State ups penalties for sewage overflows

Waste water treatment companies will get stiffer penalties for sewage overflows and must meet more stringent criteria to request sewer line extensions under new rules set by the state Division of Water Quality.

Beginning June 1, notices of violations will be considered for any reportable sewer system overflow. A reportable overflow is 1,000 gallons or more, or any spill that reaches surface waters.

Beginning Dec. 1, certain overflows that draw violation notices will also bring civil penalties, based on the size, duration and health and ecological impacts of the spillage.

Money collected from civil penalties is distributed to public schools according to state law.

“This is the next step in the maturation of the state’s collection system program," said Alan Klimek, division director for the Division of Water Quality. "While it was sufficient 10 years ago to merely report sewage spills to the division, the current program requires public notification of spills, operation and maintenance schedules for lines and pump stations and an ongoing commitment to capital improvements for infrastructure,” said Klimek. “Ramping up enforcement of those policies is needed to meet the public’s and the state’s expectations for protection of our waterways.”

In addition, companies applying for sewer line extensions must as of Dec. 1 meet additional requirements for tracking existing and anticipated sewage flow.