Public Notice: Proposed wastewater permit for Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington
Summary
EPA is proposing to reissue the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Solo Point Wastewater Treatment Plant located in Fort Lewis, Washington.
The draft permit places conditions on the discharge of pollutants from the wastewater treatment plant to waters of the United States. In order to ensure protection of water quality and human health, the permit places limits on the types and amounts of pollutants that can be discharged from the facility.
American Water Military Services Joint Base Lewis McChord owns and operates the wastewater treatment plant which provides wastewater service to a resident population of 66,751. According to the 2023 annual pretreatment report, there are a total of 64 industrial users of the treatment works. The collection system has no combined sewers.
The facility discharges to Puget Sound.
Applicant
American Water Military Services Joint Base Lewis McChord
Solo Point Wastewater Treatment Plant
Building 7530 Solo Point Road
Fort Lewis, WA 98433
Permit number: WA0021954
Water quality certification
Section 401 of the Clean Water Act requires applicants for federal licenses or permits which may result in a discharge into waters of the United States to obtain a certification or waiver from the certifying authority where the discharge originates.
The Washington Department of Ecology is the certifying authority and is accepting comment regarding the intent to certify this permit.
Neighboring jurisdictions
Clean Water Act Section 401(a)(2) requires EPA to notify a neighboring state or authorized Tribe (i.e., neighboring jurisdiction) when the discharge may affect the quality of the neighboring jurisdiction’s waters.
As stated above, the Washington Department of Ecology is the certifying authority for this permit. After EPA receives the final certification, we will determine whether the discharge may affect the quality of a neighboring jurisdiction’s waters.
Administrative record
Copies of the draft permit and supporting documents are available below:
- Draft NPDES Permit, Joint Base Lewis-McChord Solo Point WWTP, #WA0021954 (pdf)
- NPDES Permit Fact Sheet, Joint Base Lewis McChord Solo Point WWTP, #WA0021954 (pdf)
A copy of the current permit is also available online at NPDES Permit for Joint Base Lewis-McChord Solo Point Wastewater Treatment Plant.
A copy of the facility's application and other information may be requested by contacting Sally Goodman (goodman.sally@epa.gov), 206-553-0782.