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Potable Water Treatment Facility General Permit (PWTF GP) for Massachusetts & New Hampshire

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2017 Potable Water Treatment Facility General Permit (PWTF GP)

The Final 2017 NPDES General Permit for Discharges from Potable Water Treatment Facilities in Massachusetts (MAG640000) and New Hampshire (NHG640000) was signed on March 6, 2017 and became effective on that date (the date of signature). This permit replaces the previous PWTF GP that expired on October 2, 2014. The Final 2017 PWTF GP will expire on March 6, 2022, which is five (5) years from the effective date.

The Notice of Availability of the Final PWTF GP is currently being processed and will be published in the Federal Register as soon as possible. A copy of the draft Notice of Availability can be found below. In accordance with 40 C.F.R. Part 23, the permit shall be considered issued for the purpose of judicial review on March 20, 2017 (two weeks from the date of signature on the General Permit). Under section 509(b) of the Clean Water Act, judicial review of this General Permit can be requested by filing a petition for review in a United States Court of Appeals by July 18, 2017 (which is 120 days after the start date for judicial review above).

The PWTF GP provides coverage for potable water treatment facilities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire that discharge wastewater from one or more of the following treatment processes: Clarification, Coagulation, Media Filtration, Membrane filtration (not including reverse osmosis), and Disinfection. In general, facilities covered under this General Permit must discharge less than or equal to 1.0 million gallons per day (MGD).

The permit establishes permit eligibility conditions, notice of intent requirements, effluent limitations, standards, prohibitions, and best management practices. The eligibility requirements for coverage under the General Permit are discussed in Part 1 of the permit.

Permittees seeking coverage under the Final 2017 PWTF GP, including those facilities covered under the PWTF GP that expired on October 2, 2014, must submit a complete and accurate Notice of Intent (NOI), containing the information in Appendix IV, to both EPA - Region I and the appropriate state agency (where applicable), as follows:

  • Proposed New Discharges: Facilities with proposed new discharges that are seeking coverage under this General Permit must submit an NOI to EPA and MassDEP (if applicable) or NHDES, post-marked at least 60 days prior to the commencement of discharge.

  • Existing Permitted Discharges Authorized Under Last PWTF GP: Facilities with existing coverage under the PWTF General Permit that expired on October 2, 2014, and that wish to seek coverage under this General Permit, must file an NOI to EPA and MassDEP (if applicable) or NHDES, for coverage under this General Permit within 90 days of the effective date of this permit.

  • Facilities with Existing Discharges Not Authorized Under Last PWTF GP and which Use Aluminum in Treatment Process: Facilities that use aluminum in their treatment process but were not authorized under the PWTF General Permit that expired on October 2, 2014 (and submitted an application for an Individual Permit instead) are eligible to seek coverage under this General Permit. Such facilities must file an NOI to EPA and MassDEP (if applicable) or NHDES for coverage under this General Permit within 6 months of the effective date of this permit. Since facilities under this category are required to submit more extensive water quality sampling data (i.e., aluminum) than the other categories, additional time to submit the NOI has been granted. See Appendix IV, particularly Section C.12, for additional details regarding the required water quality sampling.

Refer to Part 4.3 of the permit and Appendix IV for complete details about submitting an NOI.

EPA and MassDEP (when applicable) or NHDES will review the NOI. The facility will receive written notification from EPA stating whether permit coverage and authorization to discharge under the General Permit is approved.

The PWTF GP, and all associated documents, are available from the web links below.

EPA Contacts

NOI Processing: Olga Vergara (vergara.olga@epa.gov); Telephone: 617-918-1519; Mail Code OEP06-4

Technical Questions: Mark Voorhees (voorhees.mark@epa.gov); Telephone: 617-918-1537; Mail Code OEP06-4

State Contacts

MassDEP

NHDES

Notices of Intent

Notices of Intent (NOI) will be posted on this page for a minimum of 30 days after EPA receives them. Please contact Olga Vergara if you have any questions regarding NOIs. Older NOIs are listed in the 2009 Potable Water Treatment Facility General Permit (PWTF GP) NOI archive. EPA will also post Notices of Termination (NOT), if received.

Notices of Intent: Potable Water Treatment Facility General Permit (PWTF GP)
Site Name - NOI(s) City, State (Receiving Water) Permit Number Authorization(s) NOT(s)
Greensand FF Well No. 5 (PDF) (28 pp, 3.8 MB) Holliston, MA (Bogastow Brook) MAG640085 2021/01/12 (PDF) (5 pp, 151 K)  
Worcester Water Filtration Plant (PDF) (13 pp, 3.4 MB) Worcester, MA (Holden 2 Reservoir) MAG640052 2020/11/03 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)  
Arlington Ave WTP (PDF) (16 pp, 3.4 MB) Salem & Beverly, MA (Wenham Lake Reservoir) MAG640059 2021/01/12 (PDF) (5 pp, 151 K)  
Newburyport WTP (PDF) (22 pp, 1.8 MB) Newburyport, MA (Merrimack River) MAG640018 2020/11/03 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)  
Winona Ave WTF (PDF) (17 pp, 2.7 MB) Peabody, MA (Winona Pond) MAG640028 2020/11/03 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)  
Great Pond WTP (PDF) (9 pp, 390 K) Braintree (Lower Great Pond) MAG640082 2019/11/07 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)

2019/10/21 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)
 
Roaring Brook Reservoir WTF (PDF) (17 pp, 3.5 MB) South Deerfield (Roaring Brook) MAG640005 2019/11/07 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)

2019/10/21 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)
 
Arthur J. Bilodeau WTP (PDF) (32 pp, 2.9 MB) Weymouth (Mill River) MAG640080 2019/11/07 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)

2019/10/21 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)
 
Rockport WTP (PDF) (25 pp, 11.6 MB) Rockport (Cape Pond) MAG640021 2019/11/07 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)

2019/10/21 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)
 
Andover WTP (PDF) (49 pp, 5.6 MB) Andover (Haggetts Pond) MAG640058 2019/11/07 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)

2019/10/21 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.4 MB)
 
Crystal Lake WTF (PDF) (13 pp, 4.4 MB) Gardner (Crystal Lake) MAG640041 2019/11/07 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)

2019/10/21 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)
 
Walter J. Sullivan WPP (PDF) (28 pp, 1.4 MB) Cambridge (Fresh Pond Reservoir) MAG640040 2019/11/07 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)

2019/10/21 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)
 
Northampton WTP (PDF) (19 pp, 1.8 MB) Northampton (Main Street Reservoir) MAG640034 2019/11/07 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)

2019/10/21 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)
 
Great Sandy Bottom Pond WTP (PDF) (19 pp, 1.8 MB) Pembroke (Great Sandy Bottom Pond) MAG640074 2019/11/07 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)

2019/10/21 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)
 
Lowell Regional WU (PDF) (23 pp, 6.5 MB) Lowell, MA (Merrimack River) MAG640055 2019/06/14 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)  
Dighton WTP (PDF) (11 pp, 486 K) North Dighton, MA (Seraganset River) MAG640067 2019/06/14 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)  
Amesbury WTF (PDF) (9 pp, 842 K) Amesbury, MA (Powwow River) MAG640065 2019/06/14 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)  
Winchester WTF (PDF) (7 pp, 3 MB) Winchester, MA (South Reservoir) MAG640037 2019/06/14 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)  
Gravelly Pond WTF (PDF) (15 pp, 1.9 MB) Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA (Gravelly Pond) MAG640003 2019/06/14 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)  
Ashburnham & Winchendon Joint WTP (PDF) (22 pp, 1.1 MB) Ashburnham, MA (Upper Naukeag Lake) MAG640045 2019/06/14 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)  
Haverhill WTP (PDF) (45 pp, 2.2 MB) Haverhill, MA (Kenoza Lake) MAG640084 2018/10/09 (PDF) (3 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Richmond Park WTF (PDF) (18 pp, 2.3 MB) Halifax, MA (Turkey Swamp to Palmer Mill Brook) MAG640008 2018/06/26 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Brockton WFP (PDF) (9 pp, 562 K) Pembroke, MA (Silver Lake) MAG640029 2018/06/26 (PDF) (3 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Rutland WTF (PDF) (11 pp, 276 K) Rutland, MA (Muschopauge Pond) MAG640033 2018/06/26 (PDF) (3 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Billerica WTP (PDF) (20 pp, 20.2 MB) Billerica, MA (Winning Brook) MAG640050 2018/06/26 (PDF) (3 pp, 1.4 MB)  
North Andover WTP (PDF) (12 pp, 513 K) North Andover (Lake Cochichewick) MAG640078 2018/06/26 (PDF) (3 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Fall River WTF (PDF) (18 pp, 4.8 MB) Fall River, MA (North Watuppa Pond) MAG640081 2018/06/26 (PDF) (3 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Vernon C. Russell WFP (PDF) (11 pp, 9.1 MB) Middleton, MA (Outlet Stream from Middleton Pond) MAG640062 2018/06/26 (PDF) (3 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Ipswich WTF (PDF) (12 pp, 4.2 MB) Ipswich, MA (Bull Brook) MAG640025 2018/06/26 (PDF) (3 pp, 1.4 MB)  
East Chelmsford Water District WTP (PDF) (9 pp, 2.5 MB) East Chelmsford, MA (Black Brook) MAG640057 2018/04/18 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Flints Pond WTP (PDF) (19 pp, 4.4 MB) Lincoln, MA (Flints Pond) MAG640051 2020/03/12 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.5 MB)

2020/02/20 (PDF) (2 pp, 65 K)

2018/04/18 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.4 MB)
 
Howe St Regional WTP (PDF) (9 pp, 644 K) Ashland, MA (Hopkinton Reservoir) MAG640049 2018/04/18 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Merrimac WTP (PDF) (12 pp, 2.4 MB) Merrimac, MA (Lake Attitash) MAG640030 2018/04/18 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Somersworth Drinking Water Treatment Plant (PDF) (13 pp, 5.4 MB) Somersworth, NH (Salmon Falls River) NHG640014 2018/03/27 (PDF) (3 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Sudbury Water District Raymond Rd WTP (PDF) (10 pp, 15 MB) Sudbury, MA (Landham Brook) MAG640054 2018/03/27 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Lebanon Water Treatment Plant (PDF) (7 pp, 2.2 MB) Lebanon, NH (Mascoma River) NHG640012 2018/03/28 (PDF) (3 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Centennial Water Treatment Plant (PDF) (26 pp, 4.5 MB) Amherst, MA (Amethyst Brook) MAG640046 2018/03/27 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Gorham Water Filtration Plant (PDF) (10 pp, 2.5 MB) Gorham, NH (Moose Brook) NHG640002 2018/03/27 (PDF) (3 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Village District of Eastham (PDF) (8 pp, 5.5 MB) Grantham, NH (Bog Brook) NHG640008 2018/03/28 (PDF) (3 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Jackson Water Precinct (PDF) (9 pp, 3.9 MB) Jackson, NH (Ellis River) NHG640011 2021/01/12 (PDF) (3 pp, 139 K)  
Sudbury Water District Well 8 WTP (PDF) (10 pp, 10 MB) Sudbury, MA (Hop Brook) MAG640056 2018/03/27 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Broadway Water Treatment Plant (PDF) (32 pp, 3.6 MB) Wakefield, MA (Crystal Lake) MAG640077 2018/03/05 (PDF) (3 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Spectacle Pond Water Treatment Plant (PDF) (9 pp, 2.3 MB) Littleton, MA (Spectacle Pond) MAG640002 2018/03/05 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Springfield Reservoir Water Treatment Plant (PDF) (18 pp, 3.6 MB) Springfield, MA (Higher Brook) MAG640022 2018/03/05 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Walsh Avenue Water Treatment Plant (PDF) (16 pp, 5.2 MB) Auburn, MA (Dunn's Brook) MAG640004 2018/03/05 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Southbridge Street Court Water Treatment Plant (PDF) (16 pp, 5.2 MB) Auburn, MA (Dunn's Brook) MAG640072 2018/03/05 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Phillips Road Pumping Station #3 (PDF) (29 pp, 5.3 MB) Lynnfield, MA (Beaverdam Brook) MAG640017 2018/03/05 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Georgetown Water Treatment Plant (PDF) (19 pp, 4.3 MB) Georgetown, MA (Parker River) MAG640048 2018/03/05 (PDF) (5 pp, 1.4 MB)  
Site Name - NOI(s) City, State (Receiving Water) Permit Number Authorization(s) NOT(s)

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2009 Potable Water Treatment Facility General Permit (PWTF GP)

The Final 2009 NPDES Potable Water Treatment Facility General Permit (PWTF GP) in Massachusetts (MAG640000) and New Hampshire (NHG640000) was signed on September 25, 2009. The Notice of Availability of these Final PWTF GPs was published in the Federal Register on October 2, 2009. Copies of the Final PWTF GPs, attachments e to the Final PWTF GPs, and the Response to Comments, are available from the web links below. The 2009 NPDES Potable Water Treatment Facility General Permit (PWTF GP) expired on October 2, 2014. However, facilities covered under that permit are administratively continued until the 2016 PWTF GP becomes final.

The Final 2009 PWTF GP established permit eligibility conditions, Notice of Intent (NOI) requirements, effluent limitations, standards, prohibitions, and best management practices for facilities that discharge to waters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (including both Commonwealth and Indian country lands) and the State of New Hampshire. This general permit replaced the Water Treatment Facility GP that expired on November 15, 2005.

2009 Potable Water Treatment Facility General Permit (PWTF GP) Documents

Helpful Information and Links

Notices of Intent

Notices of Intent (NOI) were posted on this page for a minimum of 30 days after EPA received them. Please contact Olga Vergara (vergara.olga@epa.gov; 617-918-1519 ) if you have any questions regarding NOIs.

Older NOIs are listed in the PWTFGP NOI archive.

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