Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant

Sewer Use Ordinance, Revisions of 1993 & 1995

What the Ordinance Does--The purpose of the ordinance is to "prevent the discharge of any pollutant into the sewer system, the storm drain system, or surface waters, which would: 1) obstruct or damage the collection system; 2) interfere with, inhibit or disrupt the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant ( the plant.')"

Pollution Prevention Definition:
Palo Alto uses the term "preventing pollution" and it is defined as anything except treatment that keeps pollutants out of the sewers or storm drains
Numeric P2 Goals:
The annual average pounds/day of copper discharged shall not exceed an amount specified by the superintendent in Palo Alto's industrial waste discharge permits, this amount is based upon a pollution prevention review conducted by the city. The limitation shall be based upon those control measures having a simple payback period of five years or less.
In addition to this Palo Alto has several goals associated with silver discharges generated from photoprocessors, and operation-related discharges from vehicle service facilities, carwashes, and machine shops, operating within The Water Quality Control Plant service area.
Assistance Offered:
Technical assistance is administered through the Environmental Compliance Division.
Reporting Requirements:
1)Upon the request of the superindendent , dischargers of new sources of industrial waste shall complete a waste minimization study in accordance with guidelines published by the superintendent, and shall certify that measures have been taken to minimize toxic constituents in the discharge.
2)The permit for any industrial waste discharge may require specific investigations or studies to determine methods of reducing toxic constituents in the discharge. The Water Quality Control Plant has used this clause to require pollution prevention reviews for many existing dischargers.
3)Photoprocessors are required to submit annual reports describing many different aspects of their processes, specifically the silver discharges or information related to off-site disposal of the photoprocessing chemicals.
Incentives:
Vehicle service facilities and carwashes that comply with fifteen detailed requirements to prevent water pollution are recognized as "Clean Bay Businesses," receiving stickers for their shop windows and recognition through advertisements place by the Water Quality Control Plant.
Funding:
Through sewer and storm drain fees.
Contact:
Kelly D. Moran
Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant
2501 Embarcadero Way
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Phone: 415/329-2598
Fax: 415/494-3531
e-mail: kelly_moran@city.palo-alto.ca.us

Last Updated: October 8, 1997