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Title 40

Displaying title 40, up to date as of 10/07/2026. Title 40 was last amended 10/02/2026.
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Subpart W—Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Source:

50 FR 38361, Sept. 20, 1985, unless otherwise noted.

§ 421.250 Applicability: Description of the primary precious metals and mercury subcategory.

The provisions of this subpart are applicable to discharges resulting from the production of gold, silver, or mercury by primary precious metals and mercury facilities.

§ 421.251 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.

§ 421.252 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 practicable technology currently available:

(a) Smelter wet air pollution control.

BPT Limitations for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/troy ounce of gold and silver smelted
Lead 0.546 0.260
Mercury 0.325 0.130
Silver 0.533 0.221
Zinc 1.898 0.793
Gold 0.130
Oil and grease 26.000 15.600
Total suspended solids 53.300 25.350
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(b) Silver chloride reduction spent solution.

BPT Limitations for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant of pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/troy ounce of silver reduced in solution
Lead 0.168 0.080
Mercury 0.100 0.040
Silver 0.164 0.068
Zinc 0.584 0.244
Gold 0.040
Oil and grease 8.000 4.800
Total suspended solids 16.400 7.800
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(c) Electrolytic cells wet air pollution control.

BPT Limitations for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/troy ounce of gold refined electrolytically
Lead 83.160 39.600
Mercury 49.500 19.800
Silver 81.180 33.660
Zinc 289.100 120.800
Gold 19.800
Oil and grease 3,960.000 2,376.000
Total suspended solids 8,118.000 3,861.000
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(d) Electrolyte preparation wet air pollution control.

BPT Limitations for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/troy ounce of silver in electrolyte produced
Lead 0.021 0.010
Mercury 0.013 0.005
Silver 0.021 0.009
Zinc 0.073 0.031
Gold 0.005
Oil and Grease 1.000 0.600
Total suspended solids 2.050 0.975
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(e) Calciner wet air pollution control.

BPT Limitations for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of mercury condensed
Lead 78.200 37.240
Mercury 46.550 18.620
Silver 76.340 31.650
Zinc 271.900 113.600
Gold 18.600
Oil and Grease 3,724.000 2,234.000
Total suspended solids 7,634.000 3,631.000
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(f) Calcine quench water.

BPT Limitations for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of mercury condensed
Lead 7.392 3.520
Mercury 4.400 1.760
Silver 7.216 2.992
Zinc 25.700 10.740
Gold 1.760
Oil and Grease 352.000 211.200
Total suspended solids 721.600 343.200
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(g) Calciner stack gas contact cooling water.

BPT Limitations for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of mercury condensed
Lead 1.743 0.830
Mercury 1.038 0.415
Silver 1.702 0.706
Zinc 6.059 2.532
Gold 0.415
Oil and Grease 83.000 49.800
Total suspended solids 170.200 80.930
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(h) Condenser blowdown.

BPT Limitations for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of mercury condensed
Lead 5.796 2.760
Mercury 3.450 1.380
Silver 5.658 2.346
Zinc 20.150 8.418
Gold 1.380
Oil and Grease 276.000 165.600
Total suspended solids 565.800 269.100
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(i) Mercury cleaning bath water.

BPT Limitations for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of mercury condensed
Lead 0.588 0.280
Mercury 0.350 0.140
Silver 0.574 0.238
Zinc 2.044 0.854
Gold 0.140
Oil and Grease 28.000 16.800
Total suspended solids 57.400 27.300
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

§ 421.253 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) Smelter wet air pollution control.

BAT Limitations for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/troy ounce of gold and silver smelted
Lead 0.364 0.169
Mercury 0.195 0.078
Silver 0.377 0.156
Zinc 1.326 0.546
Gold 0.130

(b) Silver chloride reduction spent solution.

BAT Limitations for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/troy ounce of silver reduced in solution
Lead 0.112 0.052
Mercury 0.060 0.024
Silver 0.116 0.048
Zinc 0.408 0.168
Gold 0.040

(c) Electrolytic cells wet air pollution control.

BAT Limitations for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/troy ounce of gold refined electrolytically
Lead 5.544 2.574
Mercury 2.970 1.188
Silver 5.742 2.376
Zinc 20.200 8.316
Gold 1.980

(d) Electrolyte preparation wet air pollution control.

BAT Limitations for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/troy ounce of silver in electrolyte produced
Lead 0.014 0.007
Mercury 0.008 0.003
Silver 0.015 0.006
Zinc 0.051 0.021
Gold 0.005

(e) Calciner Wet Air Pollution Control.

BAT Limitations for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of mercury condensed
Lead 6.160 2.860
Mercury 3.300 1.320
Silver 6.380 2.640
Zinc 22.440 9.240
Gold 2.200

(f) Calcine quench water.

BAT Limitations for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of mercury condensed
Lead 4.928 2.288
Mercury 2.640 1.056
Silver 5.104 2.112
Zinc 17.950 7.392
Gold 1.760

(g) Calciner stack gas contact cooling water.

BAT Limitations for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of mercury condensed
Lead 1.162 0.540
Mercury 0.623 0.249
Silver 1.204 0.498
Zinc 4.233 1.743
Gold 0.415

(h) Condenser blowdown.

BAT Limitations for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of mercury condensed
Lead 3.864 1.794
Mercury 2.070 0.828
Silver 4.002 1.656
Zinc 14.080 5.796
Gold 1.380

(i) Mercury cleaning bath water.

BAT Limitations for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of mercury condensed
Lead 0.392 0.182
Mercury 0.210 0.084
Silver 0.406 0.168
Zinc 1.428 0.588
Gold 0.140

§ 421.254 Standards of performance for new sources.

Any new source subject to this subpart shall achieve the following new source performance standards:

(a) Smelter wet air pollution control.

NSPS for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/troy ounce of gold and silver smelted
Lead 0.364 0.169
Mercury 0.195 0.078
Silver 0.377 0.156
Zinc 1.326 0.546
Gold 0.130
Oil and Grease 13.000 13.000
Total suspended solids 19.500 15.600
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(b) Silver chloride reduction spent solution.

NSPS for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/troy ounce of silver reduced in solution
Lead 0.112 0.052
Mercury 0.060 0.024
Silver 0.116 0.048
Zinc 0.408 0.168
Gold 0.040
Oil and Grease 4.000 4.000
Total suspended solids 6.000 4.800
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(c) Electrolytic cells wet air pollution control.

NSPS for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/troy ounce of gold refined electrolytically
Lead 5.544 2.574
Mercury 2.970 1.188
Silver 5.742 2.376
Zinc 20.200 8.316
Gold 1.980
Oil and Grease 198.000 198.000
Total suspended solids 297.000 237.600
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(d) Electrolyte preparation wet air pollution control.

NSPS for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/troy ounce of silver in electrolyte produced
Lead 0.014 0.007
Mercury 0.008 0.003
Silver 0.015 0.006
Zinc 0.051 0.021
Gold 0.005
Oil and Grease 0.500 0.500
Total suspended solids 0.750 0.600
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(e) Calciner wet air pollution control.

NSPS for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of mercury condensed
Lead 6.160 2.860
Mercury 3.300 1.320
Silver 6.380 2.640
Zinc 22.440 9.240
Gold 2.200
Oil and Grease 220.000 220.000
Total suspended solids 330.000 264.000
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(f) Calcine quench water.

NSPS for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of mercury condensed
Lead 4.928 2.288
Mercury 2.640 1.056
Silver 5.104 2.112
Zinc 17.950 7.392
Gold 1.760
Oil and Grease 176.000 176.000
Total suspended solids 264.000 211.200
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(g) Calciner stack gas contract cooling water.

NSPS for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) or mercury condensed
Lead 1.162 0.540
Mercury 0.623 0.249
Silver 1.204 0.498
Zinc 4.233 1.743
Gold 0.415
Oil and Grease 41.500 41.500
Total suspended solids 62.250 49.800
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(h) Condenser blowdown.

NSPS for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of mercury condensed
Lead 3.864 1.794
Mercury 2.070 0.828
Silver 4.002 1.656
Zinc 14.080 5.796
Gold 1.380
Oil and Grease 138.000 138.000
Total suspended solids 207.000 165.600
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

(i) Mercury cleaning bath water.

NSPS for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of Mercury condensed
Lead 0.392 0.182
Mercury 0.210 0.084
Silver 0.406 0.168
Zinc 1.428 0.588
Gold 0.140
Oil and Grease 14.000 14.000
Total suspended solids 21.000 16.800
pH (1) (1)
1 Within the range of 7.5 to 10.0 at all times.

[50 FR 38361, Sept. 20, 1985; 50 FR 41144, Oct. 9, 1985]

§ 421.255 [Reserved]

§ 421.256 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 primary precious metals and mercury process wastewater introduced into a POTW shall not exceed the following values:

(a) Smelter wet air pollution control.

PSNS for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/troy ounce of gold and silver smelted
Lead 0.364 0.169
Mercury 0.195 0.078
Silver 0.377 0.156
Zinc 1.326 0.546
Gold 0.130

(b) Silver chloride reduction spent solution.

PSNS for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/troy ounce of silver reduced in solution
Lead 0.112 0.052
Mercury 0.060 0.024
Silver 0.116 0.048
Zinc 0.408 0.168
Gold 0.040

(c) Electrolytic cells wet air pollution control.

PSNS for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/troy ounce of gold refined electrolytically
Lead 5.544 2.574
Mercury 2.970 1.188
Silver 5.742 2.376
Zinc 20.200 8.316
Gold 1.980

(d) Electrolyte preparation wet air pollution control.

PSNS for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/troy ounce of silver in electrolyte produced
Lead 0.014 0.007
Mercury 0.008 0.003
Silver 0.015 0.006
Zinc 0.051 0.021
Gold 0.005

(e) Calciner wet air pollution control.

PSNS for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of mercury condensed
Lead 6.160 2.860
Mercury 3.300 1.320
Silver 6.380 2.640
Zinc 22.440 9.240
Gold 2.200

(f) Calcine quench water.

PSNS for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of mercury condensed
Lead 4.928 2.288
Mercury 2.640 1.056
Silver 5.104 2.112
Zinc 17.950 7.392
Gold 1.760

(g) Calciner stack gas contact cooling water.

PSNS for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of mercury condensed
Lead 1.162 0.540
Mercury 0.623 0.249
Silver 1.204 0.498
Zinc 4.233 1,743
Gold 0.415

(h) Condenser blowdown.

PSNS for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of mercury condensed
Lead 3.864 1.794
Mercury 2.070 0.828
Silver 4.002 1.656
Zinc 14.080 5.656
Gold 1.380

(i) Mercury cleaning bath water.

PSNS for the Primary Precious Metals and Mercury Subcategory

Pollutant or pollutant property Maximum for any 1 day Maximum for monthly average
mg/kg (pounds per million pounds) of mercury condensed
Lead 0.392 0.182
Mercury 0.210 0.084
Silver 0.406 0.168
Zinc 1.428 0.588
Gold 0.140

§ 421.257 [Reserved]