Wasteload Allocations & 208 Plans
A Wasteload Allocation (WLA) is the allowable amount of a pollutant that can be discharged from a facility while still achieving water quality standards in the waterbody receiving the discharge. Wasteload Allocations are included in the State’s Water Quality Management Plan as a component of the facility’s “208 Plan.”
Wasteload Allocation and 208 Plan Modification Process
Wasteload Allocation Approval Process for All New Dischargers.
- Official letter from the Designated Management Agency (DMA) requesting to discharge
- Discharger submits an Alternatives Report- A report that explains why discharging is the most feasible option (Oklahoma CPP page 158).
- The discharger will submit a workplan providing details of how data will be collected and how that data will be used in a model(s) to develop a WLA.
- Sampling may begin after the workplan is approved by DEQ.
- Development of a water quality model to determine the impact of oxygen demanding substances on the instream D.O. concentration.
- After the model and WLA report are submitted to DEQ, DEQ has 30 days to review.
- If there are no issues with the model and/or the report, the model files and report will be transmitted to EPA for technical approval. EPA Region 6 has 30 days to review the information.
- After EPA technical approval is granted and any EPA comments are addressed, a public notice of 208 Plan modification will be published.
- The public comment period is open for 45 days. If there is a significant interest based on comments received, then a public meeting will be scheduled.
- If a public meeting is warranted, notices will be sent out informing the public of the location and time of the meeting.
- DEQ will address all public comments received during public notice period and submit the final document to EPA for approval. EPA will have 30 days for final review.
- Subsequent to EPA approval, DEQ will update the 208 Plan for the facility with the new WLA.
- The approved WLA will be incorporated into the facility’s discharge permit.
Requesting a WLA/208 Modification for Municipal Dischargers
The Designated Management Agency (DMA) for the facility must send an official letter requesting a new WLA to the DEQ Watershed Planning Section. The letter should include the following information:
For a New Facility
- The new facility treatment process;
- the facility’s location;
- the maximum design flow based on the 20-year population projection (in MGD);
- the proposed receiving stream waterbody name and ID;
- 20-year population projection;
- an analysis of wastewater treatment alternatives.
For an Existing Facility
- facility and permit ID;
- facility location;
- current receiving stream waterbody name and ID;
- proposed modifications to their current WLA (including the reason for modification);
- 20-year population projection.
The official request letter should be mailed to:
Watershed Planning Section
DEQ – Water Quality Division
P.O. Box 1677
Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1677
Requesting a WLA/208 Modification for Industrial Facilities
Industrial Dischargers can request a 208 Plan modification by submitting a monitoring workplan or wasteload allocation (WLA) report to the Watershed Planning section in the Water Quality Division of DEQ.
Calibrated Water Quality Model
A monitoring workplan is necessary for the completion of a calibrated water quality model.
Uncalibrated Water Quality Model
A facility may also perform water quality modeling without calibrating the model. An uncalibrated model does not require a monitoring workplan. Submittal of an uncalibrated model will result in a higher Margin of Safety (MOS) calculation for the WLA. The percent MOS required for a facility is based on system complexity. A 20% MOS is used for single source, while a 25% MOS is required for multiple sources.
Public Notices for 208 Plan Modifications
Active Public Notices for 208 Modifications are listed below.
Marshall County RWSD #1 – Water Quality Management Plan Modification Request
Water Quality Management Plan Modification Public Notice for Marshall County RWSD #1 – January 20, 2023 (Comment period ends March 6, 2023)
City of Blanchard – Water Quality Management Plan Modification Request
Water Quality Management Plan Modification Public Notice for the City of Blanchard – December 9, 2022 (Comment period ends January 23, 2023)
City of Blanchard Wastewater Treatment Facility – Draft Wasteload Allocation Report
Contact Watershed Planning