New EPA permit could raise sewer rates significantly
Public hearing on new permit is Feb. 9
The EPA is proposing to add nitrogen discharge limits to Dover's new wastewater treatment plant permit. If that happens, Dover's sewer rates will increase significantly, depending on the nitrogen limit established in the new permit.
The EPA will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the permit for Dover's wastewater treatment plant on Thursday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m., in Room 306 at the McConnell Center. A public comment period remains open until March 5.
The public is encouraged to participate in the process.
The City Council has voted to support less expensive, alternative measures, including a strategy drafted by a coalition of neighboring communities. In addition, at a goal-setting session on Jan. 28, 2012, the City Council identified this issue as one of its top priorities.
Why nitrogen limits?
The health of the Great Bay Estuary has declined. An estuary is where fresh water and sea water mix. It is a dynamic, nutrient rich, diverse environment where many juvenile fish live before venturing into the ocean.
The indicators are:
• Water quality in the Great Bay and tidal rivers has declined;
• Nitrogen levels in the estuary have increased;
• Eelgrass is disappearing;
• Oyster populations are very low.
To protect and enhance this resource:
• It is necessary to lower the nitrogen load to the estuary to prevent algae blooms;
• It is now time to begin a watershed wide nitrogen reduction effort.
Nitrogen sources
Researchers estimate that 25 percent of the nitrogen reaching the estuary comes from the wastewater treatment plants. Seventy five percent of the nitrogen is believed to come from nonpoint sources such as septic systems, fertilizers applied for agricultural and landscaping purposes and stormwater runoff during rain events.
What's proposed?
The EPA is proposing to include a nitrogen limit of 3 mg/l for the WWTP, which is the limit of available technology and is very expensive.
What's the cost of the EPA plan and who pays?
• Capital costs are estimated at $25 million to upgrade Dover's WWTP;
• Your sewer rate is projected to increase by more than 50 percent as a result.
Dover's response
Dover joined a coalition with Portsmouth, Exeter, Rochester and Newmarket. The Great Bay Municipal Coalition has:
• Reviewed the scientific basis for proposed permit limits;
• Determined that the analysis is flawed;
• Recognizes that the degree of nitrogen reduction needed to improve conditions in the estuary is not known;
• Proposes an Adaptive Management Approach as an alternative to the EPA permit, which includes:
- 8 mg/l nitrogen limit for Dover's WWTP;
- Addresses point and nonpoint nitrogen sources;
- Habitat restoration;
- Monitor progress and adapt.
• Capital costs to upgrade Dover's WWTP to an 8 mg/l nitrogen limit are estimated at $10 million.
• An 8 mg/l nitrogen limit is projected to increase the sewer rate by 19 percent.
What can you do?
Additional resources and information is available to learn more about this important issue.
The February 2011 City Council workshop on Great Bay nutrients and the Adaptive Management Plan (AMP) can be seen on Channel 22. Check Channel 22 for times.
The workshop can also be viewed online:
The original (AMP) presentation materials to the City Council can be viewed here: www.dover.nh.gov/forms/AMP%20Presentation.pdf.
A summary of the Adaptive Management Plan proposed by the Great Bay Municipal Coalition can be viewed here: www.dover.nh.gov/reports/AMP%20Summary.pdf.
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