Bill > HB2976

This bill requires the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to establish specific numerical limits, known as water quality criteria, for aluminum in the state's surface waters by December 31, 2027. These criteria must be developed following federal guidelines, specifically Section 303(c) of the Clean Water Act, and should align with recommendations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), potentially using formulas that account for water hardness and other chemical factors to determine aluminum's toxicity. The DEQ can adopt or reference existing EPA criteria and tools to help set these limits, and the criteria should consider specific local conditions like water hardness and pH. Once these rules are in place, the DEQ must apply them to all permits issued under the Oklahoma Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (OPDES), which regulates what can be discharged into waterways. This means permit holders who might release aluminum will need to monitor and report it, and may have limits set on their discharges to ensure they meet the new water quality standards, taking into account factors like dilution and local water conditions. The DEQ will also incorporate these aluminum criteria into its regular reviews of water quality standards and update them as new scientific information or EPA recommendations become available, submitting any changes to the EPA for approval. This act will become effective on November 1, 2026.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb2976&Session=2600