Water and wastewater utilities: empty IBC totes

Treatment chemicals

A plant uses coagulants, disinfectants and pH control chemicals by the tote. Each has an SDS, and each is a chemical tote for life. A tote that held a disinfectant is never food grade.

Utilities in the metro

Government and utility users own or operate 1,124 acres of District land zoned for PDR. Lorton has wastewater treatment. The Lorton page gives the roads.

Rules and generators

A public utility may be its own generator. Ask the environmental office which category it uses and whether the empty rule applies to each tote.

Read the RCRA empty guide first.

Next lives

Most treatment totes are recycle only. A few can be reconditioned for the same chemical when the SDS and the dates allow.

Chemicals that clean water

A treatment plant removes solids, adjusts pH, kills pathogens and removes odor. Each step uses a chemical, and the larger plants buy them in bulk. Totes serve the plants that use less, or use specialty products. The chemicals include coagulants, flocculants, disinfectants and pH adjusters.

Why none are food grade

A tote that held a treatment chemical has a chemical history. It does not move to the buy side. That is why most treatment totes go straight to recycling or to a reconditioner who will refill them with the same chemical.

Public plants and paperwork

A public utility may be both the generator and the owner of the SDS. Ask for the environmental office when you write. A request from a utility goes faster with the SDS, the size and the date on the plate.