Industrial Pretreatment
Federal and State Regulations require that the District maintain an industrial pretreatment program that is designed to work with industrial and commercial customers. The intent of the pretreatment program is to protect the sewer system and wastewater treatment plant from pollutants that may be discharged to the sewer system by local industries. These pollutants may have the potential to upset the wastewater treatment plant and cause pollutants to “pass-through” the plant untreated, or partially treated, and then be discharged to Mousam River. This program is also designed to protect sewer system and plant personnel by controlling and, in some cases, prohibiting the discharge of dangerous wastewater into the sewer system.
WHY IS THIS PROGRAM NECESSARY?
The United States Environmental Protection Association (EPA), under authority of the Clean Water Act of 1977 requires all Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) to implement and maintain Pretreatment Programs if any of the following criteria apply to the POTW:
1). The POTW has a design flow greater than 5 million gallons per day;
2). If the POTW has less than 5 million gallons per day, but non-domestic wastes (industrial) cause upsets, sludge contamination, or violations of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit held by the POTW; or
3). If the industrial users are subject to national pretreatment standards. These industries are
also referred to as “Categorical Industrial Users, or CIUs.
4) If the industrial user discharges 25,000 gpd or more of process wastewater (excluding sanitary, boiler blowdown, and noncontact cooling) contributes a process wastestream that makes up 5% or more of the average dry-weather hydraulic or organic capacity of the POTW; or is designated by the District on the basis that it has a reasonable potential for adversely affecting the POTW’s operation or for violating any Pretreatment Standards or Requirement.
These regulations are enumerated in detail in 40 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) part 403. The public can access these regulations via the internet at www.epa.gov./fedrgstr/EPA-WATER.
The Sanford Sewerage District has a design flow of 4.4 million gallons per day, and has a few local industries which are subject to national pretreatment standards (this means that the federal government sets the discharge limits for certain pollutants that may be found in the industrial wastewater discharged from these industries). The list of industries that are subject to national pretreatment standards can be found in 40 CFR 403.6 and 40 CFR Chapter I, subchapter N.
For these reasons, the Sanford Sewerage District administers a federally required program. The intent of the pretreatment program is to protect the POTW from pollutants that may be discharged to the sewer system by local industries. These pollutants may have the potential to upset the POTW and cause pollutants to “pass-through” the plant untreated, or partially treated and then be discharged to the receiving waters of the POTW, in the case of Sanford Sewerage District, this means the Mousam River.
Another function of the pretreatment program is to protect the employees of the POTW and the public from adverse effects of pollutants entering the sewer system that may endanger the health or safety of these people. For example, the discharge of flammable products to the sewers could result in any number of explosive situations.
The contamination of biosolids produced at the Sanford Sewerage District is another concern. For the Sanford Sewerage District, our biosolids are being used in a beneficial reuse program. The biosolids are properly aged and blended with filler products, and then made available for public use as compost. Biolsolids that are being reused in this manner must meet strict Federal and State guidelines, and the Pretreatment Program helps to ensure that the Sanford Sewerage District consistently meets or exceeds these standards.
WHO SHOULD BE IN THIS PROGRAM?
Any commercial or non-residential user of the sewer system in the City of Sanford, or Springvale, may potentially be required to participate in the Pretreatment Program. Such users may qualify as “Significant Industrial Users” or “Categorical Industrial Users”.
Categorical Industrial Users are described in the documents listed above. Significant Industrial Users are defined in 40 CFR 403 as: “(i) All industrial users subject to Categorical Pretreatment Standards under 40 CFR 403.6 and 40 CFR chapter I, subchapter N; and (ii) any other industrial user that discharges an average of 25,000 gallons per day or more of process wastewater to the POTW (excluding sanitary, non-contact cooling and boiler blowdown wastewater); contributes a process wastestream which makes up 5% or more of the average dry weather hydraulic or organic capacity of the POTW treatment plant; or is designated as such by the Control Authority as defined in 40 CFR 403.12(a) on the basis that the industrial user has a reasonable potential for adversely affecting the POTW’s operation or for violating any pretreatment standard or requirement (in accordance with 40 CFR 403.8(f)(6)).”
It is the responsibility of the user to determine if they are subject to any Federal, State, or Local statues, and report their status to the Pretreatment Supervisor before any process discharge begins.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
The first step a business that has a non-sanitary wastewater discharge should take is to determine if their process is a Categorical issue as defined in 40 CFR. Secondly, the business with an industrial wastewater discharge should look at the definition of Significant Industrial User to see if that may fit their status. If the business fits into either of these situations, or there is a reasonable potential that they might, they should contact:
Jessica McMahon, Pretreatment Supervisor
Sanford Sewerage District
281 River Street, Springvale, ME 04083
Phone: (207)324-5313
Fax: (207) 324-5087
Available on this website are the following forms: Industrial Wastewater Permit Application, Signatory Authorization Form, Enforcement Response Plan, Enforcement Response Guide, Local Limits and amended Rules and Regulations for the Sanford Sewerage District.
Also available are links to important environmental sites for your convenience.
Please remember, that compliance with all Federal, State, and Local regulations is the responsibility of the user, and that proper notification and permits must be secured prior to start up!
Industrial Pretreatment Application (DOC)
2019 amended rules and regulations
Signatory Authorization Form (DOC)
Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Program
“FOG” is fats, oils, and greases from food. Bacon grease, butter, dairy products, cooking oil, salad dressing, and ice cream are all examples of “FOG.” FOG enters the plumbing system through sinks, floor drains, and dishwashers. FOG sticks to and coats the inside of sewer pipes, potentially causing overflows. Sewage overflows are health hazards and are illegal; the City could be subject to fines for each one that occurs. In order to prevent overflows, the City requires commercial food service establishments to prevent FOG from entering the sewer system. Commercial food service establishments should refer to the links below to assist in establishing best practices to prevent FOG from entering the sewer system.