Pollution Prevention
Implementation of pollution prevention measures may reduce or eliminate the need to implement other more costly or complicated procedures. 

The following pollution prevention principles apply to most facilities:

• Use alternative, safer, non-toxic, and/or recycled products;
• Reduce storm water flow across the site and redirect flows away from storm drains, gutters, and streets;
• Reduce the use of water and/or use dry methods;
• Recycle and reuse waste products and waste flows; and
• Provide on-going employee training.

Best Management Practices and Procedures  

GENERAL

  WET AND DRY SANDING  
►       Conduct all sanding indoors.
►       Use dent repair tools, whenever practical for small dents. 

Dry Sanding  
►       Perform sanding activities in a contained area.
►       Use vacuum sanding equipment, whenever possible, to reduce the amount of airborne dust.
►       Use dry cleanup methods (sweep or vacuum) to pick up dust from dry sanding of primer, metal, or body filler. 

Wet Sanding  
►       Do not use wet sanding in a wash rack or in areas with a floor drains.
►       Use a spray bottle to squirt water onto the panel that is being sanded.  This eliminates sanding bucket wastewater and minimizes drips and spills.
►       Place a pan under the car panel being wet sanded to catch drips.  Pour the collected water back into the wet sanding bucket.
►       Clean up drips with a rag, or let the drips dry and then sweep or vacuum up the dust.
►       Dispose of wet sanding waste in one of the following ways:
      ■         Settle the waste and then separate the water from the sludge;
      ■         Discharge the water to a Permitted Treatment System; or
      ■         Dispose of the water at an offsite disposal facility.

PAINTING ACTIVITIES  

Cleaning Auto Body Parts  
►       When cleaning auto body parts before painting, first brush off the dirt and use rags to wipe down the parts.
►       If degreasers are used to clean the parts, conduct degreasing in a designated area and contain the wastewater for proper disposal.  Do not let the wastewater run into the gutter or street.
►       Avoid using acid-based wheel cleaners if soap and elbow grease will work.
►       If an acid-based metal cleaner or cleaner/conditioner is used to treat bare metal and rinse water is recommended to stop the chemical reaction, use as little water as possible and wipe down the area with a rag or towel.  Wastewater should be contained and disposed of properly.  

Painting  
►       Conduct all painting indoors, preferably in a paint booth.
►       Do not use water to control overspray or dust in the paint booth unless it will evaporate in the booth (so the dust can be swept up), or the wastewater is collected.  The water should be treated prior to discharge into the sewer system.
►       Use drop/ground cloths underneath outdoor painting, scraping, and sandblasting work as well as any outdoor mixing of paints, solvents, and tool cleaning.
►       Shelter any blasting and spray painting activities.
      ■         Hang wind-blocking tarps to prevent sand blasting dust and overspray from escaping.
      ■         Do not conduct these activities when wind conditions render containment ineffective.
      ■         Do not conduct these activities over open water.
►       Cover and seal nearby storm drain inlets.
      ■         Cover and seal nearby storm drain inlets with waterproof material, mesh, or other runoff control device.
      ■         Leave covers in place until job is complete.
      ■         Clean covers daily and remove any debris for proper disposal. 

Paint Waste  
►       Never discharge gun-cleaning solution to the sewer or storm drain.
►       Properly clean, store, and dispose of painting, finishing, and coating materials.
      ■         Do not dispose of liquid wastes on the pavement or ground
      ■         Clean paint brushes and tools covered with water-based paints in sinks connected to sanitary sewers or in portable containers that can be dumped into a sanitary sewer drain.
      ■         Clean paint brushes and tools covered with non-water-based paints, finishes, or other materials such that used solvents (e.g. paint thinner, turpentine, etc.) can be collected for recycling or proper disposal.
      ■         Recycle paint, paint thinner, solvents, and other recyclable materials. 

WASHING CARS  
Designate an impervious indoor or outdoor area to be used solely for vehicle washing.  Clearly mark the vehicle washing area.
►       Use off-site commercial washing businesses, if feasible.
►       Design wash area to collect and properly dispose of wash water and/or effluent generated.
      ■         Install sumps or drain lines to collect wash water.
      ■         Construct a berm around the area to collect wash water.
      ■         Use portable containment and vacuum collect the wash water.
►       If the wash area is outdoors, cover the area when not in use.
      ■         Collect all wash water from vehicle cleaning operations and discharge to a sanitary sewer (if allowed by the local sewer authority ), holding tank, or process treatment system through an enclosed recycling system.
      ■         Do not discharge wash water to sanitary sewer until contacting the local sewer authority to find out if pretreatment is required.
►       Use biodegradable, phosphate-free detergents. Remember, even though these detergents are better, the wash water still needs to be discharged to the sanitary sewer.
►       Provide trash containers in wash area and empty on a regular basis.
►       Use hoses with nozzles that automatically turn off when left unattended.
►       Do not degrease the engine in the wash area.  Take the vehicle to an off-site facility that can process the wastewater. 

CLEANING FLOORS  
►       Use dry cleaning methods (i.e. sweeping, vacuuming) to prevent the discharge of pollutants to the storm drain conveyance system.
►       If cleaning agents are used, select biodegradable products.
►       If water is used, block off storm drain or contain runoff and collect wash water to pump into the sanitary sewer, if allowed.  If wash water does not contain soap or other cleaning agents, discharge to a pervious surface.  If wash water contains soaps or other cleaning agents and can not be pumped to the sanitary sewer, it may need to be disposed of as hazardous waste.

SPILL CONTROL
►       Develop and maintain a spill response plan.
►       Place an adequate stockpile of spill cleanup materials where it will be readily accessible.
►       Spot clean leaks and drips routinely.
►       Clean leaks, drips, and other spills with as little water as possible.  Use rags for small spills, a damp mop for general cleanup, and dry absorbent material for larger spills.
►       Remove the absorbent materials promptly and dispose of properly.
►       Keep the spill from entering the street, gutter, or storm drain.
►       Do not use bleach or disinfectants if there is a possibility that rinse water could flow to a street, gutter, or storm drain. 

Employee Training  
·          Train employees on these practices.
·          Train staff on the proper maintenance of the facility.
·          Train employees on the facility’s spill control plan and proper spill containment and cleanup procedures.
·          Establish a regular training schedule, train all new employees, and conduct annual refresher training.
·          Use a training log or similar method to document training.

PHONE NUMBERS

San Joaquin County Stormwater Management   468-3055
San Joaquin County Sanitary Sewer Agency     468-3090
City of Stockton Stormwater Management         937-8791
City of Stockton Sanitary Sewer Agency           937-8750