Industrial Waste Unit

It is illegal to make discharges to City sewer without permission from the Water Department.  Discharges without a permit or any other violation of PWD's Wastewater Control Regulations are subject to fines of up to $25,000 per violation per day.  Discharges to inlets, manholes or separate storm sewers are prohibited.

The Industrial Waste Unit (IWU) issues a number of permits regulating discharges to the City's sewers. The purpose of these permits and their monitoring, sampling and reporting requirements is:

• To prevent any damage to City sewer system and wastewater treatment plants,
• Minimize health and the safety risks for City workers, and
• Prevent the discharge of any harmful substances to the rivers, streams and other water resources.

IWU issues the following four types of permits regulating discharges to the City sewer:

Significant Industrial User (SIU) Wastewater Discharge Permit

SIU permits regulate Industrial Users of the City sewer system.  These permits specify monitoring and reporting requirements for SIUs to demonstrate compliance with applicable local, state and federal regulations. Industries that plan on using the City sewer for disposal of wastewater from production processes must complete a Baseline Monitoring Report (BMR) and return it to IWU for determination of permit applicability.  For more information on SIU permits please click here.

Groundwater Discharge Permit

Groundwater Discharge Permits must be obtained prior to discharge for any project that will be discharging groundwater or accumulated stormwater from a project site to a City sanitary sewer.  Projects that often require Groundwater Discharge Permits include, but are not limited to, construction or environmental site remediation projects. Discharges to the City sewer without a permit are a violation of City law and punishable by fines. 

Persons requiring Groundwater Discharge Permits must complete a Groundwater Discharge Permit Application and be issued the permit prior to any discharge.

For more information on groundwater permits please click here.

Hauled Wastewater Discharge Permit

Hauled Wastewater Discharge Permit must be obtained by any discharger seeking to collect and transport septage waste to the City's Southwest Water Pollution Control Plant for disposal.  Companies seeking a Hauled Wastewater Discharge Permit must complete a Hauled Wastewater Discharge Permit Application and should contact Jennifer L. Moore of the Industrial Waste Unit.

Manhole Pumpout Permit

A Manhole Pumpout Permit must be obtained by all City of Philadelphia utilities routinely discharging wastewater from underground infrastructure pumpouts to the City sanitary sewer system. Discharges from these types of structures to the City sewer without a permit are a violation of City law and punishable by fines.  Companies seeking a Manhole Pumpout Permit should contact Benjamin Jewell of the Industrial Waste Unit.