OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEYDental 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.
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@njdepwptest.net, 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
- To ensure proper compliance, the Department recommends that all exempt users certify that they produce no dental amalgam using the Exempt Facility Quick Guide.
- 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 njdep_amalgamwaste@njdepwptest.net.