Businesses

Your part can be a simple committment or a lifestyle transformation.

PECO green roof

As a business owner that wants to make a difference in Your watershed, how you conduct everyday activities can improve the health of your watershed's stormwater runoff dramatically.Investing time in managing stormwater more effectively on your property or in your community not only helps protect our invaluable drinking water sources, but also helps green the city, restore our waterways, and improve quality of life for all residents.

Below are actions that you can take on in your business:

Pavement Cleaning

  • Sweep parking lots and other paved areas periodically to remove debris. Dispose of debris in the garbage
  • If outdoor pavement cleaning with detergent is required, collect wash water and dispose in indoor sinks or drains for discharge to the sanitary sewer. Contact your local wastewater treatment agency.

    • Litter Control

  • Provide an adequate number of trash receptacles for your customers and employees. This helps keep trash from overflowing the receptacles.
  • Pick up litter and other wastes daily from outside areas including storm drain inlet grates.

    • Waste Disposal

  • Inspect dumpsters and other waste containers periodically. Repair or replace leaky dumpsters and containers.
  • Cover dumpsters and other waste containers.
  • Never dispose of waste products in storm drain inlets.
  • Recycle wastes or dispose properly.

    • Materials Storage

  • Store materials such as grease, paints, detergents, metals, and raw materials in appropriate, labeled containers.
  • Make sure all outdoor storage containers have lids, and that the lids are adequately closed.
  • Store stockpiled materials inside a building, under a roof, or covered with a tarp to prevent contact with rain.

    • Control Erosion and Landscaped Areas

  • Use native shrubs, plants and natural groundcovers to beautify your site, control areas where pedestrian traffic has damaged plants, and consider alternative materials, such as river rock or mulch, in areas of heavy use.
  • Watch slopes for soil erosion.

    • Training

  • Train employees regularly on good housekeeping practices.
  • Assign a person to be responsible for effective implementation of BMPs.

    • Equipment/Vehicle Cleaning

  • Maintain equipment and vehicles regularly. Check for and fix leaks.
  • Use drip pans to collect leaks or spills during maintenance activities.
  • Wash equipment/vehicles in a designated and/or covered area where the wash water is collected to be recycled or discharged to the sanitary sewer. Contact your local wastewater treatment agency.

    • Restaurant or Food Service Establishments

    Control Kitchen Grease Storage

    Ensure grease storage containers are not leaking and in good condition.Take steps to prevent grease from dripping or overflowing when transferring and emptying containers. Container lids should fit securely and be inaccessible to vandals and animals. Never dispose of grease in a storm drain.

    Trash Storage and Handling

    Non-hazardous and non-liquid solid wastes should be containerized in tied bags prior to disposing in dumpsters. Lids on trash cans and dumpster from containers should fit securely to prevent dispersal of trash by animals or wind. Request that
    your trash contractor pick up litter dispersed during their transfer. Regularly inspect waste storage areas for litter.

    Enclose Outdoor Food Storage and Processing Areas

    Use temporary tarps or tents as a short-term measure and permanent structures (i.e., awning or shed) to cover activity areas to prevent rain or snow from picking up or collecting residues and wastes. If an activity cannot be effectively controlled, relocate it indoors or to an alternate site.

    Control Outdoor Washing Activities

    Wash items outdoors only as a last resort and according to local code. Employ BMPs if you must conduct washing activities out of doors. Use minimum amounts of water to avoid producing excessive runoff that may contain detergent or pesticide residues, bacteria or grease. Polluted wash water, even in small amounts, can accumulate in storm drains and waterways where it can harm aquatic life and of impact water quality.

    Eliminate Illicit Drain Connections

    Plumbing from indoor sink drains should not discharge directly into storm drainage systems, gutters, creeks, and streams; instead, indoor drains should be plumbed according to local sanitary code. Indoor drains should discharge to an approved wastewater treatment facility. Illicit connections have historically been a problem in older buildings.

    The Homeowner's Guide to Stormwater Management also provides steps and actions that business owner can do.