NC S653

Restores "emissions" to the definition of "discharge" for water quality regulation purposes under G.S. 143-213, clarifying that air emissions are excluded from water discharge regulations.

Repeals G.S. 150B-19.3 (the Hardison Amendment) to remove expedited rulemaking procedures and allow the Environmental Management Commission to adopt rules for emerging contaminants through standard rulemaking processes.

Prohibits discharge of unregulated toxic pollutants to state waters and requires immediate permit suspension when permittees discharge unauthorized pollutants not disclosed in permit applications; requires NPDES permit applicants to fully disclose all pollutants at or above practical quantitation limits, including emerging chemicals.

Directs permittees responsible for unauthorized discharges to provide and maintain water filtration or treatment processes for downstream local governments' drinking water supplies and assigns financial responsibility for removal of pollutants from affected public or private drinking water supplies.

Appropriates $6,055,552 in recurring funds for 37 environmental department positions and $336,441 in nonrecurring funds for a mobile lab to address emerging compounds and respond to hurricanes and algal blooms.