Laboratory and Chemical Safety
Summary of MWRA Sewer Disposal Discharge Prohibitions
The following summary list of MWRA Sewer Disposal Discharge Prohibitions (intended for protection of MWRA sewerage system workers, facilities, and equipment) was summarized by the EH&S office for laboratory personnel. None of the items on this list can be disposed of down any sink drain or any other way that will introduce the materials into the municipal sewerage system.
Any discharge into the Metropolitan Sewerage Service Area of the following materials is prohibited:
Mercury (enforced at 0.001 mg/l)
- Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
- Pesticides, unless the Authority determines upon request that the substance is acceptable for discharge into the sanitary sewer under the criteria for exclusion or exemption in 40 CFR parts 152 and 455, and the substance would not otherwise violate 360 CMR 10.021-10.024
- Hexachlorobutadiene
No discharge into the MWRA Sewerage System shall exceed the following limitations:
Antimony (total) |
10.0 |
Arsenic (total) |
0.5 |
Benzene |
0.3 |
Cadmium (total) |
0.1 |
Chromium (hexavalent) |
0.5 |
Chromium (total) |
1.0 |
Copper (total) |
1.0 |
Cyanide (total) |
0.5 |
Formaldehyde |
9.0 |
Lead (total) |
0.2 |
Nickel (total) |
1.0 |
Phenol |
5.0 |
Selenium (total) |
5.0 |
Silver (total) |
2.0 |
Vinyl Chloride |
0.02 |
Acrolein |
0.15 |
Vinylidene Chloride |
0.3 |
Zinc (total) |
1.0 |
Each Toxic Organic (unless elsewhere listed in 360 CMR 10.000 for the Metropolitan Sewerage Service Area) |
1.0 |
Total Toxic Organics |
5.0 |
pH must remain between 5.5 - 12.0 standard units
Total Fats, oils and grease may not exceed 300 mg/l
Reference: Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, 360 CMR 10.0 Sewer Use.