Industrial Pretreatment refers to treatment of non-domestic wastewater at an industrial facility to make it suitable to discharge to the collection system and eventually SDD’s wastewater treatment plant, also known as a publicly owned treatment works or POTW. The SDD’s wastewater treatment plant is designed to treat primarily domestic sewage. Incompatible pollutants must be reduced in concentration or removed from non-domestic wastewater so that the wastewater does not interfere with the treatment process or allow pollutants to pass through into our receiving stream, the Sangamon River. Pretreatment also guards against pollutants that would create a hazardous or explosive atmosphere in the sewer system or make our bio-solids unsuitable for land application.
The Sanitary District of Decatur’s Pretreatment team plays a crucial role in safeguarding our sewer system, treatment works, and the environment by regulating industrial wastewater and supports the district in the following ways:.
· Mission Fulfillment: The Pretreatment team safeguards infrastructure by enforcing local limits and permits, ensuring industrial compliance. They collect and analyze samples from industrial users, collection system, treatment plant, and Sangamon River to monitor water quality.
· Unique Expertise: This two-person team is the primary contact for current and prospective industrial users in Decatur. They are directly regulated by the USEPA and undergo audits every ten years to meet federal standards.
· Collaborative Integration: Pretreatment collaborates closely with departments like Laboratory, Compliance, Operations, Information Systems, and Collection Systems. Their partnership with the Lab is crucial for extensive sample testing.
· Adaptation and Progress: Since 1978, the team has adapted to new regulations, taking a more collaborative enforcement approach and increasing sample collection to meet the growing demands of industrial wastewater treatment.
· Future Goals: In 2024/25, the team is developing a plan to assess and reduce PFAS levels and establishing a local phosphorus limit to meet future discharge requirements and help reduce the Gulf of Mexico’s Hypoxic Zone.
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