Systems with wastewater flows containing harmful chemicals must be referred to whom?

The correct response to this question emphasizes the specific responsibility of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division's Underground Injection Control Program when it comes to managing systems that handle wastewater flows containing harmful chemicals. This program is designed to regulate the underground injection of fluids and manage potential environmental hazards associated with harmful materials.

Wastewater containing hazardous substances can pose significant risks to groundwater quality and public health, making the oversight of such systems crucial. The Underground Injection Control Program’s mission is to prevent any contamination of underground sources of drinking water, thus it is quite appropriate for concerns related to harmful chemicals in wastewater systems.

In the context of the other entities mentioned, while the local health department and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources have roles in broader environmental and public health regulations, they do not specialize specifically in the regulation of wastewater that involves hazardous substances at the same level as the Underground Injection Control Program. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency at the federal level provides overarching regulations but may not directly manage local issues in the same manner as state-specific programs do. This distinction highlights the focused role of the Underground Injection Control Program in handling such sensitive environmental matters.