PAVEMENT :: RESTAURANT PAVEMENT CLEANING

City Ordinance addresses restaurants involved in pavement cleaning or power washing activities

The City of Arlington has a Storm Water Management Program with the major objective of improving the quality of the storm water entering our creeks and streams. The Storm Water Pollution Control Ordinance was recently adopted as a tool to assist in preventing storm water pollution. The Ordinance addresses to power washing activities. 

No person shall introduce or cause to be introduced into the storm drain system any discharge that is not composed entirely of storm water. 

All liquid discharges generated from high pressure washing and any wash water containing detergents or other additives are considered liquid wastes. This includes any wastewater from the washdown or other cleaning of pavement that contains any harmful quantity of soap, detergent, solvent, degreaser or any other harmful cleaning substance, or that is at a temperature that has been elevated by induced heating. 

One way to keep the wash water (wastewater) from entering the storm drain system would be to place a temporary dam at a low point on the property. The ponded wastewater can them be disposed of through a sand/grit trap to the sanitary sewer. The sand/grit trap will prevent oils, grease and sediments associated with pressure washing from entering the sanitary sewer.  

Failure to follow the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Ordinance may result in a citation and a fine.  

For more information regarding storm water quality, call 817-459-6550.