Council expands definition of "significant industrial user" to allow some smaller dischargers to be reclassified

Seaford Mayor and Council voted unanimously Tuesday to amend municipal code language that defines a Significant Industrial User (SIU) in the city's wastewater ordinance, allowing some users to be classified as non‑significant industrial users and reducing routine sampling and monitoring requirements for smaller dischargers.

Why it matters: The change is intended to reduce compliance burdens for small businesses that discharge minimal flows while preserving the city’s ability to monitor industrial dischargers that pose a greater risk to the wastewater system.

Key points from the presentation
The director of public works summarized the change as intended to ease regulatory burden for businesses that discharge small volumes (staff cited examples such as dischargers that may discharge around 100 gallons per day) and noted the modification will assist both regulated entities and the city’s enforcement resources.

Council action
Councilman Alan Quillen moved to approve the code changes expanding the SIU definition and allowing reclassification of certain SIUs as non‑significant; Councilman Mike Bradley seconded. The roll call vote was unanimous in favor.

Implementation and oversight
Council and staff described the change as a refinement to the city’s industrial pretreatment program; affected businesses will remain subject to oversight and the city retains the authority to require sampling or reclassify users if circumstances change. Staff said the change reduces sampling frequency and monitoring tasks for clearly low‑risk dischargers.

No dollar amounts or program sunsets were specified in the transcript; implementation will require administrative updates to permitting and enforcement procedures.