Industrial Waste Plan Review (Pretreatment Plan Review)
Austin Water's Industrial Waste (Pretreatment) program oversees Chapter 15-10 of the Austin City Code (Wastewater Regulations), along with applicable state and federal regulations. Industrial Waste approval is required before any new construction or plumbing or process change that could affect the quality or quantity of industrial wastewater discharged to the City's sanitary sewer. Staff must verify if pretreatment devices like grease traps, sand-oil interceptors, pH neutralization units and solids interceptors are needed, installed properly, and adequately designed for the proposed processes. Getting approval early helps avoid project delays and added expenses.
Note: Discharges to the City's storm system are regulated by the Watershed Protection Department. Contact them at 512-974-2540 for guidance on stormwater requirements.
Schedule an Appointment
Appointments are required. Walk-in customers are not accepted. Virtual and in-person appointments are available for general questions about site or building plans, grease trap or grease interceptor variances, replacement or abandonment, and other complex situations.
Schedule a virtual appointment (English)
Schedule a virtual appointment (Spanish)
Schedule an in-person appointment (English)
Schedule an in-person appointment (Spanish)
For questions about a specific project, grease trap or interceptor sizing, pump-outs, inspections, Industrial Waste approval letters or Central Prep Kitchen permit numbers, contact us directly:
Industrial Waste Plan Review
Phone: 512-974-7293
Email: IndustrialWaste@austintexas.gov
Address: Planning and Development Center, Commercial Plan Review Office, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
You can also contact the Pretreatment Specialist assigned to your project's zip code (PDF) for questions about a site plan, building plan or existing pretreatment devices.
Resources
The Site Plan Review process allows Industrial Waste staff to communicate pretreatment requirements and confirm that the necessary infrastructure is included in site design, in compliance with Chapter 15-10 of the Austin City Code. Requirements vary by project. For complex or unusual situations, contact us directly before submitting plans.
For a typical site plan, Industrial Waste reviews the following sheets:
- Cover Sheet — must include a signature line for Industrial Waste
- Existing Conditions Sheet — shows existing plumbing, pretreatment devices, water and wastewater services, and associated infrastructure including meters, manholes and cleanouts
- Demolition Sheet — shows the disposition of each existing plumbing item (to remain, to be removed or to be abandoned)
- Site Plan Sheet — shows proposed use of the property and all buildings
- Utilities Sheet — shows proposed public and private water and wastewater plumbing, pretreatment devices, sample ports and water meters
- Utility Details Sheet — shows approved standard details for manholes, water meters, cleanouts, sample ports, etc.
Download the IW Site Plan Review Checklist (PDF) for a full list of requirements. Submit site plans to Land Use Review.
Common Site Plan Review Issues
- Existing conditions must accurately show current infrastructure, including public and private water and wastewater plumbing on both sides of the lot line
- Projects with potential industrial wastewater sources will receive notice of pretreatment device and discharge permit requirements; additional approval is required during building permit review
- Sample port compliance is verified; installation requirements are noted where applicable (see Sample Port Requirements)
- Stormwater discharge to the sanitary sewer is prohibited; any unprotected drains or grates must be addressed before approval
- Sites with multiple wastewater taps may require modification if flow from a single water meter is directed to more than one wastewater tap (exceptions available with approved flow meters)
- Projects within an Other Political Subdivision will receive notice of any additional requirements
Site Plan Resources
Industrial Waste reviews building plans for compliance with pretreatment regulations and issues approval letters for pretreatment devices and systems. An Industrial Waste Approval Letter is required before installing, modifying or removing any pretreatment device, system or process that alters the quality or quantity of industrial wastewater discharged to the sewer.
Industrial Waste review is separate from and in addition to plumbing review. Both are required; each discipline applies a different set of codes.
Who Needs Industrial Waste Review
Most commercial and institutional facilities that prepare food require Industrial Waste review, including restaurants, cafeterias, food processors, hotels, nursing homes and day care facilities. Review is also required for car washes, dental offices, auto shops, analytical laboratories and businesses with a manufacturing or industrial component.
See Projects Requiring Building Plan Review by Industrial Waste (PDF) for a full list.
What to Include in Submitted Plans
See the IW Building Plan Review Checklist (PDF) for a complete list. Plans must include:
- An approved City of Austin Utility Plan showing water and wastewater connections, meter locations, sample ports and pretreatment device locations
- Plumbing layout or floor plan (to scale) with all fixtures, piping type and diameter labeled, and pretreatment equipment shown
- Equipment layout
- Drain, waste and vent riser diagram
- Pretreatment equipment detail and specifications
How to Submit
Industrial Waste reviews are part of the Commercial Plan Review concurrent review process. When submitting, remind intake staff to add Industrial Waste to the reviewer list.
Approval letters are available in the AB+C portal. Applicants must log in to view and download them. Login is required because plan sets often change between review cycles, which can affect equipment specifications.
Building Plan Resources
- Projects Requiring Building Plan Review by Industrial Waste (PDF)
- IW Building Plan Review Checklist (PDF)
- Sample Port Requirements
- Grease Trap Sizing and Design Criteria
- Approved Grease Trap/Interceptor Manufacturer List (PDF)
- Grease Interceptor Installation Variance Request Form (PDF)
- Grease Trap Abandonment and Removal Requirements (PDF)
- Car Wash Grit Trap Sizing and Design Criteria
- Parking Garage Sand/Oil Interceptor Sizing Criteria (PDF)
See the Grease Trap Sizing and Design Criteria page for technical requirements. Additional resources:
Contact the City of Austin's Development Services Department to confirm whether your project requires review by their staff. If a City permit is required, the process is the same as for all other City of Austin customers.
Projects within Austin's Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction or other political subdivisions that connect to Austin Water for water or wastewater service still require Industrial Waste review. Any proposed industrial wastewater discharge must include adequate pretreatment and comply with all applicable effluent limitations.
General Grease Trap/Grease Interceptor Educational Resources:
English:
- Grease Interceptor Overview & Customer Responsibilities (PDF)
- Existing Grease Interceptor Overview - Information for Potential Property Buyers (or leasing) (PDF)
- Caring for Your Grease Trap Presentation (PDF)
- History and Maintenance of Grease Interceptors Presentation (PDF)
- Restaurant's Guide to Grease Interceptors (PDF)
Español (Spanish):
- Interceptores de Grasa – Responsabilidades del Cliente (PDF)
- Descripción General de Interceptores de Grasas Existentes - Información Para Potenciales Compradores de Propiedades (PDF)
- Presentación de Interceptor de Grasa (PDF)
- Presentación de Historia y Mantenimiento de los Interceptores de Grasa (PDF)
- Guía Para Restaurante: Trampas de Grasa (PDF)
简体 (中文) Chinese (Simplified):
한국인 (Korean):
Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese):