| General Construction & Site Supervision |
- General Contractors
- Construction Inspectors
- Home Builders
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Creek, River and Ocean Pollution Prevention: Its Up to Us
Santa Rosa has two drainage systems-the sanitary sewers and the storm drains. The storm drain system was designed to prevent flooding by carrying excess rainwater away from city streets out to local creeks, the Russian River and the ocean. Because the system contains no filters, it now serves the unintended function of carrying urban pollution straight to our waterways.
This pamphlet tells you how to prevent pollution from "storm water" or "urban runoff".
Rain, industrial and household water mixed with urban pollutants creates storm water pollution. The pollutants include: oil and other automotive fluids, paint and construction debris, yard and pet wastes, pesticides and litter.
Urban runoff pollution contaminates the waterways, closes beaches, harms aquatic life and increases the risk of inland flooding by clogging gutters and catch basins. Overall, storm water pollution costs the Sonoma County economy.
These Best Management Practices (BMP's) will ensure cleaner waterways and cities.
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General Construction Problems |
Construction sites are common sources of urban runoff pollution. Materials and wastes blown or washed into a street, gutter or storm drain flow directly to our waterways.
Sediment is the most common pollutant washed from work sites, creating multiple problems once it enters the creeks, river and ocean. Sediment clogs the gills of fish, blocks light transmission and increases water temperature, all of which harm sea life,disrupting the food chain upon which both fish and people depend.
Sediment also carries with it other worksite pollutants such as cement wash, gravel, asphalt, pesticides, cleaning solvents, motor oil, grease and fuel. Thus, poorly maintained equipment and vehicles leaking fuel and oil at the worksite also contribute to waterway pollution.
As a contractor, site supervisor, owner or operator of a site, you may be responsible for the environmental damage caused by your subcontractors or employees.
Best Management Practices such as handling, storing, and disposing of materials properly can prevent pollutants from entering storm drains.
A. General Business Practices
- Keep pollutants off exposed surfaces. Place trash cans and recycling receptacles around the site.
- Cover and maintain dumpsters. Check frequently for leaks. Place dumpsters under a roof or cover with tarps or plastic sheeting. Never clean a dumpster by hosing it down on site.
- Keep materials out of the rain. Cover exposed piles of soil or construction materials with plastic sheeting or temporary roofs.
- Designate one area for auto parking, vehicle refueling and routine equipment maintenance. The designated area should be well away from gutters or storm drains. Make major repairs off site.
- Make sure portable toilets are in good working order. Check frequently for leaks.
- Use only as much water as necessary for dust control.
B. Clean up spills
- Clean up leaks, drips and other spills immediately. This will prevent contaminated soil or residue on paved surfaces.
- All absorbents used to clean up spills of hazardous materials must be disposed of as hazardous waste. Call the ECO-DESK at 527-3375 for disposal options.
- Never hose down "dirty" pavement or surfaces where materials have spilled. Use dry clean up methods wherever possible.
C. Advanced Planning to Prevent Pollution
- An erosion control program, worked out before construction begins, prevents or minimizes most erosion and sedimentation problems.
- Train your employees and subcontractors. Make these brochures available to everyone working on site. Inform subcontractors about the storm water requirements and their own responsibilities.
- Schedule excavation and grading activities for dry weather periods.
- Control surface runoff to reduce erosion, especially during excavation. Use drainage ditches to divert water flow.
- Use gravel approaches to reduce soil compaction and limit the tracking of sediments into streets, where truck traffic is frequent.
- Prevent erosion by planting fast- growing annual and perennial grasses. These will shield and bind the soil.
- Do not remove trees or shrubs unnecessarily. They help decrease erosion.
D. Handling Materials & Waste
- Practice Source Reduction-minimize waste when ordering materials. Order only the amounts needed to complete the job.
- Use recycled and recyclable materials whenever possible.
- Never bury waste materials or leave them in the street.
- Dispose of all waste properly. Many construction materials, including solvents, water- based paints, vehicle fluids, broken asphalt and concrete, wood, and cleared vegetation can be recycled. Unrecyclable materials must be taken to an appropriate landfill or disposed of as hazardous waste. For disposal information call the numbers listed on the back of this pamphlet.
E. Disposal Options
- Use a crushing company to recycle cement, asphalt and porcelain rather than taking them to a landfill. Call the ECO-DESK HOTLINE at 527-3375 for information.
STORM WATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PROGRAM RESOURCE GUIDESPILLS AND DUMPING IN STORM DRAINS AND CREEKS
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EMERGENCY SPILL SITUATION |
TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
GASOLINE - ANTIFREEZE - OIL - PAINT - ETC.
CITY OR COUNTY: 9-1-1
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NON-EMERGENCY SPILL SITUATION |
NON TOXIC OR NON HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
CITY: 543-3881 (FIELD SERVICES)
COUNTY: 525-6565 (ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH)
TO REPORT CLOGGED STORM DRAINS OR DITCHES
CITY: 543-3881 (PUBLIC WORKS)
COUNTY: 524-7280 (PUBLIC WORKS)
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ECO - DESK HOTLINE
527-DESK (3375) |
| For more information on RECYCLING call the ECO-DESK. They have many listings and ideas. |
This brochure is one of a series of pamphlets describing storm drain protection measures for construction projects. Other pamphlets include:
Rev. April1998