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Resolution No.R5-2003-0106 -2- Waiver 2- Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements for Small Food Processors, Including Wineries, Within the Central Valley Region land. As described in this Resolution, due to the nature of the waste, such discharges could affect the quality of waters of the state. Discharges of waste in compliance with the conditions of this Resolution pose a lower threat to waters of the state, but still could affect the quality of the waters of the state. Waste discharged to land may migrate to groundwater or runoff to surface water and affect the quality of the waters. Groundwater monitoring from wineries and other food processing facilities subject to individual waste discharge requirements have shown that groundwater has been degraded from the discharge of process wastewater to land. Solid waste separated from wastewater and applied to land often contains residual wastewater that could affect the quality of the waters of the state. In addition, solid waste discharged to land may create odors if not properly managed, and,therefore, create a condition of nuisance. The Regional Board has received complaints about nuisance conditions at food processing facilities, including wineries. Waste discharged to tanks may leak or spill from tanks and affect the quality of waters of the state. Waste hauled from tanks may not be properly disposed of and, therefore, could affect the quality of waters of the state. Since discharges of waste in the manner described in this Resolution could affect the quality of the waters of the state, persons who discharge waste are subject to California Water Code section 13260 and 13263. 8. The Regional Board has reviewed the"food processing wastes spread on land"waiver category of Resolution No. 82-036 and has determined that the discharge of liquid and solid waste from small food processing operations,when subject to the conditions described in this Resolution, should pose a low threat of nuisance or water quality degradation. 9. As used throughout this document, the term"small food processor" includes small wineries. 10. The strength of process wastewater discharged from small food processors and wineries varies depending upon the season and the'particular operation being performed. Monitoring.data submitted to the Regional Board shows that the process wastewater contains the following characteristics: Winery Other Small Constituent Units Concentration Food Processors PH pH units 2- 11 5 -9 Biochemical Oxygen Demand mg/I 300- 12,000 1 -2,000 Total Dissolved Solids mg/I 80-6,000 400-2,300 Nitrogen mg/1 1 -50 1 - 17 11. If the food processing wastewater is applied to sufficient cropland at reasonable hydraulic and nutrient loading rates, and subject to the conditions of this Resolution, then there should be little potential for water quality degradation. The nitrogen in the wastewater, as well as some of the salts, will be utilized by the crops. In a well-aerated soil, the pH will be buffered and the biochemical oxygen demand will be reduced through microbial activity. This is enhanced by warm weather conditions,which are typical of the food processing season in the Central Valley Region. Best management practices to control irrigation tailwater will protect surface water quality.