Puerto Rico wastewater permit renewed

A permit that allows a Puerto Rico power plant to discharge wastewater into the Guayanilla Bay has been renewed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The authorisation, which is known as a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, requires the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority to build a longer pipe at its South Coast power plant to move the discharge of warm water into a deeper and cooler part of the bay in order to avoid adversely affecting marine life.

EPA acting regional administrator George Pavlou said that constructing a new outfall pipe will provide a long-term solution to protect aquatic life and the surrounding ecosystem.

"We have carefully considered the alternatives, met with the Guayanilla community and received input from the general public during the decision-making process for this permit," he stated.

The NPDES permit programme was introduced in the US in 1972 in an attempt to improve the nation's water quality.

Written by Claire Manning