Special Discharge Program

The Special Discharge Program of Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) provides a method for acceptance of “special discharges” to the Metropolitan Disposal System. Special discharges regulated under this program include nonhazardous landfill leachate and condensate, contaminated groundwater, contaminated surface water, and hauled industrial waste generated outside of the MCES service area.

Permit or approval

Any person or entity wanting to make a special discharge to the Metroplitan Disposal System must first apply for an approval or permit through the MCES Industrial Waste & Pollution Prevention Section by completing the appropriate form below. Typically, if a discharge is expected to be ongoing for 12 or more months, then MCES will issue a permit.

Landfill Leachate and/or Condensate - nonhazardous discharges:
Landfill Leachate and/or Condensate - Special Discharge Application (Word, 720 kB)

Contaminated Groundwater and Surface Water:
Groundwater and/or Surface Water - Special Discharge Application (Word, 643 kB)
Community Review Form (Word, 640 kB) (required only for direct discharges to the sanitary sewer)

Industrial Waste - non-hazardous discharges for hauled or on-site connections:
Industrial Discharge Approval Request Form (Word, 763 kB)
Out-of-Service Area Attachment - required for waste generated outside of the MCES service area (Word, 634kB) 
PFAS Attachment - required for waste containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) (Word, 636kB)

More resources

• MCES Liquid Waste Receiving facilities (PDF)
• MCES service area and facility map (PDF)
• MCES Waste Discharge Rules (PDF)
• Permit enforcement
• Permit forms
• Permitted Liquid Waste Haulers listing (Excel)
• Permitted Special Discharge listing (Excel)

To receive important notifications regarding your MCES industrial discharge permit, we recommend you add these emails to your address book: [email protected] and [email protected].