These are some
of the types
of businesses
affected:
PERSONAL SERVICES
Vehicular Maintenance Shops
Photo Processing Shops
I Dry Cleaning Businesses
GENERAL INDUSTRIAL
Food Processing Plants
Manufacturing Businesses
Electronics Manufacturers
Pharmaceutical Plants
Chemical Plants
Printers/Lithographers
Electroplating Companies
Is your business
affected by federal
regulations?
Do you generate industrial process
wastewater. contact cooling water, or
used solvents?
Do you use sinks or floor drains in
industrial process or chemical sionme
areas to dispose of wasiewaier'.'
Do you dispose of ihese wastewaiers
underground through a septic system,
drainfield. cesspool, dry well, or other
shallow injection well or into a storm
drain or sewer'.'
If you answered
"yes"
or
"maybe"
to any of these
questions,
read the
"What should vou do?
»•
section in this
brochure.
Whom should you
contact?
* You should conlaci your trade association or product supplier
who may have industry specific fatl sheets describing best
management practices and alternative disposal procedures.
* Fur additional information about waste-water disposal you may
wish to contact your municipal sewerage agency regarding
hook-up* to a municipal wasiewater treatment facility.
« Also you may need to contact your state agency with
responsibility for the Underground Injection Control {HO
Program or EPA regional office ixnerinc vour slate.
a EPA
United States EPA 570-9-91-UIC5
Environmental Protection Augus!1991
Agency
Office Of WateT(WH-55QA) ~ ~
SEPA Does Your
Facility
Generate
Industrial
Wastewaters?
\VARMNG.
You can be fined!
-------
Why does the US EPA
k.
regulate
the discharge of industrial
wastewaters?
The Threat To Public Health & Environment:
Many businesses generate waste and wastewater during daily
operations.
» If these wastewaters are disposed into shallow injection
wells, such as septic system drainfields, dry wells, cesspools,
or pits, constituents from these wastewaters pass through
septic systems and discharge to ground water unchanged,
» If these wastewaters are disposed into storm drains or
sewers, they may endanger surface watei such as streams.
lakes and estuaries.
The Sate Prinking Water Act:
• EPA and State Underground Injection Control (UJC)
programs are establ i shed to protect underground sources
of drinking waler from contamination by injection wells.
• EPA has found that contaminant concentrations in ground
water resulting from industrial discharges may exceed the
maximum contaminant levels (MCL's) identified in IheEPA
primary drinking water standards.
• EPA prohibits the injection of fluids that will endanger
ground water that is or could be an underground source of
drinking water.
The Clean Water Act:
• EPA prohibits the discharge of wastewater into storm drains
or sewers under the authority of the Clean Water Act.
The Resource Conservation Recovery Act (BCRA):
• EPA has recently added 25 new chemicals to the lisl defining
a toxic waste (March 29, 1990). Industrial wastewaters
contain many of these toxic chemicals.
* If you discharge RCRA regulated wastes into a septic system
dramfield, dry well, cesspool, pit. or other injection well you
may be operating an unauthorized hazardous waste disposal
unit.
What should YOU do?
You must stop discharging industrial wastes to your
septic system, drainfields, dry wells, cesspools, pits, or
separate storm drains or sewers.
Step using the well
immediately
for these wastes!
Facilities that use these types of disposal systems may
be in violation of federal, state or local requirements
and subject lo monetary penalties.
FIRST:
Temporarily seal the floor drain or other means jf
wastewater entry to the injection welt.
If floor drains are necessary to comply with state or
local laws, the discharge point to the injection well
should be blocked or disconnected. You should then
use one of the following plans for alternate disposal:
* Eliminate the wastewater, if possible, through
recycling, improved housekeeping, waste
minimization or other means.
• Route all wastewater to a municipal wastewater
treatment facility if available, and if it will
accept your waste.
* If a municipal treatment plant is not available, or
it will not accept your waste, route the waste to a
tank or container for proper accumulation and
disposal.
SEPTIC TANK
DRAINFIELD
SEPTIC
TANK
DRY WELL
/
CESSPOOL
Storm Sewer
STORM To Surface Water
DRAIN
SECOND:
Initiate a waste minimization and pollution
prevention program.
Even if you cannot eliminate the waste entirely, you
may be able to reduce the volume andtoxicity, This may
reduce your costs, liabilities, and Ike regulatory burden
of hazardous waste management, while preserving the
environment and precious ground-water resources.
For more information or assistance read "Whom
should vou contact?" on the back.
THIRD:
Implement don-up.
In many states you will need to contact the appropriate
EPA. state and local agencies regarding their closure
and permit requirements.
In most instances, you will need «:
• Pressure wash any discharge lines or piping
leading to the septic system, cesspool, or dry
well.
• Clean out liquids and solids from all lines
and tanks, dry wells, or pits. Dispose of the
contents by acceptable methods for waste
disposal.
« Fill the dry well, cesspool, or pit with an
inert material, seal with asphalt or cement, or
as otherwise required by slate and local
authorities.
------- |