In 2017 the EPA finalized the Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Dental Office Category 40 CFR 441 for dental facilities. Facilities must have complied with these regulations by July 14, 2020, and submit all required documentation by October 12, 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which dental facilities does this apply to?

• Dental offices that place, remove, or modify dental metal amalgam fillings as described in the regulation.
• Dental facilities connected to the public sewer system and wastewater systems that contribute to the Springfield Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. This includes the following communities: Agawam, a portion of Chicopee, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Springfield, West Springfield, and Wilbraham.

What is required of dental facilities?

• Install, operate, and maintain dental amalgam separator devices which comply with ISO 11143.
• Comply with required Best Management Practices pertaining to dental metal amalgam.
• Complete a one-time Compliance Report Form and submit it to the Industrial Pretreatment Program of the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission.
• Maintaining on-site records of devices, their operation and maintenance, and records on disposal of dental amalgam materials.
• See EPA 40 CFR 441 for more information on requirements.

Where can I find more information?  

From the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission:

• A Letter to Dental Facilities from the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission.
• One Time Compliance Report Form – The form should be completed and returned to SWSC Industrial Pretreatment Program by Oct. 12, 2020.
• Regulations 40 CFR 411 – A portion of the EPA regulations formatted for ease of reading and definition of certain terms.
• IPP General Summary – A summary discussion of the Industrial Pretreatment Program.

Other References:

• Visit the EPA’s website for complete regulations and requirements.
• The Federal Register maintains the most recent version of the regulation and is available on the Federal Register website. Dental Dischargers must comply with the most recent version.
• In addition to the Federal requirements The Commonwealth of Massachusetts also has regulations on Dental Amalgam/Mercury Recycling. For information on MassDEP’s program refer to their website.

Contact the Industrial Pretreatment Program at 413-310-3449 or IPP@waterandsewer.org. for more information.