groundwater
Compliance- Frequently Asked Questions
General Compliance Questions:
May I make alterations to my wastewater system?
Groundwater Reclassification
The Legislature, through the Groundwater Protection Rule and Strategy, has established groundwater in the state as a resource held in trust for the public.
There are four classes of groundwater:
Village Wastewater Solutions Initiative
Villages form the heart of Vermont’s rural communities, but more than 200 villages lack community sewer systems, hampering revitalization. To overcome this challenge, Vermont has formed an interagency Village Wastewater Initiative Committee (VWIC) led by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The committee meets biweekly to discuss progress of the villages, development of tools and resources, and coordination between funders and service providers.
Natural Disasters and Man-Made Contaminants
Drought – The prospect of limited to severe drought has increased over the years. In recent memory we have experienced short and long term drought conditions – from very dry summers to 1-2 years. The mid-1960s, up to recent – 2001, 2015-16. The ANR Drought Plan has been incorporated into the State Emergency Operations Plan.
Other Helpful websites:
Designer Licensing
Designers of water supply and wastewater treatment systems regulated under the Environmental Protection Rules, Chapter 1, Wastewater System and Potable Water Supply Rules (WWR), are described in Subchapter 7 - Designer Licensing.
The Agency of Natural Resources will continue to administer the exams, while The VT Secretary of State is now administering all licenses.
Draft Permit Notices
Public Notice Information for Actions Proposed by the Indirect Discharge Program and Underground Injection Control Program
Underground Injection Control Rules
October 29, 2014
(a) These Rules apply to discharges to injection wells.
(b) These Rules are not intended to affect other existing regulations including, but not limited to, the
Vermont Groundwater Protection Rule and Strategy and rules adopted by the Vermont Department of
Health.
(c) These Rules do not limit the powers of federal, state or local authorities to control existing or potential
threats to human health or the environment.
(b) These Rules are not intended to affect other existing regulations including, but not limited to, the
Vermont Groundwater Protection Rule and Strategy and rules adopted by the Vermont Department of
Health.
(c) These Rules do not limit the powers of federal, state or local authorities to control existing or potential
threats to human health or the environment.
Indirect Discharge Rules
April 30, 2003
(a) These rules establish standards and procedures that the Secretary uses in reviewing
permit applications for indirect discharges and in the issuance and administration of
indirect discharge permits under the authority referenced in §14-101 above. These
rules further implement the policies established in the Water Pollution Control Act (10
V.S.A. Chapter 47) and in the Groundwater Protection Act (10 V.S.A., Chapter 48). It
is the purpose of these rules to insure that:
(1) Indirect discharges comply with the provisions of the Vermont Water Quality
Standards.
Indirect Discharge Rules Page 2
(2) Indirect discharges and associated treatment and disposal systems are designed and
constructed in a manner that will provide reliable protection of the public health,
groundwater, and surface water during operation and maintenance.
(3) New indirect discharges of sewage from systems with a design capacity of 6,500 gpd
or more:
(A) will not significantly alter the aquatic biota in the receiving waters,
(B) will not pose more than a negligible risk to the public health, and
(C) will be consistent with existing and potential beneficial uses of the waters.
permit applications for indirect discharges and in the issuance and administration of
indirect discharge permits under the authority referenced in §14-101 above. These
rules further implement the policies established in the Water Pollution Control Act (10
V.S.A. Chapter 47) and in the Groundwater Protection Act (10 V.S.A., Chapter 48). It
is the purpose of these rules to insure that:
(1) Indirect discharges comply with the provisions of the Vermont Water Quality
Standards.
Indirect Discharge Rules Page 2
(2) Indirect discharges and associated treatment and disposal systems are designed and
constructed in a manner that will provide reliable protection of the public health,
groundwater, and surface water during operation and maintenance.
(3) New indirect discharges of sewage from systems with a design capacity of 6,500 gpd
or more:
(A) will not significantly alter the aquatic biota in the receiving waters,
(B) will not pose more than a negligible risk to the public health, and
(C) will be consistent with existing and potential beneficial uses of the waters.