Resources for Industrial Facilities

Resources for Industrial Facilities
Material handling and storage, equipment maintenance and cleaning, and other activities at industrial facilities are often exposed to the weather. Runoff from rainfall or snowmelt that comes in contact with these activities can pick up pollutants such as heavy metals, oily wastes, and other substances, and transport them directly to a nearby river, lake, or coastal water or indirectly via a storm sewer and degrade quality. Stormwater discharges from industrial activities require a Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP). The MSGP requires operators of industrial facility sites to develop a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPP).

The following practices will help reduce the volume of stormwater created and help prevent pollutants from coming in contact with stormwater. Click the links below to learn more!

• Only rain down the drain – protect all storm drain systems located on your industrial site. These systems are not designed to handle illicit discharges like sewage, washwater, spills, or dumped materials. Inspect floor drains, sinks, and process drains ensuring no connection with storm drains. Learn more!
• Mind the dust – dust comes from smokestacks, stockpiles, cleared ground, and open areas. Routinely clean vents and filters. Learn more!
• Store it right – store all materials, products, and waste inside the facility or ensure they are properly covered if stored outside. Store equipment and vehicles inside whenever possible. Learn more!
• Watch the salt – cover stockpiles of salt for use in winter road maintenance. Limit the amount of salt applied. Sweep and properly dispose of any visible salt deposits once the application surface or storage area has dried. Learn more!
• Infiltrate – encourage infiltration by installing infiltration-based features such as rain gardens and bioswales.
• Designate waste disposal areas – remove trash, debris, and wastes on a regular basis and ensure that dumpsters are covered. Learn more!
• Sweep it up – paved road, parking lots, and storage areas should be swept with a type of vacuum sweeper that incorporates HEPA filtration or other high efficiency method of filtration of the exhaust air from the sweeper to trap the very fine metallic particles found in the road or parking lot dust to reduce these discharges to stormwater. Learn more!
• Sweep it up more – conduct frequent sweeping, vacuuming, or other cleanup methods for accumulated dry chemicals and materials to cut down on possible stormwater contamination.
• Spills – maintain spill prevention and response procedures to quickly and efficiently respond to any spills that may occur. Learn more!