Rain that falls on and around your property can pick up oil, grease and other chemicals as it drains away. Much of this water, or stormwater, ends up in our rivers and streams. Every time something gets washed down a storm drain, it can affect the cleanliness and health of our river.
You are responsible for minimizing stormwater pollution leaving your property. Protect your business, avoid fines and work stoppages, and protect local waterways by installing and maintaining the best management practices below.
Materials & Chemical Storage
Rainwater that falls in dumpsters or onto raw materials can wash into storm drains, untreated. Dumpsters should be regularly inspected and any chemicals should be stored with a tight fitting lid. For more tips, please click here.
Best practices for industrial sites:
- Keep all materials properly stored in closed, labeled containment systems
- Use secondary containment systems where appropriate
- Obtain spill recovery materials for immediate response to a spill
Equipment & Fleet Maintenance
Gasoline, oil, and grease from equipment can flow untreated into storm drains and pollute waterways.
Best practices for industrial sites:
- Use drip pans to catch fluids and keep materials like sand and kitty litter on hand to help dry up small spills.
- Fix leaks and clean up all spills as soon as possible.
Parking Lot Maintenance
Parking lots collect oils, debris, and other pollutants that can wash away with the next rain, so it’s important for industrial facilities to maintain these areas and properly manage site operations that occur on pavement.
Best practices for industrial sites:
- Check storm drains 3-4 times per year, and clean and repair as necessary to make sure runoff can easily flow into drains.
- Sweep parking lots regularly to help collect trash and debris.
- Don’t wash vehicles in your parking lot. Use vehicle wash bays that direct dirty wash water to the sewer, not the street or storm drains.
Snow & Ice Removal
Salt used during snow and ice control can degrade water quality, making proper application and management essential for pollution prevention.
Best practices for industrial sites:
- Shovel or plow before applying de-icers.
- Avoid oversalting - only a small amount of de-icer is required to melt ice.
- Sweep up spilled salt from salt loading areas and ensure salt piles are covered.
