POL-5700.04 Responding to sewage spills in University Residence Facilities

Effective Date: December 6, 2005

Approved by: Director of Facilities Management

Who does this policy apply to?

This policy applies to Facilities Management personnel responding to sewage spills and/or overflows in University Residences’ facilities.

Policy Statements

1. Responding Personnel Will Take Necessary Safety Precautions.

Water spills or overflows from a building’s sewer system (toilets, urinals, sewer pipes, drains, etc.) may contain fungal or bacterial contamination.

Facilities Management (FM) personnel will not enter or work in an area where there is the presence of water that likely came from the building’s sewer system without taking the necessary personal protection safety precautions.

Responding FM personnel will immediately notify Environmental Health & Safety personnel of any spill or overflow from building sewer system when there is the likelihood of fungal or bacterial contamination.

2. First Priority will be Stopping the Problem from Getting Worse

After taking the necessary personal protection safety precaution, the FM responding personnel’s first priority will be initiating action to stop the problem from getting worse.

However, FM personnel will avoid taking action that disrupts or shuts down a University Residences’ Dining Center during a meal serving. As an alternative, FM personnel may coordinate with the Dining Services Manager to reduce the flow of materials into the sewer.

3. Sewage Spill Cleanup Divided into Three Response Levels

The cleanup of sewage spills and overflows will be according to the following three categories of response:

  • Small: one (1) gallon or less of spill – handled by FM first responders (usually Maintenance Mechanic II or Plumber).
  • Medium: one (1) to five (5) gallons of spill – coordinated between FM Academic Custodial Services and University Residences Custodians.
  • Large: over five (5) gallons – FM management to determine necessity for contracting with commercial firm specializing in hazardous material cleanup.