Copper Sources - P2/BMPs

Stormwater Runoff

Vehicle Brake Pads

Architectural Copper

Pool/Spa/Fountain Algaecides

Copper Pesticides

Industrial Copper Use

Soil Erosion

Mobile Cleaning

Vehicle Washing

Vehicle Services

Discharges to POTWs

Copper Piping Corrosion

Industrial Copper Use

Cooling Towers

Printing

Vehicle Services

Shoreline Activities

Marine Anti-fouling Coatings

Copper Algaecides

Site Source Control, Design, and Waste Management

Mobile Cleaning

Mobile cleaners have been identified as a significant discharger of wastes and polluted waters to storm drain systems in the San Francisco Bay area and other parts of the United States. Mobile cleaning differs from other cleaning activities in that the cleaning is not conducted in a dedicated, fixed location with a wastewater capture and treatment system connected to the sanitary sewer system. Mobile surface cleaning categories which may contribute copper to local creeks and San Francisco Bay include the following:

• Flat surfaces (e.g., sidewalks, plazas, building exteriors)
  
• Transportation-related objects
  
• Swimming pools and spas

Stormwater Control Measures

Several best management practices may be implemented to reduce the impact of wastewaters (from mobile cleaning operations) to the storm drain system. They may include the following:

• Avoid using soap;
  
• Using dry cleaning methods (e.g., use of absorbents, sweeping, vacuuming)
  
• Screening wastewater prior to discharge to the storm drain system or gutter;
  
• Collecting wastewater from cleaning operations;
  
• Directing wastewater to gravel, grass or other permeable surfaces;
  
• Blocking off the storm drain or using an insert to catch washwater;
  
• Properly disposing hazardous wastes generated from cleaning operations; and
  
• Stenciling storm drains to help reinforce that discharges to the storm drain system can affect water quality.

Wastewater Control Measures

Wastewater from mobile cleaning operations is not typically discharged to the sanitary sewer.

Online Pollution Prevention Training for Surface Cleaners

• BASMAA Online Pollution Prevention Training for Surface Cleaners

Best Management Practices

Best management practices information sources include:

California

Flat surfaces

• Pollution from Surface Cleaning (Power Point Presentation) - This Powerpoint Presentation discusses pollution from surface cleaning and provides tips on proper cleaning and disposal methods.

• Pollution from Surface Cleaning (text) - This fact sheet discusses why surface cleaning processes can cause problems for the environment.

• Tips on Proper Cleaning and Disposal Methods (text) -This fact sheet provides methods on how to conduct proper cleaning without harming the environment.

• Cleaning and Disposal - This fact sheet provides appropriate cleaning methods and disposal options for washwater.

• So Where Should Wash Water Go? - This fact sheet provides information on how to manage washwater generated from surface cleaning activities.

• Key Points of Surface Cleaning (PowerPoint Presentation) - This Powerpoint Presentation provides the key points to proper surface cleaning.
  

• Source Control Program for Mobile Cleaners-Frequently Asked Questions (Powerpoint Presentation) - This Powerpoint Presentation discusses the Source Control Program for Mobile Cleaners initiated by BASMAA and the San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water Quality Control Board.

• Source Control Program for Mobile Cleaners-Frequently Asked Questions (text) - This fact sheet discusses the Source Control Program for Mobile Cleaners initiated by BASMAA and the San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water Quality Control Board.

• CASQA - Mobile Cleaning - Surface Cleaning - This fact sheet developed by the California Stormwater Quality Association describes the types of pollutants generated from surface cleaning and provides detailed source control BMPs while conducting mobile surface cleaning.

• Preventing Pollution from Surface Cleaning - This fact sheet provides appropriate cleaning methods and disposal options for washwater.

Transportation-related objects

• Mobile Cleaning - Transportation Related - This fact sheet developed by the California Stormwater Quality Association provides detailed source control BMPs while conducting mobile cleaning of transportation-related objects.

Swimming pools and spas

• Mobile Cleaning - Swimming Pools & Spas - This fact sheet developed by the California Stormwater Quality Association provides detailed source control BMPs while conducting mobile cleaning of swimming pools and spas.