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Water Quality Guidelines
for Exterior Restaurant Cleaning Operations
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Before you allow anything
to go into the gutter or storm drain, stop and think/storm drains
do not go to the sewer, they flow directly into channels and creeks,
through wetlands and to the ocean.
Remember the ocean
begins at your front door.
This information has been prepared
to inform restaurants in Orange County of the guidelines recommended
for external restaurant cleaning operations in order to protect
the water quality in storm drains, channels, creeks, bays and ocean.
This site is intended
to explain the regulatory issues regarding the discharge of restaurant
cleaning washwater and the procedures that should be followed when
conducting activities outside your restaurant that may result in
offsite runoff.
When cleaning your facility
you need to follow these guidelines in order to prevent waste or
washwater from entering the storm drains where it flows untreated
to the ocean.
How Does Orange County’s
Storm Drain System Work?
Unlike the sewer system,
which carries water from your indoor drains to wastewater treatment
plants, the storm drain system releases untreated water into channels,
rivers and ultimately the ocean. To insure the safety and enjoyment
of our environment, everyone’s help is needed to keep the storm
drain system free from harmful pollutants.
General Cleaning
Operations
• Clean floormats, filters and garbage
cans in a mop sink, area with a floor drain that is connected
to the sanitary sewer or in an area which will contain the washwater.
• Pour all washwater into a janitorial
or mop sink.
• Keep dumpster areas clean and lids closed.
Clean the area following guidelines.
Hose Washing of DumpsterAreas,
Sidewalks and Common Areas
• If hot water, soap or any other cleaning
agent is used, block the storm drain and collect water/waste and
discharge to the sanitary sewer (with the approval of the local
sanitation district).
• If only cold tap water with no cleaning
agent is used, then the following Best Management Practices (BMPs)
must be implemented before washing:
• Prior to washing, clean and/or sweep
all large debris from the area.
• Clean any fluid spills with an appropriate
dry method, such as kitty litter or other absorbent, and dispose
of appropriately.
To the extent practicable, the wash
water must be directed to vegetative or unpaved areas where
it would soak into the ground.
• If the wash water appears contaminated
(cloudy, colored, presence of suspended solids), additional
Best Management Practices such as diversion to the sanitary
sewer (with approval) or filtration methods must be implemented.
Steam/Pressure Washing
of Dumpster Areas, Sidewalks and Common Areas
• Block the storm drain and collect all
water/waste for disposal to the sanitary sewer (with the prior
approval of the local sanitation district).
Q&A
Preventing Releases to the Storm Drain
Question: Can
any liquids, solids or spilled materials from restaurant cleaning
operations be discharged to the stormdrain?
Answer: No
restaurant washwater or waste may be discharged to the storm drain.
Remember: Think...about what you are doing before you start cleaning.
Question: Does
the restaurant have the equipment, material and personnel to handle
a spill or discharge (such as a grease or sewage spill)?
Answer: Be Prepared...for any spill
or discharge. Remember: Pre-plan: Gather the right equipment and
enough material ahead of time.
Question: Is it safe for me to clean
up spills and discharges?
Answer: Know...in advance, what you are
handling and what to do and make sure staff are trained. Remember:
Your safety is paramount.
Question: When do I begin to clean
up spills and discharges?
Answer: Act...immediately, using
known and safe procedures, and try to contain the spilled material
on your property. Remember: Protect the storm drain.
Question: Do I need to report spills
or discharges?
Answer: Communicate...the spill
to your supervisor as soon as possible. Remember: Report all spills
and discharges that are not contained on site to (714) 567-6363
or to 911 after hours.
Questions regarding this brochure may
be directed to: The Orange County Public Facilities and Resources
Department’s Stormwater Section at (714) 567-6363.
or write to us at Orange County Stormwater Program 1750 S. Douglass
Road Anaheim, CA 92806
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