Stormwater
Quality Management Committee
Clark County Regional Flood Control District
600 S. Grand Central Pkwy. Las Vegas, NV 89106 |
|
Surface
Cleaning
 |
|
Best
Management Practices for:
Building Maintenance Departments, Property Owners,
Service Stations, Fast Food Restaurants, Auto Repair
Shops, Window Washing Services, Mobile Washing Services
|
|
Many
common surface cleaning and washing routines contribute to environmental
pollution. Washing buildings or paved surfaces into a gutter
or storm drain pollutes the environment. Water runoff from buildings,
streets, parking lots and driveways can pick up sediment, debris
and oil. These pollutants drain into the Las Vegas Wash, harming
aquatic life. Oil and grease, for example, clog fish gills and
block oxygen from entering the water. If oxygen levels in the
water become too low, aquatic animals die.
 |
Pressure
Washing Drive-Throughs, Driveways, Parking Garages, Service
Stations |
|
| |
|
|
With
or Without Soap - Storm drains must be protected
from water runoff. Sweep, collect and dispose of debris.
Dry clean oil spots with absorbent and dispose of absorbent
in a legal manner. Vacuum/pump wastewater to the sanitary
sewer. Wastewater disposal options should be discussed
with the facility's operator/site manager.
Best to discharge through an oil/water separator. Do not
use an oil/water separator intended to capture cooking
oil. Although pretreatment may not be required. Contact
the local wastewater treatment plant for more information.
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
Washing
Painted Buildings |
|
| |
|
|
Where
Lead-Based or Mercury Additive Paints are of Concern
- Storm
drains must be protected from water runoff. Vacuum/pump
wash water to a holding tank. Consult the local wastewater
treatment plant and local hazardous waste regulators (i.e.,
Southern Nevada
Health District
and Nevada
Division of Environmental Protection
).
Paint
Intact (Without Soap) - Painted
after 1978 (i.e., lead content of paint known and of no
concern). Direct wastewater runoff to soil or landscaped
areas. Sealing the storm drain with a fabric filter to
capture paint particles in the wastewater Never allow
direct discharge to storm drain. Dispose of all collected
particles in garbage. For buildings with paint prior 1978,
please contact the Southern
Nevada Health District
for proper washing procedures.
To
Remove Paint or Prepare Surface for Painting - Consult
the local wastewater treatment plant and local hazardous
waste regulators (i.e., Clark
County Health District
and Nevada
Division of Environmental Protection
).
These BMPs do not address the disposal of paint.
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
Masonry
Efflorescence |
|
| |
|
|
Where
Acid Wash is used to Remove Mineral Deposits on Masonry
- Storm
drains must be protected from water runoff. Rinse treated
area with alkaline soap to neutralize acid residue. Direct
rinse water to a landscaped/soil area. Collect wastewater.
Neutralize wastewater to a pH between 6 and 11. Pump to
a sanitary sewer clean-out at the site, into a sink or
toilet, or contact the local wastewater treatment plant.
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
Washdown
of Restaurant Alleys, Grocery Dumpster Areas |
|
| |
|
|
Outdoors
- No
discharge from this activity is allowed to enter storm
drains. Dry sweep and clean only, if possible. Use rags,
absorbents or dry sweeping compound. Dry sweep first.
Seal storm drain(s). Wash area then vacuum or pump wastewater
to the sanitary sewer. Screen wastewater to prevent clogging
system.
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
Washdown
Sidewalks, Plazas,
Driveways, and Drive-Through Window Areas |
|
| |
|
|
With
Soap - Wastewater must go to sanitary sewer.
Sweep, collect and dispose of of debris and/or absorbent.
Wash area then vacuum or pump wastewater to the sanitary
sewer. The BMPs in this section do not apply if there
has been oil or other hazardous material spilled on site.
In case of a spill, contact the local fire department
for guidance.
Without
Soap - Direct wastewater runoff to soil or
landscaped areas. Wastewater may go to storm drain. Sealing
the storm drain with a fabric filter is recommended to
capture soil in the wastewater
With
Light Oil Deposits (Frequently
Cleaned, Without Soap) -
Sweep,
collect and dispose of of debris and/or absorbent. Dry
sweep oil spots with absorbent and dispose of absorbent
in garbage. Place oil-absorbent boom around storm drain.
Wastewater may go into storm drain through oil absorbing
boom. No oil sheen may be visible on the water flowing
into the storm drain.
With
No Oil Deposits (Without Soap) - Sweep,
collect and dispose of debris. Wastewater may go to storm
drain.
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
Washing
building exteriors and walls |
|
| |
|
|
With
Soap - No
storm drain disposal of wastewater permitted; must discharge
wash water to sanitary sewer or soil. There may be some
unavoidable evaporation from paved surfaces.
Use
wash pads that capture the wastewater and discharge to
the sanitary sewer. Solids separation is required before
disposal. (Ideally, a separate wash area that captures
the wastewater should be established, or use of temporary
wash pads that can be drained to the sanitary sewer are
acceptable.
Seal
storm drains. Wastewater runoff and excess soapy water
must be collected and pumped or otherwise discharged as
follows.
- Pump
into sanitary sewer system clean-out/sink or into an
on-site private sanitary sewer manhole; verify with
the facility manager that it is not a storm drain manhole.
Solids separation will be required before disposal to
prevent clogging system.
- Wastewater
may be discharged into a landscaped or soil areas. Discharge
should be directly to an area sufficient to contain
all wastewater Discuss this practice with the property
owner. Acceptable for minimal discharge flows only.
Repetitive use of the same area or excessive wash volume
to the same area may be illegal. (Note: Be aware that
soapy wastewater may adversely affect landscaping).
- If
disposal to the sanitary sewer and/or a landscaped area
is not possible, then contract with a company capable
of hailing the wastewater off-site to an authorized
disposal site.
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
Graffiti
Removal, Using Wet Sand Blasting Methods |
|
| |
|
|
Using
Wet Sand Blasting Methods - Minimize quantity
of water used. Runoff should be directed to landscaped
or soil area. Filter runoff through boom to keep sand
out of storm drains. Sweep debris and sand. Dispose of
all waste to avoid future runoff contamination.
Using
High-pressure Washing and Cleaning Compound -
Direct
wastewater runoff should be directed to landscaped or
soil area. No runoff can go into storm drain. Seal storm
drains and vacuum/pump wastewater to the sanitary sewer.
Contact local wastewater treatment plant for guidance,
as harsh cleaning compounds may require pretreatment.
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
Car
Lot Rinsing for Dust Removal |
|
| |
|
|
Without
Soap - If
rinsing dust from exterior surfaces using water only,
and no soap/solvent, may discharge runoff to storm drain
or to landscaped or soil areas. Prevent contamination
of the runoff by not allowing it to run through oil deposits
on the pavement or in the gutter.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|