EPA announced on April 17 a new effort to update wet weather regulations for wastewater treatment plants in order to provide regulatory certainty surrounding the use of “blending,” the practice of diverting a portion of incoming stormwater and sewage flow around biological or advanced treatment units during heavy storms or “peak flow conditions.” This diverted flow is then either recombined with treated flows before being discharged or discharged directly into waterways.
“EPA is taking action on a new rule that will give municipalities much-needed clarity on blending at wastewater treatment plants,” EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said in the news release. “We look forward to engaging with partners at the state and local levels as we work to design a rule that offers a common-sense approach to protecting public health and safely managing our nation’s wastewater.”
According to the news release, EPA will conduct stakeholder outreach in the coming months.