The NTMWD Pretreatment Team, in partnership with city counterparts, manages seven TCEQ-approved pretreatment programs covering eight wastewater treatment plants and 19 cities.

Additionally, we contract with the City of Terrell to manage its pretreatment program. The Pretreatment Program is designed to prevent the introduction of pollutants into a wastewater treatment plant that will interfere with its operation by inhibiting or disrupting the treatment processes or that will pass through the treatment plant into waters of the United States thus negatively impacting water quality.

As part of this program, NTMWD manages:

  • Inspection and collection of samples from a wide range of industries.
  • Review of self-monitoring data.
  • Compliance with pretreatment standards.
  • Development of draft permits.
  • Conducting technically based local limit studies to determine the maximum concentration of pollutants from industries that the wastewater treatment plant can accommodate. The concentration limits are then included in the pretreatment permits for an industry.

The Pretreatment team investigates potential unlawful discharges into the collection and interceptor systems. It also serves on call to respond to operational emergencies that may impact the environment. Learn more about the EPA Pretreatment requirements.

IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR DENTAL OFFICES

As a program participant, NTMWD notifies entities regulated by federal and state rules regarding new and existing pretreatment standards and requirements.

Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enacted the Dental Office Point Source Category Rule (EPA Dental Rule). This new regulation requires the installation of dental amalgam separators and the submission of a one-time report to NTMWD demonstrating compliance.

This requirement has been stipulated by the Dental Office Point Source Category Rule (EPA Dental Rule) and will help prevent certain metals from entering the sewer system and comply with two amalgam Best Management Practices. The compliance report  requests general information, description of the facility and amalgam separators and a certification statement.