Industrial Pre-Treatment
A Regional Approach to Industrial Pretreatment
The community relies on the MWMC model ordinance to reduce the amount of pollution in industrial wastewater before it flows into the public sewer system or reaches the regional treatment facility on River Avenue in Eugene. The cities of Eugene and Springfield manage individual Pretreatment Programs, but work closely together.
Significant Industrial Users (SIUs) of the wastewater system must maintain discharge permits under the individual city programs. SIUs are defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Pretreatment Program is overseen by the State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. These dischargers are required to control the quality of their discharge by installing systems to pretreat their wastewater. Pretreatment systems remove certain pollutants and toxins.
Each city’s program also address Pollution Management Practices for certain industry groups like photoprocessors, food service establishments, and dental offices.
Want to learn more?
Check out the resources below for more information on local Industrial Pretreatment programs.
The goals of the Industrial Pretreatment Program are to:
- Prevent the introduction of pollutants into our treatment plant that will interfere with treatment operations or damage sewer or treatment facilities;
- Prevent the introduction of pollutants into our treatment plant that cannot be treated and will pass through the plant and into the local (water) environment;
- Protect the public’s health and the environment from risks of pollution; and
- Protect worker safety.
Updated Pretreatment Legal Modifications
(Effective as of June 24th, 2024)
For City-specific Information
Industrial Pretreatment News
Industries Recognized for 2023 Wastewater Discharge Compliance
In conjunction with the cities of Eugene and Springfield, the MWMC recently issued our 2024 Certificates of Environmental Compliance to 21 industries! This award recognizes each recipient’s hard work to achieve 100% compliance with their Wastewater Discharge Permit, to protect each city’s local wastewater system, our regional treatment plant, worker safety, community members, and the McKenzie and Willamette rivers.
The awards this year included a 5-year compliance milestone for Eugene industries Altech Finishes and Ninkasi Brewing Company. Springfield also celebrated a 10-year milestone for Farwest Steel Corporation.
