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Protecting Our Water How you can help clean up the Spokane River and protect the Spokane Valley- Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. Urban Waters Initiative Local Source Control Program. Overview. Urban Waters Initiative and Local Source Control program background
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Protecting Our WaterHow you can help clean up the Spokane River and protect the Spokane Valley- Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer Urban Waters InitiativeLocal Source Control Program
Overview • Urban Waters Initiative and Local Source Control program background • Sources of pollution in the Spokane River • Local Source Control technical assistance visits • Benefits of participation in LSC • EnviroStars certification • Resources and Questions
What is the Urban Waters Initiative ? • Ecology has regulated large and medium quantity waste generators to eliminate large sources for many years. Smaller sources of toxic chemicals have not yet been located. • The state legislature in 2007 funded the Urban Waters Initiative and Local Source Control Program to locate and control sources of pollution. • The goal is to improve the water quality in the Spokane River, Duwamish River and Commencement Bay.
Spokane River • Riverfront Park The Spokane River is spectacular, but it also contains high levels of hazardous pollutants.
Why the Spokane River? Ecology Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) fish monitoring reports and CSO/outfall sampling, PCB fish advisories, historic upstream Coeur d’Alene basin superfund site, and more… Contaminants of concern: • PBDE –polybrominateddiphenyl ethers (flame retardants) • PCB –polychlorinated biphenyls • Dioxin/Furan • Metals – lead, cadmium, zinc
HWTR Prevent toxic contamination WQ Prevent contamination of storm water runoff TCP Cleanup contaminated sites & sediment Ecology – SRHD Partnership Local Source Control Specialist Partnership Urban Waters Initiative Spokane Regional Health District
Urban Waters Project Components Source Control *Source Tracing *Education *BMP Implementation SiteCleanups Clean Water Permits/Enforcement
Collaboration is Key Ecology City of Spokane Alpine Homeowners Association Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District Spokane Aquifer Joint Board Spokane River Forum Spokane Regional Health District Spokane County Many others…
Local Source Control Activities Ecology Urban Waters Specialists • Storm drain water and sediment sampling • Sewer effluent sampling • Landfill leachate sampling • GIS mapping piping systems • MQG & LQG business visits SRHD Local Source Control Specialist • SQG business visits • Sampling assistance
Preliminary Test Results Liberty Lake Pilot Project – CoC found in all media: sanitary sewer, stormwater, storm drain sediment PBDE Higher in sanitary sewer water. PCB Similar in sanitary sewer and stormwater. Similar concentrations to PBDE in sediment. Higher in residential sewer water than industrial sewer water. Higher in old residential sewer water than new residential. Dioxin/Furan Higher in stormwater Highest conc. in new residential. Zinc Slightly higher in sanitary sewer. Higher in new neighborhood stormwater. Lead Higher in stormwater. Higher in old neighborhood stormwater. Cadmium Similar in sanitary sewer and stormwater. Higher in old neighborhood stormwater.
Where does the pollution come from? • Rain water that runs off roads, roofs, parking lots and other hard surfaces during a storm • Contaminants enter storm drains & sewers near places we live and work – when soaps, chemicals and other pollutants are flushed down drains
What is Source Control? BEFORE • Finding the pollution source and preventing or reducing contaminants that get into the Spokane River’s water and sediment. • Example: materials stored outside can leach chemicals onto the ground and contaminate the aquifer that feeds the river. AFTER
What is the purpose of aSource Control Technical Assistance Visit? • Free and voluntary program. • Identify possible sources of pollution. • Provide tips and resources to reduce operating costs. • Discuss ways you can safely handle, reduce, reuse, recycle and dispose of hazardous materials. • Help business owners and schools understand the best management practices and regulations.
School Health & Safety Guide References to Chemical Handling Section K – Science Classrooms and Laboratories: • K 050 Laboratories have a written spill clean-up plan and clean-up kit. • K 051 Waste disposal in accordance with Ecology Dangerous Waste regulations. No waste or old chemicals disposed in drain or as solid waste. • K 061 Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) maintained and available for all chemicals. • K 063 All containers must be labeled regardless of the contents. • K 068 All mercury barometers disposed in accordance with EPA and Ecology regulations. • K 069 Disposal of ethidium bromide. • K 070 Batelle Research Center website assists schools with waste minimization. • K 071 King County website for school laboratory safety. • K 072 Vermont website for school science lab clean out. • K 073 National Science Education Leadership Association website for school science teachers.
School Health & Safety Guide References to Shop Waste Disposal Section L – Career and Technology: • L 014 Hazardous and/or combustible waste not allowed to accumulate. Waste removed from the shop area and properly disposed of as required by Ecology regulations. • L 015 Waste oil storage and disposal complies with Ecology regulations. Spilled oil cleaned up immediately. Containers need to be closed when not in use. • L 028 Flammable wastes disposed of in approved flammable waste containers.
During a Technical Assistance Visit: A checklist will be completed and general pollution prevention practices will be evaluated, such as: • Management of wastewater and wash water • Waste disposal • Spill prevention • Fueling operations • Outdoor maintenance practices • Outdoor storage of products & waste
Potential School Wastes Art Room: • Paint, ink or ceramic glaze pigments –heavy metals such as antimony, zinc, arsenic, cadmium, chrome, cobalt, lead • Hydrofluoric acid (HF) for glass etching – e.g., Armour etch • Solvents Photography: • Developer and stop bath (OK to sewer post process) • Fixer (toxic silver), toner (toxic) Jewelry soldering: • Lead and cadmium solders
Potential School Wastes Auto shop/garages: • Oil and antifreeze • Solvents • Batteries Wood shop: • Paint booth filters • Paints and solvents Science labs: • Acids and bases • Chemicals • Metals General building: • Fluorescent light tubes (mercury) • Batteries • Paints, caulking (1950-78) • Pesticides
Technical Assistance Visit Focus Proper Waste Storage: • Secondary containment of liquid hazardous wastes (preferably of products as well). • Containers closed and stored indoors (preferable) or under cover on impervious surface.
Technical Assistance Visit Focus Proper Waste Storage: • Flammables rags etc. in closed flammable container. • Material Safety Data Sheets available and consulted for storage, clean-up, disposal.
Technical Assistance Visit Focus Proper waste storage: Labeling of all containers required by: • Dangerous waste regulations • Labor and Industries • School Health and Safety Guide
Technical Assistance Visit Focus Labeling of waste containers with: • “Hazardous waste” or “Dangerous waste” • Contents • Risk statement or symbol • Collection dates
Typical School Chemicals- Disposal Three most commonly generated waste mixtures from school science labs: • Heavy Metal Solutions – collect in plastic bag inside container. If no volatiles present, water can be evaporated to dispose as solid hazardous waste (in fume hood not accessed by students). • Organic Solvents – collect waste solvents in a labeled glass or metal container with tight sealing lid. Log the amount and type of compounds added. • Corrosive Liquids – concentrated acids and bases disposed as hazardous waste.
Technical Assistance Visit Focus Proper Waste Disposal: • “Designate” waste if unknown to determine if it is hazardous waste (e.g., analyze a sample). • Dispose of hazardous waste properly with hazardous waste handler e.g. fluorescent light tubes. • Recommend written documentation of waste disposal to prove proper disposal (receipts, bill of lading, etc.).
Technical Assistance Visit Focus Proper Waste Disposal: • Aerosol cans emptied of contents prior to disposal as solid waste. • Reusable shop rags laundered by commercial laundry (preferred method by Ecology). • Paint booth filters disposed as hazardous waste if they contain halogenated organic compounds (HAC’S).
Technical Assistance Visit Focus Spill Prevention: • Written spill response plan • Employee training • Appropriate spill clean-up kit stored near-by • Utilize transfer equipment • Eliminate or have covers for floor drains
Technical Assistance Visit Focus To maintain Small Quantity Generator status: • Limit common hazardous waste generation to 220 lbs per month (or 2.2 lbs acutely hazardous waste) • Limit waste accumulation to 2200 lbs on site (or 2.2 lbs AHW)
Technical Assistance Visit Focus Storm water protection: • Store materials and waste indoors and away from doorways. • Conduct maintenance of vehicles indoors. • Wash vehicles at a commercial car wash. • Limit and control outdoor fueling operations.
Technical Assistance Visit Focus Storm water protection: • Check and clean parking lot catch basins and drywells regularly. • Keep solid waste dumpsters covered to prevent contact with rain water. • Choose environmentally friendly construction materials – no galvanized roofing (zinc), asphalt sealers with PAH’s (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). • Replace and properly dispose of PCB-containing window caulking during renovations.
After the Technical Assistance Visit • If a practice is found that needs improvement, we will work with you to help you properly manage wastes and pollutants. • You may also receive a return visit from us to check on your progress and answer any additional questions.
What are benefits of participation? • Demonstrate to the community, parents and students your commitment to the environment. • Provide a safe and healthy learning/work environment for students and teachers. • Gain access to pollution prevention resources. • Increased regulatory awareness and reduced liability. • Decrease operating and disposal costs. • Contribute to a healthier river, aquifer and environment. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
EnviroStars Certification • Pilot project to complement Local Source Control • Recognize EnviroStars certified businesses with free advertising • Focus on proper management and storage of hazardous waste • Implementing Partners: • Spokane River Forum • Spokane Regional Health District • Spokane Aquifer Joint Board • City of Spokane • Ecology
Resources Department of Ecology website www.ecy.wa.gov • Recycling information 1-800-RECYCLE or https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/recycle/ Spokane Regional Solid Waste System website www.solidwaste.org • recycling hotline (509) 625-6800 • Hazardous Waste Coordinator (509) 625-7898 King County Local Hazardous Waste Management Program • School chemicals database www.lhwmp.org/home/educators/chemlist.aspx • School resources http://www.govlink.org/hazwaste/schoolyouth/rehab/labvideos.htm
Questions Contact information: Sandy Phillips Local Source Control Specialist Spokane Regional Health District Email: sphillips@spokanecounty.org Phone: (509) 324-1572