Make an Impact in Your Community By Protecting Water Quality.
Businesses are an important part of a thriving community. Different business activities have the potential to impact water quality in a variety of ways. Those ways can be positive or negative. Learn how your business can have a positive impact on water quality. Learn which of your activities can impact water quality and learn to do those activities in ways that protect water quality.
Business Activities that Can Directly Impact Stormwater
Dumpster’s and Loading Docs
Spills
Illegal Connections to Storm sewer System
Landscaping and Ground Maintenance
Parking Lot Maintenance
Building and Equipment Cleaning
Power Washing.
Why It Matters
Outside pressure washing of equipment or buildings, without collecting the wash water, usually results in pollutants being washed into the storm sewer system, which leads directly to our waterways. This wash water contains pollutants from the surfaces being cleaned and/or from the cleaning compounds being used. Even products labeled as “biodegradable” can be harmful to aquatic life.
How You Can Help
Identify where all storm drains are located and determine where the water will pool for collection
Contain and collect wash water. You may use vacuum pumps, booms/berms, weighted storm drain covers, oil/water separators, portable sump pumps, etc
Properly dispose of collected water. Often water may be disposed of in the sanitary system, but you must first get permission from the property owner and wastewater treatment plant. A permit may be required.
If no chemicals are used wastewater can be directed to landscaping, provided it will all soak into the ground
See the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Guidance on Power Washing
Landscaping.
Why It Matters
It can be natural to think that landscaping materials like rocks, dirt, and grass clippings are part of the natural environment and therefore it is okay to let them end up in the storm system. However, it’s not that simple. These materials are in excess of the natural balance, so rocks and dirt can block our drainage ways. The finer sediments can stay suspended and block light that aquatic organisms. And dirt can be bound to harmful chemicals that are then released into our waterways. Grass clippings, mulch, and leaves contain nutrients that cause excess algae growth that sucks the oxygen from our waterways.
What You Can Do
Materials Storage and Good Housekeeping
Cover materials and provide secondary containment for liquids stored outside
Store materials away from inlets and on pervious surfaces. If you must store them on the street or driveway make sure they are covered and contained
Keep lids closed on dumpsters and recycling containers
Keep outdoor areas free of dirt, trash, and debris
Immediately clean up any spills with dry clean methods and properly dispose of the dirty absorbent
Landscaping and Vegetation Maintenance
Remove grass clippings from pavement
Follow manufacturer’s directions for applying pesticides and fertilizers
Adjust sprinklers to avoid overwatering
Food Service Facilities.
Why It Matters
The water that runs down our streets and gutters goes into the storm system which emptied directly into our streams, rivers, and lakes. This stormwater picks up pollutants along the way. Anything on the ground can blow or wash into our waterways. Things like straws, wrappers, plasticware, cigarette butts, trash from overfilled or leaking dumpsters, spilled grease from grease bins and improperly stored cleaning products. These pollutants make our waterways unpleasant and unsafe for recreating and inhospitable to aquatic life.
Dispose of Wastewater in the Sanitary Sewer System
Make sure wastewater like water used for mopping and cleaning goes in the sanitary sewer and not down the storm drain.
Locate Grease Containers Away From Storm Drains
Make sure everyone knows where the storm drains are located and identify their purpose.
Cover Outdoor Grease and Oil Storage Containers
Open containers can fill with water and overflow during storm events. This grease-filled water then makes its way to our waterways. Make sure they are maintained regularly.
Wash Kitchen Hoods, Mats, Filters, and Garbage Cans Indoor
Do not wash or sweep materials out the door.
Keep a Spill Kit Handy to Clean Up Messes
Make sure to properly dispose of used absorbent material.
Use “Dry” Clean Up" Methods for Patios and Sidewalks
Sweeping, using absorbents, and spot cleaning are all considered dry cleaning methods. If washing must be done contain and collect water and dispose of in the sanitary sewer.
Check out our Restaurant Infographic for more ways to protect water quality!!
More Ways You Can Help Stormwater
Properly Dispose of Used Paint
Check out CDPHE’s Paint Stewardship site for information to learn more! See our Contact page to see how your jurisdiction can help with paint and other hazardous waste disposals!
Swimming Pools
To learn more check out CDPHE’s Swimming Low-Risk Policy.
Properly Dispose of Carpet Cleaning Waste Water
