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Industrial Waste Water

The City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation, Industrial Waste Management Division regulates UCLA’s waste water and issues industrial waste water permits that define UCLA’s responsibilities and obligations when discharging waste water to the sewer.

UCLA self-monitors specified waste water lines, sampling quarterly for biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, and total suspended solids. The results are submitted to the City. The City inspects records and various campus locations at least once per year to ensure compliance with regulations and permit conditions.

 

Drain Disposal Restrictions

Based on permits, and federal and local regulations, UCLA has strict limits or prohibitions on pollutants that can be discharged into the sanitary sewer system. Limited or prohibited pollutants include:

  • Arsenic*
  • Metals (cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, silver, zinc)*
  • Cyanide*
  • Dissolved sulfides*
  • Any chemical outside a pH range of 5.50-11.00*
  • Oil and grease*
  • Gasoline, benzene, toluene, xylene
  • Mercury
  • Chlorinated hydrocarbons
  • Ethers
  • Alcohols
  • Ketones
  • Aldehydes
  • Peroxides
  • Chlorates and perchlorates
  • Bromates
  • Carbides
  • Hydrides
  • Solvents
  • Toxic pollutants
  • Pharmaceutical wastes
  • Medical wastes
  • Any liquid, solid or gas that is flammable, reactive, explosive, corrosive or radioactive

*Allowed, but with strict quantity limitations

If you have questions or need assistance on whether a specific chemical can be disposed of down a sink or drain, please contact Environmental Compliance at (310) 825-5689. If applicable, please have the SDS available.

Additional Information: