Public Notice Archives

PUBLIC NOTICE

WV Department of Environmental Protection

Division of Water and Waste Management 601 57th Street, S.E.
Charleston, WV 25304
Telephone: (304) 926-0495

Public Notice No. DWWM: MM-2-20

Public Notice Date: August 3-9, 2020

GENERAL WV/NPDES WATER POLLUTION CONTROL PERMIT
FOR SMALL DOMESTIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS IN WV

The Division of Water and Waste Management is proposing to reissue a General 
WV/NPDES Water Pollution Control Permit to regulate discharges from domestic 
sewage disposal systems which have flows of 50,000 GPD or less, except those 
serving individual residences. The General Permit will authorize the 
installation, operation and maintenance of domestic sewage disposal systems, or 
parts thereof, and the direct or indirect discharge of treated wastewater to 
the waters of the state. It is proposed that this General Permit be issued for 
a five (5) year term.

Described below are some important aspects of the General Permit Program.

1. Approximately 775 existing facilities are eligible for regulation under this 
general permit.

2. All eligible existing facilities will be required to complete the general 
permit registration procedures before receiving coverage under this permit. The 
DWWM will establish a treatment category and a maximum daily flow prior to 
authorizing general permit coverage. The current general permit expires 
September 30, 2020. However, it will be extended through March 31, 2021 to 
provide continued coverage during the reissuance process.

3. Proposed facilities are also eligible for general permit coverage. However, 
a Bureau for Public Health approval of construction shall be obtained. Each 
proposed facility shall meet the public notice and public comment requirements 
prior to gaining coverage under the general permit. The DWWM shall establish a 
treatment category and a maximum daily flow prior to authorizing general permit 
coverage. Facilities proposing a new or expanded discharge (above current 
design flow) within the Chesapeake Bay drainage area must obtain an individual 
permit. This applies to discharges located in the following counties: Berkeley; 
Grant; Hampshire; Hardy; Jefferson; Mineral; Morgan and Pendleton. Also, part 
of eastern Preston and a small section of Tucker (north of Thomas) are included.

4. Those permittees holding existing individual WV/NPDES permits may continue 
to operate under their individual permit until its expiration date. At that 
time, coverage under the General Permit will be required.

5. The Director of the DWWM retains authority to require any owner/operator to 
apply for and obtain an individual permit. This authority will be exercised 
when the Director determines that such individual permit will better protect 
the receiving water.

The draft permit and fact sheet may be inspected by appointment between 8 a.m. 
and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at the Department of Environmental 
Protection, Public Information Office, 601 57th Street, S.E., Charleston, WV 
25304. Copies of the document may be obtained at a nominal cost.

Any interested persons may submit written comments on the draft permit. 
Comments will be accepted until September 12, 2020. They should be addressed to:

Department of Environmental Protection
601 57th St., S.E.
Charleston, WV 25304
Attention: Mylinda Maddox
(304) 926-0499, extension 43825
Fax: (304)926-0495
E-mail: mylinda.a.maddox@wv.gov

All comments received within this period will be considered prior to acting on 
the Draft Permit. Correspondence should include the name, address, and 
telephone number of the writer and a concise statement of the nature of the 
issues being raised. The Director shall hold a public hearing whenever a 
finding is made, on the basis of requests, that there is a significant degree 
of public interest on issues relevant to the draft General Permit. Interested 
persons may contact Mylinda Maddox to obtain further information.