Pollution prevention (P2) is reducing or eliminating waste at the source by modifying production processes, promoting the use of non-toxic or less-toxic substances, implementing conservation techniques, and re-using materials rather than putting them into the waste stream.
Our office encourages businesses to rethink even basic elements of their industrial processes as they realize the true costs of waste. The P2 approach investigates pollution reduction and waste minimization opportunities that can lead to substantial cost savings, including modifying processes, substituting or reusing materials, optimizing operations and maintenance. Our office also recognizes local businesses with excellent compliance records or noteworthy P2 success stories through the Pretreatment Excellence Award Program.
By partnering with area businesses to achieve optimal pollution elimination, we aim to achieve pollutant reductions beyond those achievable by regulatory compliance alone. We work with businesses to share our expertise and assistance and connect our customers with P2 resources, including P2 programs with the Environmental Protection Agency and P2Plan.org, from the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality.
Our primary pollution prevention goals include:
- Eliminating sanitary sewer overflows related to excessive greasy waste discharges.
- Going beyond the strictest regulations to protect the value of biosolids and reclaimed water we produce.
- Outperforming the already stringent water quality standards for discharges into the Colorado River.