The field of stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs) is a nuanced one, and contains several specific areas that may be important in a given setting or jobsite. One such area that must not be glossed over, even if it sounds simple and straightforward: Management of trash and other waste in the area.
At Silver Leaf SWPPP, we're here to help clients around Utah with all their SWPPP needs, from SWPPP plans and documentation to on-site needs like street sweeping, dewatering and more. While specific requirements here will vary from location to location, here are some general tips when it comes to waste management within the realm of SWPPP.
For understandable reasons, we get why some people don't fully consider physical waste within the world of stormwater management. The term is based around water-based issues, after all, such as chemicals, sediment and other similar areas. But the truth is that trash and waste products can be just as detrimental to this area if not properly managed. They can cause blockages in stormwater systems, which leads to flooding or erosion issues.
Additionally, certain materials – such as plastics – are known for carrying toxins that could eventually poison local waterways if they're not disposed of correctly. For these reasons, waste and trash management are a vital part of any SWPPP plan.
Firstly, let's discuss the actual containers for waste products. You'll need to have these on hand in order to handle any trash or waste produced by your project, and there are a few different options available depending on your needs:
Now, there will usually be a few specific requirements for any receptacles used within SWPPP setups. Some examples:
Down related lines, make sure you have enough containers on-site to handle the expected waste production of your project. The exact number will vary based on things like project size and scope, but be sure not to underestimate here – a lack of proper receptacles can lead to significant issues if not addressed quickly.
This is one area where our team of SWPPP professionals can be a huge asset for you. Our team will help assess your project and determine the proper number of containers needed to keep things clean and safe, then provide these on-site as part of our comprehensive services.
In any cases where containers are overflowing despite regular maintenance, you'll need to take action. The best method here will depend on the situation – in many cases, renting an extra dumpster or even just emptying a container more often may be enough.
Furthermore, be sure to address any trash or waste that may have spilled out of overflowing containers. This can lead to pollution issues if left unattended, and is a violation of most SWPPP regulations.
One form of waste receptacle that we wanted to save for its own section is the sanitary waste unit, which refers to products like portable toilets, hand washing stations and other items that might be necessary on larger job sites. These units must be serviced regularly in order to prevent any potential pollution from occurring – our team will help manage this process for you as part of our comprehensive SWPPP services.
Furthermore, sanitary waste units have several specific considerations typically attached to them:
For more on any of the areas we've discussed, or to learn about any of our SWPPP or related services around Utah, speak with our team at Silver Leaf SWPPP today!