Pretreatment Requirements and Resources

Businesses and facilities that discharge industrial wastewater can find information here on plan review, grease trap requirements, discharge permits, surcharge fees, liquid waste hauling and related forms and applications.

Industrial Waste Plan Review

Industrial Waste Plan Reviews are conducted through the Commercial Plan Review concurrent review process at the Planning and Development Center, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive. Industrial Waste staff are available Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. by appointment.

For more information about the plan review process, see the Industrial Waste Plan Review page. Approval letters are issued through the same process — there is no separate application.

Parking Garage Sand/Oil Interceptors

Sand/oil interceptors (SOIs) are required for parking garages in the City of Austin. SOI size is based on the total number of drains discharging to the interceptor within an enclosed parking garage structure. Where the SOI discharges, whether to sanitary or storm sewer, depends on if the garage is classified as closed or open.

A closed garage will not receive any rain or stormwater runoff per City of Austin Wastewater Regulations §15-10-22(26) and routes to sanitary. An open garage will receive rain or stormwater as defined by §15-10-11(19) and routes to storm.

See the Sizing Criteria for Parking Garage Sand/Oil Interceptors (PDF) for full details.

Grease Traps and Grease Interceptors

What They Are

Grease traps, also called grease interceptors, are pretreatment devices that separate fats, oils and grease (FOG) along with food preparation solids from wastewater before it enters the City's sanitary sewer system. This helps prevent sanitary sewer overflows.

Grease traps and grease interceptors both remove grease from industrial wastewater but use different designs. Grease traps are typically large pre-cast concrete tanks ranging from 250 to 10,000 gallons, with two compartments that allow separation and retention time. Engineered grease traps use baffles and may be made of thermoplastic, fiberglass, polyethylene or stainless steel.

Hydromechanical grease interceptors (HGIs) use gravity separation aided by vented flow control. HGIs are typically single-compartment fiberglass or polyethylene units. Vented flow control devices must be installed upstream to match the certified flow rate of the HGI.

See the Grease Trap Sizing and Design Criteria page for what is permitted in the City of Austin.

When a Grease Trap Is Required

All commercial and institutional food preparation businesses in the City of Austin must have a grease interceptor approved by Austin Water. Certain facilities, such as those serving only pre-packaged foods in the original unopened container, providing drinks only or cutting fruits, may request to operate without one by submitting a Grease Interceptor Installation Variance Request Form (PDF) with their plan review submission.

See Projects Requiring Building Plan Review by Industrial Waste (PDF) for a full list of facility types.

Sizing

Austin Water will specify the required size and design in the Approval Letter issued during the building plan approval process. No grease trap with a liquid holding capacity of less than 100 gallons will be approved. See the Grease Trap Sizing and Design Criteria page for more information. For car wash grit trap sizing, see the Car Wash Grit Trap Sizing Criteria page.

Scheduling an Inspection

An Industrial Waste staff member must be present while the grease trap is being serviced to perform the inspection. Coordinate a date and time with your liquid waste hauler and Industrial Waste staff. Contact information is available on the Industrial Waste Plan Review page.

Cleaning Frequency

Austin City Code §15-10-197 requires all grease traps to be completely emptied and cleaned by a permitted liquid waste hauler at least once every three months — or more frequently if grease and solids in the final compartment accumulate to 50% or more of the wetted height before three months have passed. The right frequency varies by business.

Ask your maintenance provider to take periodic grease and sludge layer measurements to determine the appropriate schedule. See the Grease Trap Maintenance page for a list of permitted liquid waste haulers.

Disposing of Grease Trap Waste

Grease trap waste must be transported to an approved receiving station by a liquid waste hauler licensed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and permitted by the City of Austin. Trip ticket manifest documentation must be followed per §15-10-197. Per §15-10-165(B), manifest records must be retained for up to three years.

Sample Ports

What a Sample Port Is

A sample port is an access point on the wastewater service line that allows Austin Water staff to conduct periodic compliance monitoring through wastewater sampling. A sample port is required for any facility discharging wastewater regulated under Chapter 15-10 of the Austin City Code.

Location Requirements

Sample ports must be located in a non-traffic, non-parking area at all times. Ports in driveways, drive-throughs or parking spaces create serious safety and accessibility problems for sampling and inspection staff.

Due to surcharge requirements, sample ports must be located downstream of where pretreatment device effluent and sanitary waste lines combine (end of pipe), capturing the combined wastewater flow from the common water meter.

When more than one water meter supplies a site, the wastewater from each meter must combine at a single dedicated sample port before mixing with wastewater from any other meter.

Sample Port Specifications

The required cleanout structure depends on the wastewater pipe diameter:

• 4-inch to 6-inch pipe: Two-way cleanout required
• On public side/ROW/within easement: use detail 520-AW-01C (PDF)
• On private side: use special detail AW-SPECIAL-07
• 8-inch to 12-inch pipe: Large diameter cleanout required — see detail 506-AW-04 (PDF). Note: 14-foot depth limit applies.
• Greater than 12 inches: Contact Industrial Waste directly at IndustrialWaste@austintexas.gov or 512-974-7293 for design requirements.

The preferred location for sampling is the public side. Use the private side only as a last option.

Wastewater Discharge Permits

A permit is required for any discharge of industrial wastewater into the City's wastewater collection system. Permit types vary based on the nature of the business and the volume and characteristics of the wastewater. The program also oversees approval of hauled liquid waste at the City's approved receiving station.

For information about obtaining or renewing a permit, see the Obtaining and Renewing a Discharge Permit page.

To look up an existing permit number, also called a Central Prep Kitchen Permit number, see the Active Wastewater Discharge Permits list.

Name Changes

The permittee name on a Wastewater Discharge Permit matches the utility billing account. Name changes cannot be processed by the Utility Compliance Services Division, they must be handled through the permit holder's utility bill. See the City of Austin Utilities Online Customer Care page for more information.

Late Payment

Failure to pay a permit fee on time is treated the same as discharging without a valid permit. Violations can result in water service termination and a potential fine of up to $2,000 per day of discharge without a valid permit.

Wastewater Surcharge Fees

Wastewater surcharge fees are charged to businesses whose wastewater discharge exceeds normal wastewater standards, to help cover the cost of treatment as required by federal regulations. The fee varies by facility based on wastewater sampling results and can be reduced through water conservation and proper grease trap maintenance.

Surcharge charges are itemized in the Austin Water section of the utility bill, typically on the back of the bill. See a utility bill example (PDF) with the surcharge section highlighted.

For more information, including tips to reduce your surcharge, see the Pretreatment Surcharge Program page.

Liquid Waste Haulers

Vehicle Inspections

To schedule a liquid waste hauler vehicle inspection, call the Utility Compliance Services Division at 512-972-1090 or email awlwh@austintexas.gov.

Single-vehicle haulers: inspections are held at the Utility Compliance Services Division office, 3907 South Industrial Drive, Austin, TX 78744.

Multi-vehicle haulers: inspections are held on the 4000 block of Commercial Center Drive, Austin, TX 78744, approximately a quarter mile from the division office.

Manifest Books and Disposal Credit

To purchase manifest books or disposal credit, call 512-972-1090 or email awlwh@austintexas.gov. The division will initiate a transaction, which can then be paid by phone at 512-972-0009 or in person at the Austin Water Cashier's Office, 625 E. 10th St., Suite 200, Austin, TX 78701.

Manifest books can be picked up at the division office at 3907 South Industrial Drive.

Cashier's Office Hours

The Austin Water Cashier's Office at 625 E. 10th St., Suite 200 is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m.–noon and 1–2 p.m., except on City holidays. Voicemails left Tuesday or Thursday will be returned the following business day. Phone: 512-972-0009.

After-Hours Receiving Station Requests

Any permitted hauler may request an extension of receiving station hours. Requests must be submitted at least two weeks in advance. If approved, all applicable fees must be paid before additional hours are scheduled.

See the step-by-step instructions for submitting an after-hours request (PDF) and the applicable rates and fees.

Pollution Control Device Report

See the Austin Water Industrial Waste Control / Pretreatment Pollution Control Devices report for a list of active industrial users with grease or grit trap devices.

Commercial Kitchen Waste Disposal

Liquid waste from a grease trap or other commercial kitchen, including mobile food vendors, must be disposed of using a permitted liquid waste hauler that transports the waste to a TCEQ-permitted facility.

Formaldehyde and Formalin Disposal

Formaldehyde and formalin are commonly used to preserve human or animal cadavers and tissue for biological testing, research or educational purposes. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen monitored by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration due to acute and chronic exposure risks. Formalin contains formaldehyde and methyl alcohol in an aqueous solution and carries similar health risks.

For guidance on waste disposal options, contact the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Small Business and Local Government Assistance Program at 1-800-447-2827.

Disposal options include:

• Neutralizing agent: Commercially available products can neutralize formaldehyde or formalin. Depending on the product, neutralized waste may be disposed of in a wastebin or drain. Follow all manufacturer directions and Safety Data Sheet instructions for handling, personal protective equipment and disposal. Never dispose of un-neutralized formaldehyde or formalin down the drain per §15-10-22.
• Hazardous waste haul-off: A licensed waste collector can remove formaldehyde or formalin from your facility. Store waste in a compatible, labeled container in a designated area while awaiting pickup. Not all collectors accept formalin or formaldehyde, so contact collectors directly to confirm authorization before scheduling.
• Austin Materials Marketplace: Unused or surplus materials may be listed on the Austin Materials Marketplace for beneficial reuse. Store waste properly while awaiting pickup.

It is the generator's responsibility to determine the appropriate disposal method and to comply with any applicable state or federal regulations.

Forms, Applications and Reports

Forms

• Dental Discharger One-Time Compliance Report Form (PDF)
• Fermented Beverage Producers Supplementary Questionnaire
• Self-Monitoring Report Form — Significant Industrial Users and Major Industrial Users (PDF)
• Signatory Requirements for Reports (PDF)
• Grease Interceptor Installation Variance Request Form (PDF)

Applications

Significant Industrial Users (categorical, non-categorical and others that do not qualify as General Industrial Users):

• Wastewater Discharge Permit Application (PDF)
• Slug Control Plan Requirements (PDF)
• Toxic Organic Management Plan Guidance (PDF)

All other permit types:

• General Industrial User Wastewater Discharge Permit Application (PDF)
• Remediation Project Wastewater Discharge Permit Application (PDF)
• Descale Operator Discharge Permit Application (PDF)
• Utility Piping System Projects Wastewater Discharge Permit Application (PDF)
• Liquid Waste Hauler Application Forms

Grease trap abandonment:

• For properties receiving wastewater service from Austin Water: Grease Trap Abandonment Requirements (PDF)
• For grease traps connected to septic tanks or other on-site sewage facilities: Procedure for Tank Abandonment (PDF)

Other applications:

• Reduced Grease Trap Cleaning Frequency Application (PDF)
• Application for Disposing of Wastewater Treatment Plant Waste (PDF)

Reports and Resources

• List of Active Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permits — Note: permits are issued to whoever holds the wastewater utility billing account. For properties with shared accounts such as shopping centers or industrial parks, the listed permittee may not be the same as the business generating the industrial wastewater.
• List of Liquid Waste Haulers with a Valid City of Austin Permit
• Disposal Options for Power Washers (PDF)

Contact

Glen Bell Service Center 
3907 South Industrial Drive, Suite 100, 
Austin, TX 78744 

Phone: 512-972-1060, option 5 
Fax: 512-972-1260 

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 

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