West Virginia Code of State Rules Agency 47 - Water Resources, Division Of Water And Waste Management
West Virginia Code of State Rules – Agency 47: Water Resources (Division of Water and Waste Management)
Overview:
Agency 47 of the West Virginia Code of State Rules (CSR) contains the administrative rules developed by the Division of Water and Waste Management, part of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), relating specifically to water resource protection, regulation, and permitting.
These rules support the implementation of state and federal water quality laws, including the Clean Water Act, and aim to preserve, protect, and restore the state's surface and groundwater resources.
Key Focus Areas of Agency 47 Rules:
Water Pollution Control
Permitting under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
Effluent limitations and discharge standards for industrial and municipal facilities
Stormwater management and general permits
Water Quality Standards
Designated uses of water bodies (e.g., drinking water, recreation, aquatic life)
Numeric and narrative water quality criteria
Antidegradation policies to protect high-quality waters
Groundwater Protection
Requirements for groundwater monitoring, protection areas, and permits
Standards for facilities affecting underground water
Wetlands and Stream Protection
Permitting requirements for stream and wetland alterations (dredge and fill activities)
Coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Drinking Water Protection and Source Water Assessment
Protection of public water supply sources
Emergency response planning and contaminant tracking
Oil & Gas Water Management
Water management and pollution control for oil and gas drilling operations, including Marcellus and Utica shale development
Enforcement and Monitoring
Permit application, review, and issuance processes
Compliance inspections, enforcement actions, and administrative hearings
Selected CSR Chapters in Agency 47 (Examples):
47CSR2 – Requirements Governing Water Quality Standards
47CSR10 – NPDES Regulations for Coal Mining Activities
47CSR11 – NPDES Regulations for Non-Coal Activities
47CSR13 – Groundwater Protection Regulations
47CSR58 – Oil and Gas Water Pollution Control
47CSR63 – Requirements for Aboveground Storage Tanks
47CSR30 – Requirements Governing General NPDES Permits
(Actual chapter availability may vary slightly based on updates and rule reorganizations.)
Administering Agency:
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Division of Water and Waste Management
https://dep.wv.gov
Legal Authority:
West Virginia Code Chapter 22, including:
§22-11: Water Pollution Control Act
§22-12: Groundwater Protection Act
§22-26: Aboveground Storage Tank Act
§22-6A: Natural Gas Horizontal Well Control Act
Federal Laws Referenced:
Clean Water Act (CWA)
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
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