DEQ Issues Penalty For Permit Violations

WATER TREATMENT PENALTIES ISSUED BY DEQ

Tigard Pair Penalized $4,644 for Septic Permit Violations At Tavern Property in Newberg 

News Release; April 9, 2012
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued the owners of the Someplace Else Tavern in Newberg a $4,644 penalty for permit violations related to the wastewater treatment system serving the business.
Contacts:
Bryan Smith, Environmental Law Specialist, Portland, 503-229-5395
Gary Artman, Onsite Wastewater Specialist, Eugene, 541-687-7426

(more)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DEQ Issues $6,000 Penalty to PacifiCorp for Water Quality Violations in Jackson County

News Release: April 11, 2012

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued a penalty totaling $6,000 to PacifiCorp for failing to monitor water quality and keep accurate records during dredging operations at the Red Blanket Creek and Middle Fork Rogue River diversion dams in August 2011.

Contacts:
Jeff Bachman, Compliance and Enforcement, Portland, 503-229-5950
Chris Stine, Water Quality Certification Specialist, 541- 686-7810

(more)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DEQ Now Accepting Applications for Graywater Reuse Permits

Three types of permits available based on type of graywater and other factors

News Release: April 17, 2012
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is now accepting applications from persons and businesses seeking to reuse graywater through a graywater reuse and disposal system for limited purposes such as irrigation or landscape ponds. Graywater includes shower and bath wastewater, bathroom sink water, kitchen sink wastewater and laundry wastewater. Using graywater for select purposes helps preserve limited water supplies.

Contacts: Ron Doughten, Water Reuse Program Coordinator, Portland, 503-229-5472 (more)

For a list of DEQ Water-Related Public Notices click the icon above.

A Closer Look at Catch Basins

Rose Paving | Rose Paving Blog | Parking Lot Paving | Asphalt Paving

This article is courtesy of Rose Paving;ranked among the nation’s leading contractors in the 2011 “Top Facilities Management Report."
A Closer Look at Catch Basins: Part 1

Published by Karen on February 16th, 2011

Believe it or not, spring is right around the corner and that means April showers.  As any facility or property manager can attest, excess rainwater can wreak havoc on a building.

Installation of a new concrete basin

Many facility/property managers overlook drainage on their parking lots until it is too late because, from the surface, problems are not easily identified.  But, upon closer inspection of areas in and around catch basins, potential drainage issues can be detected early and repaired before they become a concern.  Catch basins are underground chambers topped with grates.  They allow sand, sediment, and other materials to settle out of storm water before it travels to a detention basin.

Begin by assessing the number and location of catch basins on your parking lot.  During initial installation, parking lots should be constructed with a minimum of 1% slope for efficient drainage.  In many situations, this slope is not achieved uniformly throughout the parking lot and lower spots may exist.  Catch basins should be located in those areas to help water exit the surface. 

In some cases, a parking lot may have been constructed without the right number of catch basins or without any drainage system at all.  If this is the case, catch basin installation can be a possible solution.

Catch basin installation begins by excavating the area as needed and installing a pre-cast concrete catch basin with necessary adjustment rings.  Next, a cast-iron frame and lid is installed on the basin and set at the appropriate height for proper drainage.  The excavated area is backfilled with crushed aggregate, leveled, and compacted.  Finally, hot mix asphalt is compacted and rolled to form a smooth surface over the specified area.

Over time, due to wear and tear on your parking lot, catch basins may need adjusting and regular cleaning to ensure that they are properly draining water from the surface.

Revisions to the Industrial Stormwater General Permits

DEQ Invites The Public To Comment On The Permit Changes


Date: 02/10/2012
Subject: Revisions to the Industrial Stormwater General Permits

On October 1, 2011, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued the Industrial Stormwater General Permits Nos. 1200-COLS, 1200-Z, and 1200-ZN.  After issuing the permits, DEQ discovered corrections to errors and clarifications of certain permit requirements are necessary.  DEQ invites the public to comment on the permit changes that address errors and clarify certain requirements in the permits.  The public comment period is February 10 through March 16 , 2012. The proposed changes and other information are available online at: http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/stormwater/industrial.htm.

For more information or to get a hard copy of the changes, contact Jenine Camilleri at DEQ through e-mail atcamilleri.jenine@deq.state.or.us, by telephone at (503) 229-6775, or call toll-free in Oregon at (800) 452-4011, ext. 6775.