CLEAN WATER TIPS

Did you know that businesses are mandated about how to store and dispose of hazardous chemicals and oils? ​

Keep an eye out when visiting these facilities.

What Best Management Practices (BMPs) can be used to minimize contact between stormwater
and potential pollutants at my facility?
A variety of BMP options may be applicable to eliminate or minimize the presence of pollutants in
stormwater discharges from hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facilities. You will
likely need to implement a combination or suite of BMPs to address stormwater runoff at your
facility. Your first consideration should be for pollution prevention BMPs, which are designed to
prevent or minimize pollutants from entering stormwater runoff and/or reduce the volume of stormwater
requiring management. Prevention BMPs can include regular cleanup, collection and containment of
debris in storage areas, and other housekeeping practices, spill control, and employee training. It may
also be necessary to implement treatment BMPs, which are engineered structures, intended to treat
stormwater runoff and/or mitigate the effects of increased stormwater runoff peak rate, volume, and
velocity. Treatment BMPs are generally more expensive to install and maintain and include oil-water
separators, wet ponds, and proprietary filter devices.
Facilities in this industrial sector must already be in compliance with the standards for operating a
hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facility as established under RCRA. Due to previously
imposed requirements on hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facilities, stormwater BMPs
are already employed at most TSDFs.

These BMPs include:

◆ Roofs or other forms of permanent cover for storage areas.
◆ Secondary containment, capable of preventing stormwater run-on from entering the system
or with the capacity to contain the volume of the tank plus precipitation from a 25-year, 24-
hour rainfall event, for tank systems.
◆ Detention/retention ponds and filtering devices.
◆ Daily and weekly inspections of tank systems and containers, respectively. These
inspections, which should already take place, will be incorporated into facility stormwater
pollution prevention plans.
◆ Employee training already should be occurring, will need to be expanded as necessary to
include issues concerning stormwater management.
 

BMPs must be selected and implemented to address the following:
Good Housekeeping Practices
Good housekeeping is a practical, cost-effective way to maintain a clean and orderly facility to prevent
potential pollution sources from coming into contact with stormwater. It includes establishing protocols
to reduce the possibility of mishandling materials or equipment and training employees in good
housekeeping techniques. Common areas where good housekeeping practices should be followed
include trash containers and adjacent areas, material storage areas, vehicle and equipment maintenance
areas, and loading docks. Good housekeeping practices must include a schedule for regular pickup
and disposal of garbage and waste materials and routine inspections of drums, tanks, and containers
for leaks and structural conditions. Practices also include containing and covering garbage, waste
materials, and debris. Involving employees in routine monitoring of housekeeping practices has proven
to be an effective means of ensuring the continued implementation of these measures. Industrial
facilities can conduct activities that use, store, manufacture, transfer, and/or dispose of PFAS
containing materials. Successful good housekeeping practices to minimize PFAS exposure to
stormwater could include inventorying the location, quantity, and method of storage; using properly
designed storage and transfer techniques; providing secondary containment around chemical storage
areas; and using proper techniques for cleaning or replacement of production systems or equipment.

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Click here for more information: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-10/documents/sector_k_hazwaste.pdf

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TENNESSEE LITTER LAWS

 

Section 39-14-503. (a) Mitigated criminal littering is littering in an amount less than or equal to five pounds (5 lbs.) in weight or seven and one-half (7.5) cubic feet in volume. 

• criminal littering is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00)

Section 39-14-504. (a) Criminal littering is littering in an amount more than five pounds (5 lbs.) in weight or seven and one-half (7.5) cubic feet in volume and less than or equal to ten pounds (10 Ibs.) in weight or fifteen (15) cubic feet in volume.

• littering is a Class B misdemeanor, up to a $500 fine

• In addition to the penalties established in this section, the court shall require a person convicted under this part to remove litter from the state or local highway system, public playgrounds, public parks or other appropriate public locations for not more than eighty (80) hours. The court, in its discretion, may also a person convicted under this section to work in a recycling center or other appropriate location for any stated period of time not to exceed eight (8) hours.

Section 39-14-505. (a) Aggravated criminal littering is littering:

• In an amount exceeding ten pounds (10 lbs.) in weight or fifteen (15) cubic feet in volume; or

• In any amount for any commercial purpose

•  Aggravated criminal littering is a Class A misdemeanor, except in the following circumstances, in which case it is a Class E felony, up to a $1,500 fine.

 

Tennessee Toll-Free Litter Hotline
1-877-8-LITTER PROVIDES MOTORISTS A WAY TO REPORT LITTER BUGS

Tennesseans who are tired of trash along state roadways now have a new tool to report litter bugs. The Tennessee Department of Transportation announced today a new toll-free litter hotline, 1-877-8-LITTER (877-854-8837). The litter hotline is part of the statewide anti-litter campaign. The hotline provides a way for Tennesseans to report people they witness littering along the state’s roadways, such as a person throwing a paper cup or cigarette butt out of a window, or an item falling from an unsecured load.

“The new toll-free litter hotline gives citizens the ability to Stop It,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “Now anyone who witnesses a person littering can report it and trigger action to improve the quality of the environment and the cleanliness of our roadways. Tennessee has some of the best roads in the nation. With everyone’s help, we can have some of the cleanest, too.”

Citizens who witness a litter bug in action can call 1-877-8-LITTER (877-854-8837). Callers will reach a recording that asks them to provide information about the vehicle. The information that will be requested includes:

• license plate number (Tennessee plates only)

• type and make of the vehicle

• day and time the incident occurred

• location where the incident occurred

• the type of item tossed or blown from the vehicle

TDOT will mail a letter to the registered owner of the vehicle along with a car trash bag or portable ashtray and other anti-litter information. The letter is a gentle reprimand reminding the recipient that littering is against the law and punishable by a fine of up to $1500.

 

Click here for more information.

https://nobodytrashestennessee.com/the-top-roadside-litter-laws-you-should-know-in-tennesse