This document presents the findings of a study of the textile manufacturing industry for the purpose of developing waste water effluent limitation guidelines and Federal standards of performance for new sources in order to implement Section 304(b) and 306 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972. This study covers approximately 7,000 plants in S.I.C. 22. It concerns wool, cotton, and synthetic textile and fiber finishing. Effluent limitations guidelines are set forth for the degree of effluent reduction attainable through the application of the 'Best Practicable Control Technology Currently Available', and the 'Best Available Technology Economically Achievable'. The proposed regulations require in-plant waste management and operating methods, together with the best secondary biological treatment technology currently available for discharge into navigable water bodies. This technology is represented by preliminary screening, primary treatment (wool scouring only), coagulation (carpet mills only), and secondary biological treatment. In addition, multi-media filtration or its equivalence for the control of TSS is recommended for new sources. Supportive data and rationale for development of the proposed effluent limitation guidelines and standards of performance are contained in this report.

Cover title: Development document for effluent limitations guidelines and new source performance standards for the textile mills point source category. "June 1974." "EPA-440/1-74-022-a." Includes bibliographical references (pages 205-219).