Concrete Washout

Stormwater Pollution For more information, or to report an illegal discharge, contact your local Stormwater Management Office: County of Boone Managing www.showmeboone.com E-mail: [email protected] Tel: (573) 886-4330 Concrete Concrete Washout City of Columbia • One of the most common illegal discharges www.gocolumbiamo.com Washout from construction sites is washout from E-mail: [email protected] concrete installations. Never dispose of Tel: (573) 874-7250 concrete washout into the street, storm drain, University of Missouri open ditch or stream. ehs.missouri.edu E-mail: [email protected] • Keep washout areas at least 50 feet from Tel: (573) 882-7018 storm drains, open ditches, and water bodies. Solid Waste Disposal • Concrete washout stations should be clearly marked on the construction site. City of Columbia Landfill (573) 474-9145 • Cover the washout area before rainstorms to prevent overflows. To Report Illegal Discharges • Use sediment controls to capture runoff from Non-Emergency Image courtesy Columbia Ready Mix exposed aggregate, sawing, or coring. County of Boone (573) 886-4330 Help keep concrete and related materials • Keep washout areas away from construction out of the storm drain system. traffic to reduce the likelihood of accidental City of Columbia (573) 445-9427 damage and spills. University of D: (573) 882-7108 • Hardened solids can be hauled away or Missouri N & W: (573) 882-7201 used for clean fill, if allowed on your site. Emergency Only 911 Show-Me Stormwater Management Program What is Concrete Washout? Before You Start a Job Storm Drains vs. Sanitary Sewers Concrete washout is formed by washing • At small construction sites, obtain permission concrete trucks, pumps, mixers, chutes, and to wash out equipment in a dirt area so the Storm drains and sanitary sewers have two tools. Products like grout and mortar, along wash water can soak into the ground. distinct functions. It’s important to understand with activities like sawing cutting, coring, and the difference. grinding is also considered concrete washout. Storm drains collect and transport runoff What’s the Big Deal? from rainfall. These are typically the drains found in streets and parking lots. Storm This wastewater is highly alkaline (basic), drain systems do not remove pollutants with a pH of 12, basically the same as Liquid from water before it is discharged into Draino®. Concrete washout can change the streams and rivers. pH of surface and groundwater by increasing the toxicity of other substances and reducing Sanitary Sewers collect wastewater from water clarity. It can clog fish gills, reducing indoor plumbing such as toilets, sinks, and oxygen intake, and cause death. • Place sediment controls such as berms or floor drains and take it to a sewage treat- temporary vegetation to capture water runoff ment plant the treatment plant removes The high pH of the concrete wash water leaves before it reaches the storm drain. many pollutants from wastewater before it a lasting effect on the soil. Future vegetation is discharged to the river. may be stunted or refuse to grow. It can also • Don’t order or mix more concrete than you damage existing vegetation by affecting soil will use. productivity. In extreme cases, this high pH can stunt or kill existing vegetation. • For a site one acre or greater, use a designated washout area. Concrete Washout Locations Concrete washout locations must be designated on site.

Photo courtesy Stan Shawver

• Haul off hardened concrete, or, if the site Discharge or disposal of concrete waste into allows, use it as clean fill. the storm drain system violates federal, state, and local stormwater ordinances. Dischargers may be held liable for cleanup costs and subject to fines.