EIR_23-051 Waste water at the University
Date of response: 15 March 2023
We have now considered your request of 16 February 2023 for the following information:
Please note that in the following response where you have referred to ‘lake’ we have interpreted this as referring to the University Broad which is the large body of water on the University campus.
Question 1: It come to my attention that wastewater, (i.e mop bucket water from cleaning floors in catering outlets) up until now has been poured down the sinks when the water is no longer in use. Also, this water from the sinks drains into the UEA lake. And therefore, this could be causing a detrimental biohazard to the lake's wildlife and surrounding areas. I would like to find out if this still happens on campus?
Clarification received 17 February 2023:
‘I would like to find out why all staff, including cleaning and catering staff have only found out about the fact that the dirty water poured down sinks is reaching the UEA lake.’ And as well as this why is has only been discovered that water should not be poured down sinks as it reaches the UEA lake.’
Our response:
Cleaning procedures dictate that any cleaning or waste water should be emptied into designated cleaning cupboard sinks or into toilet bowls, both of which lead to foul water/sewerage drains. Cleaning staff are trained in waste disposal and are fully informed of spill hazards which warrant different disposal methods. And a list of chemicals that are used across cleaning on campus where water can be drained down sinks connected to the lake.
Question 2: Why staff have only been told recently about this issue? Please Include copies of material which you hold in the form of paper and electronic records. Including emails.
Regulation 12(4)(a), Environmental Information Regulations- information was not held at time of request
Regulation 12(4)(a) is cited in relation to the requested information, as it was not held by the University at the time that the request was received. The University does not hold information relating to cleaning or catering staff having been informed that water from cleaning, which has been disposed of down sinks, is reaching the University Broad. The University does not hold any information relating to a recent discovery that water should not be poured down sinks for this reason. Foul water, including waste water from sinks, washing-up water and/or water used in cleaning, and toilets, are emptied into the foul drain. All foul water leaves University buildings via external foul water systems, which then lead to external water treatment plants. There is no connection between foul water systems and the University Broad.
There is no documentation or data held by the University which states foul water (including waste water from cleaning) reaches the University Broad, if disposed of as per University procedures, nor is there any evidence held that waste water is reaching the University Broad and therefore should not be emptied into designated sinks, or toilets as is recommended procedure. We have therefore concluded that, at the time the request was received, the University did not hold the requested information for the purposes of the EIR. With that being the case, the University does not hold a list of chemicals used across cleaning on campus which would be discharged into the Broad.
Question 3. I would like to find out what cleaning chemicals are used by cleaning and catering staff on campus.
Our response:
The cleaning team use environmentally-friendly products (Innu science and Odorbac). These products are supplemented with descaler for limescale (on taps and in toilet bowls) and an oven cleaner for ovens in student kitchens.
Question 4. And any information about cleaning practices on campus.
Our response:
Copies of documentation which meets the criteria of your request have been provided to you in the accompanying document, our ref: EIR_23-051 Appendix A. On the main campus, cleaners will dispose of waste water in toilet bowls or cleaning sinks in cleaning cupboards. Further information relating to spills are as follows:
'Spill kits are located across campus to help quick response. Emergency situations or incidents must be reported to Security. (Non-emergencies are reported to the Helpdesk)
Incident Report Forms are completed for accidental spills. Spill Response training was carried out for Cleaning Managers, Cleaning Coordinators, Site Team, Mobile Team in 2019 (never to all cleaners - it was aimed at personnel responsible for cleaning up spills. Training Records will be held on the training database.
• Environmental Incident Report Form - this is available from the Portal/Sustainable Ways website.
• Spill Store Instructions - general instructions for spill response
• Spill Response poster - shows the different colour spill absorbents (e.g. pads and socks) and the types of spill they should be used for.'
Question 5. As well as this, I would like to find out the connection between the lake and uea water/draining and sewage systems.
Our response:
There is no connection between foul water systems and the University Broad. As previously explained, all foul water (waste water) must be emptied into a foul water drain. These drains connect to and direct to sewerage pipes and then ultimately to water treatment plants. Copies of documentation for the foul (waste water and sewage) and surface (rain water) systems, as well as the location of the University Broad and where water drains to, have been provided in the accompanying document, our ref: EIR_23-051 Appendix B. As a rule, surface water (rainwater) may discharge to the University Broad (sometimes via an interceptor) however, this is not always the case as there are some soak-aways across campus which do not direct to the University Broad. The University is audited to the international Environmental Management System standard ISO14001 and has been certified since 2018. The University adhere to procedures for the safe and environmentally friendly disposal of any cleaning waste water, or sewerage/foul water. More information on the University's Environment and Energy Sustainability Policy.