What information helps a pretreatment inspector trace an illegal discharge?

The identification of a good record of possible sources prior to an event is crucial for a pretreatment inspector tasked with tracing an illegal discharge. By having a detailed account of potential sources, inspectors can more effectively narrow down their investigation to specific areas or facilities that are likely to generate non-compliant discharges. Understanding the background of each potential discharge point allows the inspector to connect patterns of behavior leading to unlawful discharges and helps in identifying the exact source of the problem.

This data is especially valuable in the case of incidents that occur infrequently or during specific circumstances, as it gives inspectors a comprehensive starting point to analyze and correlate historical source information with current irregularities. In essence, this record serves as a diagnostic tool in tracing the origins of contaminants released into the environment, which can be critical for regulatory action and remediation efforts.