Best Practice Guidelines for Stormwater Pollution Prevention RESTAURANTS AND FOOD OUTLETS MANAGING WASH WATER I
Contents SECTION PAGE Introduction 2 What you need to know 3 Stormwater and wastewater - know the difference Cleaning inside and outside areas 5 Grease trap maintenance 6 Waste management 7 Spill prevention and spill response 8 Staff training 9 Handling cooking oil, fat and grease 10 A few tips for saving money and preventing pollution 4 11 REPORT POLLUTION TO TAURANGA CITY COUNCIL PH (07) 577 7000 Information in this book is correct at the time of publication April 2011 MANAGING WASH WATER 1
INTRODUCTION If your day to day activity involves: food preparation food processing handling of food products FOOD WASTE CAN KILL FISH BY REMOVING OXYGEN FROM THE WATER or handling or disposal of food waste then your business has the potential to pollute the environment. This booklet gives you important information on ways you can reduce the risk of causing pollution. How can restaurants or food outlets cause pollution? Waste from food preparation, processing, cleaning and spills can discharge into the stormwater system and then into our streams, rivers, harbour and sea. Contaminants from restaurants or food outlets might include: detergents caustic cleaners packaging or plastic wrap fresh or waste oil How can food waste cause pollution? Stormwater drains lead straight to waterways. When waste water gets into the stormwater system, it can directly affect animals and plants. Oily films can build up on surface waters which limits sunlight and oxygen. This makes it difficult for plants to get energy and for animals to breathe and find food. As food breaks down it uses up oxygen in the water and this can suffocate aquatic life. If products like cooking oil and milk end up in streams the effect on fish and eels can be devastating. Food waste discharges into waterways can also have serious impacts on human health. fats and grease food or beverage processing waste food scraps It is illegal to discharge contaminants into stormwater drains, waterways or the sea. You can be fined for causing pollution and even sent to jail for serious cases. Fines can be as high as $600,000 for companies and $300,000 for an individual. 2 BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION
What you need to know: You can be fined for causing pollution. It is not okay to wash food containers or equipment out the back with wash water entering stormwater drains. Food waste should never be tipped or washed down stormwater drains. Washing with water only will still produce contaminated wash water. Waste food oil must be stored in a covered and bunded area to contain spills. It is not okay to wash down your restaurant floor or yard without containing the wash water. A spill of chemical cleaner is washed down the nearest stormwater drain. Not cleaning out your grease trap regularly can cause sewer overflows into the harbour. The polluter pays If you are not prepared to protect the environment then you shouldn t be in the business. Biodegradable Detergents? Although biodegradable or eco friendly detergents are designed to break down quickly in water, the initial impact on waterways will be as harmful as with any other detergent. Biodegradable does not mean environmentally friendly! Some of the hundreds of eels killed as a result of this spill. "BIODEGRADABLE" OR "ECO FRIENDLY" PRODUCTS WILL CAUSE POLLUTION IF WASHED INTO WATERWAYS MANAGING WASH WATER 3
1. STORMWATER AND WASTEWATER KNOW THE DIFFERENCE! The stormwater and wastewater systems are two separate networks of pipes. Stormwater pipes are for rain only and drain to the sea. Wastewater pipes are for sewage and flow to the treatment plant. You need to know which drains are which! Stormwater drains like this take rainwater to the sea. Stormwater Water that runs off the land when it rains is called stormwater. It is water that has washed off roofs, roads, driveways, yards, parks, streets, industrial areas and car parks. Almost all outside drains and grates are for clean rainwater only. Anything that washes into stormwater drains flows directly into our streams and harbour without treatment. Wastewater Waste water from sinks, toilets and showers needs to be treated. Waste from sinks, toilets, showers etc. in residential houses and commercial sites, and wastewater from industrial plant processing is dirty and must be treated. Most inside drains flow to the sewage treatment plant. Wastewater flows through the sewer system to the sewage treatment plant before being treated. Treated wastewater is discharged into the sea and treated solids are disposed of to landfill. You and your staff must know which drains lead where. Having a site drainage plan on display is a good way of identifying different types of drains easily. Labeling stormwater drains with metal dolphins or stormwater only stencils is also good practice. 4 BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION
2. CLEANING INSIDE AREAS Wash water from cleaning interior floors and equipment e.g. rubbish bins, floor mats, filters etc will contain traces of fats and oils, cleaning chemicals and other contaminants. Capture all wash water in internal sinks or drains which discharge to the sewage system via a grease trap. This wastewater must not run off into the street or discharge into the stormwater system. Equipment must not be taken outside for cleaning. Bin being washed with wash water flowing straight into stormwater drains. If you hire a company to clean your grills, exhaust hoods, vents or fans make sure the company does not discharge any wastes to the stormwater system. 3. CLEANING OUTSIDE AREAS Cleaning of exterior hardstand areas e.g. pavements, car parking areas and cleaning of exterior walls and roofs can result in pollution of our harbour. DO NOT HOSE DOWN FLOORS OR YARD AREAS UNLESS YOU COLLECT THE WASH WATER Hose or pressure washing dislodges pollutants like paint, oils and dirt. These pollutants can be washed down into stormwater catchpits and into waterways which ultimately discharge into the harbour. Sweep parking lots and other paved areas periodically to remove debris and litter. Dispose of all material in the rubbish. If outdoor cleaning with detergent is required, all wash water must be collected for disposal in indoor sinks or drains which discharge to the sanitary sewer (trade waste) via a grease trap. This wastewater must not run off into the street or discharge into the stormwater system. If using a commercial cleaning company you must ensure they do not cause pollution. Soapy wash water draining straight into a stream. MANAGING WASH WATER 5
4. GREASE TRAP MAINTENANCE Do you have a grease trap? If your food premise deals with fats or oils you are required to have a grease trap which is designed to prevent oil and grease entering the sewer network. If fats, oils or grease are washed into the sewer network blockages can occur which may result in raw sewage overflowing into your business and the harbour. Vacuum tanker sucker truck used to clean out grease traps. Protect the sanitary sewer from blockages by cleaning grease traps regularly. Grease traps require more frequent cleaning during busy periods. If a blockage in the sewer system is traced to your property, you may have to pay for the clean-up. All staff should know how the grease trap operates and how often it requires cleaning out. Keep records of cleaning as you may be required to provide these to Council. Vacuuming out a grease trap. All grease traps (including under bench units) require cleaning and maintenance. They do not continue to operate automatically. Many may require weekly or monthly clean-outs. It is your responsibiltiy to ensure your grease trap is maintained adequately. ALL GREASE TRAPS NEED REGULAR CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE Under bench unit. 6 BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION
5. WASTE MANAGEMENT Keeping a clean and organised work environment will allow you more control in preventing pollutants reaching the stormwater system. It is easier to prevent contaminants entering stormwater than removing them after the fact. All bins should be locked or kept in a locked enclosure to prevent illegal dumping. Inspect all rubbish bins (interior and exterior) periodically. All leaking bins should be repaired or replaced to prevent discharge to the yard or floor areas. Liquid waste from a skip bin flowing into a stormwater drain. All exterior bins should be covered at all times to prevent stormwater from entering them. All bins should be located away from stormwater catchpits. Keep the area around your rubbish bins clean. Never dispose of waste products, such as food waste to stormwater drains. Encourage recycling have bins for this. Litter control Provide an adequate number of rubbish bins for your customers and employees. Recycling bins in the wokplace. Pick up litter and other wastes daily from outside areas including stormwater grates. Ensure any staff who smoke do not flick their cigarette butts away. Any rubbish or waste that is not cleaned up is likely to be washed into stormwater drains and end up polluting the harbour. Flicked cigarette butts will wash into the harbour. MANAGING WASH WATER 7
6. SPILL PREVENTION AND SPILL RESPONSE If materials and wastes are not stored properly they can end up being washed out by the rain and be carried into the stormwater system. Store as few liquids outside as possible. Ensure that your outside storage area is secure and covered. Spill kit. All liquids should be contained in a bunded area this means a containment tray, wall or tank to hold any spill. Bunded areas should have a roof to prevent rain water build-up. Provide employees with a summary of spill clean-up procedures and post at appropriate points throughout the workplace Council can provide your business with spills posters if you would like these. Provide detailed instructions for employees regarding clean-up procedures, including how to handle fire and explosions. Have spill containment kits ready in case of a spill and store kits in convenient locations. Preventing spills means you can avoid costly clean-ups like this. Contain the spilled material to prevent it from reaching stormwater drains. Clean up any spills immediately using rags or any other type of absorbent material contained in your spill kit. CAUSING POLLUTION COULD COST YOUR COMPANY UP TO $600,000! If you must mop up a spill, dispose of mop washwater in indoor sinks for discharge to the sanitary sewer. Never hose spills away this will wash pollutants directly into the stormwater system. 8 BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION
7. STAFF TRAINING Training is vital as employees are responsible for handling the materials, operating and monitoring equipment, loading and unloading hazardous materials and purchasing, storing and transporting chemicals. Designate a person responsible for implementation of all of the recommendations in this booklet. Ensure all employees understand about: - Site layout and drainage. - Potential sources of contamination. - Proper inspection and maintenance of grease traps and stormwater catchpits. Do your staff know how to deal with spills? - Whom to contact for correct disposal of wastes. - Procedures for spill prevention, cleanup and response. Poorly trained staff can cost your business money, for example: Staff at a restaurant didn't even know they had a grease trap. It had not been cleaned in months and blocked up the sewer line. The overflow shut the business for a day and cost them $2,700 to clean-up. Do your staff know how your grease trap works? DO YOUR STAFF KNOW HOW TO CLEAN UP SPILLS? Over-flow caused by blocked grease trap. MANAGING WASH WATER 9
8. HANDLING COOKING OIL, FAT AND GREASE Ensure that adequate and secure storage is provided for new cooking oil, used cooking oil and waste oil and grease. Ensure that proper containers are used that will not corrode, leak or overturn. Store all oils/grease in separate, covered containers. All waste oil should be collected by a certified waste oil contractor for appropriate disposal. Overflowing waste oil drums. Waste oil drums must not be left with lids or bungs open. Ensure all waste oil is stored indoors or in a secure area until collection to eliminate the potential for accidental or deliberate spillage. Bunding for oil barrels can be as simple as a stainless steel tray with bars welded across it to support the drum and allow it to be slid off for collection. Waste fats and oils can be recycled. Council encourages you to collect all waste oil and fat (even small quantities) for recycling. Waste fat or oil should not be washed down any drains. Illegally dumped waste cooking fat. The company responsible for the illegal dumping of waste cooking fat (left), was fined $750 and had to pay $450 to have the mess cleaned up. IS YOUR OIL STORAGE CLEAN AND TIDY? 10 BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION
9. A FEW TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY AND PREVENTING POLLUTION Save water: Use waterless cleaning methods such as wiping or sweeping up spills. Ensure taps are not left running and check for leaks. Avoid running taps continuously during rinsing. Install foot operated or sensor operated taps. Cleaning chemicals washed into a stormwater drain. Ensure the dishwasher is full each time it is run. Reduce waste entering grease traps: Scrape leftover food thoroughly from plates and utensils into waste bins. Recycle cooking oil never pour it down sinks or drains. Do not use strong cleaners as this can dissolve grease in traps and cause blockages further down the sewer system. Educate staff: Train staff what they can and can't put down sinks. Cleaning washwater in a local stream. Place signs, stickers or posters around the premises to remind staff of best practice. Ensure all staff can identify stormwater drains. If outdoor cleaning with detergent is required, all wash water must be collected for disposal in indoor sinks or drains which discharge to the sanitary sewer (trade waste) via a grease trap. This wastewater must not run off into the street or discharge into the stormwater system. If using a commercial cleaning company you must ensure they do not cause pollution. Poorly maintained grease traps can cause wastewater overflows that affect our harbour. MANAGING WASH WATER 11
Do your part and help prevent pollution. Our harbour and wildlife are worth protecting! Orca's Mother and calf in Tauranga Harbour - photo supplied by www.shanewasik.com 12 BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION
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