Pretreatment Program

OVERVIEW

Publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) collect wastewater from homes, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities and transport it via a series of pipes, known as a collection system, to the treatment plant. Here, the POTW removes harmful organisms and other contaminants from the sewage so it can be discharged safely into the receiving stream. Generally, POTWs are designed to treat domestic sewage only. However, POTWs also receive wastewater from industrial (non-domestic) users. The General Pretreatment Regulations establish responsibilities of Federal, State, and local government, industry and the public to implement Pretreatment Standards to control pollutants from the industrial users which may pass through or interfere with POTW treatment processes or which may contaminate sewage sludge.

• Introduction to the National Pretreatment Program [PDF Format] (EPA-833-B-98-002) provides a general introduction to the Pretreatment Program. Information related to ordering this publication from the Office of Wastewater Management is located at http://www.epa.gov/owm/inpub.htm

• For Final Regulations pertaining to the Pretreatment Program, go to: 40 CFR Part 403 (general pretreatment regulations)

• Streamlining the General Pretreatment Regulations for Existing and New Sources of Pollution [PDF Format] is the proposed Pretreatment regulations issued July 22, 1999.

WHAT CAN I FIND ON THIS WEB SITE?

Click on the following links to obtain additional information related to the pretreatment program:

• Prohibited Discharge Standards
• Categorical Pretreatment Standards
• Local Limits

New! Local Limits Development Guidance [PDF - 134 pp] and Appendices [PDF - 128 pp] - The final Technically-Based Local Limits Guidance Manual for municipalities that operate pretreatment programs is now available. This manual provides guidance to municipalities on the development and implementation of local controls for discharges of industrial or commercial wastes to sewage treatment facilities. The manual provides technical assistance and guidance on:

• Determining pollutants of concern
• Collecting and analyzing data
• Calculating maximum allowable loadings
• Designating and implementing local limits to protect wastewater treatment and collection systems
• Performing annual reviews and periodic re-evaluations

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Last updated on May 28, 2004 1:28 PM
URL: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/home.cfm