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The PBCWUD Pretreatment Program provides for the regulation of wastewater dischargers into the sanity sewer system. The Department administers the program in accordance with Palm Beach County Ordinance 96-3. The purpose of the program is to prevent the introduction of pollutants into the wastewater collection and treatment system. This is import to prevent interference with the treatment process, avoid damage to the equipment, harm to its workers, the public and the environment.

The program requires all new connections to the sewer system to be inspected for applicable pretreatment equipment, such as, oil and grease interceptors (OGI), lint traps, oil/water interceptors, etc. Any changes in existing non-residential customer accounts are reviewed for pretreatment requirements. It is recommend these changes, renovation, alteration, etc., be forwarded to the Utilities for review for the need of any type of pretreatment. This will avoid delays in re-construction. The program provides for an annual OGI fee of $300 be added to the water bill.  All industrial users are subject to permits based on the process wastewater discharged into the sanitary sewer system. These permitted users are monitored and sampled for compliance with the local discharge limits listed in the ordinance as well as federal limits listed in the code of federal regulations.

The Utilities Department’s OGI Monitoring Program requires all restaurants, food service and auto repair facilities to maintain and clean their grease traps and oil/water separators at least annually. These OGI’s are sampled and inspected every six months. If test results indicate the pretreatment limits are exceeded, the customer is notified of an applicable monthly surcharge in writing. In order to comply and avoid the surcharge, the customer must have the trap cleaned and provide proof (legible copy of invoice or cleaning manifest) and test results from an independent certified laboratory indicating compliance limits have been met to the Water Utilities Department Pretreatment Coordinator prior to the date indicated on the notification letter.

Wastewater Discharge Survey

Application for Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit

Frequently asked questions about Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department’s Pretreatment Program

The purpose of the pretreatment program is to prevent the introduction of pollutants into the wastewater collection and transmission system. This is important to prevent interference with the treatment process, avoid damage to equipment, or harm to workers, the public and the environment.

WHAT IS PRETREATMENT?
This is a requirement placed on some commercial and industrial wastewater customers to provide some type of treatment of the wastewater prior to discharging to the wastewater collection system. Ex; grease traps, oil/water separators, chemical neutralization, cyclone grit separators, etc.

WHY IS PRETREATMENT REQUIRED?
To comply with Federal and state regulations and statutes. The program is administered through the Palm Beach County (PBC) Sewer Use Ordinance 96-3,96-29, PBC Environmental Control 1, and Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department (PBCWUD) Uniform Policies and Procedures (UPAP). The laws were enacted to protect human health and safety by limiting or prohibiting hazardous discharges to the collection system.

WHEN DID THE PRETREATMENT PROGRAM BECOME EFFECTIVE?
The program became effective with the approval of the PBC Sewer Use Ordinance by the Board of County Commissioners in 1996. Shortly there after by the State of Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) in 1997.

WHEN IS PRETREATMENT REQUIRED AND HOW WILL I KNOW IF I’M AFFECTED?
When any industrial or commercial user whose wastewater discharge does not meet the discharge limits set forth by the Sewer Use Ordinance, or does not meet the criteria established by Federal Regulations and State Statutes, then it will be a requirement.

As a requirement, your facility will be periodically inspected. If requested, PBCWUD would provide an initial facility assessment at no charge. However, it is still the responsibility of the customer to determine if their facility must comply.

I HAVE A BUSINESS THAT IS NOT AN INDUSTRIAL OR FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. WILL I BE AFFECTED?
Businesses such as retail shops, business offices that do not do food preparation or any industrial processing, etc. will not be required to be in the program. All facilities will be inspected to determine if they are to be included in the program.

WITH WHAT WASTEWATER LIMITS MUST I COMPLY?
For major industrial dischargers, the limits are listed in the Sewer Use Ordinance 96-3. For customers with oil/grease interceptors, grease traps etc., the following limits on the discharge from the pretreatment device shall be:

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
400 mg/L or less in concentration

Total Suspended Solids (TSS)              
400 mg/L or less in concentration

Oil/Grease (OG)                                    
100 mg/L or less in concentration

HOW WILL IT BE DETERMINED IF MY LIMITS MEET OR DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS?
Every six months, all food preparation businesses pretreatment devices (grease traps) are inspected and sampled. The sample will be analyzed by a laboratory to determine if the discharge is meeting the established limits. Industrial dischargers will be sampled in accordance with the permit issued.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF MY DISCHARGE DOES NOT MEET THE LIMITS ESTABLISHED IN THE PBC SEWER USE ORDINANCE OR UPAP?
For industrial dischargers, this will be decided on the basis of the permit issued. For food preparation businesses, a letter will be sent stating what limits failed, by how much, and giving thirty (30) days to take appropriate action. After thirty (30) days, a surcharge will be added to the water bill.

WHAT IS A SURCHARGE?
It is a rate structure established to recover the cost of transporting and processing the wastewater that exceeds the limits listed above.

HOW DO YOU DETERMINE THE SURCHARGE?
The surcharge is determined by:

- Utilizing laboratory test results from wastewater samples taken from the discharge of your pretreatment device.

- Your current water consumption.

- The established surcharge rates as listed in the UPAP.

WHAT APPROPRIATE ACTION MUST I TAKE TO PREVENT A SURCHARGE FROM BEING ADDED TO MY WATER BILL?
For industrial dischargers, this will be decided on the basis of the permit that was issued. For food preparation businesses, the following will be necessary:

1. Have your pretreatment device (grease trap) thoroughly cleaned.

2. Have an independent laboratory obtain a sample from your pretreatment device and analyzed for the limits stated in the letter. A partial listing of laboratories can be obtained from the program coordinator.

3. Forward this information to the program coordinator.

WHAT IF I HAVE MY PRETREATMENT DEVICE PUMPED AND TESTED AND MY DEVICE STILL FAILS? WHAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM?
This answer requires several considerations:

S Use the Best Management Practices (BMP) in your facility. This would require educating and monitoring your staff to ensure proper disposal methods are being used.

S Sizing of the pretreatment device.

S Frequent and thorough cleanings.

WHAT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Program Coordinator at (561) 493-6024 or cell phone (561) 801-6251.