Water Conservation Efforts for Drain Disposal in Labs ​

• Drain disposal at NIH is strictly regulated because chemicals can interfere with wastewater treatment processes, impacting water used for recreation and consumption. Per the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), many chemical wastes are hazardous because they are listed or exhibit a hazardous characteristic such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity or toxicity (40 CFR Part 261) and do not belong in the drain. Aligning lab SOPs with the Clean Water Act framework and RCRA hazardous waste rules is one of the most effective, defensible ways to protect waterways

  NIH's objective is to dispose of chemicals through approved waste management services and limit discharges to the sanitary sewer. Check the list of approved chemicals here.

  Only chemicals specifically approved by the Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) may be disposed of down the drain; all others, including surplus solid chemicals and unlisted substances, must be managed as chemical waste through designated disposal services. To request an approval for drain disposal, the completed application for Disposal of Specific Chemical Reagents to the Sanitary Sewer must be submitted to DEP.

  In addition, there are several other prudent opportunities for conserving water such as:

  • Conduct microscale protocols and smaller wash volumes
  • Replace continuous rinsing with spray rinse, rinse basins or counter-current rinsing
  • Use low-flow nozzles/aerators and timed shutoffs on frequently used taps, among other water conservation efforts when feasible
  • Secondary containment and closed transfer to prevent sink and floor drain releases
  • Replace high-flow faucets and fix leaks to cut unnecessary water flow

  Laboratory personnel are responsible for ensuring proper disposal and must consult official guidance before disposing materials in the sanitary sewer  
  

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