PROPOSED CHANGES TO LIMITS ON DISCHARGES TO SEWER SYSTEM
The Arizona cities of Glendale, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe, and the town of Gilbert, (collectively known as "municipalities") are responsible for implementing and operating industrial wastewater control programs in their communities. This is required by the Federal Clean Water Act and the federal regulations contained in 40 CFR 403. Each program is designed to protect:
the publicly owned wastewater treatment plants,
the safety of personnel operating the wastewater collection system, and
the environment from adverse impact that may occur when unacceptable wastes are discharged into a wastewater system.
Each community has specific limitations and prohibitions as to what chemicals and substances can be lawfully discharged to the sewer system. These specific limitations and prohibitions are known as 'Local Limits.' The municipalities have begun revising some of the prohibitions and limitations in accordance with 40 CFR. They gave notice to the public and obtained comments on the proposed revisions. Both paper and electronic copies of the proposed revisions and supporting documentation were available for review at public libraries throughout the valley.
A formal public hearing to receive public comments on the proposed changes was held on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 at the Phoenix City Council Chambers. In addition to the public meeting, a formal written comment period began on Thursday, June 17, 2004 and ended on Friday, August 13, 2004. On December 10, 2004 the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality notified the City of Phoenix of its approval of the submitted SROG pretreatment program modifications.
SROG has retained the services of Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. (MPI) to assist with the development and implementation of Fluoride, Molybdenum, Selenium and DEHPBest Management Practices (BMPs). On-going efforts are explained more fully here.