Information about the hazards, proper management and how to recognize possible releases or illicit discharge follows for three specific targeted storm water pollution sources.
Waste oil can be generated by construction, building and vehicle maintenance activities, vehicle leaks, some laboratory activities or illicit dumping. As a used petroleum product, waste oil may contain toxic constituents that may pose a risk to the campus community, campus grounds, surrounding neighborhoods and the environment. All waste oil should be recycled. Small, drop wise leaks of oil are not of a great concern as most are absorbed by asphalt or addressed by street sweeping operations. Much larger releases, spills or dumping are of concern and should be reported as an illicit (illegal) discharge on campus. A release or spill is identified as a glossy, jet black liquid on the surface or floating on top of pooled water.
Hot Fact:
It takes 42 gallons of crude oil, but only 1 gallon of used oil to produce 2 ½ quarts of new, high quality lubricating oil.
If you discover an oil spill on campus, please report it as an illicit discharge. Once oil is used, it must be discarded properly (recycled) to keep it from contaminating the environment.
Hot Fact:
Recycling just 2 gallons of used oil can generate enough electricity to run the average household for almost 24 hours.
Hazardous wastes are generated on campus by teaching, research and maintenance activities. Waste materials are to be considered hazardous if: (only one need apply)
Hazards include but are not limited to:
All hazardous wastes generated by UA activity must be disposed of through the University of Arizona, Hazardous Waste Program. Hazardous wastes are stored and transported on and across campus in containers of 55 gallons or less. Most containers are 3.5 gallon plastic buckets with a locking lid.
Releases may have an unusual color, and /or odor and may react with the environment. Flammable or injurious vapor may be released. Some materials may be water reactive. A hazardous waste may be in a solid, powdered or crystalline form.
If you detect anything unusual and suspect it may be a hazardous waste, please report it as a potential illicit discharge.
The majority of stored cooling tower treatments are sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. All of these materials are corrosive. The acids have a low pH while the hydroxides are to be considered "bases" with a high pH. Chromium compounds are not used in University of Arizona cooling towers.
There is no hazard to contact with cooling tower water, but eye or skin contact with concentrated (stored) chemicals prior to dilution will likely cause some form of injury.
Proper management of these materials will include secondary and in some cases tertiary containment of stored treatments and correct dosing into cooling tower systems. Should small spills occur it is best to control and respond to them onsite.
Releases may be identified by pools of liquid bubbling or generating visible vapor or smoke. Spilled acids or bases may look more viscous than water and may be of a slightly different color. There may or may not be a detectable odor from a spill.
If such a release is suspected, please report it as a potential illicit discharge. Efforts will be made to attempt to contain a spill of this type on University of Arizona property.
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