The Water Reclamation Facility in American Canyon requires certain commercial businesses discharging wastewater to the City's sanitary sewer to apply for and maintain a Commercial Business Wastewater Discharge Permit. Environmental Compliance staff at the Water Reclamation Facility regularly inspect permitted commercial industrial businesses to ensure that proper business practices are being followed and protect the City's sanitary sewer system as well as the Water Reclamation Facility. This is necessary in order to comply with requirements from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Restaurants
Fats, oils and grease (FOG) discharged from food service establishments are a cause of sewer line blockages. In order to prevent sewer overflows, the City of American Canyon has implemented a program to prevent excessive discharge of FOG from food service establishments.
Medical Facilities
Wastewater discharged from medical facilities can contribute a wide variety of toxic compounds to the sewer system. Metals such as mercury and zinc are just a few pollutants that are commonly contributed to wastewater by medical facilities. The Water Reclamation Facility must regulate and monitor the concentrations of these metals in order to maintain effective treatment.
Car Washes
Wastewater discharged from car wash facilities can contribute a wide variety of toxic compounds to the sewer system. Metals such as copper, mercury, nickel, and zinc are just a few pollutants that are commonly contributed to wastewater by car wash facilities. The Water Reclamation Facility must regulate and monitor the concentrations of these metals in order to maintain effective treatment.
Auto Repair Shops
Wastewater discharged from auto repair shops can contribute a wide variety of toxic compounds to the sewer system. Metals such as copper, mercury, nickel, and zinc are just a few pollutants that are commonly contributed to wastewater by auto repair shops. The Water Reclamation Facility must regulate and monitor the concentrations of these metals in order to maintain effective treatment.
Dental Offices
Beneficial uses of San Francisco Bay are impaired due to high levels of mercury in fish, water and sediment. As a result, strict limitations on mercury discharge have been placed on all Water Reclamation Facilities in the Bay Area. In order to meet these requirements the City must respond by establishing a strong public education and outreach program, as well as a permitting process for businesses that could be categorized as sources of mercury contribution in wastewater.