On Wednesday, June 30th, Triumvirate Environmental held an in-depth discussion on MassDEP and MWRA wastewater regulatory requirements. Sandy Perry, Triumvirate’s Wastewater Specialist, detailed why both programs are used in Massachusetts and the differences between the two organizations.
The MassDEP is a state program that focuses its attention on the wastewater system that is in place and how it is operated and maintained. This state program’s regulations also encompass approval and grading of wastewater treatment systems and WW operator certification (257 CMR 2.00). It also requires operation and maintenance manuals (314 CMR 12.00), decommissioning of WW treatment systems (314 CMR 7.05(2)(g)(8), and that staffing plans are updated every 2 years (314 CMR 7.05(2)(g)5).
The MWRA is a local program that must be in accordance with U.S, EPA, and MassDEP regulations. The MWRA is in place to focus on the compliance and permit limits (10.007), what is in the discharge, rather than how it is treated (10.013). The MWRA issues sewer use discharge permits (10.007) to significant industrial users (10.018) in the Boston area and expects them to monitor, sample, and report any wastewater issues (10.008). The job of the MWRA is to enforce these laws. With both programs in place wastewater technicians have a set guideline of how to operate, maintain, and remain compliant with their own wastewater system.