Reduction of phosphorus and other pollutants from industrial dischargers using pollution prevention

Abstract

During the course of this five-year project, the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) at the University of Minnesota helped industrial wastewater dischargers reduce 65,950 pounds of phosphorus, 7.5 million pounds of organic and solids loading, and 104 million gallons water; and save $3.2 million. Publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) were key partners working with industrial wastewater dischargers in small communities. As industrial users implemented pollution prevention strategies, POTWs could see the impact of those changes reflected in their monitoring data. Some municipalities avoided the need to add treatment capacity and others reduced chemical cost. Some industries had reduced surcharges.