Why we sample

Shops discharging effluent to municipal sewers operate under a bylaw (in Toronto: Chapter 681). Each sample tested for heavy metals + pH + BOD/COD/TSS must fall under the bylaw limits. Periodic samples prove compliance.

Menu: Plating → Compliance → Discharge Samples.

Discharge Samples list

Box ① + New to log a sample. Box ② column header. Box ③ open a sample record.

Logging a sample

Click + New:

Field	What to fill
Reference	Auto-assigned
Sample Date / Time	When drawn
Sampler	Who (certified sampler)
Sample Location	Which discharge point
Lab	External analytical lab
Lab Report	PDF upload
Analytes	Ni, Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ag, pH, etc.

For each analyte row: Value, Unit, Bylaw Limit. Auto Pass/Fail compared to limit.

Typical Toronto Ch. 681 limits

Analyte	Limit (mg/L)
Nickel (Ni)	2.0
Chromium (Cr total)	2.0
Chromium (Cr VI)	0.5
Copper (Cu)	2.0
Zinc (Zn)	2.0
Cadmium (Cd)	0.7
Lead (Pb)	2.0
pH	5.5–11.0

Stored in Plating → Configuration → Discharge Limits — adjusted per jurisdiction.

Auto-flagging

As lab values are entered:

Green = within limit.
Red = exceedance.

Any exceedance:

System auto-emails the Compliance Officer.
A Spill/Deviation record is auto-opened.
Regulator may require a 24-hour notification (system reminds; still a manual call).

Monthly / quarterly reports

Click Generate Compliance Report on any date range. System compiles:

Every sample with pass/fail status.
Sampler + lab references.
Exceedance follow-up records.
Sign-off by Compliance Officer.

PDF output is what gets submitted to the regulator.

What can go wrong

Sample value exceeds limit

Follow the Spill/Deviation workflow. Notify regulator. Investigate root cause (bath dump gone wrong, treatment plant upset).

Lab report not back yet

Record the sample date + "pending lab" status. Update analytes when the report comes in.

Sampler not certified

Audit finding. Only certified samplers can draw regulatory samples. Check Safety → Training for current cert list.