What is a Hazardous Waste?
The definition of a hazardous waste starts with the definition of a solid waste. A solid waste is any solid, liquid or contained gaseous material that is discarded by being disposed of, incinerated or recycled. Solid wastes can also be the byproduct of a manufacturing process, a commercial product that is used in a business or home, garbage, etc.
A hazardous waste is a solid waste that because of its quantity, concentration and/or physical, chemical or infectious characteristics may:
The Waste Cleanup Section is essentially a "Mini-CERCLA" or Superfund Section. We work on cleaning up sites with contaminated groundwater, soil and/or surface water. Most of our sites were contaminated prior to the enactment of environmental regulations or the source of contamination is unknown.
The DEP Southwest District regulates underground injection control wells in Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties.
The Southwest District permits non-major Class V wells (such as closed-loop heat pump/air conditioning return flow wells and stormwater wells). All other wells, including Class I wells and major Class V wells (such as aquifer storage and recovery, aquifer recharge, exploratory and reverse osmosis), are permitted by the Aquifer Protection Program in DEP’s Tallahassee office.
The DEP Southwest District regulates industrial wastewater facilities in Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties. The Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission permits industrial wastewater treatment facilities that do not discharge to surface water bodies.
The DEP Southwest District regulates domestic wastewater facilities in the following counties: Citrus, Hardee, Hernando*, Hillsborough**, Manatee, Pasco*, Pinellas and Polk.
Southwest District Domestic Wastewater Contact
The DEP Southwest District regulates potable water systems in the following counties: Citrus, Hardee, Hernando*, Manatee, Pasco* and Pinellas.
*The Hernando and Pasco County utility departments permit the construction of water distribution mains in their counties that are 12 inches or less in diameter and that will distribute drinking water from county-owned drinking water facilities.
The Southwest District Storage Tank Program handles compliance, enforcement, technical assistance and contract management relating to tank systems that store regulated substances. Specific activities conducted by district staff are:
1) Underground and above ground storage tank (Chapters 62-761 and 62-762, F.A.C.) inspections at facilities owned by contracted counties;
2) Discharge prevention and response (Chapter 62S-6, F.A.C.) inspections;
3) Enforcement for non-compliant facilities, including enforcement referrals from the contracted counties;
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Sign UpThe Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship – protecting our air, water and land. The vision of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is to create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystems.
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