People in Houston are F.....

Luis Orts

Luis Orts

New member
I'm talking to this lady from the Houston area in regards to wash water and waste water and I started to ask her about diversion...

And all she could tell me was that if I didn't pick up the water and transport it to a treatment facility, I would get a citation and a ticket if I were caught dumping "Waste water". and I quote "Not to say your ideas won't work, but we don't just take into consideration the CWA and epa regulations... we go by the law"

The law that they created based on the regulations set in place by people who are money greedy.

*sigh*
 
Thanks to the greedy, unscrupulous vendors here in Texas, along with contractors trying to screw other contractors to eliminate competition and contractors trying to screw contractors by taking pictures and video to rat them out to the police to be fined illegally.

It was getting better there in Houston the other year, I wonder what happened?
 
We'll see. Maybe I wasn't speaking to the right person.

But it only makes you think that if this lady feels that way, that anybody else who doesn't have clue about what we do will feel the same way.
 
Luis Orts said:
I'm talking to this lady from the Houston area in regards to wash water and waste water and I started to ask her about diversion...

And all she could tell me was that if I didn't pick up the water and transport it to a treatment facility, I would get a citation and a ticket if I were caught dumping "Waste water". and I quote "Not to say your ideas won't work, but we don't just take into consideration the CWA and epa regulations... we go by the law"

The law that they created based on the regulations set in place by people who are money greedy.

*sigh*
Click to expand...
I would be asking the “Lady” to e-mail to me the relevant laws with regards to your proposed work. Ask her to hi lite the relevant passages under which you will face likely prosecution. That way at least you have it in writing from someone who assumes authority enough to tell you that you will or can be prosecuted unless you meet the requirements of the relevant laws as shown. From there at least you have it on paper and you have guidelines to follow.
 
She sent me some information, but it isn't what I haven't seen.

but yes, I did ask the "lady". She seemed absolutely clueless. lol
 
"As per your request, attached are the two ordinances that relate to allowable discharges, definitions, permitting, and other pertinent information regarding pressure washer reclamation requirements.





Thanks,
Almika Millage
City of Houston Health Department
Bureau of Consumer Health- Special Waste
Environmental Investigator III
Office:832-393-5688
Fax:832-393-5707
almika.millage@houstontx.gov
"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.""
 
I still have more phone calls to make, but of everything she did tell me... one thing was actually worth my 45 minutes on the phone with her...

I should speak to someone in city council and bring up safety & health regulations to be brought up to code.
 
What about laws dealing with actual pressure washing?
 
So, just as an update... I have spoken with people who deal with this...

I cannot use the sanitary sewer disposal at all. Whatsoever. It's absolutely illegal. I must abide by the law and transport dirty water to a treatment facility unless I'm washing sidewalks without chemical.

Parking Lots, Parking Garages, & Gas stations must be reclaimed UNLESS, there is an oil/water seperator on site and I got my water from their site.

Still going to find out about the detention centers and the regulations today. I will keep everyone posted, for anyone who is interested.
 
<dir> 2. Operational Practices:
<dir> <dir> <dir> <dir> a) The operator shall conduct the cosmetic washing activity in accordance with its standard operating practices, ensuring responsible and safe operation of all mechanized equipment. Care shall be taken to prevent any displacement or other interference with the inlet protection in place at POEs. If any inlet protection is observed not to be functioning properly, cosmetic washing activities shall cease until the inlet protection is repaired or replaced.

b) If no chemicals or detergents are applied and permeable inlet protection is used, cosmetic wash water discharges may be discharged to the storm sewer system after passing through the filtration media installed at POEs.


c) At the conclusion of the cosmetic washing activities, the operator shall inspect each POE for any accumulated Debris, and remove any such materials for appropriate disposal.



f) Any wastewater collected (e.g. vacuumed wastewater

<dir> <dir> collected in connection with the use of impermeable inlet protection) shall be disposed of as follows:

<dir> <dir>
(1) If the parking facility has an interceptor connected to the City's sanitary sewer system and the water used for the cosmetic washing activities was City water obtained at the site, the wastewater may be disposed of either by discharging to the sanitary sewer at a point upstream of the interceptor, or;


(2) If the parking facility does not have an interceptor connected to the City's sanitary sewer system, or the water used for the cosmetic washing activities was not City water obtained at the site, the wastewater shall be transported offsite for treatment and/or disposal at an appropriately permitted facility.

</dir> </dir> </dir> </dir>


<dir> 2. Operational Practices:
<dir> <dir> <dir> <dir> a) The operator shall conduct the cosmetic washing activity in accordance with its standard operating practices, ensuring responsible and safe operation of all mechanized equipment. Care shall be taken to prevent any displacement or other interference with the inlet protection in place at POEs. If any inlet protection is observed not to be functioning properly, cosmetic washing activities shall cease until the inlet protection is repaired or replaced.
b) If no chemicals or detergents are applied cosmetic wash water may be discharged to:
(1) the adjacent landscaped area with no discharge to the

<dir> <dir> MS4; or
(2) if permeable inlet protection is used, the MS4 after passing through the filtration media installed at POEs.





</dir> </dir> </dir> </dir> </dir> </dir> </dir>

</dir> </dir> </dir> </dir> </dir>



<dir><dir><dir><dir><dir><dir>

</dir> </dir>
I personally let as much water a as possible dry up, and I never take offsite. It's a big hassle to get the permit, hazmat, cdl and it's just a big liability that I do not need.



</dir> </dir> </dir> </dir>
 
Man, that one word changes the whole perception of what we do. Makes us expendable.

The regs don't look as bad as it sounded. Looks like a good case for frequent cleaning so chems don't have to be used.


Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk
 
Yeah this is true, however some customers are impossible to educate.

Which just means I have to filter through and find better customers lol
 
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