Industrial Pretreatment at WLSSD

As the regional wastewater authority, WLSSD is charged with the protection of the St. Louis River through safe and efficient treatment of industrial and domestic wastewater.

The U.S. EPA delegates to WLSSD its regulatory authority related to industrial pretreatment. Since 1985, the District has worked with local businesses to monitor and regulate industrial discharges.

Major industrial contributors are regulated under the WLSSD Industrial Pretreatment Program through a series of routine monitoring, self-monitoring and reporting, and on-site inspections. The Industrial Pretreatment Program aims to prevent pollutants from entering the wastewater system that may interfere with normal operations or contaminate the end products of wastewater treatment. Some pollutants cannot be adequately treated through biological wastewater treatment and could pass through the process into the receiving river water.

All types of businesses and industries, as well as homeowners discharge water to the sanitary sewer system. The Industrial Pretreatment Ordinance sets forth requirements for all wastewater dischargers in the WLSSD service area. Prohibited substances include but are not limited to flammable, acidic, radioactive, toxic or corrosive liquids and material. See the Ordinance for more detail.

All existing and future industries that meet Federal Categorical Pretreatment Standards are required to obtain a wastewater discharge permit with WLSSD. Periodic reporting is required as described in the Code of Federal Regulations 40, sec.403.6 (b) and in the WLSSD Industrial Pretreatment Ordinance.

For more information about obtaining an industrial wastewater discharge permit or reporting requirements, contact the WLSSD Industrial Pretreatment Program at 218-722-3336.