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NJDEP Dental Amalgam Program
What is Dental Amalgam?
Dental Amalgam is a liquid mercury and metal alloy mixture used in dentistry that, if not properly treated, can be released into the environment. This can be prevented with the installation of a dental amalgam separator, which filters out amalgam from wastewater discharged to the local Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW).
The Bureau of Surface Water and Pretreatment Permitting works to prevent the introduction of harmful pollutants into the environment by requiring all dentists who discharge to public sanitary sewers to annually register their amalgam separator and certify the facility is following regulations and best management practices. Dental Facilities who discharge to septic systems should contact the Bureau of Groundwater, Residuals, and Permit Administration.
NJDEP Online Registration and Certification
As per N.J.A.C. 7:14A-21.12, all dental facilities that generate amalgam waste through placement and/or removal of amalgam must register and certify the installation and maintenance of an amalgam separator ANNUALLY through the NJDEP Business Portal. This registration is FREE.
Those dental facilities that generate amalgam waste and do not comply with the requirements at N.J.A.C. 7:14A-21.12(b)1 and 2 are punishable by fine and will be required to apply for a NJPDES-SIU permit from the Department which carries monitoring requirements and associated fees.
NOTE: For technical issues with the Business Portal, please contact: njdeponlinesupport@dep.nj.gov, or the NJ Office of Information Technology at 1-800-622-4357.
New Facilities: New facilities should follow the New Registrant Quick Guide. When creating an account please use an email/login that is easy to remember and is unlikely to change due to staff turnover.
Renewing Facilities: Prior to starting their re-registration, you should locate the following information: Username, Password, PIN, and Answers to your Security Questions. Once you have retrieved all necessary information, you should follow the Certification Renewal Quick Guide.
Exempt Facilities: Facilities who practice ONLY the following specialties are exempt from annual registration:
- Orthodontics
- Periodontics
- Endodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
More information to assist in registering your dental amalgam separator can be found in the Dental Portal Frequently Asked Questions.
For assistance filling out the Dental Amalgam Inspection form sent to you prior to your X-Ray Inspection, please see the X-Ray Inspection FAQs.
For additional information and help, please contact the Bureau of Surface Water and Pretreatment Permitting at (609) 292-4860, or email at njdep_amalgamwaste@dep.nj.gov
NJDEP Online Registration and Certification Resources:
AFTER PRINTING THE APPROPRIATE MANUAL CLICK HERE TO BEGIN REGISTRATION.
Discharges to Septic Systems
Dental facilities with onsite wastewater treatment systems are required to obtain a separate New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Discharge to Ground Water (NJPDES-DGW) permit. The Bureau of Ground Water, Residuals, and Permit Administration has issued a general permit for dental facilities that require a NJPDES-DGW permit. For more information, please contact the Bureau of Stormwater Permitting or read more regarding the K2 General Permit.
In addition, the Department is requesting that dental facilities with onsite wastewater treatment systems that do not discharge to a POTW also complete the online registration process.
If you have questions or need additional information regarding discharges to the public sanitary sewer, contact the Bureau of Surface Water and Pretreatment Permitting.
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