Code of Massachusetts Regulations
314 CMR - DIVISION OF WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
Title 314 CMR 16.00 - Notification Requirements to Promote Public Awareness of Sewage Pollution
Section 16.05 - CSO Permittee Website and Signage Requirements

Universal Citation: 314 MA Code of Regs 314.16

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

(1) A permittee with a combined sewer system shall include, at a minimum, the following information on its website:

(a) A map showing the locations of the permittee's outfalls including the corresponding outfall numbers in a NPDES or surface water discharge permit, if applicable;

(b) A summary of the permittee's Long-term CSO Control Plan, and status of its implementation, if applicable;

(c) Instructions on how an interested person can subscribe to receive public advisory notifications;

(d) Links to any CSO Reports required to be developed in a NPDES or surface water discharge permit, or as part of any enforcement order, for at least the preceding three calendar years, if applicable; and

(e) A compilation of discharge data for each public advisory notification event, updated so that data for each month is posted within 15 days of the last day of the month. Data posted shall include updated information on the estimated duration, frequency and volume of the discharge, rainfall data, and treatment provided for any CSO discharges. The website shall include data for at least the preceding three calendar years, if applicable;

(2) Each permittee shall install and maintain a warning sign at each of its CSO outfalls in accordance with requirements of its NPDES and surface water discharge permits.

(3) Each permittee shall install and maintain signage at public access points to waters affected by a potential discharge from a permittee's outfall by the date established in their approved CSO Public Notification Plan. The locations for the signage shall be established in the permittee's approved CSO Public Notification Plan based on consultation with boards of health or health departments in the municipalities directly impacted by the discharge. Each sign shall identify:

(a) The existence of the outfall;

(b) The permittee;

(c) Information about weather events that may cause a discharge;

(d) A warning of the potential threat to public health by recreating in, or using waters and shores affected by a discharge; and

(e) Information for the public to subscribe to notifications about discharges in local area waters.

Signage shall be developed using a template provided by the Department and be able to provide timely information about ongoing discharges to allow municipal boards of health and health departments to meet the requirements of 314 CMR 16.09(5). For discharges directly affecting neighborhoods identified as environmental justice populations due to lacking English language proficiency, signage shall provide access to translations in the language(s) most appropriate for those neighborhoods and shall utilize universal symbols.

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