Groundwater Discharge Permit or something

[polaris]

Hey, my business resides in Michigan, and I was talking to some parts dealer about some waste water recapturing system to try and replace my band-aid and duct tape "sump pump into a barrel" method, but instead of selling me something he said that you can get a $40.00/yr permit from the DEQ and just power wash away. Not that I intend to just dump my water straight into the Rouge River, but I don't trust bureaucracy and it'd be nice while I'm figuring out a great water re caption method that I wont have to worry about the DPW fine combing something and giving me fines.

Does this permit really exist? Or, does anyone know anything about the actual fleet truck washing policies for the Detroit area. I try to figure things out but you know how local governments work and the "Go here, go there, call this number" and you go in circles trying to find EXACTLY how things work. Thanks!

Trevor

 

[Bleemus]

Your friend is misguided. Getting a permit to violate the Clean Water Act does not exist. Nothing should go down the stormwater drains as a result of your work. The only thing that can go down a stormwater drain is storm water.

 

[Dave Olson]

Your vendor may be thinking of a NPDES permit.

It is my understanding that these premits are required and issued to the fleet owner/operator.

Here are some contact numbers in Michigan that you may want to contact. Michigan Dept of Environmental Quality: Surface Water Division 517-373-1982, Waste Mgmt. Div. 517-335-3385.

I got this information at a conference that I attended on fleet washing. It was hosted by the American Trucking Associations. But that was also 10 years ago!

Dave Olson