Capturing Concrete Washout Pollutants

Atlantic Concrete Washout of Orlando, Florida, offers a more environmentally responsible disposal option that not only removes the washout from the jobsite but also ensures proper disposal. The company delivers an empty, sealable container to construction sites in the state. When the container is full, the company sends a truck to pump out the water and replace or remove the container. The washout water is transported to the company’s facility, where it is dumped into holding tanks to separate the remaining solids, which are taken to a concrete crusher for recycling. The washout water is pumped into a 4,000-gallon (15,000 l) tank and taken to the state’s industrial wastewater treatment facility in Tampa for disposal.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates most concrete washout through the Clean Water Act and the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), which requires permitting for stormwater discharge at point sources such as construction sites. Regulation and enforcement vary from state to state, but Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) are required for construction sites larger than one acre. Penalties for violating local, state, and federal ordinances can be severe. “In Orlando we’ve seen EPA give fines of up to $40,000 per site due to improper washout,” said Kat Wheeler, green building coordinator for Atlantic Concrete Washout.