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

http://www.thepwna.org/regs/index.php

Are We insane? We are putting detergents into the MS-4 ?????

48c99fa9-62bf-036c.jpg
 
What People?? You have alot of good people trying to also help the industry.. There all around you.. Yesterday is gone. You can't get it back. But today is a new day and it only gets better. This is going to be a break out year for some newer people In this industry to get noticed as being experts along with some giants from the past.

To bad David Olsen passed on. He was an ultra expert in this industry who influenced many in such a positive way. He won't be forgotten.. I miss him already.. I truly looked up to him when I started out... A true Powerwashing friend and Expert.
 
John, if you think its ok to make statements like this "Has resulted in one of the lowest amounts of detergents in the Storm Drains in the Nation."
Its wrong John, thats on the site today...at that link. If you think its little thats your opinion, if I'm a regulator and at every turn its about how little we are discharging this contaminate or that one I start thinking just how Houston starts to think. Arrest them all as questions later.

What People?? You have alot of good people trying to also help the industry.. There all around you.. Yesterday is gone. You can't get it back. But today is a new day and it only gets better. This is going to be a break out year for some newer people In this industry to get noticed as being experts along with some giants from the past.

To bad David Olsen passed on. He was an ultra expert in this industry who influenced many in such a positive way. He won't be forgotten.. I miss him already.. I truly looked up to him when I started out... A true Powerwashing friend and Expert.
 
Be aware !!.. when you see.. this..
"Examples of compliance without a discharge..
.. berming the process water and allowing it to evaporate. "

Most cities do not want ANY resudue left behind, as the next storm would rinse it down the storm drain anyway.
KNOW the laws in YOUR area.
 
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


Every contractor in the country should read this, read the highlighted in red part and then read it again.

This is the easiest way to comply, to be compliant and do the right thing. Why are people, vendors and companies out there saying different? Why are they using mis-information and lies instead of telling the truth? It is right there in red for everyone to read.

Why are people and vendors out there calling pressure washing contractors "POLLUTERS" when we are cleaning up the pollution?

MAYBE WE SHOULD BOYCOTT AND SIGN A PETITION against those people and vendors that are spreading the mis-information?

Maybe if contractors stopped purchasing from those vendors that are spreading mis-information then maybe they would stop?

Maybe if they would stop trying to destroy or over-regulate the industry they sell to, maybe contractors would buy more from them?

What is to be gained by calling the contractors they sell to "Polluters"?

Why not promote what is highlighted in red to everyone so everyone is on the same page, everyone does the right thing and nobody is called "Polluters" anymore?

Why is this so hard for people?
 
Houston has gotten better, I'm happy to say it not over but its come a long way by only very little Help. When JW goes to Houston will be there.

WAY, WAY, WAY BETTER. Guess who's back cleaning sidewalks and small parking lot's again??? ALL THANKS TO YOU RON.
 
http://contractorsfoundation.com/classes-on-epa-compliant-power-washing/

Please Henry tell people how they can avoid the MS-4 as a practice, talk about how reduction of pollution's increases a rain events chance of further pollution. Hire JErry

Hey Ron, I've never met Jerry in Person but I have talked to him quite a few times on the phone when we were getting ready to clean the Lincoln Memorial, and he's a very knowledgeable guy. I would be happy to talk to him or anyone else that has a good training course for the power washing industry, anytime!

Now about MS-4, the current classes from the Contractors Foundation go in to quite a bit of detail on the MS-4 requirements and everything else we could find on EPA compliance.

Honestly I think it's pretty easy to meet them, and to provide EPA compliant cleaning services if you know what's involved. That's why our classes don't push buying equipment, we always suggest taking the course before you buy any equipment, so you can make an educated choice on what equipment you need, or if you need any equipment at all for the work that you do.
 
Now about MS-4, the current classes from the Contractors Foundation go in to quite a bit of detail on the MS-4 requirements and everything else we could find on EPA compliance.

Hey Ron this is one of the reasons I am going to take some certification classes on this stuff. The municipal storm water sewers MS-4's or whatever that stands for is one of the many reasons I want to take a few classes on this. I will look to add 2-3 certifications courses on this so I can get a better understanding of it and I can Market it. The Contractors Foundation as I read more about it looks interesting also.

None of these classes are to expensive. Actually considering the type work you can get these classes are probably worth it and then some.

In the enviro cleaning end of my business that's where I'm going to look to learn the most because there is so much more at stake in it.

I can not answer your questions or form opinions on MS-4's because I haven't been taught yet by these pro's on what it's all about.

Maybe next year I can offer more input on MS -4's etc but today I just do what I can to be hopefully compliant if I we were to get stopped.
 
Jonn, give Ron a call and he can probably teach you more about what you want to learn than most of the other classes out there, he has been doing this business for about 27 years and has helped to put Houston in their place and start to get on track, nobody else would bother (conflicts of interest probably by selling equipment) or want to help much with Houston.

If Ron did not go there several times and have talks with those clueless people, the situation there would probably be a lot worse.

If you look at it that way, Ron did more than the 2 orgs wish they could have done, Ron did more and knew more than the 2 orgs wish they knew, Ron helped more than the 2 orgs wish they could have helped and Ron told those clueless people how things are with the drains, how they work, which drain is which, etc..... You probably could have seen question marks appear over their heads when discussing these issues.

So a short class by one of the orgs and a piece of paper after paying your fee is not a lot compared to what ron could teach you over the phone and by sending you some pictures.

I did not know what a dry well was until Ron started talking about them many years ago here on PWI and he posted pictures of them, go and do searches for dry wells and look at those.

Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, Best Buy, Circuit City (when they were in business), Home Depot, Lowes and other store and district store managers had no clue that those were dry wells in the parking lots, those are not storm drains, those don't go to the sanitary sewer.

None of these orgs had this kind of info but wish they did and if any of them learned it from Ron, they sure did not try to volunteer the info to try to help out with the Houston issue where Ron spent his own time and expenses to go to Houston and help set them straight.

So, after reading all of this, I would say that when it comes to the MS-4, storm drains and sanitary sewer systems, Ron has more info by far than probably anyone else that is on the bbs, in the orgs or sells equipment/chemicals and has done more to help than any of those people or orgs.

It would be a very informative call and you would learn more and then have more info about these issues than probably most of the guys out there teaching the enviro classes or the students after taking the classes.

Ron will help you out if you let him. Help Ron Help You. (similar to Jerry McGuire saying)
 
Jonn, give Ron a call and he can probably teach you more about what you want to learn than most of the other classes out there, he has been doing this business for about 27 years and has helped to put Houston in their place and start to get on track, nobody else would bother (conflicts of interest probably by selling equipment) or want to help much with Houston.

If Ron did not go there several times and have talks with those clueless people, the situation there would probably be a lot worse.

If you look at it that way, Ron did more than the 2 orgs wish they could have done, Ron did more and knew more than the 2 orgs wish they knew, Ron helped more than the 2 orgs wish they could have helped and Ron told those clueless people how things are with the drains, how they work, which drain is which, etc..... You probably could have seen question marks appear over their heads when discussing these issues.

So a short class by one of the orgs and a piece of paper after paying your fee is not a lot compared to what ron could teach you over the phone and by sending you some pictures.

I did not know what a dry well was until Ron started talking about them many years ago here on PWI and he posted pictures of them, go and do searches for dry wells and look at those.

Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, Best Buy, Circuit City (when they were in business), Home Depot, Lowes and other store and district store managers had no clue that those were dry wells in the parking lots, those are not storm drains, those don't go to the sanitary sewer.

None of these orgs had this kind of info but wish they did and if any of them learned it from Ron, they sure did not try to volunteer the info to try to help out with the Houston issue where Ron spent his own time and expenses to go to Houston and help set them straight.

So, after reading all of this, I would say that when it comes to the MS-4, storm drains and sanitary sewer systems, Ron has more info by far than probably anyone else that is on the bbs, in the orgs or sells equipment/chemicals and has done more to help than any of those people or orgs.

It would be a very informative call and you would learn more and then have more info about these issues than probably most of the guys out there teaching the enviro classes or the students after taking the classes.

Ron will help you out if you let him. Help Ron Help You. (similar to Jerry McGuire saying)


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Reasonable, Rational, Logical, that's Ron.
 
Read what contractors biggest mistake the Feds say right on the web site. Your entering it when you don't need to. The most common and responsible practice is to avoid it at all costs.

Mean while two orgs are running around with others saying we are polluting.

Read the EPA site above. They are highlighted.

Thanks Chris , truth is Robert Hinderliter didn't know about containment or the difference between connected an not connected. In one doc using grassy area ok, in another dry well retention an detention is polluting ground waters. It cannot be both ways, I guess it all depends who he's taking with. Regulators or contractors.

I know the side of the fence I'm on.


Ron Musgraves text me for
questions 480-522-5227 Pressure Washing Institute.com
 
Jonn, give Ron a call and he can probably teach you more about what you want to learn than most of the other classes out there, he has been doing this business for about 27 years and has helped to put Houston in their place and start to get on track, nobody else would bother (conflicts of interest probably by selling equipment) or want to help much with Houston.

If Ron did not go there several times and have talks with those clueless people, the situation there would probably be a lot worse.

If you look at it that way, Ron did more than the 2 orgs wish they could have done, Ron did more and knew more than the 2 orgs wish they knew, Ron helped more than the 2 orgs wish they could have helped and Ron told those clueless people how things are with the drains, how they work, which drain is which, etc..... You probably could have seen question marks appear over their heads when discussing these issues.

So a short class by one of the orgs and a piece of paper after paying your fee is not a lot compared to what ron could teach you over the phone and by sending you some pictures.

I did not know what a dry well was until Ron started talking about them many years ago here on PWI and he posted pictures of them, go and do searches for dry wells and look at those.

Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, Best Buy, Circuit City (when they were in business), Home Depot, Lowes and other store and district store managers had no clue that those were dry wells in the parking lots, those are not storm drains, those don't go to the sanitary sewer.

None of these orgs had this kind of info but wish they did and if any of them learned it from Ron, they sure did not try to volunteer the info to try to help out with the Houston issue where Ron spent his own time and expenses to go to Houston and help set them straight.

So, after reading all of this, I would say that when it comes to the MS-4, storm drains and sanitary sewer systems, Ron has more info by far than probably anyone else that is on the bbs, in the orgs or sells equipment/chemicals and has done more to help than any of those people or orgs.

It would be a very informative call and you would learn more and then have more info about these issues than probably most of the guys out there teaching the enviro classes or the students after taking the classes.

Ron will help you out if you let him. Help Ron Help You. (similar to Jerry McGuire saying)
Hey Chris I talk to Ron all the time. I love your Jerry McGuire remark.lol
I already took Ron's advise which was to call Jerry which I did and as luck would have it Jerry is coming to ACR's RT..
Jerry's class may conflict with another class I want to take there but Jerry's certification along with the others I plan on getting in the enviro field is utmost important to my business so if all goes well hopefully I can pass these certification test.. Never been good at taking test... But the days of taking the easy online free Basama(I think that was the name) enviro certifications on the net and then linking that to my website is a thing from the past.. Time to raise the standards and these ones I'm looking for are doing just that..
 
Henry its not your fault, we have been programed to think we are polluters. I hope we can change this in a few years.

Hey Ron, I've never met Jerry in Person but I have talked to him quite a few times on the phone when we were getting ready to clean the Lincoln Memorial, and he's a very knowledgeable guy. I would be happy to talk to him or anyone else that has a good training course for the power washing industry, anytime!

Now about MS-4, the current classes from the Contractors Foundation go in to quite a bit of detail on the MS-4 requirements and everything else we could find on EPA compliance.

Honestly I think it's pretty easy to meet them, and to provide EPA compliant cleaning services if you know what's involved. That's why our classes don't push buying equipment, we always suggest taking the course before you buy any equipment, so you can make an educated choice on what equipment you need, or if you need any equipment at all for the work that you do.
 
In the 23 years ive been power washing ive learned quite a bit, and Ive always been a big believer in learning everything I can for my companies because they support my family, and all of my employees families as well. *

Ron definitely knows what hes talking about but laws and regulations change all the time, and from place to place, so just talking to Ron, Jerry, Everett or myself isn't good enough, not *when it comes to protecting your livelihood. You should do far more than that just chat with a few people, after all it's your company, not Ron's or anyone else's. *

I think Ron and and Jerry would probably agree with Everett and I, that educating yourself is important, and people should take advantage of any information they can get, because no job is exactly like another one and the local law authorities and municipalities in his area may have some different rules and standards than we have here in Maryland. *But I'm not just talking about EPA stuff here.

I do know what im talking about though. *I've cleaned an 8 story building that was 20' from the Chesapeake bay on three sides, I've cleaned retaining walls around lakes that went right to the edge of the water, I've also cleaned some decent sized boats as well that I would have never considered if I didn't take the time to get educated on this stuff.

Because if I couldn't prove to the local EPA officials for these projects that I knew the laws and, prove to them that I could do these jobs in compliance they would still be waiting to get cleaned because no one else at the pre bid meetings could answer their questions but me at the time. *

For example, in doing my own research for the Lincoln memorial, I had to get a copy of the blueprints to track where the drain systems ran, because there were drains at the bottom of the stairs and no one knew where they went. * After reading the plans i found out that they fed into the reflecting pool and into the Potomac river, so we had to find a way to divert the runoff away from the drains. *I'm sure Jerry will be happy when I say this, but we used Two of his PEV2 scirocco vacuum systems to do it, and they worked great!

But let me tell you another story about a pre bid conference that I was at a couple months ago*for a decent sized contract. * After they went over all their detailed specs on equipment and some details on EPA compliance. * I asked if they had any training requirements as well, and they all looked up kind of surprised and said there is training for power washing? *I said sure, with pressure washing there are a lot of variables involed with cleaners and different equipment. *They seemed quite surprised that there was training and started asking some questions about it and said they didnt realize how much there was to know about the cleaners, flow rates, heat and pressure that we use in our industry. *At that moment i think i actually saw our industry raise the bar a little bit. *

Then they asked how many people at the meeting had taken any training in the industry and 3 of us raised our hands out of about 20 people in the room. *At that point, I could see them mentally check off the contractors in the room and their opinions of the three of us went up quite a bit for the three of us. *

Then they looked at everyone in the room and said, do you all think that training is really important for a contract like this? * Then, before anyone could speak, one of the other guys with training spoke up (I'll just call him dumbass to protect his anonymity) and he said nah, if youve been doing this for a few years you dont need it.*

*Now if your wondering why I nicknamed this guy dumbass, it's because the job we were all bidding on was a state college. *I still can't believe this guy said education wasn't important when he was bidding a job for a college, a place dedicated to learning for christ sakes! *I still cant believe anyone would make a boneheaded comment like that, especially one of the guys with training!*

To add insult to the injury, that this dumbass caused to the power washing industry, he also lowballed the bid and undercut even the saddest looking outfits I've seen in the area. *The bids ranged in price from about 20,000 - 80,000. *In case your wondering, my bid was 30,000 and honestly, I'd rather have given the bid to the other trained contractor if I'd won it, then to see the dumbass get it, because at least he invested his time and money into improving his company, and the industry by educating himself, and he didn't kick our industry in the gut by saying training and education isn't necessary in the power washing industry. *

I honestly believe that anyone that doesnt invest in their companies future with training to improve your services skills, your business skills and your marketing skills, to improve your company is making a huge mistake.
 
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In the 23 years ive been power washing ive learned quite a bit, and Ive always been a big believer in learning everything I can for my companies because they support my family, and all of my employees families as well. *

Ron definitely knows what hes talking about but laws and regulations change all the time, and from place to place, so just talking to Ron, Jerry, Everett or myself isn't good enough, not *when it comes to protecting your livelihood. You should do far more than that just chat with a few people, after all it's your company, not Ron's or anyone else's. *

I think Ron and and Jerry would probably agree with Everett and I, that educating yourself is important, and people should take advantage of any information they can get, because no job is exactly like another one and the local law authorities and municipalities in his area may have some different rules and standards than we have here in Maryland. *But I'm not just talking about EPA stuff here.

I do know what im talking about though. *I've cleaned an 8 story building that was 20' from the Chesapeake bay on three sides, I've cleaned retaining walls around lakes that went right to the edge of the water, I've also cleaned some decent sized boats as well that I would have never considered if I didn't take the time to get educated on this stuff.

Because if I couldn't prove to the local EPA officials for these projects that I knew the laws and, prove to them that I could do these jobs in compliance they would still be waiting to get cleaned because no one else at the pre bid meetings could answer their questions but me at the time. *

For example, in doing my own research for the Lincoln memorial, I had to get a copy of the blueprints to track where the drain systems ran, because there were drains at the bottom of the stairs and no one knew where they went. * After reading the plans i found out that they fed into the reflecting pool and into the Potomac river, so we had to find a way to divert the runoff away from the drains. *I'm sure Jerry will be happy when I say this, but we used Two of his PEV2 scirocco vacuum systems to do it, and they worked great!

But let me tell you another story about a pre bid conference that I was at a couple months ago*for a decent sized contract. * After they went over all their detailed specs on equipment and some details on EPA compliance. * I asked if they had any training requirements as well, and they all looked up kind of surprised and said there is training for power washing? *I said sure, with pressure washing there are a lot of variables involed with cleaners and different equipment. *They seemed quite surprised that there was training and started asking some questions about it and said they didnt realize how much there was to know about the cleaners, flow rates, heat and pressure that we use in our industry. *At that moment i think i actually saw our industry raise the bar a little bit. *

Then they asked how many people at the meeting had taken any training in the industry and 3 of us raised our hands out of about 20 people in the room. *At that point, I could see them mentally check off the contractors in the room and their opinions of the three of us went up quite a bit for the three of us. *

Then they looked at everyone in the room and said, do you all think that training is really important for a contract like this? * Then, before anyone could speak, one of the other guys with training spoke up (I'll just call him dumbass to protect his anonymity) and he said nah, if youve been doing this for a few years you dont need it.*

*Now if your wondering why I nicknamed this guy dumbass, it's because the job we were all bidding on was a state college. *I still can't believe this guy said education wasn't important when he was bidding a job for a college, a place dedicated to learning for christ sakes! *I still cant believe anyone would make a boneheaded comment like that, especially one of the guys with training!*

To add insult to the injury, that this dumbass caused to the power washing industry, he also lowballed the bid and undercut even the saddest looking outfits I've seen in the area. *The bids ranged in price from about 20,000 - 80,000. *In case your wondering, my bid was 30,000 and honestly, I'd rather have given the bid to the other trained contractor if I'd won it, then to see the dumbass get it, because at least he invested his time and money into improving his company, and the industry by educating himself, and he didn't kick our industry in the gut by saying training and education isn't necessary in the power washing industry. *

I honestly believe that anyone that doesnt invest in their companies future with training to improve your services skills, your business skills and your marketing skills, to improve your company is making a huge mistake.
Right on Henry.. That's all I want to do. I read and listened to Ron when he talks or blogs about Enviro Cleaning, I've taken the PWNA environmental certification in the past when Pete had it, and for the future I'm looking at getting as much education on this side of the industry as I can thru multiple Classes and Certifications.

To me its smart business to take more then one enviro Certification class because the jobs that can be had are huge paydays for a small business. Like you said not all area's are the same and what law enforcement might be pushing in one area may not be the same in another. You have to know what your area of scope of employment requires.

You have to know what your goals are and how you want to attain them. What works for some will not work for others.
So in my small business which I want it to stay that way with about 4-5 guys max I want to max my bottom line with top paying jobs with minimal amount of over head and headaches.. So in my business plan is to learn from The guys who are going to teach the Enviro classes and who have rock solid reputations and are willing to back up what they teach and that's my goal to learn from them and have it documented thru there Certifications that I can Market.

Doesn't mean I don't learn from what Ron and some other guys say on the net because that would false but documentation is what I'm looking for to nail down some of these bids that I already have out there and others that come along my way.

Good post.
 
Thats what Jerry teaches, first your own laws an then assignment. Everyone should now there own first an foremost starting with the enforcement divisions. The biggest is we all need not be afraid or what we have been told, they want to work with us. Go in with the attitude you can help, not pollute.

Henry you have to admit the past has always presented us on the incorrect page?

Been saying it for years no one person is the expert at this. Plus it all depend on what side of the MS4 you want to work on. I choose the EPA's simplest form of compliance's. Avoid it!!!!!!!!!!!!!


In the 23 years ive been power washing ive learned quite a bit, and Ive always been a big believer in learning everything I can for my companies because they support my family, and all of my employees families as well. *

Ron definitely knows what hes talking about but laws and regulations change all the time, and from place to place, so just talking to Ron, Jerry, Everett or myself isn't good enough, not *when it comes to protecting your livelihood. You should do far more than that just chat with a few people, after all it's your company, not Ron's or anyone else's. *

I think Ron and and Jerry would probably agree with Everett and I, that educating yourself is important, and people should take advantage of any information they can get, because no job is exactly like another one and the local law authorities and municipalities in his area may have some different rules and standards than we have here in Maryland. *But I'm not just talking about EPA stuff here.

I do know what im talking about though. *I've cleaned an 8 story building that was 20' from the Chesapeake bay on three sides, I've cleaned retaining walls around lakes that went right to the edge of the water, I've also cleaned some decent sized boats as well that I would have never considered if I didn't take the time to get educated on this stuff.

Because if I couldn't prove to the local EPA officials for these projects that I knew the laws and, prove to them that I could do these jobs in compliance they would still be waiting to get cleaned because no one else at the pre bid meetings could answer their questions but me at the time. *

For example, in doing my own research for the Lincoln memorial, I had to get a copy of the blueprints to track where the drain systems ran, because there were drains at the bottom of the stairs and no one knew where they went. * After reading the plans i found out that they fed into the reflecting pool and into the Potomac river, so we had to find a way to divert the runoff away from the drains. *I'm sure Jerry will be happy when I say this, but we used Two of his PEV2 scirocco vacuum systems to do it, and they worked great!

But let me tell you another story about a pre bid conference that I was at a couple months ago*for a decent sized contract. * After they went over all their detailed specs on equipment and some details on EPA compliance. * I asked if they had any training requirements as well, and they all looked up kind of surprised and said there is training for power washing? *I said sure, with pressure washing there are a lot of variables involed with cleaners and different equipment. *They seemed quite surprised that there was training and started asking some questions about it and said they didnt realize how much there was to know about the cleaners, flow rates, heat and pressure that we use in our industry. *At that moment i think i actually saw our industry raise the bar a little bit. *

Then they asked how many people at the meeting had taken any training in the industry and 3 of us raised our hands out of about 20 people in the room. *At that point, I could see them mentally check off the contractors in the room and their opinions of the three of us went up quite a bit for the three of us. *

Then they looked at everyone in the room and said, do you all think that training is really important for a contract like this? * Then, before anyone could speak, one of the other guys with training spoke up (I'll just call him dumbass to protect his anonymity) and he said nah, if youve been doing this for a few years you dont need it.*

*Now if your wondering why I nicknamed this guy dumbass, it's because the job we were all bidding on was a state college. *I still can't believe this guy said education wasn't important when he was bidding a job for a college, a place dedicated to learning for christ sakes! *I still cant believe anyone would make a boneheaded comment like that, especially one of the guys with training!*

To add insult to the injury, that this dumbass caused to the power washing industry, he also lowballed the bid and undercut even the saddest looking outfits I've seen in the area. *The bids ranged in price from about 20,000 - 80,000. *In case your wondering, my bid was 30,000 and honestly, I'd rather have given the bid to the other trained contractor if I'd won it, then to see the dumbass get it, because at least he invested his time and money into improving his company, and the industry by educating himself, and he didn't kick our industry in the gut by saying training and education isn't necessary in the power washing industry. *

I honestly believe that anyone that doesnt invest in their companies future with training to improve your services skills, your business skills and your marketing skills, to improve your company is making a huge mistake.
 
Headache, Is it worth it?

I read these threads, I e-mail the EPA (get no response) and I ask people who might know. Seems like no one does. I read the EPA region 6 power washing information that Ron posted. It almost seems simple. But when I fill out a online form with questions I don't receive a reply. So I seriously consider just selling everything and go find a job I hate but one that I don't need to worry about outrageous fines handed out for things I could not get information on or are so ridiculous and random there is no way to prepare or defend yourself.

What I want to do is pressure wash. Like Ron I love it, I think I am good at it but I am practically paralyzed from fear of doing anything with runoff. Where can I go to get real answers to questions about what I can and can not do or how best to do it?

I am cleaning a church sidewalk. My runoff goes into the street. Am I really in violation of something if my runoff does not go into a river, pond, lake, etc?

Can I intercept my runoff with a vacuum system and pump it back out onto the property grass area?

What If I am doing a bank drive through in the city. It is concrete all around. I can vacuum my water but then put it where? Saving it all and driving it off to a treatment plant is ridiculous.

I call the local cities and counties I may work in and there is no regulation. But will the EPA van pull up and fine me for cleaning because I moved pollutant from one place to another?

Pollution is bad. I get that. I used to work for a major environmental agency. However were not creating pollution were moving it and we are not clouding waterways. Where is the real and understandable information. I think this industry is killing itself as well as the suppliers to the industry. What's next to but the semi trailer I need carry around all the vacuums, separators, tanks, filters, berms, covers, oil socks etc that I need in order to make a sidewalk clean?

It is getting to the point where it is not worth it. Not only will I not be buying thousands of dollars of reclaim equipment but I won't be buying replacement nozzles either.

Tomorrow I was going to look at a Vacu-Boom system. Do I really need one? It might be nice to capture water from a driveway cleaning and put it up on the yard so it's not running down the street. But so what if it runs down the street, into the woods and soaks into the ground?

Yes, I wrote this while frustrated after doing more research, getting more confused and thinking that's it. Time to give up because the unknown goal is out of reach.
 
That post ^^^^^^^^^ is the end result of 20 years of an "icon" failing to properly represent the industry, and still pretending to be an authority.

Keep your head up, brother! We are working on promoting common sense. And that common sense doesn't include putting ourselves in the same category as three mile island.
 
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