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Pollution Prevention Resources for Industries

Does Your Company Have a Sump or Pit That Needs Periodic Cleaning?

If your company has a sump, vault, or pit that collects solids and periodically needs to be cleaned, you need to know that the material removed is being handled correctly. Typically a hauler (i.e., Liquid Waste Hauler or LWH) is called in to clean these types of tanks. They back up their truck, suck out the contents and drive away, but do you know where they dispose of this material?

Who’s responsible?

Like most waste, it’s the generator’s responsibility to know where this material is being disposed of and that it is acceptable. If it’s brought to MCES, the hauler discharges it at either a waste treatment plant or at a disposal site tributary to one. In most cases, the hauler does not treat the waste prior to discharge. Therefore, it must meet MCES discharge criteria when transported. In addition, if the waste is considered an ‘industrial load’ it must be sampled and approved prior to transport. The LWH must have a valid approval letter for each industrial waste load prior to hauling it to MCES. If the hauler isn’t asking you for an approval letter or showing you one, you might want to be looking for a different hauler.

Limits & Rates

Whatever limits apply to the waste at the sump, pit or vault, also apply at the disposal site. If the waste exceeds the limits in the company’s Industrial Discharge Permit or is considered a prohibited waste when it’s discharged back into the sewer, then the company and/or the hauler could be subject to enforcement action. Also be aware, the waste hauled by LWH’s is subject to a load charge, which is similar to a strength charge for connected industrial discharges.

How do I get a discharge approved?

Before you need your sump, pit, or vault cleaned or need off-spec product hauled away, contact your permit engineer to obtain a Discharge Request Form (also available on our Web site) and sampling instructions. The engineer will review the request and determine if the waste is acceptable. If it’s deemed acceptable by MCES, a discharge approval letter will be generated and sent to the company. An extended approval may be granted for on-going and/or frequent discharges. The hauler should have this letter in their hands prior to transporting an industrial waste load and should have proper MCES approval to discharge at the St. Paul Disposal Site.

12/04