DC Water regulates Significant Industrial Users, Non-significant Industrial Users that have a potential to violate discharge standards or have high strength waste, temporary dischargers, and waste haulers. If your business discharges non-domestic wastewater, treated/contaminated groundwater or water from temporary construction activities to the sanitary or combined sewer system, you need to contact DC Water for permit information.
Businesses and government agencies that meet any of the following criteria are required to have a Significant Industrial User Wastewater Discharge Permit:
- Users with an average process wastewater flow of 25,000 gallons or more per day
- Users who contribute 5% or more of the total inflow or organic loading to Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment facility
- Federally mandated categorical industries
- Users who are determined to be in need of regulation as determined by DC Water on the basis that the Industrial User has a reasonable potential for adversely affecting the operation of Blue Plains or for violating any pretreatment standard or requirement, for harming the environment or for causing a threat to wastewater utility personnel.
DC Water may determine that some businesses and government agencies that fall into the last criteria should be classified as Non-Significant Industrial Users and issued a Non-Significant Industrial User Wastewater Discharge Permit. Types of businesses that may be issued this type of permit include hospitals, universities, printers, and research facilities. Businesses with contaminated groundwater sump discharges may also be issued this type of permit.
If you're unsure of your status, you should complete a Wastewater Discharge Questionnaire Form. DC Water will review the Survey and make a determination on your business's status. To obtain an Industrial User Wastewater Discharge Permit, submit a completed application form to DC Water. Detailed permit information can be found in the Get A Permit section of this website.
Dental Facilities
Existing Dental Facilities that place or remove mercury amalgam (except in limited emergency situations) must install an amalgam separator by July 14, 2020. A One Time Compliance Report must also be submitted to DC Water by October 12, 2020 by all dental facilities subject to EPA’s Dental Amalgam Rule (40 CFR Part 441) and the District’s Dental Amalgam Pretreatment Standards (21 DCMR § 1520).
New Dental Facilities or new owners of existing dental facilities subject to the regulations must submit a One Time Compliance Report to DC Water within 90 days of initial discharge or date of ownership.
Temporary Discharge Authorization Permits
Businesses and government agencies that meet the following criteria may be required to have a Temporary Discharge Authorization Permit:
- Users with temporary construction dewatering
- Users with temporary discharges from groundwater remediation
- Users with temporary discharges that are directed to a catch basin or manhole in public space
- Users with temporary discharges on private property that involve high volume discharges or contain chemicals of concern
To obtain a Temporary Discharge Authorization Permit, submit a completed application form to DC Water. Detailed permit information can be found in the Get A Permit section of this website.
Waste Hauler Permits
DC Water currently accepts domestic septage and grease trap waste that comply with DC Water discharge standards at its Septage Receiving Station located at the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant at 5000 Overlook Ave., SW, in Washington, DC. To obtain a Waste Hauler Permit, submit a completed application form to DC Water. Detailed permit information can be found in the Get A Permit section of this website.
