(a) As an alternative means for demonstrating compliance with § 61.52(b), an owner or operator may use Method 105 of appendix B and the procedures specified in this section.

(1) A sludge test shall be conducted within 90 days of the effective date of these regulations in the case of an existing source or a new source which has an initial startup date preceding the effective date; or

(2) A sludge test shall be conducted within 90 days of startup in the case of a new source which did not have an initial startup date preceding the effective date.

(b) The Administrator shall be notified at least 30 days prior to a sludge sampling test, so that he may at his option observe the test.

(c) Sludge shall be sampled according to paragraph (c)(1) of this section, sludge charging rate for the plant shall be determined according to paragraph (c)(2) of this section, and the sludge analysis shall be performed according to paragraph (c)(3) of this section.

(1) The sludge shall be sampled according to Method 105—Determination of Mercury in Wastewater Treatment Plant Sewage Sludges. A total of three composite samples shall be obtained within an operating period of 24 hours. When the 24-hour operating period is not continuous, the total sampling period shall not exceed 72 hours after the first grab sample is obtained. Samples shall not be exposed to any condition that may result in mercury contamination or loss.

(2) The maximum 24-hour period sludge incineration or drying rate shall be determined by use of a flow rate measurement device that can measure the mass rate of sludge charged to the incinerator or dryer with an accuracy of ±5 percent over its operating range. Other methods of measuring sludge mass charging rates may be used if they have received prior approval by the Administrator.

(3) The sampling, handling, preparation, and analysis of sludge samples shall be accomplished according to Method 105 in appendix B of this part.

(d) The mercury emissions shall be determined by use of the following equation.

(e) No changes in the operation of a plant shall be made after a sludge test has been conducted which would potentially increase emissions above the level determined by the most recent sludge test, until the new emission level has been estimated by calculation and the results reported to the Administrator.

(f) All sludge samples shall be analyzed for mercury content within 30 days after the sludge sample is collected. Each determination shall be reported to the Administrator by a registered letter dispatched within 15 calendar days following the date such determination is completed.

(g) Records of sludge sampling, charging rate determination and other data needed to determine mercury content of wastewater treatment plant sludges shall be retained at the source and made available, for inspection by the Administrator, for a minimum of 2 years.