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This brochure is one of a series of pamphlets describing storm drain protection measures for specific types of construction industry activities. Other pamphlets include: General Construction and Site Supervision Landscaping, Gardening and Pool Maintenance Painting and Application of Solvents and Adhesives Fresh Concrete and Mortar Application Roadwork and Paving Earth-Moving Activities Heavy Equipment Operation For more information about the county- wide storm drain protection program and additional brochures, call: Contra Costa Clean Water Program 255 Glacier Drive Martinez, CA 94553 1-800-NO-DUMPING Spill Response Agencies 1. Dial 911 2. Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Warning Center (800) 852-7550 (24 hours) Local Pollution Control Agencies Contra Costa Clean Water Program (925) 313-2360 City of Antioch (925) 779-7097 City of Brentwood (925) 516-5169 City of Clayton (925) 673-7308 City of Concord (925) 671-3394 Contra Costa County (925) 313-2259 Town of Danville (925) 314-3342 City of El Cerrito (510) 215-4382 City of Hercules (510) 799-8242 City of Lafayette (925) 299-3240 City of Martinez (925) 372-3563 Town of Moraga (925) 376-2590 City of Oakley (925) 625-7003 City of Orinda (925) 253-4231 City of Pinole (510) 741-2065 City of Pittsburg (925) 252-4110 City of Pleasant Hill (925) 671-5261 City of Richmond (510) 231-3011 City of San Pablo (510) 215-3066 City of San Ramon (925) 973-2800 City of Walnut Creek (925) 943-5899 General Construction and Site Supervision Best Management Practices for the Construction Industry Contra Costa Clean Water Program ---PAGE BREAK--- Storm Drain Pollution Prevention: It’s Up to Us In Contra Costa County, storm drains flow directly to local creeks, San Francisco Bay, and the delta with no treatment. Storm water pollution is a serious problem for wildlife dependent on our waterways and for the people who live near polluted streams or baylands. Some common sources of this pollution include spilled oil, fuel, and fluids from vehicles and heavy equipment; construction debris; landscaping runoff containing pesticides or weed killers; and materials such as used motor oil, antifreeze, and paint products that people pour or spill into a street or storm drain. Eighteen cities, the County, and the County Flood Control District have joined together to educate local residents and businesses to fight storm drain pollution. We hope you will join us, by using the practices described in this pamphlet. Advance Planning to Prevent Pollution Schedule excavation and grading activities for dry weather periods. Control the amount of runoff crossing your site (especially during excavation!) by using berms or drainage ditches to divert water flow around the site. Train your employees and sub- contractors. Make these brochures available to everyone who works on the site. Inform subcontractors about the new stormwater requirements and their own responsibilities. Refer to Blueprint for a Clean Bay, a construction best management practices guide available from the Contra Costa Clean Water Program. Good Housekeeping Practices Designate one area of the site for auto parking, vehicle refueling, and routine equipment maintenance. The designated area should be well away from streams or storm drain inlets, and bermed if necessary. Make major repairs off-site. Keep materials out of the rain – prevent runoff contamination at the source. Cover up leaks, drips and other spills immediately so they do not contaminate soil or groundwater or leave residue on paved surfaces. Never hose down “dirty” pavement or surfaces where materials have spilled. Use dry cleanup methods whenever possible. If you must use water, use just enough to keep the dust down and protect storm drain inlets. Cover and maintain dumpsters. Check frequently for leaks. Place dumpsters under roofs or cover with tarps or plastic sheeting secured around the outside of the dumpster. Never clean out a dumpster by hosing it down on the construction site. Make sure portable toilets are in good working order. Check frequently for leaks. Storm Drain Pollution from Construction Activities Construction sites are common sources of stormwater pollution. Materials and wastes that blow or wash into a storm drain, gutter, or street have a direct impact on local creeks and the Bay. As a contractor, site supervisor, owner or operator of a site, you may be responsible for any environmental damage caused by your subcontractors or employees. Materials/Waste/Handling Practice source reduction – minimize waste when you order materials. Order only the amount you need to finish the job. Use recyclable materials whenever possible. Dispose of all wastes properly. Many construction materials and wastes, including solvents, water-based paints, vehicle fluids, broken asphalt and concrete, wood, and cleared vegetation can be recycled. (See the reference list of recyclers at the back of Blueprint for a Clean Bay). Materials that cannot be recycled must be taken to an appropriate landfill or disposed of as hazardous waste. Never bury waste materials or leave them in the street or near a creek or streambed.