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Waste Hauler Permitting

WSSC Water requires waste haulers to obtain either a Waste Hauler Discharge Permit or a Waste Hauler Zero Discharge Permit to operate within the WSSC Water Sanitary District.

A WSSC Water Waste Hauler Discharge Permit is required for each waste hauler vehicle used to dispose of domestic septage and grease interceptor wastewater from FSEs at WSSC Water waste disposal sites. WSSC Water accepts only domestic and greasy wastewater generated within the combined service area of DC Water and the WSSC Water Sanitary District, which includes Montgomery County (MD), Prince George’s County (MD), Arlington County (VA), Fairfax County (VA), Loudoun County (VA), and the District of Columbia.

A WSSC Water Waste Hauler Zero Discharge Permit is required for each waste hauler vehicle that services FSEs within the WSSC Water Sanitary District but disposes of wastewater at facilities outside the district. Vehicles permitted under this category are prohibited from discharging at WSSC Water disposal sites, and the transfer of waste between vehicles for disposal at a WSSC Water site is not permitted. The WSSC Water Sanitary District includes the entirety of Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, excluding certain incorporated municipalities and federal properties as defined in Chapter 805 of the Acts of the Maryland General Assembly of 1981.

For a list of WSSC Water permitted waste haulers visit our Licensed Septage and Grease Haulers page.

Disposal Sites

WSSC Water operates three designated disposal sites where permitted waste haulers may discharge septage and grease interceptor wastewater into the sanitary sewer system. All sites are monitored by video surveillance, and vehicles must have a valid WSSC Water Waste Hauler Discharge Permit to use the facilities.

Wastewater containing fats, oils, and grease (FOG) may only be disposed of at the Muddy Branch Road Disposal Site.

A waste manifest is generally required when using a WSSC Water disposal site. However, a manifest is not required when disposing of domestic waste from:

  • Portable toilets
  • Buses
  • Recreational vehicles

Montgomery County

Muddy Branch Road Waste Disposal Site

  • 701 Muddy Branch Road, Gaithersburg, MD
  • Located approximately 1,500 feet south of Cliff Top Drive at the WSSC Water sewage pumping station 

Prince George's County

Ritchie Road Waste Disposal Site

  • 389 Ritchie Road, Capitol Heights, MD
  • Located at the intersection of Ritchie Road and Old Ritchie Road at the WSSC Water sewage pumping station

Tanglewood Drive Waste Disposal Site 

  • 4568 Tanglewood Drive, Hyattsville, MD
  • Located approximately 200 feet east of the 46th Avenue entrance to the WSSC Water sewage pumping station.

How to Obtain a WSSC Water Waste Hauler Permit

To apply for a WSSC Water Waste Hauler Discharge Permit or a Waste Hauler Zero Discharge Permit, submit an application through the WSSC Water ePermitting system. WSSC Water uses an electronic permitting and manifesting system; paper applications and manifests are not accepted.

ePermitting Quick Reference Guides are available on the WSSC Water ePermitting Help website to assist with:

  • Registering your waste hauler company
  • Applying for a vehicle permit
  • Submitting waste manifests 

Permit Issuance

  • Permits are issued per vehicle, based on the vehicle’s manufacturer capacity
  • All application requirements must be met and applicable fees must be paid before a permit is issued. 

Application Timeline

  • Applications for the upcoming fiscal year may be submitted beginning June 15.
  • Payments cannot be processed until fees are approved by the WSSC Water Commissioners.
  • Fees for each fiscal year become effective on July 1.
  • The current fee schedule is available on WSSC Water's account fees page.

Payment Notification

  • Once fees are loaded into the ePermitting system on July 1, the registered account email will receive an invoice notification for payment.
  • Applicants are encouraged to submit new and renewal applications early to allow time for review and avoid delays in permit issuance. 
  • Note: Vehicle permit stickers are no longer issued. 

Waste Hauler Permit Fees (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026) 

Waste Hauler Discharge Permit

Tank CapacityFee
1 - 49 Gallons$255/ Vehicle
50 - 799 Gallons$8,170/ Vehicle
800 - 2,999 Gallons$23,905/ Vehicle
3,000 Gallons and Up$42,050/ Vehicle
Transfer$205/ Vehicle

Waste Hauler Zero Discharge Permit

Zero Discharge Permit: $205 per vehicle

Special Disposal Fees

  • Industrial/Special Waste Disposal Fee: $405 per 1,000 gallons
  • Sewer Rate - Hauled Waste: $50 (1,000 gallons capacity)

Waste Hauler Discharge Permits purchased after December 31 are pro-rated for 50% of the annual fee. Waste Hauler Zero Discharge Permits are not prorated.

A $205 fee applies for the transfer or replacement of a permit. Requests to transfer permits must be submitted in writing to WSSC Water using the permit application.

Accepted paymnet methods include:

  • Credit card (up to $1,000)
  • ACH payment (up to $99,999)
  • Check or money order payable to WSSC Water

Payments may be made in person or mailed to:

WSSC Water
Permit Services Section
14501 Sweitzer Lane – Lobby Level
Laurel, MD 20707-5902 

Permit Services hours:

  • Monday-Tuesday; Thursday-Friday: 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 7 a.m. - Noon

For questions or assistance, contact WSSC Water Permit Services at 301-206-4003 or [email protected].

What do I need to obtain a Waste Hauler Permit

A completed permit application must include the following documentation:

Motor Vehicle Registration

Provide a copy of the current registration for each vehicle to be permitted. The license plate number and VIN must match the official vehicle registration.

Health Department Permits

Submit copies of current Prince George’s County and/or Montgomery County Health Department permits (not business licenses) for eachvehicle. WSSC Water accepts final Health Department permits/licenses only. Inspection certifications, temporary permits, or business licenses will not be accepted.

Note: Prince George’s County does not inspect grease-only vehicles; therefore, a Prince George’s County permit is not required for these vehicles.

Contact Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services or Prince George’s County Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement Section to obtain the required permits.

Sanitizing Agents (Portable Toilets)

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or manufacturer’s product information sheet for portable toilet sanitizing agents utilized must be included with the application. Products containing formaldehyde or 1, 4-dichlorobenzene may not be discharged.

Other Discharge Permits (If Applicable)

Provide copies of any applicable permits or authorization letters from other POTWs or disposal facilities. This documentation is required when applying for a Waste Hauler Zero Discharge Permit.

Mobile Food Service Vehicles

For each county where the vehicle will operate, submit copies of the current:

  • Mobile Food Service License (or equivalent)
  • Site-Specific Point-of-Sale License (or equivalent) 
Vehicle Photographs

Photographs are required for all vehicles or trailers being permitted Photos must include:

  • Right side
  • Left side
  • Rear view with a clearly visible license plate number

All required documentation must be submitted with the application. Incomplete applications cannot be processed, and permits will not be issued until all materials are received.

For questions or assistance, contact WSSC Water Permit Services at [email protected] or 301-206-4003. 

Manifesting Requirements 

Waste Haulers must submit waste manifests electronically through the WSSC Water ePermitting system within two business days of each pump-out. This requirement applies to:

  • Waste discharged at a WSSC Water disposal site
  • Waste haulers operating under a Waste Hauler Zero Discharge Permit 

Exceptions

A manifest is not required for:

  • Disposal of domestic waste from portable toilets, buses, or recreational vehicles at a WSSC Water disposal site.
  • Disposal of waste from indoor grease interceptors that are less than 100 gallons in volume, when the waste is disposed of at a facility other than a WSSC Water disposal site. 

Amended Manifests

If the permittee needs to amend, update, or correct a submitted manifest, they must contact WSSC Water Permit Services within two weeks of the submission date. Email [email protected] or call 301-206-2003.

Last Modified: June 8, 2026, 3:16 pm EDT