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.
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Industrial Waste Water
The 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.
UCLA self-monitors specified wastewater 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.
Substances that are allowed (but with strict quantities limitations) include:
• Arsenic
• Metals (cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, silver, zinc)
• Cyanide
• Dissolved sulfides
• Oil and grease
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
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:
Industrial Waste Control Ordinance, Los Angeles Municipal Code 64.30
A sanitary sewer overflow (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.
The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) regulates sanitary sewer systems via the Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems (SWRCB Order Nos. 2006-0003 and 2013-0058-EXEC).
As an “Enrollee” subject to these Orders, UCLA reports via the SSO database, all SSOs that result from a failure or flow condition in any portion of the sewer system under UCLA ownership or management.
To report an SSO, call the Facilities Management 24/7 Trouble Call Desk at (310) 825-9236.
Additional Information:
Sanitary Sewer Overflow Reduction Program: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/sso/
The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) regulates sanitary sewer systems via the Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems (SWRCB Order Nos. 2006-0003 and 2013-0058-EXEC).
As an “Enrollee” subject to these Orders, UCLA was required to develop and make publicly available a Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP). The SSMP documents our program for properly operating and maintaining our sanitary sewer system in order to prevent and mitigate sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs).
To report an SSO, call the Facilities Management 24/7 Trouble Call Desk at (310) 825-9236.
Additional Information:
Sanitary Sewer Overflow Reduction Program: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/sso/
