新法规导致的水处理实践的变化会影响处理厂废物的类型、数量和特性。根据现行法规，许多供水商面临着处理和处置被视为危险废物的问题。通过了解危险废物的构成，水供应商可以规划处理过程并制定废物处置计划，以最大限度地降低成本以及与危险废物管理不善相关的责任。本文首先根据现行法规对危险废物进行了定义，然后描述了用于识别危险废物的特征（可燃性、腐蚀性、反应性、毒性），最后讨论了现行危险废物法规对水务设施的影响。表格给出了各种成分的毒性特征和监管水平，如砷、铅或氯乙烯。 流程图显示了浸出过程的毒性特征。包括4个参考文献、表格、图表。

Changes in water treatment practice resulting from new regulations affect the types, quantities and characteristics of treatment plant wastes. Many water suppliers are faced with treating and disposing wastes that are considered hazardous under current regulations. By knowing what constitutes a hazardous waste, water suppliers can plan treatment processes and formulate waste-disposal plans to minimize costs as well as the liability associated with mismanagement of hazardous waste. This article first defines hazardous waste under current regulations, then describes the characteristics used to identify hazardous wastes (ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, toxicity) and finally discusses the impact of current hazardous waste regulations on water utilities. A table gives toxicity characteristics and regulatory levels for various constituents, such as arsenic, lead, or vinyl chloride. A flow chart shows the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure. Includes 4 references, table, figure.