Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For questions please contact Ask DEQ.
Please click on the topic question to open/close the answer.
Air Quality Division
Needing an air permit depends on the types and quantities of chemicals used in your operations. You will need to identify all possible air emission sources. Use Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to determine if products contain regulated chemicals. You must then estimate the amounts of regulated chemicals used annually. Be aware that some emission sources are not readily calculated from MSDSs. An example is the combustion of natural gas. For these types of emissions it may be necessary to use “emission factors”. Such factors can be found in an EPA publication known as AP-42 or from EPA’s online emissions factor tool, WebFIRE http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/webfire/index.html.
For additional information see:
http://www.deq.state.ok.us/aqdnew/resources/aqforms.htm
http://www.deq.state.ok.us/pubs/CSD/HowToInventoryWaste.pdf
Molds produce a musty odor that may be the first indication of a problem. To find mold, examine areas for visible signs of mold growth and water staining. Other clues include excess moisture and water damage. It may be necessary to look behind and underneath surfaces, such as carpets, wallpaper, cabinets, and walls.
There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in an indoor environment. The way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
For additional information see
(http://www.deq.state.ok.us/factsheets/local/Mold.pdf)
In the home:
- If asbestos-containing material is more than slightly damaged, or if you are going to make changes in your home that might disturb it, repair or removal by a professional is recommended.
- DEQ and the Oklahoma Department of Labor have rules and regulations on asbestos removal. A licensed asbestos contractor will know these rules.
For industry:
- The two most common categories in the Asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) regulated by Oklahoma are (1) Demolition and Renovation and (2) Waste Disposal.
- Notice must be given to DEQ for ALL demolitions, whether asbestos-containing material (ACM) was found during the inspection or not.
- Notice must be given when the quantity of regulated asbestos containing material (RACM) to be disturbed is greater than 260 linear feet, 160 square feet or 35 cubic feet.
The DEQ Land Protection and Air Quality Divisions issue permits with requirements related to the disposal of asbestos, regarding which landfills are allowed to accept asbestos-containing waste material (ACWM). The Land Protection Division also has regulations pertaining to asbestos disposal.
http://www.deq.state.ok.us/factsheets/air/Asbestos.pdf
http://www.deq.state.ok.us/factsheets/air/AsbestosInHome.pdf
Call the DEQ 24-Hour Emergency Response & Environmental Complaints Hotline –
1-800-522-0206.
Land Protection
"Solid waste" means all putrescible and non-putrescible refuse in solid or semisolid form including, but not limited to, garbage, rubbish, ashes or incinerator residue, street refuse, dead animals, demolition wastes, construction wastes, solid or semisolid commercial and industrial wastes including explosives, biomedical wastes, chemical wastes, herbicide and pesticide wastes. A list of sites that accept solid waste is available here http://www.deq.state.ok.us/lpdnew/swindex.html
As a generator of waste your first step is to determine whether the waste is hazardous or non-hazardous. There are two methods used to determine whether wastes are hazardous:
- Knowledge of Process — allows waste generators to use their knowledge of the wastes generated from their processes in deciding whether they have a hazardous waste; whether further waste analysis should be conducted; or if lab analysis is needed, what type of analysis that should be used.
- Waste Analysis — allows the generator to use available raw material data to determine whether the waste stream should be further analyzed in a laboratory. By conducting a waste analysis, you can determine whether the wastes have hazardous characteristics.
For additional information see http://www.deq.state.ok.us/pubs/CSD/HowToInventoryWaste.pdf
A list of sites that accept solid waste is available here http://www.deq.state.ok.us/lpdnew/swindex.html
The state disposal fee is currently set at $1.50 per ton of waste received at the landfill. This is a charge over and above the tipping fee charged by the landfill for use of the site.
Radon is essentially harmless at levels found in the atmosphere in most locations, but can become a health hazard if it is trapped and concentrated in homes and other buildings. The only known health hazard of radon is an increased risk of developing lung cancer.
Radon gas typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.
For more information http://www.deq.state.ok.us/lpdnew/radindex.html
The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, Title III (SARA Title III), also known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) is designed to provide the public with information about chemicals used and stored within communities and thereby increase public awareness of potential chemical hazards. The Act also encourages local planning for chemical related emergencies. Information collected under SARA Title III is intended for the public and available to the public upon request under both The Freedom of Information Act and the Oklahoma Open Records Act: http://www.deq.state.ok.us/pubs/CSD/SARAIIIRequestForm08.pdf For additional information go to the SARA Title III pages at http://www.deq.state.ok.us/LPDnew/saratitleiii/index.htm
There are three principal kinds of reporting under SARA III: spill reporting, Tier II reporting and TRI.
- Oil and chemical spills in Oklahoma must be reported to the National Response Center (1-800-424-8802), DEQ’s 24 hour Hotline (1-800-522-0206), and to the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) for the county in which the spill occurred (a list of LEPC contacts is available here http://www.deq.state.ok.us/LPDnew/saratitleiii/lepc/LEPC%20Chairperson%20List%20September%202014.xls) Additionally, spills that occur on Oklahoma roads and highways must be remediated by licensed contractors. To generate lists of licensed contractors go to http://www.deq.state.ok.us/ECLSnew/HighwaySpillRemed/highwayremediation.htm
- The Hazardous Chemical Inventory, most often know by the form used for it, Tier II, is section 312 of EPCRA. Tier II forms require specific information describing on-site quantities, storage and locations of hazardous substances as defined under the OSHA Hazard Communications Standard. Emergency contact information also is reported. Any chemical or substance for which a facility must maintain a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is reportable. Within the program, EPA lists over 250 materials as Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS), and specifies a threshold planning quantity (TPQ) for each. For more information and for Tier II filing instructions, go to http://www.deq.state.ok.us/LPDnew/saratitleiii/tierii.htm
- The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) is section 313 of EPCRA. TRI requires covered industries that manufacture, process or otherwise use any of over 650 listed toxic chemicals to report annually to EPA and the State all releases to air, land, water or underground injection along with any methods of waste management of these chemicals. Facilities covered by TRI must meet three criteria:
- Is included in one of the covered North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes. These are primarily manufacturing operations but also include fossil fuel electricity generation; hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal sites; bulk petroleum terminals; chemical wholesalers; some National Security operations; and specific mining activities.
- Has the equivalent of ten or more full time employees, that is, a minimum of 20,000 employee hours per year.
- Manufactures, imports, processes or otherwise uses one or more listed chemical or chemical group in quantities greater than the specified thresholds.
Beginning with Reporting Year 2014, TRI reports must be prepared on-line using EPA’s TRI-ME software and submitted using the Central Data Exchange. For information on electronic submission of TRI reports go to http://www2.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-tri-program/tri-reporting-forms-and-instructions and http://www2.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-tri-program/tri-meweb-resources . For information on TRI data for Oklahoma or for filing assistance questions go to http://www.deq.state.ok.us/LPDnew/saratitleiii/tri.htm
The Oklahoma Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Commission (OHMERC) is the State Emergency Response Commission, (SERC), mandated under SARA Title III (EPCRA). The OHMERC members are specified under the Oklahoma Emergency Response Act or are appointed by the Governor. By statute the OHMERC is composed of the Secretary of Safety and Security or designee along with the Commissioner of Public Safety or designee, the State Fire Marshal, the Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality or designee, the Director of the Department of Civil Emergency Management or designee, one member from the response community and one member from a regulated industry.
For more information on the OHMERC go to http://www.deq.state.ok.us/LPDnew/saratitleiii/ohmerc.htm
Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) are mandated under SARA Title III, also known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act. The LEPCs are non-profit, community based organizations of volunteers consisting of police and fire emergency response personnel, industry and environmental representatives, hospitals, news media, representatives of government agencies involved in emergency response, industries and interested citizens. In Oklahoma the LEPCs typically are organized by counties. Each LEPC conducts regular meetings for emergency planning and preparedness within and across local communities. While LEPCs are not responders, the membership includes first responders and LEPCs frequently participate in the formation or review of emergency operations plans. LEPCs also participate in and may provide training and education related to emergency responses. For a list of LEPCs in Oklahoma and LEPC Chair information go to http://www.deq.state.ok.us/LPDnew/saratitleiii/tierii.htm
Water Quality Division
DEQ offers training and licenses through various classes for people working in water and wastewater plants, groundwater systems, and sewage lagoons. This ensures they have training to properly treat and monitor the outgoing product of the facility to protect human health and the environment.
For additional information http://www.deq.state.ok.us/wqdnew/opcert/index.html
Each facility has to meet certain requirements in order to meet water quality standards to serve the businesses and community water systems. DEQ issues general permits for several types of facilities that meet certain requirements. Each general permit contains specific limitations that apply to each facility that is authorized under that permit. The primary advantage to the general permitting process over the individual permitting process is the shortened application and authorization process.
This link will direct you to general permits and fact sheets http://www.deq.state.ok.us/WQDnew/genpermits.html
Application forms are available here http://www.deq.state.ok.us/WQDnew/forms.html.
The lead and copper rule protects public health by minimizing lead and copper levels in drinking water. The primary cause of lead and copper in drinking water is corrosion of service lines and household plumbing. Tap water samples are collected at kitchen or bathroom taps of residence and other buildings. Public health benefits include:
- Reduction in risk of lead exposure, which can cause damage to the brain, red blood cells and kidneys, especially for young children.
- Reduction in risk of copper exposure, which can cause stomach and intestinal distress, liver and kidney damage.
Sample results are evaluated against an action level. The lead action level is exceeded if the concentration in more than 10% of samples is greater than 0.015 mg/L (i.e. the 90th percentile lead level is greater than 0.015 mg/L). The copper action level is exceeded if the concentration in more than 10% of samples is greater than 1.3 mg/L (i.e. the 90thpercentile copper level is greater than 1.3 mg/L).
Additional information is available here http://www.deq.state.ok.us/WQDnew/pws/leadandcopper/index.html
The Safe Drinking Water Act defines a Public Water Supply (PWS) as a system that provides water via piping or other constructed conveyances to the public for human consumption.
The State of Oklahoma's Public Water Supply program oversees over 1,600 active water supply systems that meet the federal definition of a public water supply.
Fact Sheet link
The CCR is a general overview of the water quality delivered by your community water system. This report lists the regulated contaminants the community water systems detected in the treated water and the level at which they were found for the preceding year.
EPA released a Web based program, the CCRiWriter which uses a step-by-step process on how to fill out the report accurately.
For further information, click on the link Fact Sheet link
Specific standards of engineering design are required for public water supply distribution and treatment systems along with Municipal wastewater collection and treatment systems. DEQ has experienced engineers and permit writers to assist in your design and construction. Contact the Construction Permitting Section secretary at 405-702-8153 to
- Contact the engineer assigned to your application
- For additional information
Fact Sheet link
Environmental Complaints & Local Services
Licenses may be renewed by submitting a renewal application before January 31 of the coming year to DEQ. OK law requires all businesses to obtain a license for pumping, hauling, or disposing of domestic wastewater (septage) from septic tanks, holding tanks, chemical toilets, or any other similar wastewater holding tanks. For further informationhttp://www.deq.state.ok.us/eclsnew/septage/septhaul.htm
A soil test must be performed prior to the installation of a subsurface on-site sewage system. Two types of soil tests are used to determine the soil type on your property—the soil percolation test and the soil profile. Each of the tests requires three test holes to be dug or drilled in the location of the proposed on-site system. For additional information http://www.deq.state.ok.us/eclsnew/OnSite/soiltest.htm
To file a complaint, you can call the DEQ Environmental Complaints Hotline, at (800)522-0206. Or, if you would like to file an environmental complaint electronically, you can use the online form to e-mail a complaint to DEQ.
You may leave your name and contact information if you want to receive updates concerning your complaint. This will enable our investigators to contact you for additional facts and provide you feedback on the investigation. You may request that this information be kept confidential. Confidential information will only be released if ordered by a District Court.
The following information is required to adequately address your complaint:
- Describe your complaint in as much detail as possible
- When did you first notice the problem?
- How often does it occur?
- Who is responsible?
- Where is the problem located? (Please provide an address for the complaint site. If you do not have an address, provide detailed finding directions to the complaint site beginning at a nearby major intersection. Be sure the directions are complete.)
For additional information http://www.deq.state.ok.us/eclsnew/Complaints/cmplnform.htm
If you have specific complaints with regard to bypasses, septic sewage, stormwater issues, certifications, soil profilers use the link below to determine which form & procedure may be necessary for a specific topic.
http://www.deq.state.ok.us/eclsnew/forms.htm
Authorizations are required for construction activities that disturb more than one acre, cumulative. This includes the installation or relocation of water or sewer lines that have the potential to disturb more than one acre. Construction activities that are on Indian Country Lands or are at oil and gas exploration and production related industry and pipeline operations that are under the jurisdiction of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency.
An authorization to discharge storm water from a construction activity must be obtained prior to the commencement of any soil disturbing activities. To receive an authorization the owner/operator of the project must submit a completed Notice of Intent, DEQ Form 606-002A to the ECLS/OKC office. The owner/operator must also develop and implement a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan for the site.
DEQ will require payment for both the annual permit fee and the $100 application fee before issuing an authorization to discharge under DEQ's general storm water permits.
- The fee for MS4 stormwater permits is $710.00.
- The fee for Stormwater and non-discharging facilities is $330
The annual fee must be paid in advance by all facilities which have been authorized to discharge under a permit as of June 30 of each year. Additional information is available here http://www.deq.state.ok.us/eclsnew/sitestrm.htm.
Fact Sheet link
Submission of a Notice of Intent constitutes notice that the party identified in Section I of the form intends to be authorized by the DEQ for storm water discharges.
NOIs are required for construction activities that disturb more than one acre cumulative. NOIs are also required for stormwater discharges associated with industrial activities under the multi-sector general permit. The appropriate form(s) may be found here http://www.deq.state.ok.us/eclsnew/sitestrm.htm.
State Environmental Laboratory Services
The State Environmental Laboratory provides analytical services upon request to individuals (private citizens requesting assistance in evaluating their individual water wells or suspected pollution of their property).
The federal and state governments do not regulate privately owned wells in Oklahoma. You are responsible for assuring that it is safe and of adequate quality for your needs. Routine testing for a few of the most common contaminants is highly recommended. Test water:
- Annually for total coliform bacteria, nitrate, conductivity, and pH levels. It is especially important to have these tests performed if you have a new well or have replaced or repaired the pipes, pressure tank, pump, or well casing.
- If there is an abrupt or noticeable change in your water
Additional information is available here http://www.deq.state.ok.us/csdnew/HomeWaterTestingFAQ.pdf
