Section 406.208  Unconventional Practices

The Agency must consider the following unconventional practices in considering whether an operator's practices avoid producing or discharging elevated levels of total dissolved solids, chloride, and sulfate:

a)         Diverting groundwater by intercepting the flow path before entering a surface or underground mine when the mine operator determined it to be economically preferable to treating contaminated water after it passes through a mine.

b)         Dewatering practices that remove clean formation water before contacting dissolved solids-producing materials, including techniques used to tap nonpolluted aquifers to reduce the amount of water entering a mine.

c)         Any additional practices the operator uses effectively to reduce levels of total dissolved solids, chloride, sulfate, iron and manganese in discharges.

(Source:  Amended at 43 Ill. Reg. 11620, effective September 25, 2019)