Water Management Task Force Status Summary CBIA EPC

Transcription

1 DEEP Programs Wastewater Permits General Permit For In Situ Issued June 30, 2014 Remediation By Chemical Oxidation Swimming Pool General Permit Reissued July 31, 2014 Effective July 9, 2014, discharges of swimming pool wastewater to a POTW will be regulated under the Misc. General Permit. The Misc. General Permit does not require a permit registration for swimming pool discharges to a POTW. Stormwater Permits MS4 General Permit Water Quality Standards Draft State of Connecticut Integrated Water Quality Report available for review. Tentative Determination to renew the General Permit with changes was issued on July 7, Comment period ended September 5, Public Notice of Intent To Initiate Triennial Review of Connecticut Water Quality Standards on October 31, Public review and comment period from July 28, 2014 to August 29, The current general permit expires on January 8, By publishing this Notice at least 180 days prior to the expiration date of the current general permit, Section CGS 22a-6aa authorizes the current general permit to continue in effect until January 8, 2016 or until the Commissioner makes a final decision on the renewal of the general permit, whichever is earlier. If no final decision is made by January 8, 2016, the general permit shall expire. Comments posted on DEEP website. DEEP is evaluating the comments received and completing a review of the Water Quality Standards. Document available for review at: Q:\\Water Programs Status Report September 2014.docx Page 1 of 5

2 Stream Flow Regulations Issued December 12, 2011 Proposed stream flow classifications for the following basins: Southeast Coastal Pawcatuck Thames Major River Public comments posted on DEEP website. The maps are available on-line at: CT State Water Plan Effort Looking to develop a comprehensive water strategy for the State with a goal of recommending potential legislation. Draft State of Connecticut Integrated Water Quality Report available for review. Inland Water Resources Non-Point Source Management Plan Comment Summary and Updated Plan 1/24/14 Coastal Programs Five Proposed Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) in East Lyme, Waterford, Old Saybrook and Old Lyme EPA Programs TMDL documents are proposed for 23 estuary segments in these municipalities. Comment period open until August 30, New Legislative Workgroup with three sub-committees. Well represented by industry, business, and environmental nonprofits still time to participate NPS Plan submittal to EPA 1/31/14 Could have an impact on industrial activities in these watersheds with regard to bacteria monitoring. Q:\\Water Programs Status Report September 2014.docx Page 2 of 5

3 CWA 316b Rule (Cooling Water Intake) Sufficiently Sensitive Test Methods for NPDES Permit Applications & Reporting WQS Proposed Rule to Clarify Protection under the Clean Water Act Phase II rule published. DEEP is working to get information to issue permits for 4 facilities in early Other facilities with intakes will follow after that. Finalize August 19, Effective September 18, 2014 The EPA is proposing to revise the WQS regulation in 40 CFR part 131 in 6 key areas: (1) EPA Administrator s Determinations; (2) Designated Uses; (3) Triennial Reviews of State and Tribal WQS; (4) Antidegradation Implementation; (5) Variances to WQS; and (6) Compliance Schedule Authorizing Provisions. The proposed rule will be open for public comment for 90 days from publication in the Federal Register (April 21, 2014). The Christine Gleason is permit engineer for all the affected permits. They are (with one exception) being done in order of oldest to most recently renewed permit. The rulemaking clarifies that NPDES applicants and permittees must use EPA-approved analytical methods capable of detecting and measuring pollutants at or below applicable water quality criteria or permit limits. This final rule is based on CWA requirements and clarifies existing EPA regulations. The amendments in this rulemaking affect only chemical-specific methods; they do not apply to Whole Effluent Toxicity methods or their use. The proposed rule clarifies protection for streams and wetlands. Q:\\Water Programs Status Report September 2014.docx Page 3 of 5

4 EPA ECHO comment period has been extended until October 21, There has been some confusion about EPA's proposed "Waters of the U.S." rule under the Clean Water Act. Nancy Stoner, Acting Assistant Administrator for Water, put together a blog and a full Q&A to share the facts. There is also an archived webcast seminar on the proposed rule. Watch the webcast here. Most seasonal and rain-dependent streams are protected. Wetlands near rivers and streams are protected. Other types of waters may have more uncertain connections with downstream water and protection will be evaluated through a case specific analysis of whether the connection is or is not significant. EPA recently updated its Enforcement and Compliance History Online website, known as ECHO, which provides information about environmental inspections, violations, and enforcement actions for EPA-regulated facilities, including those regulated under the Clean Water Act. EPA's Office of Wastewater Management June 30, 2014 EPA's Office of Wastewater Management posted a set of FAQs to the NPDES web site: This set of FAQs provides an overview of NPDES permitting applicable to continuous dischargers (such as POTWs based on WQS for pathogens and pathogen indicators associated with fecal contamination. These FAQs Q:\\Water Programs Status Report September 2014.docx Page 4 of 5

5 answer questions to help NPDES permit writers understand implications of changes to state water quality standards based on the 2012 Recreational Water Quality Criteria (RWQC), published November 29, Q:\\Water Programs Status Report September 2014.docx Page 5 of 5