APPLY
VISIT
GIVE
Programs, Policies, and Procedures
Latest News
Environmental Compliance
Policies within Environmental Compliance are driven by the state's commitment to protect the air, water, and soil for all Californians to enjoy. Agencies such as Cal/EPA, California Water Boards, Southcoast Air Quality Management District, and the Los Angeles Sanitation District each play a role in helping to preserve our environment. The following policies assure that CSUDH does its part to keep our campus and our state safe for future generations.
Stormwater
The CSUDH campus has may storm drains that lead directly to the ocean, in particular, the Dominguez Channel and the Port of Los Angeles (Pacific Ocean). These drains must be used exclusively for rainwater. The State Water Board and the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board regulate storm water runoff to ensure that pollutants do not enter these drains.
Wastewater
In contrast, wastewater is discharged through a sanitary sewer system. This includes waste from toilets, sinks, and drains. Grey water from washing machines and dishwashers are also connected to the sewer. Discharges are regulated by the Los Angeles County Sanitation District to keep hazardous substances out to the collection system.
Most businesses in California are required to develop written plans for their use and protection of the sewer system. These include:
The Environmental Protection Agency requires businesses that store more than 1,320 gallons of oil-based products (in containers greater than 55 gallons) to maintain a document outlining the plan in place to prevent, prepare for, and respond to oil spills. The plan lists the contents and location of each container and the accompanying measures in place (such as secondary containment).
CSUDH Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan
When secondary containment is impractical, businesses are required to provide a detailed oil spill response and removal plan that addresses controlling, containing, and recovering an oil discharge in quantities that may be harmful to navigable waters or adjoining shoreline.
Disposing of industrial and chemical wastes require clear and simple procedures that everyone on campus can follow. When wastes are disposed of improperly, fines can be steep. Each violation can cost the campus up to $71,264 dollars per day.
The two types of waste that EHS manages are universal wastes and hazardous wastes.
Universal Waste
These are waste materials that are not considered hazardous, but have elements that need to be prevented from free release into the environment. They include items such as batteries, fluorescent lightbulbs and electronic devices. For a better understanding of universal wastes, please visit:
Hazardous Waste
These are chemicals that are dangerous or can have a harmful effect on human health or the environment. They include items such as solvents, paints, fuel and oil, pesticides, laboratory chemicals. For a better understanding of hazardous wastes, please visit:
Recycling
Recycled materials such as cardboard and plastics are not managed by EHS. For information about recycled wastes, please go to CSUDH's Sustainability Page.