Industrial Discharge Control Program

To return clean water to the environment means more than treating wastewater from households. We pay special attention to wastewater from industrial and commercial users.

WSSC Water has been regulating non-domestic wastewater discharges to its sanitary sewer system since 1925. Now known as the Industrial Discharge Control Program, this pretreatment program was approved by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1983 and has since been recognized nationally by the EPA as an "Outstanding Pretreatment Program."

The objectives of the Industrial Discharge Control Program are to:

• Prevent the introduction of pollutants that interfere with operation of WSSC Water's water resource recovery facilities
• Prevent the introduction of pollutants that pass through or are incompatible with WSSC Water's water resource recovery facilities
• Improve opportunities to recycle and reclaim municipal and industrial wastewater and sludge
• Protect the health and safety of the general public and WSSC Water's workers

The Program meets its objectives by issuing permits for Significant Industrial Users, performing routine monitoring of SIUs and routinely conducting comprehensive facility inspections.

Permitting program

All businesses located within WSSC Water's jurisdiction that generate non-domestic wastewater (known as industrial users) must comply with our Industrial Waste Regulations, Section 8 of the WSSC Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code.

Under the non-domestic user permitting program, WSSC Water regulates Significant Industrial Users (SIUs), specific zero dischargers, temporary dischargers of metered wastewater, and waste haulers. All SIUs must apply for a WSSC Water Discharge Authorization Permit by completing a Discharge Authorization Permit Application. SIU discharge permits are effective for four years.

WSSC Water routinely reviews the status of industrial users and works with new businesses to make a determination if a permit is required. Industrial users that are uncertain of their status may complete an Industrial Wastewater Survey (IWS). WSSC Water will review the IWS and make a determination on the industry's status. 

WSSC has compiled the below permitting guidelines and resources in one location for businesses within WSSC Water’s jurisdiction.

WSSC Water Permitting Guidelines and Resources:

• Industrial User Facility Construction or Modification Guidelines 
• Industrial Discharge Control Program Permitting FAQs 
• Industrial Wastewater Survey
• Discharge Authorization Permit Application
• Temporary Discharge Authorization Permit Guidelines for Hydro-Demolition Dischargers
• Industrial and Special Waste Regulations

New permit fees and renewal permit fees are as follows:

• New permit: $10,715/ 4 years
• Permit renewal: $5,225/ 4 years
• Initial zero-discharge CIU permit: $4,065/4 years
• Reissued zero-discharge CIU permit: $2,710/4 years
• Temporary discharge permit (Non-SIU): $10,715 (effective for length of project)

(Fees are in effect through June 30, 2026)

Annual Program Fee

Specific industrial users that discharge non-domestic waste to the sanitary sewer system will share part of the cost of WSSC Water's administration of the program. The fee schedule takes into account the characteristics and volume of the non-domestic wastes which may be discharged, and the level of effort required to ensure that non-domestic users remain in compliance with WSSC Water and Federal Standards. This table shows the 2025-2026 fee schedule:

Special Note To Landlords

If you are the owner of a property served by water/sewer connection(s) and have tenants who discharge non-domestic waste into the sewerage system, your bill may include a yearly fee for tenants or sources of non-domestic waste. A breakdown of tenant names and associated fees will be provided upon written request by any landlord.

If you have questions about the Industrial Discharge Control Program or annual fee, call us at 301-206-8841 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday) or email us at industrialdischargecontrol@wsscwater.com.

Dental Office Dental Amalgam Reporting Requirements

The federal Environmental Protection Agency has issued Effluent Guidelines that require dental offices to operate an amalgam separator to prevent mercury-containing amalgam from reaching the sanitary sewer. For more information see the EPA's Dental Effluent Guidelines website. Existing and new sources are required to submit a one-time compliance report to their pretreatment Control Authority.

WSSC Water is the delegated Control Authority for all dentist offices in our Service Area. Dentist offices that have not already completed the form, have changed their practices, or are new to the WSSC Water Service Area must complete a WSSC Water One-Time Dental Amalgam Compliance Report and mail the original copy to WSSC Water at the address included on the last page of the Report.

Waste Haulers

As of March 25, 2024, WSSC Water has transitioned to an electronic process for waste hauler company registration, vehicle permitting, and manifesting. Paper applications and paper manifests are longer accepted.

As of June 15, 2025, applications are now being accepted for the FY2026 Waste Hauler Permits: See the FY2026 Revised Waste Hauler Permit Guidance for additional information.

To obtain a permit, access the ePermitting Citizen Self Service portal on the Permit Services website: WSSC CSS (wsscwater.com). Once at the ePermitting main page, click on the Help tab in the black ribbon, then select the ePermitting Help & Information. There you will find a list of Quick Reference Guides (QRGs) to assist in completing each process. 

Permits are effective for one fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). Waste Hauler Discharge Permits purchased after December 31 will be pro-rated for one-half of the annual fee listed below. Waste Hauler Zero Discharge Permits will not be prorated. 

The FY2026 fee is based on vehicle capacity. 

• 1-49 gallons: $255/vehicle
• 50-799 gallons: $8,170/vehicle
• 800-2,999 gallons: $24,905/vehicle
• 3,000 gallons and up: $42,050/vehicle
• January through June: 50% of fee
• Transfer: $205/vehicle
• Industrial/Special Waste Disposal Fee (per 1,000 gallons): $405
• Zero Discharge Permit: $205/vehicle*
• Sewer Rate - Hauled Waste (1,000 gallons of truck capacity): $50

*Waste Hauler Zero Discharge Permits are only for Waste Haulers who clean grease interceptors in the WSSC Water Sanitary District but who dispose of this waste at a waste disposal site outside of the WSSC Water’s Sanitary District.  Transferring of waste to another vehicle for disposal at a WSSC Water disposal site is prohibited.

To obtain a Waste Hauler Permit, the following information is required:

• Health Department permits: If your business will operate a vehicle in Montgomery and/or Prince George’s Counties, you MUST have copies of current Prince George's and/or Montgomery County Health Department permits (not business licenses) for each of the vehicles permitted. For each vehicle, there must be a corresponding county health department certificate associated with that vehicle (e.g. through license plate or Vehicle Identification Number). WSSC Water will not accept inspection certificates, only final Health Department permits/licenses. This applies whether the application is for a Waste Hauler discharge permit or a Zero Discharge permit.
  • For Montgomery County license contact:
    Department of Permitting Services - Well and Septic Section
    Email: Heidi.benham@montgomerycountymd.gov
    General phone: 240-777-0311
  • For Prince George’s County permit contact:
    Environmental Engineering Program
    Email: kaclare@co.pg.md.us
    General Phone 301-883-7681
• Motor vehicle registrations: WSSC Water requires a copy of each vehicle’s current registration. License plate numbers and VIN must match official vehicle registrations. This applies whether the application is for a Waste Hauler discharge permit or a Zero Discharge permit.
• Sanitizing Agents: Safety Data Sheet or manufacturer’s product information sheet for your portable toilet sanitizers MUST be included with application.
• Mobile Food Service vehicles: For each county in which your business plans to operate, a copy of the current Mobile Food Service License (or equivalent) and the Site-Specific Point-of-Sale License (or equivalent) must be submitted for each vehicle.

WSSC ePermitting is set up to accept credit card and Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments, however if non-electronic payment is necessary, a check or money order made out to WSSC Water for the exact amount for all permit fees can be mailed or hand-carried to: 

Permit Services
14501 Sweitzer Lane - Lobby Level
Laurel, MD 20707

Except for holidays, the Permit Services hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM except Wednesdays 7:00-Noon only.

All materials must be included with your application or WSSC Water will not be able to process the application and issue a permit. Any questions, email OneStopShop@wsscwater.com or call 301-206-4003.

Grease and septage manifest submission is electronic. Please go to ePermitting CSS login WSSC CSS (wsscwater.com)  to access your account for manifest submittal.

Inspections, monitoring and enforcement

The Industrial Discharge Control Program's Inspection and Monitoring Unit regulates approximately 50 Significant Industrial Users, which are inspected annually for compliance with federal and local discharge limitations.

Violations of federal, state and local discharge limitations and requirements can trigger enforcement action as outlined in the Program's Enforcement Response Plan.

Public Notice of the Significant Industrial User Pollution Violation(s)

In accordance with the General Pretreatment Regulations (40 CFR Part 403), the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) administers the Industrial Discharge Control Program to regulate the discharge of pollutants to the sanitary sewers in Montgomery and Prince George's counties. The Program’s purpose is to protect the environment, to prevent interference of wastewater operations, to prevent the pass-through of pollutants into local waterways, and to ensure the quality of treatment plant sludge.

During the 2024 evaluation period (October 2023 through December 2024), the following industrial users were found to be in significant noncompliance (SNC), as defined in 40 CFR 403.8(f)(2)(viii), with the United States Environmental Protection Agency's National Pretreatment Standards and/or WSSC Water's Industrial and Special Waste Regulations:

Significant Industrial User Pollution Violation(s)

Quick Links

• FY2026 Revised Waste Hauler Permit Guidance
• 2025 Pretreatment Bulletin
• Licensed Haulers
• Plumber's Guide to Dental Amalgam Compliance Requirements