Timber Products Processing Effluent Guidelines
The EPA promulgated the Timber Products Processing Effluent Guidelines and Standards (40 CFR Part 429) during 1974-6 and amended the regulation in 1981. The regulation covers direct and indirect dischargers. The Effluent Guidelines and Standards are incorporated into NPDES permits for direct dischargersA point source that discharges pollutants to waters of the United States, such as streams, lakes, or oceans., and permits or other control mechanisms for indirect dischargersA facility that discharges pollutants to a publicly owned treatment works (municipal sewage treatment plant). (refer to Pretreatment Program).
On this page:
- What is the Timber Products Processing Industry?
- Pollutants and Subcategories
- Rulemaking History
- Additional Information
What is the Timber Products Processing Industry?
The timber products processing industry consists of a diverse group of manufacturing plants whose primary raw material is wood and whose products range from finished lumber and other wood building products to hardboard and preserved wood. This industrial group comprises thousands of facilities, including:
- sawmills
- millwork and finishing operations
- veneer and plywood plants
- wood preserving plants
- particleboard plants
- hardboard plants, and
- insulation board plants.
- 3211: Sawmills and Wood Preservation
- 3212: Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing
- 337: Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing
Note: The NAICS listing is provided as a guide and does not define the coverage of the Timber Products Processing category. For precise definitions of coverage, see the applicability sections in 40 CFR Part 429.
Pollutants and Subcategories
Regulated Pollutants
The regulated pollutants vary by subcategory, and include:
- arsenic
- biochemical oxygen demand
- chemical oxygen demand
- copper
- chromium
- pH (abnormally high or low)
- phenols
- oil & grease
- suspended solids
Portions of 15 subcategories are subject to zero discharge requirements.
Regulation Subcategories
- Barking (Subpart A)
- Veneer (Subpart B)
- Plywood (Subpart C)
- Dry Process Hardboard (Subpart D)
- Wet Process Hardboard (Subpart E)
- Wood Preserving—Water Borne or Nonpressure (Subpart F)
- Wood Preserving Steam (Subpart G)
- Wood Preserving—Boulton (Subpart H)
- Wet Storage (Subpart I)
- Log Washing (Subpart J)
- Sawmills and Planing Mills (Subpart K)
- Finishing (Subpart L)
- Particleboard (Subpart M)
- Manufacturing Insulation Board (Subpart N)
- Wood Furniture and Fixture Production Without Water Wash Spray Booth(s) or Without Laundry Facilities (Subpart O)
- Wood Furniture and Fixture Production with Water Wash Spray Booth(s) or with Laundry Facilities (Subpart P)
Rulemaking History
Minor Amendments
- Final Rule (July 30, 2004, 69 FR 45943)
Modification to definition of "process wastewater" - Timber Products Processing Effluent Guidelines - Final Rule (pdf)
1981 Amendment
- Timber Products Processing Effluent Guidelines - Final Rule (pdf)
- Development Document for Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Timber Products Processing Category (pdf)
- Timber Products Processing Effluent Guidelines - Proposed Rule (pdf)
1976 Amendment
- Timber Products Processing Effluent Guidelines - Final Rule (pdf)
- Timber Products Processing Effluent Guidelines - Proposed Rule (pdf)
- Timber Products Processing Effluent Guidelines - Proposed Rule (pdf)
- Timber Products Processing Effluent Guidelines - Proposed Rule (pdf)
1975 Amendment
- Timber Products Processing Effluent Guidelines - Final Rule (pdf)
- Timber Products Processing Effluent Guidelines - Proposed Rule (pdf)
1974 Initial Rulemaking
- Timber Products Processing Effluent Guidelines - Final Rule (pdf)
- Development Document for Effluent Limitations Guidelines and New Source Performance Standards for the Plywood, Hardboard and Wood Preserving Segment of the Timber Products Processing Point Source Category (pdf)
- Timber Products Processing Effluent Guidelines - Proposed Rule (pdf)
Additional Information
For additional information regarding the Timber Products Processing Effluent Guidelines, please contact Ahmar Siddiqui (siddiqui.ahmar@epa.gov) or 202-566-1044.
