Comprehensive General Permit for Discharges to Surface and Ground Water 4/14/2026
Notice of Public Hearing
Comprehensive General Permit for Discharges to Surface and Ground Water
The Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (“DEEP”) hereby gives notice of a public hearing concerning the Notice of Tentative Determination, Intent to Reissue the Comprehensive General Permit for Discharges to Surface and Ground Water (“general permit”).
General Permit No.: CTCGP0000
Type of Permit/Activity:
Comprehensive General Permit for Discharges to Surface and Ground Water, Permit No.: CTCGP0000 issued under the authority of Sections 22a-430 and 22a-430b of the Connecticut General Statutes (“CGS”) authorizing discharges to surface and ground waters of the State of Connecticut.
The purpose of the general permit is to protect the waters of the state from discharges of non-contact cooling water, geothermal heat pump water, hydrostatic pressure testing of natural gas, petroleum tanks, and pipeline wastewater, fire suppression system testing water, hydrant flushing wastewater, boiler blowdown water, pressure washing wastewater, and water treatment wastewater to surface water and ground water. The current general permit was issued on April 1, 2023, and remains in effect pursuant to Public Act 25-84 until a new general permit is issued. The Commissioner issued a timely Notice of Tentative Determination to reissue the general permit on September 18, 2024, authorizing extension of the general permit until a new general permit is issued, consistent with the provisions of CGS Section 22a-6aa as amended by Public Act 25-84. In response to public comments, Department staff revised the draft general permit and, on December 24, 2025, issued a second Notice of Tentative Determination regarding the Comprehensive General Permit for Discharges to Surface and Ground Water.
NOTICE OF HEARING
DEEP has received a petition concerning sections 2.1 [Eligible Activities & Discharges], 3.1.1.8 [Water Treatment Discharges], 8.1.1.6 [Hydrant Flushing Water Discharges to Surface Water], 11.1.4 and 11.2.4 [Water Treatment Wastewater Discharges to Surface Water Monitoring], and 11.2.5.1 [Ground Water Monitoring Well Compliance Schedule and Monitoring]. DEEP will hold a hearing to receive public comments on the General Permit on June 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM via Zoom, an electronic meeting platform. Registration is required; to register use the following link: https://ctdeep.zoom.us/meeting/register/TjE1HBs9SmmJbBjYUETS8Q. The hearing to receive public comments will consist of a brief informational presentation and the collection of public comment(s).
Written comments will be accepted at the public hearing and until the close of business on June 8, 2026. Written comments may be submitted by email to DEEP.Adjudications@ct.gov or by mail at the Office of Adjudications, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06106.
A pre-hearing conference for the parties to discuss pre-hearing procedures will be held May 21, 2026, at 11:00 AM via Zoom. This is a public meeting but not an opportunity for the public to provide comments. Those who wish to observe the meeting must register, using the following link: https://ctdeep.zoom.us/meeting/register/Ky3SogncTM2KETRluiZKuQ.
The matter will continue with an evidentiary hearing, for the presentation of testimony and documentary evidence by the parties to this matter, on June 8, 2026, at 9:00am via Zoom. Registration is required; to register use the following link: https://ctdeep.zoom.us/meeting/register/6g6aeVhpRgmz8USk7MtZlA.
Members of the public should refer to the DEEP Calendar of Events at https://www.depdata.ct.gov/calendar/ for the official schedule in this matter, including cancellations, or other schedule alterations.
Interested persons may obtain a copy of this public notice, the proposed general permit and the general permit fact sheet on the DEEP website at portal.ct.gov/DEEP/About/Public-Notices. The general permit materials are available for inspection at the DEEP Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance, Water Permitting and Enforcement Division, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT from 8:30am – 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. Questions may be directed to James Creighton at james.creighton@ct.gov.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact us at (860) 418-5910 or deep.accommodations@ct.gov if you: have a disability and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint. Any person needing a hearing accommodation may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. Requests for accommodations must be made at least two weeks prior to any agency hearing, program or event.
Published in the Hartford Courant, Connecticut Post, Waterbury Republican-American, New London Day, New Haven Register and The Chronicle on April 14, 2026.
Draft General Permit