The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) will host an online listening session at the end of the month to seek input on a rulemaking effort aimed at the management of peak wet weather flows at municipal wastewater treatment plants.
“EPA is taking action to provide municipalities with sought-after regulatory certainty so that facilities can optimize wastewater treatment during wet weather,” said David Ross, USEPA Office of Water Assistant Administrator. “It’s critical that we hear from cities, States, Tribes, and others so that we can design a rule that protects public health and local water quality and also allows for innovation and flexibility.”
Rainwater that inadvertently enters sewer systems increases flows to wastewater treatment plants, potentially creating operational challenges. In April 2018, USEPA announced a new rulemaking to address issues associated with managing and treating peak flows during wet weather events at publicly owned treatment works facilities with separate sanitary sewer systems. Through this rulemaking, USEPA will consider changes to its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations to establish a transparent and lasting approach to permitting flexible peak flow management strategies. The goal of this effort is to provide a regulatory structure that allows for the continuous effective operation of treatment facilities and the protection of water quality and public health.
USEPA says it is undertaking a robust outreach effort to gather critical input prior to proposing any changes to its NPDES regulations. To register for the online listening session scheduled on October 30, at 10:00 a.m. (CT), visit USEPA’s NPDES Municipal Wastewater page. A transcript of remarks made during the online listening session as well as sessions in Washington D.C. and Lenexa, Kansas, will be available after each event.
The public can also submit written input until October 31, 2018, through the Federal eRulemaking Portal, Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2018-0420.