4 Reasons Why Drain Covers Make Good Business Sense
This drain grate accepts rain water along with other pollutants, too
It’s a common assumption among industrial businesses that storm drain covers are more of a ‘luxury’ rather than an actual need. After all, what’s the point of covering your storm drains if there’s no reservoir, river or other body of water nearby?
It’s this type of mentality, however, that leaves businesses vulnerable. In fact, storm water pollution is a very serious issue. It falls under governing protection of the federal law’s Clean Water Act (CWA) and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) works with state and other regulatory partners to monitor compliance. Act breaches can lead to EPA fines and even prosecution in instances of severe violations.
Therefore, facilities must take measures to prevent operational pollutant discharge into storm-water runoff with drain covers. This applies particularly for commercial, industrial and construction businesses. Common hazmat pollutants include building site debris, sediment, and pesticides or cleaning chemicals.
Simply put, having provisions in place to protect your storm and trench drains from contaminants is a smart move. Especially for companies operating equipment or undertaking services in outdoor locations.
So, to learn more about drain covers and four reasons why they are necessary for your business, keep reading.
1. Storm drain covers prevent environmental contamination
Covering a drain is a simple way to prevent storm water pollution at your site
The sole purpose of a drain cover is to prevent environmental contamination. You have to realize that any chemicals or hazardous materials which travel down the drain end up somewhere — usually in the closest body of water.
Rainwater typically carries through drains to the nearest lake, stream or ocean. But, unfortunately that means other pollutants can also make their way down the drain and end up in the water ways, too. This puts the health of aquatic ecosystem flora and fauna at risk.
Taking the time to cover your drain is a simple way to prevent environmental contamination from any chemicals your business uses.
2. Drain covers help keep drinking water sources safe
Storm water pollution puts drinking water sources and public health at risk
It’s important to remember that our drinking water comes from ground water, streams, rivers, and lakes. That said, protecting such water sources is key to sustaining safe drinking water supplies and public health.
Chemicals flowing down drains directly threaten both the environment and residents living nearby. If the drain runs into a town’s water source, the water may become tainted from the chemicals. There have been several instances where entire cities have fallen ill to chemical runoffs in the tap water.
It’s up to companies to take the initiative to get drain covers and prevent such instances from occurring.
3. Drain covers are cost effective and easy to use
Simply lay a polyurethane cover over a drain grate to temporarily seal it off
It might surprise you to see how easy and simple drain covers are to use. While they come in a variety of sizes and styles, most use a mat-like design that sits directly over the drain.
Using a cover to seal your drains is an effective, temporary solution to stop contaminants reaching the stormwater system. They are a great addition for industrial facility or construction site compliance equipment.
For a small investment of under a few hundred dollars, storm drain products can quickly pay for themselves. One example is through peace of mind, knowing your job site is more environmentally friendly. And compliant!
4. Storm drain covers helps your business avoid fines
If you still needed another reason to use drain covers in your business, here’s one more: they’ll help protect you from fines. The EPA is known to fine businesses that negligently overlook chemical spills and runoff into nearby drains.
Some businesses view this as a nuisance, but it’s necessary to protect the environment as well as the public.
Drain covers 101
The professional-grade stormwater management products available from AbsorbentsOnline.com feature a polyurethane construction. This heavy duty material provides optimal strength, durability and protection.
Choose from many shapes and sizes to cover small or large storm drain outlets
Below is a short list of just a few benefits that drain seals can deliver.
Key features of storm drain covers
- Polyurethane material construction
- Fully reversible (use both sides)
- Reusable
- Create a tough durable seal, preventing the flow of chemicals or other liquids
- Come in a wide variety of dia. sizes and shapes
- Incredibly easy to use
- Lightweight
Other outlet and drain guard solutions
Absorbent catch basin oil skimmers are another option for pollutant-free drains
Besides covers, there are many other products you can use to guard what goes down your workplace drains. Use a flexible spill containment dike to create a barrier around a drain or curb inlet. Not only do dikes contain chemical spills, they act as a diverter to keep hazardous materials away from drain locations.
For circular floor outlets, drain plugs are another easy way to create an effective temporary seal. Plugs come in various dia. size options, with or without eyebolts, and are re-usable.
If completely sealing off a drain isn’t an option, consider choosing a drain filter insert. As well as trapping trash and debris, the oil and sediment version removes hydrocarbon pollutants.
Passive oil skimmers are a geat choice for catch basin drain systems. Skimmers float inside a drain to continuously absorb oil-type contaminates from the water surface.
And don’t forget about different absorbent products as your first line of spill response. Essentials for any spill kit are absorbent socks, pads or booms. Use them to quickly clean up chemical or cleaning liquids before these contaminants reach your drain basin grates.
Your stormwater management product experts
Questions about selecting the best drain seal plus other storm water products? Contact AbsorbentsOnline.com today for advice!
We also stock a wide variety of spill containment and absorbents for your workplace. From containment berms and pallets to spill kits, we offer excellent customer service and products you can rely on.
This is a revision to a post with an original publish date of October 8, 2013