- Driveway/Sidewalk/Parking lot/Road Construction Crews
- Seal Coat Contractors
- Construction Inspectors
- General Contractors
- Operators of grading equipment, paving machines, dump trucks and cement mixers
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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Roadwork & Paving Problems |
Road paving, surfacing and pavement removal activities contribute to urban runoff pollution because they take place right in the street, where urban runoff contamination can result from asphalt, saw-cut slurry or excavated material.
Rain or runoff can carry these toxic substances to our waterways through the storm drain system, posing a hazard to human and sea life.
Extra planning is required to store and dispose of material properly and guard against storm water, creek and ocean pollution. This brochure tells you how.
Best management practices such as handling, storing and disposing of materials properly can prevent pollutants from entering the storm drains.
A. General Business Practices
- Keep materials out of the rain. Store them under cover, with temporary roofs or plastic sheets, protected from rainfall, runoff and the wind.
- Schedule excavation and grading work for dry weather.
- Develop and implement erosion and sediment control plans for embankments.
- Recycle used oil, concrete, broken asphalt,etc.
B. Equipment Maintenance
- Maintain all vehicles and heavy equipment. Inspect frequently for leaks.
- Conduct all vehicle/equipment maintenance and refueling at one location-away from storm drains.
- Perform major equipment/vehicle repairs and washing off site.
- Do not use diesel oil to lubricate equipment or parts.
C. Asphalt & Concrete Removal
- After breaking up paving, be sure to remove all chunks and pieces. Recycle them at a crushing company. Use the referral numbers listed on the reverse of this brochure.
- Dispose of small amounts of dry concrete in the trash.
- Shovel or vacuum saw-cut slurry and remove from the site. For disposal information, Call the ECO-DESK HOTLINE at 527-3375.
- Cover or barricade storm drain openings during saw-cutting.
D. Asphalt & Concrete Disposal Options
- Use a crushing company to recycle cement, asphalt and porcelain rather than taking them to a landfill. For disposal information, call the ECO-DESK HOTLINE at 527-3375.
E. During Construction
- Cover catch basins and maintenance holes when applying seal coat, slurry seal, fog seal, etc.
- Use check dams, ditches or berms to divert runoff around excavations.
- Never wash excess materials from exposed aggregate concrete or similar treatments into a street, gutter or storm drain. Collect and recycle, or dispose to a dirt area.
- Collect and recycle excess abrasive gravel or sand.
- Avoid over-application by water trucks for dust control.
F. Spills
- Never hose down "dirty" pavement or surfaces. Clean up all spills and leaks using "dry" methods (with absorbent materials and/or rags), or dig up and remove contaminated soil. For disposal information, call the ECO-DESK HOTLINE listed on this brochure for information.
- Catch drips from paver with drip pans or absorbent material (cloth, rags, etc.) placed under machine when not In use.
STORM WATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PROGRAM RESOURCE GUIDE
SPILLS 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. April 1998