BISMARCK – The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality is taking public input until March 6 on its intent to renew a permit for a pollutant discharge elimination system for ADM Processing, Velva.

The reapplication is for an oil seed processing/biodiesel plant. According to NDDEQ, there are two discharge points associated with the facility. Treated process and sanitary wastewater, blowdown from the cooling tower and boiler, and reverse osmosis reject water are pumped to waste stabilization ponds that discharge to the Souris River through a diffuser near Velva. The diffuser allows a near instantaneous mix between the treated effluent and receiving stream. Additional groundwater sumps discharge to Spring Creek.

Proposed effluent limitations and other permit conditions have been made by NDDEQ to ensure state water quality standards and other regulations are protected.

Copies of the application, draft permit and related documents are available for review from NDDEQ. Comments or requests should be directed to the N.D. Dept. of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Quality, 4201 Normandy Street, Bismarck ND 58503-1324 or by calling 328-5210.

If there is significant interest, a public hearing will be scheduled. Otherwise, the department will issue the final permit.