Factors in the Development of An
Industrial Waste Ordinance
W.   G.   HAMLIN
Sanitary Engineer
Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission
Cincinnati, Ohio
Sewage and industrial waste charges are a relatively new form of
taxation. It has been aptly stated: "Sewers have been used for many
years, bur* the operation of sewage treatment works is a relatively new
municipal function. It has created a financial problem since the usual
source of municipal revenues have been largely preempted for other
uses. This has resulted in a search for additional revenues and has
stimulated interest in special charges for the use and benefits of sewage
works." (1)
Of even more recent development is the industrial waste charge
or a surcharge for wastes which are stronger than normal domestic or
sanitary sewage.
Two factors in particular have focused attention on this subject in
recent years. They are: (1) the increased interest in stream pollution
abatement and (2) the phenomenal growth of industry in the post-war
years. As a result a great deal of interest has developed in the combined treatment of sanitary sewage and industrial wastes.
Combined treatment, within limits which vary with each individual
situation, is generally desirable. From the community viewpoint combined treatment of sewage and industrial wastes is desirable because
it adds a valuable community service which is an added inducement to
the development of diversified industry. From the industry viewpoint
it is extremely desirable because it takes the industry out of the "sewage
treatment business" and permits it to devote all its energies to its
manufacturing activities. The industry is also interested because the
treatment of its wastes in a large combined sewage and wastes treatment is, as a rule, considerably less expensive on a unit cost basis
than separate industrial waste treatment. State Health Departments
also look with favor on combined treatment plants since a multiplicity
of industrial waste treatment plants pose a considerable supervisory
problem for already under-staffed state agencies.
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