Sewer staff report 183 million gallons treated in August; regulatory appeal over CSO language and fluoride testing advance

The wastewater department reported operational volumes and outlined active regulatory and administrative matters during the meeting.

A staff member reported the plant treated 183,000,000 gallons of wastewater for August. The plant also received 255,000 in septic (units not specified in the transcript), which generated $10,731 in revenue. Staff said summer inspections of primary tanks were nearly complete and that Snyder Environmental had completed lining from the top of Fifteenth Street down to Northview and the river behind a private property referenced in the meeting.

Staff announced a new sewer department employee would begin on Sept. 16. The meeting packet noted a MWQA meeting in Charleston on Oct. 16, where Patrick Morrissey will be the guest speaker.

On regulatory matters, staff described an appeal of the town's most recently issued NPDES permit, which is issued under the Clean Water Act. The town contends that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) improperly regulated outfalls from the town's combined sewer overflows (CSOs). The town's counsel, Mr. Bryson, met with DEP on Aug. 25 and, according to staff, DEP “largely agrees” with the town's position but is having difficulty drafting replacement language because the change would affect the entire state.

Staff said the town is preparing proposed permit language for DEP to consider; if the parties cannot settle the dispute, a hearing is scheduled for Oct. 9 before the Environmental Quality Board, the appeal body for DEP permitting. Staff said the hearing will focus on legal argument rather than testimony, and that Drew would need to attend so the town’s representation is complete.

On fluoride, staff said Drew continues to collect data and that the department is preparing a “reasonable potential analysis” to show that requiring fluoride removal from their flows would be unnecessary. Staff described this as a data-driven step before resuming discussions with DEP on fluoride-related permit language.

Finally, staff said they are awaiting signatures on joint petitions with Summit Park; once Summit Park and the chairman of the PSD, Mr. Heinbaugh, sign and notarize the documents, staff intend to file with the PSC. Staff stated they hoped to be ready to proceed to the PSC by the end of the week and referenced Oct. 9 as a near-term date in their planning.

The regulatory items were presented as ongoing administrative matters; no final settlement or permit change was recorded in the meeting notes provided.