Trout ProductionEffluent Challenges

Tom WigginsVermont Department of Fish & Wildlife

Obtaining a Discharge Permit

Why did problems occur??

1 Regulators did not understand fish culture or hatchery effluents.

2. Regulators were inexperienced.

3. Professional values not water quality standards impacted the process.

Specific Effluent Challenges ( Current & Future)

Phosphorus

* This was the principal concern of VT DEC(Department of Environmental Conservation)

* The proposed hatchery was well withinexisting standards, DEC was worried about mass loading

* Tertiary treatment was required and three yearstudy on the impact of the discharge

Solids

Not considered a problem

pH

•Hatcheries typically have little impact on pH

Bacteriological

* Fecal coliform & streptococci groups

* Fish pathogens

* Aeromonas & total bacteria

Chemicals

* Few chemicals available to use

* The available chemicals are:

- Generally considered safe

- FDA and EPA approvedor

- Used Under Permit (INAD)or

I am sure reasonable changes can be made to improve hatcheries effluents if it is approached in a manner of Mutual Understanding and Cooperation