WSR 97-24-113

DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY

[Filed December 3, 1997, 11:33 a.m.]

announcement of issuance of general permit for water treatment plants

Introduction: On December 3, 1997, ecology issued a wastewater discharge general permit for water treatment plants located in Washington state. This permit will take effect on February 1, 1998. The proposed permit implements the Federal Clean Water Act and State Water Pollution Control Act. The purpose of the permit is to control the discharge of pollutants from water treatment plants into waters of the state.

All water treatment plants that discharge to surface water and meet the following criteria require coverage under this general permit:

Produce potable water or "industrial" water (primary treatment/settled water);

Are not part of a larger, permitted facility (e.g. pulp and paper mill);

Discharge wastewater from water treatment filtration processes (filter backwash, sedimentation/presedimentation basin washwater, filter-to-waste); and

Have a maximum production capacity of 50,000 gallons a day or more of treated drinking water.

Summary of Public Involvement Process: Notice of the proposed permit was published in the state register and in six newspapers of general circulation around the state on October 1, 1997. A public workshop and hearing on the proposed permit were held at the ecology headquarters' building in Lacey, Washington on November 7, 1997. The public comment period closed November 14, 1997. A minor revision was made to the permit as a result of the comments received during the formal public comment period. The revision clarified the definition of water treatment plants to be covered by the general permit. The complete text of the comments and the responsiveness summary is available upon request.

Apply for Coverage or Obtain Additional Information: Contact Keith Johnson of ecology's water quality program to request an application for coverage, for additional information, or for copies of the permit, fact sheet, and response to comments.

By mail: Keith Johnson

Water Quality Program

Washington State Department

of Ecology

P.O. Box 47600

Olympia, WA 98504-7600

By telephone: (360) 407-6442

By FAX: (360) 407-6426

By e-mail: KJOH461@ecy.wa.gov

The application for coverage, permit, fact sheet, and response to comments may be downloaded from the World Wide Web (Internet) at: http://www.wa.gov/ecology/wq/wqpermit/

Appeal Procedures: Pursuant to RCW 43.21B.310 the terms and conditions of the permit may be appealed on or before January 16, 1998. An appeal must be filed with the Pollution Control Hearings Board, P.O. Box 40903, Olympia, WA 98504-0903. In addition, a copy of this appeal must be served on the Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600. The procedures and requirements for the appeal process are contained in RCW 43.21B.310.