Talking BMP's with city officials pressure wash

hi-temp hydro

hi-temp hydro

New member
How many of you have taken the time to it down with your local municipalities & appointed officials to talk about your preventative measures even though there aren't strict code enforcements in your area YET.

I got out of a meeting today with a nearby city's env. specialist (outside contracted) and got a feel for how the city views our line of work. My intentions were to go and get a feel for the expectations they have and establish a working relationship with them in case a more limited tolerance was going to be enforced. Currently the city has a certificate of some kind that expired a short while ago from the state and they are awaiting the next issuance that will mandate how far their "Phase 2 Wastewater Policies" will go. Currently there is more of a concern in that city with new construction and industrial run-offs than my type of work.

But it is wise to go ahead and get a jump on it, let them know how you prevent stormwater contamination, cause WHEN (not if) it comes you'll be ahead of the game. He stated that BMP's and permits may be a neccessity in the future, but even if they were I'd be in compliance with methods already used. So it's good to have an official that's an advocate for your company, even if the strict standards aren't in place yet.
 
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I call and talk with regulators in my state (Metropolitan Council)about once a month. Regulations are not real strict on our work yet, but it's coming. As of now, we're considered "small potatoes" as it were. The enforcement folks know my company because of all the phone dialogue, and I want to keep my name out in front of them, and let them know that we practice recovery and have our own BMP's.

The key is getting them to use your BMP's to formulate theirs.
 
Big Mike said:
I call and talk with regulators in my state (Metropolitan Council)about once a month. Regulations are not real strict on our work yet, but it's coming. As of now, we're considered "small potatoes" as it were. The enforcement folks know my company because of all the phone dialogue, and I want to keep my name out in front of them, and let them know that we practice recovery and have our own BMP's.

The key is getting them to use your BMP's to formulate theirs.
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Mike Great answer,
 
hi-temp hydro said:
How many of you have taken the time to it down with your local municipalities & appointed officials to talk about your preventative measures even though there aren't strict code enforcements in your area YET.

I got out of a meeting today with a nearby city's env. specialist (outside contracted) and got a feel for how the city views our line of work. My intentions were to go and get a feel for the expectations they have and establish a working relationship with them in case a more limited tolerance was going to be enforced. Currently the city has a certificate of some kind that expired a short while ago from the state and they are awaiting the next issuance that will mandate how far their "Phase 2 Wastewater Policies" will go. Currently there is more of a concern in that city with new construction and industrial run-offs than my type of work.

But it is wise to go ahead and get a jump on it, let them know how you prevent stormwater contamination, cause WHEN (not if) it comes you'll be ahead of the game. He stated that BMP's and permits may be a neccessity in the future, but even if they were I'd be in compliance with methods already used. So it's good to have an official that's an advocate for your company, even if the strict standards aren't in place yet.
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How is that going now Two years later?

Many laws and regulations in different cities have effected the industry. Some negative and some positive, all in all we need to join together for regulations and uniform the entire industry.
 
i know its all about being ahead of the game but dont you think that you might be opening a can of worms that nobody else wants opened yet. i mean yes one day we will all have to conform to new standards but to push them on everyone else might be going to far. some of us smaller guys might be doing some local government work and then this other guy goes into the local municipality and sells them on reclaim and puts the lil guy out of business. i know i know "its that name of the game".

i dont think many pressure cleaning jobs do any damage to our water supplies anyway. its the factories and farmers pumping all their crap into the rivers and streams.

is this thread on mindless blabbering lol
 
asewell77 said:
i know its all about being ahead of the game but dont you think that you might be opening a can of worms that nobody else wants opened yet. i mean yes one day we will all have to conform to new standards but to push them on everyone else might be going to far. some of us smaller guys might be doing some local government work and then this other guy goes into the local municipality and sells them on reclaim and puts the lil guy out of business. i know i know "its that name of the game".

i dont think many pressure cleaning jobs do any damage to our water supplies anyway. its the factories and farmers pumping all their crap into the rivers and streams.

is this thread on mindless blabbering lol
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Guys are being shut down and sited as we speak in Houston!! FYI
 
i wonder why reclaim is so popular out west but not down here in FL? we do have all these "sensitive wetlands" you wouldnt believe the chems that are pumped out of the ditches on the big farms down here and straight into our eco system. i think the sugar industry is probably the worst offender. i live on the caloosahatchee river and during rainy season when the farmers are pumping out there fields the river turns GREEN with algae due to all the fertilizers pumped into it. then it goes into the Gulf where it creates huge red tides and kills all our fish. i dont think cleaning a parking lot or a house even compares to this.
 
asewell77 said:
i wonder why reclaim is so popular out west but not down here in FL? we do have all these "sensitive wetlands" you wouldnt believe the chems that are pumped out of the ditches on the big farms down here and straight into our eco system. i think the sugar industry is probably the worst offender. i live on the caloosahatchee river and during rainy season when the farmers are pumping out there fields the river turns GREEN with algae due to all the fertilizers pumped into it. then it goes into the Gulf where it creates huge red tides and kills all our fish. i dont think cleaning a parking lot or a house even compares to this.
Click to expand...
http://youtu.be/HP5BOiwppOM
 
asewell77 said:
i know its all about being ahead of the game but dont you think that you might be opening a can of worms that nobody else wants opened yet. i mean yes one day we will all have to conform to new standards but to push them on everyone else might be going to far. some of us smaller guys might be doing some local government work and then this other guy goes into the local municipality and sells them on reclaim and puts the lil guy out of business. i know i know "its that name of the game".

i dont think many pressure cleaning jobs do any damage to our water supplies anyway. its the factories and farmers pumping all their crap into the rivers and streams.

is this thread on mindless blabbering lol
Click to expand...

It is coming to city near you SOON. You are right, IT IS ALL ABOUT BEING AHEAD OF THE GAME. And if you are not ahead of the game and IN the game, then BMP's will be drafted and enacted that make no sense. Enforcement done that is not only wrong but illegal. Every reason you posted is exactly the reason to get involved NOW.
 
offdutyfireman said:
Two years ago, long before "organizations" and vendors got involved, I went to Raleigh, NC water works and spoke with them. Water is ok down the drain as long as no chems, Wheat straw bales or sock if there are any oil contaim's.
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Preach on Brotha!

(rolled up swamp cooler pads work good too!)

Long live common sense!
 
Fast foward 2 years and its still the same situation as far as guidelines set for wastewater management. Evaporation, diversion,and minimal filtration (when going directly into storm drains) are acceptable practices in my area. WHEN stricter enforcement comes I will not be ahead of the curve, I will help create it. I personally know (and have done work for)a newly elected alderman in one of the cities I service whose main job is enviromental consulting for a large air force base. Its simply a matter of time, but I have those working relationships established to help set standards. Construction companies seem to be the targets in my area right now with erosion prevention. Not trying to put out a small guy at all, I definatly consider myself a small guy, but if you don't think big you will never get big. Reclaim (or any other small issue)shouldn't scare anyone away if they are truely in this business for the long haul, adapt and overcome. I remember hearing Robert Hinderliter (hope I spelled that right) telling a story about a small timer down in Texas who met enforced codes with a sump pump, window screen mesh, and a WalMart swimming pool.So yes, I may have opened the proverbial "can of worms", but its what you do with those worms once they're out that will set you apart from the rest, I plan on going fishing.
 
asewell77 said:
i wonder why reclaim is so popular out west but not down here in FL? we do have all these "sensitive wetlands" you wouldnt believe the chems that are pumped out of the ditches on the big farms down here and straight into our eco system. i think the sugar industry is probably the worst offender. i live on the caloosahatchee river and during rainy season when the farmers are pumping out there fields the river turns GREEN with algae due to all the fertilizers pumped into it. then it goes into the Gulf where it creates huge red tides and kills all our fish. i dont think cleaning a parking lot or a house even compares to this.
Click to expand...
Reclaim is popular in Florida. I've personally sold hundreds of wash water recycling systems to many different kinds of businesses across the state (No mobile washes however). I put in at least 50 in with the sugar companies in the Belle Glade area.

Your local problem may be that the people responsible for the enforcement many not know its a problem or that there is a solution. They have a lot more on their plate other than just wash water to deal with.

Twenty years ago when I worked for another company that only sold recycling systems for pressure washing, we use to have to be the educators. We would meet with enforcement people and show them what we did. Once they knew about the problem and more importantly that there was a solution, they would look for discharge violations when doing inspections. Again, not for mobile washers, just fixed sites.

We never ratted anyone out and I would discourage anyone from ever doing that. We also didn't ask them to recommend our equipment when they were handing out warnings or fines. But I had no problem meeting up with the enforcement people for the occasional breakfast to find out who might be interested in what I had to sell.

Regulators do not have to be your enemy.
 
hi-temp hydro said:
Fast foward 2 years and its still the same situation as far as guidelines set for wastewater management. Evaporation, diversion,and minimal filtration (when going directly into storm drains) are acceptable practices in my area. WHEN stricter enforcement comes I will not be ahead of the curve, I will help create it. I personally know (and have done work for)a newly elected alderman in one of the cities I service whose main job is enviromental consulting for a large air force base. Its simply a matter of time, but I have those working relationships established to help set standards. Construction companies seem to be the targets in my area right now with erosion prevention. Not trying to put out a small guy at all, I definatly consider myself a small guy, but if you don't think big you will never get big. Reclaim (or any other small issue)shouldn't scare anyone away if they are truely in this business for the long haul, adapt and overcome. I remember hearing Robert Hinderliter (hope I spelled that right) telling a story about a small timer down in Texas who met enforced codes with a sump pump, window screen mesh, and a WalMart swimming pool.So yes, I may have opened the proverbial "can of worms", but its what you do with those worms once they're out that will set you apart from the rest, I plan on going fishing.
Click to expand...


Construction companies seem to be the targets in my area right now with erosion prevention. Not trying to put out a small guy at all, I definatly consider myself a small guy, but if you don't think big you will never get big.
Click to expand...

Contruction is a problem because the properties are not complient YET
 
We have worked with our state and municipalities representatives to discuss the laws in Wisconsin. Fortunately for us they have been very reasonable in their requirements. I continue to touch base with them form time to time and they are willing to allow the contractors to have input on developing the laws here, it never hurts to be proactive in your business, they are much easier to work with when they know you are making the effort to do things right.
 
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