Arapahoe County SPLASH

The purpose of the following information is to educate Power Washing Operators in the area on the proper management and disposal of power washing wastewater.  The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Guidance Document has specific details on Power Washing requirements.

These requirements and BMPs apply to anyone who generates waste water from pressure washing, including:

• contractors that provide a pressure washing service to others
• businesses that use pressure washing equipment as part of their operations or maintenance (such as cleaning heavy equipment)
• homeowners

Most pressure washing activities are conducted outside.  This often results in the discharge of wastewater to the storm drain, unless the equipment operator takes steps to collect and dispose of it legally. Discharge of pressure washing wastewater to the storm drain is prohibited because it contains pollutants from the objects or surfaces being cleaned and/or from the cleaning compounds being used.  Even cleaners labeled “biodegradable” and “non-toxic” may be harmful to aquatic life, especially after cleaning various surfaces (e.g. dumpster areas, parking lots, equipment and more) that contain fats, oils, greases, chemicals (such as herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, solvents, anti-freeze and fertilizers), as well as other substances.

Any substance, including pressure washing wastewater that enters storm drains flows directly into lakes, rivers, and streams. This water is not treated or cleaned to remove pollutants. Pollutants discharged to the storm drain harm fish and wildlife and contaminate recreational sites and drinking water supplies. 

The purpose of the information below is to educate Landscapers on using the proper procedures to minimize the amount of contaminants that enter our storm drain systems and ultimately cause polluted waterways. 

These requirements and BMPs apply to anyone who performs landscaping activities, including:

• contractors that provide landscaping service to others
• businesses that use landscaping equipment as part of their operations or maintenance
• homeowners

The gutter and inlet system in the street outside of a residence or business is part of a network of storm drains that lead directly to local creeks and rivers. It is somewhat natural to think that dirt, sediment, grass clippings and other landscaping materials are a natural part of a creek environment, so what’s the harm, but it is not that simple.  Rocks and sediment can block drainage systems and impact our creeks. Please note that substances entering the street inlet system are not treated at a treatment plant and are regulated by the Clean Water Act and State Regulations to make sure flows in the street inlet system contain only stormwater and no other materials.   Although often times problems caused by various outside activities result from a simple lack of knowledge, the end result still leads to impacts that need to be addressed promptly.

The purpose of the information below is to educate pool service companies on using the proper procedures to minimize the amount of contaminants that enter our storm drain systems and ultimately cause polluted waterways.   The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Swimming Pool Guidance Document has specific details on Swimming Pool Discharge requirements.

These requirements and BMPs apply to anyone with a pool, spa, hot tub, fountain or providing service to one of these, including:

• contractors that provide pool service to others
• HOAs that have a pool
• homeowners

The purpose of the information below is to educate Carpet Cleaners on proper procedures for disposing of waste water from carpet cleaning operations and to minimize the amount of contaminants that enter our storm drain systems and ultimately cause polluted waterways. 

These requirements and BMPs apply to anyone who performs carpet cleaning activities, including:

• contractors that provide carpet cleaning service to others
• businesses that conduct carpet cleaning as part of their operations or maintenance
• homeowners

The gutter and inlet system in the street outside of a residence or business is part of a network of storm drains that lead directly to local creeks and rivers. The street storm drain system is separate from the sanitary sewer system, which flushes wastewater form the sinks, tubs, and toilets inside the residence.  That wastewater is treated at a sweage treatment plant and is the proper place to dispose of the resulting fluids from your service activities. 

Please note that substances entering the street inlet system are not treated at a treatment plant and are regulated by the Clean Water Act and State Regulations to make sure flows in the street inlet system contain only stormwater and no other materials.   Although often times problems caused by various outside activities result from a simple lack of knowledge, the end result still leads to impacts that need to be addressed promptly.

• Under the Clean Water Act, you cannot dump your wastewater directly into surface water such as retention ponds, detention ponds, lakes, creeks or drainage ditches, etc.
• It is illegal to dump your clean or dirty solution down a storm sewer, into a stream, or into a street or driveway.
• Recovered wastewater may only be dumped into a sanitary sewer line which discharges into a public owned wastewater treatment plant.