Press release from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality:
The Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources will conduct an online public hearing Tuesday, Feb. 2, on proposed revisions to the N.C. Groundwater Quality Standards. Written public comments are being accepted through Tuesday, March 16. State law requires a review of its groundwater water quality standards and if necessary, to propose revisions based on new or updated health and toxicological information.
Groundwater Quality Standards are established to protect the state’s groundwater. They are the maximum allowable concentrations resulting from any discharge of contaminants to North Carolina’s land and water. The levels established are values that do not pose a threat to human health, or that would otherwise render the groundwater unsuitable for its intended best usage as an existing or potential source of drinking water supply for humans.
The proposed changes and revisions include:
- adoption of a groundwater quality standard for 44 substances with established interim maximum allowable concentrations, some with revised values;
- addition of a groundwater quality standard for three substances (2,6-dinitrotoluene, strontium, and total PFOA and PFOS) without established interim maximum allowable concentrations;
- organization of the groundwater standards into a table;
- addition of Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Numbers (CASRNs) for the groundwater standards
- the removal of synonyms;
- a change in some units of measure to parts per billion (µg/L), when appropriate;
- addition of rule text to add a notification process for the establishment of an interim maximum allowable concentration; and
- addition of rule text to clarify the triennial review process.
For additional information on these proposed changes please visit the Division of Water Resources’ Water Planning webpage.Public Hearing Date: 6 p.m. February 2, 2021 (attendees and participants may join starting at 5:45 p.m.)To Join: WebEx linkWebEx Password: jPeFQgQ3n85Join by Phone: 1-415-655-0003; access code: 178 659 9930Please register to join and indicate whether you wish to speak during the hearing by visiting: DEQ.nc.gov.All comments must be received by March 16 to be considered in the review of the proposed changes. Written comments may be submitted by email to GWTriRevComments@ncdenr.gov or by USPS to:Bridget SheltonNC DEQ-DWR Planning Section1611 Mail Service CenterRaleigh, NC 27699-1611
The Division plans to present the proposed changes for adoption to the Environmental Management Commission at the May 2021 meeting. If approved by the Commission, the changes would go into effect Thursday, July 1.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.