Wastewater Pollution Prevention for Businesses

Art Studios use chemicals and materials that can be a source of pollution to the Bay. They use materials like solvents, cement, clays, and alcohols that can damage the Plant as well as harm the environment and public health. It is recommended that all art studios and artists follow BMPs. Studios that have an Industrial Waste Discharge Permit are required to follow them, along with any other requirements that are issued in their permit.

Art Studios BMPs(PDF, 362KB)

Laboratories use chemicals that can be a source of pollution to the Bay. If not handled appropriately, wastewater generated by laboratory experiments and analytical testing can damage the Plant as well as harm the environment and public health. It is recommended that all laboratories follow BMPs. Laboratories that have an Industrial Waste Discharge Permit will be required to follow them, along with any other requirements that are issued in their permit.

Laboratories BMPs(PDF, 235KB)

Copper plumbing is a significant source of copper in San Francisco Bay. Approximately 60 percent of the copper discharged to the Bay is from wastewater treatment plants. When copper water pipes corrode, small amounts of copper are released into the tap water which flows to treatment plants. Copper cannot be removed in the wastewater treatment process and is released into the Bay. It can negatively impact water quality and human health. But this can be prevented.

It is important to properly design and install copper plumbing to reduce corrosion. To limit corrosion, select a flux that meets the “ASTM B-813” standard. Fluxes meeting this standard are known as water flushable fluxes and are superior to petrolatum-based fluxes. Visit Baywise.org for additional resources. 

 Dental facility sinks, toilets and vacuum lines discharge wastewater to the sanitary sewer drains. These flow to the Plant. Metals like mercury and silver can’t be removed during the water treatment process and harm the environment and human health. By following regulations and best practices, dental practices have reduced the amount of mercury entering the Bay from the Plant's wastewater effluent by more than 50 percent since 2000.

Dental practices that remove, or place amalgam fillings must implement BMPs specified in the Palo Alto Sewer Use Ordinance, Chapter 16.09.190, and summarized in the below factsheet. They must have an approved amalgam separator or apply for an exception. Visit Baywise.org for additional resources.

Dental offices located in Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Stanford, and the East Palo Alto Sanitary District need to submit a one-time compliance report to the Plant within 90 days of purchase or transfer of ownership per federal regulations. No permit is required.

Questions? Please email Pretreatment@paloalto.gov

One-time Compliance Report for Dental Practices(PDF, 316KB)

Dental Offices BMPs(PDF, 656KB)

Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) are a leading cause of sewer clogs and overflows. These can cause health hazards, damage building interiors, and threaten the environment. FOG can get into the sewer system from sink drains as well as from poorly maintained grease traps in restaurants and other businesses. Visit Baywise.org for free posters and resources to train employees about FOG in multiple languages.

Questions? Please email FOG@paloalto.gov

Food Facilities BMPs(PDF, 499KB)

Grease Control BMPs(PDF, 812KB)  

Machine shops use equipment that can be a source of pollution to the Bay. Wastewater generated from parts cleaning, deburring, or tumbling can include pollutants, such as organic solvents and metal alloys, and should not go down the sanitary sewer drain. Most of these pollutants are not removed during the wastewater treatment process and harm the environment and human health. It is recommended that all machine shops follow BMPs. Machine shops that have an Industrial Waste Discharge Permit will be required to follow them, along with any other requirements that are issued in their permit.

Machine Shop BMPs(PDF, 222KB)

Certain chemicals used for cleaning pools, spas, or fountains, especially those containing copper, zinc, or tributyltin, can kill aquatic life if improperly released into the environment.  The best way to prevent pollution is to avoid using products that contain these chemicals. Ask your pool maintenance service to use an alternative to copper algaecides such as, polymeric algaecide, sodium bromide, chlorine or chlorine-enhancers, or hypochlorite-containing shock treatments.

Questions? Please email Pretreatment@paloalto.gov

Pools, Spas, and Fountains BMPs(PDF, 623KB)

Small businesses and non-profit organizations located in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Mountain View, Stanford, Los Altos or Los Altos Hills that generate less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month may participate in the Very Small Quantity Generator Program. Visit Household Hazardous Waste to register. 

Very Small Generator Program Brochure(PDF, 2MB)

Motor vehicles are a major source of pollution to the Bay. Heavy metals like copper from brake pads, grease, oil, and other automotive fluids should not go down the sanitary sewer drain. Most of these pollutants are not removed during the water treatment process and harm the environment and human health. Vehicle service facilities must follow BMPs and any requirements that are issued in your Industrial Waste Discharge Permit for Vehicle Service Facilities.

Vehicle Service Facilities, Sanitary Sewer Discharge BMPs(PDF, 293KB)