Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (Lock A locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Sugar Processing Effluent Guidelines

The EPA initially promulgated the Sugar Processing Effluent Guidelines and Standards (40 CFR Part 409Exit EPA’s website) in 1974 and 1975, and amended the regulation in 1979. The regulation covers directdirectA point source that discharges pollutants to waters of the United States, such as streams, lakes, or oceans. and indirectindirectA facility that discharges pollutants to a publicly owned treatment works (municipal sewage treatment plant). dischargers. The Effluent Guidelines and Standards are incorporated into NPDES permits for direct dischargers, and permits or other control mechanisms for indirect dischargers (see Pretreatment Program). On this page: * What is the Sugar Processing Industry? * Pollutants and Subcategories * Report – Subpart F * Rulemaking History * Additional Information

What is the Sugar Processing Industry?

The industry comprises beet sugar extraction plants and cane sugar refining plants. Sugar processing plants are included within the following North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) groups: * 311313: Beet sugar refining * 311314: Cane sugar manufacturing

The NAICS listing is provided as a guide and does not define the coverage of the Sugar Processing category. For precise definitions of coverage, see the applicability sections in 40 CFR Part 409Exit EPA’s website.

Pollutants and Subcategories

Regulated Pollutants

Effluent limitations vary by subcategory. Some subcategories have zero discharge requirements. * BOD5 * TSS * pH * Fecal coliform * Temperature

Regulation Subcategories

• Beet Sugar Processing (Subpart AExit EPA’s website)
• Crystalline Cane Sugar Refining (Subpart BExit EPA’s website)
• Liquid Cane Sugar Refining (Subpart CExit EPA’s website)
• Louisiana Raw Cane Sugar Processing (Subpart DExit EPA’s website)
• Florida and Texas Raw Cane Sugar Processing (Subpart EExit EPA’s website)
• Hilo-Hamakua Coast of the Island of Hawaii Raw Cane Sugar Processing (Subpart FExit EPA’s website)
• Hawaiian Raw Cane Sugar Processing (Subpart GExit EPA’s website)
• Puerto Rican Raw Cane Sugar Processing (Subpart HExit EPA’s website)

Report – Subpart F

• (9.01 MB, August 11, 1989, 440-1-89-044)
  EPA recommended that no changes be made to the existing effluent guidelines for Subpart F.

Rulemaking History

Amendment

• (3.35 MB, July 9, 1986, 51 FR 24974)

Supplemental Rulemaking

• Subpart F (BPT, BCT)
  • (264.44 KB, September 8, 1980, 45 FR 59152)
  • (402.09 KB, November 6, 1979, 44 FR 64078)
  • (684.18 KB, November 1979, 830-R-79-001)

Initial Rulemaking

• Subparts D through H (BPT, BCT)
  • (1.32 MB, February 27, 1975, 40 FR 8498)
  • (10.02 MB, February 1975, 440-1-75-044)
    Describes industry processes, pollutants generated, available control & treatment technologies, the technical basis for the final rule, and costs of the rule
• Subparts B & C (BPT, BCT, NSPS, PSES, PSNS)
  • (983.3 KB, March 20, 1974, 39 FR 10522)
  • (4.56 MB, March 1974, 440-1-74-002C)
    Describes industry processes, pollutants generated, available control & treatment technologies, the technical basis for the final rule, and costs of the rule
  • (1.11 MB, December 7, 1973, 38 FR 33846)
• Subpart A (BPT, BCT, BAT, NSPS, PSES, PSNS)
  • (734.83 KB, January 31, 1974, 39 FR 4034)
  • (6 MB, January 1974, 440-1-74-002B)
    Describes industry processes, pollutants generated, available control & treatment technologies, the technical basis for the final rule, and costs of the rule
  • (834.02 KB, August 22, 1973, 38 FR 22610)

Additional Information

For additional information regarding the Sugar Processing Effluent Guidelines, please contact Meghan Hessenauer (hessenauer.meghan@epa.gov) or 202-566-1040.

Effluent Guidelines

Open Sidenav Menu Close Sidenav Menu Contact Us About Effluent Guidelines Contact Us About Effluent Guidelines to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem. Last updated on March 17, 2026 Welcome! Please share your feedback on how we can make www.epa.gov work better for you. A red asterisk (*) indicates a required field.

Success

Thank you. Your feedback has been received.

Error

alert message Required Questions - page 1 of 2 question_55203_answer_01 How would you rate your experience on www.epa.gov today? *

0 Stars 1 Star 2 Stars 3 Stars 4 Stars 5 Stars Please explain the reason for your rating. * 400 characters allowed Would you like to take two more minutes to answer more questions to help us improve our services? Yes, keep going → No, only submit these responses Optional questions - page 2 of 2 How would you describe yourself? Business Government employee Scientist Student Other Enter other text Please tell us why you visited www.epa.gov today. 400 characters allowed Did you visit www.epa.gov to accomplish a specific task? If yes, please explain why you were able or unable to accomplish your task. 400 characters allowed How can we make www.epa.gov a more helpful website? 400 characters allowed Submit [BOD]: biochemical oxygen demand [TSS]: total suspended solids [BPT]: Best Practicable Pollutant Control Technology Currently Available [NSPS]: New Source Performance Standards [PSES]: Pretreatment Standards for Existing Sources [PSNS]: Pretreatment Standards for New Sources []: required