Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the State Water Control Board intends to consider amending 9VAC25-196, General Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Permit for Noncontact Cooling Water Discharges of 50,000 Gallons Per Day or Less. This general permit regulation establishes limitations, monitoring requirements, and other special conditions for point source discharges of noncontact cooling water of 50,000 gallons per day or less to surface waters in order to maintain surface water quality. The purpose of the proposed action is to amend and reissue the existing general permit, which expires on March 1, 2023. Some issues that may need consideration are effluent limits, including making chlorine non-detectable limit compatible with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reporting requirements; clarifying definitions; and reviewing water quality standards.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: § 62.1-44.15 of the Code of Virginia; § 402 of the Clean Water Act; 40 CFR Parts 122, 123, and 124.

Public Comment Deadline: November 12, 2020.

Agency Contact: Peter Sherman, Department of Environmental Quality, 1111 East Main Street, Suite 1400, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 698-4044, or email peter.sherman@deq.virginia.gov.