Best available treatment economically achievable

Chemical analysis, however, continues to be used to assess the quality of industrial and municipal wastes, as well as to assess the limits of concentration or loading that can be applied to the environment. Such limits have been tied to best-treatment performance of waste treatment plants, also termed best available treatment (BAT) and best available treatment economically achievable (BATEA). 

CWA to establish the minimum level of control to be required by a permit. They are the Best Practicable Control Technology (BPT), Best Available Technology Economically Achievable (BAT), Best Conventional Pollutant Control Technology (BCT), Best Available Demonstrated Technology (BDT), and Best Management Practices (BMPs). Industries that do not discharge directly into surface waters but into publicly operated treatment works (POTWs) are subject to pretreatment standards under Section 307(b) of the CWA. 19.3.1.3 Permit Program... 

The Clean Water Act of 1972 (United States) demands the use of the best available technology economically achievable. Since 1982 each plant has been limited to a maximum of 0.1 g of Hg per tonne of chlorine averaged over 30 d measured at the outlet of the wastewater treatment plant. 

---