Texas Tech University

Industrial wastewater

Water disposed of down drains within the state of Texas is controlled by the local publicly owned treatment works (POTW) which must comply with their National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit. Within the city of Lubbock, the POTW is the City of Lubbock Water Department which has established wastewater regulations in city ordinance 22.04 "Wastewater System". These regulations prevent the discharge of hazardous wastewater (i.e., flammable, caustic, toxic, containing metals, or at temperature greater than 150°F to the POTW. This ordinance requires unusual industrial processes draining to the POTW to apply for an industrial wastewater discharge permit through the City of Lubbock Water Department. Any University processes that apply for this permit must do so through Environmental Health & Safety.

Additionally, wastewater containing >250 mg/l of fats, oil or grease (FOG) cannot be disposed of to the POTW. This requires the installation of grease interceptors on wastewater coming from kitchens and food establishments.

Resources

City of Lubbock Water Department

City of Lubbock Grease Interceptor Regulations