Construction sites that do not properly dispose of paint and paint contaminated water can be exposing themselves to hefty fines and causing unnecessary problems for the environment. Although it may be a struggle to effectively manage paint disposal, it is an important compliance issue and a requirement of the EPAand Florida CGP. Anything that flows or is released into the gutter can end up in the nearest body of water. This pollution is significant because, unlike the water that goes down into the sink or toilet in your home, stormwater is usually untreated and flows directly to a lake, river or ocean. The pigment and metal containing components of paint can have serious effects on public, aquatic, and animal health. There are ways that painters and contractors can implement proper BMPs to help prevent stormwater pollution from paint.
Washout products and proper disposal can save time and money, as well as help keep you in compliance to ensure your operations are safe for the environment and keep your site in compliance and reduce vulnerability from fines. It is important to keep paint properly stored and covered when not in use. Also, ensure that water is being use minimally during paint wash-up. Dispose of paint wash water with other liquid waste. Recycle or dispose of the all liquid wastes in accordance with material data sheets. Never dispose wash water into ditches or stormwater inlets. Allow paint rollers, drop cloths, and cans to dry thoroughly before discarding into solid waste containers.
There are several types of mobile paint washout systems on the market that can be placed on your site to ensure proper disposal. If you do not have a paint washout system available or it is too costly, painters can install a washout containment facility using impermeable plastic or vinyl liners to assure that liquid paint debris is not entering the ground or is washed via runoff. Special care must be taken to make sure these washout containment areas are properly covered when necessary and emptied. When dealing with liquids a permittee must provide an effective means to eliminate discharge to ensure compliance are within SWPPP guidelines. Paint washout systems are most effective when properly labeled by posting adequate signage on the construction site. It is also important to educate your crew of proper disposal to not put your job site at risk.
Proper containment and disposal of paint on a job site is crucial to maintaining clean and contaminated free water. For further questions on how KCI can assist and help keep your project clean from stormwater runoff and contaminants, contact us today!
