|
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO GEORGIA’S RULES FOR PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS TO IMPROVE WATER SUPPLY EFFICIENCY, CHAPTER 391-3-33
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND PARTIES:
Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the authority set forth below, the Environmental Protection Division (hereinafter, "EPD") of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources proposes amendments to the Rules for Public Water Systems to Improve Water Supply Efficiency, Chapter 391-3-33. EPD proposes to amend Rule 391-3-33-.05 to make clear that public water systems serving at least 3,300 individuals that do not otherwise hold a water withdrawal permit (referred to as “purchased water systems”) are required to demonstrate progress toward improving water supply efficiency when renewing their drinking water permit, and that the Director may take permitting action where such system fails to demonstrate progress
This notice, together with an exact copy of the proposed rule amendments, a synopsis, and statement of rationale of the proposed rule amendments, is being provided to all persons who have requested in writing that they be placed on a notification list. These documents may be viewed online at https://epd.georgia.gov/chapter-391-3-33 or on Tuesdays between 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, Watershed Protection Branch file room, 2 MLK Jr. Drive, SW, West Tower, Balcony, Suite 418, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334. To set an appointment, email askepd@dnr.ga.gov with your name, email and phone number and an associate will reach out to you. Copies may also be requested by contacting the Watershed Protection Branch at (404) 463-1511 or the Environmental Protection Division Director’s Office at 1-888-373-5947.
To provide the public an opportunity to comment upon and provide input into the proposed rule amendments, a public hearing will be held on Monday, December 14, 2020, beginning at 1 pm. In accordance with EPD’s safety precautions regarding the COVID-19 virus and in keeping with the Governor’s Declaration of a Public Health Emergency, EPD will be hosting this public hearing via Zoom. Zoom is a free web conferencing platform that also allows participation by phone. To participate in the public hearing, please click the following link or copy and paste it into your browser:
https://gaepd.zoom.us/j/94889196060?pwd=c1ZmUWJFMENldWdQOXltS0pxSDZ0QT09
Meeting ID: 948 8919 6060
Passcode: 927998
To dial in by phone, please call this number: 888-788-0099 (Toll-free). When prompted, enter the Meeting ID and/or Passcode shown above.
At the public hearing, anyone may present data, make a statement, comment or offer a viewpoint or argument either orally or in writing. Lengthy statements or statements of a considerable technical nature, as well as previously recorded messages, must be submitted in writing for the official record. Oral statements should be concise.
Written comments are welcomed. In order to be included in EPD’s summary to the Board of Natural Resources, written comments should be received on or before December 18, 2020. Written comments may be emailed to: EPDComments@dnr.ga.gov or sent via regular mail addressed to Branch Chief, Watershed Protection Branch; 2 MLK Jr. Drive, SW, Suite 1152, East Tower, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334. If you choose to e-mail your comments, please include the words “Rules for Water Supply Efficiency” in the subject line to help ensure that your comments will be forwarded to the correct staff.
The Rule amendment will be considered for adoption by the Board of Natural Resources at its meeting at 9:00 am on January 26, 2021 in the DNR Board Room located at 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, S. E., Suite 1252 East Tower, Atlanta, GA 30334. The meeting is open to the public. In accordance with necessary safety precautions regarding the COVID-19 virus, there may also be remote public access options such as conference call or videoconference. If so, those options will be posted on the Board’s website under the “DNR Board Menu” header here: https://gadnr.org/board and distributed by e-mail to those who have signed up for notices from EPD regarding proposed rules.
The proposed rule amendments are proposed for adoption pursuant to authority contained in the O.C.G.A. Secs. 12-5-4, 12-5-4.1, 12-5-20 et seq., 12-5-90 et seq., and 12-5-170 et seq.
For more information, please contact Wei Zeng, Water Supply Program Manager, at (404) 463-2883 or wei.zeng@dnr.ga.gov.
|
