Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs)

Historically, industrial pretreatment programs have focused on end-of-pipe solutions to control the discharge of wastewater pollutants. Wastewater treatment and pretreatment systems require both high capital and operating expenditures and do not eliminate or reduce wastes.

Pollution prevention incorporates practices that reduce the use of raw materials, water, and energy. Besides protecting the environment and conserving natural resources, companies have many financial incentives to implement pollution prevention programs, including cost savings related to raw materials, lost product, water, energy, and waste treatment and disposal. Implementing pollution prevention practices can also reduce a company's environmental liability and improve its public image.

When industries implement pollution prevention programs to minimize water use and contaminant loading, including phosphorus, POTW's benefit. Some example include:

• Maximizing existing sewer and treatment capacity to avoid further investments in water supply and treatment infrastructure
• Reducing chemical, energy, and sludge management costs
• Improving biosolids quality through reduced loading of heavy metals
• Help meeting the increasingly strict National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit limits by reducing wastewater loading from industrial users
• Strengthening local industry by helping businesses reduce wastes, cut costs and meet regulatory needs
• Minimizing risk of damage to pipes and sewage treatment equipment from industrial solvents and corrosives, thus reducing costs
• Lessening workplace exposure of toxic chemicals to POTW employees
• Protecting drinking water sources in the community by minimizing discharge of contaminants, especially in wellhead protection areas

MnTAP partners with POTWs to help their industrial users implement pollution prevention techniques.

The MnTAP POTW Web pages offer ideas and resources for preventing pollution at POTWs. If you have environmental questions related to POTWs, contact Cindy McComas at 612.624.4678 or e-mail Cindy. From greater Minnesota, call 800.247.0015 and ask for Cindy.