Arizona Environmental

Grime Busters LLC

Grime Busters LLC

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FYI, had a meeting yesterday with a Maricopa Country Environmental Services individual is charge of waste water. Inside information is they have hired all the inspectors that were laid off 18 months ago and allegedly will start enforcing aggressively soon. Bottom line, all about the revenue, but it will boost the reclaim demand and hopefully the cost per square foot.
 
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Grime Busters said:
FYI, had a meeting yesterday with a Maricopa Country Environmental Services individual is charge of waste water. Inside information is they have hired all the inspectors that were laid off 18 months ago and allegedly will start enforcing aggressively soon. Bottom line, all about the revenue, but it will boost the reclaim demand and hopefully the cost per square foot.
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Jim, I know this was a private meeting, but I would hope you would keep other contractors in the region advised in advance if you know of any meetings discussing any changes that might be up for discussion.
 
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Absolutely. Rumor had it that all of the Maricopa County Environmental Control employees that were in charge of waste water discharge were laid off almost 18 months ago. Turns out all but two were actually laid off, but their budget has rebounded and supposedly will be not only hiring these individuals back, but, as I was informed yesterday, will be beginning much more detailed enforcement.

Exact reason why I posted, to let fellow contractors in this area know.

Tony Shelton said:
Jim, I know this was a private meeting, but I would hope you would keep other contractors in the region advised in advance if you know of any meetings discussing any changes that might be up for discussion.
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I'll know more next week, and will post.

Specifically they are focusing on restaurants and gas stations immediately. Bad news for the splash and dash company(s) doing the Circle K's in the valley. Even Quick Trip's, who self clean (that's a BIG exaggeration) will be in violation.

I don't anyone to get me wrong, I still have many issues with the hypocrisy of the CWA regulations. It's raining right now, and all the foamy, oily runoff from the streets, gas stations and parking garages is all flowing freely into the storm drains.

Someone on this board or another once brought up a valid point about the Lye in drain cleaners, which go directly down the sewer.

That being said, I believe the Federal and local "authorities" are starting to realize all of the potential revenue they are missing out on, and enhanced enforcement is inevitable.

Tony Shelton said:
Thanks Jim, What exactly are they going to be concentrating on?
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Only in California Jim. In other states most bureaucrats at least take a look at the market before generating a plan to bring in money via fines.

You see, there's no money in fining pressure washing companies unless they are national. Only in California could a bureaucrat be hired for $100k per year in a market where most $10k fines would simply put Julio right out of business and generate zero income for the county.

The entire EPA money grab from the bottom to the top relies on BIG business money. That's why the regs are so long and seemingly complex. They are not really complex, but are written in a way to extort the most money out of Large companies in high profit industries.

It would be the same as a lawyer trying to make a living suing the homeless.

There's just no money in fining companies that make less than 20 million per year. Too much of that and most of them would just close up shop and open under another name within 24 hrs.

It only makes sense in California.
 
Great info guys !
the industry needs this kind of fact-finding info with details.
most other treads just contain opinion, without actual helpful info.
that said..
I strongly recommend everyone get as compliant as they can "resonably afford"
down to doccumentation of every job's waste-stream,
and disclaimers in every contract.
THINK about it,
work SMART,
and profit WITH the environment.
..in every little way you can.
..because you can.
Wisdom only comes to those with "eyes, ears, and persistent effort". Eh?
 
Inspectors are afraid of ladders so.............
 
Jim do you think 'they' are looking to learn anything? Do they have an idea what their overall plan is?
 
I don't think its about money really - it's about running - everything - for our own good. Sure they want to take your money, but in the end they can just borrow it (make us pay interest on it) from a 'bank' that creates it out of thin air. If I'm not mistaken the reason huge corporations put millions in congressmans pockets is to write laws that get rid of their competition or protect them through complication. Remember the sky will fall on us if we're left to ourselves.
 
I have only heard, second hand, of one fine for power washing runoff, ever. So I can only guess the inspectors were doing something else. Up to now it doesn't seem like there's even been a structure of who is in charge of what.
 
BlueBliss said:
I believe the fines in my area are the responsibility of the property owner, not the contract cleaner. Anyone know more about who's liable?
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Both they will go after both the contractor and the business owner in most cases. Really it comes down to whos got the money...
 
Not sure yet Tom. If you are available sometime next week I'd love to have you sit in on the meeting. Give me a call.

tomtucson said:
Jim do you think 'they' are looking to learn anything? Do they have an idea what their overall plan is?
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The contractor is responsible for up to $10,000 per day. The property owner is responsible for all cost, including remediation and clean-up costs, which could realistically run into the six figures.

I'd suggest all to read the EPA/CWA rules and regulations, become knowledgeable of the specifics, then make an appointment with your local enforcement agency(s) and have a sit down meeting with them.

Some regions require much more than others. Some regions currently have no enforcement ongoing at this time. Regardless, all professional contractors should become educated on what their legal and civil obligations are. Just because there is no or very lacks enforcement in your area is not a reason to ignore the potential legal and environmental consequences.

BlueBliss said:
I believe the fines in my area are the responsibility of the property owner, not the contract cleaner. Anyone know more about who's liable?
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I'll put this question out there again - (This question is for everyone, not directed at anyone in particular)

Could anyone please show proof of 10 fines levied on pressure washers by the EPA or local authorities in the past 20 years.

If you would like, you can include fines were there was grievous damage (like all the fish dying because of massive caustic use)

There aren't ten.

If there are, please prove me wrong with citation numbers and/or references.
 
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