Pretreatment

Sampling an Industry

Pretreatment Program
Supervisor: Jaime Thompson
2220 E. Viola Ave.
Yakima, WA. 98901
509-249-6816

Environmental Compliance Specialist
Nathan Regal 509-576-6781

FOG Program Crew Leader
Chris Rasmusson 509-728-4242

Pretreatment Crew Leaders
Shaun Rehfield
Scott Qualley

Pretreatment Crew Technicians
Mario Lamas
Miguel Covarrubias
Ray Colton

WHO ARE WE?
The Pretreatment Program is made up of individuals who have dedicated their lives to what they do. The Pretreatment Supervisor brings intuitive insight and over 15 years of experience to her job. Each of the Pretreatment Crew members and the FOG Program technician have worked at the City of Yakima’s Wastewater Division for more than 20 years and bring to our customers invaluable knowledge and service. If you have any questions or comments regarding the Pretreatment Program, you are urged to call the Pretreatment office.

WHY ARE WE HERE?
Federal and State Regulations require that the City maintain an industrial pre-treatment program that is designed to work with industrial and commercial customers who meet certain criteria. The objective of the City Of Yakima (COY) pretreatment program is to protect the sewer system and publicly owned treatment works (POTW) from pollutants that may be discharged by local industries. These pollutants may have the potential to upset the wastewater treatment plant and cause pollutants to “pass-through” the plant untreated, or partially treated, and then be discharged to the Yakima River. This program is also designed to protect plant personnel by controlling and, in some cases, prohibiting the discharge of dangerous wastewater into the sewer system.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?
The first step a business should take is to determine if their process is listed as Categorical defined in the 40 CFR. Secondly, the business should look at the definition of a Significant Industrial User and a Minor Industrial User to see if that may fit their status. If your business fits into one of these categories, or there is a reasonable potential that they might, you should contact the Pretreatment or Codes Department.

WHO SHOULD BE ON THE PREATMENT PROGRAM?
MIUs – Businesses are classified as minor industrial users (MIUs) based on the category of the business, and by characteristics and volume of wastewater being discharged. If identified as a MIU, the business will be subjected to a sewer pretreatment (SPT) charge on their utility bill. The charge will be in accordance with 7.60.105 C. of the City of Yakima’s Municipal Code. This charge covers periodic testing performed by the City to ensure compliancy with wastewater discharge limits set by the Pretreatment Program. It will also allow the Pretreatment Program to monitor the business as needed.

SIUs – Industries are classified as Categorical or significant industrial users based on the 40 CFR 403 which is as follows: “(i) All industrial users subject to Categorical Pretreatment Standards under 40 CFR 403.6 and 40 CFR chapter I, subchapter N; and (ii) any other industrial user that discharges an average of 25,000 gallons per day or more of process wastewater to the POTW (excluding sanitary, non-contact cooling and boiler blowdown wastewater); contributes a process waste stream which makes up 5% or more of the average dry weather hydraulic or organic capacity of the POTW treatment plant; or is designated as such by the Control Authority as defined in 40 CFR 403.12(a) on the basis that the industrial user has a reasonable potential for adversely affecting the POTW’s operation or for violating any pretreatment standard or requirement (in accordance with 40 CFR 403.8(f)(6)).”

It is the responsibility of the user to determine if they are subject to any Federal, State, or Local statues, and report their status to the Pretreatment Supervisor before any process discharge begins. If you are uncertain if you’re required to be on the pretreatment program, you can fill out the Preliminary Industrial Waste Survey, and/or call the Pretreatment Supervisor.  The Follow Up Survey will need to be completed within 30 days of your Business Application.

Click on the links below for additional information.

Below you will find the

Industrial Pretreatment Delegation Approval by the Department of Ecology

The City of Yakima has received full delegation from The Department of Ecology to modify the industrial pretreatment program and state waste discharge permit program to include the City of Union Gap and Terrace Heights Sewer District, including Moxee. The City of Yakima will oversee the industrial dischargers in these extra jurisdictions.