Environmental Compliance

Overview

Environmental Compliance

Controlling toxins at their source is the best method of keeping pollutants out of the local water environment. Our treatment plant is not designed to remove chemicals and metals, and our Collection System can be damaged by some substances (e.g., Fats, Oils, Grease).

To prevent damage to either, Environmental Compliance monitors the wastewater discharged at various points in our collection (sewer) system, ensuring that business and industry are complying with discharge requirements. A key element of the program is education. We believe that the more people understand the hazards of toxic discharges to the sewer, the less likely they are to pollute.

Program Elements

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Pretreatment Regulations

Central San’s Environmental Compliance Program uses a combination of regulatory and educational elements to minimize the pollutants in all process wastewater discharged to the sanitary sewer system from commercial, retail, agency, and industrial customers. Central San’s Source Control Ordinance (Title 10 of the District Code) applies to all non-domestic customers.

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Permitted Industrial User

Join us on October 23 for the 2024 Industrial User Academy! Please find your pre-study materials at the bottom of this webpage and complete these readings before arriving for the main event. 

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Special Discharge Permit
Including Pool, Spa or Fountain Discharge Permits

Central San issues Special Discharge Permits to businesses that have a temporary, non-standard wastewater discharge to the sewer system. In many cases, this permit authorizes the discharge at a specific location. Examples are: groundwater remediation discharge, dewatering operations at a construction site and pool, spa or fountain discharges. Special Discharge Permits may require the use of a pretreatment system and/or the sampling and analysis of the wastewater.

Special Discharge Permits

Special Discharge Permit General Information

Special Discharge Permit Application Package (revised 7/03/24)
Flow Summary Report Form
SDP Operation & Maintenance Log
Closure Certification
Periodic Compliance Report (PCR) form

Pool, Spa or Fountain Discharge Permits

To obtain a Pool, Spa or Fountain Discharge Permit: Click Here 
Call (925) 229-7288 or email sourcecontrol@centralsan.org.

How to Obtain a Pool, Spa or Fountain Discharge Permit
Properly Draining Pools, Spas and Fountains

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Environmental Compliance Plan Reviews

All facilities going through the Plan Review process will start with Central San’s Permit Counter for full permit requirements and fees.  Click here to access the Permit Counter page.

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Waste Haulers

Central San issues permits to Waste Haulers that truck certain wastes to our treatment plant for disposal. These wastes must be compatible with the treatment plant process and the continued operation of the plant as a non-hazardous waste disposal facility.

For more information and permits, see below:

Waste Hauler Permit Application

Additional Instructions and Requirements

Insurance Requirements

Waste Hauler Fees & Charges

Certification Statement: Septic Tank Usage

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Stormwater Program

Central San works with the Contra Costa Clean Water Program (CWP) to perform storm water inspections in the ten incorporated cities of central Contra Costa County. The cities have authorized Environmental Compliance staff to conduct inspections of commercial/industrial businesses and to enforce storm water management ordinances to prevent storm water pollution. Central San inspectors combine these inspections with the sanitary sewer compliance inspections whenever possible to reduce the number of inspection visits required for a business.

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Inspections

Environmental Compliance conducts inspections of permitted and non-permitted facilities to ensure that businesses are complying with their permit and District Code requirements, as well as complying with City storm water regulations (when applicable). Environmental Compliance staff may periodically conduct unannounced sampling events to obtain data on process wastewater discharged. Environmental Compliance staff may also conduct unannounced inspections. 

Environmental Compliance Inspections Brochure
Pretreatment and Storm Water Compliance Consultation Service
Pretreatment Enforcement (Chapter 10.16 of District Code)

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Best Management Practices

Best Management Practices (BMPs) facilitate regulatory compliance by going beyond established minimum requirements. There are ways of carrying out your business activities that can significantly reduce the risk of pollution and may even save you money. BMPs are good for the environment, your customers, and your business. Check out these BMP Fact Sheets for more information.

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Dental Program

In 2017 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated new regulations, 40 CFR Part 441 (click link), that apply to any dental practice that places or removes amalgam and discharges to a Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW).