Industrial Pretreatment

The city's Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP) was approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in 1985. The IPP enables the city to be in compliance with pretreatment standards and regulations mandated by these agencies.

Goals

The goal of the city's IPP is to maintain and improve the water quality of the rivers, lakes, and streams in Springfield and the surrounding area by limiting the discharge of toxic and potentially harmful substances into the wastewater collection and treatment system. These substances can interfere with the wastewater treatment process, pass through the treatment plant into the receiving stream, or contaminate the biosolids generated at the plant. Biosolids which exceed regulated levels for pollutants cannot be beneficially reused, thus increasing disposal costs.

The IPP also works with local industries to encourage water conservation, best management practices, and identify opportunities to recycle, reuse, and reclaim industrial process wastewater.

Wastewater Study

In 2017, pollutants discharged to the City of Springfield Wastewater collection system from industrial and commercial facilities were monitored by over 5,200 laboratory samples.

Aspects of the Industrial Pretreatment Program

  • Identification of commercial and industrial customers within the area served by the city POTW
    • Customers are categorized as significant or non-significant industrial users.
    • Customers in both categories are monitored by the IPP.
    • Significant customers must also possess a permit and follow specific self-monitoring and record keeping requirements.
  • Determination of wastewater characteristics from commercial and industrial customers
    • Some customers may be required to pretreat their wastewater onsite and at their own cost before discharge to the city wastewater collection system.
  • A monitoring, permitting, and inspection system to work with customers to assure compliance with local, state and federal wastewater law and discharge standards
  • Calculation of customer user charges to fairly and equitably recover costs to the the city of monitoring and treating commercial and industrial wastewater

National Categorical Standards & Effluent Guidelines

Industries in these categories must be permitted by the IPP:

Existing Categories

  • Centralized Waste Treatment
  • Coal Mining
  • Electroplating
  • Landfills
  • Leather Tanning and Finishing
  • Metal Finishing Operations
  • Metal Molding and Casting (Foundries)
  • Oil and Gas Extraction
  • Organic Chemical, Plastics, and Synthetic Fibers
  • Packaging and Repackaging
  • Paint Formulating
  • Pesticide Formulating
Image with text, "Commercial Industrial Customers are Rated as Significant Industrial Users,"
  • Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
  • Printed Circuit Board Manufacturers
  • Steam Electric Power Generation
  • Timber Products
  • Transportation Equipment Cleaning
  • Many other categories not listed or currently located in Springfield
Proposed Categories / Under Study
  • Airport Deicing
  • Aquatic Animal Production
  • Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations
  • Construction and Development
  • Drum Reconditioning
  • Hospitals
  • Industrial Waste Combustors
  • Meat and Poultry Products
  • Metal Products and Machinery (I & II)
  • Ore Mining and Dressing
  • Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard
  • Others to be chosen later

Compliance Status

Pretreatment Regulations

General & Specific Prohibited Discharges

  • Flashpoint <140 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Flow / Concentration causing interference e.g. Slug Discharges
  • Heat >150 degrees Fahrenheit or causing plant influent to exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit , inhibiting biological activity at the plant
  • Oil and grease causing pass through or interference
  • pH < 5.0 and > 12.5 standard units
  • Pollutants causing pass through or interference
  • Solid or viscous causing obstructions
  • Toxic gases, vapors, fumes within POTW; acute worker health and safety
  • Trucked or hauled pollutants, except acceptable and approved wastewater, only at points designated by the POTW

City Code

Chapter 120 of the city code lists all wastewater regulations.

Local Discharge Limitations

  • Air quality emissions, odors, etc.
  • Discharge permit limitations
  • Local National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, site specific
  • Pass through and interference with plant processes
  • Review of local limits is ongoing based on the occurrence of treatment problems and pollutant issues
    • A formal reassessment is required every 5 years
  • Specific pollutant limitations
  • Sludge management and disposal requirements
  • State water quality standards

Missouri Water Environment Association Pretreatment Awards