Concrete Applications

Getting Started

• Schedule projects for dry weather seasons/periods.
• Keep materials out of the rain.  Store both dry and wet materials under cover, protected from rainfall and runoff.   Also protect dry materials from the wind.
• Secure open bags of cement to keep wind-blown cement powder away from streets, gutters, storm drains, rainfall and runoff.
• Minimize waste when ordering materials.  Order only the amounts needed to complete the job.

During Construction

• Place erosion controls down slope to capture runoff carrying mortar or cement before it reaches the storm drain.
• Do not mix up more fresh concrete or cement than will be used.
• Set up and operate small mixers on tarps or heavy drop cloths.
• When breaking up paving (cement or asphalt) be sure to pick up all the pieces.  Recycle them at a crushing company.
• Dispose of small amounts of excess dry concrete, grout and mortar in the trash.
• Use recycled and recyclable materials whenever possible.

Cleaning Up

• When cleaning up after driveway or sidewalk construction, wash concrete dust onto dirt areas, not down the driveway or into the street or storm drain.
• Wash out concrete mixers and equipment only in designated wash-out areas, where the water flows into containment ponds or onto dirt.
• Recycle cement wash water by pumping it back into cement mixers for reuse.
• Never dispose of cement washout into driveways, streets, gutters, storm drains or drainage ditches.
• Recycle broken asphalt, concrete, wood and cleared vegetation.

Heavy Equipment & Earth Moving Activities

Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance

• Maintain all vehicles and heavy equipment.  Inspect frequently for leaks.
• Conduct all vehicle/equipment maintenance and refueling at one location away from storm drains.
• Perform major maintenance, repair jobs and vehicle/equipment washing off site.
• Use gravel approaches where truck traffic is frequent to reduce soil compaction and limit the tracking of sediment into streets.
• Use drip pans or drop cloths to catch drips and spills.  Treat collected material as hazardous waste.
• Do not use diesel oil to lubricate equipment or parts.

Cleaning Up

• Sweep up dry spilled materials immediately.  Never attempt to bury them or wash them into a storm drain.
• Clean up spills on dirt areas by digging up and properly disposing of contaminated soil.
• To report a significant spill, dial 911.  For general information on spills, contact the San Joaquin Environmental Health Department at (209) 468-3446.
• Clean up leaks, drips, and other spills immediately by using an absorbent material such as kitty litter or sawdust.  Treat collected material as hazardous waste.
• Never hose down pavement or surfaces where materials have been spilled.

Pollution Prevention

• After clearing, grading or excavating, exposed soil poses a clear and immediate danger of stormwater pollution.  One solution is re-vegetation (permanent or temporary), which is an excellent form of erosion control for any site.
• Avoid excavation and grading activities during wet weather.
• Construct diversion dikes to channel runoff around the site.  Line channels with grass or roughened pavement to reduce runoff velocity.
• Cover stockpiles and excavated soil with secured tarps or plastic sheeting.
• Remove existing vegetation only when absolutely necessary.  Large projects should be conducted in phases. 

Roadwork and Paving

During Construction

• Avoid paving and seal coating in wet weather, or when rain is forecast before fresh pavement will have time to cure.
• Cover and seal catch basins and maintenance holes when applying seal coat, slurry seal, fog seal, etc.
• Never wash excess material from exposed aggregate concrete or similar treatments into a street or stormwater drain.  Collect and recycle, or dispose into dirt area.
• Use check dams or ditches to divert runoff around excavations.
• Cover stockpiles and excavated soil with secured tarps or plastic sheeting.
• Catch drips from paver with drip pans or absorbent materials placed under the machine when not in use.  Treat collected material as hazardous material.
• Clean up all spills and leaks using "dry" methods like sweeping or absorbing, or dig up and remove contaminated soil.
• Collect and recycle or appropriately dispose of excess abrasive gravel or sand.
• Avoid over application by water trucks for dust control.

General Business Practices

• Schedule excavation and grading work for dry weather.
• Perform major equipment repairs away from the job site.
• Shovel or vacuum saw cut slurry and remove from site.
• When refueling or maintenance must be done on site, designate a location away from storm drains.
• Do not use diesel oil to lubricate equipment or parts.
• Recycle used oil, concrete, broken asphalt, etc., whenever possible.
• Check for and repair leaking equipment.

Asphalt/Concrete Removal

• Avoid creating excess dust when breaking asphalt or concrete.
• After breaking old pavement, be sure to remove all chunks and pieces.
• Make sure broken pavement does not come in contact with rainfall or runoff.
• Never hose down streets to clean up tracked dirt.
• Cover storm drains during saw cutting if necessary.