The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has released a new draft wastewater discharge permit for an east Georgia textile mill.

In October, the state revoked King America Finishing’s permit to release its waste into the Ogeechee River. Now that a new analysis is complete, the EPD is seeking public comment on the updated permit.

The new one isn’t much different from the previous permit except that it requires the plant to meet limits on discharged chemicals immediately instead of on a schedule.

“We put them in as a schedule for this work to be done in the original permit, but as time has lapsed, they’ve continued to work on it,” said Jim Ussery, EPD’s assistant director. “So there’s no more reason to have a schedule on it because the work is done.”

The Ogeechee Riverkeeper said they will be looking closely at discharge of mercury, ammonia and nitrates allowed under the new permit. The group had challenged the last one, saying it allowed King America to continue discharging excessive levels chemicals into the river.

King America agreed to a nearly $1 million fine after the state’s largest fish kill almost two years ago.

Click here to read the draft permit and find out how to submit comments.

Tags: Georgia Environmental Protection Division, Ogeechee River, fish kill, Ogeechee Fish Kill, Jim Ussery, King America Finishing Company, King America Finishing, King America, waste water permits