General Waste Discharge Requirements for Winery Process Water (Winery Order)

Waste Discharge Requirements for Winery Process Water 

The California State Water Resources Control Board adopted a general order for how wastewater is processed and discharged at winery locations in an ongoing effort to safeguard groundwater and surface water from wastewater discharges. The order is intended to protect groundwater and surface water quality, while giving wineries the flexibility to select compliance methods that best their site-specific situation(s), including tiering the compliance requirements to the winery size and associated threat to water quality.

The order also streamlines statewide permitting of currently unregulated winery process water discharges and establishes statewide consistency, while allowing regional Water Boards to focus their resources on compliance. The Wine Institute estimates that 2,036 of the 3,612 bonded wineries in California will be subject to the order.

Existing wineries not currently under coverage typically have or will receive a letter from the California State Water Resources Control Board indicating that they may be required to enroll under the Winery Order by January 20, 2024. These existing wineries are encouraged to complete an eligibility survey to determine if Winery Order enrollment is required. If enrollment is required, enrollment is highly encouraged by the California State Water Resources Control Board by January 20, 2024.

BC Engineering Group has the resources necessary to assist existing wineries in completing the eligibility survey, and if necessary, enrolling existing wineries in the Winery Order, as well as navigating the permitting process.

To get more information on this topic, or to schedule a site visit or meeting to discuss, please contact the professionals at BC Engineering Group at 707-542-4321 or online at www.bcengineeringgroup.com