Industrial Waste Division

The Industrial Waste Division is responsible for the protection of the wastewater collection system, treatment facilities, and safety of those operating the system.

Pretreatment Program

Our program is dedicated to maintaining this level of quality by ensuring all customers do their part to protect the treatment system and the environment.

Some major elements of the City's Pretreatment Program include the review of pretreatment designs, the issuance of permits, the performance of inspections, the collection of samples, the review of permit self-monitoring reports, and the initiation of enforcement activities when appropriate.

Other Functions of the Pretreatment Program Include:

Pollution Prevention Activities

Helps residents and business owners to become more aware of potential trouble spots and the best management practices to prevent pollution.

Compliance Assistance

Helps business owners achieve compliance goals set by the Pretreatment Program, Federal, and State mandates.

Waste Hauler Inspections and Permitting

Ensures drivers are permitted by state and local government to safely collect and transport waste within the city limits.

Grease Trap / Interceptor Inspections

Ensures business owners are properly maintaining their grease traps and are not discharging excessive amounts of fats, oils or grease into the collection system.

Enforcement Response Plan (ERP)

The goal of Gainesville’s ERP is to ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal rules and regulations as they relate to pretreatment standards and requirements. The primary concern in every enforcement scenario is to correct the problem that caused the violation.

The ERP is designed to see that it is applied fairly and consistently, removes any economic advantages enjoyed by violators, and will recover utility costs caused by the violation.

City businesses are required to install, operate and adequately maintain pretreatment devices and wastewater systems to remove pollutants that could cause damage or obstruct the wastewater collection system. Interference or pollutants passing through the wastewater collection system is of particular importance because the treatment plant is a biological process which is vulnerable to pollutants such as heavy metals, fluoride, cyanides, toxic organics, and acidic or basic wastes from industrial operations. The wastes from restaurants and other food service industries are often more problematic due to the prevalence of conventional pollutants such as grease and solids.

The Pretreatment Program staff consists of one Industrial Waste Control Officer who conducts inspections, including surveillance and monitoring of industrial wastewater sources discharging to the City's wastewater collection system and treatment plants. The monitoring and inspections are performed in order to independently verify compliance with all applicable pretreatment standards.

Reporting Problems

If you have any question about any suspicious discharge to the sanitary sewer, please contact the Industrial Waste Control Officer at (940) 668-4544. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated and your confidentiality respected.