Environmental Compliance

Anything you put down the household drain must make its way through a series of pipes and pumps to the treatment plant and then out to the ocean outfall. "Flushable wipes" are not flushable and can clog sewer lines. Take proper care to ensure that what you put down your drain won’t result in additional maintenance costs, sanitary sewer spills, or reconstruction costs for damage to the system.

Food Service Establishments

Any new food service facility or a current facility that wants to make changes in its operations or capacity must complete a Food Service Facility Questionnaire prior to beginning any new operations. The questionnaire will be used to determine the size of the grease removal device that must be installed. New grease removal devices must be made of vinyl/composite material and approved by Environmental Compliance staff prior to operation.

• Food Service Facility Questionnaire
• Food Service Requirements
• Grease Interceptor Design Criteria

Vehicle Service Establishments

All commercial car wash wastewater must be collected, treated, and then discharged to the sanitary sewer. Environmental Compliance staff require a minimum 1500-gallon clarifier to treat car wash wastewater. However, a larger size may be required depending on the number of cars being washed. Clarifiers must be completely pumped out at least once a year, sometimes more frequently if there is evidence of excessive oil and solids. For instructions on maintaining a clarifier and a list of pumpers known to work in the area, please refer to Best Management Practices for Vehicle Service Facilities.

• Automotive Permit Application
• Clarifier Design Criteria

Dental Facilities

All dental facilities in the Santa Cruz County and Freedom County Sanitation Districts, which meet the specified requirements in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 403 & 441 must install an approved amalgam separator and abide by Best Management Practices. Amalgam separators prevent mercury from entering the sanitary sewer system and ultimately the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. For additional information on this requirement, please visit the EPA Dental Amalgam Rule Effluent Guidelines at: EPA Guidelines.

• One Time Compliance Application

Industrial Wastewater Permits

The first step to obtaining an Industrial Wastewater Permit is to submit a wastewater discharge permit application. Based on the information obtained from the application and a site visit, your business may be required to submit a Baseline Monitoring Report, which will require analyzing wastewater for certain contaminants. To obtain and complete an application, please download the following:

• Wastewater Discharge Permit Application
• Federal Regulations
• Local Regulations
• Stormwater Code Ch. 7.79

Change of Ownership: Industrial Wastewater Permits are non-transferable. If your business has recently undergone a change of ownership or relocation, you must reapply for an Industrial Wastewater Permit by submitting a revised Wastewater Discharge Permit Application. Indicate on the application that the reason for resubmittal is a change of ownership or location.

Mobile Cleaners

• Design Criteria

TEXT TEXT TEXT dpwenv@santacruzcountyca.gov.

• Wastewater Discharge Permit Application
• Stormwater Code Ch 7.79