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 power washing activities.

Liquid waste includes any wastewater from the wash down 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 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.

For specific ordinance requirements, please reference the City of Arlington Storm Water Pollution Control Ordinance, Section 2.01 and Section 3.01.  The official code may be obtained through the City Secretary's Office at 817-459-6186.  An unofficial online version is available at http://www.amlegal.com/arlington_tx.  For questions concerning the Storm Water Pollution Control Ordinance, please call Environmental Services of the Department of Public Works at 817-459-6550 or email publicworks@ci.arlington.tx.us.