Emap - Environment Management & Assistance Program

What is Wastewater?

The resources below include regulations and guidance on water management from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Wastewater Regulations

Industrial Wastewater

If your operation generates industrial wastewater, you have three options:

• Send it to the municipal wastewater treatment plant - contact that authority for permission and to find out what, if any, pretreatment is required
• Treat the wastewater onsite - if discharge to waters of the Commonwealth occurs from the onsite facility following the treatment, then, in addition to the NPDES (part I) permit, a Water Quality Management (Part II) permit is needed. If discharge to the waters of the Commonwealth does not occur following treatment, then no permit (neither NPDES nor Part II) is needed.
• Discharge to a body of water - you need a national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permit

For more information about the NPDES and onsite treatment requirements, visit the following websites:

• Pennsylvania DEP Requirements
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency industrial wastewater pretreatment standards.

Drinking Water

If you provide drinking water to your employees from an onsite well, you may need to meet Pennsylvania regulations for a nontransient, noncommunity, public water supply.

• List of Certified Drinking Water Labs
• Pennsylvania Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs)
• Drinking Water Information: Find fact sheets, links to permit applications, training information for water treatment operators and more.
• DEP's Bureau of Water Supply and Wasewater Management: Link to water quality reports, guidelines for private wells, testing laboratories, citizens' guides, and financial and technical assistance.
• The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Drinking Water and Wastewater Operator Information Center

Stormwater 

If you store items outside, such as drums, containers, pallets, tanks and scrap or off-spec product, you may need a Pennsylvania stormwater permit. Also, if you construct a building, addition, parking lot, or other structure that disturbs the soil, you need to contact your county conservation district about the possible runoff issues. To learn more:

• Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP): Find information, guidance and permit applications
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA): Find information about Phase I and Phase II of the federal stormwater regulations
• U.S. EPA Stormwater Pollution Prevention: Find sample pages and best management practices for stormwater pollution prevention plans for a variety of industries

Learn more about Pennsylvania's stormwater management program regarding surface water and effects of new land development on quantity and quality of runoff.

Pesticide General Permit

Beginning 10/31/11, discharges to the waters of the Commonwealth as a result of pesticide applications may require an individual or general permit (PAG-15).

CLICK HERE  for forms.

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