Regional Water Quality Control Plant

Home
 / Businesses

Help Prevent Pollution Release

The Regional Water Quality Control Plant works with local industry and businesses to prevent pollution releases to our local environment. Below is general information for businesses located in the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) service area which includes the cities of Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Stanford and the East Palo Alto Sanitary District.

For information about ordinance compliance, inspection schedules and best management practices please contact us.

Clean Bay Businesses

Ninety-nine percent of automotive service facilities in the RWQCP service area meet the Clean Bay Business standard which involves an annual inspection and compliance with operational standards that keep hazardous wastes out of stormdrains and the sewer system.

Who are our Clean Bay Businesses?

Become a Santa Clara County Green Business

Green Business DecalThe Santa Clara County Green Business Program recognizes and promotes businesses that operate in an environmentally responsible way.

To be certified, participants must be in compliance with all regulations and meet program standards for conserving resources, preventing pollution and minimizing waste.

Shop and support local Green Businesses

Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Restaurants

Preventing Sewage Overflows (PDF)

IconReleasing Fats, Oils, and Greases (FOG) to the sanitary sewer system can cause sewer line backups and raw sewage overflows into streets, storm drains and creeks. Ordinance requirements for food service facilities are designed to minimize the impact that businesses have on the sewage collection system. Learn how to avoid fines and health risks from grease overflows.

Plastics Reduction and Zero Waste

Palo Alto has a community-wide goal of sending zero waste to landfills by 2021. Food vendors can help by prioritizing reusable products as the first and best option for food service ware. If reusable products are not an option, consider the recyclable and compostable alternatives listed below:

Pool Maintenance BMPs

Pool IconDraining swimming pools, spas and fountains to storm drains pollutes creeks and the Bay with copper, chlorine, sediments and other chemical contaminants and can seriously or kill harm wildlife. Before draining your pool, spa or fountain call the RWQCP for guidance about flow restrictions, backflow prevention and handling special cleaning wastes. Never clean a pool filter in the street, gutter or storm drain.

Dental Office BMPs

Tooth IconDental office vacuum lines, sinks, and toilets lead to local sewer lines which travel to the wastewater treatment plant before being discharged to San Francisco Bay. Because water treatment facilities aren't designed to remove metals like mercury and silver, dental offices must comply with regulatory permits to protect the Bay. Visit the City of Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant to learn more.

© 2012 Regional Water Quality Control Plant
  Search