Public Notice – Tawas Utility Authority WWTP
PUBLIC NOTICE
Date: August 13, 2025
Permit No.: MI0021091
Designated Site Name: Tawas Utility Authority WWTP
The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (Department), Water Resources
Division (WRD), proposes to reissue a permit to Tawas Utilities Authority for the Tawas Utility
Authority Wastewater Treatment Plant located at 810 West Franklin Street, East Tawas, Iosco
County, Michigan 48730. The applicant collects wastewater from the City of Tawas, the City of
East Tawas, Baldwin Township, and Tawas Township. The applicant discharges treated municipal
wastewater to the Tawas River.
The draft permit includes the following modifications to the previously issued permit:
Permit language has been revised to incorporate updated references and terminology. The
following new conditions have been added to the draft permit: Pollutant Minimization and Source
Evaluation Program for Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA),
Perfluorobutanesulfonic Acid, (PFBS), Perfluorononanoic Acid (PFNA), and
Perfluorohexanesulfonic Acid (PFHxS); PFAS Data Reporting Requirements. Final effluent limits
have been modified for ammonia nitrogen. Monthly reporting requirements have been added for
chloride and sulfate. Monitoring requirements for PFOA have been removed.
The final effluent limitation for total mercury is 2.0 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 Bay City 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 Bay City District Office
located at 401 Ketchum Street, Suite B, Bay City, MI 48708-5430, telephone: 989-894-6200.
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 received by September 12, 2025, 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 Brenna Stow, Permits
Section, WRD, Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, P.O. Box 30458, Lansing,
Michigan 48909-7958; telephone: 517-512-5760; or e-mail: [email protected].