The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to conduct a public hearing on October 22, 2025, concerning its objection to a permit proposed by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ). This permit pertains to the City of Asheboro's Wastewater Treatment Plant under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).
In 2023, Asheboro applied for this permit, which was issued by NC DEQ in 2024. However, the city contested NC DEQ's inclusion of a water quality limit for 1,4-dioxane in the permit. A state administrative judge later nullified this effluent discharge limitation. The EPA had previously sent a Specific Objection Letter backing the state's NPDES permit and invited requests for a public hearing, which Asheboro requested.
The hearing will take place at Randolph Community College's JB and Claire Davis Corporate Training Center in Asheboro, North Carolina. It will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET, with doors opening at 5 p.m. ET. If no additional speakers are present after the last pre-registered speaker has commented, the EPA may close the hearing early.
For those interested in participating virtually, registration is required through an online platform; however, virtual attendees cannot present oral comments during the session but can submit written comments until October 31, 2025.
The event will start with short presentations by EPA representatives and a neutral facilitator before moving on to oral comments limited to three minutes each.
Further details and supporting documents can be accessed through this link: additional information.
Information from this article can be found here.
