The DEP has revoked and reissued the New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (NJPDES) No. NJ0105023 for Combined Sewer Systems. This general permit is used to regulate the discharge of pollutants from Combined Sewer Systems through Combined Sewer Overflow Points (CSO Points). The general permit was issued on June 30, 2004, has an Effective Date of August 1, 2004 and an Expiration Date of July 31, 2009.

New provisions have been added to the previous requirements and compliance schedules, which will continue to remain in effect without any change. The new requirements include the development of CSO Long-Term Control Plans as required by the National CSO Control Policy. Specifically, owners and /or operators of combined sewer systems must evaluate the feasibility of implementing control measures for pathogens and to formulate cost and performance relationships.

The Public Notice, the draft permit, and associated documents were mailed directly to permittees currently authorized under the General Permit, consultants who work with the permittees and other interested parties including municipal, State and Federal officials. This information is also available on the Division of Water Quality's Web site for permitting and technical information at www.state.nj.us/dep/dwq/gp_cso.htm. To offset a portion of the cost to perform the studies required by the additional requirements, the DEP is exploring the possibility of providing financial assistance in the form of grants. Details will be provided to eligible permittees when they are finalized.

The contact person for questions concerning the revocation and reissuance of the General Permit is S. Dan Zeppenfeld. PE, PP, Bureau of Financing and Construction Permits, who may be reached at (609) 292-5563. The contact person for questions concerning the availability of financial assistance is Shadab Ahmad, PE, Bureau of Financing and Construction Permits at (609) 292-5563.