What is the most forceful compliance procedure available to a Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW)?

The most forceful compliance procedure available to a Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) is revoking permission to discharge to a sewer. This action is significant because it directly impacts the ability of a facility to operate. If a POTW revokes a facility's discharge permit, the facility can no longer legally discharge wastewater into the sewer system, which could lead to significant operational disruptions and financial consequences for the facility. This type of action is often reserved for serious violations and represents a major enforcement tool that POTWs can use to protect public health and the environment.

Other options, such as issuing a warning or conducting facility visits, are more about communication and monitoring rather than direct enforcement. While imposing fines can indeed be a strong measure, they do not have the immediate operational impact that revoking discharge permissions does. They serve as a financial deterrent rather than a complete cessation of discharges, making revocation a more forceful and urgent compliance action.