Oregon DEQ extends public comment period for Clean Water Services water quality permit

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recently extended the public comment period on a National Pollutant Elimination System (NPDES) permit for Clean Water Services (CWS) until December 2.

The permit, which the DEQ intends to reissue, allows the Clean Water Services to discharge regulated amounts of treated wastewater into the Tualatin River from four of its facilities. It also regulates CWS's ability to offset thermal impacts through water quality training and oxygen demanding parameter allocations between facilities. The permit will dictate Clean Water Services’ application of recycled water for irrigation and highly purified water and the application of biosolids to approved sites, as well as Washington County’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System operations.

The service is also seeking approval for stormwater discharges at its Rock Creek wastewater treatment facility, in the form of 1200-Z permit registration.

The permit and all documents related to its evaluation are available online, and public comments must be submitted to the DEQ before 5 p.m. on December 2.