News & Information \ Industry News

January 2011

NPDES Phase 2 ALERT for Regulated Massachusetts Communities

 

UPDATE: Due to inclement weather, the public meeting and hearing for the Draft Massachusetts Interstate, Merrimack and South Coastal Small MS4 General Permit in Leominster, MA on 1/12/11 were cancelled and have been rescheduled as follows:

Meeting: Wednesday, March 9, 2011 9:30am - 10:30am
Public Hearing: Wednesday, March 9, 2011 11:00am

In addition, the public comment period will be extended to Friday, March 11, 2011.

 

2010 Draft General Permit Released for Stormwater Discharges from Small MS4s in the Interstate, Merrimack and South Coastal Watersheds

 

The draft EPA stormwater permit for the Interstate, Merrimack and South Coastal Watersheds covers 136 communities in Massachusetts.  A map depicting which communities are within the Interstate, Merrimack and South Coastal Watersheds can be found here. EPA is seeking public review and comment on the draft MS4 permit until January 21, 2011.  EPA will hold a public meeting on the draft permit on December 2, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. in the Lakeville Public Library (Large Meeting Room), 4 Precinct Street Lakeville, MA.  A second public meeting will be held on the draft permit on January 12, 2011 at 10:00 am at the Leominster Public Library (Community Room).  A public hearing will also be held on the draft permit on January 12, 2011 at 11:30 am at the Leominster Public Library (Community Room).  Following consideration of public comments, a final permit should be available in 2011.

 

Once the permit is finalized, communities will need to file a Notice of Intent (NOI) to be covered under the new general permit.  The NOI will need to be filed within 90 days of the effective date of the NPDES general permit, and EPA will then issue the NOI for public comment (30 day period). 

 

Some of the notable requirements outlined in the draft permit include:

• Complete MS4 system mapping (including manholes, catch basins and other facilities)
• New documentation (including prioritization and written procedures) of the Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) program
• Dry weather and wet weather outfall monitoring requirements, including the need to screen 25% of outfalls each year
• Written good housekeeping and pollution prevention operation and maintenance (O&M) procedures
• The program evaluation/reporting permit condition will require annual reports be due August 1st of each year (to be consistent with municipal fiscal calendars)

 

For a copy of the draft permit, a summary of its requirements, and information on the public comment period and the public hearing, please visit EPA's website.

 

If you need assistance in complying with the NPDES stormwater permitting requirements or have other stormwater related questions, contact Kent Nichols ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or Robert Goober ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) via email or phone at (800) SAMPSON.

 

Commercial Pool Owners to Comply with Pool & Spa Safety Act

 

In accordance with the recently enacted Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act, public swimming pools, wading pools, spas, and hot tubs must now meet requirements for installation of compliant drain covers. New drain covers that meet the current standard are now beginning to make their way into the marketplace.  Additionally, in certain instances, public pools and spas must have additional devices or systems designed to prevent suction entrapment.

 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has prepared a guidance document that spells out the technical requirements of Section 1404 of the Act, along with CPSC staff’s answers to certain enforcement and legal issues. CPSC staff urges all public pool and spa owners/operators, state and local health and safety officials, and those in the pool and spa industry to carefully review this document as they work toward complying with Section 1404 of the Act.

Seasonal pool owners/operators who have questions regarding the new requirements or would like to schedule spring maintenance and repair services for their outdoor pools may contact Stephen J. Richard at (800) SAMPSON.