Chapter 13.06
DISCHARGE RESTRICTIONS, PRETREATMENT REQUIREMENT, AND PROHIBITED DISCHARGE PERMITS
Sections:
13.06.010 Industrial and commercial pretreatment of discharge required.
13.06.020 Discharge limitations.
13.06.025 Grease traps and grease interceptors.
13.06.030 Pretreatment requirements.
13.06.040 Inspections to ascertain character of wastewater.
13.06.050 Discharge from mobile tanks.
13.06.060 Violator liable for costs.
13.06.010 Industrial and commercial pretreatment of discharge required.
(1) Unless authorized by an approved prohibited waste discharge permit, no person shall discharge industrial waste into the PHUGA sewer system, unless otherwise allowed pursuant to this chapter.
(2) A person shall prevent, control, and immediately correct illicit discharges, prohibited discharges, or other such materials pursuant to 40 CFR 403.5 and the rules and regulations in this chapter.
(3) The department may inspect pretreatment equipment or pretreatment systems periodically at their sole discretion.
(4) All violations of the pretreatment requirements or defects in any pretreatment equipment or pretreatment system shall be corrected immediately by the property owner. Repeat failures of the pretreatment requirements or failure to correct defects in pretreatment equipment or a pretreatment system may result in a violation of this chapter as provided in Chapter 13.07 JCC. [Ord. 7-24 § 3 (Appx. A)]
13.06.020 Discharge limitations.
(1) Consistent with the policy contained in WAC 173-216-020, any discharge into the PHUGA sewer system that would interfere with, pass through, or otherwise be incompatible with the PHUGA sewer system or that would contaminate the processing of solids is prohibited.
(2) The discharge of waste materials into the PHUGA sewer system that present a risk to human health, including the potential, chronic effects of lifetime exposure to waste materials is prohibited.
(3) Alteration of the physical, chemical or biological properties, of any discharge to the PHUGA sewer system, including change in temperature, taste, color, turbidity, or odor is prohibited.
(4) Discharge of any liquid, gaseous, solid, radioactive, or other substance into the PHUGA sewer system that will or is likely to create a nuisance or be harmful, detrimental or injurious to the public health, safety or welfare to domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, or other legitimate beneficial uses, or to livestock, wild animals, birds, fish or other aquatic life is prohibited.
(5) No person shall discharge or permit a discharge into the PHUGA sewer system, or cause to be placed where any discharge is likely to run, leak or escape into the PHUGA sewer system, any of the following prohibited substances:
(a) Solid or viscous substances or concentrations of inert suspended solids which may obstruct or interfere with the capacity or operation of the PHUGA sewer system, including but not limited to ashes, cinders, sand, earth, garbage or putrescible material, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastic, lime slurries, lime residue, or wood;
(b) Liquids, solids, or gases, which because of their nature or quantity are, or may be, sufficient, either alone or by interaction with other substances, to cause fire or explosion, be capable of creating a public nuisance or hazard to life;
(c) Any substances that any agency of the county, the state or the federal government considers a fire hazard or a hazard to the PHUGA sewer system, including but not limited to gasoline, kerosene, naphtha, benzene, toluene, xylene, ethers, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, peroxides, chlorates, perchlorates, bromates, carbides, hydrides and sulfides; and
(d) Wastewater containing pollutants in sufficient quantity or strength, either singly or by interaction, to injure or interfere with any wastewater treatment process, constitute a hazard to humans or animals, or be in violation of any applicable statute, rule, regulation or ordinance of any public agency;
(e) Matter that has a temperature greater than 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), or that will inhibit biological activity in PHUGA sewer system;
(f) Wastewater containing suspended solids in excess of 300 mg/L;
(g) Wastewater containing fats, oils or grease (“O&G”) in excess of 100 mg/L;
(h) Wastewater with biochemical oxygen demand (“BOD”) greater than 300 mg/L;
(i) Wastewater with pH lower than 6.0 or higher than 9.0, or having any corrosive property capable of causing damage to structures, equipment or personnel;
(j) Garbage that has not been properly shredded;
(k) Wastewater containing toxic substances in sufficient quantity to injure or interfere with any wastewater treatment process, constitute a hazard to humans or the environment, create any hazard in the receiving waters of a wastewater treatment plant, or exceed the limitation set forth in the pretreatment standards;
(l) Noxious or malodorous matter which either singly or by interaction are capable of creating a public nuisance or hazard to life, or sufficient to prevent entry into the PHUGA sewer system for maintenance and repair;
(m) Discharges from irrigation, water main flushing, cooling processes, industrial processes, storm drains, surface runoff, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, sump pumps, swimming pools, ponds or reservoirs;
(n) Radiological, chemical, or biological warfare agents or high-level radioactive waste into waters of the state (see WAC 173-226-100(1)(a));
(o) Substances that may cause the PHUGA sewer system’s effluent or treatment residues, biosolids or scums to be unsuitable for reclamation and reuse or to interfere with the reclamation process;
(p) Substances that cause the treatment plant to be in noncompliance with biosolid use or disposal criteria, guidelines, or regulations developed under the federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. Section 1251 et seq.) or its implementing regulations, any criteria, guidelines or regulations affecting biosolids use or disposal developed pursuant to the federal Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq.) or its implementing regulations, the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Section 7401 et seq.) or its implementing regulations, the federal Toxic Substance Control Act (15 U.S.C. Section 2601 et seq.) or its implementing regulations, or any Washington State standards applicable to the biosolids management method being used including Chapter 70A.226 RCW and Chapter 173-308 WAC;
(q) Substances that will cause the PHUGA sewer system to violate any permit issued to operate it, including but not limited to any National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) permit, state waste discharge permits (“SWD”), water treatment plant general permit, or water reclamation permit.
(r) Slug-load, which shall mean any pollutant, including oxygen-demanding pollutants (such as BOD), released in a single extraordinary discharge episode of such volume or strength as to cause interference to the treatment plant. In no case shall a slug-load contain concentrations or qualities of pollutants that exceed for any period longer than 15 minutes more than five times the average 24-hour concentration, quantities or flow during normal operation;
(s) Wastewater containing substances that are not amenable to treatment or reduction by the PHUGA sewer system, or that are amenable to treatment only to such a degree that the PHUGA sewer system effluent cannot meet the requirements of other agencies having jurisdiction over discharge to the receiving waters;
(t) Stormwater, or any other direct inflow sources, including but not limited to any precipitation or groundwater that accumulates from roof drains, floor drainage, sump pump water, or other property drainage or conveyance;
(u) Concentrations of dissolved solids such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride, or sodium sulfate that are so high as to constitute a danger to the wastewater treatment process or equipment;
(v) Infectious waste or medical waste that, in the opinion of the county health officer, may significantly increase the risk of disease transmission beyond the level of risk normally associated with residential wastewater;
(w) Wastewater that contains a toxic or poisonous substance in sufficient quantity to upset or interface with any PHUGA sewage system treatment process, that constitutes a toxic or poisonous hazard to humans or animals; or, that creates any hazard to receiving waters or to the effluent of the PHUGA sewer system; and
(x) Discharge that exceeds the daily maximum pollutant limits in Table 6-1, below:
|
Chemical/Element |
Concentration |
|---|---|
|
Arsenic |
0.15 mg/L |
|
Cadmium |
0.10 mg/L |
|
Chromium |
1.0 mg/L |
|
Copper |
0.75 mg/L |
|
Lead |
0.25 mg/L |
|
Mercury (1) |
0.010 mg/L |
|
Molybdenum |
2.0 mg/L |
|
Nickel |
0.60 mg/L |
|
Selenium |
0.80 mg/L |
|
Silver |
0.50 mg/L |
|
Zinc |
2.0 mg/L |
|
Cyanide |
0.75 mg/L |
|
Ammonium |
50 mg/L |
|
Notes: (1) Businesses that follow best management practices (“BMPs”) for their industry can petition the director for higher limits. This will be limited to businesses contributing less than 1% of the total flow to the PHUGA sewer system. |
|
(6) Any person discharging to the PHUGA sewer system may be subject to limits more stringent than those set forth in this chapter when required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (including Federal Categorical Pretreatment Standards), the Washington State Department of Ecology, or the Washington State Department of Health.
(7) No person shall use potable water or process water in any way, nor mix separate waste streams for the purpose of diluting a discharge, as a partial or complete substitute for adequate pretreatment to achieve compliance with the standards.
(8) Waste from garbage grinders shall not be discharged into the PHUGA sewer system, except wastes generated in preparation of food normally consumed on the premises. Such grinders shall shred the waste to such a degree that all particles will be properly comminuted to one-fourth inch or less and be carried freely under normal flow conditions. No discharge permitted by this subsection may contain plastic, paper products or inert material.
(9) No person shall discharge wastewater into the PHUGA sewer system except at the point of approved connection. Discharge through cleanouts or manholes is a violation of this chapter and a civil code violation as defined in JCC Title 19. [Ord. 7-24 § 3 (Appx. A)]
13.06.025 Grease traps and grease interceptors.
(1) A grease trap or grease interceptor shall be required for establishments that discharge or may discharge in the future fats, oils and greases (“O&G”) in concentrations greater than 100 mg/L, including all food service establishments (“FSE”), food manufacture and processors (“FMP”), establishments as required in the applicable Uniform Plumbing Code adopted pursuant to JCC 15.05.030 (and as may be modified in Chapter 15.05 JCC), or other establishments as determined necessary by the director. The type of device will be as specified in the county-adopted plumbing code and the PHUGA sewer manual.
(2) Grease traps and grease interceptors shall be installed in accordance with the PHUGA sewer manual.
(3) All grease traps and interceptors shall be owned, managed and maintained by the property owner in accordance with Washington State Department of Ecology oil and grease management program and this chapter.
(4) All costs associated with design, installation and maintenance to ensure a working, reliable grease trap or interceptor system shall be the responsibility of the property owner.
(5) The county shall inspect grease traps and grease interceptors at least annually. A fee for these inspections shall be charged pursuant to the PHUGA sewer system fee schedule. [Ord. 7-24 § 3 (Appx. A)]
13.06.030 Pretreatment requirements.
(1) Any person proposing to discharge high-strength wastes to the PHUGA sewer system shall apply to the director for a permit authorizing the discharge. The director, after consulting with the Washington State Department of Ecology, may establish conditions for discharge and monitoring requirements.
(2) When preliminary treatment is necessary to reduce the strength of waste to within the maximum limits prescribed by this chapter, as determined by the director, an approved pretreatment facility shall be installed at the sole expense of the property owner. An application for a permit approving a proposed pretreatment facility shall be submitted to the director prior to commencement of construction of the pretreatment facility, in accordance with the requirements of the PHUGA sewer manual. An application for a permit approving a proposed pretreatment facility shall be made on forms developed by the department.
(3) No construction may be commenced until the director has issued a permit approving a pretreatment facility.
(4) A pretreatment facility shall be maintained in a manner that ensures continuous efficient and effective operation by the property owner at their own expense. [Ord. 7-24 § 3 (Appx. A)]
13.06.035 Standards and conditions for discharge of industrial wastewater, chemicals of concern, or prohibited wastes.
(1) National categorical pretreatment standards, as adopted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) pursuant to federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. Section 1251 et seq.) are applicable to all industrial dischargers.
(2) Any requirements and limitations on discharges to the PHUGA sewer system adopted by the Washington State Department of Ecology or other state agency that are more stringent than federal requirements and limitations are applicable to all industrial dischargers.
(3) Prohibited waste discharges listed in JCC 13.06.020 shall be disposed of in one of the following ways:
(a) Pretreatment. A customer producing prohibited wastes may treat those wastes prior to their introduction into a public sewer for the purpose of reducing the objectionable characteristics of the waste, or altering the nature of properties of the discharge prior to or in lieu of introduction into the PHUGA sewer system. The reduction or alteration can be obtained by physical, chemical, or biological processes, or by other means; except those pollutants may not be diluted in concentration, unless allowed by an applicable pretreatment standard.
(i) Prior to the utilization of any pretreatment device or process, a customer producing the prohibited waste must receive written approval from the director and the Washington State Department of Ecology of the device or process that will remove the objectionable characteristics, based on submitted plans and specifications.
(ii) The entire cost of the installation and construction, maintenance and operation of any pretreatment device or process is the responsibility of the discharger.
(b) Prohibited Waste Discharge Permit. Prohibited wastes may only be discharged into the PHUGA sewer system in accordance with a prohibited waste discharge permit issued by the director and, if necessary, the Washington State Department of Ecology. An application for a prohibited waste discharge permit shall be made on forms developed by the department.
(c) No prohibited waste discharge may occur until the director and the Washington State Department of Ecology, if necessary, have issued final approval of the prohibited waste discharge permit. [Ord. 7-24 § 3 (Appx. A)]
13.06.040 Inspections to ascertain character of wastewater.
As a condition of permit approval, a user of the PHUGA sewer system shall consent to inspection of the property served by the PHUGA sewer system by the director at any reasonable time, and allows the PHUGA sewer system utility to take wastewater samples for the purpose of determining whether the wastewater is an unlawful waste. Persons that pretreat unlawful wastes pursuant to JCC 13.06.035(3)(a) or that are permitted to discharge unlawful wastes pursuant to JCC 13.06.035(3)(b) shall install inspection tees or manholes in the building sewer to facilitate sampling, as may be required by the director. [Ord. 7-24 § 3 (Appx. A)]
13.06.050 Discharge from mobile tanks.
(1) A discharge from a tank or recreational vehicle tank into a public sewer is prohibited. However, this prohibition does not apply to a discharge from a marine vessel holding tank if the director determines the conditions and requirements for such discharge, and preapproves such discharge in writing on a form to be developed by the department.
(2) A charge per gallon shall be made for the discharge from the marine vessel holding tank that shall be based upon the capacity of the tank (in gallons) from which the wastewater is discharged into the PHUGA sewer system.
(3) The charge per gallon for discharge from marine vessel holding tanks shall be established in the PHUGA sewer system fee schedule. [Ord. 7-24 § 3 (Appx. A)]
13.06.060 Violator liable for costs.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter is liable to the county for any expense, loss, damage, cost of inspection or correction incurred by the county as a result of such violation pursuant to Chapter 13.07 JCC and JCC Title 19. [Ord. 7-24 § 3 (Appx. A)]