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The NPDES Section is proposing a rule change that will renew five of Iowa’s general permits for wastewater discharges. These general permits cover certain wastewater discharges from mining and processing facilities (GP5), well construction activities (GP6), pesticide applications (GP7), hydrostatic testing, tank ballasting, and water lines (GP8), and dewatering activities and household geothermal systems (GP9). GP8 and GP9 are proposed to be renewed because these permits will expire on June 30, 2023. Proposed changes to these two general permits will clarify existing permit requirements and address needs identified during the initial permit term. GP5, GP6, and GP7 are proposed to be renewed at the same time in order to align the effective dates for all five general permits so that future renewal rule makings for these five permits can be combined. Minimal changes are proposed for these three general permits.
A stakeholder meeting to discuss the proposed rule change will be held via Zoom on September 14, 2021, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the proposed changes to Chapter 64 of the Iowa Administrative Code to renew these five general permits.
Persons who wish to attend the stakeholder meeting on September 14th must register in advance using the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZItcu2orDguGt0vKhIjfwEWvoWDpZc05vNJ
Questions about the meeting or proposed rulemaking can be directed by phone or email to David Schelling at 515-217-0875 or David.Schelling@dnr.iowa.gov. Written comments may also be sent to this email address through September 17, 2021.
For more information on the proposed general permit renewals, please see the NPDES Rules page.
A new online form has been created by the NPDES section to allow permittees to submit amendment requests online. It is a google form. Permittees completing the form will be asked to provide some basic information and select which type of amendment is being requested, and then answer specific questions for that amendment type. After the form is completed and submitted, permittees will receive an email confirmation and a PDF of the form. Additional documentation supporting an amendment request can be provided after the form has been submitted by replying to the confirmation email.
The new amendment request form is linked on the NPDES Forms webpage and the NPDES Operator Information webpage. Questions about the form can be directed to David Schelling at David.Schelling@dnr.iowa.gov or Courtney Cswercko at courtney.cswercko@dnr.iowa.gov.
The Iowa Rural Water Association (IRWA) Fall Conferences will take place at the following locations and dates:
- Okoboji on August 31st to September 1st
- Dubuque on October 5th to October 6th
For more information and registration links for both events, please see the IRWA Fall Conferences webpage at:
http://www.iowaruralwater.org/events_fall_conference.html
The 2021 IAWEA Annual Conference will be held September 21-24, 2021 at Prairie Meadows in Altoona. This conference will also offer Operations, Collection Systems, and Pretreatment tracks as the 2021 Operators/Pretreatment Conference will be incorporated into this Annual Conference. Collection Systems certification exams will also be offered.
The conference agenda and online registration is available at the link below:
https://iawea.regfox.com/2021-iawea-annual-conference
Online and virtual training opportunities are being created and offered through community colleges, state industry associations, national industry associations, EPA, and other state industry partners. All operators should continue to monitor their emails and the Training Calendar on the Iowa DNR Operator Certification Database. Look at the calendar often, as there are new opportunities posted throughout the week.
Please contact Laurie Sharp at (515) 725-0284 with any questions concerning operator certification training.
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