Septage is a liquid and solid material removed from septic tanks or other holding tanks for domestic sewage. Chemical toilet waste is a liquid and solid material removed from portable chemical toilets.

Septage haulers can be licensed to discharge septage at the Durham or Rock Creek Treatment Plants. Those who want to be licensed or who have questions about whether certain septage will be accepted at the District's plants should contact our Environmental Services Division at 503.681.5133. (Material containing industrial waste is not accepted.)

Every liquid waste hauler needs to complete and submit the Liquid Waste Hauler Permit Application (PDF, 49KB) to receive a permit.

Septage Waste Hauler training video

We have created a short video (4:33) demonstrating how to use the automated liquid waste receiving station at the Durham treatment facility. 

Hours of Operation

24 hours per day, 7 days per week

Discharge Locations

Durham Facility
16580 SW 85th
Tigard, OR 97224

Rock Creek Faclility
3235 SE River Road
Hillsboro, OR 97123

Mobile restaurant waste is liquid removed from wastewater holding tanks of mobile restaurant vehicles. Mobile restaurant vehicles can discharge waste at the Durham or Rock Creek Treatment Facility RV discharge sites. If your mobile restaurant waste also includes fats, oils and grease, learn about proper disposal with our Fats, Oils & Grease Program.

Hours of Operation

24 hours per day, 7 days per week

Discharge Locations

Durham Facility
16580 SW 85th
Tigard, OR 97224

Rock Creek Facility
3235 SE River Road
Hillsboro, OR 97123

Disposal Facility Use Costs

Effective January 2020, a water disposal fee will be required at both discharge locations. The fee, $5 per use with a credit card or $250 for an annual pass, supports each facility's maintenance costs.

A self-guided payment machine is located onsite for per-use payments. Annual passes work at both locations and may be purchased at our Administration Building Complex (2550 SW Hillsboro Highway in Hillsboro) and are renewed March 31 each year.

• Annual Pass Application - Commercial Vendor Disposal (PDF,  95KB)
• Solicitud de Pase Anual - Pase Anual Para Eliminar Desechos Para Proveedores Comerciales (PDF,  95KB)
• Annual Pass Application - RV Waste Disposal (PDF,  95KB)
• Solicitud de Pase Anual - Aguas de Desperdicio de RV (PDF,  958KB)

If you have questions or want to learn more about the annual pass process, please call 503.681.3600.

Use Guidelines

• Recreational vehicles have priority
• Dump only stored wastewater
• Mobile restaurants may NOT discharge grease
• Clean up site after discharge

Carpet Cleaner waste is liquid removed from waste holding tanks of carpet cleaning vehicles. Carpet cleaner vehicles can discharge waste at the Durham or Rock Creek Treatment Plant RV discharge sites.

Hours of Operation

24 hours per day, 7 days per week

Discharge Locations

Durham Facility
16580 SW 85th
Tigard, OR 97224

Rock Creek Facility
3235 SE River Road
Hillsboro, OR 97123

Disposal Facility Use Costs

Effective January 2020, a water disposal fee will be required at both discharge locations. The fee, $5 per use with a credit card or $250 for an annual pass, supports each facility's maintenance costs.

A self-guided payment machine is located onsite for per-use payments. Annual passes work at both locations and may be purchased at our Administration Building Complex (2550 SW Hillsboro Highway in Hillsboro) and are renewed March 31 each year.

• Annual Pass Application - Commercial Vendor Disposal (PDF,  95KB)
• Solicitud de Pase Anual - Pase Anual Para Eliminar Desechos Para Proveedores Comerciales (PDF,  95KB)
• Annual Pass Application - RV Waste Disposal (PDF,  95KB)
• Solicitud de Pase Anual - Aguas de Desperdicio de RV (PDF,  958KB)

If you have questions or want to learn more about the annual pass process, please call 503.681.3600.

Use Guidelines

• Recreational Vehicles have priority
• Dump only stored wastewater
• Clean up site after discharge

Why is paint waste a problem? 

All painting jobs create wastes that can harm humans, waterways, fish and other wildlife if handled or disposed improperly. Paints and paint waste can enter storm drains from runoff or improper disposal. Storm drains carry untreated pollutants directly into streams and rivers, harming aquatic plants, animals, fish and those who eat the fish.

Why should you be concerned?

Aside from causing environmental damage, improper disposal violates Oregon law. OAR 340-61-020 (1), OAR 340-45-015 (1) (a) & (b), and ORS 459.205 (1) all prohibit improper disposal of wastes and contamination of waters and provide for civil and criminal penalties for violators. Most painters manage wastes responsibly, but sometimes disposal options can be confusing. This brochure is designed to help you prevent, reduce, recycle or safely dispose of common painting wastes. The result will be happier customers who appreciate your concern for their property and a safer environment.

What is paint waste?

• Solvents (water, mineral spirits, toluene)
• Oil-based paint
• Latex paint
• Rags
• Paint chips/dust
• Paint and solvent containers

What can you do with usable leftover paint?

• Check into donating leftover paint to local theaters, schools, clubs or churches.
• Give small amounts of paint left over at the end of a job to the customer for touch up.
• Combine light-colored leftover paints for use as primer on future jobs.
• Recycle unwanted latex paint through Metro’s latex paint recycling program for businesses.
• Dispose of unwanted oil-based paint at a permitted hazardous waste management facility.

Clean-up do’s

• Allow paint solids in used solvents to settle so the clear portion can be poured off and reused.
• Dispose of spent solvents at a permitted hazardous waste management facility.
• After separating solids, pour latex clean-up water from brushes, rollers and buckets down the sink or down a drain that is connected to the public sanitary system.
• Use the least toxic cleanup solvent available.

Clean-up don’ts

• Don’t pour oil-based or latex waste paint or clean-up materials onto the ground.
• Don’t pour any paint or clean-up materials into storm drains, ditches, gutters, catch basins, dry wells, creeks or other surface water drainage.
• Don’t put liquid paint, solvent or clean-up waste in garbage cans or dumpsters.

Other paint job waste

• Remove lids from empty latex containers and allow the contents to dry out. Dispose of lids and dry containers in the garbage.
• Allow rags to dry thoroughly and dispose in the garbage.
• Dispose of paint chips and dust properly. For information, call Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) at 503.229.5263.
• Most paint strippers are hazardous and should be disposed as hazardous waste. For a flyer about less toxic alternatives, call Metro Recycling Information at 503.234.3000.

Tips and guidelines

• Purchase only the amount of paint needed for each job.
• Use latex paint whenever possible.
• Use tarps and drip pans to collect paint and solvent spills.
• Keep containers tightly sealed when not in use to avoid spills.
• Avoid contaminating ground surface with paint chips and dust.
• Use high-efficiency spray guns to minimize over spray.
• Train employees and subcontractors to handle paint waste properly.
• Store leftover latex paint, oil-based paint and solvents separately in original or clearly marked containers.

More information

• For more information about managing painting waste in the Portland metropolitan area, visit the DEQ website or call 503.229.5263.
• For information about disposing of paint and other hazardous waste, visit the Metro website or call 503.234.3000.
• Visit PaintCare.org to learn about recycling for contractors. 
• Call your local jurisdiction, Clean Water Services at 503.681.3600.