If a site or waste exhibits unusual characteristics that would indicate excessive pollution, that waste should be left in place until tested for dangerous waste constituents. If an emergency requires the waste to be moved, the waste should be moved to a separate location and isolated from other waste until testing is completed. Preventative maintenance of stormwater facilities will help avoid emergency situations and reduce the needs and costs of additional testing.
Dangerous waste testing needs for street waste from suspect sites will depend on changes in the Dangerous Waste Rule. Likely tests will include: a fish or rat bioassay, PAHs, TCLP metals, and other suspected contaminants as directed by a Department of Ecology hazardous waste inspector. If testing shows that the waste is a dangerous waste, the solids and liquids must be handled and disposed of as a dangerous waste.
The Site Evaluation
There are three steps to a site evaluation:
The historical review will be easier if done on an area wide basis prior to scheduling any waste collection. Records at the Department of Ecology office (see Appendix D) can help locate documented spills, toxic cleanup sites and hazardous waste and materials storage. The owner of the site should be contacted for records of previous contamination and the timing of the most recent cleaning. The historical review should be part of the bid process for private operators.
The area around the waste site should be evaluated for contaminant sources prior to collection of the waste. The area visual inspection may be done either as part of multiple or single site inspections. If a potential contaminant source is found, the waste collection must be delayed until the waste is sampled and found 'clean' or the potential contamination source is found to be not hazardous or to not have contributed to the waste being collected.
A second portion of the area visual inspection is a subjective good housekeeping evaluation of the area. Locations with poor housekeeping commonly cut corners in less obvious places and should be inspected in greater detail for illegal dumping and other contamination spreading practices.
The inspection of the waste and container is the last and most critical step in the site evaluation:
For example, if the stormwater facility has an unusual color in or around it, then there is a strong possibility that something could have been dumped into it. Some colors to be particulary wary of are yellow-green from antifreeze dumping and black and/rainbow sheen from oil and/or grease dumping. Also, if any staining or corrosion is observed, then a solvent may have been dumped.
Fumes are also good indicators of potential dangerous or hazardous waste. Deliberate smelling of catchbasins should be avoided for worker safety, but suspicous odors may be encountered from catchbasins thought to be safe. Some suspicious odors are rotten eggs (hydrogen sulfide is present), gasoline or diesel fumes, or solvent odors. If unusual odors are noted, contact a hazardous waste inspector before cleaning the basin.
© 2005 World Sweeper
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