Practical Applications Inc.
Sewer Discharge Permit Renewal Application
Chemical Inventory List
Janice Markey- Compliance Manager
Wastewater Management Team
 
Completing your Sewer Use Discharge Permit Renewal Application provides an opportunity to check your compliance with DEP and MWRA regulations. This article is part of a monthly series on main issues to consider when completing your permit application.
 
The MWRA requires that you maintain a Chemical Inventory List containing all chemicals used in your building that are stored in quantities over 5 gallons or 5 pounds. You can obtain this list from many places including MSDS files, laboratory inventories, vendor records, purchasing records, etc.. I find purchasing is your best resource since they can provide a list of all chemicals purchased in addition to quantities purchased. Remember, be careful and check your list for nastier chemicals such as mercury and hydrofluoric acid that may be red flags for regulatory agencies in addition to being a special safety concern for your company.
 
So now that you have your list, take the time to check container labeling, storage, and hazardous waste issues that can cause concern during your MWRA follow-up inspection.  
  • First, verify all chemicals are properly labeled per OSHA and Massachusetts Right-to-Know regulations! 
  • Of course, all chemicals not actively in use should be placed in their proper chemical storage cabinet.
  • Next, verify your chemicals are stored properly-liquids should be in a berm or on a spill pad (yes, even if they are on a lab bench).
  • Also be sure old chemicals are not being stored. Under certain conditions, the DEP considers expired chemicals to be hazardous waste, which need to be stored separately in designated hazardous waste areas.  
Tune in next month for a discussion on Hazardous Wastes as they pertain to your permit application...
 
Water Balance
Josh Jondro- Chemical Engineer
Wastewater Management Team
 
Another section of the Permit Renewal Application concerns preparing a water balance study. One of the permit applications’ most difficult and time consuming sections will be the water balance study.
 
A water balance is a study in which the incoming water’s totalized volume is balanced against water loss and wastewater discharge to the sewer. The objective is to identifying how much water each piece of equipment feeds each sewer discharge location. This can be a daunting task. This includes water that exits the building in any way, including it being discharged to the sewer, evaporated, used for irrigation, shipped out as waste, consumed in a reaction, or sent out as a component of a product.
 
Below are some key points to consider when faced with a water balance:
  • Cooling towers consume water in large quantities due to evaporation. Although your water consumption from cooling towers will vary throughout the year the annual average must be reflected in your water balance. 
  • Reverse osmosis pretreatment systems, such as water softeners, consume large water quantities during the backwash/ regeneration cycles. Take the time to fully understand the water volume discharged for each stage in the backwash/regeneration cycles and the interval at which the backwash/regeneration cycles occur. These cycles consistently use the same water volume each event.
  • DO NOT ignore the water that leaves the building in your product(s). In fact, installing a water meter to measure the wastewater leaving your facility can realize significant savings on the water bills as this water will not incur sewer costs. 
  • Maintain detailed piping diagrams, including all updates, so if there is a water balance issue you have an accurate drawing to start your search with. 

Wastewater License Renewal
Caitlin Green
Marketing & Communications
Wastewater Management Team


New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) has sent out Renewal Letter Notices. It is very important to carefully follow the directions enclosed.

Important elements that you should take note of are:
  • If you do not file you license will be revoked.
  • Contact NEIWPCC if you do not receive a renewal letter.
  • Contact NEIWPCC if you have changed your address.
  • Provide proof of 20 TCH's from Jan 1, 2006- Dec 31, 2007.
  • When you passed the State Exam you automatically earned 10 TCH! It should be listed on your Renewal Form automatically.
  • Send in copies of TCH certificates & keep originals.
  • Include $70 Biannual Renewal Fee with checks payable to NEIWPCC.
  • Renewals are on odd years (2007, 2009, etc.)

 The only way to get your license back if it revoked is by retaking the semiannual State License Exam. 

For more information read Caitlin's "Regulation Mysteries Revealed" presentation from Practical Applications' Pumps & Valves TCH course. It outlines the regulatory agencies and the steps to your license renewal in detail.

 
Inside PAI

Congratulations are in line for Nicole White who started a Masters Program in Occupational Therapy at Tufts University. Unfortunately for PAI that means she had gone to part time. 

David Rhodes has accepted a new position in PAI as our Customer Service Specialist. David’s new responsibilities include quoting jobs, ordering components, creating work orders, and scheduling PAI employees.

Elaina Bates was an excellent addition to our team as our Marketing & Communications Intern over the past few months. PAI wishes her the best of luck in her new position at Lowell's Revolving Museum.

 

 

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12 Channel Street Boston, MA 02210
info@pai-online.com | Tel: 617.423.5639 Fax: 617.423.9341

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