For Business/Industry

You Can Prevent Nonpoint Source Pollution
When rain or stormwater flows across rooftops, lawns, streets, parking lots, construction sites and open lots it collects all kinds of pollution from “nonpoint sources” and washes them into our rivers and streams. Typical pollutants from stormwater pollution include sediment (dirt), oil and grease, fecal coliform, pesticides and fertilizer, lawn clippings, debris, and heavy metals.

Contrary to what you might think, stormwater run off does NOT flow into the sewer and to the wastewater treatment plant for treatment (clean up). Polluted stormwater flows directly into our fresh water rivers, streams and lakes. It also can impact groundwater sources. Cleaning up contaminated water can be costly or not possible. Preventing pollution by applying “Best Management Practices” (or BMPs) is easier and more economical.

General BMPs applicable to most businesses and industries
Industry-specific BMPs
Technical assistance for implementing BMPs

General BMPs
Below is a menu of various BMPs in pollution prevention for businesses of all types.
Learn more about these actions to protect source waters.

1. Pollution Prevention Plans
Develop and implement pollution prevention plans, targeting elimination and/or reduction of toxic substances, source reduction, reuse and recycling, and energy recovery for your business. Pollution prevention example plans are available and assistance regarding the planning basics. Further information can be found at these sites:

2. Proper Hazardous Materials Storage
Hazardous materials that are not stored properly have much greater chances of entering the waterways. The Texas Administrative Code regulates industrial waste and municipal hazardous waste. Refer to the Secretary of State's website for details of the regulations.

Elements of proper hazardous materials storage can include:

Maintaining Sufficient Aisle Space
Storing Away from High Traffic Areas
Stacking in Accordance with Manufacturers’ Directions
Storing on Pallets
Delegating Responsibility to Trained Hazardous Substance Management
Personnel
Covering or Enclosing Hazardous Materials Areas
Considering Usable Life of Container

For further information refer to “Menu of BMPs: Hazardous Materials Storage. (U.S. EPA, July 2001).

3. Materials Management
Proper materials management involves the responsible selection, use, storage, and disposal of a product. These actions will help prevent the materials from entering waterways.

Key components of Materials Management include the following:

Minimize Materials Used
Minimize Waste Generated
Routine Housekeeping
Proper Collection and Disposal of Wastes
Maintenance
Regular Inspection
Employee Training
Materials Inventory: identify all substances; label all containers (name, unit number, expiration date, handling instructions, and health and environmental hazards); note hazardous chemicals

Further information can be found at these sites:

“Menu of BMPs: Materials Management.” (U.S. EPA, July 2001).
“Source Water Protection Practices Bulletin: Managing Small Quantity Chemical Use to Prevent Contamination of Drinking Water.” (U.S. EPA, July 2001).

4. Spill Response and Prevention
To protect storm drains from spills and leaks, a spill response and prevention plan should be developed. These plans include spill prevention measures, response procedures, cleanup procedures, reporting and training. Product substitution and use of recycled, reclaimed, and reused materials may reduce the toxic materials requiring a spill response and prevention plan.

Key components of the Spill Response and Prevention Plan include the following:

Description of Facility, Address, Activities and Materials
Identification of Spill Response Personnel
Identification of Potential Spill Areas or Operations
Identification of Areas Requiring Berms
Facility Map (Including Areas, Activities, Materials, Structural BMPs etc.)
Material Handling Procedures
Spill Response Procedures: assessment of site and potential impacts; containment; notification; clean up; disposal; record keeping

Spill Prevention Measures in the plan may include the following:

Install Leak Detection Devices, Overflow Controls, and Diversion Berms
Disconnect Drains to Storm Sewer
Preventative Maintenance
Minimize Spills
Product Substitution
Recycle, Reclaim, or Reuse Materials

Further information can be found at these sites:

“Menu of BMPs: Spill Response and Prevention.” (U.S. EPA, July 2001).
“California Stormwater BMP Handbook, Municipal, BMP Fact Sheets: SC-11 Spill Prevention, Control & Cleanup.” (California Stormwater Quality Association, January 2003).

5. Trash Management
Trash management involves source control and structural control to reduce the amount of trash present in stormwater and entering source waters.

Types:

Source Control: waste reduction; public education; infrastructure; clean-up programs;
Structural Control: filtration; centrifugal separation

For further information refer to this site:
“Menu of BMPs: Trash Management.” (U.S. EPA, July 2001).

Industry-Specific BMPs

Business Type	PSOCs	Links to Specific Best Management Practices
AUTOS: Repair, Parts, Sales, Salvage, Towing	hazardous wastes, hydrocarbons, trace metals	EPA Maui County Waste Reduction Resource Center Pollution Prevention Information Center Western Regional Pollution Prevention Center
DRY CLEANERS	Perchloroethylene, other solvents and chemicals, separator water, used carbon and cartridges from absorbers, residues and sludge from stills, filter powder, filters, rags, and extra chemicals and drums	University of South Carolina School of the Environment Ohio State EPA University of Missouri Pollution Solutions
GOLF COURSE	Fertilizers, pesticides	US EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
GUN RANGE	Lead	Best Management Practices for Lead at Outdoor Shooting Ranges Shooting Range Stewardship: Managing Lead at Your Shooting Range
NAIL SALONS	Acetone and other chemicals	How to Handle Nail Salon Waste County of Maui Best Management Practices for Businesses
PETROLEUM STORAGE TANKS	Petroleum products	Underground Storage Tank BMPs TCEQ’s Petroleum Storage Tank Compliance Information County of Maui Best Management Practices for Businesses

Technical Assistance for Implementing BMPs
Small businesses are eligible to receive free on-site technical help with pollution prevention from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Small Business and Local Government Assistance (SBLGA) program. The program provides confidential technical assistance without the threat of enforcement. Help is available from regional offices located throughout the state; click here to find the nearest Compliance Assistance Specialist.

Following are shortcuts to compliance tools for specific operations:

The Environmental Protection Agency has developed a special resource guide entitled Environmental Assistance Services for Small Business .