How a Recent EPA Lawsuit Could Impact Industrial Water Treatment

July Secondary

In April 2023, several environmental groups filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding wastewater standards for seven industries:

  • Nonferrous Metals Manufacturing
  • Fertilizer Manufacturing
  • Pesticide Chemicals
  • Inorganic Chemicals Manufacturing
  • Organic Chemicals, Plastics, and Synthetic Fibers
  • Petroleum Refining
  • Plastics Molding and Forming

The complaint challenges the EPA’s January 2023 decision “not to revise the effluent limitations, effluent limitation guidelines, standards of performance for new sources, and pretreatment standards.”

The environmental groups filing the lawsuit assert the Clean Water Act mandates the EPA to establish standards that require pollution control capabilities achievable by the best available technology. However, the standards for these industries have not been updated for decades.

The lawsuit is an indicator that stricter wastewater regulations are only a matter of time.

By treating process water and wastewater on-site, your company will be better positioned to meet upcoming compliance requirements while reducing operating expenses.

On-Site Water Treatment: Getting Started
The process water and wastewater of every operation present unique chemistry challenges. Therefore, to treat industrial water effectively and efficiently it is necessary to employ custom systems that perform discrete treatment processes such as oil-water separation, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, and evaporation.

To determine the appropriate combination of equipment for your application, collaborate with a total solutions provider of waste stream processing equipment to conduct a laboratory analysis of the water. This step will establish the parameters needed to design the final system for your operation.

EPA penalties are on the rise and water resources are on the decline. Reusing water and minimizing the volume of wastewater requiring disposal establishes a more sustainable operation while reducing the financial risks associated with hazardous waste and disposal liabilities.

To explore industrial process water and wastewater treatment options that will enhance water utilization at your plant, visit prab.com or connect with a PRAB water and wastewater expert.

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