Pretreatment Program
Overview
The Pretreatment Program is a federally mandated program that gives publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) regulatory authority over commercial and industrial users of the municipal wastewater system. POTWs are designed to treat domestic sewage from households. Industrial and commercial facilities may produce toxic or unconventional waste that would interfere or pass through the wastewater treatment process. Interference or pass through may cause the water leaving the treatment plant (entering into Superior Bay) to contain pollutants that may be harmful to people, aquatic plants or animals, or even make the water toxic.
In order to protect our waters and the wastewater treatment process, as well as comply with State and Federal law, the City of Superior has operated a state-approved Pretreatment Program since 1994. The program allows the POTW to issue permits to industrial users.
Regulated Industries
Industries that must be included in Pretreatment are:- Significant Industrial Users (>25,000 gal/day)
- Categorical Industrial Users (EPA maintains a list of categorical users)
- Any industry that the POTW deems as potentially harmful to the treatment process
Industry Forms
Please submit completed forms via email at pretreatment@ci.superior.wi.us, or via mail or fax at the address and number to the right. Note that the form will be blank unless you save it after completing it.Industrial Waste Survey
Application to Pretreatment Program (please contact us to apply for a pretreatment permit)
Dental Facilities
The City began permitting general dentistry offices in 2016 due to the high mercury content of dental amalgam (50% mercury by weight). The best method to limit mercury, or any pollutant, from discharging into our waters is to prevent it from entering the waste stream. Dental amalgam is a substance that can easily be captured and treated properly to prevent mercury from entering the environment.If your facility handles dental amalgam and are unsure if you hold a permit, please contact us at pretreatment@ci.superior.wi.us or call us at 715-394-0392.
Local Limits
The City of Superior has a sewer use ordinance that prohibits and limits discharges into the municipal sewer system. The ordinance can be found HERE (leaving city website).Pollutant of Concern |
Daily Maximum (mg/L) |
---|---|
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) |
250 |
Cadmium | 1.15 |
Copper | 10.45 |
Lead | 15.20 |
Mercury | 0.02 |
Oil and grease |
150 |
Phosphorus | 7.0 |
Total suspended solids (TSS) |
500 |
pH (acceptable range) |
5.5 - 9.5 |
Temperature | 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65C) |
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Physical Address
51 East First Street
Superior, WI 54880
Phone: 715-394-0392Fax: 715-394-0406
Key Definitions
Pretreatment:the treatment of wastewater by industrial or commercial facilities before discharging to the POTW.
Domestic Wastewater: Wastewaters originating from plumbing fixtures and appliances such as sanitary (toilets), bath, laundry, dishwashing, garbage disposal, and cleaning wastewaters.
Non-domestic wastewater: Wastewaters from any source other than domestic sources. These sources may include industries, food processing operations, vehicle service facilities, vehicle storage facilities, kennels, car washes, and milk houses.
Publicly owned treatment works (POTW):
Any and all devices and systems used in the storage, treatment, recycling and reclamation of municipal sewage or industrial wastes of a liquid nature. It also includes sewers, pipes, and other conveyances that deliver wastewater to the POTW Treatment Plant.