Wastewater Management at NIST Gaithersburg Program

Wastewater from the NIST Gaithersburg Site is released to a sewer system maintained by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). Wastewater is transported through the sewer system to the District of Columbia Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant where the wastewater is treated and released to the Potomac River. NIST’s wastewater discharges are regulated under a Discharge Authorization Permit from WSSC. This suborder sets forth NIST policies for controlling wastewater discharges, and procedures required to comply with NIST's Discharge Authorization Permit.

No chemicals shall be released to sanitary sewer drains without review and approval by the NIST Gaithersburg Safety, Health, and Environment Division, Environmental Management Group (GSHED-EMG). An approval shall remain in effect as long as the chemical(s) and concentration(s) do not change beyond the limits specified in the approval. Contact GSHED-EMG at x5375, option 3 with any questions. Chemical waste shall be collected and disposed of under the requirements of the Chemical Waste Accumulation and Disposal NIST Gaithersburg Program.