Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Environmental Quality
 
Board
State Water Control Board
 
chapter
Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permit for Sewage Discharges Less Than or Equal to 1,000 Gallons Per Day [9 VAC 25 ‑ 110]
Chapter is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Action CH110- 2026 Amendment and Reisuance of Existing Regulation
Stage NOIRA
Comment Period Ended on 5/8/2024
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Next Comment     Back to List of Comments
4/18/24  11:00 am
Commenter: W. C. Oyote

Fees for admin & compliance
 

Among issues to be addressed please elevate consideration of fees sufficient to fund inspection and verification of compliance with discharge limits. Currently VDH & DEQ through memorandum share responsibility for implementing a consistent program of inspection & reporting. Wastewater treatment & discharging systems rely on electrical control & mechanical systems, which require maintenance to assure these systems actively reduce BOD, TSS, FOG, NO3, pathogens and other constituents though use of engineering principals including: aeration, settlement of solids, disinfection & de-chlorination of wastewater flows associated with single-family dwellings prior to discharge to surface water. While considering options for implementing electronic reporting requirements, certification that maintenance and monitoring requirements are fulfilled, there are few opportunities to reduce burden. Historically the Commonwealth has failed to protect surface water from residential sewage contamination, both permitted and scofflaw "straightpipe" installations. This notice of intent,  and technical advisory committee seems ignorant of the risk to public health and water quality at risk due to non-compliance. Waters of the US, and vested rights of downstream users are under continuous threat absent monitoring, and publishing of compliance reports.
Absent user fees for general permits, the general fund carries expense of monitoring compliance, thus these duties have been unfulfilled. A renewable general permit places responsibility to the public squarely on the beneficiary of permitting the responsible management entity. Virginia has a population of small businesses providing services to landowners, including licensed operator or inspection entities which service private wastewater plants. These entities also merit consideration in drafting regulations which assure compliance. Absent stringent standards landowners are likely to violate pollutant limits. General permit fees should be sufficient for DEQ or VDH to recover cost of resources required to review applications, issue and periodically confirm compliance prior to renewal.

CommentID: 222517