[CPEO-MEF] REGULATION: Fwd: QUESTION: NPDES and groundwater contaminant plumes

[Lenny Siegel <lennysiegel@gmail.com>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Laura Olah" <cswab@merr.com>

Date: July 25, 2011 7:21:41 AM PDT

 

PLEASE POST AND DISTRIBUTE:

 

Good morning,

 

QUESTION: Does anyone know of a site where the discharge of a groundwater contaminant PLUME to surface water is regulated by a NPDES permit or state equivalent?  

 

Please reply directly to Laura Olah at info@cswab.org.  You may also reach me by phone at 608/643-3124.  The identity of respondents will be kept confidential to encourage dialogue on this important topic.    

 

BACKGROUND: As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States.  Point sources are normally discrete conveyances such as pipes or man-made ditches.  However at a growing number of sites the proposed remedy for groundwater contaminant plumes, many of which have reached nearby surface water, is natural attenuation.  In some cases, this unencumbered discharge of contaminants to surface water may be allowed to continue for decades.  Facilities maintain that that dilution adequately minimizes any associated risks however there is growing concern that these discharges may place aquatic ecosystems and public health at unacceptable risk. 

 

Laura Olah, Executive Director

Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger (CSWAB)

E12629 Weigand's Bay South

Merrimac, WI  53561

(608) 643-3124

info@cswab.org

www.cswab.org

 

-END-

 

 

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