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WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS ORDER R5-2012-0103 - 19 - CONSTELLATION BRANDS U.S. OPERATIONS, INC. dba WOODBRIDGE WINERY WOODBRIDGE WINERY SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY OTHER CONSIDERATIONS FOR FOOD PROCESSING WASTE 54. Excessive application of food processing wastewater to land application areas can create objectionable odors, soil conditions that are harmful to crops, and degradation of underlying groundwater by overloading the shallow soil profile and causing waste constituents (organic carbon, nitrate, other salts, and metals) to percolate below the root zone. Ordinarily, it is reasonable to expect some attenuation of various waste constituents that percolate below the root zone within the vadose (unsaturated) zone. Specifically, excess nitrogen can be mineralized and denitrified by soil microorganisms, organic constituents (measured as both BOD and volatile dissolved solids) can be oxidized, and some salinity species will undergo cation exchange with clay minerals, effectively immobilizing them. Loading of BOD should be limited to prevent nuisance conditions. The maximum BOD loading rate that can be applied to land without creating nuisance conditions can vary significantly depending on the operation of the land application system. Pollution Abatement in the Fruit and Vegetable Industry, published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA Publication No. 625/3-77-0007) (hereafter Pollution Abatement), cites BOD loading rates in the range of 36 lbs/acre/day to 600 lbs/acre/day but indicates the loading rates can be even higher under certain conditions. Sprinklers and drip irrigation systems provide for uniform irrigation, which fosters aerobic treatment processes that are effective in consuming BOD and mineralizing nitrogen. For these types of irrigation systems, resting cycles are not necessary to ensure adequate aeration and soil drainage. 55. Acidic and/or reducing soil conditions can be detrimental to land treatment system function, and may cause groundwater degradation if the buffering capacity of the soil is exceeded. If soil pH decreases below 5 and the soil remains in a reducing state for prolonged periods, naturally occurring metals (including iron and manganese) could dissolve and degrade underlying groundwater. In practice, prolonged reducing conditions may not occur because: a) the annual cycle of lowered pH during loading with either wastewater or fertilizer is followed by pH recovery during cropping and organic matter cycling and, b) the dose and rest cycling for wastewater application either in spreading basins or using irrigation creates alternate anoxic and aerobic conditions. Pollution Abatement recommends that water applied to crops have a pH within 6.4 to 8.4 to protect crops. The soils and underlying groundwater are expected to adequately buffer the discharge. BASIN PLAN AND BENEFICIAL USES 56. The Water Quality Control Plan for the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River Basins, Fourth Edition (hereafter Basin Plan) designates beneficial uses, establishes water quality objectives, contains implementation plans and policies for protecting waters of the basin, and incorporates by reference plans and policies adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board. Pursuant to Water Code section 13263(a), waste discharge requirements (WDRs) must implement the Basin Plan.