St. George Regional Water Reclamation Facility Pretreatment Program
Upcoming Events
Water Reclamation Facility
3780 South 1550 West
435-627-4266
Fax: 435-634-5849
Useful Forms and Links
On June 6 th 1991, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the State of Utah Division of Water Quality approved the St. George City Pretreatment Program.
The St. George City Pretreatment Program has been delegated primary responsibility for enforcing against discharges prohibited by 40 CFR 403.5 and applying and enforcing any national Pretreatment Standards established by the United States EPA in accordance with Section 307(b) and (c) of the Clean Water Act (CWA), as amended by the Water Quality Act (WQA), of 1987.
The General Pretreatment Regulations set responsibilities for federal, state, local government, industry, and the public to achieve the National Pretreatment Program Objectives.
Publicly Owned Treatment Works, (POTW) collect wastewater from homes, commercial buildings, and industrial/ commercial facilities and/or locations. This wastewater leaves these locations through a complex series of underground sewer lines called the sanitary wastewater collection system. The collection system transports wastewater to the POTW in Bloomington called the St. George Regional Water Reclamation Facility, (SGRWRF). Once the wastewater enters the SGRWRF, it is directed through a series of treatment technologies effectively removing harmful organisms and other contaminants.
Generally, POTW’s are designed to treat domestic sewage only. The SGRWRF is no exception to this point. However, as with other cities, the SGRWRF also receives wastewater from industrial and commercial sources, (non-domestic).
The General Pretreatment Standards and Regulations establish legal responsibilities of Federal, State, Local government, industry and the public to implement applicable Pretreatment Standards. The Pretreatment Standards protect the SGRWRF from pollutants which may pass through or interfere with the SGRWRF treatment processes or which may contaminate the beneficial use of the SGRWRF sewage sludge, (i.e. Biosolids).
“Pretreatment” is also defined in Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR) Subsection 403.
Frequently Asked Questions
SGRWRF created a "Special Discharge" permit program specifically for these types of discharges. Call (435) 627-4266 for permit program information and a permit application.
- Go to the “City of St. George” web site
- Select “Government “
- Select “Legal Services and City Codes”
- Select “City Codes and Ordinances”
- Select “Pretreatment” Title 8 Chapter 4.
Please call the St. George Regional Water Reclamation Facility (SGRWRF) at (435) 627-4266. It would be helpful to tell us the discharge or spill location, color, approximate volume and if the discharge is ongoing. An SGRWRF representative will investigate the occurrence or refer you to the proper agency.
In addition to SGRWRF wastewater discharge limits, some facilities may be subject to federal regulations. The federal regulations can be viewed on the U.S. EPA website by typing “Subchapter N - Effluent Guidelines and Standards” in the Search Box and selecting “Parts 400 – 424” or “Parts 425 – 471”.
Please see our Swimming Pool Wastewater Discharge Questionnaire here.
Pollution prevention is the reduction and control of pollutants before discharge to the sanitary sewer. SGRWRF developed a Pollution Prevention Program, which focuses on waste reduction and elimination through permit requirements to select commercial businesses, and education and public outreach to all customers.
Pollution prevention can eliminate or reduce many costs for commercial and industrial users by avoiding permit fees, chemical costs, and disposal charges while helping SGRWRF to reduce the discharge of pollutants to the wastewater treatment plant and the Virgin River.
The U.S. EPA requires SGRWRF to control discharges to the sanitary sewer. This control is necessary to protect personnel working in the collection and treatment system, to protect the collection system and treatment plant itself from discharges that can interfere with its normal operations, and to prevent pollutants from passing through the treatment plant into the Virgin River.
SGRWRF began a Pretreatment Program to meet these requirements in 1991. A Pretreatment Program was developed including issuance of industrial permits to help businesses meet regulations for discharges to the sanitary sewer. The Pollution Prevention Program focuses on waste reduction, control and elimination through permits to selected commercial businesses, and education and public outreach to all customers.
Once an application has been submitted, please allow up to 48-hours for review during regular business days, and up to 72-hours if submitted during weekends or holidays. Any questions can be directed to the Pretreatment Department at (435) 627-4266.
The "Cottage Food Rule" allows an individual with a valid Food Handler's Permit, to make and/or package shelf stable foods in their own home kitchen, as long as there are no pets in the home that can access that kitchen.
Several different permit types regulate industrial wastewater discharges to the sanitary sewer as well as trucked wastes accepted at the SGRWRF wastewater treatment plant in Bloomington. Get more information about SGRWRF's Permit Program by calling (435) 627-4266.
Wastes currently accepted are: Portable toilet; septic tank waste; carpet cleaning wastewater; and treated food truck wastewater.
Permit applications for SGRWRF’s wastewater permit programs can be obtained by calling (435) 627-4266.
A Wastewater Discharge Application can be obtained by contacting the City Business License Department, calling (435) 627-4266, or clicking the link- Wastewater Discharge Application (FSE).
- Contact SGRWRF at (435) 627-4266
- Utah Department of Environmental Quality (https://deq.utah.gov)
- EPA (https://www.epa.gov)
The following public entities own and/or operate wastewater collection systems within SGRWRF's wastewater service area.
- City of St. George
- Washington City
- City of Ivins
- Santa Clara City
Select commercial businesses are permitted in SGRWRF’s Pollution Prevention Program. Business types are chosen based on the pollutants that the businesses generate and SGRWRF’s need to reduce and control the pollutants discharged to the sanitary sewer. The place to get started is to complete an Industrial Waste Survey.
Permits are required for many reasons, depending on type of business, the volume and characteristics of wastewater discharged and the potential risk or impact to the collection system and wastewater treatment plant, SGRWRF personnel, or the Virgin River. Get information on permit requirements by calling (435) 627-4266.