Prevent pollution

Should you have a 'Spill Cleanup Plan'?

It is advisable that your workplace develops a spill cleanup plan so that staff can be trained about cleanup procedures. Such a plan could be a simple one that indicates what staff members should do in the event of a spill.

In order for cleanup efforts to proceed successfully it is a good idea to store cleanup material (for example brooms, mops and absorbent material) in an accessible location within the workplace. The whereabouts of these items should also be included in your spill cleanup plan.

What is 'dry cleaning'?

Dry cleaning is a term used to describe any process of cleaning up spills without the use of water. It involves using absorbent materials such as rags, sawdust or even kitty litter to mop up liquid spills. There are many commercial products on the market that promote this absorbent cleaning method. Dry cleaning methods not only reduce the potential for contaminated material to be hosed into the stormwater system, but also reduce the use of our valuable and scarce water resource.

Is storm-water pollution really a problem?

You may think that the small amount of pollution from your business will have little effect on water quality, but with five million people living in Sydney and thousands of commercial and industrial premises, stormwater pollution is now the biggest source of water pollution in urban areas. For example, every year in Sydney: 

• 3,000 tonnes of litter ends up in Sydney Harbour 
• 60,000 litres of oil drop on to Sydney's roads and are washed down the stormwater drains after rainstorms 
• Tens of thousands of tonnes of dirt or sediment are washed into the drains 
• Smokers discard almost seven billion cigarette butts, of which around two billion are estimated to end up in our waterways. 

Environmental Legislation - Clean Waters Act 1970

It is against the law to place any material in a position that would allow it to flow into local waterways and cause pollution. Leaving pollutants in such a spot is the same as actually placing the substance directly into the waterway. You could be fined!

As the occupier of an industrial or commercial premises, you are legally responsible for any pollution that occurs, irrespective of whether it was caused by one of your employees or a subcontractor working temporarily on your site. 

Since mid 1995 both the EPA and local council officers have been able to issue $600 on-the-spot fines for minor incidents that cause water pollution. In more serious cases, legal proceedings can be brought against the business. 

So what can you do?

One way to improve the water quality in our waterways is to prevent contamination of the stormwater system. Here are a few ideas on how you can help.

Washing activities

When doing any kind of washing, the runoff water must not enter any stormwater drains. Cleaning and washing activities - including washing cars, equipment or work floors - should be confined to a bounded area, from which waste water is directed to a collection pit and then to sewer (with the approval of Sydney Water), or is treated and even recycled by the use of water treatment equipment.

Wash waters should not go into the storm-water! 

Housekeeping

Maintaining a clean premises, especially in the workshop and storage areas, will help prevent pollution of the stormwater system. For example, oils, greases, paint residue, solvents and other materials - including sand and sediment - should be cleaned up from around your premises. Your customers and staff will also appreciate a clean and tidy work area.

Storage areas

If you have bulk storage of liquids on your premises (including substances such as oil, paint, sand, soil, chemicals or liquid wastes) you should:

• Locate storage areas away from stormwater drains
• Provide bounding around the perimeter of liquid storage areas, including drums or tanks, to contain any leaks and spills 
• Store dry, loose materials (such as sand, soil, coal, mulch or woodchip) that are outside under a roof and within a bunded area. For short term storage of these materials, keep them under plastic cover and/or use a temporary bund or filter (such as filter fencing, sandbags or hay bales) around the stockpile. 
• Sweep or vacuum around storage areas regularly.

Spills

Clean up leaks, drips and spills quickly with dry absorbent material and then dispose of the material correctly with other waste. It is important to keep cleanup equipment on site in the event of an accidental spill. (See Solutions to Pollution for Spills.)

If a spill causes or threatens to cause environmental harm, local council or the EPA should be notified as soon as possible so that any necessary remedial action can be undertaken.

Wasting resources and creating wastes

Management of solid and liquid wastes is an important environmental and economic issue. It doesn't make sense to keep using more and more natural resources to manufacture products that have a limited life and will eventually end up as waste. And finding areas to locate new landfill sites is becoming increasingly difficult - few people want to have a waste depot located near them. 

Smart business people are saving money and helping the environment by finding better ways to manage their wastes. This information sheet provides a few tips on smarter waste management.