On July 17, 2019, the department of ecology (ecology) is reissuing the water treatment plant national pollutant discharge elimination system waste discharge general permit (permit). The previous permit was issued in July 2014, and expires on August 31, 2019. The new permit will be in effect for five years, from September 1, 2019, through August 31, 2024.

Purpose of the Permit: The permit provides coverage for certain water treatment plants located in Washington state that produce potable or industrial supply water and discharge backwash effluent from certain water treatment filtration processes. Under federal and state water quality law (federal Clean Water Act and state Water Pollution Control Act), a permit is required for the discharge of wastewater. The federal definition of wastewater includes backwash effluent from water treatment plants. Certain water treatment plant facilities that produce finished water at a rate of at least thirty-five thousand gallons per day and that discharge wastewater either directly or indirectly to surface water must obtain permit coverage for their discharge.

Summary of Public Involvement: Ecology accepted public comments on the draft permit, fact sheet, and supporting documents from February 20 until April 2, 2019. Ecology announced the public comment period in the State Register and via email to more than two thousand one hundred interested parties. Ecology held a public workshop and hearing at its headquarters building in Lacey, Washington, on April 26, 2019, to discuss the draft documents and to receive oral, written, and electronic comments.

Copies of the Permit and Fact Sheet: On July 17, 2019, the new permit and fact sheet will be available online at www.ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Water-treatment-plants. You may also request copies from Dena Jaskar at 360-407-6401 or email Dena.Jaskar@ecy.wa.gov.

Applying for Coverage Under the Permit: New or unpermitted facilities may obtain coverage under the new permit by submitting a complete permit application to ecology and satisfying all applicable public notice and State Environmental Policy Act requirements (WAC 173-226-200). Special Condition S-7.1 (Application for Coverage) in the permit provides the details for how to obtain coverage.

Ecology Contact: James M. Maroncelli, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7600 [98504-7696], phone 360-407-6588, email James.Maroncelli@ecy.wa.gov.

Your Right to Appeal: You have a right to appeal the final general permit and the general permit coverage for a specific facility to the pollution control hearings board (PCHB). The appeal process is governed by chapters 43.21B RCW and 371-08 WAC.


•	Appeals of the general permit issuance must be filed within thirty days of issuance of the general permit. See the appeal of the general permit focus sheet for more information, at https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/documents/1710009.pdf.


•	Appeals of the general permit coverage for a specific facility must be filed within thirty days of the effective date of coverage. See the appeal of a general permit coverage focus sheet for more information, at https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/documents/1710007.pdf.