The Construction Dewatering Master General Permit authorizes short term uncontaminated discharges of groundwater generated during construction activities for the purpose of lowering the groundwater table. For the purposes of this permit, “uncontaminated” or “clean” water refers to untreated, naturally occurring groundwater that meets the limitations outlined in “Appendix A”.
Newly included in this renewal is the ability, on a case by case basis, to authorize other short term uncontaminated clean water discharges (such as water from newly developed potable well pump tests), even though this General Permit is specifically designed for construction dewatering related activities. Also new with this permit renewal, is a “Checklist”, which is designed to assist potential applicants in determining if this General Permit is appropriate for their discharge.
Discharges will be allowed into surface waters of the State or separate storm sewers, except into receiving waters classified as FW1, FW2-Category 1, Pinelands and certain Shellfish waters. These discharges are essentially “clean” in nature and are short-term in duration. The Department has determined that the construction dewatering category of point sources require the same operating conditions, require the same or similar monitoring conditions, and are more appropriately controlled under a general permit than under individual NJPDES permits.
Discharges associated with industrial processes, site remediation activities, and sanitary sewerage systems are not covered under this general permit. The permit does not cover discharges from sites known or suspected to contain contaminated groundwater, such as remediation, stormwater discharges and discharges associated with sediment laden waters (authorized under the Standards for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control in New Jersey and the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Act (N.J.S.A 4-24-39 et seq.). The “Exclusions” section of the general permit provides further specifications and clarification.
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 58:10A et seq., this general permit includes Best Management Practices (BMPs) and/or provides temporary treatment units as well as self monitoring rather than numeric limitations.
To qualify for authorization under this general permit, the applicants are required to discharge in compliance with Federal and State Regulations and in a manner that will not cause a violation of State Surface Water Quality Standards, N.J.A.C. 7:9B-1.1 et seq. Therefore, the applicant is required to sample and certify that the discharge complies with the limitations listed in "Appendix A" of this permit for the applicable classification of the receiving waterbody.
No application submittal to the Division is necessary for this general permit, however, applicants must request authorization to be covered by submitting a completed Request For Authorization (RFA) Certification Form, including the associated representative analytical data, which must be received by the Department at least 14 days prior to discharge.
