BNSF Railway Co (Willmar) - Wastewater Permit

We invite you to comment on the draft industrial wastewater permit for the BNSF Railway Company facility in Willmar.

The facility operates under the standard industrial classification (SIC) code 4011: Railroads, Line-Haul Operating. This draft permit authorizes discharge of treated industrial stormwater and treated industrial wastewater (when it is not sent to the City of Willmar POTW via the sanitary sewer) into the City of Willmar’s storm sewer, which discharges into Willmar Lake, at a maximum rate of 18,000 gallons per day.

The draft industrial wastewater permit includes the addition of monitoring for sulfate and phosphorus in both discharges. pH limits per State Discharge Restrictions and monitoring for CBOD5, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, gasoline range organics, and diesel range organics in the treated industrial wastewater discharge have also been added.

Wastewater from industrial and commercial sources may contain pollutants at levels that could adversely affect the water quality in area wetlands, streams, rivers, and lakes. Water quality permits - or National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits - establish specific limits and requirements to protect Minnesota's surface and groundwater quality. Permits are regularly reviewed and updated as they expire, allowing the MPCA to incorporate new information about the impacts of pollutants on the environment in future permits. Permits are enforced through a combination of self-reporting and compliance monitoring.