Connecticut Administrative Code › Title 22a - Environmental Protection › 439 - Funding Assistance to Connecticut Municipalities and State Agencies for Planning, Design and Construction of Pollution Abatement Facilities › Section 22a-439-3 - Technical program elements

Current through July 10, 2024
(a)
Engineering Report Requirements
(1) General
Engineering reports consist of those necessary plans and
				studies which directly relate to the development of pollution abatement
				strategies and the construction of pollution abatement facilities necessary to
				comply with an Order to Abate Pollution as defined in Section
				22a-423.
				The engineering report will demonstrate the need for the proposed pollution
				abatement facility through an evaluation of all feasible alternatives and shall
				demonstrate that the selected alternative is cost-effective, i.e. is the most
				economical means of meeting effluent and water quality goals while recognizing
				environmental considerations.
(2) Content of Engineering Reports
The content of the engineering report shall be determined by
				the Commissioner based on a pre-report conference with the municipality and its
				engineering consultant regarding the precise plan of study (engineering report
				outline) and resulting scope of services to be performed. Engineering reports
				must address as a minimum each of the following as determined appropriate by
				the Commissioner:
(A) A detailed
			 evaluation of the existing and potential wastewater treatment and disposal
			 problems in the study area.
(B) A
			 cost-effective analysis of alternatives available to correct the pollution
			 problems identified. The final selection of alternative(s) to correct the
			 problems noted shall be based on the results of the cost-effectiveness
			 analysis. The monetary costs to be considered must include the present worth or
			 equivalent annual value of all capital costs and operation, maintenance and
			 replacement costs. The interest rate used for this analysis shall be the rate
			 established by the Federal Water Resources Council for use in federally funded
			 projects. The population forcasting in the analysis shall be consistent with
			 current projections of the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management. A
			 cost-effective analysis shall include:
(i)
			 The relationship of the size and capacity of the recommended facilities to the
			 needs to be served, including any reserve capacity.
(ii) An evaluation of alternative flow and
			 waste reduction measures, including nonstructural methods.
(iii) An evaluation of improved effluent
			 quality attainable by upgrading the operation and maintenance and efficiency of
			 existing facilities as an alternative or supplement to construction of new
			 pollution abatement facilities.
(iv) An evaluation of the capability of each
			 alternative to meet applicable effluent limitations and water quality
			 standards.
(v) Appropriate
			 consideration should be given to various treatment techniques including:
			 conventional biological or physical-chemical treatment and discharge systems;
			 land application techniques and other innovative and alternative techniques
			 which may result in recycling of water and pollutants; onsite and
			 nonconventional systems, both community and individual.
(vi) An evaluation of the alternative methods
			 for the ultimate disposal of treated wastewater and sludge materials resulting
			 from the treatment process and a justification for the method(s)
			 chosen.
(vii) An adequate
			 assessment of the expected environmental impact of alternatives (including
			 sites) under the requirements of Section
			 22a-1a
			 to 1f, inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statutes.
(C) If applicable, a demonstration of the
			 non-existence or possible existence of excessive infiltration/inflow in the
			 affected sewerage system.
(D) An
			 identification of proposed effluent discharge limits if appropriate and a
			 description of how the proposed project will result in compliance with any
			 pollution abatement order issued by the Commissioner.
(E) A summary of public participation in the
			 development of the engineering report.
(F) A brief statement demonstrating that the
			 local authorities who will be implementing the plan have the necessary legal,
			 financial, institutional, and managerial resources available to insure the
			 construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed pollution abatement
			 facilities.
(G) A brief description
			 of potential opportunities for recreation, open space, and access to bodies of
			 water afforded by the recommended project.
(H) For the selected alternative, a concise
			 description of at least the following:
(i)
			 Estimated capital construction and operation and maintenance costs (identifying
			 state and local shares) and a description of the manner in which local costs
			 will be financed.
(ii) Estimated
			 cost of future expansion and long term needs for reconstruction of pollution
			 abatement facilities following their useful life.
(iii) Cost impacts on pollution abatement
			 facility users.
(iv) A statement
			 concerning the availability and estimated cost of any proposed treatment
			 sites.
(3)
			 Public Participation
(A) The scope and level
			 of detail of the public participation program shall be determined during the
			 development of the plan of study. The program shall be comprised of public
			 forums such as workshops, meetings and hearing(s) as necessary to promote
			 public awareness and input into the planning process.
(B) At a minimum, prior to adoption of the
			 engineering report, the municipality must hold a public hearing to describe the
			 proposed program and action(s) and to assure that the public's concerns are
			 fully considered.
(C) The time and
			 place of the public hearing shall be conspicuously and adequately announced at
			 least 10 days in advance, or for such longer period as may be required by local
			 ordinance or charter. Copies of the engineering report must be made available
			 for inspection by the public at least 10 days prior to the hearing.
(D) A request to waive the public hearing on
			 an engineering report may be submitted in writing to the Commissioner when the
			 municipality determines a public hearing is not necessary and would not serve
			 the public interest.
(4)
			 Federal Requirements
Compliance with the engineering report requirements set forth
				herein does not constitute or imply compliance with similar federal grant
				program requirements for construction of pollution abatement facilities. In the
				event that the municipality may seek federal grant funds for a project,
				additional issues may have to be addressed in the engineering report to meet
				federal requirements in effect at that time.