Industrial Wastewater Discharge Authorizations for King County Hospitals

The King County Industrial Waste Program (KCIW) issues discharge authorizations (DAs) to area hospitals that discharge wastewater to the King County sewage system. The DAs serve to ensure that hospital discharges meet the county’s local limits for pollutants, to protect human health and the environment and the public’s investment in wastewater facilities.

The DAs, valid for five years, mandate that the hospitals use best management practices and outline requirements to meet the county’s local limits. Hospital site visits and inspections are performed jointly by staff of KCIW, the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) and the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County.

Background: In 2002, KCIW began issuing the discharge authorizations. Previously,King County hospitals were discharging wastes without any written authorization or permit. This practice put the hospitals at risk of enforcement by Ecology. KCIW initiated a collaborative process, offering hospitals and the general public the opportunity to comment on the process and the discharge authorization document. KCIW then finalized the wording of the authorization and performed hospital site visits.

Contacts: If you have any questions regarding this project please call KCIW Investigator Peggy Rice at 206-263-3028 or e-mail her at Peggy Rice.