The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission announced on Mar. 24 that it will hold three public hearings to gather comments on proposed rules for monitoring and minimizing the discharge of 1,4-dioxane into the state’s surface waters. The hearings are part of a comment period that began March 16.
The proposed rules aim to address concerns about 1,4-dioxane, a substance considered likely to cause cancer, by requiring certain facilities to monitor and reduce their wastewater discharges containing this chemical. The issue is significant because these discharges could impact water quality and public health in affected communities.
Hearings are scheduled for April 9 at the Catawba County St. Stephens Branch Library in Hickory; April 14 at Fayetteville Technology Community College; and May 12 at Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown. Each hearing begins at 6 p.m., with registration starting an hour earlier. The commission notes that these programs are not sponsored or endorsed by the host libraries or county governments.
According to the announcement, the new rules would require industrial dischargers with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits under certain industry classifications—and publicly owned wastewater treatment plants accepting waste from significant industrial users—to monitor for the presence of 1,4-dioxane. If detected, those facilities would need to develop minimization plans outlining steps to reduce direct or indirect releases into surface water.
Public comments will be accepted during the hearings as well as via email (publiccomments@deq.nc.gov) or mail through June 15. The Environmental Management Commission is also seeking feedback on whether a screening threshold above one microgram per liter should trigger ongoing monitoring and planning requirements, and if all industrial dischargers—not just those within specified industry codes—should be subject to these rules.
Copies of prepared remarks can be submitted at each hearing, and speaking time may be limited depending on attendance. Translation services are available upon request by contacting Laura Oleniacz before March 31.
