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Wastewater discharge limits and regulations
Learn more about King County wastewater discharge limits and regulations.
Authority
These are technology-based limitations on pollutant discharges to POTWs promulgated by EPA in accordance with Section 307 of the Clean Water Act that apply to specified process wastewater of particular industrial categories, see 40 CFR 403.6 and 40 CFR Parts 405- 471.
Wastewater discharge limits
King County limits certain pollutants and prohibits the discharge of wastes that can harm the wastewater system. Local limits and prohibitions apply to all facilities that discharge industrial wastewater into King County's sewage system. Local regulations are in addition to all federal limits on pollutants. Local limits are established for the following:
Prohibited wastewater discharges
Flammable or explosive materials
It is against the law to discharge flammable or explosive solutions into the sewer system without formal approval from the King County Industrial Waste Program (KCIW). Before discharging, contact KCIW to find out if discharge of a solution is acceptable.
King County has the following local limits:
1. No person shall discharge any pollutant, as defined in 40 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 403.5, that creates a fire or explosion hazard in any sewer or treatment works, including, but not limited to, with a closed-cup of less than 140 degrees Fahrenheit or 60 degrees Centigrade using the test methods specified in 40 CFR 261.21.
2. At no time shall two successive readings on an explosion hazard meter, taken at the point of discharge into the system or at any point in the system, be more than 5 percent of the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) of the meter nor shall any single reading be more than 10 percent of the LEL.
High Temperature
High temperatures can disrupt wastewater treatment plant operations. Industrial wastewater must not exceed 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees Celsius) when discharged into the public sewer system. King County prohibits discharges with temperatures above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) when they reach the treatment plant. Discharges hot enough to interfere with biological processes are also prohibited.
Settleable solids
Solids capable of settling can restrict or block wastewater flow in sewer lines. A company or facility that discharges solids that causes a sewage backup is liable for any damages.
King County has the following local limit for settleable solids:
- Industrial wastewater must contain less than 7 milliliters per liter of solids capable of settling.
King County prohibits discharge of the following types of waste from non-domestic sources:
- Materials such as ashes, sand, grass, and gravel
- Solid or viscous pollutants in amounts that will obstruct the flow in the collection system and/or treatment plant
- Solid material from food processing, including food grinder waste, which is not capable of passing through a one quarter inch sieve
Authority
Authority
A King County Public Rule specifies the local limits. Prohibited Discharge Standards are in 40 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 403.5 and King County Code 28.84.060.
Wastewater discharge regulations
King County is responsible for telling organizations that send industrial wastewater to the King County sewer system about federal hazardous waste reporting requirements. This information is provided in accordance with Title 40 CFR Part 403.8(f)(2)(iii).
Federal
Industrial wastewater comes from any business system besides toilets or sinks in bathrooms or break rooms. Some industrial wastewater contains hazardous waste. This waste can be dangerous and potentially harmful to people or the environment. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists certain hazardous wastes under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Action (RCRA).
Who must report hazardous waste discharges?
You must notify King County, EPA, and the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) if your facility sends any of these substances to a King County sewer:
- RCRA listed hazardous wastes
- Hazardous wastes with one or more of these characteristics: ignitable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic
When to notify
- Within 180 days from beginning to discharge the substances.
- Within 90 days of the effective date of the published regulation whenever EPA adds additional wastes that your facility discharges to the RCRA list.
How to notify King County
You can notify King County by applying for an Industrial Waste Permit. Identifying the listed or characteristic RCRA hazardous wastes on your wastewater discharge permit application serves as notice to KCIW.
How to notify EPA and the Department of Ecology
To notify the EPA and Department of Ecology, send the following information to the addresses listed below.
- The name and number (or characteristic) of the hazardous waste as listed in 40 CFR part 261
- The type of discharge (continuous, batch, or other)
| EPA Region 10 | Washington State - Ecology |
|---|---|
|
Director, Office of Air, Waste and Toxics Environmental Protection Agency 1200 6th Avenue Seattle, Washington, 98101 |
Manager, Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Division Department of Ecology Mail Stop PV-11 Olympia, Washington, 98504 |
If your facility sends more than 100 kilograms of listed or characteristic hazardous waste per month to the sewer, do the following:
- Estimate the mass and concentration of the hazardous waste in the waste stream during that calendar month
- Provide an estimate of what is expected during the following twelve months
State
Revised Code of Washington (RCW) - Chapter 90.48 - Water pollution control
Grant of authority sewerage systems: Washington Administrative Code (WAC) - Chapter 173-208
Dangerous waste regulations: Washington Administrative Code (WAC) - Chapter 173-303
Local
Portions of King County Code - Title 28 (518KB)
See portions of Sections 28.81, 28.82, and 28,84 on the established fees, rules, and regulations for the disposal of industrial waste into the sewerage system.
King County Public Rules
King County Industrial Waste Local Discharge Limits - PUT 8-13-2-PR (256KB)
Discharge of Construction Dewatering to the Sanitary Sewer - PUT 8-14-1-PR (232KB)
Discharge of Contaminated Groundwater to the Sanitary Sewer - PUT 8-15-1-PR (259KB)
Discharge of Cooling Water into the Sanitary Sewer - PUT 8-16-1-PR (217KB)
Discharge of Hauled Waste at a King County Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) - PUT 8-22-1-PR (229KB)
King County Industrial Waste Fees - PUT 8-24-PR (5.51MB)
Enforcement Response Plan (ERP)
The ERP document outlines how King County will investigate and respond to instances of industrial user noncompliance. The ERP ensures:
- Violations are corrected promptly
- King County’s industrial users receive consistent treatment
- Economic advantages for noncompliance are removed
- King County to recover labor and material costs associated with violations
National categorical pretreatment standards
The federal government has established wastewater discharge limits for specific industries. These industries are called categorical dischargers. Categorical dischargers must get a full King County permit. A permit is mandatory regardless of their wastewater discharge volume. Categorical discharge industries include:
- Aluminum forming
- Battery manufacturing
- Centralized waste treatment
- Circuit-board manufacturing
- Coil coating
- Copper forming
- Electrical and electronic components
- Electroplating
- Inorganic chemical manufacturing
- Leather tanning and finishing
- Metal finishing
- Metal foundries
- Nonferrous metal manufacturing
- Pesticide manufacturing
- Petroleum refining
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Porcelain enameling
- Pulp and paper mills
- Wood preserving