PLEASE FORWARD TO PI’S AND LAB CONTACTS IN YOUR DEPARTMENT
PALO ALTO WASTE WATER INSPECTION
DATE/BLDGS: Wednesday April 2, 2025 – 3373 Hillview
AGENCY: Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant
FOCUS: Handling, Storage and Potential Discharge of All Types of Material Except pH Neutral Water
ALL ITEMS EXCEPT LABELED pH NEUTRAL WATER ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO A SINK. For example:
- No spigot of sewerable material over a sink
- No unlabeled containers of water in a sink
- No trash debris in sink, etc.)
On the day of the inspection, S&EM may move or alter materials that are not compliant with Waste Water requirements.
The following practices are NOT allowed:
Drain disposable material with spigot leading to sink.
Unlabeled chemicals that are not located in secondary containment located next to sink.
Unlabeled material in sink.
Trash and unlabeled material in sink.
Please have labs review the following information prior to the inspection:
1. WASTE WATER DISCHARGE RELATED TO RESEARCH ACTIVITIES on the OFPM Website. http://med.stanford.edu/medfacilities/safety-guidelines-resources/environmental-stewardship.html
2. WASTE WATER INSPECTION CHECKLIST
3. BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES – Waste water inspectors typically focus on following Best Management Practices – All lab users need basic training about not discharging chemicals to the sanitary sewer (via lab sinks). Information is available on the Waste water: BMP Fact Sheet, located on Stanford’s Sustainability website.
https://suwater.stanford.edu/laboratories
• Storage of chemicals (anything but labeled pH neutral water): no storage above sinks, must be located within secondary containment; no unlabeled containers, no open containers that are unattended, sinks clean without debris in them.
The following are housekeeping practices that are NOT allowed:
Hazardous materials not in secondary containment near a sink.
Drain disposable material with spigot leading to sink.
Hazardous materials not in secondary containment.
Unlabeled materials.
Hazardous waste not in secondary containment.
Hazardous materials not in secondary containment and unlabeled chemical container.
Chemical residue in sink.
The following are housekeeping practices that are allowed:
Drain disposable material with spigot not leading to sink.
Hazardous waste and compatible chemicals labeled and stored in secondary containment.
• pH Excursion: Inspectors focus on metals and toxic organics, as well as solutions that are <5 pH or > 11 pH that are used in labs.
• No mercury thermometers or manometers are allowed, unless there is no other alternative.
• Non-copper containing algaecides are only allowed to be used in water baths, incubators or other instruments.
• No chromic acid cleaners (e.g. Chromerge) allowed.
• All bottles containing any type of material must be clearly and legibly labeled.
• No metals or metal-containing solutions to be disposed to lab sinks.
• No once-through cooling, only allowed where exceptions (emergencies, or short-duration, small volume) are granted.
4. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
https://suwater.stanford.edu/laboratories
• Glass Wash Standard Operating Procedures. https://suwater.stanford.edu/laboratories
• Soldering Waste – post the attached instructions at each soldering station and remind users in the area to follow the guidelines. Please ensure that all solder waste is collected and has a hazardous waste tag affixed to the container or ziplock bag, including lead-free solder which contains other heavy metals (Tin, Silver, Copper).
• Best Management Practices (BMPs) STARS training course. https://starsexpress.stanford.edu/index.html?ref=LM_SS_LEARNING.LM_BROWSE_LEARNER.GBL&type=COURSE&code=CHEM-1000
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