Posted by 
Natalie O'Connor on Friday, July 25, 2025
Manufacturing and industrial businesses like breweries, bakeries, paper mills, and chemical plants, among others, generate industrial wastewater, which is discharged into our sewers and Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW). This industrial wastewater can contain highly concentrated or toxic chemicals, metals, oils and grease, and organic loads. POTWs are generally designed to treat residential and businesses’ gray/wastewater, not the endless potential of specific industrial wastewater pollutants or concentrations that could exist in industrial wastewater. If untreated industrial wastewater gets to the POTW and cannot be treated, it gets passed through to the environment. These discharges lead to violations for the POTW. To prevent these violations and protect our environment, we turn to Industrial Pretreatment Programs (IPP).
An IPP is essential for ensuring that wastewater from these industrial activities is handled responsibly. A well-functioning IPP helps protect the local treatment plant and the environment. Crucially, as new, potentially problematic contaminants emerge, the IPP provides a crucial framework for identifying their sources and keeping them out of our waterways.
The Foundation: The National Pretreatment Program
The national framework for industrial pretreatment stems from the 1972 Clean Water Act (CWA), a key piece of legislation aimed at restoring and maintaining the nation's water quality. The CWA established the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) for direct discharges into waterways. Complementing this, the National Pretreatment Program focuses on pollutants entering POTWs through indirect discharges from industrial and commercial facilities. This program requires these facilities to obtain permits or implement other controls for their wastewater discharge.
Goals of the Program:
- Prevent pollutants from disrupting the POTWs operations, including its sludge management.
- Prevent pollutants from passing through the treatment process without being adequately treated.
- Improve opportunities for recycling both municipal and industrial wastewater and sludge.
To achieve these goals, the National Pretreatment Program mandates that large POTWs (over 5 MGD) or those receiving significant industrial wastewater establish their own local pretreatment programs. These local programs must enforce national standards, along with any stricter local requirements necessary to protect the specific conditions of the POTW.
For example, a large brewery's discharge might not overwhelm a large POTW but could pose significant challenges for a smaller facility not designed for such high organic loads. Identifying and understanding the wastewater from Significant Industrial Users (SIUs) is a critical part of a successful IPP.
Do I Need Industrial Pretreatment?
It’s a valid question, but the answer isn’t always straightforward. Not every industry or manufacturer does. Our team of experienced engineers can help you determine if it’s necessary for your operations. We’ll assist you in understanding your options, ensuring you can balance your bottom line and production with your industrial wastewater compliance and environmental responsibilities.
Already have a pretreatment process but it needs to be updated or optimized? We’ve got you covered there, too. Our services include industrial inspections, annual report preparation and review, and providing technical expertise related to enforcement actions.
Every production facility is unique, and your pretreatment processes should be too. “Cookie-cutter” solutions are rarely efficient. Reach out today, and let’s discuss your specific plant and production needs!
Categories: Industrial & Manufacturing
Tagged: Wastewater | Environmental | Regulations