National CSO Perspectives

1. National CSO Perspectives Mohammed Billah U.S. EPA Office of Wastewater Management

2. The National Perspective • Expectations and Key Principles of the CSO Control Policy • National Overview of CSO permits • Guidance and Reports National CSO Perspectives

3. 1994: National CSO Control Policy (59 FR 18688) • Reiterated the objectives of the 1989 National CSO Control Strategy • Imposed a January 1, 1997 deadline for implementation of the NMC. • Provided guidance to permittees with CSOs, NPDES permitting and enforcement authorities, and State WQS authorities for planning, designing, and implementing CSO controls • Established substantial role for public involvement during decision-making process National CSO Perspectives

4. 2000 Amendments to the CWA (P.L. 106-554) • In December 2000, Congress amended the CWA by adding Section 402 (q)(2) • Section 402(q)(2) requires that each permit, order, or decree issued pursuant to the CWA after the date of enactment for a discharge from a municipal CSS “shall conform” to the CSO Policy. National CSO Perspectives

5. Section 402(q)(2) “Shall Conform” • Currently, EPA’s OW and OECA senior management are reviewing a joint memorandum defining “shall conform”. • Memorandum will address: • Phase II permits • Development of WQBELs • Appropriate use of compliance schedules in connection w/WQBELs for CSOs, and • Appropriate enforceable mechanisms for establishing a compliance schedule to ensure successful implementation of the LTCP. National CSO Perspectives

6. Four Key Principles of CSO Control Policy • Provide clear levels of control that would be presumed to meet objective • Provide sufficient flexibility to site-specific nature of CSOs and to determine the most cost-effective means • Allow a phased approach considering financial capability • Review and revise, as appropriate, WQS and WQS implementation procedures when developing LTCPs National CSO Perspectives

7. National CSO Perspectives

8. National Overview of CSO LTCP Status (2004) • 86% of permits require development and implementation of an LTCP • 59% of LTCPs submitted • 35% of LTCPs approved National CSO Perspectives

9. CSO Guidance Documents • Long-Term Control Plan • Nine Minimum Controls • Screening & Ranking • Monitoring & Modeling • Financial Capability Assessment • Funding Options • Permit Writers • Review of Water Quality Standards http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/cso/guidedocs.cfm National CSO Perspectives

10. CSO Reports to Congress • 2001 Report to Congress on the Implementation and Enforcement of the CSO Control Policy http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/cso/cpolicy_report.cfm?program_id=5 • 2004 Report to Congress on the Impacts and Control of CSOs and SSOs http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/cso/cpolicy_report2004.cfm National CSO Perspectives

11. Other CSO Reference Material • EPA Municipal Support Division Fact Sheets http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/mtbfact.htm • Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Project (MI) http://www.wcdoe.org/rougeriver • Columbus Water Works National Demonstration Program (GA) http://www.cwwga.org/NationalPrograms/Index.htm National CSO Perspectives

12. Update on Current CSO Projects • Report to Congress on CSOs to Lake Michigan (being drafted) • CSO Long-Term Control Template for Small Communities (Being drafted, brief presentation in afternoon session) National CSO Perspectives

13. Objectives for CSO Workshop • Provide forum for exchange of ideas and questions among permittees and regulatory authorities. • Accelerate development of LTCPs and implementation of CSO control in small communities. • Obtain feedback on CSO training and guidance. • Achieve coordination of CSO and wet weather permitting among permittees, states and EPA. National CSO Perspectives