General Permit for the Discharge of Groundwater Remediation Wastewater
Intent to Reissue the General Permit for the Discharge
of Groundwater Remediation Wastewater
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) hereby gives notice of a tentative decision to reissue without modifications the General Permit for the Discharge of Groundwater Remediation Wastewater (GWRGP).
The current GWRGP was issued on February 21, 2018 and will expire on February 20, 2023. DEEP is proposing to continue permit authorization by issuing this notice to reissue the GWRGP without modifications for the period beginning on February 21, 2023 and expiring on February 20, 2025 or at such time that a modified version of the general permit goes into effect, whichever is sooner.
The Department intends to reissue a new GWRGP with modifications prior to the expiration of this proposed reissued general permit. The Department will seek public comment on a notice of tentative decision to reissue the GWRGP with modifications. By reissuing the general permit without modifications for two additional years, the Department will allow adequate time for comments and preparation for reissuing the general permit with modifications to become effective no later than February 21, 2025.
COMMISSIONER’S FINDINGS/REGULATORY CONDITIONS
In accordance with applicable federal and state law, the Commissioner has made a tentative decision that reissuance of the GWRGP would not cause pollution of the waters of the state. No re-registration will be required for the reissued GWRGP. The Department is not requiring existing permittees to submit reregistration forms as part of this reissuance. Permittees will be required to continue compliance with all elements of the GWRGP to ensure their discharge will not cause pollution.
GWRGP
The GWRGP was initially issued on February 21, 2018. The permit authorizes the discharge of remediated ground water to surface waters, sewage treatment plants, or the ground. The GWRGP requires an initial screening analysis be performed on the untreated ground water to determine the concentration of pollutants. The permittee must then describe in detail how they will assure the discharge will meet all permit limits and conditions. All discharges authorized by this permit must be monitored to assure compliance with the parameter limits contained in the GWRGP.
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 (CGS) 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-430b.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Interested persons may obtain a copy of this public notice and the general permit on the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep/publicnotices. The general permit is also available for inspection at the DEEP Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance, Water Permitting and Enforcement Division, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT from 8:30 – 4:30, Monday through Friday. Questions may be directed to Stephen Edwards at 860-424-3838 or steve.edwards@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: Stephen Edwards, Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance, Water Permitting and Enforcement Division, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5127 or may be submitted via electronic mail to: steve.edwards@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 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.
Tracy R. Babbidge
Acting Deputy Commissioner
Published in the Hartford Courant, Waterbury Republican-American, New Haven Register, Connecticut Post, New London Day, and the Willimantic Chronicle on December 13, 2022.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request an accommodation contact us at 860-418-5910 or deep.accommodations@ct.gov.