Oil, debris and other contaminants can do a lot of damage to parking lot and outdoor storage area storm drains. Fortunately, facilities managers and municipalities have options that can protect their locations against much of this damage that will save the company time and money. Even better, these options don’t involve tearing up a facility to install drainage systems and retention ponds.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires companies to implement pollution control plans to fight stormwater contamination at their facilities since it is illegal under the Clean Water Act to discharge pollutants into navigable waters.
Passive devices combined with regular maintenance programs will reduce the amount of contaminants that enter waterways from storm drains. While passive devices are not designed to stop or block drains in the event of a major spill and do not guarantee drinkable water, they can significantly reduce the amount of contaminants that enter waterways. Here are six fast, affordable ways to fight stormwater pollution:
1. Oily Water Filter Mats and Towels
Rainwater can carry leaks and drips of oil into storm drains, which can be a major violation of the Clean Water Act So how do you remove oil from water? Oily water filter mats and towels absorb and retain oil and let clean water pass through – so any dangerous hydrocarbons can’t make their way down a drain or into waterways. These UV-resistant pads, rolls, strips and towels are made to surround storm drains, catch oily outflow or remove sheens to keep pollutants on lockdown.
2. Drain Inserts
Oil and debris such as dirt, twigs, leaves, bottle caps and broken glass can accumulate in water systems and cause problems for fish and other aquatic life. Debris can also cause drainage pipes to back up.
Drain inserts filter oil and capture debris just below the surface of the storm grate. Installing a drain insert minimizes the time workers spend digging debris out of the catch basin and reduces the likelihood they will directly handle sharp or hazardous objects.
3. Absorbent Booms
Facilities and municipalities can channel stormwater to retention ponds or other areas where it can evaporate or be treated and released. Oil that gets through stormwater drains and ends up in accumulation areas can negate treatment efforts.
Absorbent booms attract oil and oil-based liquids while repelling water. Booms float on water and come in white to show grime or black to hide it. A built-in rope the entire length of the boom adds strength and makes retrieval easier.
4. Trays and Decks
Capturing oil at the source of the leak will preserve concrete or asphalt surfaces and prolong the life of drain inserts.
Trays and decks contain absorbent materials that capture oil while allowing water to pass through.
5. Collapsible Spill Berms
Facilities where liquid-holding containers are regularly moved have a greater chance for a spill.
Collapsible containment berms contain spills that happen while containers are being moved. These berms are portable and have collapsible walls that forklifts and other vehicles can drive over.
6. Self Bailer Kits
Outdoor spill pallets and other containment units that come into contact with rainwater must be drained to prevent overflow and pollutant discharge.
Self bailer kits attach to containment units and filter oil until they detect a large hydrocarbon leak or the filter is saturated. When the filter becomes saturated, however, no liquid will be able to pass through.
7. Drain Markers
Municipalities have the issue of citizens dumping oil or sweeping debris into storm drains, which can harm aquatic life if the drain goes to a waterway and floods residential areas.
Drain markers labeled “no dumping” remind the public to think twice before disposing of waste there.
Prevention Goes a Long Way
Facility managers can avoid EPA and Clean Water Act violations by using passive devices to prevent oil and debris from getting in storm drains and, in turn, promoting clean and safe waterways.
6 Comments
Maggie Allensays:
09/06/2016 at 7:03 pmI really like that there are so many different options for taking care of stormwater drainage! It sounds like my yard could use some good trays in it to help with all of the water we get. Unfortunately, my yard doesn’t slope enough to get rid of stormwater in an efficient way. However, since there is a lot of asphalt in my yard, a tray could definitely be used.
Karensays:
09/16/2016 at 2:37 pmHi Maggie,
Great conclusions! Trays can certainly be helpful, but need to be checked and emptied regularly to prevent standing water from becoming stagnant. Adding landscaping features, such as shrubs and bushes, can also help soak up stormwater.
Good luck!
-Karen
Jesse Jamisonsays:
01/27/2017 at 12:44 pmI like the idea of using absorbent booms to keep oil and other harmful chemicals out of municipal retention ponds. This area is one of my favorite places to go on walks in the city. I would hate to see anything happen to it. I assume that the city already does something to keep these things out. I assume the booms would be a good way of making sure it works, though.
Karensays:
02/06/2017 at 1:58 pmHi Jesse,
You are correct to assume that your city probably already does something to keep harmful pollutants out of the municipal retention ponds. Under the Clean Water Act, the EPA charged states with the responsibility to identify waters within their jurisdiction and create plans that prevent pollution and help restore impaired waters. The states, in turn, get help from each of their municipalities to make sure that plans and procedures are in place.
Most often, the city or county will refer to this as a “Stormwater Management Program.” Using absorbent booms to collect any free oils floating on water can certainly be part of that plan, but there are also many other pollutants that your municipality may also need to plan for, including solids like dirt or twigs, nutrients like nitrogen and chemicals that rob the water of oxygen.
If you’d like more information on EPA’s Stormwater Management Regulations, check out our series that provides the background as well as requirements that businesses must follow to help limit pollutants from entering waterways.
Best,
Karen
Eloisasays:
06/22/2017 at 11:01 amGreat post and it’s good to know the affordable ways to fight Stormwater pollution. I love the concept of the Absobent Booms and I think it’s effective in attracting oil while repelling water. The Drain Inserts is great too because it will take care of the debris. I think everything on the list is great. This post will help a lot of people.
Karensays:
06/30/2017 at 10:57 amThank you for your kind remarks. It is great to know that there are a lot of options to help facilities and first responders fight stormwater pollutants. Absorbents booms are a great tool for quick response to oil spills that may enter retention ponds, small creeks and other environmentally sensitive areas. However, if oil could spill into rapidly moving waters or to any body of water subject to tides, containment booms may be a better option.
-Karen
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