Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP)
Manatee County's IPP requires local industries and other non-domestic wastewater dischargers to comply with federal, state and local pretreatment standards, to ensure that the goals of the federal Clean Water Act are attained. The objectives of the IPP are to: prevent the introduction of pollutants into our POTW that will interfere with its operation, including interference with its use or disposal of municipal sludge or treated wastewater; prevent the introduction of pollutants into our POTW that will pass through the treatment works or otherwise be incompatible with it; and improve opportunities to recycle and reclaim municipal and industrial wastewaters and sludges.
Authority to Administer Industrial Pretreatment Program
The Utilities' Wastewater Compliance section is responsible for administering and enforcing the requirements of the IPP. The authority to do so is established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in Title 40 Code of the Federal Regulations (CFR), Chapter 1, Subchapter N, Part 403; by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) in Chapter 62-625 of the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.); and by Manatee County’s most current Sewer Use Ordinance (Division 3, Article II, Chapter 2-31 of the Manatee County Code of Ordinances - see link in box to the left).
Affected Operations
All industrial, commercial, and/or governmental businesses or entities conducting operations in Manatee County and discharging any non-domestic wastewater to the sanitary sewer are subject to the requirements of the IPP. For most operations, this simply means abiding by the prohibited discharge criteria found in Section 2-31-41 of Manatee County's most current Sewer Use Ordinance (see link in box to the left). However, certain operations may be subject to additional requirements, including implementation of a wastewater pretreatment process or Best Management Practices (BMP), and regular monitoring. These operations are designated as Significant Industrial Users (SIU) and are identified as follows:
- Operations utilizing, or engaged in, processes identified as “categorical”, as defined in 40 CFR Part 403.6, or 62-625.410 F.A.C.;
- Operations (including groundwater remediation operations) that discharge 25,000 gallons per day or more of process wastewater (excluding sanitary, non-contact cooling and boiler blowdown wastewater);
- Operations that discharge a process waste stream which makes up 5 percent or more of the average dry weather hydraulic or organic capacity of the POTW treatment plant;
- Operations whose discharge has a reasonable potential to adversely affect the POTW’s operation, or for violating any pretreatment standard or requirement.
- Dental facilities and offices are required to install and maintain amalgam separators under the Dental Office Category Rule (40CFR Part 441). Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) are available here: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-12/documents/dental-office-category_frequent-questions_nov-2017.pdf All facilities are required to submit a one-time compliance report form to the Manatee County Wastewater Compliance Office within 90 days after the first discharge to the sewer system. The Dental Amalgam One-Time Compliance Report Form can be downloaded from the Related Forms and Manuals content above.
Wastewater Discharge Permit Process
A complete description of the wastewater discharge permitting process for all SIU may be found in the Manatee County Government Permit Guidance Manual (see Related Forms and Manuals above). This document also includes a list of operations subject to federal "categorical" standards, in Appendix A. Any business or entity designated as a SIU must complete a Wastewater Discharge Permit Application (see Related Forms and Manuals above) and return it to the Wastewater Compliance office for additional guidance.