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Healthy Business Habits City of Kalispell Stormwater Management Program Storm drains and sanitary sewers have two distinct functions. It’s important to understand the difference. Storm Drains are intended to collect and transport runoff from rainfall. Storm drain systems do not remove pollutants from water before it is discharged into rivers and streams. These are typically the drains found in streets and parking lots. Sanitary Sewers collect waste water from indoor plumbing such as toilets, sinks, washing ma- chines, and floor drains and take it to a sewage treatment plant. The treatment plant removes pollutants from waste water be- fore it is discharged to the river. When in doubt about which system your waste water goes to, don’t hesitate to call 758-7720. Remember, discharging anything other than rain water to the storm drain is illegal. City of Kalispell Public Works P.O. Box 1997 Kalispell, MT 59903-1997 Public Works (406) 758-7720 Storm Drains vs. Sanitary Sewers ---PAGE BREAK--- Never dispose of liquids in the garbage dumpster. Keep the garbage dumpster drain closed and inspect for leaks on a regular basis. Keep the garbage dumpster lid closed and locked (if possible) to keep out rain and scavengers. Use garbage bags. Clean floor mats, garbage cans, and other large pieces of equip- ment at a mop sink or interior floor drain. For items that are too large to be effectively cleaned indoors, consid- er the following options: Take items to a designated car wash facility. Car washes are properly connected to the sani- tary sewer. Use a temporary containment area, and ensure runoff will not flow to streets, gutters, or storm drains. Mop Bucket and Sinks Always use grease bins to dis- pose of oils and greases. To minimize spills when trans- ferring oil and grease to the grease bin, use containers with adequate size that are equipped with spouts. Wipe spills as soon as possible. Use dry clean up methods such as kitty litter absorbents. Maintain grease traps to prevent overflows and have contents pro- fessionally hauled and disposed of; some interceptors may need to be refilled with water. Never empty a mop bucket where it will drain into a storm drain. Always use the mop sink. Keep the mop sink accessible. Don’t use it to store materials or equipment. Equipment Cleaning Grease and Oil Spills For outdoor spills use a mop, rag, or absorbent material (such as kitty litter) to clean spills. Always keep used absorbent ma- terial out of the storm drain. Don’t let the absorbent material get saturated. Dispose of it by placing it in a sealed plastic bag and place it in the garbage dumpster. Garbage Dumpsters Water from pressure washing outside areas should be dis- charged to the sanitary sewer or otherwise properly disposed of without letting it flow down storm drains. Use dry clean up methods to clean outside areas whenever possible. If you use outside companies to do pressure washing, you are still responsible if cleaning water is improperly disposed of into the storm drain. Pressure Washing