EPA Proposes Public Notification Rule for Great Lakes CSOs

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a rule to establish public notification requirements for 182 communities with combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to the Great Lakes Basin.

The proposed requirements address signage, notification of local public health departments and the public, and annual notice provisions. EPA is proposing to require the 182 communities to develop public notification plans and to seek and consider input from local public health departments.

CSOs contain untreated or partially treated human and industrial waste, toxic materials, debris and storm water. CSO events can be detrimental to human health and the environment because they introduce pathogens, bacteria, and other pollutants to receiving waters, causing beach closures, contaminating drinking water supplies and impairing water quality. The depleted oxygen levels potentially caused by CSOs can impact fish and other aquatic populations.

To learn more, visit www.epa.gov/npdes/combined-sewer-overflows-great-lakes-basin.

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency