Wendell News Outlet

“If you can not make it out to the Hog Vigil today, Neuse River
Foundation would greatly appreciate a strong showing from Wake County
citizens concerned about declining water quality in Falls Lake.

Please read below and attend this important public hearing on Thursday
June 19th.”

Press Release:

NPDES Permit Challenge June 19
Contact: Upper Neuse Riverkeeper,
Dean Naujoks – 919- 412-0129

Neuse River Foundation has requested a public hearing to address six
failing sewage and industrial treatment plants in the Neuse River
Basin. Upper Neuse Riverkeeper Dean Naujoks will be challenging the
renewal of several National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems
(NPDES) permits for dischargers who have consistently failed to meet
permit requirements and water quality standards at a Public Hearing
scheduled for June 19 at 7 P.M.

Since 2000, NRF has challenged 25 NPDES permits involving the most
chronic violators in the Neuse River Basin. We have been successful
making improvements or adding additional provisions in 22 out of 25
discharge permits we have challenged.

Citizen input is an important part of the NPDES permit review process
as permits are often renewed over and over again, with no regard to
the histories of violations, unless citizens object.

For example, Southern Granville County Water and Sewer Authority’s
sewage treatment plant, formerly Butner, has had a long history of
compliance problems that have contributed directly to declining water
quality in Falls Lake— a drinking water supply for 400,000 Wake County
Citizens. Since 2003, this plant has received 86 Notice of Violations
or enforcement actions by the state, totaling more than $61,000 in
fines and penalties. Falls Lake was  listed as impaired from pollution
on the states 303d “Impaired Waters” list.

It is time for these facilities to comply with the Clean Water Act and
protect our water resources. A strong public turn out sends an
important message to the NC Division of Water Quality that status quo
permit renewal is not acceptable.

To see the official announcement of the hearing, including all permits
to be discussed, click here.

Comments on SGWASA and other draft permits can be brought to the
Thursday evening hearing, emailed to James.McKay@ncmail.net or mailed
to:

Ms. Dina Sprinkle
NC Division of Water Quality/ NPDES Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617

June 19th, 7:00PM at the Archdale Building -Ground Floor Hearing Room
512 North Salisbury Street
Raleigh, North Carolina

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posted by Administrator  # 8:52 PM