Many industries require regular cleaning of large, heavy equipment or parts, such as pipelines, powerlines, or refinery projects. While this process is essential, washing these pieces of equipment creates used wash water, also known as grey wash water, which can be damaging to the environment. Avoid any negative environmental impacts with effective wash water containment.
Containing wash water on your worksite is important for many reasons, including keeping your site compliant with regulatory requirements and lessening your environmental impact, especially in sensitive areas. Keep reading to learn more about what wash water is and how Enviro-Pads can help you practice effective wash water containment.
What is Wash Water?
Wash water refers to any water used to clean materials. However, in an industrial context, it is any water used to remove dirt, grease, chemicals, and more from heavy machinery and vehicles.
How Does Wash Water Containment Work?
Since wash water is hazardous, it is important to ensure it is properly contained and disposed of during the industrial washing process. This process, broadly referred to as wash water containment, involves capturing and disposing of or recycling water used during equipment cleaning to prevent environmental contamination and meet regulatory standards. Usually, wash water containment systems include wash pads, racks, or bays. All these systems collect water and prevent pollutants from entering natural water sources.
Wash water containment can be approached in two ways: with open-loop or closed-loop systems. An open-loop system discharges untreated wash water into drains and storm sewers. However, since the discharged wash water is contaminated and potentially dangerous to the environment, open-loop systems are generally avoided today.
On the other hand, closed-loop systems effectively collect all the used wash water in a wash pad or tray. This used wash water is contained and then either treated and recycled on-site or disposed of in an environmentally approved manner.
The Role of Portable Wash Pads in Wash Water Containment
Depending on your location and industry, you could be subject to strict environmental regulations regarding wash water. If your wash water is not properly contained, it can contaminate soil and groundwater, which could violate regulations and result in large fines.
To avoid this, we recommend always using our portable wash pads when cleaning heavy equipment and machinery. These systems ensure that used wash water and contaminated waste are correctly collected, allowing them to be recycled or disposed of in an environmentally approved manner.
Enviro-Pads: The Solution for Your Solutions
Interested in adding a comprehensive wash water containment system to your work site? Our portable wash pads can be customized to suit your unique needs. For example, we can add walls to your wash station to help avoid overspray and maximize effective containment. They are available to either purchase or rent. Contact us today for more information.
Started in 2000, Enviro-Pads is your trusted partner for spill containment. Designed and manufactured in Southern Alberta, our products are high-quality, customizable, and engineer-certified. Our Containment Systems meet the stringent guidelines set out by the Energy Resource Conservation Board (ERCB), Alberta Environment (AENV), and the Fire Code of Alberta.
THE SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR SOLUTIONS
Primary and Secondary Containment
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