Business and Industry

The Storm Drain System

County crews clean up pollutant discharges to the storm drain system. When identified, responsible parties will be fined and charged for the cost of this work.

The County’s storm drain system conveys stormwater runoff from developed areas to local waterways to prevent flooding. This system includes publicly-owned storm drain inlets (which are the grated inlets commonly located in gutter flowlines adjacent to streets or in parking lots), and a network of underground piping and manholes, open channels, and roadside ditches. The County’s storm drain system also includes publicly-owned streets, sidewalks and gutters. Stormwater flows from these surfaces into the storm drain system. Privately-owned drainage systems usually discharge to the County’s storm drain system as well.

The storm drain system is different from the sanitary sewer system.

Sinks, toilets, and interior floor drains must be connected to the sanitary sewer system. The wastewater discharged to the sanitary sewer receives treatment to remove pollutants prior to release to creeks and rivers. Pollutants contained in stormwater runoff flow directly into local waterways, without treatment where they can be harmful to humans and the environment. Oil and grease, food waste, paint, concrete-related wastewater, chemicals and even dirt must be prevented from entering the storm drain system in order to preserve our local waterways.

Please refer to the Sacramento Regional County Sewer District’s web site for more information about the local sanitary sewer system.

Stormwater Runoff

When it rains, stormwater runoff can pick up pollutants from outdoor surfaces.

When rainfall comes into contact with pollutants, the pollutants can be washed into the storm drain system and in turn, into our local waterways. Examples of situations where stormwater runoff could be polluted through exposure to pollutants include:

Improper or incomplete clean-up of a release or spill of hazardous or non-hazardous materials or wastes in an outdoor, uncovered, area;
Poor housekeeping in outdoor storage areas;
Inadequate secondary containment and/or coverage of hazardous or non-hazardous materials or wastes;
Leaky dumpsters, or dumpster lids left open;
Liquids or powdery materials tracked outdoors by forklifts or other vehicles from indoor processing areas; and
Leaky vehicles, equipment, compressors, etc.

Pollutants can also be washed into the storm drain system and local waterways by non-stormwater discharges such as irrigation runoff or in wastewater from hosing down or pressure washing polluted surfaces into the storm drain system.

Stormwater Ordinance

Prohibited non-stormwater discharge to the County's storm drain system resulting form commercial vehicle washing.

Sacramento County Code Chapter 15.12 (Stormwater Ordinance), Section 200 prohibits non-stormwater discharges to the County’s storm drain system and local waters.

Only stormwater and eighteen (18) exempted non-stormwater discharges (i.e., water discharges that are not comprised of rainwater) that are specified in the Stormwater Ordinance may be discharged to the storm drain system by businesses within the County of Sacramento.

The exempted non-stormwater discharges are allowed to enter the storm drain system provided the discharges do not:

Come into contact with any pollutant sources (such as oil on pavement or sediment erosion);
Cause or contribute to the violation of any Receiving Water Limitation; and
Pose a danger to public health or safety.

Examples of exempted non-stormwater discharges include:

Discharges from potable water sources;
Landscape irrigation overflows; and
Individual, residential vehicle washing discharges (commercial vehicle washing discharges are NOT exempt).

Threatened Prohibited Non-stormwater discharge to the storm drain system resulting from track-out from an industrial warehouse.

Under Section 240 of the Stormwater Ordinance, it is unlawful for a business to maintain conditions at their worksites or facilities that will result in the discharge of pollutants to the storm drain system when it rains. For example, if a spill occurs at a facility, even if the spill does not result in an active discharge of the material to the storm drain system, the material will be discharged to the County’s storm drain system when it is exposed to stormwater that is discharged to the storm drain system if the spill is not properly cleaned up.

Please refer to the Stormwater Ordinance for more information.

Industrial Stormwater General Permit

The Industrial Stormwater General Permit is a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit that regulates discharges associated with ten broad categories of industrial activities. The State Water Resources Control Board requires businesses conducting activities falling under specific Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes to apply for and gain coverage under the Industrial Stormwater General Permit. A business’s responsibility to file for coverage under the Industrial Stormwater General Permit is not limited to the SIC code of its primary business activity. Secondary, tertiary or incidental activities may result in the requirement to obtain coverage.

The County of Sacramento Environmental Management Department (EMD) conducts stormwater compliance inspections at business that have coverage under the Industrial Stormwater General Permit. For more information on the Industrial Stormwater General Permit and the required inspections, please refer to the County of Sacramento EMD Stormwater Compliance Program’s website.

Inspection and Enforcement Programs

Commercial and Industrial Stormwater Compliance Program

County of Sacramento EMD implements the Commercial and Industrial Stormwater Compliance Program (CISCP) and conducts stormwater compliance inspections at businesses county-wide on behalf of the County of Sacramento and the cities of Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Rancho Cordova, and Sacramento, as required by our Municipal Stormwater Permit which is issued to us by the State of California.

As specified by the Municipal Stormwater Permit, these inspections are being conducted at the following types of businesses:

Auto repair shops
Auto body shops
Auto sales, lease and rental dealerships
Gas stations
Restaurants
Nurseries
Kennels
Equipment rental businesses
Facilities that have coverage under the Industrial Stormwater General Permit

The purpose of these stormwater compliance inspections is to ensure compliance with the requirements of local stormwater ordinances. Inspections are conducted at least once every three years.

Please visit the County of Sacramento EMD Stormwater Compliance Program’s website for more information on the CISCP.

Complaint-Based Stormwater Compliance Program

Businesses that do not fall into one of the nine categories listed above are still required to comply with the Stormwater Ordinance. County stormwater staff will inspect these businesses on a complaint basis. We respond to complaints from the public, other agencies, departments and jurisdictions, and the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Stormwater staff will refer any complaints related to businesses included in the CISCP to EMD for investigation.

Investigation of complaints will verify that each facility and/or activity conducted (at a fixed facility or remote site) is in compliance with the Stormwater Ordinance, including verification that:

there are no prohibited non-stormwater discharges;
there are no exempted non-stormwater discharges that must be eliminated;
there are no prohibited conditions (including unmitigated stormwater pollution sources, threatened prohibited non-stormwater discharges, prohibited non-stormwater discharge installations, or illicit connections); and
the potential for discharge of pollutants from all sources are reduced to the maximum extent practicable.

Progressive enforcement will be conducted, as needed, to bring businesses into compliance with the Stormwater Ordinance.

For more information on the stormwater quality programs within other jurisdictions of the Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership, which includes the County of Sacramento, and the cities of Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Rancho Cordova, and Sacramento, please visit the Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership website.

Common Pollutant Sources

Adequately maintain dumpsters and prevent leaks from being discharged to the storm drain system.

The Sacramento area is fortunate to have a wide variety of business types and industries. Many of these businesses handle and generate materials and wastes that can result in conditions at their facilities or worksites that can be harmful to local waterways.

Greasy mop water discharged by restaurant employees to the storm drain and food waste leaking from a dumpster are examples of a common prohibited non-stormwater discharge and an unmitigated stormwater pollution source, respectively, from restaurants. Automotive fluids, such as antifreeze and motor oil are common pollutants of concern at auto repair facilities. These pollutants may be accidentally or intentionally dumped or washed into the storm drain system by careless or uninformed employees. Pollutants may also be washed into the storm drain system when rainwater comes into contact with outdoor spills, oily parts, or other contaminated surfaces. Other common pollutants include:

Concrete and painting-related wastewater;
Commercial vehicle washing wastewater;
Pressure washing and surface cleaning wastewater;
Sediment (dirt, sand, etc.);
Food waste and/or grease; and
Hazardous or non-hazardous materials and wastes that are leaked, spilled or dumped.

Common Stormwater Violations

Commercial vehicle washing and detailing discharges to the storm drain system and/or local waters

Discharging commercial vehicle washing wastewater to the storm drain system is a violation of the Stormwater Ordinance.

Discharges of wastewater from carpet cleaning, pressure washing, and surface cleaning to the storm drain system

All wastewater must be contained, collected and properly disposed of.

Improper management of stone-cutting slurry resulting in prohibited discharges and/or conditions

Discharges of slurry to the stormwater drain system from a stone cutting business. Slurry must be properly managed and disposed of.

Sediment track-out from dirty or unpaved facilities or worksites onto outdoor surfaces and/or public streets

Entrances and exits at unpaved facilities and worksites must be stabilized to prevent tracking of sediment offsite, especially during the wet season. Facilities such as wheel washes may be necessary to clean off tires from leaving vehicles and equipment.

Spilled automotive fluids and polluted parts exposed to contact with stormwater

Improper storage of oily automotive parts — resulting in a unmitigated stormwater polluting source. Effective BMPs must be implemented to prevent stormwater contact with pollutants to avoid a prohibited non-stormwater discharge.

Poor waste and/or material management practices resulting in exposure of pollutants to stormwater or non-stormwater discharges

Hazardous wastes, such as waste gasoline (pictured), and all other pollutants (hazardous or non-hazardous), must be stored in a manner to that does not constitute an unmitigated stormwater pollution source, in addition to being stored so that all hazardous waste requirements are met.

Poor spill response and spill/release management practices resulting in the accumulation of unattended outdoor spills and releases exposed to stormwater and non-stormwater discharges

Institute effective spill/release management protocols to prevent the accumulation of spilled materials or wastes.

Discharges of wastewater from HVAC and other equipment maintenance.

Effective BMPs must be implemented to prevent the discharge of wastewater to the storm drain system..

Best Management Practices (BMPs)

BMPs are measures that reduce or eliminate pollutant discharges to the storm drain system. BMPs commonly fall into three categories:

Administrative BMPs:

Provide stormwater BMP training to employees
Conduct regular facility self-inspections to monitor for prohibited non-stormwater discharges or conditions
Utilize your existing facility, or design your new facility, to minimize the threat to stormwater quality from your activities. If necessary, you may need to conduct activities that are not compatible with your facility (for example, commercial vehicle washing if you don't have a wash rack, or other means to contain, collect, and properly dispose of vehicle washing wastewater) at an offsite commercial facility.
Consider the weather when you plan outdoor activities. You should not conduct pollutant-generating activities outdoors when it is raining or when rain is forecasted, as stormwater contact with the pollutants would be more likely to occur.

Source Control BMPs:

Implement good housekeeping practices such as:
- Keeping outdoor areas swept and clean
- Cleaning spills promptly using dry methods (as opposed to hosing spills into a storm drain, which is prohibited)
Install erosion control measures
Stabilize exit points from unpaved areas with 2” or larger rock
Repair any leaking vehicles or equipment
Install secondary containment for stored fluids, preferably under a covered area to prevent stormwater from filling the containment device
Construct roofs over outdoor material storage areas

Treatment Control BMPs (install and maintain):

On-site storm drain inlet protection devices, such as appropriately-selected storm drain filter inserts
Vegetative swales, sand filters, and bioretention devices
Stormwater treatment vaults
Detention basins

All treatment control BMPs require regular inspection and maintenance to ensure proper operation.

BMPs should be considered and implemented in the above order: administrative, source control, and then treatment control. Implementing BMPs in this order is the most cost effective and does the best job of protecting stormwater quality. Administratively eliminating pollution sources will almost always be the best solution. Using source control BMPs to eliminate pollutant sources prior to polluting stormwater runoff should be your next option. Your last option is to treat stormwater runoff in an effort to remove pollutants. Treatment is likely the most expensive and often least effective way to go. Treatment control should be a part of your overall stormwater pollution prevention strategy as a last and final effort to remove pollutants that could not feasibly be addressed through administrative and source control BMPs. Treatment control BMPs should not be used as stand alone BMPs.

Good Housekeeping can help prevent stormwater pollution

Don't leave open containers of wastes or other materials outside.

Dumpster lids should be kept closed when not in use to keep rain out and uncontained liquids should never be placed in a dumpster — they will leak out.
All wastes should be contained and managed in a responsible manner that prevents exposure to rainfall or discharge to the storm drainage system.
Shop and restaurant floors should never be hosed out so that the wash water can run outdoors or into a storm drain. Dry cleanup methods should be used as often as possible.
Spills, leaks and other messes that occur should be immediately cleaned, preferably using dry methods such as absorbent materials which must be properly disposed of.
Dirty, oily, or rusty junk items should not be left outdoors. Consider properly disposing of these items or placing them in covered locations to prevent stormwater contact. At a minimum, these items should be covered with weighted or fastened tarps and stored off the ground (e.g., on pallets). Fluids from engine crank cases, differentials, and radiators should be drained and properly disposed of prior to storage.
Sweep indoor and outdoors areas as often as necessary to prevent sediment or other pollutants that may be generated, from being tracked outdoors or offsite.

Pressure Washing

Pressure washing is an excellent way of removing pollutants from outdoor surfaces. However, pressure washing wastewater should never be discharged to a storm drain. Storm drains should be covered, or the path to the drain should be blocked during pressure washing. With the property owner's permission, the collected wastewater can then be pumped into a sanitary sewer clean out, or, in some instances, discharged to a landscaped area, provided that the discharge does not overflow the landscaped area, contain hazardous constituents, or create nuisance conditions. Sump pumps and wet/dry shop vacuums can be used to pump the wastewater. See our BMPs for Pressure Washing and Surface Cleaning booklet for more details.

Clean Water Business Partner Program

The Clean Water Business Partner Program (CWBP) conducts outreach to industries in the Sacramento area with, by nature of their work activities, significant potential of polluting our waterways. Currently, the program is focusing on mobile carpet cleaners, pressure washers, and landscape contractors, but will add other businesses as needed. The CWBP Program emphasizes education, awareness and voluntary action, rather than regulation. The Program takes a positive approach by providing incentives to businesses to become partners in pollution prevention. Business partners benefit by promotion and advertising of their business by the County and cities. Call (916) 808-1726 for more information.

Business Environmental Resource Center (BERC)

BERC provides free and confidential permitting and environmental compliance assistance to Sacramento area businesses. Contact them at (916) 649-0225, or check out their website at www.sacberc.org.

Informational materials

Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership brochures

Sacramento's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Stormwater Permit (adopted December 2002)

Sacramento County Stormwater Ordinance (Sacramento County Code Ch. 15.12)

CASQA Industrial and Commercial SWBMP Handbook