New Update Sanitary Sewer System Management Plan - available this Friday!
Wastewater is used water generated from sinks, showers, washing machines and dishwashers. Wastewater generated from UCLA is conveyed through our sanitary sewer system and treated at the Hyperion Treatment Plant in El Segundo, before being discharged or recycled.
UCLA self-monitors specified wastewater lines, sampling quarterly for biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, and total suspended solids. These result are submitted to regulators at least once a year to ensure compliance with regulations and our permit.
Prohibited substances include:
- 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
Unsure whether a specific chemical can be safely poured down a sink or drain?
Please contact Environmental Compliance before proceeding, have applicable SDS available.
Contact Environmental Compliance at envcompliance@ehs.ucla.edu
UCLA is required to develop, implement, and make publicly maintain a Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP). This plan documents our program for properly operating and maintaining our sanitary sewer system in order to prevent and mitigate sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs).
UCLA Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP)
Do you have a comments of questions about our plan?
City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation, Industrial Waste Management Division regulates UCLA’s wastewater and issues industrial wastewater permits that define UCLA’s responsibilities and obligations when discharging wastewater to the sewer.
California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) oversees the regulation of sanitary sewer systems through the Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems, as outlined in SWRCB Order Nos. 2006-0003 and 2013-0058-EXEC.
- Sanitary Sewer Overflow Reduction Program: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/sso/
What Is a Sanitary Sewer Overflow?
An SSO is any overflow, spill, release, discharge or diversion of untreated wastewater from a sanitary sewer system. SSOs can contain high levels of suspended solids, pathogenic organisms, toxic pollutants, nutrients, oil, and grease. SSOs pollute surface and ground waters, threaten public health, adversely affect aquatic life, and impair the recreational use and aesthetic enjoyment of surface waters.
UCLA is required to reports to all SSOs that result from a failure or flow condition in any portion of the sewer system under UCLA ownership or management.
SSO Employee Resources
- Contractor are required to train staff and comply with UCLA's sewer overflow expectation
- For more information see UCLA Sanitary Sewer System Rule Guide
Report all sewage overflows with the potential to reach a storm drain to Environmental Compliance at envcompliance@ehs.ucla.edu
Report an SSO
- Call the Facilities Management 24/7 Trouble Call Desk at (310) 825-9236.
