Virginia DEQ seeking feedback on releasing treated wastewater into James River watershed in Prince George

PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking feedback from the public on a draft permit and application to release treated wastewater into the James River watershed in Prince George County.

Red Hill Utility, a water and waste company, has applied for the reissuance of a permit to release treated sewage wastewater from residential areas in the Harrison Branch in the James River watershed. A watershed is a land area drained by a river and its incoming streams, per the DEQ.

The company proposed releasing wastewater at a rate of 39,000 gallons per day. Sludge from the treatment process will be pumped and hauled elsewhere for disposal.

According to the DEQ, the permit will limit certain pollutants to amounts that protect water quality. These include physical and chemical properties, nutrients, organic matter, solids, bacteria and inorganics.

The public can provide feedback during the public comment period, from Friday, Dec. 12, to Monday, Jan. 12, by:

• Sending via mail, addressed to
  Liz Elliott
  Piedmont Regional Office
  4949-A Cox Road,
  Glen Allen, Va. 23060
• Calling 804-698-4088
• Or emailing Elizabeth.R.Elliott@deq.virginia.gov.

For more information, visit Virginia DEQ.