Pretreatment Program

Background 
The US Congress created the National Pretreatment Program in 1972 as part of the Clean Water Act to protect the nation's wastewater treatment plants and waterways from a variety of damaging pollutants. In 1981, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) was given the authority to regulate pretreatment programs in the state of Oregon through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit. A NPDES Permit is required for any wastewater treatment plant or manufacturing facility to discharge through a pipe to the nation's waters. The City of Canby's Pretreatment Program is designed to protect the city collection system, wastewater treatment plant, and Willamette River from harmful pollutants. The City's Environmental Compliance Coordinator, Steve Gering, coordinates the Industrial Pretreatment Program. 

Steve Gering
Environmental Compliance Coordinator
email:  gerings@canbyoregon.gov phone:  503.266.0646

Who does the Industrial Pretreatment Program apply to? 
Any industry that discharges anything other than sanitary or domestic wastewater into the sanitary sewer. This includes high tech, food and beverage production, dentists, auto shops, manufacturing among many others. The City of Canby's Industrial Pretreatment Program provides guidance and technical assistance to keep industrial compliant with federal, state and local regulations. Although not every industry or business will be required to obtain a permit, any business or industry that is connected to the sewer should consult the Environmental Compliance Coordinator to ensure safe environmental practices are being implemented. Businesses may also contact the Coordinator to seek guidance in identifying and employing pollution prevention practices.  

What are the different types of Pretreatment permits? 
There are three types of industrial permit categories, Significant Industrial Users, Categorical Industrial Users, and Non-Discharging Categorical Industrial Users. Although not a permit, Best Management Practices Agreements are established for industries that don't fall under those three categories but have potential to impact the City's sewer system or Wastewater Treatment Pant. 

What is an industrial waste? 
Industrial waste is a generic term for any waste material (solid, gas, or liquid) generated by a commercial, industrial, or nonresidential activity. The Industrial Pretreatment Program focuses on companies that discharge wastewater during manufacturing, remediation, cleaning, or rinsing processes. This waste differs from residential household wastewater which is considered domestic sewage from toilets, showers, washing machines, sinks, and other household-related activities. Industrial Waste is different from hazardous waste which is a federal and state designation for waste material that is toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive; hazardous waste requires special handling and treatment at a licensed treatment, storage, disposal facility (TSDF). How does my business obtain approval to discharge? Prior to discharging Industrial Waste to the sewer, all dischargers who generate and dispose of Industrial Wastewater (not including toilets) should contact the City's Environmental Compliance Coordinator. Potential dischargers will be sent a permit application package alongside an environmental survey. 

When do I need to obtain a permit? 
The time it takes to develop and obtain a permit depends upon the type and amount of wastewater a company discharges to the sewer. For federally regulated dischargers, you must apply for a permit 90 days prior to discharge. Federally regulated discharges are considered Significant Industrial User when they meet one or more of the following categories: 

Significant Industrial User (SIU)" means: 

A.    A user subject to categorical pretreatment standards under 40 CFR 403.6 and 40 CFR chapter I, subchapter N; or

B.    A user that:  

I.   Discharges an average of twenty-five thousand (25,000) gpd or more of process wastewater to the POTW (excluding sanitary, noncontact cooling, and boiler blowdown wastewater);   

II.  Contributes a process waste stream which makes up five (5) percent or more of the average dry weather hydraulic or organic capacity of the POTW treatment plant;            

Ill.  Is designated as such by the City on the basis that it has a reasonable potential for adversely affecting the POTW's operation or for violating any pretreatment standard or requirement.                 

What fees can I anticipate? 
The Industrial Pretreatment Program Permit application fee is $5000. A high strength user fee is imposed upon commercial and industrial users of the City's wastewater collection system that discharges wastes having an average strength exceeding 300 mg/L of BOD or TSS. Below is a table showing how charges are calculated. For more information, contact the City's Environmental Compliance Coordinator.  A pretreatment monitoring device is required for treating wastewater with a BOD or TSS strength of 1201 mg/L or higher before it is discharged to the sanitary sewer system. Please see other prohibited discharges as specified in Sewer Use Ordinance 1413, Section 2. Refer to the Master Fee Schedule located on the city web page for other charges that may apply.