Waste Discharge Regulations Summary with Citations

Sewer Use and Pretreatment Policy – Public Summary (with Code References)

Purpose of the Policy

(HDWDC 8.15.010(A))

This chapter establishes rules for anyone using the District’s Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW), also known as the sewer system.

The goals are to:

  • Prevent pollutants from interfering with treatment plant operations (8.15.010(A)(1))
  • Prevent untreated pollutants from passing through to the environment (8.15.010(A)(2))
  • Protect District workers and the public (8.15.010(A)(3))
  • Promote reuse and recycling of wastewater and sludge (8.15.010(A)(4))
  • Ensure fair fees for operation and maintenance (8.15.010(A)(5))
  • Comply with federal and state law, including the Clean Water Act (8.15.010(A)(6))

The General Manager administers and enforces these rules (8.15.010(B)).

Prohibited Discharges

(HDWDC 8.15.020(A))

No user may discharge anything that causes interference with treatment operations or allows pollutants to pass through untreated (8.15.020(A)(1)).

Specifically prohibited discharges include:

  • Flammable or explosive materials (8.15.020(A)(2)(a))
  • Wastewater with pH below 5.0 or above 9.0 (8.15.020(A)(2)(b))
  • Solids or viscous substances that may cause blockages (8.15.020(A)(2)(c))
  • High-temperature wastewater (8.15.020(A)(2)(e))
  • Petroleum oils or nonbiodegradable cutting oils (8.15.020(A)(2)(f))
  • Toxic gases or fumes (8.15.020(A)(2)(g))
  • Medical waste (unless authorized) (8.15.020(A)(2)(n))
  • Stormwater, groundwater, roof runoff, or pool drainage (unless authorized) (8.15.020(A)(2)(l))
  • Paint waste (8.15.020(A)(2)(t))
  • Hazardous wastes (8.15.020(A)(2)(w))
  • Fats, oils, and grease above 100 mg/L (8.15.020(A)(2)(q))

Industrial and Commercial Users

Significant Industrial Users (SIUs)

(HDWDC 8.15.010(F)(48))

A business may be classified as a Significant Industrial User if it:

  • Is subject to federal categorical pretreatment standards (8.15.010(F)(48)(a))
  • Discharges 25,000 gallons per day or more of process wastewater (8.15.010(F)(48)(b)(i))
  • Contributes 5% or more of plant capacity (8.15.010(F)(48)(b)(ii))
  • Has potential to adversely affect the POTW (8.15.010(F)(48)(b)(iii))

Permits

(HDWDC 8.15.040 – 8.15.050)

Who Needs a Permit?

Significant Industrial Users must obtain an individual wastewater discharge permit or general permit before discharging (8.15.040(B)(1)).

Other users may also be required to obtain permits (8.15.040(B)(2)).

Permit Requirements May Include:

  • Effluent limits (8.15.050(B)(1)(c))
  • Monitoring and reporting requirements (8.15.050(B)(1)(d))
  • Slug discharge controls (8.15.050(B)(1)(g))
  • Civil and criminal penalty statements (8.15.050(B)(1)(f))

Permits are issued for up to five years (8.15.050(A)).

Pretreatment Requirements

(HDWDC 8.15.030)

Users must install and maintain pretreatment facilities as necessary to comply with discharge standards (8.15.030(A)).

Additional requirements may include:

  • Flow control or equalization (8.15.030(B)(2))
  • Grease, oil, or sand interceptors (8.15.030(B)(3))
  • Combustible gas detection meters (8.15.030(B)(4))
  • Accidental discharge/slug control plans (8.15.030(C))

Dilution is prohibited as a substitute for treatment (8.15.020(F)).

Grease (FOG) Requirements for Commercial Businesses

(HDWDC 8.15.140)

  • Initial FOG inspection fee: $100 (8.15.140(B))
  • Annual inspection/control fee: $120 (8.15.140(D))
  • Additional noncompliance inspection fee: $60 (8.15.140(E))
  • Businesses must use BMPs to reduce grease (8.15.140(C))
  • Businesses are responsible for cleanup costs caused by grease blockages (8.15.140(E)(1))

Reporting Requirements

(HDWDC 8.15.060)

Industrial users may be required to submit:

  • Baseline Monitoring Reports (8.15.060(A))
  • Compliance schedule progress reports (8.15.060(B))
  • 90-day compliance reports (8.15.060(C))
  • Periodic compliance reports (at least twice per year) (8.15.060(D)(1))
  • Reports of changed conditions (8.15.060(E))
  • Reports of accidental or slug discharges (8.15.060(F))

If a violation occurs, the user must notify the District within 24 hours and resample within 30 days (8.15.060(H)).

Records must be kept for at least three years (8.15.060(L)).

All reports must include required certification statements (8.15.060(M)).

Inspections and District Authority

(HDWDC 8.15.070)

The District may:

  • Enter properties to inspect and sample (8.15.070(A))
  • Require monitoring equipment (8.15.070(A)(3))
  • Seek search warrants if access is denied (8.15.070(B))

Tampering with equipment is prohibited (8.15.020(G)).

Public Transparency

(HDWDC 8.15.080 and 8.15.090)

  • Discharge data is generally public (8.15.080)
  • Trade secrets may be protected if properly requested (8.15.080)
  • The District must annually publish users in significant noncompliance (8.15.090(A))

Enforcement Actions

(HDWDC 8.15.100 – 8.15.120)

If violations occur, the District may:

  • Issue Notices of Violation (8.15.100(A))
  • Issue Compliance Orders (8.15.100(D))
  • Issue Cease and Desist Orders (8.15.100(E))
  • Assess administrative fines up to $1,000 per day (8.15.100(F))
  • Impose civil penalties up to $25,000 per day (8.15.110(B))
  • Initiate criminal prosecution (8.15.110(C))
  • Suspend or terminate discharge (8.15.100(G), 8.15.100(H))
  • Sever water service (8.15.120(E))
  • Recover damages and costs (8.15.120(I))

Late reports are subject to $1,000 per day penalties (8.15.120(A)).

Domestic (Residential) Users

(HDWDC 8.15.130 and 8.15.150)

Residents must:

  • Obtain a permit before connecting to the sewer (8.15.130(B))
  • Maintain their sewer lateral from the building to the main line (8.15.150(B)(3))
  • Avoid connecting stormwater to the sewer (8.15.150(F))
  • Follow plumbing and building codes (8.15.150(D)(2))

Fees

(HDWDC 8.15.140)

The District may charge fees for:

  • Inspections
  • Monitoring
  • Permit administration
  • Grease control
  • Program administration

Fees are reviewed annually and may be adjusted (8.15.140(F)).

Key Takeaways

  • Protecting the sewer system protects public health and the environment.
  • Certain discharges are strictly prohibited.
  • Industrial users must obtain permits and monitor their wastewater.
  • Food-related businesses must control grease.
  • The District has strong enforcement authority.
  • Residents are responsible for proper connections and maintenance of private sewer lines.

For full legal language, see HDWDC Chapter 8.15.