Tips for Business

Pressure Washing

Pressure washing surfaces such as driveways and buildings can release oil and grease, pesticides, paints, solvents, toxic chemicals and contaminants into our storm drains, even if there is no stream or river directly in site. Pressure washing prior to painting is especially of concern, since it produces paint chips which may contain lead or other toxic metals. Paint chips should be collected and disposed of properly, and not allowed to enter the storm system.

Tips for Pressure Washing

Start with dry cleanup methods first, such as sweeping, vacuuming or blowing dirt and debris into piles for pick up and disposal in the trash.
Use dry absorbents (such as cat litter) to clean up oily spots and other fluids.
Block the gutter or the storm drain with bark bags, absorbent booms, or a rolled up towel to filter the runoff. If possible, direct or redirect the runoff to a lawn or landscaped areas with no runoff to the storm system.
Only use cold water, and never wash greasy or oily auto parts outside; use a commercial car wash or a parts-cleaning tank.
Do not use household cleaners or soaps.
Sweep up and dispose of debris after washing.

Check out the pressure washing booklet.

Auto Shops

Due to the nature of auto shops, they can contribute significant amounts of water pollution to local rivers and streams if not properly managed. Automotive products like motor oil and solvents endanger water quality and cannot be removed by sewage treatment facilities.

Tips for Auto Shops

Store vehicle fluids and other hazardous wastes in well-marked containers for recycling or disposal at the appropriate facility, or by a commercial recycler.
Prevent spills, leaks, and drips. Use drip pans and secondary containment to keep oil, grease, solvents, and other chemicals out of storm and sanitary drains.
Do not allow wastewater from steam-cleaning to flow into storm drains. It must be diverted to the sanitary sewer system, or use a commercial car wash.
Recycle motor oil, batteries, solvents, paints, oil filters, antifreeze, and lubricants. Follow all regulations for the storage, use and disposal of hazardous substances.
Keep dust from sanding and body fillers out of the sewers: sweep up instead of hosing down, allow debris from wet sanding to dry out overnight before sweeping, purchase sanders with an attached vacuum to reduce cleanup time, and dispose of non-hazardous dust in the garbage.
Keep batteries and chemicals in their original containers. Use secondary containment trays to catch spills and prevent leaks into storm drains.
Drain and collect fluids from vehicles that are being dismantled, and remove hazardous mercury-containing switches in trunks and under hoods. Reuse or recycle collected fluids, and properly dispose of the switches as hazardous waste.
Inspect, maintain, and clean pollution prevention equipment regularly. Separators and grease traps should be cleaned at least every three months, or more often if needed.
Dry sweep areas around fuel-dispensing islands, using dry absorbents to collect spills.

Do you think your auto shop is already using environmentally safe practices? You should check out the ECOBIZ to learn how to have your shop certified as an eco-logical business.

Is your shop a Clean Water Business? Take a look at the Good Operating Practices manual to find out. For more information about the program or to request a manual or poster, contact Kim Singleton at 726-3626.

Print Shops

Print shop owners are well-informed about the type of chemicals they use and the potential hazards they pose to employees and the workplace. It is also important to consider what happens to those hazardous chemicals once they have been used and need to be discarded. Printers generate wastewater during image processing, plate making, the printing process, and cleanup. Some waste products carried in the water, like silver, are highly toxic and can have serious negative impacts on the environment. Some waste products can also be hazardous to treatment plant personnel.

Tips for Print Shops

Switch to silver-free films-- vesicular, diazo, electrostatic or photopolymer film.
When using silver-based processes, install a commercial recovery system to extract silver from wastewater.
Substitute environmentally safe inks when possible. Many printers have switched to soy-based inks.
Recycle waste inks when possible.
Recycle product rejects when possible.
Structure your process to limit ink fountain cleaning.
Buy solvents from a company that picks up and recycles them. Consider recycling solvents on-site or choose recycling as a waste disposal option.
Automatic blanket cleaners can be safer and improve efficiency while reducing waste.
Electronic imaging and laser plate-making reduces wastewater.
Substitute non-hazardous alternatives for metal etching or plating processes. Some alternatives include: presensitized lithographic plates, plastic or photopolymer plate, or electrostatic plates.
When possible, choose less-evaporative solvents to reduce VOC emissions and solvent use.
Use water-developed lithographic plates and film when possible.
Recycle plate and plate materials by returning them to the manufacturer or to a metal recovery firm.

Construction

Construction activities can have a significant impact on water quality, contributing sediment and other pollutants to local streams and rivers. Soil excavation and grading operations often contribute to urban stormwater pollution by loosening large amounts of soil and sediment. Sediment can flow into storm drains with runoff from rainfall and find its way into local streams and rivers. Sediment can clog fish gills and increase turbidity, which impairs fish health and their ability to find food and avoid predators.

Tips for Construction Companies

Maintain all vehicles and heavy equipment. Inspect frequently for leaks.
Use rocked construction entrances where truck traffic is heavy, to limit tracking of sediment into streets.
Use drip pans or drop cloths to catch drips and spills if you drain and replace motor oil, radiator coolant or other fluids on-site. Collect all fluids, store in separate containers, and recycle when possible. Have spill kits available on-site and ensure that workers are trained in their use.
Do not use diesel oil to lubricate equipment or parts.
Sweep up dry spilled materials immediately. Never attempt to bury them or "wash them away" with water. Use absorbents, such as kitty litter, for liquid spills.
Clean up spills on dirt areas by digging up and properly disposing of contaminated soil.
Avoid excavation and grading activities during wet weather.
Always obtain appropriate grading and erosion control permits. See the City's Public Works Department for information on grading ("LDAP") permits, and follow all applicable provisions.
Cover stockpiles and excavated soil with secured tarps or plastic sheeting.
Plant temporary vegetation for erosion control on slopes where construction is not immediately planned.
Plant permanent vegetation as soon as possible.

Check out the LDAP program fact sheets.

Tips for Managing Concrete and Mortar

Pour concrete, asphalt and seal coat during dry weather.
Store dry and wet materials under cover, protected from wind, rainfall, and runoff.
Provide a designated clean-out area for concrete trucks. Never allow trucks to clean out where the material will block drainage ways or be carried to storm drains.
Place bio-bags or other erosion control devices downslope to capture runoff before it can reach a storm drain or waterway; better yet, avoid dumping in places where it may run off.
Mix only the amount of fresh concrete/cement you will be using that day.
Cover catchbasins and manholes when applying seal coat, slurry seal, fog seal etc. or when performing saw-cut operations.
Park paving equipment over drip pads.
Shovel or vacuum saw-cut slurry.

Restaurants

Tips for Restaurants

Do not discharge fats, oils, or greases down the sink. Use grease traps or pour grease into a container for disposal in the trash. A better practice is to recycle oils and greases with a commercial recycler.
Do not discharge wastewater with temperatures in excess of 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This includes water from mechanical dishwashers that have a minimum required temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do not discharge waste from a food waste disposal unit to any grease traps.
Do not discharge waste caustics, acids, solvents, or other emulsifying agents.
Do not clean equipment outdoors in an area where water can flow to the gutter, storm drain, or street.
Keep trash and grease dumpster areas clean and keep dumpsters covered.