Resources for Industrial Facilities

Material handling and storage, equipment maintenance and cleaning, and other activities at industrial facilities are often exposed to the weather. Runoff from rainfall or snowmelt that comes in contact with these activities can pick up pollutants such as heavy metals, oily wastes, and other substances, and transport them directly to a nearby river, lake, or coastal water or indirectly via a storm sewer and degrade water quality. Stormwater discharges from industrial activities require a Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP). The MSGP requires operators of industrial facility sites to develop a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) (PDF).

The following practices will help reduce the volume of stormwater created and help prevent pollutants from coming in contact with stormwater.

• Only rain down the drain. Protect all storm drain systems located on your industrial site. These systems are not designed to handle illicit discharges like sewage, washwater, spills, or dumped materials. Inspect floor drains, sinks, and process drains ensuring no connection with storm drains. Learn more by checking out the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Stormwater Pollution Prevention Guide for Industrial Sites (PDF).
• Dust comes from smokestacks, stockpiles, cleared ground, gravel roads, and open areas. Routinely clean vents and filters. Learn more by checking out the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Stormwater Pollution Prevention Guide for Industrial Sites (PDF).
• Store all materials, products, and waste inside the facility. Ensure they are properly covered. Store equipment and vehicles inside whenever possible. Learn more about Putting Waste in Its Place for Clean Water in Boxborough (PDF).
• Manage winter salt application and storage. Cover stockpiles of salt for use in winter road maintenance. Limit the amount of salt applied. Sweep and properly dispose of any visible salt deposits once the application surface or storage area has dried. Learn more about Guidelines on Road Salt Storage.
• Encourage infiltration. Install infiltration-based features such as rain gardens and bioswales.
• Designate waste disposal areas. Remove trash, debris, and wastes on a regular basis and ensure that dumpsters are covered. Learn more about Gas, Oil, and Grease Disposal (PDF).
• Sweep paved roads, parking lots, and storage areas with the correct sweeper. Use a type of vacuum sweeper that incorporates High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration or other high-efficiency method of filtration of the exhaust air from the sweeper to trap the very fine metallic particles found in road or parking lot dust reduce these discharges to storm water. Learn more by checking out the Neponset Stormwater Partnership’s Stormwater Pollution Prevention Guide for Industry (PDF).
• Conduct frequent sweeping, vacuuming, or other cleanup methods and for accumulated dry chemicals and materials. This will cut down on possible storm water contamination.
• Maintain spill prevention and response procedures. Quickly and efficiently respond to any spills that may occur. Learn more by checking out the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Stormwater Pollution Prevention Guide for Industrial Sites (PDF).