Frequently Asked Questions
- What is pretreatment?
- Pretreatment is the reduction, the elimination, or the alteration of
pollutants in wastewater to a less harmful state prior to discharge of
the wastewater to a sanitary sewer system.
- What is a pretreatment program?
- It is an EPA-mandated program that requires DC Water to regulate
industrial discharges to DC Water's wastewater collection system,
thereby reducing the amount of pollutants released into the
environment from our treatment plant.
- Why does the DC Water have a pretreatment program?
- The Clean Water Act established the responsibility of federal, state,
and local government to implement National Pretreatment Standards in
order to control pollutants from non-domestic sources that discharge
to a Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW). DC Water operates the
Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment
facility and treats wastewater from domestic and industrial sources.
Our plant in turn discharges treated wastewater into the environment.
DC Water holds an NPDES permit issued by EPA Region 3. This permit
regulates DC Water's plant effluent discharges to the District of
Columbia waterways. The permit contains requirements to maintain an
approved pretreatment program to prevent pollution of the waterways.
- What types of industrial users are regulated under the pretreatment
program?
- All industrial users located within the District of Columbia must
comply with DC Water's Wastewater Discharge Regulations. However,
industrial users that perform processes deemed "categorical"
by the EPA
and/or significant or nonsignificant by DC Water, must comply with
additional requirements.
- What is a Significant Industrial User?
- The term Significant Industrial User as defined by the EPA means:
- All industrial users subject to Categorical Pretreatment
Standards under 40 CFR 403.6 and 40 CFR chapter I, subchapter N;
and
- Any other industrial user that does the following:
- discharges an average of 25,000 gallons per day or
more of process wastewater;
- contributes a process wastestream that makes up 5% or
more of the average dry weather hydraulic or organic
capacity of the treatment plant; or
- is designated as a SIU by DC Water on the basis that
the industrial user has a reasonable potential for
adversely affecting the operation of DC Water's
wastewater treatment plant.
- When are Industrial Users required to obtain a permit?
- Potential SIUs under construction should apply for a DC Water Industrial
Wastewater Discharge Permit at least 90 days prior to discharging to
the DC Water's sanitary sewer. Existing industrial users should apply
as soon as possible.
- How do I obtain a permit for my company?
- Complete the appropriate permit application obtained from this
website or contact the Pretreatment Supervisor at
202-787-4177 for an electronic Word
version of the application. Sign the completed application and
include all requested attachments and mail or hand deliver to the
Pretreatment Supervisor in the Department of Wastewater Treatment
at 5000 Overlook Ave., SW, in Washington, D.C. Applications may
be faxed in advance to 202-787-4226
with hard copy to follow in the mail.
- What happens if an Industrial User does not comply with pretreatment
program requirements?
- If an Industrial User does not comply with pretreatment program
requirements, it will be subject to enforcement
action by DC Water.
