Illicit Discharge

Wastewater from carpet cleaning can contain dirt, soap, oil, solvents and other toxic chemicals. When in our waterways these chemicals can cause harm to plants, animals, and humans. All businesses and citizens in Colorado Springs have a role in keeping our water clean, our health and economy depend on it!  Knowing your role will protect our waters, save money in fines, and prevent negative publicity about your business.

Take the following steps to prevent water pollution:

• Dispose of wastewater to the sanitary sewer system.
  • Discharge wastewater to the sanitary sewer of the property where cleaning occurs, with property owner’s permission. This on-site sanitary sewer can be accessed through a building drain, sewer, industrial sink, private sewer cleanout, private sampling manhole, or any other privately owned sanitary sewer access point.
  • Use a portable containment system. Wastewater can be kept in a holding tank to be hauled offsite and properly disposed of via the sanitary sewer system.
  • When discharging to the sanitary sewer, filter the wastewater as carpet fibers and other debris may clog pipes.
• Consider switching to environmentally friendly products!
  • Look for “non-toxic,” “green,” “phosphate-free”, or “bio-degradable” agents in your products. This reduces exposure to toxins for the cleaners as well as the property owners.
  • All wastewater, even from “green” products, must still be disposed in the sanitary sewer system.
• NEVER dispose of wastewater into a gutter, storm drain inlet, or waterway and train your employees on proper disposal.

Horizontal directional drilling is a method of utility installation that is more efficient than traditional trench methods and minimizes surface disturbance. This activity has exploded across the City with multiple telecommunication companies installing fiber optic internet. Like all construction activities, directional drilling has the potential to release pollutants to stormwater. The main pollutants of concern are bentonite clay and hydraulic fluid. Bentonite clay, while nontoxic, can remain suspended in the water column for a significant amount of time, raising turbidity levels in our local creeks.

Per City excavation and right of way permits, directional drillers are expected to install inlet protection prior to start of work, have a vacuum trailer available at all times, promptly respond to and clean any spill. If a driller is found to be working without inlet protection and/or boring fluid has entered a storm drain, they will be subject to a 24-hour minimum stop work order.

For hydraulic fluid spills place an absorbent material, such as cat litter or floor dry, on the spill to allow it to soak up the fluid. Sweep up and dispose of in the garbage.

Motor vehicle fluids are a major source of water pollution. When it rains, it drains and any spilled or leaked motor vehicle fluids on the ground are picked up by rainwater and washed into our local creeks. Antifreeze is toxic and can kill or injure pets, birds, fish, and other wildlife. 1 gallon of used motor oil can contaminate 1 million gallons of fresh water.

Take the following steps to prevent water pollution:

• Use ground cloths, drip pans, cat litter, or cardboard underneath your vehicle if it leaks or you are doing engine work.
• Collect all used oil and other fluids in containers with tight fitting lids. Do not mix different engine fluids.
• Recycle your used antifreeze and motor oil.
  • Many automotive part shops offer free motor oil recycling.
  • El Paso County Household Hazardous Waste also accepts motor vehicle fluids for disposal. https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/household-hazardous-waste/
• For small spills place an absorbent material, such as cat litter or floor dry, on the spill to allow it to soak up the oil. Sweep up and dispose of in the garbage.
• Large spills that reach an inlet will need to be professionally cleaned. The party responsible for the spill will be required to hire an environmental cleaning company to remediate the spill.

Paints and solvents contain pollutants that are harmful to aquatic life. Dumping paint into the street or waterways can harm aquatic life and cleanup can be challenging and costly.

Take the following steps to prevent water pollution:

• Site Prep
  • Protect nearby inlets if pressure washing or blasting techniques are used to remove old paint.
  • Contain any pressure washing runoff with a wet/dry vac or install a berm to capture water then sweep debris after water has evaporated.
  • Sweep up all dry paint chips and dispose of them in the garbage. Lead based paint chips can become hazardous waste.
• Cleanup
  • Never dump paint or rinse water in the street or stormdrains.
  • If your project cannot be completed in one sitting, store brushes and rollers in plastic bags to be used again the next day.
  • For water-based paints- paint out brushes as much as possible (ex. Wipe out on cardboard) then rinse equipment in the sink.
  • All dry, water-based paint residue can be disposed of in the trash.
  • For oil-based paints- clean equipment with paint thinner then filter thinner for reuse later.
  • Dispose of oil-based paints and thinners at the El Paso County Hazardous Waste Facility. https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/household-hazardous-waste/
  • For construction sites, consider a disposable washout.

Power washing blasts away filth from impervious surfaces. Some power washers use detergent, sand, or simply water. This filth is then carried down the gutter into the storm drains, picking up an array of pollutants along the way. Fine-grained sediment particles, detergent, anti-freeze, oil, paint, grease, and trash can then be transported to our creeks and streams. Once deposited in our creeks and streams, the pollutants can have adverse effects on the environment.

Take the following steps to prevent water pollution:

• Pre-clean by placing absorbent on small oil spots and sweeping up trash, debris, dirt, and used absorbent.
• Contain and collect wastewater using vacuum pumps, booms, berms, portable containment areas, and pumps.
• You can power wash directly into grass on your own property if there is no ponding or soapy residue.
• Avoid using cleaning products that contain hazardous substances, these can turn wastewater into hazardous waste (hydrofluoric acid, muriatic acid, sodium hydroxide).
• Place inlet protection in front of stormdrains.
• Contact Colorado Springs Utilities to dispose of collected wastewater into the sanitary sewer system.

Other resources

• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Low Risk Discharge Guidance: Discharges From Surface Cosmetic Power Washing to Land: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/clean-water-policies
• CDPHE Permit COG607000 Commercial Washing of Outdoor Structures Permit: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/wq-commerce-and-industry-permitting

Colorado Springs Utilities 719-448-4800

Many restaurants generate a large amount of waste materials. From trash to compostable material to cooking grease, it is important to ensure that this waste is stored and handled in a way to prevent water pollution.

Dispose of grease and oil safely

• Maintain, pump, and use grease traps regularly to prevent overflows.
• Keep grease bins covered and contained.
• Have regularly scheduled grease pickups.
• Do not overfill grease bins.
• Store bins in a secured area.

Clean Spills

• For small spills, put absorbent material like floor dry or cat litter on the spill to contain it. Sweep up the used absorbent, place in a secure bag, and deposit it in a secure trash bin.
• For larger spills that could reach storm drains, call 719-385-5980.
• If a spill threatens public health, call 911.
• If a spill is too large to contain with a simple absorbent, contact an environmental cleaning company to professionally clean up the spill.

Maintain Garbage Dumpsters

• Keep dumpster lids closed to keep rain and rodents out and to prevent illegal dumping.
• Keep litter from accumulating around docks by providing trash receptacles and outdoor ashtrays and encouraging employees to use them.
• Never dispose of liquids in the dumpster.
• Inspect for leaks on a regular basis and have bins replaced when necessary.

Kitchen Exhaust and Hood Cleaning

• When servicing a kitchen hood and exhaust system, ensure that all wastewater generated does into the sanitary sewer system.
• Wastewater generated from cleaning these systems contains grease, soot, and cleaning chemicals and will negatively impact surface water quality if it enters the storm sewer system.
• Pre-clean the hood and filters by scraping and dry wiping the surface.
• Filters should be washed indoors, NOT power washed outside.
• Capture power wash wastewater in a large non-leaking garbage can or similar receptacle. When the receptacle is full the captured wastewater should be disposed of in a drain connected to a grease trap/interceptor either onsite at the restaurant or at the cleaning company’s place of business.