Who has authority?

[Ron Musgraves]

what's the number to your enforcement divisions? I would love to talk with them and confirm all of what's being said here. ill bet there's no number.

[John Doherty]

We need to keep something in mind; state, county, local authorities can only make federal regulations more stringent, not less. We fought the civil war over this, secessionist states didn't want the feds telling them what to do.

I'm sure the county or local guys told you all what you say they did, but they are wrong.

In Georgia, call Stephanie Sessoms-Midgett at (404) 562-9791, she's the EPA Water Enforcement contact for Region 4.

If you don't think the EPA is out there looking for violations see this link for region 4 alone. There are no p/w contractors on here, but if they'd been at any of these sites when the EPA inspected they'd have been busted. The sites include manufacturing facilities, apartment complexes, residential and commercial construction sites etc. All of the types of places we work.

Recent Enforcement Actions| Region 4 | US EPA

They are even treatment plants on here that aren't following the rules.

[newlook]

This is a great thread and a very important topic in our industry! As society and the government moves toward implementing safeguards to protect Planet Earth, we as a "industry" will be held accountable more and more about wastewater or hazmat ~ depending on who you are talking to.

My discussions with individuals/companies such as Robert H. of Delco lead me to believe that more and more enforcement is just right around the corner.

We see all the time on the BBS's and in our industry different understandings of terms, guidelines, policy regarding reclaim!

I guess the big quesion on my mind is not Who has the Authority? BUT Who IS the Authority.

As Traci from Sunbrite mentioned ~ local regulations ARE different state-to-state. What is policy in Georgia may be totally different in Alaska.

Maybe it is up to each individual contractor in their respected states to find out on their own what they need to do to get into compliance. If diversion and evaporation is what a contractor needs to do in their state then they should only need to buy the needed supplies to satisfy that policy. On the other hand if a state requires you to filter, reclaim, off-site discharge and etc....then that is what you as a contractor must purchase to stay in business.

Ron M. has been ahead of the learning curve as it relates to recovery for many years. Contractors today are just noticing the importance of this subject.

I spoke with Pete M from Sunbrite awhile back. He is in tune with not only what is going on down in his area but he has a keen sense of the national approach.

Robert H., who I spoke with last month has been pounding the CWA message for years and years.

There needs to be collabration in our industry on this subject!!

[MMI Enterprises]

Carlos,

Regardless if 'who is' and 'who has' is always one in the same it does remain fact that I for one hate hypocracy in goobermint. Let me get this straight..they will be upping the offense against the little guy in citing them and preventing them from doing business as usual while they can't even police their own first? . Surely you know what they get away with in mine and your backyards.
The latest atrocity of way worse proportion than a little wash water just happened right in Carlos' backyard folks.. was it the feds that just killed thousands upon thousands of striped bass due to improper plan in draining an area for some reason that don't matter at this point. In talking about the crazy exemptness of goobermint on Ron's site I would like to hear more from you on what situation it is over yer way. Does yer local government do wash procedures in the downtown?..Where does the waters from the newer strip type malls go..Is it all sumped streets and all? Have you had problems or heard anyone there under the gun of the authorities?

[newlook]

Who HAS the authority is the government ~ trickled down to local municipalities!

The question I tried to pose in my response above is Who IS the authority in our industry?

Kevin ~ you are so correct about our wonderful state. I live maybe 6 miles from Grizzly Island slough which ties into the Sacrament River. Yes, thousands of stripped bass, salmon, sturgeon were killed about 2 weeks ago due to human error!

Have we ever been stopped/approached regarding recovery - No. I used to be of a mindset years ago that if I don't get approached by anyone what is the urgency? My views are different today.

There are many folks in the industry that have worked with their local municipalities to hammer out understandings of what is acceptable standards. I tip my hat off to them! But as Traci mentioned and I reiterated it in my post above, each state has their own way of doing things and that includes enforcement.

[MMI Enterprises]

Last hearsay I heard my way was that of a food establishment up in Folsom having problem over food waste washed out onto main parking pavement and water left to evaporate off. Not sure what became but it is part the reason why I ask about what places have their own containment and which don't.
Carlos do you know the Arco Arena area with all its open spread out mall areas? Just can't imagine the whole area is sewered but yet most of it newer then the 1994 cwa thingy.
I don't know who here is the defacto industry authority here or where yer at. I don't think there is any such thing. Just a few company that sell stuff.

[newlook]

From my understanding Arco arena and the Natamos area of West Sacramento was built on marsh land. The whole area (Natomas crossings) will be a very interesting place as it relates to the CWA guidelines!

[Ron Musgraves]

let me correct the statement. gov contracts can be exempt from regulations. many military one I have read are.

sorry for that error.

[Ron Musgraves]

I suggest read the act. read the changes and what your local gov has done.

many citys have misconceptions of what they need to do.

I can assure you this hauling your wash water is a huge liability. you are potentially spreading crap all over and contaminating other possibly.

[Ron Musgraves]

we have enforcement in some of our citys. the county has adopted the federal funding, the water permits are just another puracratic red tape thing about money.

no off property discharge of water is what you want.

some area have other needs, places where aquifer is close may have altering of prohit pw.

it if not hazordous don't haul it. if it is hazordous, do it right.

[newlook]

Ron,

Would like to speak with you more about this subject when we meet next week in Vegas.

I will send you a PM of when I will be down there plus my cell #

[Ron Musgraves]

I would love to.

[MMI Enterprises]

Let's have an RT at the Vegas Showgirls
What is it you guys going to?.. World of Concrete happening or?

[newlook]

World Concrete is in Jan.

[Ron Musgraves]

We really dont have to talk about this issue anylonger. As theres the proof.... Dont put you crap in the storm drains and no worries baby.