The photographic imaging sector produces liquid waste that can corrode sewer infrastructure, impact the wastewater treatment process, and harm the environment. Operations do not need to follow these requirements if they disconnect their non-domestic drains from the sewer system and become a "dry shop".
- mini-labs, professional and commercial photo processors, portrait and commercial studios
- commercial printers, publishers and newspapers
- photographic imaging for law enforcement
- photographic imaging at schools, colleges, universities and military facilities (including electrophoresis and non-destructive testing facilities)
- photographic imaging at public and private laboratories (including electrophoresis and non-destructive testing facilities)
- medical imaging operations (X-rays, mammograms, ultrasounds) at hospitals, clinics, dental offices, veterinarian clinics and chiropractors
With the advent of digital photography many of these processes have become more specialized, however they are still in existence throughout the region. Film photography, common in x-ray use, is still used by a portion of the population.
- silver
- solvents
- chloride
- biological oxygen demand
- chemical oxygen demand
Studies from other jurisdictions show that silver from photo processors contributes significantly to the total silver loading in municipal wastewater. Silver accumulations in soils may, over time, exceed levels specified under provincial contaminated site regulations.
Free silver ions are very toxic to aquatic organisms. Although photographic imaging industries have significantly reduced the amount of process chemicals being discharged to sanitary sewers over the past 20 years, silver recovery remains and important step in waste reduction programs, conserving a valuable and non-renewable resource and controlling silver presence in wastewater.
Some photographic imaging wastes are also corrosive and may contribute to leaks in sewer pipes if not responsibly managed. The Photographic Imaging Code of Practice was created to ensure safe disposal of these materials.
In many cases, companies require a waste discharge permit to discharge industrial or commercial wastes into the sewers. However, the Capital Regional District's (CRD) sewer use bylaw also provides for the discharge of certain types of waste under industry-specific codes of practice.
A code of practice is a regulatory document, developed by the CRD, which contains mandatory sanitary sewer discharge standards for specific industrial, institutional, or commercial sectors. Codes of practice set out minimum effluent treatment, equipment maintenance and record-keeping requirements for various sector operations. A business or organization operating under an approved code of practice does not require a waste discharge permit under the CRD sewer use bylaw.
The code of practice for photographic imaging operations (Schedule "K") describes the rules as defined by the CRD for the disposal of liquid waste from photographic imaging operations into the sewer system.
Important documents:
Sewer Use Regulations
To protect the environment and comply with regulations, photographic imaging operations must follow the regulations defined in Schedule “K” of the CRD Sewer Use Bylaw.
For more detailed information please reference the Code of Practice detailed in CRD Sewer Use Bylaw Schedule “K”.
Questions? Email us at sourcecontrol@crd.bc.ca.
- Avoid discharging prohibited or restricted waste into the sewer system.
- Ensure that wastewater does not contain more than 5 mg/L of silver.
- Do not dispose of stormwater into sewer system.
- All wastewater generated in photographic imagining process must be directed through treatment works before entering the sewer system.
- All grey water and sanitary water must not pass through treatment works.
- Any waste collected in treatment works must not be disposed of in sewer system.
Installing Silver Recovery Technology
- Collect and transport waste off-site for proper disposal.
OR
- Install and maintain silver recovery technology (chemical recovery cartridges, electrolytic unit, and/or any other silver recovery technology).
Metering Pump
- All liquid waste containing silver must be collected in a holding tank that then moved through the electrolytic recovery unit and/or chemical recovery cartridges using a metering pump.
- The metering pump must be calibrated as per manufacturer's recommendations and specifications.
Location of Silver Recovery Technology:
- Must be located so that it is readily and easily accessible for inspection, maintenance, repair or replacement.
- Must not be in a confined space.
- Technology and stored liquid waste containers must be located so that any accidental spills or leaks will not result in silver entering the sewer.
- if this is not possible then an operator must install spill containment and/or cap all floor drains into which liquid waste might flow.
- Practice differs depending on silver recovery technology in use but will require the use of either a silver test paper or a silver test kit.
- if using two separate chemical recovery cartridges then wastewater from the first cartridge must be tested at least once per month of operation.
- if the first chemical recovery cartridge is not accessible a cumulative flow meter must be installed and the wastewater from the second cartridge must be tested once per week of operation.
- Replace chemical recovery cartridges as required to maintain effective silver recovery, these include:
- once expiration date is reached
- when 80% capacity of the cartridge has been reached
- if monitoring indicates discharge greater than 1000mg/L
OR - if analytic data from an accredited laboratory detects silver in the wastewater of the silver recovery system greater than or equal to 5mg/L
- If chemical recovery cartridges are the only silver recovery technology in use, then both cartridges must be replaced at the same time.
- If chemical recovery cartridges are connected in series with an electrolytic recovery unit, the second cartridge may be used to replace the first and a new second cartridge be installed unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer.
- Install a sampling point downstream from the silver recovery system but upstream of the discharge point for other wastes.
- The sampling point must always be easily accessible for inspection and sampling.
- Liquid waste must be stored in such a way as to prevent spills from collection containers and/or silver recovery technology from entering the sewer.
- When this is not possible install spill containment measures and/or cap nearby floor drains.
- Maintenance manuals for each piece of equipment used in the silvery recovery system must be kept on site.
- Maintain records of treatment system maintenance for last two years kept on site and the last five years kept to be made available upon request.
- Operations must retain records for two years for maintenance and information for equipment used in silvery recovery for two years, this includes:
- serial number
- installation date
- expiration date
- maximum recommended capacity or total cumulative flow
- metering pump calibrations
- silver test results
- date and descriptions of all maintenance, repair, or replacement activities
- date of silver removal from electrolytic recovery unit (if relevant)
- Record of disposal or recycling services used for off-site waste management for disposal of wastewater, chemical recovery cartridges and silver-containment residue, including:
- name and address for disposal/recycling company/facility receiving any material removed
- type of material
- quantity of material
- date that material is transferred
Stormwater and Storm Drains
Avoid stormwater contamination and protect our waterways by preventing photographic imaging waste from entering the storm drain network (which includes ditches, catch basins and roadways).
Municipalities have bylaws that regulate and prohibit certain types of wastes from being discharged into stormwater drains. These bylaws are in place to protect public health and the environment. Contact your municipality for relevant regulations. On the Saanich Peninsula, the Saanich Peninsula Stormwater Bylaw No. 4168 is in effect.
If you operate in North Saanich, Central Saanich or Sidney, then you need to know about Saanich Peninsula Stormwater Bylaw No. 4168 [PDF/304KB] requirements.
- Never pour any fluids, wash/rinse water, wastewater or spills into storm drains, ditches, parking lots or outdoor work areas.
- When hosing or washing equipment or surfaces outside, do not let the runoff water enter the storm drain.
- Regularly inspect and maintain any parking lot catch basins.
- Store waste products and outdoor containers under covered areas with appropriate spill containment. Inspect after a rainstorm to make sure no materials leaked out.
- Educate staff about spill prevention and response and have spill plan and kit available.
- Regularly inspect and maintain any parking lot catch basins, cleaning them out at least once per year.
Liquid waste haulers can be hired to responsibly manage any fluids associated photographic imaging operations.
It is important to note that the waste generator retains ownership of the waste even after it has been turned over to a waste hauler. This means the generator can be held responsible for the consequences of a spill or improper disposal of waste.
For that reason, it is important to ensure that the hauler you hire can demonstrate that they are:
- properly licensed,
- have properly trained staff
- deal with your waste in a safe, responsible, legal and diligent manner
Septic Systems
If your business operates on a septic system, wastewater pre-treatment is not required under CRD Onsite Sewage System Maintenance Bylaw No. 3479 [PDF/49KB]. However, non-domestic waste, such as photographic imaging waste should not discharge to a septic system as this can create a contaminated site.
At minimum, the discharge of photographic waste can impact the treatment process, significantly increase maintenance costs of the septic system and reduce its useful life span.
More Sustainable Business Practices
Reducing waste and making sustainable changes can benefit the environment and your business.
- Choose environmentally-friendly cleaning products.
- Buy local materials when possible.
- Choose electricity-powered heating, vehicles, EnergyStar appliances and LED lighting to reduce carbon pollution and your climate impact.
- Protect our drinking water. Photographic Imaging operators must ensure proper connections and backflow protection are in place and maintained.
