Commenting open: February 04, 2025 12:00AM CT - March 06, 2025 11:59PM CT.
Calco Sprouts - Wastewater Permit
We invite you to comment on the draft wastewater permit for Calco Sprouts.
Calco Sprouts produces alfalfa, soy, and mung bean sprouts at its facility in Minneapolis. Hydroponic wastewater from bean sprout production discharges to the storm sewer and then flows to the Mississippi River at an average rate of 35,000 gallons per day and a maximum rate of 55,000 gallons per day. A fine mesh fiberglass screen covers the floor drains to prevent any of the facility’s products from entering the storm sewer.
The draft water quality permit requires increased monitoring for nitrite plus nitrate-nitrogen, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, and total nitrogen to once every month. The draft permit also requires monitoring for total sulfate once per quarter. Additionally, the draft permit updates the wastewater outfall to the correct location on the facility topographic map. The permit contains a compliance schedule of 180 days to install new flow monitoring equipment.
The MPCA also proposes to modify the waste load allocation for total suspended solids for Calco Sprouts in the South Metro Mississippi River study. The maximum load of total suspended solids in the study, approved by the EPA in 2016, was calculated using the wrong flow rate for this facility. The correction will not result in an impairment for total suspended solids.
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. All wastewater must be treated before it goes into surface water to protect human health and aquatic life. 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.
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We invite you to comment on the draft wastewater permit for Calco Sprouts.
Calco Sprouts produces alfalfa, soy, and mung bean sprouts at its facility in Minneapolis. Hydroponic wastewater from bean sprout production discharges to the storm sewer and then flows to the Mississippi River at an average rate of 35,000 gallons per day and a maximum rate of 55,000 gallons per day. A fine mesh fiberglass screen covers the floor drains to prevent any of the facility’s products from entering the storm sewer.
The draft water quality permit requires increased monitoring for nitrite plus nitrate-nitrogen, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, and total nitrogen to once every month. The draft permit also requires monitoring for total sulfate once per quarter. Additionally, the draft permit updates the wastewater outfall to the correct location on the facility topographic map. The permit contains a compliance schedule of 180 days to install new flow monitoring equipment.
The MPCA also proposes to modify the waste load allocation for total suspended solids for Calco Sprouts in the South Metro Mississippi River study. The maximum load of total suspended solids in the study, approved by the EPA in 2016, was calculated using the wrong flow rate for this facility. The correction will not result in an impairment for total suspended solids.
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. All wastewater must be treated before it goes into surface water to protect human health and aquatic life. 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.
Contact Information
*Indicates Required Fields