 | Vol. 3 No. 3 Winter 1995 |
| A Newsletter About New Jersey's Water Quality Programs |
How do you find the best regulatory strategies? -by getting the right people together to share individual concerns and viewpoints. An excellent example of this occurred on September 19, 1995, when the Division of Water Quality's Bureau of Operational Ground Water Permits (BOGWP) held an information seminar to talk about a new general permit that will apply to discharges from potable Water Treatment Plant basins (see New Jersey Discharger, June 1995). Approximately 35 people attended, representing 30 existing potable water plants with on-site basins that will qualify for the proposed permit.
During the seminar, BOGWP staff emphasized how the proposed permit would differ from existing permits held by this group, and explained how it would be more "user friendly." Prior to developing the permit, the DEP studied methods for monitoring contaminants emitted from water treatment plants' residual material. This monitoring information formed the basis for the new general permit.
After introducing the general permit, Dr. Fred Bowers from BOGWP presented a general overview of the pilot monitoring study conducted by the Division of Water Quality and discussed the results. June Gazek (BOGWP) discussed the specific requirements of the general permit as currently proposed. Floyd Genicola (Office of Quality Assurance) discussed N.J. Laboratory Certification Procedures. Stuart Nagourney from the Bureau of Radiation and Inorganic Analysis Services and Victor Echeverri from the Bureau of Pretreatment and Residuals were also available to answer questions based on the discussions. Having DEP staff with diverse backgrounds in attendance, helped answer questions raised by permittees, which often spanned many divergent topics.
The seminar's main focus demonstrated how general permits allow more consistent and scientifically correct monitoring at facilities having similar types of operations. BOGWP appreciated the attendees' participation in developing the general permit and pledged to keep interested parties informed of any changes in the future.
As a result of this seminar, BOGWP has addressed some of the attendee's suggestions and have made adjustments to the proposed permit language. The draft permit is expected to be public noticed late October or early November 1995. For further information regarding this general permit please contact June R. Gazek or Dr. Fred Bowers of the Bureau of Operational Groundwater Permits by calling (609) 292-0407.