Large-Scale Wastewater Discharge Permits

Title Industrial, Commercial and Federal Discharges to Sewers
Policy

All businesses and government agencies discharging process wastewater (e.g., non-domestic wastewater containing pollutants or chemicals used in various business processes or activities other than janitorial) to the public sewer system must report their activities to DC WASA's Pretreatment Coordinator.

Wastewater discharge permits are required prior to discharging into the sewer system.
Procedure

The first step is to submit a short Wastewater Discharge Survey Form (DOC 132 kb) providing information on the business processes and related wastewater discharge. The Pretreatment Coordinator will review the survey form and notify the business or government agency if they need to submit a more detailed Wastewater Discharge Permit Application (DOC 240 kb) .

Surveys and permit applications shall be mailed or delivered to the Pretreatment Coordinator at:

DC Water and Sewer Authority
Department of Wastewater Treatment, CMF 2nd Floor
5000 Overlook Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20032
Telephone: 202-787-4177

Survey forms may also be faxed to 202-787-4226 (with hard copy to follow in the mail).

DC WASA may issue one of the following two types of permits:

Significant Industrial User Wastewater Discharge Permit
This type of permit is issued to significant industrial users with an average process flow of 25,000 gallons per day or more, users who contribute 5% or more of the total inflow or organic loading to Blue Plains, users with a potential to discharge significant concentrations of regulated pollutants, federally mandated categorical industries, or users who are determined to be in need of regulation.
Non-Significant Industrial User Wastewater Discharge Permit
This type of permit is issued to minor industrial/commercial businesses and government agencies that have less than 25,000 gallons per day of process flow and a small potential to cause an upset or pass-through event at Blue Plains. Businesses with contaminated groundwater sump discharges may also be issued this type of permit.

Permitted facilities, identified as significant industrial users, are inspected and sampled on an annual basis, at a minimum, to help ensure compliance with local regulations. Those facilities with Non-Significant Industrial User Wastewater Discharge Permits are typically inspected and sampled less frequently. Non-permitted facilities may also be inspected and sampled at any time by DC WASA and must still conform to the wastewater discharge regulations.
Permit Processing Time
New
90 Days
Renewal
30 Days
Permit Fee No Charge
Permit Duration Three years
Regulations and Links
  1. Current discharge standards (PDF 115 kb) (i.e., maximum contaminant levels for metals, cyanide, and oil and grease) from the March 24, 2006 DC Register.
  2. Prohibited discharge standards (PDF 25 kb) from DC Official Code 8-105.06.
  3. The complete District of Columbia Offical Code Sections 8-105.01 to 8-105.15 (PDF 47 kb) titled "Wastewater Control."
  4. Pretreatment regulations (PDF 82 kb) — District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Chapter 15 of Title 21 titled "Discharges to Wastewater System."
  5. Link to NAICS and SIC codes for completing survey forms and wastewater discharge permit applications.
  6. Information on federally mandated categorical industries and standards.
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