Intent to Renew General Permit for the Discharge of Wastewater Associated with Food Establishments
Notice of Tentative Determination of Intent to Renew General Permit for the Discharge of Wastewater Associated with Food Establishments
TENTATIVE DETERMINATION
The Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection ("DEEP") hereby gives notice that a tentative determination has been reached to renew the General Permit for the Discharge of Wastewater Associated with Food Establishments (general permit).
The current general permit expires on October 4, 2025. By publishing this Notice at least 180 days prior to the expiration date of the current general permit, section 22a-6aa of the Connecticut General Statutes authorizes the current general permit to continue in effect until October 4, 2026, or until the Commissioner makes a final decision on the renewal of the general permit, whichever is earlier.
COMMISSIONER’S FINDINGS/REGULATORY CONDITIONS
In accordance with applicable federal and state law, the Commissioner has made a tentative determination that renewal of this general permit would not cause pollution of the waters of the state. The proposed general permit authorizes the discharge of wastewater associated with food establishments into a sanitary sewer line and then to a publicly owned treatment works (“POTW”), privately owned, or state-owned sewage treatment works, provided the requirements of Section 3(b) and the conditions of Section 5 of the general permit are satisfied. The proposed general permit contains effluent limits and conditions established in accordance with Section 22a-430-4 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies that are designed to protect the waters of the state from pollution.
PROPOSED GENERAL PERMIT
The proposed general permit authorizes the discharge of wastewater containing fats, oil and grease from food establishments into a sanitary sewer line and then to a POTW, privately owned or, state owned sewage treatment works, provided the requirements of Section 3(b) and the conditions of Section 5 of the general permit are satisfied. The proposed general permit contains effluent limits and conditions established in accordance with Section 22a-430-4 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies that are designed to protect the waters of the state from pollution.
COMMISSIONER’S AUTHORITY
The Commissioner is authorized to issue this general permit pursuant to sections 22a-430 and 22a-430b of the Connecticut General Statutes and the Water Discharge Permit Regulations (section 22a-430-3 and 4 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies). The Commissioner is authorized to approve or deny any registration under this general permit pursuant to CGS section 22a-430-4.
INFORMATION REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENT
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 https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/About/Public-Notices. Questions or comments may be directed to Iliana Raffa at (860)424-3758 or Iliana.Raffa@ct.gov.
Before making a final decision on this proposed general permit, the Commissioner shall consider written comments from interested persons that are received within 30 days from the publication date of this notice. Written comments should be directed to: Water Planning & Management Division, Bureau of Water Protection & Land Reuse, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5127 or may be submitted via electronic mail to: Iliana.Raffa@ct.gov.
PETITIONS FOR PUBLIC HEARING
The Commissioner may conduct a public hearing if the Commissioner determines that the public interest will be best served thereby, or shall hold a hearing upon receipt of a petition signed by at least twenty-five persons. Petitions should include the name of the general permit noted above and also identify a contact person to receive notifications. Petitions may also identify a person who is authorized to engage in discussions regarding the proposed general permit and, if resolution is reached, withdraw the petition. Original signed petitions may be scanned and sent electronically to deep.adjudications@ct.gov or may be mailed or delivered to: DEEP Office of Adjudications, 79 Elm Street, 3rd floor, Hartford, CT 06106-5127. All petitions must be received within the comment period noted above. If submitted electronically, original signed petitions must also be mailed or delivered to the address above within ten days of electronic submittal. If a hearing is held, timely notice of such hearing will be published in a newspaper of general circulation.
/s/Emma Cimino
Emma Cimino
Deputy Commissioner
Published in the Conn Post, The Hartford Courant, The New Haven Register, The Day, Waterbury Republican-American, The Chronicle, and The Advocate on April 7, 2025
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 Iliana.Raffa@ct.gov if you are seeking a communication aid or service, have limited proficiency in English, or require some other accommodation. If you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint, you may submit your complaint to DEEP Office of Diversity and Equity at (860) 418-5910 or via email at deep.accommodations@ct.gov. In order to facilitate efforts to provide an accommodation, please request all accommodations as soon as possible following notice of any agency hearing, meeting, program or event.