Industrial Pretreatment Program#
The Industrial Pretreatment Program controls the discharge of wastewater pollutants from industrial and commercial sources to:
- protect the quality of receiving water and biosolids
- prevent interference with wastewater treatment and infrastructure
- protect worker health and safety
Federal and state regulations require the City to operate an EPA approved Industrial Pretreatment Program. In Colorado, EPA Region 8 oversees the programs.
Fort Collins Utilities Water Reclamation Division operates and maintains two wastewater treatment facilities under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program, which regulates sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program is administered by the State and discharge permits are issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.
The City's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits require the implementation and maintenance of an Industrial Pretreatment Program in accordance with the Clean Water Act, the Code of Federal Regulations, the Colorado Water Quality Control Act and the Colorado Pretreatment Regulations. For more information on local wastewater regulations, see Article IV of the Fort Collins Municipal Code.
Businesses that operate industrial processes are subject to pretreatment regulations and may be required to obtain an industrial discharge permit. A business that is required to have an industrial discharge permit is referred to as a significant industrial user.
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PERMITS
Mercury Control
To comply with environmental standards developed by EPA and the State of Colorado, Utilities developed a program to reduce the amount of mercury entering the wastewater treatment facilities.
Septic Waste Disposal
The Drake Water Reclamation Facility accepts liquid hauled waste from permitted haulers at the Sanitary Waste Transfer Station, located onsite. Permitted wastes include septage waste from septic tanks, portable toilets and other sources of domestic waste.
Grease Control
Facilities with potential to discharge excessive amounts of grease in their wastewater are required to maintain a grease interceptor.
Fermented Beverage Waste Disposal
Breweries, wineries, and other fermented beverage manufacturers can generate wastewater that contains higher concentrations of organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus than typical domestic wastewater. Best Management Practices have been developed to help facilities reduce their impact.
Contact Information#
- Allison Becker, Supervisor: (970) 221-6927
- Charity Larson, Lead Technician, Pretreatment Specialist: (970) 221-6952
- Rhonda Barton, Lead Technician, Pretreatment Specialist: (970) 221-6938
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Fort Collins Utilities is a community-owned utility that manages four essential services – Light & Power, Water, Wastewater and Stormwater.
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