Environmentally Friendly Pressure Washing

Many pressure washing operators discharge polluted water into storm drains and waterways. These chemicals, such as waxes, detergents, and petroleum-based discharges, then end up in the public water supply. They can damage aquifers and contaminate drinking water. To prevent “point source” pollution catastrophes, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) regulates how wash water discharges should be disposed. The Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 310 mandates that point source discharging into United States waters cannot occur unless the operator has something called an NPDES permit. To qualify for this permit, operators need to treat and analyze their discharges.

Since pressure washer operators often move from place to place, it may not be practical or cost effective for them to adhere to NPDES guidelines. As a result, many pressure washers simply fail to comply with the law and just ignore the Clear Water Act (CWA).

Alternatives

Pressure washers can do their job without contaminating aquifers and sewer systems. As long as the discharge does not enter United States waters, operators don’t have obligations under the CWA. To prevent wastewater from contaminating anything, operators can do any or all of the following: Continue reading →