| What does it mean? |
All industrial and commercial businesses and government agencies discharging process wastewater from an industrial process (e.g., non-domestic wastewater containing pollutants or chemicals used in various business processes or activities other than janitorial) or contaminated groundwater requiring treatment to the District's wastewater system must report their activities to DC Water's Pretreatment Program Manager. Wastewater discharge permits may be required prior to discharging into the sewer system |
|---|---|
| Does this apply to me? | This applies to you if you are an industrial, commercial or federal entity and you would like to discharge or are currently discharging wastewater or contaminated non-wastewater flows containing pollutants or chemicals to the District's wastewater system. |
| When do I apply? | Please allow 90 days for processing if you are applying for a new permit and 30 days if you are renewing an existing permit. |
| What do I need to submit? | Initially, submit a short Wastewater Discharge Questionnaire. This form provides information regarding the business processes and related wastewater discharge. The DC Water Pretreatment Program Manager will review the survey form and notify the entity if a more detailed Wastewater Discharge Permit Application must be submitted. |
| Where do I go and apply? |
The application package may be mailed or delivered to: DC Water Telephone: 202-787-4177 For expeditious processing, a copy of the application package may also be emailed to pretreatment@dcwater.com with a hard copy to follow in the mail. |
| How long will it take? | New Permit: 90 days Renewal of existing permit: 30 days |
| What do I Receive? |
If approved, DC Water will issue one of the following types of permits: Significant Categorical Industrial User Wastewater Discharge Permit This type of permit is issued to Industrial Users that are subject to Categorical Pretreatment Standards, and at any time discharge more than 100 gallons per day (gpd) of total categorical wastewater excluding sanitary, non-contact cooling and boiler blowdown wastewater unless specifically included in the pretreatment standard. Significant Non-Categorical Industrial User Wastewater Discharge Permit This type of permit is issued to significant industrial users that are not subject to Categorical Pretreatment Standards, and discharge an average of 25,000 gallons per day or more of process wastewater to the District's wastewater system (excluding sanitary, non-contact cooling and boiler blowdown wastewater), or, users who contribute more than five percent (5%) hydraulic or organic loading to the Blue Plains AWTP, or DC Water has determined that the Industrial User has a reasonable potential to adversely affect the operation of the Blue Plains AWTP, violate any pretreatment standard or requirement, harm the environment, or cause a threat to wastewater utility personnel. Users discharging 25,000 gpd or more of contaminated non-wastewater flow (e.g., stormwater, construction dewatering, groundwater sump discharges, etc.) for more than six months may be issued this type of permit. Non-Significant Categorical Industrial User Wastewater Discharge Permit This type of permit is issued to Industrial Users that are subject to Categorical Pretreatment Standards that never discharge more than 100 gpd of categorical wastewater (excluding sanitary, non-contact cooling and boiler blowdown wastewater, unless specifically included in the pretreatment standard), and meet the three (3) conditions provided in the definition for Non-Significant Categorical Industrial User in D.C . Official Code § 8-105.02(11)(B). Non-Significant Non-Categorical Industrial User Wastewater Discharge Permit This type of permit is issued to minor industrial/commercial businesses and government agencies that have less than 25,000 gallons per day of process flow and are specifically designated by DC Water due to the type of business, characteristics of the discharge, or presence of pretreatment facilities. Businesses with contaminated non-wastewater flow may also be issued this type of permit if discharging less than 25,000 gpd. These permits are valid for four years. |
| What are DC Water's fees for this? | Industrial Permitting Fees & Industrial User Annual Compliance Fees Apply.
Industrial permitting and annual compliance fees became effective October 1, 2012, to cover pretreatment program operating costs including permit preparation, sampling, inspections, and report review. Please see the DC Water fee schedule page for additional information about these fees. An invoice will be issued upon receipt of the permit application. |
| Related Activities: | Permitted facilities that are identified as significant industrial users are inspected and sampled on an annual basis, at a minimum, by DC Water, to help ensure compliance with local regulations. Those facilities that are designated as non-significant Industrial users may be inspected and sampled less frequently. Non-permitted facilities may also be inspected and sampled at any time by DC Water and must still conform to the wastewater discharge regulations. |
| Additional Info | Industrial Users may also be required to conduct self-monitoring. All compliance monitoring must be reported on DC Water's Periodic Compliance Report Form and be signed and certified by the Industrial User. |
| For more Info, call: | Pretreatment Program Manager 202-787-4177 |
| Regulatory Info and other links |
|
Industrial User Wastewater Discharge Permit
