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Wastewater discharge authorization for breweries
Information and resources about industrial waste authorization for breweries.
All breweries that send their wastewater to the King County sewer system must make sure their wastewater meets local limits for pH and for food waste solids. Here’s why:
- Wastewater that is too acidic or too alkaline can seriously corrode the sewer system, so the pH must be balanced.
- Solids capable of settling can restrict or block flow in sewer lines. A company or facility that discharges solids that causes a sewage backup is liable for any damages.
To help breweries meet these limits, King County developed best management practices for brewery wastewater. In addition, some breweries also need formal authorization to send their wastewater to the sewer.
Read about the best management practices for brewery wastewater (1.31MB)
Who needs formal authorization?
| Authorization is not required for breweries that meet all of the following criteria: | Authorization is required for breweries that meet one or more of the following criteria: |
|---|---|
| Produce less than 3000 barrels of beer per year | Produce 3000 or more barrels of beer per year |
| Send less than 1000 gallons of wastewater to the sewer each day | Send 1000 or more gallons of wastewater to the sewer each day |
| Are not located in the Carnation or Vashon Treatment Plan collection zone | Are located in the Carnation or Vashon Treatment Plant collection zone |
How to get formal authorization
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Complete the standard Industrial Waste Program Survey
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Include the Delegation of Signatory Authority form (if necessary)
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Complete the Breweries Supplementary Questionnaire
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Submit forms with required signatures to King County Industrial Waste
Print and sign the application. Scan the signed documents and email it to the King County Industrial Waste program at info.KCIW@kingcounty.gov.
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What happens after you submit your discharge authorization permit?
Wait to hear from the King County Industrial Waste program. They will review your forms and let you know next steps.
You may be asked to complete a Standard Industrial Waste Program Wastewater Discharge Permit Application.
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Reporting
Your permit or letter of authorization to discharge wastewater into the sewer system may require self-monitoring.
Download the self-monitoring form for breweries in either Microsoft Word or PDF format:
Quarterly Self-Monitoring Report for Breweries - Microsoft Word (50KB)
Quarterly Self-Monitoring Report for Breweries - PDF (191KB)