According to the Clean Water Act, what do prohibited discharges from industrial users create in the sewer or POTW?

Prohibited discharges from industrial users can indeed create a fire or explosion hazard within a sewer or Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW). This is particularly relevant for substances that are flammable or reactive. The Clean Water Act aims to regulate discharges that could pose significant risks to both the sewage treatment infrastructure and public safety.

When hazardous materials enter the sewer system, they have the potential to combine with other substances or materials, potentially leading to dangerous reactions that can result in fires or explosions. For example, the presence of flammable chemicals can create conditions favorable to combustion in confined spaces inherent in sewer systems. This risk necessitates strict regulations regarding what can be discharged into these public systems to ensure they are safe and stable for the treatment processes and the environment.

Inherent to industrial discharge regulations is the understanding that certain materials are simply too hazardous to enter a municipal wastewater system, reflecting a legacy of public safety and environmental responsibility considerations rooted in the Clean Water Act's objectives.