Whenever possible, individuals and organizations should implement practices that reduce or eliminate wastes at the source.
- EcoBiz certifies auto shops and landscapers
- Mercury reduction
- Temporary sanitary discharges
Waste Disposal
If you do end up with hazardous waste, follow the guidelines below for safe disposal or use Metro’s guide to hazardous waste disposal.
Mercury Reduction
Mercury is a naturally occurring chemical element that can be found in products such as dental amalgam, batteries, compact fluorescent lights, jewelry, skin creams, paint thermometers, switches, and relays, etc. While many of these products probably won’t reach the sanitary sewer system in large quantities, we want to keep mercury out of the environment as much as possible. Our water resource recovery facilities aren’t designed to remove metals like mercury and silver, and we need help from businesses and industries to comply with federal and state laws and take steps to reduce pollution.
- Pollution Prevention for Commercial Laboratories (PDF)
- Mercury Minimization Plan (PDF)
- Info from Oregon DEQ
Dental Waste
- The Oregon Dental Association, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and local jurisdictions such as Clean Water Services developed best management practices to recycle mercury, amalgam, silver, and lead, and keep these pollutants out of the waste stream.
- Oregon Dental Association website
- EPA Dental Effluent Guidelines
- Dental Waste Recyclers (PDF)
- Dental Office Pollution Prevention brochure (PDF)
Liquid Waste Hauler Program
Septage is liquid and solid material removed from septic tanks or other holding tanks for domestic sewage. Chemical toilet waste is liquid and solid material removed from portable chemical toilets.
Septage haulers can be licensed to discharge septage at the Durham or Rock Creek water resource recovery facilities. Those who want to be licensed or who have questions about whether certain septage will be accepted should contact our Environmental Services Program at 503.681.5175. (Material containing industrial waste is not accepted.)
Every liquid waste hauler needs to complete and submit the Liquid Waste Hauler Permit Application (PDF).
Hours of Operation
24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Discharge Locations
Durham Water Resource Recovery Facility
16580 SW 85th
Tigard, OR 97224
Rock Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility
3235 SE River Road
Hillsboro, OR 97123
Wash Water Program
Clean Water Services’ Wash Water Program applies to your business if you wash or steam clean vehicles or other equipment including buses, rental cars, new and used autos on lots, forklifts, golf carts, and riding lawn mowers.
Vehicle and equipment washing operations must discharge all wastewater containing heat, soap, or chemicals to the sanitary sewer system. DEQ does allow certain discharges to be routed to the stormwater system. For example, you can discharge wastewater from washing up to eight vehicles per week with cold water and no soap. The urbanized area of Washington County has separate sanitary sewer and stormwater conveyance systems. To discharge wash water to the sanitary system, you need a Clean Water Services Wash Water Permit and you must meet wash pad requirements.