Ohio EPA, Division of Surface Water, is seeking stakeholder input on updates to Ohio Administrative Code 3745-1-38, which covers variances from water quality standards for point sources. The rule details requirements for variance eligibility, time frames, application procedures, and the approval process. The rule also includes the requirements for coverage under the multiple discharger variance for mercury.
The proposed updates incorporate requirements that would reflect updates in the revised federal Water Quality Standards, as well as updates to the multiple discharger mercury variance conditions, and the addition of a multiple discharger ammonia variance for lagoon systems. The Early Stakeholder Fact Sheet is available here. Ohio EPA is accepting comments until August 31, 2020.