Section 900.611  Monitoring Well Sampling, Analysis and Reporting Procedures

a)         For lagoons required to install monitoring  wells pursuant to 35 Ill. Adm. Code 506, the requirements of this Section shall be met.

b)         Prior to placing the lagoon in service, water level measurements shall be made at each monitoring well to establish the local groundwater gradient at the lagoon site.

c)         The owner or operator shall sample each monitoring well at least once prior to placing the lagoon in service and as least quarterly thereafter. Water table level elevation measurement shall be taken at each sampling event. The samples shall be collected and analyzed consistent with the methods specified in Section 900.104(a)(1) and (a)(5) of this Part for each of the following:

1)         Nitrate-nitrogen;

2)         Phosphate-phosporpus;

3)         Chloride;

4)         Sulfate;

5)         Ammonia-nitrogen;

6)         Escherichia coli or fecal coliform; and

7)         Fecal Streptococcus.

d)         The Department may collect and analyze samples or split samples from monitoring wells installed pursuant to this Section at the Department's discretion.  The Department shall provide notice to the owner or operator of the livestock waste lagoon of such activity and shall comply with reasonable animal health protection procedures as requested by the owner or operator. [510 ILCS 77/15(b)]

e)         Analytical results as determined in subsection (c) of this Section shall be submitted to the Department within 30 days after sample collection and shall include a discussion relative to the significance of the results.  Such discussion of significance shall include:

1)         A comparison of the results to the initial sampling made prior to the lagoon being placed in service; and

2)         A description of any proposed response action necessary to mitigate potential impacts to groundwater.

f)         The Department shall review the submittal provided pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section, evaluate the proposed response action, and provide a time frame for the correction of any identified deficiencies.  As a result of the evaluation, the Department may approve or modify the monitoring program or response action including, but not limited to, the following:

1)         Increase or decrease the monitoring well sampling frequency;

2)         Add or delete items from the list of sample analytes; or

3)         require changes to the design, construction or operation of the lagoon or changes in the operation of the livestock management facility which shall be implemented by the owner or operator within the time frame established by the Department.

g)         The owner or operator of the livestock waste handling facility may, upon written request and with written approval from the Department, modify or exceed these standards in order to meet site specific objectives.  The owner or operator shall demonstrate that such modification shall be at least as protective of the groundwater, surface water, and the structural integrity of the livestock waste handling facility as the requirements of this Part.