Pretreatment Program
The Pretreatment and Cost Recovery (PTCR) group in the Monitoring and Research Department monitors and regulates industrial facilities to the MWRD's collection systems to ensure compliance with environmental regulations detailed in its Sewage and Waste Control Ordinance and currently has more than 300 permits issued to significant industrial users.
The MWRD maintains a list of Significant Industrial Users available for download.
Report a Spill, Malfunction, Bypass, or Slug Discharge
Article V, Section 15 of the Sewage and Waste Control Ordinance.
Facilities within the MWRD's service area are required to notify the PTCR group by phone within 1 hour of becoming aware of a spill, treatment system malfunction, bypass, or slug discharge into the public sewer.
- Call 312-751-3044 between the hours of 8:45 am and 4:30 pm.
- Call 312-787-3575 afterhours for the system dispatcher.
We recommend immediately following up with an email to mwrd-ucts@mwrd.org after your call to confirm details.
Within 5 calendar days of the event, a written notification must be submitted to the MWRD, explaining the incident and corrective measures to prevent a recurrence.
Failure to follow these steps constitutes significant noncompliance with the MWRD's Ordinance and will be handled accordingly.
Sewage and Waste Control Ordinance
Discharge Authorization General Conditions
Elements of a Slug Control Plan
Control Manhole and Sampling Chamber Installation and Access Requirements
Publication Criteria for Significant Noncompliance
Rules Governing the Proceedings, Assessment of Civil Penalties and Issuance of Orders
Guidance for Discharge of Wastewater from a Construction Site
Continued Compliance Report (RD-115)
Final Compliance Report (RD-114)
Pretreatment Malfunction, Slug Discharge, Bypass, or Accidental Spill Notification Report (RD-116)
Priority Pollutants Monthly Reporting Form (RD-202)
Report of Flammable, Volatile, Explosive, Corrosive Materials (FVEC)
Article V, Section 8 of the Sewage and Waste Control Ordinance
Facilities within the MWRD's service area are required to notify the PTCR group by phone within 24 hours of becoming aware of an effluent (wastewater) violation related to the Sewage and Waste Control Ordinance. This is most often a violation of a pollutant limit found in Appendices A or B, or as part of their Discharge Authorization permit.
- Call 312-751-3044 or your facility account contact (see the phone list) between the hours of 8:45 am and 4:30 pm.
- Immediately follow up with an email to mwrd-ucts@mwrd.org after your call to confirm details. If your analytical report that documents the violation is available, attach it to the email.
Regardless if the final analytical report shows a violation or not, you are required to report applicable data to the MWRD as soon as it is available. This should be with your facility account contact and the analytical report. At that time, the MWRD will review all applicable data and determine if enforcement action will be taken.
Failure to follow these steps constitutes significant noncompliance with the MWRD's Ordinance and will be handled accordingly.
Appendix C, Article I, Section 4 of the Sewage and Waste Control Ordinance
Significant Industrial Users are required to monitor their wastewater and report the analytical results twice per year. Below are the monitoring periods and corresponding report due dates. A facility's Discharge Authorization permit specifies the report due dates under Special Condition 2: Monitoring Requirements.
|
40 CFR |
Industrial Category |
First Report |
Second Report |
|---|---|---|---|
|
403 |
Non-Categorical |
6/1 |
12/1 |
|
413 |
Electroplating |
4/27 |
10/27 |
|
414 |
Organic Chemicals, Plastics, Synthetic Fibers |
5/5 |
11/5 |
|
415 |
Inorganic Chemicals Manufacturing |
2/12 |
8/12 |
|
417 |
Soap and Detergent Manufacturing |
6/10 |
12/10 |
|
419 |
Petroleum Refining |
6/1 |
12/1 |
|
420 |
Iron and Steel Manufacturing |
1/10 |
7/10 |
|
421 |
Nonferrous Metals Manufacturing |
3/8 |
9/8 |
|
425 |
Leather Tanning and Finishing |
5/25 |
11/25 |
|
430 |
Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard |
1/1 |
7/1 |
|
433 |
Metal Finishing |
2/15 |
8/15 |
|
437 |
Centralized Waste Treatment |
6/22 |
12/22 |
|
439 |
Pharmaceutical |
4/27 |
10/27 |
|
442 |
Transportation Equipment Cleaning |
2/14 |
8/14 |
|
455 |
Pesticide Chemicals |
4/4 |
10/4 |
|
463 |
Plastic Molding and Forming |
1/30 |
7/30 |
|
464 |
Metal Molding and Casting |
4/30 |
10/30 |
|
465 |
Coil Coating |
6/1 |
12/1 |
|
468 |
Copper Forming |
2/15 |
8/15 |
|
469 |
Electrical and Electronic Components |
1/14 |
7/14 |
Appendix B, Section 1 of the Sewage and Waste Control Ordinance.
The following are the maximum concentrations acceptable for discharge of sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes into sewerage systems under the jurisdiction of the MWRD at any time:
| Pollutant |
Effluent Limit |
|---|---|
| Cadmium |
2.0 mg/L |
| Chromium (total) |
25.0 mg/L |
| Chromium (hexavalent) |
10.0 mg/L |
| Copper |
3.0 mg/L |
| Cyanide (total) |
5.0 mg/L |
| Fats, Oils, and Greases (total) |
250.0 mg/L |
| Iron |
250.0 mg/L |
| Lead |
0.5 mg/L |
| Mercury |
0.0025 mg/L (grab) 0.001 mg/L (daily composite) 0.0005 mg/L (monthly average) |
| Nickel |
10.0 mg/L |
| Zinc |
15.0 mg/L |
| pH |
Minimum 5.0 Maximum 10.0 |
| Temperature |
150oF (66oC) |
Appendix E of the User Charge Ordinance
Facilities subject to the Sewage and Waste Control Ordinance and issued a Discharge Authorization permit are assessed an administrative charge each year with their User Charge Certified Statement (RD-925) for annual account administration and review of mandatory reports, and charges for annual inspection and monitoring.
The MPR administrative charges are:
The Dental Amalgam Rule (40 CFR 441) is a categorical standard in the USEPA’s Pretreatment Program requiring dental offices to report use and pretreatment of dental amalgam. The USEPA finalized technology-based pretreatment standards under the Clean Water Act (CWA) to reduce discharges of mercury and other metals from dental offices into publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). The new CWA regulation became active in 2017. For more information, visit the USEPA's Dental Effluent Guidelines webpage.
The MWRD, as the local POTW and control authority, is required to enforce these regulations within its service area. If you are a dental office, you are required to file a Dental Amalgam Compliance Report.
If you have any questions, please contact MWRD at 312-751-3044 or at DentalAmalgam@mwrd.org.