Town Departments banner graphic


Environmental Control /  Industrial Pretreatment

Publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) collect wastewater from homes, commercial buildings and industrial facilities and transport the waste via a series of pipes, the collection system, to a wastewater treatment plant. At the treatment plant harmful organisms and other contaminants are removed from the wastewater prior to release into the receiving body of water.

As a general rule, POTWs are designed to treat domestic wastes only (typical household wastes and biodegradable commercial and industrial wastes). These pollutants are coined "conventional" pollutants. Commercial and industrial facilities may discharge toxic pollutants as well.

The discharge of toxic pollutants may harm the POTW, impair the surrounding environment, endanger POTW workers and also prevent the reuse of the treatment plant's byproducts. Thus, wastewater with such pollutants typically has to be treated prior to release to the POTW. Treating wastewater prior to discharge to a POTW is the definition of pretreatment.

The National Pretreatment Program, published in Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 403 provides the regulatory basis to require non-domestic dischargers to comply with standards to ensure that the goals of the Clean Water Act are attained.

The Town of Amherst's Industrial Pretreatment group works to uphold the standards as set in 40 CFR 403 as well as the local standards as regulated by the Town of Amherst's Local Sewer Use Law (Chapter 160 of the Code of the Town of Amherst).

About Amherst

The Town of Amherst was established in 1818 and celebrated its 200th Anniversary in 2018. The town has a geographical area of 53.6 square miles and a population of greater than 122,000.

Disclaimer, Copyright and Maintenance
How to use our site

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Town of Amherst ADA Coordinators are Robert McCarthy (Director of Human Resources) and Mark Berke (Commissioner of Buildings).

Click for more information about ADA.

Website Contact

The Town of Amherst takes great pride in providing useful, timely and accurate information through its official website. We encourage public participation in our website and ask that you provide your feedback to help us make our site even better. Contact the website administrator at toawebsite@amherst.ny.us.

Get in Touch

  • General Information:
    (716) 631-7000
  • Email:
    toainfo@amherst.ny.us
  • Address:
    Municipal Building (Town Hall)
  • 5583 Main Street
  • Williamsville, NY 14221