Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-14-5-.11

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 11, August 30, 2024

Section 335-14-5-.11 - Surface Impoundments

(1)Applicability. The requirements of apply to owners and operators of facilities that use surface impoundments to treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste except as 335-14-5-.01(1) provides otherwise.

(2)Design and operating requirements.

(a) Any surface impoundment that is not covered by 335-14-5-.11(2)(c) or Rule 335-14-6-.11(2) must have a liner for all portions of the impoundment (except for existing portions of such impoundments). The liner must be designed, constructed, and installed to prevent any migration of wastes out of the impoundment to the adjacent subsurface soil or groundwater or surface water at any time during the active life (including the closure period) of the impoundment. The liner may be constructed of materials that may allow wastes to migrate into the liner (but not into the adjacent subsurface soil or groundwater or surface water) during the active life of the facility, provided that the impoundment is closed in accordance with 335-14-5-.11(9) (a)1. For impoundments that will be closed in accordance with 335-14-5-.11(9)(a)2., the liner must be constructed of materials that can prevent wastes from migrating into the liner during the active life of the facility. The liner must be:

1. 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 leachate to which they are exposed, climatic conditions, the stress of installation, and the stress of daily operation;

2. 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

3. Installed to cover all surrounding earth likely to be in contact with the waste or leachate.

(b) The owner or operator will be exempted from the requirements of 335-14-5-.11(2)(a) if the Director finds, based on a demonstration by the owner or operator, that alternate design and operating practices, together with location characteristics, will prevent the migration of any hazardous constituents (see Rule 335-14-5-.06(4)) into the groundwater or surface water at any future time. In deciding whether to grant an exemption, the Director will consider:

1. The nature and quantity of the wastes;

2. The proposed alternate design and operation;

3. The hydrogeologic setting of the facility, including the attenuative capacity and thickness of the liners and soils present between the impoundment and groundwater or surface water; and

4. All other factors which would influence the quality and mobility of the leachate produced and the potential for it to migrate to groundwater or surface water.

(c) The owner or operator of each new surface impoundment unit on which construction commences after January 29, 1992, each lateral expansion of a surface impoundment unit on which construction commences after July 29, 1992 and each replacement of an existing surface impoundment unit that is to commence reuse after July 29, 1992 must install two or more liners and a leachate collection and removal system between such liners. "Construction commences" is as defined in 335-14-1-.02 under "existing facility."

(i) The liner system must include:

(I) A top liner designed and constructed of materials (e.g., a geomembrane) to prevent the migration of hazardous constituents into such liner during the active life and post-closure care period; and

(II) A composite bottom liner, consisting of at least two components. The upper component must be designed and constructed of materials (e.g., a geomembrane) to prevent the migration of hazardous constituents into this component during the active life and post-closure care period. The lower component must be designed and constructed of materials to minimize the migration of hazardous constituents if a breach in the upper component were to occur. The lower component must be constructed of at least 3 feet (91 cm) of compacted soil material with a hydraulic conductivity of no more than lX10^-7 cm/sec.

(ii) The liners must comply with 335-14-5-.11(2) (a)1., 2., and 3.

2. The leachate collection and removal system between the liners, and immediately above the bottom composite liner in the case of multiple leachate collection and removal systems, is also a leak detection system. This leak detection system must be capable of detecting, collecting, and removing leaks of hazardous constituents at the earliest practicable time through all areas of the top liner likely to be exposed to waste or leachate during the active life and post-closure care period. The requirements for a leak detection system in 335-14-5-.11(2)(c) are satisfied by installation of a system that is, at a minimum:

(i) Constructed with a bottom slope of one percent or more;

(ii) Constructed of granular drainage materials with a hydraulic conductivity of lX10^-1 cm/sec or more and a thickness of 12 inches (30.5 cm) or more; or constructed of synthetic or geonet drainage materials with a transmissivity of 3X10^-4 m²/sec or more;

(iii) Constructed of materials that are chemically resistant to the waste managed in the surface impoundment and the leachate expected to be generated, and of sufficient strength and thickness to prevent collapse under the pressures exerted by overlying wastes and any waste cover materials or equipment used at the surface impoundment;

(iv) Designed and operated to minimize clogging during the active life and post-closure care period; and

(v) Constructed with sumps and liquid removal methods (e.g., pumps) of sufficient size to collect and remove liquids from the sump and prevent liquids from backing up into the drainage layer. Each unit must have its own sump(s). The design of each sump and removal system must provide a method for measuring and recording the volume of liquids present in the sump and of liquids removed.

3. The owner or operator shall collect and remove pumpable liquids in the sumps to minimize the head on the bottom liner.

4. The owner or operator of a leak detection system that is not located completely above the seasonal high water table must demonstrate that the operation of the leak detection system will not be adversely affected by the presence of groundwater.

(d) The Director may approve alternative design or operating practices to those specified in 335-14-5 -.11(2)(c) if the owner or operator demonstrates to the Director that such design and operating practices, together with location characteristics:

1. Will prevent the migration of any hazardous constituent into the groundwater or surface water at least as effectively as the liners and leachate collection and removal system specified in 335-14-5-.11(2)(c); and

2. Will allow detection of leaks of hazardous constituents through the top liner at least as effectively.

(e) The double liner requirement set forth in 335-14-5-.11(2)(c) may be waived by the Director for any monofill if:

1. The monofill contains only hazardous wastes from foundry furnace emission controls or metal casting molding sand, and such wastes do not contain constituents which would render the wastes hazardous for reasons other than the toxicity characteristics in 335-14-2-.03(5); and

(i)

(I) The monofill has at least one liner for which there is no evidence that such liner is leaking. For the purposes of 335-14-5-.11(2)(e), the term "liner" means a liner designed, constructed, installed, and operated to prevent hazardous waste from passing into the liner at any time during the active life of the facility, or a liner designed, constructed, installed, and operated to prevent hazardous waste from migrating beyond the liner to adjacent subsurface soil, groundwater, or surface water at any time during the active life of the facility. In the case of any surface impoundment which has been exempted from the requirements of 335-14-5-.11(2)(c) on the basis of a liner designed, constructed, installed, and operated to prevent hazardous waste from passing beyond the liner, at the closure of such impoundment, the owner or operator must remove or decontaminate all waste residues, all contaminated liner material, and contaminated soil to the extent practicable. If all contaminated soil is not removed or decontaminated, the owner or operator of such impoundment will comply with appropriate post-closure requirements, including but not limited to groundwater monitoring and corrective action;

(II) The monofill is located more than one-quarter mile from an "underground source of drinking water" (as that term is defined in 335-14-1-.02); and

(III) The monofill is in compliance with generally applicable groundwater monitoring requirements for facilities with permits under RCRA Section 3005(c) and the AHWMMA; or

(ii) The owner or operator demonstrates that the monofill is located, designed, and operated so as to assure that there will be no migration of any hazardous constituent into groundwater or surface water at any future time.

(f) The owner or operator of any replacement surface impoundment unit is exempt from 335-14-5-.11(2) (c) if:

1. The existing unit was constructed in compliance with the design standards of Sections 3004(o)(1)(A)(i) and (o)(5) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the AHWMMA; and

2. There is no reason to believe that the liner is not functioning as designed.

(g) A surface impoundment must be designed, constructed, maintained, and operated to prevent overtopping resulting from normal or abnormal operations; overfilling; wind and wave action; rainfall; run-on; malfunctions of level controllers, alarms, and other equipment; and human error.

(h) A surface impoundment must have dikes that are designed, constructed, and maintained with sufficient structural integrity to prevent massive failure of the dikes. In ensuring structural integrity, it must not be presumed that the liner system will function without leakage during the active life of the unit.

(i) The Department will specify in the permit all design and operating practices that are necessary to ensure that the requirements of 335-14-5-.11(2) are satisfied.

(3)Action leakaqe rate.

(a) The Director shall approve an action leakage rate for surface impoundment units subject to 335-14-5-.11(2)(c) or (d). The action leakage rate is the maximum design flow rate that the leak detection system (LDS) can remove without the fluid head on the bottom liner exceeding one foot. The action leakage rate must include an adequate safety margin to allow for uncertainties in the design (e.g., slope, hydraulic conductivity, thickness of drainage material), construction, operation, and location of the LDS, waste and leachate characteristics, likelihood and amounts of other sources of liquids in the LDS, and proposed response actions (e.g., the action leakage rate must consider decreases in the flow capacity of the system over time resulting from siltation and clogging, rib layover and creep of synthetic components of the system, overburden pressures, etc.).

(b) To determine if the action leakage rate has been exceeded, the owner or operator must convert the weekly or monthly flow rate from the monitoring data obtained under 335-14-5-.11(7)(d) to an average daily flow rate (gallons per acre per day) for each sump. Unless the Director approves a different calculation, the average daily flow rate for each sump must be calculated weekly during the active life and closure period, and if the unit is closed in accordance with 335-14-5-.11(9)(b), monthly during the post-closure period when monthly monitoring is required under 335-14-5-.11(7)(d).

(4)Response actions.

(a) The owner or operator of surface impoundment units subject to 335-14-5-.11(2)(c) or (d) must have an approved response action plan before receipt of waste. The response action plan must set forth the actions to be taken if the action leakage rate has been exceeded. At a minimum, the response action plan must describe the actions specified in 335-14-5-.11(4) (b).

(b) If the flow rate into the leak detection system exceeds the action leakage rate for any sump, the owner or operator must:

1. Notify the Director in writing of the exceedance within seven days of the determination;

2. Submit a preliminary written assessment to the Director within 14 days of the determination, as to the amount of liquids, likely sources of liquids, possible location, size, and cause of any leaks, and short-term actions taken and planned;

3. Determine to the extent practicable the location, size, and cause of any leak;

4. Determine whether waste receipt should cease or be curtailed, whether any waste should be removed from the unit for inspection, repairs, or controls, and whether or not the unit should be closed;

5. Determine any other short-term and longer-term actions to be taken to mitigate or stop any leaks; and

6. Within 30 days after the notification that the action leakage rate has been exceeded, submit to the Director the results of the analyses specified in 335-14-5-.11(4)(b)3., 4., and 5., the results of actions taken, and actions planned. Monthly thereafter, as long as the flow rate in the leak detection system exceeds the action leakage rate, the owner or operator must submit to the Director a report summarizing the results of any remedial actions taken and actions planned.

(c) To make the leak and/or remediation determinations in 335-14-5-.11(b)3., 4., and 5., the owner or operator must:

(i) Assess the source of liquids and amounts of liquids by source,

(ii) Conduct a fingerprint, hazardous constituent, or other analyses of the liquids in the leak detection system to identify the source of liquids and possible location of any leaks, and the hazard and mobility of the liquid; and

(iii) Assess the seriousness of any leaks in terms of potential for escaping into the environment; or

2. Document why such assessments are not needed.

(5) [Reserved]

(6) [Reserved]

(7)Monitoring and inspection.

(a) During construction and installation, liners (except in the case of existing portions of surface impoundments exempt from 335-14-5-.11(2)(a)) 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:

1. Synthetic liners and covers must be inspected to ensure tight seams and joints and the absence of tears, punctures, or blisters; and

2. Soil-based and admixed liners and covers must be inspected for imperfections including lenses, cracks, channels, root holes, or other structural non-uniformities that may cause an increase in the permeability of the liner or cover.

(b) While a surface impoundment 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 overtopping control systems;

2. Sudden drops in the level of the impoundment's contents; and

3. Severe erosion or other signs of deterioration in dikes or other containment devices.

4. The presence of leachate in and proper functioning of the leachate collection and removal system (between the liners), where present.

[NOTE: These inspections must be documented in accordance with 335-14-5-.02(6)(d).]

(c) Prior to the issuance of a permit, and after any extended period of time (at least six months) during which the impoundment was not in service, the owner or operator must obtain a certification from a qualified engineer that the impoundment's dike, including that portion of any dike which provides freeboard, has structural integrity. The certification must establish, in particular, that the dike:

1. Will withstand the stress of the pressure exerted by the types and amounts of wastes to be placed in the impoundment; and

2. Will not fail due to scouring or piping, without dependence on any liner system included in the surface impoundment construction.

(d)

1. An owner or operator required to have a leak detection system under 335-14-5 -.11(2)(c) or (d) must record the amount of liquids removed from each leak detection system sump at least once each week during the active life and closure period.

2. After the final cover is installed, the amount of liquids removed from each leak detection system sump must be recorded at least monthly. If the liquid level in the sump stays below the pump operating level for two consecutive months, the amount of liquids in the sumps must be recorded at least quarterly. If the liquid level in the sump stays below the pump operating level for two consecutive quarters, the amount of liquids in the sumps must be recorded at least semi-annually. If at any time during the post-closure care period the pump operating level is exceeded at units on quarterly or semi-annual recording schedules, the owner or operator must return to monthly recording of amounts of liquids removed from each sump until the liquid level again stays below the pump operating level for two consecutive months.

3. "Pump operating level" is a liquid level proposed by the owner or operator and approved by the Director based on pump activation level, sump dimensions, and level that avoids backup into the drainage layer and minimizes head in the sump.

(8)Emergency repairs: contingency plans.

(a) A surface impoundment must be removed from service in accordance with 335-14-5-.11(8)(b) when:

1. The level of liquids in the impoundment suddenly drops and the drop is not known to be caused by changes in the normal operating flows into or out of the impoundment; or

2. The dike leaks.

(b) When a surface impoundment must be removed from service as required by 335-14-5-.11(8) (a), the owner or operator must:

1. Immediately shut off the flow or stop the addition of wastes into the impoundment;

2. Immediately contain any surface leakage which has occurred or is occurring;

3. Immediately stop the leak;

4. Take any other necessary steps to stop or prevent catastrophic failure;

5. If a leak cannot be stopped by any other means, empty the impoundment; and

6. Notify the Department of the problem in writing within seven days after detecting the problem.

(c) As part of the contingency plan required in Rule 335-14-5-.04, the owner or operator must specify a procedure for complying with the requirements of 335-14-5-.11(8)(b).

(d) No surface impoundment that has been removed from service in accordance with the requirements of 335-14-5-.11(8) may be restored to service unless the portion of the impoundment which was failing is repaired and the following steps are taken:

1. If the impoundment was removed from service as the result of actual or imminent dike failure, the dike's structural integrity must be recertified in accordance with 335-14-5-.11(7)(c).

2. If the impoundment was removed from service as the result of a sudden drop in the liquid level, then:

(i) For any existing portion of the impoundment, a liner must be installed in compliance with 335-14-5-.11(2)(a); and

(ii) For any other portion of the impoundment, the repaired liner system must be certified by a qualified engineer as meeting the design specifications approved in the permit.

(e) A surface impoundment that has been removed from service in accordance with the requirements of 335-14-5-.11(8) and that is not being repaired must be closed in accordance with the provisions of 335-14-5-.11(9).

(9)Closure and post-closure care.

(a) At closure, the owner or operator must:

1. Remove or decontaminate all waste residues, contaminated containment system components (liners, etc.), contaminated subsoils, and structures and equipment contaminated with waste and leachate, and manage them as hazardous waste unless 335-14-2-.01(3)(d) applies; or

(i) Eliminate free liquids by removing liquid wastes or solidifying the remaining wastes and waste residues; and

(ii) Stabilize remaining wastes to a bearing capacity sufficient to support final cover; and

(iii) Cover the surface impoundment with a final cover designed and constructed to:

(I) Provide long-term minimization of the migration of liquids into and through the closed impoundment;

(II) Function with minimum maintenance;

(III) Promote drainage and minimize erosion or abrasion of the final cover;

(IV) Minimize and accommodate settling and subsidence so that the cover's integrity is maintained;

(V) Have a permeability less than or equal to the permeability of any bottom liner system or natural subsoils present; and

(VI) To meet the requirements of 335-14-5-.11(9)(a)2. (iii) the final cover must meet the requirements of 335-14-5-.14(11)(b)1. through 3., unless Rule 335-14-5-.14(11)(c) applies.

(b) If some waste residues or contaminated materials are left in place at final closure, the owner or operator must comply with all post-closure requirements contained in 335-14-5-.07(8) through (11), including maintenance and monitoring throughout the post-closure care period [specified in the permit under 335-14-5-.07(8)] . The owner or operator must:

1. Maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the final cover, including making repairs to the cap as necessary to correct the effects of settling, subsidence, erosion, or other events;

2. Maintain and monitor the leak detection system in accordance with 335-14-5-.11(2)(c)2.(iv) and (2)(c)3. and 335-14-5-.11(7)(d), and comply with all other applicable leak detection system requirements of 335-14-5;

3. Maintain and monitor the groundwater monitoring system and comply with all other applicable requirements of Rule 335-14-5-.06;

4. Prevent run-on and run-off from eroding or otherwise damaging the final cover; and

5. Maintain, monitor, and continue to operate (where applicable) the leachate collection and removal system until leachate is no longer observed.

6. The owner or operator must visually inspect the final cover to identify evidence of settling, subsidence, erosion, or other events expected to limit the integrity or effectiveness. These inspections must be documented in an inspection log, as required by Rule 335-14-5-.02(6)(d). The Department will specify in the permit the inspection schedule.

(c)

1. If an owner or operator plans to close a surface impoundment in accordance with 335-14-5-.11(9) (a)1., and the impoundment does not comply with the liner requirements of 335-14-5-.11(2)(a) and is not exempt from them in accordance with 335-14-5-.11(2)(b), then:

(i) The closure plan for the impoundment under 335-14-5-.07(3) must include both a plan for complying with 335-14-5-.11(9)(a)1. and a contingent plan for complying with 335-14-5-.11(9) (a)2. in case not all contaminated subsoils can be practicably removed at closure; and

(ii) The owner or operator must prepare a contingent post-closure plan under 335-14-5-.07(9) for complying with 335-14-5-.11(9)(b) in case not all contaminated subsoils can be practicably removed at closure.

2. The cost estimates calculated under 335-14-5-.08(3) and (5) for closure and post-closure care of an impoundment subject to 335-14-5-.11(9)(c) 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 335-14-5 -.11(9)(a)1.

(10)Special requirements for ignitable or reactive waste. Ignitable or reactive waste must not be placed in a surface impoundment, unless the waste and impoundment satisfy all applicable requirements of 335-14-9, and:

(a) The waste is treated, rendered, or mixed before or immediately after placement in the impoundment so that:

1. The resulting waste, mixture, or dissolution of material no longer meets the definition of ignitable or reactive waste under 335-14-2-.03(2) or (4); and

2.335-14-5-.02(8)(b) is complied with; or

(b) The waste is managed in such a way that it is protected from any material or conditions which may cause it to ignite or react; or

(c) The surface impoundment is used solely for emergencies.

(11)Special requirements for incompatible wastes. Incompatible wastes, or incompatible wastes and materials, (see 335-14-5 - Appendix V for examples) must not be placed in the same surface impoundment, unless 335-14-5-.02(8) (b) is complied with.

(12)Special requirements for hazardous wastes F020, F021, F022, F023, F026, and F027.

(a) Hazardous wastes F020, F021, F022, F023, F026, and F027 must not be placed in a surface impoundment unless the owner or operator operates the surface impoundment in accordance with a management plan for these wastes that is approved by the Director pursuant to the standards set out in 335-14-5-.11(12)(a) and in accord with all other applicable requirements of 335-14-5. The factors to be considered are:

1. The volume, physical, and chemical characteristics of the wastes, including their potential to migrate through soil or to volatilize or escape into the atmosphere;

2. The attenuative properties of underlying and surrounding soils or other materials;

3. The mobilizing properties of other materials co-disposed with these wastes; and

4. The effectiveness of additional treatment, design, or monitoring techniques.

(b) The Department may determine that additional design, operating and monitoring requirements are necessary for surface impoundments managing hazardous wastes F020, F021, F022, F023, F026, and F027 in order to reduce the possibility of migration of these wastes to groundwater, surface water or air so as to protect human health and the environment.

(13)Air emission standards. The owner or operator shall manage all hazardous waste placed in a surface impoundment in accordance with the applicable requirements of 335-14-5-.27, 335-14-5-.28, and 335-14-5-.29.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-14-5-.11

July 19, 1982. Amended: April 9, 1986; September 29, 1986; February 15, 1988; August 24, 1989; December 6, 1990; January 1, 1993. Amended: Filed November 30, 1994; effective January 5, 1995. Amended: Filed February 20, 1998; effective March 27, 1998. Amended: Filed March 9, 2001; effective April 13, 2001. Amended: Filed February 8, 2002; effective March 15, 2002. Amended: Filed April 22, 2004; effective May 27, 2004. Amended: February 28, 2006; effective April 4, 2006. Amended: Filed February 27, 2007; effective April 3, 2007.

Authors: Stephen C. Maurer, James W. Hathcock, C. Edwin Johnston, Michael B. Champion, Vernon H. Crockett

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 22-30-11, 22-30-16.