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Memo reminds work force on unallowed discharges

Watch what gets poured down drains

Laboratory workers should be mindful of what types of liquid waste they are pouring down drains. An all-employee memo this week reminded the work force that only certain types of liquid wastes are allowed to be discharged into the sanitary sewer system.

In the past six weeks, according to the memo, there have been inappropriate discharges of chemicals or solutions poured into drains or flushed down toilets. These drains are connected to the Laboratory's sanitary sewer plant. As a result, biomass, which is made up of bacteria and microorganisms such as ciliates, flagellates and amoeboids that are essential to the successful operation of the Laboratory's sanitary wastewater facility, and are key to the health and quality of sanitary wastewater treatment has been dying, said Scott Gibbs, acting associate director of operations (ADO).

"Unless so labeled, everything flushed down a toilet, or put down a drain, goes to the sanitary wastewater treatment facility. Laboratory drains are for waste that is within the facility's approved waste acceptance criteria only and not for other chemicals," said Gibbs. A total biomass die-off could result in a violation of federal and state wastewater discharge limits and fines of up to $100,000 per day. Any individuals who may have caused the event could also be subject to civil and criminal fines, Gibbs said.

To read the all-employee memo, click here.

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