Clean Water and
Smart Business
The problem…
Non-point sources of pollution such as
oil, grease, and toxic chemicals poured
onto the ground, into storm drains, in the
trash (even in a sealed container) or
allowed to runoff can pollute soil,
groundwater, streams, and rivers and
it’s illegal!
Stormwater pollution is also caused by
motor fluids, litter, soapy runoff,
improper disposal of hazardous waste,
and animal waste.
Storm drains lead straight to the
ocean. One gallon of pollutants can
contaminate a million gallons of
drinking water.
The law…
The United States Clean Water Act and
the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System:
1. Prohibits non-stormwater
discharges;
2. Requires reducing discharge of
pollutants from storm drainage
systems to the maximum extent
practicable (MEP)
The California Water Resources Control
Board and the Los Angeles Regional
Water Quality Control Board enforce
Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs),
which regulate the amount of pollution
that may enter storm drains leading to
the Los Angeles River and to the
Ocean. TMDLs control the amount of
trash, metals, nutrients, bacteria,
organics and oils entering our
waterways.
Critical Tier 1 businesses affected by
this law include:
1. Wholesale trade (scrap recycling,
auto dismantling);
2. Auto repair/parking;
3. Motor freight;
4. Chemical/allied products;
5. Auto dealers/gas stations;
6. Food service facilities
(restaurants);
7. Primary metals products;
8. Fabricated metal products;
9. Hazardous waste treatment,
disposal and recovery facilities;
10. Municipal Landfills
11. Facilities subject to a General
Industrial Stormwater Permit
Call the State Water Resources Control
Board for a full list of affected businesses at
(916) 341-5538
These laws apply when businesses:
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Operate under an Industrial
Stormwater Permit;
Maintain the property to prevent
and address spills/leaks and offsite migration of pollutants;
Wash vehicles, equipment, parts,
floor mats, filters, trash cans, mops
and floor drains;
Store, label and dispose of
hazardous materials;
Apply pesticides
Inspect loading and unloading
areas;
Inspect equipment and repair leaks
Recycle fluids
Designate a contained area for
handling/mixing solvents.
The impacts…
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Health risks
Harm to marine life
Neighborhood flooding
Lowers property values
Financial consequences for
violations, clean-up, and employee
accidents
The solution…
Best Management Practices (BMPs)
implemented through a Stormwater
Pollution Prevention Plan. The benefits
include:
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Prevent violations
Reduce clean-up costs
Increase customer and employee
safety
Help reduce local pollution
Permit compliance
Implementing Your Pollution
Prevention Plan
Spill prevention, control and clean-up
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Do not rinse or hose spills
Use a dry clean up for spills
such as sawdust,
kitty litter, rags,
mops, and buckets
Waste disposal and
handling
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Do not pour motor oil into the
drains or parking lot
Dispose oil in a hazardous waste
container and have your container
emptied regularly by a registered
waste hauler
Do not allow trash to spill onto
sidewalks, parking lots or public
areas
Make sure trash cans are covered
and emptied regularly
Building and grounds maintenance
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Do not wash floor mats outside
Clean mats over a utility sink
Do not hose parking lots and/or
sidewalks
Mop all areas with a dry mop
Do not pour mop water into the
street
Pour dirty water into mop sink
Inspect and clean on-site catch
basins
Clean up litter before it reaches
storm drains
Business
Stormwater
Pollution
Prevention
Program
Employee training
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Distribute this brochure to all
employees
Train new employees on BMPs
and review guidelines regularly
Serve as a resource to staff
members with questions
Hotlines…
Report Illegal Dumping in Storm Drains
(888) CLEAN LA
or (800) 303-0003
Report clogged
catch basins,
hazardous waste
spills, sewer back-ups, and water line
breaks
(888) CLEAN LA or (800) 675-4357
Partially funded by a grant from CalRecycle
City of Commerce
Environmental Services
(323) 722-4805