Good Housekeeping

Minimum Control Measure #6

 

Good housekeeping practices are a requirement for all municipal facilities operating under an MS4 permit. This includes activities such vehicle washing and maintenance, spill reporting and response, street maintenance, outdoor storage of materials and wastes, landscaping and lawncare, and illicit discharge detection. 

Examples of Good Housekeeping BMPs

Salt Storage - Keeping salt under roof, and covered with a tarp prevents rain from contacting the salt. 

A white tarp shelter with a blue tarp inside, a red truck, and construction equipment nearby. Trees are in the background.
Salt is stored under cover to remain dry. 

Liquid De-icer - To reduce the usage of road salt during snow & ice events, some trucks are equiped with special tanks and controls to apply liquid de-icer to roadways. The use of de-icer significanly reduces required amounts of road salt to combat snow & ice conditions.  Pictured below is equipment obtained by the City of Steubenville through H2Ohio funding for chloride reduction (learn more).

The image shows a truck with a ladder, cargo area, and various mechanical components, including hoses and a tank.
City of Steubenville Liquid De-icer equipment used to treat city streets. 

 

Spill Kits - Spill kits are utilized in the event of a minor spill. A good kit can absorbe vehicle and equipment fluids that are found at a maintenance facility. 

Spill kit, diesel fuel tank with pump, a truck, and construction equipment in an outdoor area.
A spill kit is kept near the fueling area in case of a spill. 

Facility Inspections - Regularly inspecting a maintenance garage can help employees learn about possible spill hazardous, familiarize new employees with the shop, and identify bad habits and how to correct them. 

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