House Bill 5573 Summary

• Establishes limits on sodium and chloride in wastewater discharge permits: 400 mg/L sodium and 500 mg/L chloride for wastewater discharges, and 230 mg/L sodium and 250 mg/L chloride for groundwater.

• Requires permittees whose discharges cause sodium or chloride to exceed groundwater limits to monitor downgradient water supply wells and provide point-of-use treatment systems or notices to affected water supplies at no charge.

• Exempts permittees complying with subsection requirements from response activities under Part 201 for sodium or chloride discharges meeting discharge limits.

• Modifies sewer system discharge notification requirements to mandate notification to the department, local health departments, and newspapers within 24 hours of untreated or partially treated sewage discharge, with written reports including discharge volume, quality, reason, location, timing, and permit compliance status.

• Maintains annual wastewater discharge permit fees through September 30, 2019, ranging from $200 to $3,650 depending on facility type, with refund provisions if collected fees exceed $2,000,000 annually; requires annual reporting on permitting activities and fund expenditures.