stormwater management | Spill Containment Blog

How Often Should You Change Your Storm Drain Filters?

November 15, 2023 by Travis Zdrazil

Six signs that it’s time to replace your storm drain filter

Storm drain filters defend against pollutants to ensure only clean water flows into water systems

Storm drain filters are the easy solution for keeping waste out of the water system. However, like any filtration system, they only work their best for so long before you need to replace them.

Regularly changing your storm drain filters is not only essential for preserving water quality but also aligns with the Environmental Protection Agency’s EPA storm water pollution prevention guidelines. Because without effective filtration, contaminants can enter storm drains and eventually reach rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Take a look at these six telltale signs that it’s time to replace your storm drain filter.

1. Sediment buildup

If there is a quarter-inch or more of sediment buildup, your filter insert most likely needs to be replaced.

2. Debris around the storm drain

Accumulation of large debris, such as trash, might just mean that the drain filter needs to be cleaned. But always keep an eye out for any other signs that it needs replacing.

3. Standing water

When four inches (or more) of standing water persists around the drain for 24 hours or longer after rainfall, it’s a sure sign that your storm drain filter requires maintenance. Or replacing.

4. Hazardous material discharge

If any hazardous material that the filter is designed to absorb—like motor oil—is being discharged by the filter, it’s ready for a replacement.

5. Visible scum

It’s time to replace the filter if there is a visible line of scum building up around it. This is usually a sign of recurring standing water.

6. Three years

Regardless of the apparent condition or state of the filter, if three years have passed without it being replaced, it’s time for a new one!

Shop storm drain filters and more at AbsorbentsOnline

We have three different storm drain guard filter models available, so you will be sure to find one that suits your specific facility needs. Check them out on our website.

Always familiarize yourself with your Storm Drain Filter Inspection and Maintenance Guide. You can also learn more tips and best practices for storm water management in our previous posts:

Want to learn more about storm drain filters? The experts at AbsorbentsOnline can help. Contact Travis Zdrazil at travis@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

This is a revision to a blog post with an original publication date of August 9, 2016.

Berms Offer Flexibility for Storm Water Pollution Prevention

March 2, 2021 by Travis Zdrazil

How spill barrier dikes protect your drain from hazardous materials

Berm dikes act as a flexible spill diverter or blocker to protect drains

Sometimes a spill doesn’t just need to be absorbed, it needs to be contained — or even redirected. For example, depending on the severity of rainfall, stormwater runoff might be impossible to fully contain. Which can cause major contamination risks for stormwater drainage systems and, in turn, the environment.

This case would be the perfect application for a dike to redirect a spill. In this situation, a dike can also aid compliance with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. In other words, meet EPA guidelines to keep hazardous materials out of stormwater systems. Being an essential aspect of Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) requirements.

Read on to learn more about the benefits of these useful spill barrier blockers and diverters. And why reusable dikes are an essential tool for any facility where employees handle pollutants or waste. To protect your drains indoors, or out.

What is a spill barrier and how does it work?

Spill containment berms come in many forms. But, they all serve the same purpose: to create a barrier that confines chemical liquids in the event of a spill or leak. This allows for easier spill clean-up, as well as preventing potential environmental pollution.

Easily shape a spillblocker dike to confine or divert liquids

Some portable berms act like a large catch basin that captures and holds a spill. However, a non-absorbent spill control dike acts like a flexible wall barrier for liquids. Which allows you to trap or guide a spill without necessarily enclosing it.

In short, a secondary containment spill berm is like a large container with side walls and a bottom. Whereas a spill barrier dike allows you to create a liquid-proof curb seal in any shape you require.

Use spill barriers to channel spills away from drains. Or, create a curb around puddles and prevent a floor slip hazard. They also offer excellent spill control to prevent washdown fluids from spreading during maintenance.

Selecting the best spill barrier solution

To choose the right spill containment product, it’s important you examine the application for your berm. And select one that meets all your needs. For example, the size of the spill barrier will depend on the volume of the liquid you’ll need to contain.

A small tabletop dike creates a leak-proof zone for lab spills

We offer berm dikes small enough for tabletop samples or chemical testing stations. As well as up to 10 feet long for larger drainage system protection applications. Need to fit a weirdly shaped space? Pliable dikes are easy to bend, so they can fit any curve or angle.

After a spill dike with more than 10 feet of barrier wall? Our dike connectors let you combine 10-foot lengths (or any of the other lengths we offer — they’re all so easy to connect!) into whatever size you need.

Safe storage of your barrier dike

This storage case prevents a urethane dike from sticking to itself

You should always store your spill barrier near the areas where it will most likely be necessary. In case of surprise spills or weather events, this ensures it is available quickly and efficiently. Luckily, our spill dike storage case makes it easy to protect and store any berm barrier, including the 10-foot length option.

Since polyurethane is tacky, unlike PVC, a barrier will stick to itself if not stored properly. But our spill dike storage case features dividers to keep your berm from doing so.

These heavy-duty spill dikes are completely reusable. Easily clean them with soap and water to prepare them for future uses. By correctly cleaning and storing them between operations, these important tools are sure to be great investments. And provide years of trouble-free service.

Check out our different berms and the handy spill dike storage case on our website.

Drive-over spill barriers

Until now, we’ve been talking about barriers for more temporary uses. However, in some situations, you need a spill containment product that remains in place. Or, allows trolleys or vehicles to pass across the barrier.

Compressible foam walls allow wheels to easily pass over this spill barrier

In these applications, you may want to try our build-your-own berm kit or drive-over spill barrier. You use sealant to fix these non-absorbent spill barriers and connectors to the floor. This means they can be a great option for outdoor use as well as rough surfaces.

These spill solutions let you create a custom-size barrier where you need one. For instance, to create a curb that encircles your warehouse floor drain. Or, around your IBC or drum pallet storage zones. They are also a great way to prevent liquid from flowing in — or out — of your facility’s vehicle entrance.

Your spill control and clean-up specialists

Find out for yourself why Absorbents Online has such high customer reviews. We offer a full range of secondary containment and SPCC environmental protection solutions. Check out our absorbents, spill kits, and more at competitive prices.

Have questions about which berm dike is suitable for your needs? Contact Travis Zdrazil at travis@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

This is a revision to a blog post with an original publication date of August 9, 2016

Winter Is Here. Are You Ready?

December 10, 2020 by Travis Zdrazil

Workplace cold weather advice and safety tips for the winter months

Icy winter conditions pose workplace risks for your plant and people

Winter is here, and cold temperatures bring unique safety risks for those who work outdoors. For instance, frostbite and hypothermia are risks due to lost body heat (especially when wearing wet clothing). Additionally, slip hazards increase during outdoor activities like de-icing equipment and vehicles.

Make sure your workplace and employees are ready to face the elements this winter season. As the temperature drops, help prepare for potential hazards with the following winter safety tips and advice.

What’s so dangerous about winter?

Winter weather can be dangerous in different ways, from the effects of wind and rain to snow and cold temperatures. The key is to properly prepare for winter weather conditions. Thus, determine how conditions may affect your facility, equipment, and employees.

Here are just a few safety issue scenarios and solutions to consider:

1. Slippery surface hazards

Does water or ice turn certain stairs or ramps into slip-and-fall hazards? Installing permanent safety treads can head that problem off. More so, they save time and money rather than sprinkling rock salt every day. Indoors, industrial absorbent mats help keep floors clean and dry. You can say goodbye to puddles from wet work boots or umbrella drips.

Add pipe and roof leak diverters to your winter storm emergency kit supplies

2. Potential structural damage

Will winter storm rain or snow meltwater pose structural building risks, like roof damage? Make sure you’re prepared with the right stormwater management products. For example, a temporary and easy-to-install roof leak diverter.

3. Frozen pipes

Likewise, burst pipes and ruptures are other common occurrences in freezing temperatures. However, having an emergency kit for leaks ready to go can quickly halt equipment damage. Moreover, save you from facing an expensive repair bill.

4. Heating risks

Does your facility or warehouse rely on devices like gas-fueled space heaters for warmth? Without correct ventilation, a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide is possible. Install a battery power CO detector as an alert against carbon monoxide poisoning. But don’t forget to check your detector every year to make sure it is in good working order. And always keep a stock of extra batteries in your emergency supplies!

5. Personnel health

And of course, protecting your employees from health problems in cold conditions should be a top priority. In extremely cold conditions, hypothermia—an abnormally low body temperature—poses a very serious health risk. Warning signs in adults include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, slurred speech, and drowsiness. If your employees start to exhibit these symptoms, seek medical care immediately. Especially if their temperature falls below 95° F.

Staying safe in winter while working outdoors

Monitor body temperature during frigid outdoor activities like shoveling snow

Unfortunately, wintertime doesn’t always allow for job sites and work activities to move indoors. Especially for service industries such as construction and maintenance crews. In many regions of the United States, snow removal using snow blowers or shoveling is a necessity to keep operations running smoothly.

That’s why it’s essential to educate staff on basic cold-weather safety tips. Like knowing the warning signs of hypothermia and frostbite. Help them to stay safe by ensuring they understand the importance of:

Dressing in appropriate layers for the weather. This includes hats, gloves/mittens, and outerwear;
Taking frequent breaks in warm, dry areas to allow their bodies to recover;
Eating and drinking warm, high-calorie foods and beverages as well as avoiding alcohol and caffeine; and
Avoiding fatigue because the body uses a lot of energy to keep warm.

Healthy bodies are better equipped to handle extreme temperatures and weather conditions. That means, one way you can prepare for the changing season is with overall health and fitness!

The best preparation is comprehensive training

Your best tool against cold-induced injuries and illnesses is an informed, well-trained staff. Here are some areas in which you should train your workforce:

Prevention — Being aware of all cold weather risks gives you the opportunity to prevent some of the dangers. Prevention training will ensure you have the safety materials you need to get your workforce through the winter without a hitch.
Identification — Employees should be able to recognize and identify different cold-induced illness and injury symptoms and signs in themselves and others. The sooner you identify problems, the sooner you can treat them.
Treatment — You should train your workforce in proper first aid to allow members to treat cold-induced injuries and illnesses. Knowing the right steps to take if someone starts showing trench foot or hypothermia signs could turn a possibly major injury into something minor.

OSHA’s website provides many workplace winter safety tips, including winter driving and a cold stress guide. As well, the CDC offers helpful publications such as preventing cold-related injuries for workers.

Useful winter safety supplies for your workplace

Soak up wet footprints and warn of slip hazards with caution mat absorbents

As we mention above, preparing your workplace to tackle cold conditions is a must. Help ensure a safer winter season with our list of workplace emergency supplies:

Non-slip absorbent floor mats can soak up wet foot traffic in entryways and prevent workers from taking a spill.
Granular absorbents and sorbent pads quickly clean up chemical spills like antifreeze and stop slick surfaces or icy water puddles.
Emergency leak repair kits will deal with pipe ruptures, roof leaks, and more.
Caution tape and caution mat pads can easily alert about hazards like wet floors.
Orange safety cones or vertical panel barricades with safety messages are other great options to warn workers about potential dangers.

Even in this modern age, winter weather can be extremely dangerous for the unprepared. Don’t get caught out in the cold: Plan for winter workplace safety.

Have questions about which absorbents are right for your needs? Contact Travis Zdrazil at travis@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

This is a revision to a blog post with an original publication date of December 6, 2016.

Storm Drain Covers: Are They Really Necessary?

December 16, 2019 by Travis Zdrazil

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 to cover small or large storm drain outlets

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

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

You Can Eliminate Stormwater Pollutants

August 19, 2019 by Travis Zdrazil

Stormwater drains are a leading cause of water pollution

When a storm comes through, rainfall quickly flows over your outdoor loading ramps, staircases, and other paved areas. It’s easy to dismiss any stormwater pollutants that may be washing away with all that rain water.

pollutants in stormwater discharge outlets

It’s not only rain that flows through stormwater drains

But trash, pesticides, pet waste, vehicle drippings and other contaminants you work with easily end up in local waterways through snowmelt and stormwater runoff.

But those are just small amounts, right?

That’s what people thought 50 years ago, too.

In the early 1970s, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set up the Clean Water Act after it began to discover just how dangerous stormwater pollutants are. In fact, they’re one of the leading causes of water pollution today.

Over the decades since then, EPA stormwater regulations continue to change, keeping pace with new research and information about water pollution. In fact, as recently as 2017 the EPA issued a new regulation on stormwater permitting.

Why keep contaminants out of our water systems?

A clean water system offers many benefits

In short, stormwater management is essential to preserve water quality and other natural resources in the United States (as well as the rest of the world).

Pollutants in urban stormwater flow directly into our rivers, lakes and streams. That’s right, it doesn’t pass through treatment plant facilities as with storm sewer systems and septic systems. That’s because storm drains need to quickly route rainwater off impervious surfaces. With parking lots and rooftops in urban areas, this helps prevent flooding.

There are many benefits to keeping water-bodies free of harmful contaminants like anti-freeze, motor oil, and heavy metals. Besides protecting public health and ensuring clean drinking water supplies, other positive effects of storm-water pollution prevention include safeguarding delicate wetland ecosystems and aquatic life, as well as conservation of water resources.

How your facility can prevent and control the spread of stormwater pollutants

There are different federal regulations for stormwater discharge, depending on the application — be it industrial, construction, municipal, or transportation. But no matter what sort of work you do at your facility, implementing best management practices is key to preventing and controlling the spread of contaminants through stormwater runoff.

One simple way to control what passes into the water system is monitoring your drainage. Effective drain and stormwater management ensures runoff goes where you want it and that you filter it before it leaves your facility.

Here are some other tips and options for your business to consider:

Construction Sites

A spill containment berm dike can protect your drains

On build sites, preventing loose soil or building materials from entering drainage systems is key. Storm drain filter inserts can be very effective and affordable solutions to stop those pollutants. These units quickly insert into the drain grate to keep sediment, litter, and debris out of stormwater systems.

Of course, you can only filter out pollutants when you can direct runoff into storm drains! If you have rain water going all the wrong ways, you can use spill containment berm dikes to reroute water outfalls where you want it to go.

Industrial Facilities

Covers and plugs prevent contaminants entering drains

Sites handling hazardous materials are often prone to overflows or equipment leakages that can easily cause stormwater pollution. Do you need to temporarily seal a drain while you clean up a spill or leak? A reusable, chemical-resistant drain cover seal or a drain plug can temporarily block a drain until you get the spill under control. Seals and plugs can also keep drains sealed when they’re not in active use and prevent unwanted discharge of fluids.

Has oil ended up in your drain catch basin, despite your best efforts? A passive oil skimmer can solve that problem for you. These free-floating units continually absorb surface water pollutants. They also remain buoyant even when completely saturated with hydrocarbons and are quick and easy to replace.

Maintenance Facilities

Use absorbents on spills to keep drains pollutant-free

Motor oil, grease and anti-freeze are just a few obvious pollutants to be mindful of at automotive and equipment maintenance sites. Ensure you have (and use!) the appropriate equipment like drip pans, absorbents and spill kits on hand. Keep shop floors tidy by sweeping regularly, not hosing them down, and clean up spills promptly.

Spill containment berms offer practical solutions to catch leaks and drips during outdoor maintenance activities. They are also a good option for sites storing equipment outdoors on impervious surfaces, like parking lots, that are prone to oily surface sheen.

Green Options

For businesses operating in mix land use locations, green infrastructure practices (like using rain barrels to collect and store clean water from rooftops or gutters) are becoming increasingly popular. These help limit the volume of water passing into drainage systems and thereby reducing the potential for contaminants to flow with it.

Likewise, rain gardens are a great option for sloping sites or those alongside stream banks. Not only are they attractive to look at, they help absorb pollutants to protect our aquatic habitats.

Stormwater Products and Pollutant Prevention Advice

If you have any questions or need help choosing which stormwater products are right for you and your operations, get in touch with us today.

You can’t control when it rains, but you can control how much your facility contributes to stormwater pollution. With the right products, that rainwater can leave your facility as clean as it was when it arrived!

Want to learn more about stormwater absorbents? AbsorbentsOnline professionals can help. Contact Travis Zdrazil at travis@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

This is a revision to a post with an original publish date of April 11, 2017.

Prepare for Spring with a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan

March 14, 2018 by Angie Meza

Although it’s true that “April showers bring May flowers,” the spring season also significantly increases the possibility of stormwater runoff and pollution. Stormwater runoff occurs when snow melts and rain falls onto nonabsorbent surfaces, creating a body of water that picks up debris, dirt, and other pollutants before flowing into a sewer or natural body of water.

Pollutants collected in runoff can adversely affect the environment, and they can also enter into groundwater systems used for drinking. Once there, pollutants can be almost impossible to remove. Runoff carries pollutants ranging from parking lot oils and greases to hazardous materials from construction sites or industrial facilities.

To ensure they’re doing their parts to minimize stormwater pollution, project managers should establish a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan for each site and keep each stocked with the proper prevention equipment.

Plan ahead and minimize pollution

According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) stormwater pollution prevention plan guide, the Clean Water Act requires operators with “discharges associated with industrial activity” to maintain water supply integrity. Therefore, they must establish Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) to mitigate possible environmental damage. An SWPPP is a document that identifies industrial activities at each site, including any structural control practices, which the site operator will implement to prevent pollutants from making their way into bodies of water via stormwater runoff.

SWPPP

The EPA requires site-specific SWPPPs. These written documents identify possible sources of pollution, control measures, and quick-response methods. Creating the most effective SWPPP requires several key steps:

Assess all potential stormwater pollution sources.
Select appropriate control measures that minimize pollutant discharge.
Form a pollution prevention team of qualified employees to educate fellow facility personnel on how to implement the SWPPP.
Develop procedures for conducting required inspection and monitoring activities.

After identifying all potential pollution sources, project managers can choose stormwater protection products such as storm drain covers and drain filter inserts to avoid stormwater runoff contamination. Used to block drains, grates, and manholes, these can help site managers avoid and remove runoff without posing pollution risks. As an alternative solution, managers can direct runoff away from potential containments using spill containment berm dikes. If a storm drain or basin already contains runoff, site managers can use catch basin oil skimmers to continuously absorb hydrocarbons such as diesel, oil, and hydraulic oil while repelling water.

With pollution prevention devices in place, educated employees, and a plan for avoiding future pollution, project managers can be well-prepared for protecting the environment — and protecting themselves against EPA enforcement actions.

Ready to set up your first autoshipment of stormwater products so you’re prepared for spring? Contact our sales team at sales@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

Storm Water: Top 3 Best Management Practices

August 9, 2016 by Travis Zdrazil

What to include in your facility’s Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)

factory worker with chemical drums Unfortunately, when it comes to spreading pollutants, nothing does it more efficiently than our very own water systems. Some materials might seem harmless when applied to a small area. For example, pesticide spray on lawns or motor oil spills on pavement. But, when the rain comes, any runoff water carries with it whatever pollutants it encounters.

In industrial areas, this risk is even higher: Manmade surfaces, such as pavement or buildings, don’t absorb water like soil does. Which results in higher volumes of storm water pollutant runoff. This means that what we throw on the ground in urban areas is likely to end up in bodies of water.

With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that there are regulations in place to try to limit industrial storm water pollution. To ensure that you stay compliant with regulation and avoid water pollution, it’s imperative that you implement certain best management practices in your Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).

A comprehensive SWPPP requires a wide variety of best management practices. However, here are three from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that are of primary importance:

1. Educate and train employees

It’s not useful to have a prevention program in place if your employees don’t know how to implement and maintain it.

Any employees who work with materials that may be exposed to storm water — as well as those who will be responsible for tasks required by your SWPPP — need to receive regular training. The EPA recommends this training occur at least annually.

Make sure to track which employees have received training at what time. That way you’ll know your staff is always fully equipped to handle any storm water concerns they may face in their day-to-day work.

2. Establish controls for properly disposing of waste and pollutants

To prevent everyday materials from ending up in storm water runoff, you need non-structural controls in place.

Non-structural controls focus on facility operations such as posted signage or defined procedures. Remember that controls also need to be regularly evaluated and updated to remain effective and relevant to your facility’s current state.

3. Understand your potential storm water pollutants

Each facility has different pollutants to deal with. Which is why it’s imperative that you put your SWPPP together with a complete foundational knowledge. Including which specific pollutants your workplace must be ready to address.

For example, anything from your vehicle-related pollutants to chemicals and trash. Make sure to analyze every part of your facility that may expose storm water to pollutants. Address each concern in your plan.

You never know when the weather will change or how long a storm could last. Which means you must make sure you prepare to deal with storm water runoff when it happens.

Do you have the right safety products on hand for your workplace? To find out, contact Angie Meza at angie@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

Keep Runoff Away With Stormwater Management Gear

August 20, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

Rain spout water run off.

Feel like you’ve seen a lot of rain this summer? You’re not mistaken. In many regions, thunderstorms are more frequent this time of year, and they can bring lasting damage that goes beyond mud puddles and beat-up begonias. The torrential rains can cause heavy stormwater flows, and for communities and businesses that don’t have stormwater best management practices (BMPs) in place, that can mean big messes.

As rain falls over streets, roofs, lawns, industrial areas, and construction sites, the hazardous materials it comes in contact with become part of the runoff. This is especially dangerous when heavy rain or flooding occurs near manufacturing sites or other areas where chemicals are present; without water spill containment devices in place, dangerous chemicals and sewage from flooded or backed-up drains can make their way into the public water system.

During this stormy season, we’re reminded that preparation is a key element of any comprehensive stormwater management strategy. Proactive strategies can include changing landscaping, creating ponds, and spreading or redirecting runoff flow, along with other BMPs.

Be prepared with stormwater products
The best plans also include keeping water spill containment products on hand. Products such as drain plugs, drain covers, drain inserts, spill containment berm dikes, and oil skimmers should be part of your business’s stormwater BMPs. Here’s how these helpful spill containment and stormwater products work:

• Drain plug: These are used to block floor drains before or right after a spill occurs. The plug seals off the drain and prevents the fluid (which can contain hazardous materials) from entering the water supply.

• Drain cover: This product also seals off drains, forming a tight seal to keep water and chemicals out. The polyurethane drain cover that’s available from AbsorbentsOnline.com is reversible, reusable, and resistant to many chemicals.

• Drain insert: This device fits over drain catch basins and prevents stormwater pollution by filtering out coarse sediments, oil, grease, litter, and debris. It’s particularly beneficial in parking lots and other areas where vehicles leave grease and oil residue.

• Spill containment berm dike: These berms are comprised of non-absorbent, reusable sections of flexible polyurethane. When put together, the berm dike forms a barrier that traps or diverts fluids away from drains and keeps it from spreading.

• Oil skimmer: This proactive tool is a must-have addition to your stormwater management kit. It’s used to remove oil that stormwater has washed into a catch basin or storm drain. It floats on the surface of the water, continuously absorbing the unwanted oil.

Don’t wait for a heavy storm to hit! Make sure you have the right stormwater management products on hand, and you’ll be ready to keep contaminated water spills under control any time.