At the time of this writing, the Division of Water Quality intended to renew the general permit for Combined Sewer Systems (NJPDES No. NJ0105023 - NJAC 7:14A-6.13) which was issued on January 27, 1995 and was due to expire on February 28, 2000. The division planned to reissue this general permit with minor modifications that do not impact the provisions of the permit.

This general permit was issued by the division to control the discharge of pollutants from Combined Sewer Systems (CSSs) through Combined Sewer Overflow Points (CSO Points). Any person who currently owns and/or operates any part of a combined sewer system must apply for this NJPDES general permit.

Combined sewer systems are primarily located along the tidal portions of the Delaware River and its tributaries in Camden County, along the tidal portion of the Raritan River, and throughout the New York-New Jersey Harbor Complex. There are approximately two hundred eighty CSO discharge points located throughout the state. These discharges are associated with the combined sewer systems of approximately thirty-municipalities (30) or other public entities known or suspected of owning and/or operating a portion of a CSS. CSSs are located in Bergen, Camden, Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Passaic, and Union Counties.

The general permit is consistent with the National CSO Control Policy, the New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan, and the Delaware Estuary Plan. It requires owners and/or operators of any portion of a combined sewer system to develop and implement technology-based control measures including the Nine Minimum Control Measures identified in the National CSO Control Policy. The technology-based requirements include the prohibition of Dry Weather Overflows, prevention of surface water intrusion into the CSS, the control of Solids/Floatables, the development of proper operation and maintenance plans and manuals, and the institution of monitoring and reporting procedures. Additionally, the permit initiates the first phase of the National CSO Control Policy's Long-term Control Planning (LTCP) Process by the requiring the performance of significant monitoring and modeling activities and the development of Land-side Storm Water Management Models (SWMMs).

Applicants must submit a REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION to be covered under the general permit using the division's forms. Existing authorizations will be renewed automatically when the general permit is issued. The most recently submitted requests for authorization will be considered timely and complete under the reissued permit. This is applicable for any permittee who had authorization under the permit immediately prior to the effective date of the reissued permit.

The division will issue a notice of renewed authorization to eligible permittees. If a permittee is aware that any information in the most recently submitted request for authorization is no longer valid, accurate, and/or complete, they should provide the correct information to the division within 90-days after the effective date of the permit.

Additional information concerning this general permit may be obtained from Stanley V. Cach, PE, PP, Chief, Bureau of Engineering North at (609) 292-6894 or Gautam R. Patel, Chief, Bureau of Engineering South at (609) 984-6840.