Surcharge Program

The Surcharge Program collects surcharge fees from facilities discharging wastewater with characteristics that incur higher treatment costs.

This so-called "high-strength" wastewater has Total Suspended Solids (TSS) greater than 400 milligrams per liter (or parts per million) or a Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) greater than 300 milligrams per liter.

Industries that are typically subject to surcharge fees include:
 

Bakeries	Food processing
Breweries and wineries	Meat and fish processing
Commercial laundries	Soft drink bottlers
Dairy products	Tanker truck cleaning

In 1977, the Industrial Waste Program began to levy a surcharge on high-strength industrial wastes. The fee schedule is adjusted annually according to changes in the cost of treatment.