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:

1. 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
2. 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