Wastewater Discharge Permits
Although all non-domestic users, known as Industrial Users (IUs), are subject to Pretreatment Program regulations, most businesses simply need to follow the requirement that they not discharge anything that adversely affects the sewer lines and treatment plant.
User Type Criteria
The EPA has developed the following criteria to determine which IUs should be identified as Significant Industrial Users (SIUs). All IUs, that meet any of the following criteria, are required to have a Wastewater Discharge Permit:
- Discharges average of 25,000 gallons per day or more of process wastewater to the POTW (excluding sanitary, noncontact cooling and boiler blowdown wastewater)
- Contributes a process waste stream which makes up 5 percent or more of the average dry weather hydraulic or organic loading capacity of a POTW
- Is designated as such by the Control Authority 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)
- Subject to Federal Categorical Standards. EPA defines certain processes as "categorical" in the Code of Federal Regulations under 40 CFR 403.6 and 40 CFR chapter I, subchapter N. These industries must follow federally mandated discharge limits and are known as Categorical Industrial Users (CIUs)
SIU Regulation and Self-Monitoring
Chesterfield County's Pretreatment Program regulates all SIUs and requires self-monitoring for certain IUs. The permitted industries are monitored for wastewater quality on a regular schedule and inspected by pretreatment personnel annually or more if needed. When in violation of a regulation, an industry is notified via a certified document describing the applicable penalties and/or formal enforcement action (for specific enforcement protocol, view the Enforcement Response Plan (PDF)).
Pretreatment Awards and Recognition
Each year, the Pretreatment Program recognizes the industries for their compliance records. The award winners are presented with certificates and reduced self-monitoring requirements at the Annual Pretreatment Meeting.
Waste Hauler Discharge Permits
This permit is for businesses that haul and dispose liquid wastewater into the Chesterfield County Wastewater Treatment Plant. Chesterfield County currently accepts domestic septage, grease trap, and oil/water separator waste at a septage receiving station located within the Proctor Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant:
Proctor Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant
1200 Coxendale Road
Chester, VA 23836
Permit Requirements
In order to prevent the introduction of hazardous waste into the pretreatment system at Proctor's Creek, haulers are required to obtain a Wastewater Hauler Discharge Permit, in advance, from the Utilities Department Pretreatment Section. To receive a permit, a waste hauler must be registered and have a public health license with the Virginia Health Department and complete the Waste Hauler Discharge Application form.
Samples and Testing
The detailed manifests must be provided with each load to track the origin of the waste. Samples of the hauled waste are routinely taken to identify any pollutants that could potentially interfere with the treatment process. On a regular basis, pH* measurements are also conducted to determine if waste pH is within the County's limits (5.0 to 12.0 S.U.).
Waste Hauler Discharge Standards
Drivers are responsible for collecting waste generated within Chesterfield County only. Pickup of waste from any locality other than Chesterfield County followed by discharge into Proctor's Creek is illegal, resulting in issuance of a notice of violation to the hauler's employer. Waste haulers must comply with prohibited discharge standards.
*pH - measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance; range is from 0 to 14, increasing with increasing alkalinity and decreasing with increasing acidity.