Fertilizer Manufacturing Effluent Guidelines

The EPA initially promulgated the Fertilizer Manufacturing Effluent Guidelines and Standards (40 CFR Part 418) in 1974 and 1975, and amended the regulation between 1975 and 1987. The regulation covers directdirectA point source that discharges pollutants to waters of the United States, such as streams, lakes, or oceans. and indirectindirectA facility that discharges pollutants to a publicly owned treatment works (municipal sewage treatment plant). dischargers. The Effluent Guidelines and Standards are incorporated into NPDES permits for direct dischargers and permits or other control mechanisms for indirect dischargers (visit Pretreatment Program).

On this page:

• What is the Fertilizer Manufacturing Industry?
• Pollutants and Subcategories
• Rulemaking History
• Additional Information

What is the Fertilizer Manufacturing Industry?

The industry manufactures five basic fertilizer chemicals: phosphate, ammonia, urea, ammonium nitrate and nitric acid. "Straight" fertilizers contain only a single nutrient. "Mixed" fertilizers contain two or more primary nutrients. Mixed fertilizers can be produced by chemically reacting different ingredients and utilizing the chemical reaction as the binding force; or simply by mechanically blending together straight fertilizers.

The fertilizer industry is composed of multi-product manufacturing plants. Phosphate-based products and ammonia-based products are typically produced at different plants.

Phosphate fertilizer manufacturing comprises two principal units: production of sulfuric acid, derived from elemental sulfur, and wet process phosphoric acid, derived from phosphate rock. Principal products include phosphoric acid, normal superphosphate, triple superphosphate, and ammonium phosphates. Some phosphate plants also produce fluosilicic acid, which is commonly used for fluoridation of drinking water.

Ammonia is manufactured using atmospheric nitrogen and hydrogen derived from natural gas or petroleum refinery byproducts. Ammonia is sold as a straight fertilizer, and is used to manufacture urea, ammonium nitrate and nitric acid products.

• 325311: Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing
• 325312: Phosphatic Fertilizer Manufacturing
• 325314: Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing

The NAICS listing is provided as a guide and does not define the coverage of the Fertilizer Manufacturing category. For precise definitions of coverage, refer to the applicability sections in 40 CFR Part 418.

Pollutants and Subcategories

Regulated Pollutants

Regulation Subcategories

Rulemaking History

Amendments

• BCT amendments:
  • Revised methodology documents:
    • Final Rule (July 9, 1986)
    • Proposed Rule (October 29, 1982)
  • Initial methodology documents:
    • Final Rule (August 29, 1979)
    • Proposed Rule (August 23, 1978)

In addition to the BCT amendments, portions of Part 418 were revised between 1975 and 1987 pursuant to litigation. For the current regulatory requirements refer to 40 CFR Part 418.

Initial Rulemaking

1975 rule

• Documents:
  • Final Rule (January 14, 1975)
  • Development Document (January 1975)
    Industry description, wastewater characterization, treatment technologies, regulatory compliance cost estimates and pollutant loadings for the final rule
  • Proposed Rule (October 7, 1974)

1974 rule

• Documents:
  • Final Rule (April 8, 1974)
  • Development Document (March 1974)
    Industry description, wastewater characterization, treatment technologies, regulatory compliance cost estimates and pollutant loadings for the final rule
  • Proposed Rule (December 7, 1973)

Additional Information

For additional information regarding Fertilizer Manufacturing Effluent Guidelines, please contact Ahmar Siddiqui (siddiqui.ahmar@epa.gov) or 202-566-1044.