Paso Robles Municipal Code Art. IV Small Winery and Small Brewery Program

Starting July 1, 2018, the city may allow a limited number of small wineries and small breweries (as both are defined in Section 14.08.040) to pay a surcharge on process wastewater that exceeds the local limits established in subsection 14.10.070.B. for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS) in lieu of requiring pretreatment for these constituents. This program will remain in place as long as the POTW has adequate capacity in its facility to treat such waste. The director has the right to suspend or terminate the program based on the daily operation and capacity of the POTW. Permits issued under this program shall be subject to all provisions of this chapter and all other applicable regulations, including any charges and fees established by the city.

(Ord. No. 1105 N.S., § 2 (Exh. A), 12-1-2020)

Any small winery or small brewery that discharges wastewater to the POTW and wishes to participate in the program set forth in this Article IV must complete a small winery/small brewery permit application. Applications will be reviewed by the director. Those small wineries and small breweries whose applications are approved for participation in the program will be issued a permit.

(Ord. No. 1105 N.S., § 2 (Exh. A), 12-1-2020)

Program participants will be issued a general permit to discharge process wastewater to the POTW. Permits shall be subject to all provisions of this chapter and all other applicable regulations, including any charges and fees established by the city. Permit requirements may include, but are not limited to:

1. Requirements for effluent monitoring;

2. A limit on the amount of wine or beer, as applicable, produced to be eligible to participate in the program;

3. An agreement to pay surcharge fees;

4. Acknowledgment of the city's right to suspend or terminate the program described in this Article IV based on the daily operation and capacity of the POTW.

(Ord. No. 1105 N.S., § 2 (Exh. A), 12-1-2020)

The amount of the surcharge for each small winery and small brewery participating in the program will be determined by comparing the BOD of a representative sample of the process wastewater from the small winery or small brewery, to the city's local limit for BOD to determine how many times stronger the wastewater is compared to typical domestic wastewater. This multiple is then applied to the current per unit wastewater user rate specified in Section 14.16.020.

(Ord. No. 1105 N.S., § 2 (Exh. A), 12-1-2020)