of potential pollutant sources. A description of potential pollutant sources including (as appropriate): temporary or permanent storage of fresh and brine cured hides; leather dust, scraps, trimmings and shavings; and extraneous hide substances and hair.

    2. Stormwater controls.

    a. Good housekeeping.

    (1) Storage areas for raw, semiprocessed, or finished tannery by-products. Pallets and bales of raw, semiprocessed or finished tannery by-products (e.g., splits, trimmings, shavings, etc.) shall be stored indoors or protected by polyethylene wrapping, tarpaulins, roofed storage area or other suitable means. Materials shall be placed on an impermeable surface, the area shall be enclosed or bermed, or other equivalent measures shall be employed to prevent runon or runoff of stormwater.

    (2) Material storage areas. Storage units of all materials should be labeled (e.g., specific chemicals, hazardous materials, spent solvents, waste materials). The permittee shall describe and implement measures that prevent or minimize contact with stormwater.

    (3) Buffing and shaving areas. The permittee shall describe and implement measures that prevent or minimize contamination of the stormwater runoff with leather dust from buffing and shaving areas. The permittee may consider dust collection enclosures, preventive inspection and maintenance programs or other appropriate preventive measures.

    (4) Receiving, unloading, and storage areas. The permittee shall describe and implement measures that prevent or minimize contamination of the stormwater runoff from receiving, unloading, and storage areas. The following measures (or their equivalents) shall be considered for exposed receiving, unloading and storage areas: hides and chemical supplies protected by a suitable cover; diversion of drainage to the process sewer; and grade berming or curbing area to prevent runoff of stormwater.

    (5) Outdoor storage of contaminated equipment. The permittee shall describe and implement measures that prevent or minimize contact of stormwater with contaminated equipment. The following measures (or their equivalents) shall be considered: equipment protected by suitable cover; diversion of drainage to the process sewer; thorough cleaning prior to storage.

    (6) Waste management. The permittee shall describe and implement measures that prevent or minimize contamination of the stormwater runoff from waste storage areas. The permittee shall consider the following measures (or their equivalents): inspection and maintenance programs for leaking containers or spills; covering dumpsters; moving waste management activities indoors; covering waste piles with temporary covering material such as tarpaulins or polyethylene; and minimizing stormwater runoff by enclosing the area or building berms around the area.

    C. Benchmark monitoring and reporting requirements. Leather tanning and finishing facilities are required to monitor their stormwater discharges for the pollutants of concern listed in Table 330.

    Table 330
    Sector Z – Benchmark Monitoring Requirements

    Pollutants of Concern

    Benchmark Concentration

    Leather Tanning and Finishing (SIC 3111)

    Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)

    1.5 mg/L

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 15, Issue 09, eff. June 30, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 2004; Volume 25, Issue 19, eff. June 24, 2009; Volume 30, Issue 11, eff. July 1, 2014.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-44.15 of the Code of Virginia; § 402 of the federal Clean Water Act; 40 CFR Parts 122, 123, and 124.