Public Notice Document_Muskegon Co WWMS Metro WWTP
Date: August 21, 2026
Permit No.: MI0027391
Designated Site Name: Muskegon Co WWMS Metro WWTP
The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Water Resources Division (WRD), proposes to reissue a permit to the Muskegon County Board of Public Works for the Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center located at 698 North Maple Island Road, Muskegon, Muskegon County, Michigan 49442. The applicant collects wastewater from the City of Muskegon, City of Muskegon Heights, City of Norton Shores, City of North Muskegon, City of Roosevelt Park, City of Whitehall, City of Montague, Muskegon Township, Egelston Township, Dalton Township, Laketon Township, Fruitland Township, Fruitport Township, Cedar Creek Township, Montague Township, and Whitehall Township. The applicant discharges treated municipal wastewater to the Muskegon River and to groundwater of the State of Michigan.
The draft permit includes the following modifications to the previously issued permit: Permit language has been revised to incorporate updated references and terminology. Part III, authorizing discharge to groundwater of the State of Michigan has been removed from the draft permit as a separate groundwater discharge permit will be developed authorizing this discharge.
The following new conditions have been added to the draft permit: Quantification Levels and Analytical Methods for Selected Parameters, Compliance Schedule for Final Effluent Limits for Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS), Discharge Monitoring Report – Quality Assurance Study Program, Continuous Monitoring, PFAS Data Reporting Requirements, and Stormwater Pollution Prevention. The following condition has been removed from the draft permit: Farm Management Report. Required daily reporting for Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand (CBOD5), Total Suspend Solids (TSS), Ammonia Nitrogen (as N), Total Phosphorus (as P), and Fecal Coliform Bacteria is now specified. Required monthly reporting for Chloride, Sulfate, and PFOS is now specified. Reporting requirements for Ammonia Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus have been revised. A final effluent limit for PFOS that takes effect September 1, 2029 has been added. Reporting requirements for Whole Effluent Toxicity have been removed. Reporting requirements and the final effluent limits for Total Mercury have been revised.
The final effluent limitation for total mercury has been changed to 5.0 nanograms per liter (ng/l),which is the discharge-specific level currently achievable based on a multiple discharger variance (MDV) from the water quality-based effluent limit of 1.3 ng/l, pursuant to R 323.1103(9) of the Part 4 Rules, Water Quality Standards, promulgated under Part 31, Water Resources Protection, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended. The discharge-specific level currently achievable for total mercury was developed in accordance with the WRD’s approved MDV. A copy of the MDV may be obtained via the Internet at
https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/water-resources/npdes (under About NPDES, select Applicable Rules and Regulations), or at the WRD’s Grand Rapids District Office.
Copies of the permit application, Public Notice, Fact Sheet, Basis for Decision Memo, draft permit, and other relevant documents associated with this proposed permitting action may be obtained via the Internet at https://mienviro.michigan.gov/ncore/ (select ‘Public Notice Search,’ enter the permit number into the search field, and then click ‘Search’), or at the WRD’s Grand Rapids District Office located at State Office Building, Fifth Floor, 350 Ottawa Ave NW, Unit 10, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2341, telephone: 616-356-0500.
Persons wishing to submit comments on the draft permit should do so through MiEnviro Portal. Go to https://mienviro.michigan.gov/ncore/, select ‘Public Notice Search,’ search for this public notice by entering the permit number into the search field, click ‘Search,’ click ‘View,’ click ‘Add Comment,’ enter information into the fields, and then click ‘Submit.’ Comments or objections to the draft permit received by September 21, 2026, will be considered in the final decision to issue the permit, as will comments made at a public hearing should one be requested and held by the Department on the draft permit.
Any person may request the Department to hold a public hearing on the draft permit. The request should include specific reasons for the request, indicating which portions of the draft permit constitute the need for a hearing. If submitted comments indicate significant public interest in the draft permit or if useful information may be produced, the Department may, at its discretion, hold a public hearing on the draft permit. If a public hearing is scheduled, public notice of the hearing will be provided at least 30 days in advance. Inquiries should be directed to Tom Braum, Permits Section, WRD, Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, P.O. Box 30458, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7958; telephone: 517-331-7377; or e-mail: [email protected].