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Best Management Practices for Mobile Carpet Cleaners STORMWATER POLLUTION PRE VENTION FAC T SHEE T (continued on back side) Best Management Practices for Cl ean Wa te r is Eve r y one ’s B u si ne s s Carpet and furniture steam cleaners and dry cleaners have an important role in reducing stormwater pollution by assuring that cleaning fl uids are not being released into the storm drain system. Did you know that storm drains are NOT connected to sanitary sewer systems or waste treatment plants? The primary purpose of storm drains is to carry rainwater away from developed areas to prevent fl ooding. Throughout our community, storm drains fl ow directly into our creeks, rivers, and marine waters without any treatment. Wastewater from carpet and upholstery cleaning commonly contains harsh chemicals, detergent, carpet fi bers and dirt. These and other pollutants can contaminate our waterways, making them unsafe for people and wildlife. Why is proper stormwater management important to your mobile business? • Cutting the risk of pollution and spills helps keep your workplace and your clients’ neighborhood clean and safe. • Stormwater pollution is a major threat to streams and rivers in our community and throughout Puget Sound. By following best management practices your business will help prevent pollution, comply with regulations, protect public health, and protect the health of our streams, rivers, and marine water resources. The Solution: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES Best Management Practices (BMP’s) are procedures that help to prevent pollutants from entering our storm drains. Each of us can do our part to keep stormwater clean. Preparing to Work • Educate staff about preventing stormwater pollution. • Identify stormwater entry points at each job and ensure your wastewater cannot fl ow into them – protect with bunds (tubes of geotextile similar to sandbags) if needed. • Ensure that the fi lters on your cleaning equipment meet local specifi cations. • Keep your equipment maintained, to cut the risk of leaks, and regularly cleaned so that any leaks can be seen quickly. • Explain your practices to your customers and set a good example! On the Job • Use low-toxin, low-surfactant and non-toxic materials whenever possible. • Rinse out detergent containers into your cleaning machine to use the very last of your detergent. • Control powders and airborne sprays so they cannot land on surfaces where rain will wash them down the drain. • Any materials that could wash away must be stored safely to stop them getting into stormwater drains. • Always rinse equipment and fi lters into a sink (or your container) or onto grass where water can soak in. ---PAGE BREAK--- Numbers to call for more information on Best Management Practices or to report spills or an illicit discharge: City of Anacortes – 293-1921 City of Burlington – 755-9715 City of Mount Vernon – 336-6204 City of Sedro-Woolley – 855-0771 Skagit County – 336-9400 Washington Department of Ecology – (425) 649-7000 Published by Skagit Conservation District - For information about other stormwater education programs and volunteer opportunities contact the Skagit Conservation District offi ce at (360) 428-4313 or visit our website: www.skagitcd.org Do your part to keep the Skagit waterways clean. You can make a diff erence! Wastewater Disposal • Discharge wastewater into a sink, toilet, tub, sewer cleanout pipe or other drain connected to the sanitary sewer system. • Before disposing of wastewater, fi lter it to remove carpet fi bers and other solids in order to prevent pipe clogs. • Filtered materials can be disposed of in the regular trash unless it contains hazardous materials. • For each job, maintain a log of wastewater disposal including disposal method, volume and any special handling. • Do not lift a sewer manhole to discharge wastewater – it is illegal to do so. Make a Plan to Deal with Spills • Do not hose spills down the drain – if the spill gets into the stormwater system you may be prosecuted for pollution. • Get a spill kit, know how to use it and have it readily available when you are on the job. A spill kit should include: – Protective clothing – Absorbing and cleaning agents – sand, sawdust, absorbent pads/pellets, ‘kitty litter’, mops, brooms and rags – Portable bunds to direct spills or wash-water away from drains to clean-up areas – Shovels, brooms and dustpans to sweep up solid or powder spills Employee Training • Train all employees upon hiring and each year thereafter.