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DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO GEORGIA’S RULES FOR SAFE DRINKING WATER, CHAPTER 391-3-5
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 Safe Drinking Water, Chapter 391-3-5. EPD proposes to amend specific provisions of Rule 391-3-5-.04, “Approval Required”, to allow private water systems in specified coastal counties to provide treated groundwater as potable water to the public if the local government utility cannot provide treated groundwater within 18 months of a request in writing. If the local government utility is unable to provide the water, then a private water system with delegated authority from EPD under the rule can provide the water where they have the capacity.
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-391-3-5-rules-safe-drinking-water or 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 EPD 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 Friday March 21, 2025, beginning at 10:00 a.m. 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/93465299068?pwd=SUB7vWpT0fVqqAiqV547c45ObdXbBJ.1
Meeting ID: 934 6529 9068
Passcode: 314468
To dial in by phone, please call this number: 1-877-853-5247 (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 March 27, 2025. 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 1470 A, East Tower, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334. If you choose to e-mail your comments, please include the words “Rules for Safe Drinking Water” in the subject line to help ensure that your comments will be forwarded to the correct staff.
The proposed rule amendments will be considered for adoption by the Board of Natural Resources at its meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday April 22, 2025, in the Shepherd Room at the Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center, located at 543 Elliott Trail, Mansfield, Ga 30055. The meeting will be open to the public.
The proposed rule amendments are proposed for adoption pursuant to authority contained in the Georgia Safe Drinking Water Act, O.C.G.A. § 12-5-170 et seq.
For more information, please contact Manny Patel, Drinking Water Program Manager, at manny.patel@dnr.ga.gov or (470) 524-0585.
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