Federal Categorical Standards

Under the Clean Water Act, the National Pretreatment Program identifies distinct discharge standards and requirements that apply to specific sources of non-domestic wastewater discharged to a Public Owned Treatment Works (POTW). By reducing or eliminating waste at the industries ("source reduction"), fewer toxic pollutants are discharged to and treated by the POTW; thus, providing benefits to both the POTW and the Industrial Users (IU). 

IUs with specific processes and waste streams – identified in the Federal Categorical Standards, are explicitly required to meet strict wastewater discharge quality parameters and must obtain an Industrial User Permit. However, it is the IU’s responsibility to determine the applicable Federal and City discharge requirements prior to operations. An IU must determine whether any of the Federal Categories Standards apply to the specific processes and operations conducted at their facility. 

The Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP) is available to assist and educate any IU in meeting all applicable Pretreatment Requirements.  The IPP staff will share their expertise and experience to guide SIUs through the legal and technical requirements of the pretreatment program compliance.

This Program sets forth Pretreatment Requirements that are consistent under the Clean Water Act, Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR) Part 403 “General Pretreatment Regulations for Existing and New Sources of Pollution,” Arizona Administrative Code Title 18 “Environmental Quality,” Chandler City Code Chapters 50-13, 51-6, 51-13, 51-24, 51-25, and governs discharges into a POTW by any Industrial User, even if the Industrial Users or POTW is located outside of the municipal boundaries of the City.