The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) proposes to reissue the Water Treatment Plant National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and state waste discharge general permit (permit). The current permit was last issued in July 2019 and is scheduled to expire at the end of August 2024. The revised draft permit and fact sheet, which explain the legal and technical basis for the permit, are available with any associated documents for review and public comment from March 20 through May 3, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Ecology will host informational workshops and public hearings on the draft permit.

Purpose of the Permit: The permit provides coverage for water treatment plants that discharge backwash effluent to surface water. Under federal and state water quality laws (Federal Clean Water Act and State Water Pollution Control Act), a permit is required for the discharge of this wastewater. Water treatment plants that discharge filter backwash wastewater either directly or indirectly to waters of the state must obtain permit authorization for their discharge.

Applying for Coverage Under the Permit: Facilities that have already applied for coverage by March 4, 2024, and are covered under the existing permit, are covered under the new permit. New or unpermitted facilities may obtain coverage under the 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). Access to the application is available online at https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Water-treatment-plants#info.

Copies of the Draft Permit and Fact Sheet: The draft permit and fact sheet are available online at https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Water-treatment-plants by end of day on March 20, 2024. You may request hard copies from Jackie Lince at jackie.lince@ecy.wa.gov or 360-407-6600.

Submitting Written Comments: Ecology will accept written comments on the draft permit from March 20 through May 3, 2024,11:59 p.m. Ecology prefers online comment submission via the eComment form (link below) on the permit web page. Written comments by mail must be postmarked by May 3, 2024. Comments should reference specific permit text when possible.

By mail: Send to James Hovis, Washington State Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696, phone 564-999-3244, email James.Hovis@ecy.wa.gov.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities (ADA): To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, call ecology at 360-407-7285 or visit https://ecology.wa.gov/accessibility. People with impaired hearing may call Washington relay service at 711. People with speech disability may call TTY at 877-833-6341.

Public Workshop(s) and Hearing(s): The purpose of the workshop is to explain the general permit and to answer questions prior to the formal public hearing. The purpose of the hearing is to provide an opportunity for people to give formal oral testimony and written comments on the proposed draft permit. Oral testimony will receive the same consideration as written comments.

The public hearing will begin immediately following the public workshop and will conclude when public testimony is complete.

The water treatment plant workshops and hearings will occur on April 22, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., morning webinar, register [contact agency for link]; or on April 23, 2024, at 5:30 p.m., afternoon webinar, register [contact agency for link].

Issuing the Permit: After ecology receives and considers all public comments, we will make a final decision on permit issuance. Ecology expects to make a decision on the general permit in August 2024.