(a) For the purposes of this section:

(1) “Sewage treatment plant or collection system” means any sewage treatment plant, water pollution control facility, related pumping station, collection system or other public sewage works;

(2) “Sewage spill” means the diversion of wastes from any portion of a sewage treatment plant or collection system in this state that reasonably initiates public health, safety or welfare concerns, or environmental concerns;

(3) “Combined sewer” means structures which are designed to convey both sanitary and storm sewage, and allow the overflow of such combined sewage, untreated, to the waters of the state during periods of high flows; and

(4) “Electronic report” means a reporting form that uses an electronic format as prescribed by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection.

(b) On and after July 1, 2013, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall post, on the department's Internet web site, a map of the state indicating the combined sewer overflows anticipated to occur during certain storm events. The web site may include the following relevant information about the overflows: (1) Location, anticipated duration and extent; (2) reasonable public health, safety or environmental concerns; and (3) public safety precautions that should be taken.

(c) (1) On and after July 1, 2014, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall post, on the department's Internet web site, notice of unanticipated sewage spills and waters of the state that have chronic and persistent sewage contamination that represents a threat to public health, as determined by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Health. Any notice posted pursuant to this subsection may contain the following relevant information as best determined from the reported sewage spill incident: (A) The estimated volume of discharge; (B) the level of treatment of the discharge; (C) the date and time the incident occurred; (D) the location of the discharge; (E) the estimated or actual time the discharge ceased; (F) the geographic area impacted by the discharge; (G) the steps taken to contain the discharge; (H) reasonable public health, safety or welfare concerns or environmental concerns; and (I) public safety precautions that should be taken.

(2) On and after July 1, 2018, not later than two hours after becoming aware of any sewage spill, the operator of a sewage treatment plant or collection system shall submit an electronic report to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

(3) On and after July 1, 2018, not later than two hours after becoming aware of any sewage spill that exceeds five thousand gallons or that is anticipated to exceed five thousand gallons, the operator of a sewage treatment plant or collection system shall notify the chief elected official of the municipality where the sewage spill occurred. As soon as practicable after receiving any such notification, such municipality shall inform the public and downstream public officials, as appropriate.

(d) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall consult with the Commissioner of Public Health, operators of sewage treatment plant or collection systems and state and local environmental and health agencies when developing the notice required by subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section.

(e) Any report to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection that is required pursuant to section 22a-430-3 of the regulations of Connecticut state agencies shall be submitted as an electronic report.

(f) The failure to file an electronic report pursuant to any provision of this section shall be deemed a violation of the provisions of this section for purposes of section 22a-438.

(P.A. 12-11, S. 1; P.A. 18-97, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 12-11 effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 18-97 amended Subsec. (a) by adding Subdiv. (4) defining “electronic report”, amended Subsec. (c) by designating existing provisions re notice of unanticipated sewage spills and waters of the state that have chronic and persistent sewage contamination as Subdiv. (1), redesignating existing Subdivs. (1) to (9) as Subparas. (A) to (I), adding Subdiv. (2) re submission of electronic report of sewage spill to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and adding Subdiv. (3) re notice to chief elected municipal official of sewage spill that exceeds 5,000 gallons, amended Subsec. (d) by making a conforming change, added Subsec. (e) re electronic reports pursuant to Sec. 22a-430-3 of the regulations of Connecticut state agencies, added Subsec. (f) re the failure to file electronic report as a violation, and made technical changes, effective June 7, 2018.