The National Pretreatment Program was developed by EPA to control commercial and industrial discharges into municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), which are generally designed for the treatment of domestic wastewater only.
Pollutants
Some commercial and industrial wastewaters are amenable to treatment, however many others contain pollutants which are toxic to the treatment process, or may pass through the WWTP and into the rivers and streams. These pollutants may then cause or contribute to water quality and habitat degradation, killing fish, eutrophication, and reduced recreational use.
Publicly Owned Treatment Works
The General Pretreatment Regulations, under Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), part 403, requires all Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW's) meeting certain criteria, to develop an Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP) to regulate all "Significant" Industrial Users discharging industrial wastewater to the POTW. The local IPP has to meet the minimum program requirements required by EPA, incorporate any national standards and requirements, and set more stringent ones if warranted by local conditions.
Contact Us
For additional information on this program or to report a problem or activity related to this program, contact the Water Pollution Control Division of the Department of Public Works (DPW) at 413-538-5040, or by emailing the wastewater treatment plants or email Melissa LaBonte.