Is the reclaimation of discharge water enforced?

[itswillist]

Well Well, it seems as though there's always a new hurdle to jump, always a little bit more money to spend, and always a new law to abide by (or break) so anyway... I bought my insurance to do commercial accounts, a 1 mil. policy.. So I was all excited about going to restauraunts and gas stations and stores in general to solicit some business $$$ .. Well I found out that there are big fines for not reclaiming your discharge water.. Federal laws (I can't keep up them all) but anyway, I just wanted to know how many people here abide by them ? Would it be ok for me to try and do commercial accounts without relaiming my water ? I would have to charge a good bit more for the reclaiming process, does this interfere with the "low ball" quoters who don't reclaim ? Just looking for experianced answers... Thanks to all in advance who help me out ..

 

[north coast]

If you plan on staying in business I would follow them. If you care about your environment then I would follow them. When power washing a gas station you are removing gas, oil, and grease from the concrete and it will all flow to a drain plus your chemicals you are using. Do you want your kids to swim in a lake the received your waste water? Would you want to fish in that body of water? The truth is that there are more power washers and other related fields than there are EPA enforcement agents. We have done several jobs where concerned citizens have called the local fire department or EPA and every time our methods have been approved. To me that is a very absurd question to ask and I hope you get caught if you choose to follow the path of ignorance.

 

[itswillist]

ahh ..

So you're saying you don't do it.. That's good.. maybe we could get you metal.. I simply asked a question, being new to this field. All I wanted was some feedback. I do care about the environment, but my car still burns oil,
I assume yours is by battery ... [lm]

 

[CaroliProWash]

There are federal laws in place - the Clean Water Act. It applies to any and all water that doesn't fall from the sky being prohibited from entering storm drains. One does not necessarily have to reclaim to comply - diversion, berming, evaporation are acceptable in some areas. It is NOT a reason to upcharge - you don't charge someone for an expense of being legitimate.

Celeste

 

[MR ALAN]

I would have to charge a good bit more for the reclaiming process

It is NOT a reason to upcharge - you don't charge someone for an expense of being legitimate.

Celeste

Amen to that.

 

[HydroBlast]

Penny wise, dollar foolish.

Recovering/recycling with the power washing business is another major part of the job. You're cleaning the crud off and then allow it to run anywhere it flows? This is 2006. The EPA regulates our rivers, lakes and streams. Would you empty used, nasty motor oil in the neighbors ditch or storm sewer? If you don't pay the price for a reclaimation machine, be prepared to dish out major $$$$ to Uncle Sam. (and rightfully so)

 

[Mark]

http://washandcapture.com/services.html

http://washwater.org/links.htm

http://www.emd.saccounty.net/Docume...r.pdf#search='environmental pressure washing'

 

[PressurePros]

Let your conciense be your guide. Like doing anything illegal eventually you run out of luck and you will get slammed with a fine. Its another reason I do primarily residential work where even in the most unfortunate circumstance I just lay down berms along the driveway to divert to grassy areas.

Celest and Alan have points about upcharging for reclaim. Technically it should be included in pricing as it is required. You have to understand where Eric and others that do a fair amount of commercial work are coming from.. They don't want to have to buy the equipment, spend the time setting it up and do the job within compliance to be underbid by a guy that does not adhere to the laws. I can't say I blame them for being a bit passionate. Then again, this is a message board and who is going to admit they don't reclaim when it is just as easy to type that they do? I see guys doing commercial flatwork and have NEVER seen one of them reclaim or even divert. Do I want to compete with that? No. So I upcharge and get 1 out of maybe 20 bids for flatwork. No loss to me. I am in this business to make money. If I can't, I turn down the job.

 

[itswillist]

I see now.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking to, I see people around town doing commercial accounts without reclaiming that'w what had me confused in the first place. I really don't want to pollute the environment esp. on that type of scale but I was wondering how I could atleast have a chance of competing with them. I'm sure the major gas stations like "shell, exxon, etc etc" could afford to pay more for the reclaiming process and if they knew the other guys were breaking some federal laws maybe they'll be more apt to go with me anyway... The only reason why I say I'd have to charge more is b/c time is money... Wouldn't you agree that it takes a good bit longer to reclaim .. ?