30 November 2006

George E. Cosby

Environmental Engineer Senior

Office of Water Permit Programs

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

P.O. Box 1105
Richmond, VA 23218

Adoption of a General VPDES Permit for Potable Water Treatment Plants 

Dear Mr. Cosby:

I am writing on behalf of the Water Utilities Committee of the Virginia Section of the American Water Works Association.   The Virginia Section’s membership consists of over 1,600 water professionals that include private and municipal waterworks owners/operators, consultants, contractors, suppliers and manufacturers.   We appreciate the opportunity to comment on the intended regulatory action and we look forward to participating in its development of the regulation.

We support the Department of Environmental Quality’s efforts to formulate a general VPDES permit for potable water treatment plants.  Both DEQ and our members who have VPDES discharge permits for potable water treatment plants will benefit from the reduced administrative burden that we hope should arise from the rulemaking.  We believe that the potable water treatment community should be well-represented on the technical advisory committee that will assist DEQ with the proposed regulations.   We need to be represented because:

• We are the permittees currently being regulated, and we will be the community that will be subject to the provisions of the regulation and the general permit.
• We will enjoy the benefits of the proposed general permit.
• We are the owners and operators of many of the water bodies that are protected by the VPDES permits.

In the near future, the Chairman of the Virginia Section will send DEQ the Section’s recommendations on which of our members should participate on the technical advisory committee.

Thank you again for the proposal to reduce our administrative burden and the opportunity to participate in the development of this regulation.   I can be reached at tslaydon@spotsylvania.va.us  or at 540-507-7301.

Sincerely,

Thomas M. Slaydon, P.E.

Chairman Water Resources Committee

Virginia Section American Water Works Association