The City of Tyler originally adopted an Industrial Waste Ordinance to regulate wastewater discharges from local industry on June 13, 1952.  In 1977, the ordinance was amended to a format and content similar to today's ordinance, providing a local regulatory basis to implement a program with procedures to control industrial wastewater discharges within the jurisdiction of the City of Tyler.  Upon promulgation of the Federal Regulations, the City of Tyler amended its ordinance for conformity, developed a formal pretreatment program in acordance with the federal regulations, and submitted the program to the U.S. Evironmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval on November 16, 1982.  The original submittal was revised on June 20, 1983, and received formal approval from EPA on December 24, 1983.

    This program sets forth uniform requirements for users of the wastewater collection system and Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) of the City of Tyler.  It enables the City to comply with all applicable State and Federal laws including the Clean Water Act, and the general pretreatment regulations.

    The objectives of this program are to prevent the introduction of pollutants that will interfere with the operation of the POTW or that will pass through the POTW inadequately treated to the receiving waters or otherwise be incompatible with the POTW.  To ensure that the quality of the wastewater treatment plant sludge is maintained at a level which allows its use and disposal in compliance with applicable statutes and regulations.  To protect POTW personnel who may be affected by wastewater and sludge in the course of the their employment, and to protect the general public.  To improve the opportunity to recycle and reclaim wastewater and sludge from the POTW.  To provide for fees for the equitable distribution of the cost of operation, maintenance and improvement of the POTW.  To enable the City to comply with it NPDES permit conditions, sludge use and disposal requirements, and any other Federal or State laws to which the POTW is subject.