New Jersey obtains approximately 50 percent of its drinking water from ground water sources. To ensure that these sources are free from contamination, the Division of Water Quality has expanded its stormwater permitting program to include stormwater discharges to ground water.

The first general permit to incorporate this change is the recently reissued general stormwater permit for vehicle dismantling, crushing and scrap metal recycling, and shredding facilities. The "Scrap Metal Permit," (General NJPDES Permit to Discharge Stormwater from Scrap Metal Processing and Recycling Facilities and Establishments Engaged in Dismantling of Motor Vehicles into the Waters of the State of New Jersey - Permit No. NJ0107671) was first issued in 1995, in accordance with federal requirements.

The Federal NPDES regulations for stormwater discharges specifically require facilities involved in the recycling of materials, including metal scrap yards, battery reclaimers, salvage yards, and automobile junkyards (SIC codes 5015 and 5093), to apply for permits to regulate stormwater discharges to surface water (DSW). Presently there are 116 facilities in New Jersey with surface water discharges authorized under this general permit.

The permit relies on Best Management Practices (BMPs) to control the discharge of pollutants to waters of the state. Control of fluids by proper dismantling procedures and secondary containment was emphasized in the original permit for those facilities with surface water discharges. These BMPs were designed to prevent or minimize the mixing of contaminants with stormwater. In the past, there was no method to regulate ground water discharges from scrap metal facilities, however, under the reissued permit, discharges to ground water will now be controlled. The division will authorize facilities categorized under this permit that do not operate under the designated SIC codes.

The reissued permit became final December 1, 1999, and is expected to bring an additional 70 to 80 facilities under DEP oversight. It is the first general NJPDES permit that protects stormwater discharging to both ground and surface water. The Bureau of Nonpoint Pollution Control is presently working on several other general permits that will regulate stormwater from both surface and ground water discharges.

To obtain authorization under this permit, a complete Request for Authorization (Permit Number NJ0107671) must be submitted. New facilities must have BMPs in place prior to operation. Additional information concerning the reissued permit may be obtained from the Bureau of Nonpoint Pollution Control at (609) 633-7021 or (609) 292-0407.