The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has been diligently working on the reissuance of the General Permit for the Discharge of Wastewaters from Significant Industrial Users (“SIU GP”). The state regulates many different permits for the discharge of wastewater, which are usually updated and reissued every five years.
The reissuance of a permit takes a lot of time to reflect on what may need to be updated or changed from the previous permit and involves many key discussions, such as the virtual public listening session that is being held on November 21, 2024, from 10:00 am-12:00 pm.
Whether you oversee a facility that needs to renew its permit or you are new to the world of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and wastewater, this is the perfect opportunity for you to listen, learn, and provide feedback on the changes being made.
The draft reissuance of the SIU GP has been released and can be accessed by clicking the link here and navigating to the bottom of the webpage. If the issuance of an SIU GP impacts your facility, it would be a good idea to review the draft permit and prepare any comments, questions, or suggestions that you may have. DEEP encourages and requests that any written feedback be sent via email to DEEP.pretreatment@ct.gov. Make sure to include “SIU GP” in the subject line. Comments are due by December 12, 2024.
What Is a Wastewater Permit Anyway?
Wastewater permits are needed for industrial or manufacturing facilities that discharge water to Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW). There are different kinds of wastewater permits that a facility may need to be covered under for compliance. This depends on the type of activity that the facility performs as well as the amount of wastewater that is discharged.
Wastewater vs. Stormwater
Wastewater and stormwater are commonly confused terms that are often used interchangeably when they are, in fact, very different and require coverage under separate permits. Industrial wastewater can be a byproduct of manufacturing, processing, commercial, agricultural, or institutional operations. It can also come from cleaning up water that has been contaminated with chemicals or oil.
Stormwater is rain or snowmelt that covers the ground, buildings, rooftops, or pavement and may be exposed to pollutants. Stormwater can pick up surface contaminants such as oil, dust, pesticides, or other chemicals, which will eventually travel into storm drains and waterways, contaminating the environment and water.
Many facilities contribute to wastewater and stormwater discharge but are unaware of the permit requirements. If you are unfamiliar with these terms or need guidance in determining if your facility requires a permit or what type is needed, contact Walden Environmental Engineering at 516-980-5508.