The objective of the Pretreatment Program is to prevent the introduction of pollutants that would interfere with the treatment plant’s operation, pass through the plant and interfere with the aquatic life of the receiving waters, or adversely affect worker health and safety. The program meets this objective by continuously evaluating the wastewater of new and existing facilities, issuing wastewater discharge permits and monitoring permitted industries by regularly sampling wastewater discharge and conducting comprehensive facility inspections.
The Pretreatment program is mandated by state and federal regulation and monitors the discharge of residential and business waste into the sanitary sewer. The compliance of this program is managed by the Environmental Compliance Officer. When necessary, the officer initiates enforcement action to protect the wastewater treatment plant and the collection system from toxic or hazardous materials.
National Pretreatment Program
The Clean Water Act of 1972 sought to restore and preserve our nation’s waterways by eliminating discharges of pollutants. As a component of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permitting Program, the Pretreatment Program was formed to address discharges from industries to publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). Under Pretreatment Program regulations, industries must meet certain limits for pollutants in their wastewater. These regulations ensure that heavy discharges and toxic pollutants from industries are not discharged to the POTWs and, in turn, possibly to the receiving stream. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides further information at the Pretreatment Program Web site. For information on general pretreatment regulations, visit 40 CFR Part 403.
Town of Leesburg Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF)
The Town owns and operates its own municipal water and wastewater treatment facilities, which provide water and wastewater collection, distribution and treatment services for all Town residences and certain areas located outside of the town’s corporate limits.
The Water Pollution Control Division (WPCD) is responsible for the safe and efficient treatment of all wastewater generated within the Leesburg Service Area, and the subsequent stabilization and disposal of the biological solid wastes produced, to ensure the protection of public health and the environment. This responsibility includes the operation of the Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF), Dechlorination/Outfall Facility, eight (8) remote wastewater pumping stations, management of the biosolids product, Tuscarora Landscaper’s Choice (TLC) Distribution and Marketing Programs, and two WPCD laboratories (a total of 36 buildings plus 73 treatment unit structures). These responsibilities also include monitoring of WPCD personnel training requirements and compliance with numerous federal, state and local regulations. Additional responsibilities include calibration and maintenance of all town portable gas meters and response to environmental complaints or requests for assistance from town citizens and consultants, and interim management of the mosquito control program.
The recently expanded WPCF has increased the capicty to 7.5 mgd. The WPCF treats approximately 5 million gallons of wastewater a day and the effluent is discharged into the Potomac River. Biosolids* from the treatment process are categorized as Class A and be used for land application purposes. For more information regarding the biosolids product, Tuscarora Landscapers Choice click here.
Wastewater treatment facilities are designed to treat domestic waste by physical, biological and chemical processes. However, industries often use heavy metals, chemicals, acids or other materials in their operations. In the sewer system, these materials have the potential to erode the sewer lines, produce explosive conditions and interfere with the treatment facilities. The Pretreatment Program focuses on reducing harmful pollutants discharged from industries to the POTWs that could interfere with the treatment process or pass through the treatment system. Local limits imposed by the program on industries ensure that the Town of Leesburg Water Pollution Control Facility meets the federally mandated discharge limits.
Protecting and improving the water quality and aquatic life in the Potomac River is an ongoing commitment by the Department of Utilities.
(*biosolids – a solid bi-product of wastewater treatment)
Industrial Users
Although all non-domestic users are subject to Pretreatment Program regulations, most businesses will simply need to follow the requirement that they not discharge anything that adversely affects the sewer lines and treatment plant. However, those that are discharging significant amounts of waste may encounter the technical requirements of the program. EPA has developed certain criteria to determine Significant Industrial Users (SIUs). SIUs include those sources that (1) discharge on average 25,000 gallons of waste per day or more, (2) contribute a process waste stream making up 5 percent or more of the average dry weather hydraulic or organic loading capacity of a POTW, (3) have the potential to adversely impact the POTW’s treatment processes, or (4) are subject to Federal Categorical Standards. EPA defines certain processes as “categorical” in the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR 405-471). These industries must follow federally mandated discharge limits and are known as Categorical Industrial Users (CIUs).
The Town of Leesburg’s Pretreatment Program regulates ## SIUs. These permitted industries are monitored for wastewater quality on a regular schedule and inspected by pretreatment personnel annually. When in violation of a regulation, an industry is notified via a certified document describing the applicable penalties and/or formal enforcement action.
Technical Documents
New businesses should contact the Environmental Compliance Officer concerning the Pretreatment Program and sewer use. Some businesses will be required to complete an application for the Pretreatment Program describing their type of industry, any wastewater pretreatment processes, wastewater discharge characteristics and other specifications about their operations.
Septic Haulers
Septic haulers must periodically remove sewage and wastewater from underground septic tanks and above-ground storage containers. This material is transferred to a temporary storage tank, and then transported to Town of Leesburg Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) for discharge and treatment. In order to prevent the introduction of hazardous waste into the pretreatment system at WPCF, haulers are required to submit a detailed manifest with each load to track the origin of the waste. Samples of the hauled waste are routinely taken to identify any pollutants that could potentially interfere with the treatment process. On a regular basis, pH* measurements are also conducted to determine if waste pH is within the Town’s limits (5.0 – 9.0 S.U.).
(*pH – measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance; range is from 0 to 14, increasing with increasing alkalinity and decreasing with increasing acidity)
Contact
Town of Leesburg
Utilities Department
Pretreatment Program
Attention: Environmental Compliance Officer
25 West Market Street
P.O. Box 88
Leesburg, VA 20176
703-771-2750
