Regulations last checked for updates: May 01, 2025
Title 40 - Protection of Environment last revised: Nov 01, 2025
§ 421.320 - Applicability: Description of the secondary uranium subcategory.
The provisions of this subpart are applicable to discharges resulting from the production of uranium (including depleted uranium) by secondary uranium facilities.
§ 421.321 - Specialized definitions.
For the purpose of this subpart the general definitions, abbreviations, and methods of analysis set forth in 40 CFR part 401 shall apply to this subpart.
§ 421.322 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available.
Except as provided in 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart shall achieve the following effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practiacable technology currently available:
(a) Refinery sump filtrate.
BPT Limitations for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium processed in the refinery
|
| Chromium | 32.270 | 13.200
|
| Copper | 139.300 | 73.340
|
| Nickel | 140.800 | 93.140
|
| Fluoride | 2,567.000 | 1,459.000
|
| Total suspended solids | 3,007.000 | 1,430.000
|
| pH | (
1) | (
1)
|
(b) Slag leach reslurry.
BPT Limitations for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium processed in the refinery
|
| Chromium (total) | 2.009 | 0.822
|
| Copper | 8.675 | 4.566
|
| Nickel | 8.767 | 5.799
|
| Fluoride | 159.800 | 90.860
|
| Total suspended solids | 187.200 | 89.040
|
| pH | (
1) | (
1)
|
(c) Solvent extraction raffinate filtrate.
BPT Limitations for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium processed in the refinery
|
| Chromium (total) | 2.802 | 1.146
|
| Copper | 12.100 | 6.369
|
| Nickel | 12.230 | 8.089
|
| Fluoride | 222.900 | 126.700
|
| Total suspended solids | 261.100 | 124.200
|
| pH | (
1) | (
1)
|
(d) Digestion wet air pollution control.
BPT Limitations for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium processed in the refinery
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Copper | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Nickel | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Fluoride | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Total suspended solids | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| pH | (
1) | (
1)
|
(e) Evaporation and denitration wet air pollution control.
BPT Limitations for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium trioxide produced
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Copper | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Nickel | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Fluoride | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Total suspended solids | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| pH | (
1) | (
1)
|
(f) Hydrofluorination alkaline scrubber.
BPT Limitations for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium tetrafluoride produced
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.009 | 0.004
|
| Copper | 0.038 | 0.020
|
| Nickel | 0.038 | 0.025
|
| Fluoride | 0.700 | 0.398
|
| Total suspended solids | 0.820 | 0.390
|
| pH | (
1) | (
1)
|
(g) Hydrofluorination water scrubber.
BPT Limitations for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium tetrafluoride produced
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Copper | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Nickel | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Fluoride | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Total suspended solids | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| pH | (
1) | (
1)
|
(h) Magnesium reduction and casting floor wash.
BPT Limitations for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium produced by magnesium reduction
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.013 | 0.005
|
| Copper | 0.057 | 0.030
|
| Nickel | 0.058 | 0.038
|
| Fluoride | 1.054 | 0.599
|
| Total suspended solids | 1.234 | 0.587
|
| pH | (
1) | (
1)
|
(i) Laundry wastewater.
BPT Limitations for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium produced by magnesium reduction
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.084 | 0.035
|
| Copper | 0.365 | 0.192
|
| Nickel | 0.369 | 0.244
|
| Fluoride | 6.720 | 3.821
|
| Total suspended solids | 7.872 | 3.744
|
| pH | (
1) | (
1)
|
§ 421.323 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable.
Except as provided in 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source subject to this subpart shall achieve the following effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable:
(a) Refinery sump filtrate.
BAT Limitations for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium processed in the refinery
|
| Chromium (total) | 27.14 | 11.00
|
| Copper | 93.88 | 44.74
|
| Nickel | 40.34 | 27.14
|
| Fluoride | 2,567.00 | 1,459.00 |
(b) Slag leach reslurry.
BAT Limitations for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium processed in the refinery
|
| Chromium (total) | 1.689 | 0.685
|
| Copper | 5.844 | 2.785
|
| Nickel | 2.511 | 1.689
|
| Fluoride | 159.800 | 90.860 |
(c) Solvent extraction raffinate filtrate.
BAT Limitations for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium processed in the refinery
|
| Chromium (total) | 2.357 | 0.955
|
| Copper | 8.152 | 3.885
|
| Nickel | 3.503 | 2.357
|
| Fluoride | 222.900 | 126.700 |
(d) Digestion wet air pollution control.
BAT Limitations for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium processed in the refinery
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Copper | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Nickel | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Fluoride | 0.000 | 0.000 |
(e) Evaporation and denitration wet air pollution control.
BAT Limitations for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium trioxide produced
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Copper | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Nickel | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Fluoride | 0.000 | 0.000 |
(f) Hydrofluorination alkaline scrubber.
BAT Limitations for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium tetrafluoride produced
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.007 | 0.003
|
| Copper | 0.026 | 0.012
|
| Nickel | 0.011 | 0.007
|
| Fluoride | 0.700 | 0.398 |
(g) Hydrofluorination water scrubber.
BAT Limitations for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium tetrafluoride produced
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Copper | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Nickel | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Fluoride | 0.000 | 0.000 |
(h) Magnesium reduction and casting floor wash.
BAT Limitations for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium produced by magnesium reduction
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.011 | 0.005
|
| Copper | 0.039 | 0.018
|
| Nickel | 0.017 | 0.011
|
| Fluoride | 1.054 | 0.599 |
(i) Laundry wastewater.
BAT Limitations for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium produced by magnesium reduction
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.036 | 0.014
|
| Copper | 0.123 | 0.059
|
| Nickel | 0.053 | 0.036
|
| Fluoride | 3.360 | 1.910 |
§ 421.324 - Standards of performance for new sources.
Any new source subject to this subpart shall achieve the following new source performance standards:
(a) Refinery sump filtrate.
NSPS for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium processed in the refinery
|
| Chromium (total) | 27.14 | 11.00
|
| Copper | 93.88 | 44.74
|
| Nickel | 40.34 | 27.14
|
| Fluoride | 2,567.00 | 1,459.00
|
| Total suspended solids | 1,100.00 | 880.10
|
| pH | (
1) | (
1)
|
(b) Slag leach reslurry.
NSPS for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium processed in the refinery
|
| Chromium (total) | 1.689 | 0.685
|
| Copper | 5.844 | 2.785
|
| Nickel | 2.511 | 1.689
|
| Fluoride | 159.800 | 90.860
|
| Total suspended solids | 68.490 | 54.790
|
| pH | (
1) | (
1)
|
(c) Solvent extraction raffinate filtrate.
NSPS for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium processed in the refinery
|
| Chromium (total) | 2.357 | 0.955
|
| Copper | 8.152 | 3.885
|
| Nickel | 3.503 | 2.357
|
| Fluoride | 222.900 | 126.700
|
| Total suspended solids | 95.540 | 76.430
|
| pH | (
1) | (
1)
|
(d) Digestion wet air pollution control.
NSPS for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium processed in the refinery
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Copper | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Nickel | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Fluoride | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Total suspended solids | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| pH | (
1) | (
1)
|
(e) Evaporation and denitration wet air pollution control
NSPS for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium trioxide produced
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Copper | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Nickel | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Fluoride | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Total suspended solids | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| pH | (
1) | (
1)
|
(f) Hydrofluorination alkaline scrubber.
NSPS for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium tetrafluoride produced
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.007 | 0.003
|
| Copper | 0.026 | 0.012
|
| Nickel | 0.011 | 0.007
|
| Fluoride | 0.700 | 0.398
|
| Total suspended solids | 0.300 | 0.240
|
| pH | (
1) | (
1)
|
(g) Hydrofluorination water scrubber.
NSPS for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium tetrafluoride produced
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Copper | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Nickel | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Fluoride | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Total suspended solids | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| pH | (
1) | (
1)
|
(h) Magnesium reduction and casting floor wash.
NSPS for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium produced by magnesium reduction
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.011 | 0.005
|
| Copper | 0.039 | 0.018
|
| Nickel | 0.017 | 0.011
|
| Fluoride | 1.054 | 0.599
|
| Total suspended solids | 0.452 | 0.361
|
| pH | (
1) | (
1)
|
(i) Laundry wastewater.
NSPS for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium produced by magnesium reduction
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.036 | 0.014
|
| Copper | 0.123 | 0.059
|
| Nickel | 0.053 | 0.036
|
| Fluoride | 3.360 | 1.910
|
| Total suspended solids | 1.440 | 1.152
|
| pH | (
1) | (
1)
|
§ 421.325 - [Reserved]
§ 421.326 - Pretreatment standards for new sources.
Except as provided in 40 CFR 403.7, any new source subject to this subpart which introduces pollutants into a publicly owned treatment works must comply with 40 CFR part 403 and achieve the following pretreatment standards for new sources. The mass of wastewater pollutants in secondary uranium process wastewater introduced into a POTW shall not exceed the following values:
(a) Refinery sump filtrate.
PSNS for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium processed in the refinery
|
| Chromium (total) | 27.14 | 11.00
|
| Copper | 93.88 | 44.74
|
| Nickel | 40.34 | 27.14
|
| Fluoride | 2,567.00 | 1,459.00 |
(b) Slag leach reslurry.
PSNS for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium processed in the refinery
|
| Chromium (total) | 1.689 | 0.685
|
| Copper | 5.844 | 2.785
|
| Nickel | 2.511 | 1.689
|
| Fluoride | 159.800 | 90.860 |
(c) Solvent extraction raffinate filtrate.
PSNS for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium processed in the refinery
|
| Chromium (total) | 2.357 | 0.955
|
| Copper | 8.152 | 3.885
|
| Nickel | 3.503 | 2.357
|
| Fluoride | 222.900 | 126.700 |
(d) Digestion wet air pollution control.
PSNS for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium processed in the refinery
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Copper | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Nickel | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Fluoride | 0.000 | 0.000 |
(e) Evaporation and denitration wet air pollution control.
PSNS for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium trioxide produced
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Copper | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Nickel | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Fluoride | 0.000 | 0.000 |
(f) Hydrofluorination alkaline scrubber.
PSNS for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium tetrafluoride produced
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.007 | 0.003
|
| Copper | 0.026 | 0.012
|
| Nickel | 0.011 | 0.007
|
| Fluoride | 0.700 | 0.398 |
(g) Hydrofluorination water scrubber.
PSNS for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium tetrafluoride produced
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Copper | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Nickel | 0.000 | 0.000
|
| Fluoride | 0.000 | 0.000 |
(h) Magnesium reduction and casting floor wash.
PSNS for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium trioxide produced
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.011 | 0.005
|
| Copper | 0.039 | 0.018
|
| Nickel | 0.017 | 0.011
|
| Fluoride | 1.054 | 0.599 |
(i) Laundry wastewater.
PSNS for the Secondary Uranium Subcategory
| Pollutant or pollutant property
| Maximum for any 1 day
| Maximum for monthly average
|
|---|
| mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of uranium produced by magnesium reduction
|
| Chromium (total) | 0.036 | 0.014
|
| Copper | 0.123 | 0.059
|
| Nickel | 0.053 | 0.036
|
| Fluoride | 3.360 | 1.910 |
§ 421.327 - [Reserved]
authority: Secs. 301, 304 (b), (c), (e), and (g), 306 (b) and (c), 307 (b) and (c), 308 and 501 of the Clean Water Act (the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, as amended by the Clean Water Act of 1977) and the Water Quality Act of 1987 (the “Act”);
33 U.S.C. 1311,
1314,
c,
e,
and, 1316 (b) and
c, 1317 (b) and
c,
1318; 86 Stat. 816, Pub. L. 92-500; 91 Stat. 1567, Pub. L. 95-217; 101 Stat. 7, Pub. L. 100-4
source: 49 FR 8790, Mar. 8, 1984, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 40 CFR 421.322