Helping businesses capture pollutants at the source to protect people, wastewater infrastructure, and the environment.
The Wastewater Department is charged with making sure that harmful substances aren't discharged into our sewer system. Our Industrial Pretreatment Program is set up to talk to businesses and identify things that can be a problem.
The City has a Pretreatment Ordinance that allows us to condition or deny businesses from discharging some substances into the sanitary sewer—substances that create safety hazards, damage structures, interfere with treatment plant operations and processes, or that can't be removed and pass through into biosolids or with the effluent into the Spokane River.
The Pretreatment Program's first step is to survey businesses to determine whether they have the potential to discharge anything other than domestic wastewater. The information gathered by the survey is used to determine what the business has to do and informs us about what is in the wastewater system. We can also help businesses to avoid any accidental spills. The information is also reported annually to the Washington State Department of Ecology.
Business owners should understand the regulations that apply to their wastewater discharge, and comply with applicable regulations and standards. Let's take a look at what's required.
Businesses that discharge wastewater only from restrooms or hand sinks are considered Domestic Dischargers. They are responsible for ensuring that no Prohibited Discharges are introduced to the sewer system from their facility. This level of normal domestic use is not regulated.
Businesses that discharge wastewater containing nondomestic pollutants must abide by Prohibited Discharge Standards and follow industry-specific Best Management Practices (BMPs) to keep their wastewater as clean as reasonably possible.
BMPs can prevent the release of pollutants that can damage the sewers or the treatment plant, cause the plant to release pollutants that violate its Permit, or endanger wastewater personnel.
For example, restaurants that do not properly maintain their grease interceptors can cause grease clogs in the sewer resulting in sewer backups into streets or basements; auto repair shops that do not properly dispose of used solvents can cause an explosion hazard in the sewer or at the plant headworks; and car wash operations that use acidic cleaners and do not properly neutralize their wastewater prior to discharge can cause acid damage to the sewers.
The City of Spokane requires all Significant Industrial Users to obtain a Wastewater Discharge Permit.
A Significant Industrial User is:
Pretreatment program staff scientists inspect such permitted businesses, sample their wastewater discharges, and work with them to protect the environment, the wastewater treatment plant, and personnel.
Any industry that discharges wastewater directly to a river or other surface water (Direct Dischargers) must apply for and comply with a Discharge Permit from the Washington State Department of Ecology.
Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) are a problem for our sewer system. Fats and greasy waste from commercial kitchens can build up and cause problems, including unpleasant blockages and backups. Oily vehicle fluids from car washing and auto repair are harmful to aquatic life. Both types of FOG should stay away from drains.
Here are some simple ways to reduce the amount of food grease going down your drains:
Grease traps and interceptors are pretreatment devices that capture fats, oils, and grease in wastewater before it enters the sewer. These devices are required in all commercial kitchens due to the critical role they have in preventing costly problems in your pipes and in the sewer. However, these devices can’t do the job alone. Owners and managers of commercial kitchens are responsible for correctly installing, operating, and maintaining their grease control devices. The documents below outline the City of Spokane’s rules, and will help your kitchen run smoothly.
If your kitchen does not have a grease control device, please call 311 and they will connect you with Business Development Services for free assistance. If you are calling from outside City limits, please call 509.755.2489.
The following wastewater Best Management Practices are required to keep petroleum oils out of storm drains and sewer pipes:
Oil/water separators are pretreatment devices that capture sediment and oils from wastewater before it enters the sewer. These devices are required by any commercial facility that could have petroleum in their wastewater. Owners and managers of these facilities are responsible for installing, operating and maintaining their oil/water separators in accordance with the City of Spokane’s rules in the fact sheet below:
Dental practices that discharge waste material into the City of Spokane sanitary sewer system must be in compliance with the City's discharge limits and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.
On July 14, 2017, the EPA promulgated new regulations for dental offices in the Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR Part 441. Dentists must:
All dental practices, both exempt and non-exempt, must submit a One-Time Compliance Report.
Information about the safe disposal of materials containing mercury may be found at: https://spokaneriver.net/wastedirectory
Is yours a new dental office - or have you recently relocated your office within the City of Spokane Wastewater Treatment Facility service area? Please contact us at 509.625.4600 so we can determine whether or not you must submit a One-time Compliance Report.
The Industrial Pretreatment Program staff know that this new reporting process is complex. Please contact us at 509.625.4600 if you have questions and we will be happy to assist you.
509.625.4600
Industrial Pretreatment Program
Riverside Park Water Reclamation Facility
4401 N. Aubrey L. White Parkway
Spokane, WA 99205-3939
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Report Spills to Sewer Immediately
509.625.4600 and 509.625.7900
