N.J. Admin. Code § 7:14A-23.34

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 17, September 3, 2024

Section 7:14A-23.34 - Closure requirements for wastewater treatment units

(a) This section applies to any and all wastewater and sludge facilities and equipment permanently removed from use or operation at NJPDES permitted facilities or at facilities for which a NJPDES permit has been revoked or an application for renewal denied, unless a judicial or administrative stay is in effect. The intent of this section is to protect public safety and health and to assure that no contamination of ground or surface water will occur as a result of removing such facilities and equipment from service either through the act of closure or through continuing the discharge of pollutants into or through equipment; or through leaking, leaching, or discharge of pollutants from wastewater or residuals remaining in facilities or equipment which has been removed from use but remains on site.

(b) The closure of a wastewater treatment facility or equipment means either the termination of the source of wastewater or sludge, or the permitted conveyance of wastewater or sludge to an alternate location (such as a regional facility) in such a manner that no further treatment storage or conveyance of wastewater or sludge is performed by the facility.

(c) Wastewater treatment works closures shall conform with the following procedures:

1. On or before 60 calendar days prior to taking the facility or certain operating equipment out of service a permittee shall:

i. Submit to the Division of Water Quality's Watershed Permitting Element the following information concerning closure activities:

(1) The date the facility will cease operation or the date that discharge to specific operating equipment will cease;

(2) The date the influent and effluent pipes will be sealed;

(3) Plans (signed and sealed by a New Jersey licensed professional engineer) for final disposition of the physical facilities, including all treatment units, outfall line, and all mechanical and electrical equipment and piping;

(4) Plans (signed and sealed by a New Jersey licensed professional engineer) for elimination of all equipment and/or conditions that could possibly pose a safety hazard, either during or after shut-down of operations;

(5) Verification that there are no lines in the collection system which are cross connected (receiving both sanitary and stormwater) or which do not contain adequate conveyance capacity as defined in N.J.A.C. 7:14A-1.9;

(6) The name of the licensed individual responsible for the maintenance and operation of the wastewater pumping station and/or wastewater collection or treatment systems that are still to be maintained; and

(7) Proof of a request to the Water Compliance and Enforcement Element for a site inspection to verify cessation of the discharge. The Water Compliance and Enforcement Element may be contacted by writing to:

Administrator

Water Compliance and Enforcement Element

PO Box 422

Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0422; and

ii. Notify the Division of Water Quality's Watershed Permitting Element, in writing, concerning any deactivated lagoons or other actual or potential discharges to ground water which may exist at the site. The Watershed Permitting Element may be contacted by writing to:

Assistant Director

Watershed Permitting Element

PO Box 029

Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0029

2. Proper management and/or removal of all residual materials (collected grit and screenings, scums, sand bed material, and dried or liquid sludges), as well as filter media, and all other solids from the treatment process that may remain in the abandoned treatment works is required.

i. The permittee shall submit to the Watershed Permitting Element proof of ownership of or contractual arrangement with an operation or operations permitted to manage all such waste materials. A contract with a hauler will only be accepted as proof of proper waste management if documentation of management at an approved site or sites is included. In addition, all necessary State or Federal permits/approvals must accompany the submission.

ii. Sludge quality assurance reports which are representative of the sludge removed following closure shall be submitted. Where quality information is not available, new samples shall be obtained and analyzed upon closure. All sludge samples and analyses shall be prepared in accordance with the Sludge Quality Assurance Regulations, N.J.A.C. 7:14C.

iii. All residual material shall be removed within 180 calendar days after the facility is taken out of service. Proof of proper residuals management shall be submitted to the Watershed Permitting Element within 30 calendar days after their removal. The dates of removal and quantities removed shall be specified.

3. Upon completion of closure activities, a permittee must complete a "Certification of Closure" form (form can be obtained by contacting the Water Compliance and Enforcement Element) which will provide certification that all waste materials have been properly managed, and that the remaining components of the facility have been properly secured regarding public health and safety. This form shall be completed after closure activities cease, signed in the presence of a Notary Public, and submitted to the Watershed Permitting Element. Incomplete Certifications of Closure are unacceptable and will be returned to the permittee.

(d) Upon satisfaction of closure requirements specified in (c) above, the Water Compliance and Enforcement Element shall be contacted, in writing, to schedule a final site inspection of any treatment works which had a NJPDES discharge permit to verify that influent and effluent pipes have been sealed and that all solid and residual materials related to the treatment process have been removed.

(e) Upon satisfactory completion of the items specified in (c) and (d) above, an "Application for Termination" (application may be obtained from the Division of Water Quality or the Water Compliance and Enforcement Element) from the New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System shall be completed and submitted to the Division of Water Quality, Bureau of Permit Management with a copy to the appropriate permitting bureau. The application form includes information concerning the facility, its NJPDES permit number, the nature of the discharge, and a certification to the effect that the closure has been performed in accordance with all submissions made to the Department. Applications received before completion of items (c)1 through 3 above, shall not be processed and shall be returned for resubmission upon satisfactory completion of all closure requirements by the permittee.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:14A-23.34