When it rains, oil, antifreeze, detergents, pesticides and other pollutants get washed from driveways, backyards, parking lots, and streets into storm drains and then directly into waterways. Detergents in particular present a real problem not only for large bodies of water but also for water treatment facilities.

Soaps containing phosphates are common contributors to storm water pollution. These phosphates create problems for Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) because these phosphates interfere with the cleaning procedures at the facility. Finding products that can replace harsh alkaline cleaners will help reduce pollution.

Even detergents that are marketed as “biodegradable” can still have undesirable effects because they require time to biodegrade. Detergent products can be quite hazardous until the biodegradation process is complete.

There are currently innovative solutions to the problem of storm water run off. Cleaning solutions should be environmentally safe. Industrial site managers should examine non-toxic cleaners that are also biodegradable. These types of solutions provide an easy and safe alternative to harsher chemicals.

Industrial sites that produce large amounts of hazardous waste are always venerable to EPA fines and sanctions. Providing cleaning techniques and products that are safe is a requirement that is imposed by the EPA.

Other major contributors to storm water pollution are the oil and gasoline leaks that are the results of washing vehicles on pavement and close to storm water drains. Washing vehicles or equipment in wash bays hooked up to the sanitary sewer causes the detergents oils and grease to enter the streets or storm drains.

The EPA requires that these facilities use products or install complicated drainage system to seal these floor drains. Facilities can use products that provide a tough, durable seal over their drains. This seal will block the pollution from entering the storm drains If the product is lightweight and reusable, it can save the site money and time. Lightweight drain sealers can be retrieved quickly for emergency chemical spills.

Parking lots represent another source of water pollution. Cars and trucks drip oil and grease on to the surface of cement lots. This oil and grease is carried into the catch basins by rainwater. The EPA is very strict on these known pollution sources. Many industrial and sites that produce large amounts of oil and grease use drain inserts to avoid this problem.

The EPA designates automotive maintenance facilities as stormwater "hot spots." Hotspots are areas that generate significant amounts of hydrocarbons, trace metals, and other pollutants that can affect the quality of stormwater.

Facilities must stay abreast of the state and local regulations for the specific stormwater pollution requirements in their area. There may be additional requirements for their a particular type of facility.

Pollution control products are only one piece of the pollution puzzle. Specialized product plus human commitment will help companies comply with EPA regulations.