In accordance with G.S. 150B-21.2, notice is hereby given that the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) is proposing to adopt 1,4-dioxane Monitoring and Minimization Rules 15A NCAC 02B .0513 and 15A NCAC 02H .0924.
Text of Proposed Rules
Regulatory Impact Analysis
Public Hearings: The public is invited to attend the public hearings to provide oral and/or written comments on the proposed rule adoptions, the associated Regulatory Impact Analysis, and on the two topics listed below.
Date: April 9, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Catawba County St. Stephens Branch Library, 3225 Springs Road, Hickory, NC 28601*
Date: April 14, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Fayetteville Technical Community College, Tony Rand Student Center Multipurpose Room, 2220 Hull Rd. Fayetteville, N.C., 28303
Date: May 12, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Guilford Technical Community College, Percy H. Sears Applied Technologies Building Auditorium, 1201 Bonner Dr., Jamestown, NC 27282
At each hearing, speaker registration and sign-in will begin at 5:00 p.m.
Each hearing will conclude by 9:00 p.m., however the Hearing Officer may conclude the hearing earlier if all registered speakers have been heard. The Hearing Officer may limit the length of time (e.g., three minutes) for each speaker to allow everyone an opportunity to be heard. Written comments and copies of prepared remarks will be accepted at each hearing.
* Please note, the program on April 9, 2026 is neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Catawba County Library or Catawba County Government.
Reason for proposed adoption: These rules are proposed for adoption in order to achieve two key objectives. First, to monitor for the presence of 1,4-dioxane in discharges from targeted industrial NPDES dischargers and their associated indirect dischargers (i.e., SIUs going to POTWs with pretreatment programs) known to be associated with 1,4-dioxane industry types. Second, to require affected entities (subset of industrial direct dischargers and SIUs) to develop minimization plans that identifies approaches to reduce 1,4-dioxane discharges directly or indirectly to surface water.
Comments: Public comments will be accepted on these proposed rule adoptions and the Regulatory Impact Analysis associated with these rule adoptions. The EMC is also soliciting public comments on:
- Whether a screening threshold above the lowest reported concentration (currently 1 μg/L) for 1,4-dioxane would be appropriate as a trigger for ongoing monitoring and minimization planning; and
- Whether the applicability of the 1,4-dioxane monitoring and minimization rules should be expanded beyond the currently proposed SIC/NAICS-based scope to include all industrial dischargers.
Written comments may be submitted to: publiccomments@deq.nc.gov or by mail to Bridget Shelton, DEQ-DWR Planning Section, 1611 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1611
Comment Period: Public comments on the proposed rule adoptions, the associated Regulatory Impact Analysis, and on the two topics listed above will be accepted between March 16 and June 15, 2026.
Procedure for Subjecting a Proposed Rule to Legislative Review: If an objection is not resolved prior to the adoption of the rule, a person may also submit written objections to the Rules Review Commission. If the Rules Review Commission receives written and signed objections in accordance with G.S. 150B-21.3(b2) from 10 or more persons clearly requesting review by the legislature and the Rules Review Commission approves the rule, the rule will become effective as provided in G.S. 150B-21.3(b1). The Commission will receive written objections until 5 p.m. on the day following the day the Commission approves the rule. The Commission will receive those objections by mail, delivery service, hand delivery, or facsimile transmission. If you have any further questions concerning the submission of objections to the Commission, please call a Commission staff attorney at 919-431-3000.