Industrial Water

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DEQ regulates water used outside or released into the environment. DEQ does not regulate water reused inside an industrial facility, though other agencies may have regulations that apply like Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration with worker safety or the Food and Drug Administration for food processing.

Unlike recycled water and graywater, which have their own specific rules and regulations, industrial reuse regulations are not currently established. DEQ regulates industrial water through NPDES and WPCF water quality permitting to limit the potential for adverse effects.  These permits ensure there is no hazard to public health or the environment and specifically to prevent groundwater degradation or adverse effects to the soil profile. DEQ's Water Quality Program provides primary regulatory oversight of industrial wastewater reuse. However, some applications may require review and approval from other state agencies. Each reuse project is individually evaluated to ensure the protection of public health and the environment.

The reuse of industrial wastewater requires:

• A NPDES or WPCF permit issued by DEQ.
• An operations, monitoring and management plan​.
• A Land Use Compatibility Statement​. 

Depending on the source of the water and proposed use of the water, some industries are required to register their reuse activities with the Oregon Water Resources Industrial water reuse registration​.

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Individual Industrial NPDES Permits: Industrial wastewater discharges to surface waters; some stormwater discharges to surface waters not otherwise covered by NPDES General Permit.
Individual Industrial WPCF Permits: Industrial wastewater discharges.

Operations, Monitoring and Management Plan Guidance
Any industrial facility that wishes to reuse their wastewater through an individual permit must develop and submit to DEQ an operations, monitoring and management plan (OM&M Plan) that details the volume and source of the water, any treatment or additives, as well as detailed monitoring and management practices. 

This plan is reviewed by DEQ and if it meets the requirements this document is released for public comment. After public comment and all issues are addressed, the plan is approved in writing from DEQ and becomes a part of the facilities' permit which makes all aspects of the plan required and enforceable conditions. Any trade secrets or proprietary information needs to be identified such that appropriate protective measures can be put in place to restrict disclosure to the public. 

General Industrial Permits
Each of the general permits identified below allows a specific type of industrial water reuse. Each permit and their associated permit applications and required supporting information is available on our general permit's webpage. Once you are in the general permit webpage, scroll down to find details for each of the general permits.​

General Permit Applications and Forms:

• 100 - J Cooling water/heat pumps
• 200 - J Filter backwash
• 400 - J Log ponds
• 500 - J Boiler Blowdown
• 1400 - A seasonal food processing and wineries, less than 82,000 gallons/day
• 1400 - B Food processors, less than 82,000 gallons/day
• 1500 - A Petroleum hydrocarbon cleanups
• 1700-B Vehicle and equipment wash water
• 1900 - J Non-contact geothermal heat exchange
• 2501 Industrial reuse water

 Additional Documentation

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. Regional DEQ contacts can be found in the “contacts" section.

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Brewers Association Water Management Manual (2014)
Manual created by Brewers Association for effective water and wastewater management

EPA Guidelines for Reuse
Industrial reuse (Chapter 3.5)

EPA Industrial Water Reuse
EPA key resources, regulations and guidelines for industrial water reuse

EPA Water Reuse Guidelines
Planning and management, types of reuse applications, state regulatory programs, regional variations, treatment technologies

Land Application – Food Processing and Rinse Water
Manual of Good Practices for Food Producers (California League of Food Producers)

Land Application of Reclaimed Water
Land application of reclaimed agricultural and industrial process water, and biosolids on EFU lands

Land Application Laws and DEQ's Procedures for Proposals to Land Apply of EFU Lands
History and benefits, legislative remedy, processes for proposals

Managing Irrigation Water Quality
Water quality for crop production in Pacific Northwest (Pacific Northwest Extension publication)

Operations, Monitoring and Management Plans for Land Application of Non-Sanitary Wastewater (Land Application IMD) 
Regulatory framework, OM&M plan with site monitoring, OM&M plan updates, reporting

Water Reuse and Recycling BIER Guide
Water reuse guide created by The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER)  

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