HR STORM Green Sense Guide for Hampton Roads Business : How to Help

Begin with a walk around your property. Identify all stormwater drainage system components. What looks like an insignificant ditch plays a key role in stormwater management with regard to both quantity and quality. Ditches and other components of your stormwater system are designed not only to move water quickly to prevent flooding, but also serve as a catch all for pollutants. More elaborate components of your stormwater system may include retention ponds, grassed swales or buffer strips. These are known as Best Management Practices (BMPs) and may require more complex maintenance. More information about BMPs can be found in HR STORM’s BMP Maintenance Guide. Other simple, individual efforts, may seem trivial, but collectively add up to significant stormwater pollution prevention.

Use the following checklist to assess areas of improvement:

The Waste Stream

Bag and secure all trash and place it in proper disposal containers. Dispose of litter properly.
Place a sufficient number of trashcans and recycling receptacles around your place of business, for both your employees and your customers.
Recycle materials such as newspaper, office paper, cans, glass, plastic and scrap metal.
Cover and maintain dumpsters and trashcans.
Check vehicles frequently for fluid leaks and check parking areas for telltale signs of leaks. If oil is dripped on the pavement, clean up the area before stormwater carries it into the drainage system.
Never clean a dumpster by hosing it down on the parking lot – have it moved to a grassy area if you must clean it yourself or have your trash vendor perform this maintenance.

Chemical Storage

Motor oil, antifreeze, fertilizers, pesticides, detergents and household hazardous wastes are all common pollutants in runoff. In addition, pet waste, yard debris and litter all make major impacts on the quality of our stormwater, and our local waterways.

Catch, collect and properly dispose of or recycle automotive and other fluids such as oil, antifreeze, lubricants, degreasers, etc.
Keep pollutants off exposed surfaces.
Do not hose chemical spills or dump these items into storm drains.
Have spill prevention in delivery areas.

Parking Lots and Sidewalks

Use cat litter to soak up automotive drips in your parking lot.
Sweep up and dispose of in the trash. This prevents oil and other harmful fluids from washing into the storm drains where it will pollute local waterways.
Perform regular litter cleanups.
If pets frequent your business, set aside a pet “rest area” with a trash can and plastic bag dispenser so that pet owners can clean up the pet wastes. Pet waste washed into storm drain systems contributes significantly to excess nutrients in our area waterways.
Do not blow or rake leaves into the street, storm drains or gutters.

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