Oregon DEQ: Water Quality - Water Reuse Program

Industrial water refers to the treated effluent for an industrial process, manufacturing process or business, or from the development or recovery of any natural resources. Industrial waters commonly used in water reuse programs include water derived from the processing of fruit, vegetable, or food products.

Introduction
Regulations & Guidelines
Permitting

Case Studies & Best Management Practices
Related Links

Introduction

Many industrial wastewaters have resource value and may be reused. The most common industrial wastewaters reused in Oregon originate from food processing activities, including large scale industrial processes such as potato processing to smaller activities such as fruit packing or viniculture. Food processing waters often include nutrients, such as nitrogen, which may be used to supplement or replace some of the chemical fertilizer used in agriculture. However, the physical, chemical, and microbiological properties of industrial wastewater can vary widely based upon the type of industrial activities. Some industrial wastewaters may contain high concentrations of salts, metals, or other constituents that may limit reuse applications.

Regulations & Guidelines

DEQ's Water Quality Program provides primary regulatory oversight of industrial wastewater reuse. Each reuse project is individually evaluated for protection of public health and the environment.

Guidelines for Land Application of Industrial Wastewaters - December 1992 PDF
Internal Management Directive - Operations, Monitoring and Management (OM&M) Plans for Land Application of Non-Sanitary Wastewater - November 2002 PDF
Land Application Laws and DEQ's Procedures for Proposals to Land Apply of EFU Lands - 2001 PDF
Implementation of Senate Bill 212 - 2003 PDF
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Guidelines for Water Reuse - September 2004 (EPA/625/R-04/108)

Permitting

The reuse of industrial wastewater requires:

A NPDES or WPCF permit issued by DEQ; and
A Water Reuse operations plan

Applications for industrial wastewater reuse may require additional information as determined by the DEQ permit writer. Applicants should contact their regional DEQ office for more information.

Qualifications for Reuse of Industrial or CAFO Effluent (ORS 537.141 (1) (i)) PDF.

Case Studies & Best Management Practices

These case studies portray several types of industrial wastewater reuse projects throughout Oregon. (Under development.)

Industrial Water