Construction Site Dewatering

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  • Wastewater Compliance Office
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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Construction Site Dewatering Authorization process was implemented to protect Manatee County's sanitary sewer from hydraulic overloading and/or the introduction of prohibited substances, both of which may inadvertently result from construction site dewatering activities.

Construction Site Dewatering

The Construction Site Dewatering Authorization process was established for construction businesses or entities requiring the use of Manatee County's sanitary sewer for temporary disposal of groundwater and/or stormwater at a construction site.  This authorization is part of the Industrial Pretreatment Program.

About Construction Dewatering Discharges

During construction, workers may need to temporarily pump groundwater and/or stormwater away from a site.  This process is called dewatering.  In many instances this water is free of pollutants and may be harmlessly discharged to a nearby stormwater drainage system.  However, the presence of pollutants in this water at some sites may require an additional level of pretreatment prior to discharge, and even then, such discharge may be harmful to the environment.  In the latter case, wastewater generated from dewatering activities may be discharged to the sanitary sewer if authorized by the Wastewater Compliance office.

Authorization to Discharge to the Sanitary Sewer

Any businesses or entities wishing to discharge their dewatering wastewater to Manatee County's sanitary sewer must complete and submit a Construction Dewatering Authorization to Discharge Application (see Related Forms and Manuals above) to the Wastewater Compliance office prior to initiating any discharge.  The Construction Dewatering Authorization to Discharge Application Manual (see Related Forms and Manuals above) provides guidance for completing the application.  Additionally, Wastewater Compliance staff members are available to discuss and review regulatory obligations and requirements.  If approved, discharge authorization will be issued to the owner or authorized representative for the site, who is required to acknowledge such authorization and any associated requirements and obligations therein by signing and returning a copy of the original document to the Wastewater Compliance office prior to initiating discharge.  The site owner may delegate signatory authority to an authorized representative by completing an Authorization of Approved Representative Form (see Related Forms and Manuals above) and submitting it to the Wastewater Compliance office, along with the application.

Wastewater Discharge Fees

Wastewater discharge fees, as defined in the Manatee County Government Rate Resolution, will be incurred by those businesses or entities discharging wastewater generated from dewatering activities to the Manatee County sewer system.

Prohibited Substances in Construction Site Wastewater

To protect our publicly owned treatment works' (POTW) infrastructure and staff, wastewater entering the sanitary sewer collection system may not exceed the prohibited discharge standards or local limits outlined in the Manatee County Sewer Use Ordinance (see link in box in the upper left corner of page).  Wastewater generated through the dewatering process often contains elevated levels of total suspended solids (TSS), for which a local limit exists.  Solids greater than fifteen (15) millimeters in any dimension are also prohibited, as is discharge of materials such as ashes, sand, grass, and gravel.  A business or entity which discharges TSS in excess of authorized limits will be held liable for costs associated with clean up and/or repair of the sanitary sewer, as well as any damages caused by a related sanitary sewer overflow (SSO).