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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 2004 MWMC WASTEWATER FACILITIES PLAN AND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGE METHODOLOGY Current Peak Flow Capacity Required Peak Flow Capacity in Additional Capacity Required 2025 175 million gallons per day (mgd) 277 mgd 102 mgd (277 less 175) · Ammonia: In May 2002, MWMC was issued a revised discharge permit. DEQ added an ammonia limit to the permit to provide additional protection of water quality, theatened fish species, and other aquatic life in the Willamettte River. The existing treatment facility was not designed to remove ammonia. If the plant were to use conventional treatment methods to remove ammonia from the wastewater, it would require roughly twice as much treatment basin volume and 4 to 5 times the amount of compressed air compared to conventional regulated carbon-based wastewater parameters. Ammonia is more expensive to treat than the conventional pollutants. · Temperature/Fhermal Load: DEQ also added a thermal load limit to the permit that regulates how much heat the treatment plant can discharge to the Willamette River. This requirement is to protect fish in the interim while DEQ develops a more thorough basis for the thermal load limit. It is anticipated that once the limit for temperature is finalized, MWMC's thermal load allocation in the Willamette River will be at least as stringent as the interim limit. Reusing the treated wastewater instead of discharging it is a beneficial approach to removing heat load from the Willamette River. Examples of reuse are irrigation on farmland, dual plumbing systems, and irrigation of parks and golf courses. · Mass Load Limits for Conventional Pollutants: As wastewater flows increase due to planned growth, the fixed mass loads for conventional pollutants contained in the current NPDES permit become more difficult to meet. For example, in 2025 the treatment plant would need to achieve an additional 20% reduction in conventional pollutant discharge over current practices to meet permit requirements. Finally, changes in community expectations are also driving the need for some of the improvements. As shown in the aerial photograph below, the facility is surrounded by residences and businesses. The Commission desires to take additional steps to ensure that MWMC is a "good neighbor." It is becoming increasingly important to respond to community concerns and expectations. These include providing facilities that control odors, are aesthetically pleasing, and provide a safe environment for the citizens that live adjacent to the WPCF through the redu6tion or elimination of hazardous materials. SHAWNS COMMENTS TO FAQ'S ON 4-16-04_1.DOC PAGE 5 OF 13