3930-FM-BSDW0040
Instructions
Rev. 8/2015
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
BUREAU OF SAFE DRINKING WATER
FILTER BACKWASH RECYCLING RULE
RECYCLE NOTIFICATION FORM
Listed below is information on how to answer the Questions (Q1 – Q4) of this form. Completed form shall be mailed to
the Bureau of Safe Drinking Water, Division of Operations and Monitoring, P.O. Box 8467, 10th Floor RCSOB,
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8467.
Q1. Indicate yes or no. If yes, answer Question 2. If no, do not answer Questions 2 through 4.
Conventional Filtration is the series of processes for the purpose of substantial particulate removal
consisting of coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation and filtration.
Direct Filtration is a series of processes for the purpose of substantial particulate removal consisting of
coagulation and filtration. The term normally includes flocculation after coagulation, but does not include
sedimentation.
Q2. Indicate yes if you recycle any or all three streams. If you answer yes to any of Question 2, answer Questions 3 and
4. If not, you need not answer Questions 3 and 4.
Spent Filter Backwash Water is defined as a stream containing particles dislodged from filter media when
the filter is backwashed to clean the filter.
Thickener Supernatant is defined as a stream containing the decant from a clarifier, sedimentation basin,
or other unit used to treat water, solids or semi-solids from the primary treatment process.
Liquids from Dewatering Processes are defined as streams containing liquids generated from a unit used
to concentrate solids for disposal.
Q3. Answer all questions and provide requested information.
i.
Indicate the typical recycle flow for the plant in gpm.
ii.
Highest Observed Plant Flow: This value is the highest instantaneous flow encountered during the previous year
considering both raw water influent flow rate and any recycle returns contributing to the plant influent flow. It
should not be an average of daily values or a maximum day production extrapolated down to gpm.
iii. Design flow for the treatment plant is the maximum design flow rate for the plant.
iv. DEP permitted maximum operating capacity for the plant is the maximum operating capacity approved by DEP for
the plant. (Capacity does not mean that approved in any water allocation permit).
v.
Plant schematic should be recent plant diagrams from Filter Plant Performance Evaluation reports or a DEP
sanitary survey form. See attached example plant schematic.
Hydraulic conveyance is pipe/channel used to recycle flows. Show the length and diameter of piping and if flow is
by gravity or pumping. If flow is by pumping, indicate pump size and rate.
Q4. Requesting alternate recycle location: It is up to the discretion of DEP to either grant or deny the use of an alternate
recycle location. Contact the regional engineer in the Safe Drinking Water Program. The following information should
be submitted to DEP:

A written request explaining the reason and/or rationale for using the alternate recycle location (such as if the
plant requires recycle to an alternate location to maintain optimal finished water quality or if it is an essential
component of treatment – such as for lime softening), including an explanation of why the alternate recycle
location would not or does not cause a negative impact upon the finished water quality.

A plant schematic identifying the alternate recycle location (which may be the schematic required in 3(v) if the
alternate location is currently used).

Demonstration of compliance with IESWTR/LT1ESWTR turbidity limits.
submission of combined filter effluent and/or individual filter effluent data.
-1-
This may be achieved through
3930-FM-BSDW0040
Instructions
Rev. 8/2015

A description of the type of treatment(s) applied to the recycled stream (if any).

A comparison of the plant influent water quality to the recycle stream water quality. Parameters for comparison
may include, but is not limited to:
o
Turbidity
o
Oocysts
o
Oocyst-sized particles
o
Iron and/or manganese
o
Disinfection Byproduct (DBP) levels
o
Total organic carbon (TOC) and assimilable organic carbon (AOC)

Information on sedimentation performance (as evidenced by settled water turbidity).

Submission of design and monitoring data for the alternate recycle location.

Information on the current loading rates of unit processes, and the impact to the loading rates caused by the
alternate location.

Information on flow control during recycle.

An analysis of other impacts that the alternate location may have on finished quality.
Space is provided on the form for any additional comments or information you want to submit. Don’t forget to have a
responsible official for your system sign the form before you submit it.
-2-
3930-FM-BSDW0040
Rev. 8/2015
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYVLANIA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
BUREAU OF SAFE DRINKING WATER
FILTER BACKWASH RECYCLING RULE
RECYCLE NOTIFICATION FORM
The following information is due to DEP within 30 days of making changes to recycling processes.
SYSTEM NAME
PWSID
DATE
1. Does your system use conventional or direct filtration?
Yes
No
2. Does your system recycle any of the following?
i.
Spent filter backwash water
Yes
No
ii.
Thickener Supernatant
Yes
No
Yes
No
iii. Liquids from dewatering processes
3. If you answered yes to question 1 and any of subquestions 2, please report the following:
i.
What is the typical recycle flow (in gpm)?
ii.
What was the highest observed plant flow for the system in the previous year (in gpm)?
iii. What is the design flow for the treatment plant (in gpm)?
iv. What is DEP permitted capacity for the plant?
v. Please submit a plant schematic that shows all of the following:

The origin of all recycle flows (spent filter backwash, thickener supernatant, liquids from dewatering
processes, and any other); and

The location where all recycled flows re-enter the treatment plant process; and

The hydraulic conveyances used to transport all recycle flows.
4. Are you requesting an alternate recycle location?
Yes
No
An alternate recycle location is one that does not incorporate all treatment processes of a conventional filtration
plant (coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration) or direct filtration plant (coagulation, flocculation, and
filtration. If you checked “yes” you must contact your regional engineer to discuss a permit amendment.
Additional Comments:
Responsible Official Signature: