IDEM issued a renewed National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to the City of Valparaiso in Porter County on June 1. The permit is believed to be the first in Indiana to impose the mercury standards of the Great Lakes Initiative. The facility will need to comply with a 1.3 parts per trillion monthly average and a 3.2 ppt daily maximum limit. However, IDEM essentially gave the city 59 of the 60 month duration of the permit to come into compliance. Under the permit, the city would have to:

• Comply with interim limits of 10 ppt monthly average and 20 ppt daily maximum;

• Monitor for mercury to determine effectiveness of existing facilities.

• Submit a written progress report within six months describing the method selected to meet the limits;

• Determine whether construction is required and submit an application within 12 months; and

• Initiate construction within 24 months.

The city is appealing the permit and is pursing a variance. Initial monitoring suggests that that it will be close to complying with the limits.

For information on IKE's efforts to reduce exposure to mercury.