Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Pretreatment Compliance Assistance

Whether you're new to the Pretreatment Program or looking to stay in compliance with your existing permit, this page provides the tools and guidance you need. From understanding your permit responsibilities to avoiding violations, we're here to support you every step of the way.

Use the links below to learn how to comply with your permit, what to expect during inspections, how we handle enforcement, and to view the annual Public Notice of Significant Noncompliance (SNC).

If you have questions, need help interpreting permit conditions, or want to make sure you're on the right track - go to the bottom of the page to contact DEEP for assistance.

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How to Comply with Your Permit

Once your facility is covered under a Pretreatment Program permit, it's your responsibility to understand the requirements and stay in compliance. This protects your business, your workers, the local sewer system, and the environment.

Here's what you need to know - and do - to remain in good standing.

1. Understand What You're Permitted to Discharge

Your permit outlines:

  • What types of wastewater you can discharge (e.g., process water, remediation water)
  • Where you're allowed to discharge (must go to a permitted municipal sewer)
  • Discharge limits for pollutants (such as pH, metals, organics, etc.)
  • Any required pretreatment (e.g., pH neutralization, oil/water separation)
    • Tip: Keep a copy of your permit and registration materials handy - digital or printed.
2. Conduct Monitoring and Sampling

Most permittees are required to sample their wastewater periodically to ensure it meets permit limits. You need to follow approved sampling methods and frequencies, use certified lab for analysis, and keep detailed records.

Tip: Set calendar reminders for sampling and reporting deadlines.

3. Submit Required Reports

Regular reporting is a core compliance obligation. You may be required to submit Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs), compliance schedule reports, or other permit required reports. Missing or late reports can result in violations, even if your discharges are within limits.

4. Maintain Your Pretreatment Equipment

If you use treatment systems (like pH adjustment, filters, or separators), you must operate and maintain equipment properly, keep maintenance logs, and respond promptly to malfunctions or alarms. Unmaintained systems are a top cause of permit violations.

5. Keep Accurate Records

You should maintain:

  • Permit documents
  • Sampling and lab results
  • Maintenance logs
  • Correspondence with DEEP or your local POTW
  • Training records for staff handling wastewater operations
    • These will be reviewed during inspections or audits and can be requested at any time.
6. Notify DEEP of Problems or Changes

You are required to notify the program if:

  • You have a spill, bypass, or violation
  • You plan to change your processes or chemicals
  • You are closing or relocating your discharge
  • There is a change in ownership or contact info
    • Prompt communication helps resolve issues and avoid penalties
7. Use DEEP for Help

We're here to support your compliance. Contact us for:

  • Clarification on permit conditions
  • Help with reporting or sampling
  • Guidance on changes to your operations

Compliance Assistance & Enforcement

The Pretreatment Program doesn't just issue permits - it also helps permit holders to stay in compliance and takes enforcement actions when necessary to protect public health and water quality.

We offer:

  • Guidance documents and fact sheets
  • Technical assistance
  • Permit interpretation support
  • Sampling and reporting help

Need additional help?

Visit our Industrial Wastewater Compliance Assistance webpage.

Inspection

As part of its oversight role, DEEP conducts inspections of permitted facilities to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Pretreatment Program. Inspections help verify that facilities are operating in accordance with their permits and maintaining proper wastewater treatment practices.

What to Expect During an Inspection:

  • Review of your permit and discharge records
  • Examination of pretreatment systems and monitoring equipment
  • Evaluation of your sampling, reporting and maintenance logs
  • Discussion of any operational changes or concerns

Inspections may be announced or unannounced, and can be conducted by DEEP or in coordination with your local POTW (Publicly Owned Treatment Works) and US EPA.

How to Prepare:

  • Keep your Operation and Maintenance Plan up to date
  • Maintain easy access to sampling data, maintenance logs, and permit documentation
  • Train key staff on wastewater system operation and compliance responsibilities
  • Ensure there is staff available during regular hours who is familiar with the permit and compliance actions

Our goal is to make inspections a collaborative opportunity to improve compliance and prevent future violations.

Enforcement

Facilities that fail to comply with the permit requirements - such as exceeding discharge limits or failing to submit reports - may be subject to:

  • Notices of Violations (NOVs)
  • Consent or Administrative Orders
  • Penalties, including monetary fines

Our goal is to support compliance first, and we work with facilities to resolve issues when possible.

Public Notice of Significant Noncompliance (SNC)

DEEP is required to publicly identify Significant Industrial Users (SIUs) that were found to be in Significant Noncompliance (SNC) with federal pretreatment standards or requirements during the previous federal fiscal year.

This determination is based on data reported by permittees and flagged in the Quarterly Non-Compliance Reports (QNCRs) generated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). DEEP review and verifies each SIU's SNC status as part of this process.

The facilities listed in this report were determined to be in Significant Noncompliance between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024.

Additional Resources:
Industrial Wastewater
Pretreatment Program
Inspection Guidance for Compliance Inspections
NetDMR Webpage

Contact Us: 
Have a question? Need help with your permit? We're here to help.

Pretreatment Program Staff:
Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP)
Email: DEEP.Pretreatment@ct.gov

 

Content Last Updated: December 1, 2025