Best Practices for Cleaning and Transporting Hazardous Waste from Stormwater Damage
- By Cory Levins
- 22 jul 2019
The river will always reach the sea, as the old saying says. However, long before it gets there, it’s vital to know what’s going into those rivers and streams. Understanding and following best practices for stormwater disposal and treatment is critical for supporting the health of these vital waterways.
Air Sea Containers specializes in helping our customers safely store and transport all kinds of potentially hazardous materials. Stormwater discharges from industrial, agricultural and construction projects contain many different substances that can potentially harm waterways, so you’ll need to understand the permitting and managing process necessary for their safe disposal. Today, we’ll look at four basic tips that will help construction, manufacturing and agricultural businesses understand the foundations of stormwater management and how to stay in compliance.
The first step to creating a stormwater management plan is to identify the specific stormwater issues your site poses. Several types of common stormwater pollutants you should pay particular attention to include:
Take the time to do a detailed appraisal of what kinds of runoff hazards are present at your site, and look at some hazardous waste examples to make sure you’re disposing of them correctly. The EPA’s Industrial Stormwater Monitoring and Sampling Guide is a great starting point. Once you know which hazards you’re dealing with, you’ll need to find out whether you need a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, a subsidiary of the EPA, is the government-permitting authority that regulates and manages stormwater runoff. To find out whether you need an NPDES permit, read over the NPDES Permit Basics first. Some of the most important considerations are:
Even if your project site contains a lot of potential pollutants, and even if you use a municipal sewer system rather than a waterway, you can leverage some general best practices to reduce levels of pollutants and stormwater discharge:
A stormwater system can’t function if it’s not maintained properly. Follow the EPA’s guide to stormwater system maintenance, noting that you may need to perform:
These tips, of course, are just the beginning. Perfecting your stormwater discharge system is a long journey, with many bureaucratic hurdles to clear, so do your research and don’t expect it to happen overnight. And whenever you’re dealing with hazardous substances, remember that Air Sea Containers is there to provide you with the best solutions for storing and transporting hazardous waste. So feel free to call us at (866) 596-9448 or contact us online for more information!
Air Sea Containers specializes in helping our customers safely store and transport all kinds of potentially hazardous materials. Stormwater discharges from industrial, agricultural and construction projects contain many different substances that can potentially harm waterways, so you’ll need to understand the permitting and managing process necessary for their safe disposal. Today, we’ll look at four basic tips that will help construction, manufacturing and agricultural businesses understand the foundations of stormwater management and how to stay in compliance.
1. Understand the specific hazards your stormwater may pose.
The first step to creating a stormwater management plan is to identify the specific stormwater issues your site poses. Several types of common stormwater pollutants you should pay particular attention to include:
- Sediment: Loose and disturbed soil that washes away in stormwater and gradually fills up waterways.
- Phosphorous: A nutrient often found in fertilizers that clings to the soil and disrupts aquatic ecosystems by over-fertilizing plants and algae.
- Microorganisms: Many types of bacteria found in soil can cause big problems if they migrate en masse to waterways. You may not even be aware of the microorganisms your site contains, so consider soil testing to learn what you’re dealing with.
- Toxic Chemicals: Pesticides, automotive chemicals, zinc, lead and other toxic substances are all often present at commercial and industrial sites.
Take the time to do a detailed appraisal of what kinds of runoff hazards are present at your site, and look at some hazardous waste examples to make sure you’re disposing of them correctly. The EPA’s Industrial Stormwater Monitoring and Sampling Guide is a great starting point. Once you know which hazards you’re dealing with, you’ll need to find out whether you need a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
2. Find out what set of guidelines you need to follow.
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, a subsidiary of the EPA, is the government-permitting authority that regulates and manages stormwater runoff. To find out whether you need an NPDES permit, read over the NPDES Permit Basics first. Some of the most important considerations are:
- If you discharge stormwater into a municipal sewage system rather than a waterway, you probably don’t need an NPDES permit but check with your local sewer authority first.
- Some states will issue you an NPDES permit, while others conduct the process through the federal EPA. Find out which is applicable to your state.
- Review the EPA’s flow charts of the permitting process to learn which steps your business will be required to take. The process can take months, so start early and be prepared for the long haul.
- Various types of businesses, including concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and farms that use pesticides, may be subject to additional regulations. Check with the EPA or your state NPDES issuer to learn more.
3. Minimize your amount of stormwater discharge and the level of pollutants in it.
Even if your project site contains a lot of potential pollutants, and even if you use a municipal sewer system rather than a waterway, you can leverage some general best practices to reduce levels of pollutants and stormwater discharge:
- Reduce the amount of toxic chemicals and fertilizers you use wherever possible.
- Minimize the level of impervious surfaces at your site. For example, use pavers rather than concrete or asphalt slabs.
- Use containment systems such as diverters, tarps, basins and berms to direct water outflow into the ground and away from toxic materials.
- Use erosion control equipment to prevent excess soil erosion.
- Find a qualified automotive waste disposal center to get rid of materials like auto batteries, motor oil and antifreeze.
- Use durable hazardous waste shipping and storage materials that are less likely to leak during extreme weather events.
4. Perform regular maintenance on your stormwater management systems.
A stormwater system can’t function if it’s not maintained properly. Follow the EPA’s guide to stormwater system maintenance, noting that you may need to perform:
- Catch basin cleanings.
- Mosquito control operations.
- Maintenance on green infrastructure such as permeable pavements and bioretention systems.
- Maintenance of wetlands and waterways used for storm drainage.
These tips, of course, are just the beginning. Perfecting your stormwater discharge system is a long journey, with many bureaucratic hurdles to clear, so do your research and don’t expect it to happen overnight. And whenever you’re dealing with hazardous substances, remember that Air Sea Containers is there to provide you with the best solutions for storing and transporting hazardous waste. So feel free to call us at (866) 596-9448 or contact us online for more information!
