Public Notice: Buchanan WWTP

PUBLIC NOTICE Date: August 14, 2024

Permit No.: MI0022489

Designated Site Name: Buchanan WWTP The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Water Resources Division (WRD), proposes to reissue a permit to Buchanan WWTP for the Buchanan Wastewater Treatment Plant located at 302 North Red Bud Trail, Buchanan, Berrien County, Michigan 49107. The applicant collects wastewater from the city of Buchanan and Buchanan Township. The applicant discharges treated municipal wastewater to the St. Joseph River. The draft permit includes the following modifications to the previously issued permit: Permit language has been revised to incorporate updated references and terminology. The following new condition has been added to the draft permit: PFAS Data Reporting Requirements. Required monthly reporting for Chloride and Sulfate is now specified. Required monitoring and an associated limit added during chlorine usage. Total copper monitoring frequency has been increased to monthly. PFOS monitoring frequency has increased to quarterly. The final effluent limitation for total mercury remains 2.0 ng nanograms per liter (ng/l), which is the discharge-specific level currently achievable based on a multiple discharger variance (MDV) from the water quality-based effluent limit of 1.3 ng/l, pursuant to R 323.1103(9) of the Part 4 Rules, Water Quality Standards, promulgated under Part 31, Water Resources Protection, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended. Copies of the permit application, Public Notice, Fact Sheet, Basis for Decision Memo, draft permit, and other relevant documents associated with this proposed permitting action may be obtained via the Internet at https://mienviro.michigan.gov/ncore/ (select ‘Public Notice Search,’ enter the permit number into the search field, and then click ‘Search’), or you may request copies be mailed to you by contacting Sherry Thelen at email: ThelenS5@michigan.gov, or telephone: 517-290-9607. Persons wishing to submit comments on the draft permit should do so through MiEnviro Portal. Go to https://mienviro.michigan.gov/ncore/, select ‘Public Notice Search,’ search for this public notice by entering the permit number into the search field, click ‘Search,’ click ‘View,’ click ‘Add Comment,’ enter information into the fields, and then click ‘Submit.’ Comments or objections to the draft permit received by September 15, 2024, will be considered in the final decision to issue the permit, as will comments made at a public hearing should one be requested and held by the Department on the draft permit. Any person may request the Department to hold a public hearing on the draft permit. The request should include specific reasons for the request, indicating which portions of the draft permit constitute the need for a hearing. If submitted comments indicate significant public interest in the draft permit or if useful information may be produced, the Department may, at its discretion, hold a public hearing on the draft permit. If a public hearing is scheduled, public notice of the hearing will be provided at least 30 days in advance. Inquiries should be directed to Thomas Miller, Permits Section, WRD, EGLE, P.O. Box 30458, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7958; telephone: 517-899-2960; or e-mail: MillerT45@michigan.gov. The discharge-specific level currently achievable for total mercury was developed in accordance with the WRD's approved MDV. A copy of the MDV may be obtained via the Internet at https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/water-resources/npdes (under About NPDES, select Applicable Rules and Regulations), or you may request copies be mailed to you by contacting Sherry Thelen.