Pollution Prevention at Workplaces

You can help prevent stormwater pollution in local rivers and creeks by taking steps like the following on your property:

General techniques:

• Never dump or wash chemicals, oil, dirt, or polluted water into catchbasins, ponds, ditches, creeks, or rivers.
• Keep your property clean and free of litter.
• Cover all outdoor waste containers and empty the containers regularly so they do not overflow. 
• Keep other outdoor storage areas covered to prevent rain from falling directly on the stored debris. 
• Repair leaky waste containers and place them at least 1 m away from catchbasins and ditches on your property. 
• Never dump liquid waste or excess kitchen grease/oil into the stormwater drainage system.
• Choose water-based, natural, and non-hazardous cleaning materials when possible and use safe disposal options.
• Ensure hazardous materials have secondary containment measures for spill prevention and are stored away from catchbasins and ditches. 
• Safely store and dispose of all chemicals and cleaning products and clean up spills immediately.

Cleaning techniques:

• Clear catchbasins of litter and debris to ensure proper drainage during rainfall events. 
• Clean out catchbasins annually and regularly replace catchbasin inserts.​
• Never use water to clean up spills, garbage, or waste containers outside. The contaminated water will drain into the stormwater drainage system and pollute local rivers and creeks. 
• ​Instead, use dry cleaning methods outdoors by using rags, cloths, and brooms to clean up garbage and waste containers. 
• Outdoor areas should be manually or mechanically swept, and the used material disposed of as solid waste.
• Manage and contain spills with absorbent materials like granular absorbent, absorbent pads, booms, sawdust, sand, or rags.
• Ensure all vehicles and machinery are washed in a wash bay or commercial car wash to help prevent contaminated water from getting into stormwater drains.
• Wash restaurant or food-related equipment like floor mats and filters inside in a sink, and not outside or near catchbasins.

Spill prevention:

• Inspect parking lots and access roads regularly for spills. Clean up spills and debris as soon as possible and report spills as required (see below).
• Try to prevent spills. Use a funnel when pouring liquids to prevent spillovers and use a spill pan or bucket to collect spillovers. 
• Ensure that loading areas are covered to protect from rainfall and have secondary containment to collect leaks and spills that may occur during loading and unloading. 
• Do not store liquid wastes in dumpsters. Most dumpsters and trash compactors leak. Instead, keep liquid waste in closed containers. 

Employee training:

• Provide training for all employees about proper handling and storage of materials. Make sure everyone is aware of their responsibility to prevent stormwater pollution. 
• Ensure that all employees are aware of how to properly dispose of chemicals and manage spills.