Fall & Winter Commercial & Residential Pollution Prevention Information

What is Pollution Prevention?

A combination of activities that reduce or eliminate the amount of possible chemical contaminants at the business or residential property from entering the environment of waste system. A successful plan will consider the usage of raw materials, water energy, an d other resources more efficiently. In addition, substitute less harmful substances for more hazardous ones.

Importance of Pollution Prevention

The municipal storm water system was designed to carry runoff water efficiently away from roads and buildings. These systems deliver the runoff to ponds, lakes, and streams. Since our storm drain system does not have a built-in treatment, whatever gets into our storm drains, also gets into our environment, with potential to damage our local ponds and streams.

Benefits

Economic benefits include greater business efficiency, increased competitiveness, and reduced costs for regulatory monitoring and compliance, preventing the generation of waste can reduce or eliminate the long term liabilities, clean-up storage, and disposal costs.

Protect the local environments and everyone’s water.

Low Impact Development (L.I.D.)

L.I.D. refers to systems and practices that use or mimic natural processes that result in the infiltration, filtering, storing, evaporating, and detaining of storm water in order to protect water quality and associated aquatic habitat more natural and efficient.

What You Can Do

Preservation: keep as much of the existing soil and vegetation as possible.

Pervious Paving: alternative forms of asphalt and concrete paving allow rainwater to soak through paving rather than flow across to a storm water drain.

Vegetated Rooftop: assist in filtering pollutants and slowing down roof water runoff.

Rainwater Catchment System: installation of a rain barrel next to your home allows to collect rainwater; conserving it for future use in your yard and garden.

Rain Garden: a shallow depression constructed in your yard which uses special soil mix and variety of plants. These gardens are designed to hold moisture.

RESIDENTIAL SOLUTIONS

Pet Waste

Pet waste contains harmful bacteria and excess nutrients and must be disposed of property.

Household Chemicals

It is necessary to recycle or properly dispose of household products that contain chemicals, such as insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, and used motor oil and fluids. Do not pour them into the ground or storm drains.

Reduce/Reuse/Recycle

• Use “green” products to eliminate toxic chemicals which increasing energy efficiency.

• One company’s waste may be another’s raw material.

• Compost food scraps, such as egg shells, fruits, vegetables, tea and coffe grinds.

Fall Clean-Up

Fallen leaves are loaded with natural fertilizer which can cause water pollution that harms people and animals.

• Never dump leaves in wetlands or waterways.

• Keep pavement and storm drains clear of leaves.

• Landscapers should properly dispose of waste.

• Bag leaves in paper bags for disposal…or compost your yard waste.

COMMERCIAL POLLUTION

Restaurant

• Properly maintain any grease traps in your establishment in accordance with Norwood regulations.

• Do not dispose of cooking oil and grease into sinks, floor drains, catch basins, or onto the ground.

• Wash garbage cans, floor mats, and the kitchen equipment in designated wash areas that drain to the sewer system.

• Provide trash receptacles in highly visible locations.

• Sweep outdoor areas daily for trash and litter control.

• Keep the area surrounding a dumpster clean and the lid closed.

ROAD SALT PROBLEM

Improperly stored or excessive use of road salt can pollute public and private drinking water supplies.

Salt Storage Best Management

• Store salt on a flat site with adequate space.

• Store on a pad (impervious/paved surface).

• Storage must have a roof and runoff containment system.

Safer Salt Practices

• Coarse sand is a cheap, more eco-friendly alternative to de-icing.

• A liquid salt brine spreads more evenly, immediately starts working, and is safer for the environment.

• Excess salt will not be effective in de-icing and wash into storm water drains.

• Do not spread salt in rainy weather.

For more information on salt storage, visit www.mass.giv/guides/guidelines-on-the-road-salt-storage.