Commercial/Industrial Customers

Fats, Oils, Grease

Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) can cause blockages in the sewer which may result in overflowing manholes or basement backups. To prevent FOG related sewer overflows and backups, all Food Service Establishments (FSE) having the potential to discharge fats, oils, and grease (FOG) must apply the Commission for a FSE Wastewater Discharge Permit. In addition, FSEs may be subject to annual routine inspections. See Fats, Oils, Grease for more details.

Cross Connection Control

The Safe Drinking Water Act requires WSSC to protect the water distribution system from hazards caused by cross connections of non-potable water systems. To accomplish this, the WSSC Cross Connection Control Program is authorized to monitor, inspect, investigate and survey all known and potential cross connection to the public water supply system on both public and private property. See Cross Connection Control for more details.

Industrial Discharge

The objectives of the WSSC’s Industrial Discharge Control Program are to:

Prevent the introduction of pollutants that will interfere with the operation of the WSSC's wastewater treatment plants;
Improve opportunities to recycle and reclaim municipal and industrial wastewaters and sludges; and
Protect the health and safety of the general public and WSSC workers.

The Program meets its objectives through permitting Significant Industrial Users (SIUs), performing routine monitoring of SIUs, and routinely conducting comprehensive facility inspections. See Industrial Discharge for more details.