Do I Need a Pretreatment Permit?

The Office of Compliance Fact Sheet Series



What is the National Pretreatment Program?

The National Pretreatment Program is a cooperative effort of local, State, and Federal regulatory agencies that promotes the elimination of pollutants from industrial wastewater before it is discharged to Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs). This program is important because it prevents pollutants from entering the POTWs that could (1) interfere with operation of the facility, (2) pass through the POTW without treatment, or (3) be hazardous to employees. It also improves the POTW's opportunities for beneficially reusing the sludges and wastewater generated from their operation.

What is a Pretreatment program?

Each local POTW is responsible for developing a pretreatment program according to EPA regulations. Once their pretreatment program is established, the POTW has legal authority for ensuring that certain pollutants are not discharged by industrial users in quantities that could upset operation of the treatment facility. A POTW with a pretreatment program may require an industrial discharger to do any combination of the following:

  • Submit periodic analytical data of their wastewater discharge, including flow rates.
  • Conduct inspections, surveillances, and monitoring procedures, or allow POTW personnel to conduct them, to ensure compliance with the pretreatment permit.
  • Halt the discharge of pollutants that endanger POTW personnel or threaten to interfere with POTW operation.
  • Require the development of a plan to control and mitigate slug discharges of pollutants.
  • Seek or assess civil or criminal penalties for violation of the permit requirements.

Do I Need a Pretreatment permit?

If you discharge wastewater to a POTW, you should check with your local POTW to determine what pretreatment requirements are in place and, if required, how to apply for a permit to discharge. In general, pretreatment permits are required under the following conditions:

  • New industrial sources must submit information such as a description of operations, wastewater flow measurements, and an identification of the type and amount of pollutants at least 90 days before discharging.
  • Existing sources that are not covered by a pretreatment permit should contact their POTW to determine if one is necessary.

NOTE: To avoid delays, permit applications should be submitted well in advance of the deadline requirements.

Additional Information

For more information on the industrial wastewater pretreatment program, please consult your regional EPA office or access EPA's Office of Wastewater Management at: http://www.epa.gov/OWM/.