The Truths about the EPA every Pressure Washer should Know Please read

Ron Musgraves

Exterior Restoration Specialist
Staff member
Pressure Wash / Power Wash Discharges Compliance and Enforcement Quick Finder
Section 301 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) prohibits a point source discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States without an NPDES permit. To legally discharge wash water, a pressure wash operator must obtain an NPDES permit for each discharge location. Due to the fact that many pressure washer operators are mobile, it is not realistic to pre-determine discharge locations and obtain permits for each location. Additionally, most NPDES permitted process water discharges require treatment and analysis of the discharge, which may not be practical for many pressure washers.


presw.jpg


The most common method of compliance with the CWA is to prevent process wastewater discharges to waters of the United States. If your discharge does not reach waters of the United States, then there are no requirements under the CWA. Examples of compliance without a discharge are vacuuming up the process wastewater or berming the process water and allowing it to evaporate. An additional method of compliance is to discharge the water to an NPDES permitted sanitary sewer system (the municipality may have additional pretreatment requirements before accepting your discharge). The most common form of non-compliance is to discharge the process water into a storm sewer system or into a city street that drains to a storm water inlet. Most storm drainage systems in Region 6 discharge directly to waters of the United States without treatment, which means anything that discharges into a storm drain is the same as putting it directly into the waterbody receiving the storm drain discharge.

Vehicle Washing

Washing vehicles is an example of a process water discharge of pollutants requiring an NPDES permit if it reaches waters of the United States. EPA recommends that companies or individuals take their vehicles to car washes*. If a car wash is not available, NPDES permit requirements may be avoided and impacts on waters of the United States minimized if vehicles are washed in a vegetated or grassy area where the wash water will be absorbed into the ground instead of allowing it to run into the street and then into a storm drain. There may be additional requirements if chemicals (detergents, waxes, etc.) are improperly used or if the absorbed water will reach an underground water body.

carwash.jpg


*A properly operated car wash discharges all of its wash water to a municipal sanitary sewer system that treats the wastewater before discharging from the wastewater treatment plant to waters of the U.S. Most municipalities have a pretreatment program requiring car washes to perform some type of pretreatment such as discharging through a sand filter and grease trap.
Source http://www.epa.gov/region6/6en/w/pw.htm
 
Definition of US waters

Waters of the United States[/h]40 CFR 122.2
For purposes of the Clean Water Act, "Waters of the United States" means:
(a) All waters which are currently used, were used in the past, or may be susceptible to use in interstate or foreign commerce, including all waters which are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide;(b) All interstate waters, including interstate "wetlands";(c) All other waters such as interstate lakes, rivers, streams (including intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes, or natural ponds the use, degradation, or destruction of which would affect or could affect interstate or foreign commerce including any such waters:​
(1) Which are or could be used by interstate or foreign travelers for recreational or other purposes;​
(2) From which fish or shellfish are or could be taken and sold in interstate or foreign commerce; or​
(3) Which are used or could be used for industrial purposes by industries in interstate commerce;​
(d) All impoundments of waters otherwise defined as waters of the United States under this definition;(e) Tributaries of waters identified in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this definition;(f) The territorial sea; and(g) Wetlands adjacent to waters (other than waters that are themselves wetlands) identified in paragraphs (a) through (f) of this definition.Waste treatment systems, including treatment ponds or lagoons designed to meet the requirements of CWA are not waters of the United States.​

NB: The Judicial Branch has made several rulings further clarifying this definition, of which are not included in this regulatory citation.
Source www.epa.gov/region6/6en/w/watersus.htm
 
We are not polluters. EPA regs are easy to follow when they aren't misrepresented or exaggerated in order to sell equipment or raise revenue.

Frequent cleanings are the answer to polution problems. Ron has been doing it for years.
 
We are not polluters. EPA regs are easy to follow when they aren't misrepresented or exaggerated in order to sell equipment or raise revenue.

Frequent cleanings are the answer to pollution problems. Ron has been doing it for years.

Yes misinformation Has our entire industry headed to a dead end.

Unfortunately it has hurt and destroyed many lives.

Will not point fingers at anyone in this thread, no attacking just facts.

Over the course of 25 years www.pwna.org does not represent our industry.

Looks as though many people have again been fooled.

If you look up above that statement does not exist in in the PWNA program. If your discharge does not reach waters of the United States, then there are no requirements under the CWA.

Many times you will be told that water by bio remediation is still going to pollute mother natures water supply.

Seriously then I guess we should walk to the mall, last time I check I didn't bring the pollution. I cleaned it reduced it and prevented more of it from bio remediation.

This Non-sense of total recovery is fantasy land, its not economical an not practical.

Its time we raised the standards in this industry, its the contractors day to make there industry what it could be.

Are we Against the PWNA?? No they represent me, I've been a member of them for years, only not a member in there down time, which has seemed to be often.

I'm here as a member of my industry, these opinions are not the PWNA or the UAMCC. They are mine, I will make these statements which are truthful and credited. OVER an OVER again an again, I use my own money to market to the powers of each municipality thats getting delivered the wrong message.

Here's why, over the years I watch countless good people buy ridiculous reclaim to be told about being this elite contractor. Here's a question you might ask yourself, if its so good why are they not rich? Maybe they are but its not from reclaiming water, its from selling you a bunch of BS.

I'm a contractor no matter how many lies you have heard. I have been successfully doing this for 27 years. I have employees that have retired working for me now for 25 years. Thats a tough one to swallow when your employees retire before you do.

I have a few years left because I promised myself before I'm 50 year old I'm done with pressure washing. I love it don't get me wrong I will miss it. I do not want to be old an miss the rest of the world. My first five years in business I didn't vacation for five years. I'm obsessive about everything I do, money doesn't drive me, winning does.

I love this industry, if single handedly I have to protect it so be it.

Please If you care about this industry Post here, please comment and most importantly facebook , blogger , twitter do them all to this post.
 
We are not polluters. EPA regs are easy to follow when they aren't misrepresented or exaggerated in order to sell equipment or raise revenue.

Hey Tony we agree on something Hooraaay!! Pretty much when we clean garages we block the drains and let the water evaporate some and then go back and suck the water up and filter out the clean water. We shovel the sludge left over and then rinse and suck up the sludge that's left. The only thing I did was buy a stronger vacuum to do what we do.. But there were some garages that we put in bids where they want to have all water picked up and brought to a different level because some of there drains go right out in the rivers. The reason for that was because this for example very well know place I have a bid in for there top floor's drains runs down and out into the river basin. Those drains are set up like that because of the rain water so on the bid it had to be note that you can transport water and then filter it out into the lower floor drains..

Last year I probably could not do that since this 4 floor garage has got to be close to a 900,000 square feet but today I can.. That garage is also very easy to do because it almost perfectly rectangular and there are no obstacles in the way when the time comes to clean it. The price for us to clean it will be considered low by some but because its really easy to clean our bid is sitting at about $50,000. And if we get it we can do it @ 3 days tops with 4 guys working 10 hr days and that's at about 5.6 cents a square..

Man I hope they call.. Actually we keep calling them to let them know where here and ready whenever they chose the winning bid...
 
To Ron's political points because I didn't see him post when I post my reply.. I have no comment. I have a wait and see attitude on some of the things Ron says.. But I'll add this. I am looking to add Jerry McMillen from Sorocco Enviromental certification to my new arsenal to market along with some other enviro certifications I had that expired.

It's time to show what I need to get those good paying enviro jobs as I call them and Certifications just raises the standards of my company to possibly have a leg up on the ones I bid against..

The PWNA roof Certication is also on my radar to add since that to will raise our standards to my already existing and new customers where starting to get.
 
money doesn't drive me, winning does.

I love this industry, if single handedly I have to protect it so be it. .
I like your Determination Ron. Money can drive me but not as hard as winning can if it's worth winning or better yet I'm driven the most when I feel I can make a positive difference in people's lives such as to my family, friends and fellow PW contractors. I,like you love this industry. I can't stand failure especially knowing I was apart of that.. But that's all been corrected and now you guys have the reigns to bring the UAMCC UP a notch or 3(My Nola Emerils talk)

It will be a sad day in this industry if you feel you have to singlehandedly feel you may need to protect it.. I admire that you would do that. I had this attitude when something was wrong anywhere in life let's find the last man standing and then let's deal with him.. That was towards the negative side of things such as in contracts(Other life)

Today I support multiple groups and multiple leaders. In this industry today I lean towards the PWNA...but I still support the UAMCC..and I may even Support Ty's profit org he's setting up for Powerwashers if I think it can benefit my company.

I'm pretty confident you won't have to be the only guy protecting this Industry.. I can think of a few others who have the same belief system... Now if you can all get on the same page WOW!!!!! Now unstoppable is that.. In theory at least.

Anyway good luck.. When I see it I'll believe it and so far it's looking good for you in your new adventure as a non profit head..
 
John this is not about Jerry's equipment. Scott Stone has a wash water control plan. I have a wash water control Plan, if you take Jerry's Course you will have a plan that will win bids. Not buy false programs or Scare tactics, by real plans to create less liability for the owner & Managers of the property.

You will Join an Elite bunch of honest business people who can sell based on being compliant an responsible. Teaching & keeping ethical standards saving customers money and reducing pollution.

To Ron's political points because I didn't see him post when I post my reply.. I have no comment. I have a wait and see attitude on some of the things Ron says.. But I'll add this. I am looking to add Jerry McMillen from Sorocco Enviromental certification to my new arsenal to market along with some other enviro certifications I had that expired.

It's time to show what I need to get those good paying enviro jobs as I call them and Certifications just raises the standards of my company to possibly have a leg up on the ones I bid against..

The PWNA roof Certication is also on my radar to add since that to will raise our standards to my already existing and new customers where starting to get.
 
John, for that price on that garage, is that cleaning the gum also or no gum cleaning?

The Sirocco Washwater Recovery Certification class is probably many, many, many times better than what any org out there has to offer.

So when you take that class, you will have better knowledge from a better source than what most out there are promoting, advertising or can offer by far.

I have taken the class 2 times, the second as a refresher class in case I forgot things.

Print out this thread, take Jerry's class and there will not be any kind of washwater situation that you will not have THE PROPER KNOWLEDGE of how to handle while there are others out there, vendors, manufacturers and city employees spreading the mis-information of what needs to be done when most of them don't have a clue of what the EPA and Clean Water Act actually say.

It will be a great class John, you will like it and it will really open your eyes to how simple things can be without the clouded mis-information that has been spread out there for many years now.
 
I need to take the big turbo twister to the small engine mechanic next week to get it tuned up and try it out somewhere to see how fast it cleans along with how good it runs now that I have castor wheels in the front so it will turn.

I need to get a parking garage to try this out on, that would be nice to do.

John, do you tie machines together for your swabby or just use like an 8gpm machine to run it?
 
John the truth is what we have on our side, its wins every time. Have you checked the Ft. Worth Outreach for the EPA lately.

I was going to write an article for Allison about the Texas State problems will get repaired by this mans company. They have been hired to run out reach by the state of Texas, they have been through FT worth. I was invited back in January to attend city employee training. I declined http://secaenvironmental.com/about-us.html

John I can't be bought bribe or threaten to roll over to something I believe is bad for the future of our industry. The PWNA has failed us and so has the UAMCC over the 20 years.

I have been involved with Wash water control as much as anyone in this industry, I do not claim expert status. Only a Fool would claim that status, there's to much for any one man to handle that title.

Only people from outside our industry can assist our tradesmen to formulate the best practices.

Good Luck John , I have not given up or quit on the PWNA. They quit me remember?



I like your Determination Ron. Money can drive me but not as hard as winning can if it's worth winning or better yet I'm driven the most when I feel I can make a positive difference in people's lives such as to my family, friends and fellow PW contractors. I,like you love this industry. I can't stand failure especially knowing I was apart of that.. But that's all been corrected and now you guys have the reigns to bring the UAMCC UP a notch or 3(My Nola Emerils talk)

It will be a sad day in this industry if you feel you have to singlehandedly feel you may need to protect it.. I admire that you would do that. I had this attitude when something was wrong anywhere in life let's find the last man standing and then let's deal with him.. That was towards the negative side of things such as in contracts(Other life)

Today I support multiple groups and multiple leaders. In this industry today I lean towards the PWNA...but I still support the UAMCC..and I may even Support Ty's profit org he's setting up for Powerwashers if I think it can benefit my company.

I'm pretty confident you won't have to be the only guy protecting this Industry.. I can think of a few others who have the same belief system... Now if you can all get on the same page WOW!!!!! Now unstoppable is that.. In theory at least.

Anyway good luck.. When I see it I'll believe it and so far it's looking good for you in your new adventure as a non profit head..
 
I need to take the big turbo twister to the small engine mechanic next week to get it tuned up and try it out somewhere to see how fast it cleans along with how good it runs now that I have castor wheels in the front so it will turn.

I need to get a parking garage to try this out on, that would be nice to do.

John, do you tie machines together for your swabby or just use like an 8gpm machine to run it?
I used either an 8gpm or a 10 gpm machine to run the Swabby. The only machines I tie together wre my little cold water ones to make them 7gpm. So now we can have one 10gpm hot water 3300 psi running the Swabby, two 8.5gpm hot water PW's
@3500 running two other surface machines and the two cold water machines hooked together to make 7gpm @ 3000 psi to help with rinsing along with about 1400 gallons of water to transport to keep replenished to keep these machines running... Yea where going to kick booty this year for sure.
 
John the truth is what we have on our side, its wins every time. Have you checked the Ft. Worth Outreach for the EPA lately.

I was going to write an article for Allison about the Texas State problems will get repaired by this mans company. They have been hired to run out reach by the state of Texas, they have been through FT worth. I was invited back in January to attend city employee training. I declined http://secaenvironmental.com/about-us.html

John I can't be bought bribe or threaten to roll over to something I believe is bad for the future of our industry. The PWNA has failed us and so has the UAMCC over the 20 years.

I have been involved with Wash water control as much as anyone in this industry, I do not claim expert status. Only a Fool would claim that status, there's to much for any one man to handle that title.

Only people from outside our industry can assist our tradesmen to formulate the best practices.

Good Luck John , I have not given up or quit on the PWNA. They quit me remember?
Good luck to you also Ron. I believe in these orgs and I will continuously support them along with some outside sources to add to my business such as Jerry's Certification Class which I will Market it along side Roberts when I take his in Orlando. Roberts I know is excellent and Jerry's I hear is also.I want to take it because some good people I know highly recommended Jerry's. As for Vacs I already have what I need at this time but in the future I would love to buy another one brand new and Jerry's would be at the top of that list.

As for the PWNA.. I stay out of who gave up on who.. I no longer participate in those hearsay stories.. I just look for the potential winners in there that can help my business along with many others as I do with the UAMCC who it looks like you have a good guy In Charlie S. Guy and a few others.. The better the UAMCC does, the PWNA does, Jerry McMillen does etc.. The better it is for all of us because we get more notice and our standards go up along side with them... That's my belief system within this industry. There is no FOP With 350,000 members or an NRA that has thousands of members and millions of dollars. Nope we have small groups that I support and they support me.. And i'm good with that.. Are you?
 
I no longer participate in those hearsay stories..
your right so will stick to the Facts it was official to pull away based on Mike Hilborn report until it was posted public. Everyone knows the truth, you correct not Hearsay or opinions, facts that cannot be disputed.

Its all water under the bridge now . Mike resigned apology's I accepted.


John I support the PWNA, its my pressure washing org, last time I check I was a pressure washer. My feeling where hurt people could behave this way, oh well they are just people who made poor choice. No reason to keep letting them because them came peaking over my fence. Its time for change in a large way.
 
I have been involved with Wash water control as much as anyone in this industry, I do not claim expert status. Only a Fool would claim that status, there's to much for any one man to handle that title.
You know Ron I want to believe some things you say but you post so much I wonder if you read half the stuff you post.

Your inviting all kinds of experts at this event http://www.propowerwash.com/board/u...-in-May&highlight=Expert+water+control+status

I believe there is no know it all but there are certainly some experts in wash water control and some up and coming people who can be soon classified as an expert in this field. Heck there are plenty of expert wood restores, window cleaners, etc etc etc. I consider myself somewhat of a Powerwashing expert maybe because I've been doing it for years with positive results and I bet alot of wood guys not only feel like experts.. They feel better then that.. They feel like an artist. The very good ones do and I see there work and I agree with them.. They are Artist..
 
Pressure Wash / Power Wash Discharges Compliance and Enforcement Quick Finder
Section 301 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) prohibits a point source discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States without an NPDES permit. To legally discharge wash water, a pressure wash operator must obtain an NPDES permit for each discharge location. Due to the fact that many pressure washer operators are mobile, it is not realistic to pre-determine discharge locations and obtain permits for each location. Additionally, most NPDES permitted process water discharges require treatment and analysis of the discharge, which may not be practical for many pressure washers.


presw.jpg


The most common method of compliance with the CWA is to prevent process wastewater discharges to waters of the United States. If your discharge does not reach waters of the United States, then there are no requirements under the CWA. Examples of compliance without a discharge are vacuuming up the process wastewater or berming the process water and allowing it to evaporate. An additional method of compliance is to discharge the water to an NPDES permitted sanitary sewer system (the municipality may have additional pretreatment requirements before accepting your discharge). The most common form of non-compliance is to discharge the process water into a storm sewer system or into a city street that drains to a storm water inlet. Most storm drainage systems in Region 6 discharge directly to waters of the United States without treatment, which means anything that discharges into a storm drain is the same as putting it directly into the waterbody receiving the storm drain discharge.

Vehicle Washing

Washing vehicles is an example of a process water discharge of pollutants requiring an NPDES permit if it reaches waters of the United States. EPA recommends that companies or individuals take their vehicles to car washes*. If a car wash is not available, NPDES permit requirements may be avoided and impacts on waters of the United States minimized if vehicles are washed in a vegetated or grassy area where the wash water will be absorbed into the ground instead of allowing it to run into the street and then into a storm drain. There may be additional requirements if chemicals (detergents, waxes, etc.) are improperly used or if the absorbed water will reach an underground water body.

carwash.jpg


*A properly operated car wash discharges all of its wash water to a municipal sanitary sewer system that treats the wastewater before discharging from the wastewater treatment plant to waters of the U.S. Most municipalities have a pretreatment program requiring car washes to perform some type of pretreatment such as discharging through a sand filter and grease trap.
Source http://www.epa.gov/region6/6en/w/pw.htm

Ok Please everyone read & make comments based on making money responsibly. My personal issues with so-called leaders of my industry doesn't matter. The well fare of our wallets are at stake, people are going to hurt your industry sending the wrong message.

Spread the word to all cleaning contractors around the world its simple.
 
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