The Washington State Department of Ecology issued this draft addendum to address shortcomings in the NPDES wastewater discharge permit for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, following a ruling by the Pollution Control Hearings Board. The document outlines required changes to how the Port of Seattle manages contaminated wastewater from aircraft deicing operations, including stricter pollution limits, improved treatment standards, and enhanced water quality monitoring of nearby waterways such as Miller Creek. The revisions focus on reducing harmful biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) discharges into Puget Sound and ensuring the Port implements all available pollution control measures as quickly as possible.Open full document
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This draft addendum to a fact sheet explains the basis for proposed modifications to NPDES Permit No. WA-002465-1 issued to the Port of Seattle for Sea-Tac International Airport, following remand by the Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB) in October 2004. The PCHB identified multiple shortcomings in the permit, including inadequate AKART requirements, insufficient interim effluent limitations on the Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant, and deficiencies in toxicity testing and receiving water study conditions. The Department of Ecology is required to address water quality standards compliance, Lake Reba monitoring, BOD/COD analysis, and restrictions on mixing zones until AKART is fully implemented.