These are extra costs that may be added to a craft brewery’s wastewater treatment bill by municipalities.
Surcharges are levied by municipalities to offset the additional costs they incur to treat over-strength wastewater.
How are they calculated?
Surcharge Cost
=
Amount Over-Strength
kg/m3
Concentration of wastewater above the sewer use by-law limit. Based on sampling by municipality.
Concentration of wastewater above the sewer use by-law limit. Based on sampling by municipality.
×
Volume
m3
Total volume of water discharged to the sewer
Total volume of water discharged to the sewer
×
Parameter Surcharge Rate
$/kg
The applied rate for individual sewer parameters
The applied rate for individual sewer parameters
What do municipalities consider over-strength?
BOD
300
mg/L
[ typical brewery: 2,000 – 8,000 mg/L ]
TSS
300
mg/L
[ typical brewery: 1,000 – 5,000 mg/L ]
FOGs
150
mg/L
pH
Less than
6
Greater than
10
[ typical brewery: 3 – 13 ]
Surcharge costs are based solely on the contaminant that is most out of compliance or it could be a combined total based on each parameter out of compliance.
Craft brewers should discuss over-strength wastewater and possible surcharges with their local municipal water department.
Potential Brewery Surcharges
