In addition to providing reliable and efficient disposal of wastewater, we are responsible for discharging effluent that will not harm the environment or human health. MVSD is one of the many Bay area treatment plants that discharge into San Francisco Bay. In order to prevent pollution of that vital body of water, treatment plants including MVSD have established source control programs to keep pollutants originating in homes and small businesses out of the sewers.
Education is a key to the success of a source control program.
We believe that if people understand why toxics require proper disposal, they are less likely to pollute. MVSD publishes a newlsetter that reaches every resident in the District with pollution prevention information and offers several environmental education programs for students. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility on Imhoff Place, a partnership of MVSD and Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, provides the public with an easy solution for disposing of household toxics. The Pollution Prevention Coordinator provides small businesses in the District with technical assistance to insure that they comply with local discharge limits for metals and other pollutants. Treatment plants are not designed to remove pollutants.