The EPA on Thursday,
May 27, 2010, announced it is initiating a rulemaking to control sanitary sewer
overflows (SSOs) and basement backups.
The EPA said it is
considering two possible modifications to existing regulations:
- Establishing
standard National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit
conditions for publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) permits that specifically
address sanitary sewer collection systems and SSOs; and
- Clarifying
the regulatory framework for applying NPDES permit conditions to municipal
satellite collection systems. Municipal satellite collection systems are
sanitary sewers owned or operated by a municipality that conveys wastewater to
a POTW operated by a different municipality.
As a part of this
effort, the agency is also considering whether to address long-standing
questions about peak wet weather flows at municipal wastewater treatment plants
to allow for a holistic, integrated approach to reducing SSOs while at the same
time addressing peak flows at POTWs.
Infrastructure
issues were discussed at the Coming Together for Clean Water Conference held by
EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson on April 15, 2010. The agency plans to
address these issues as part of its efforts to protect public health and
revitalize local waterways.
To help the agency
make decisions on this proposed rulemaking, the EPA will hold public listening
sessions and the public can submit written comments. The EPA will accept
written comments on the potential rule until 60 days after publication in the
Federal
Register (likely
Monday, July 26, 2010.
More information on
sanitary sewer overflows, the potential rule and a schedule of the upcoming
listening sessions is available at
http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/home.cfm?program_id=4.
SOURCE: EPA Press
release
