Vol. 3 No. 4 Spring 1996
A Newsletter About New Jersey's Water Quality Programs

The Bureau of Operational Ground Water Permits is currently developing a mass minor modification for facilities required to 'monitor only' water level in piezometers located in or directly adjacent to disposal areas. This change primarily affects sanitary wastewater dischargers who are required to monitor water levels and maintain a specific unsaturated zone in the area between the mounded seasonal high ground water level and the bottom of the disposal area (infiltrative surface). The modification does not affect any ground water quality monitoring or reporting requirements currently contained in permits.

Currently, Discharge to Ground Water Permits stipulate that water level measurements be recorded on VWX-015A Piezometer Monitoring Report Forms and be submitted to the DEP for review and data entry. Under the proposed modification, each permittee will still be required to monitor water levels and maintain required unsaturated zones; however, the submission of Report Forms to the DEP will no longer be required. The Report Form data will be compiled on-site and made available for DEP review, upon request. In cases where permittees are unable to maintain the required unsaturated zone, written notification outlining the remedial measures being taken to bring the facility back into compliance will be required.

This modification will reduce some paper reporting requirements for permittees while, at the same time, maintaining a discharge monitoring program that is protective of ground water resources. If you have any questions regarding this proposed change, please contact Terry Huber of the Bureau of Operational Ground Water Permits at (609) 292-0407.

Articles appearing in the New Jersey Discharger may be reprinted provided source credit is given.