Industrial Wastewater Discharge Approvals

Vactor trucks and vactor stations decanting the liquid portion of contaminated stormwater into the King County sewer system require written authorization from the King County Industrial Waste Program.

Decanting into ordinary manholes is illegal and dangerous to sewer workers.

Eductor trucks vacuum stormwater, wastewater and associated solids into a tank located on a truck for transport and disposal. They are generally known as "vactor" trucks, which references a particular brand name. Generally vactor trucks are used to clean stormwater drainage systems. The solids associated with cleaning these systems may be high in heavy metals and/or petroleum hydrocarbons and should be disposed of in an acceptable manner. There are several private operators and governmental agencies authorized to decant stormwater liquids within the county.