Construction sites have long been identified as a large contributor to urban runoff pollution if the proper pollution prevention practices are not regularly performed.  Materials washed into the storm drain have a direct impact on local waterways and habitat living in that environment.

Due to this high potential for urban runoff pollution, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) has stepped up their efforts to keep Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP’s) compliant to the National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES). All of these mandated criteria are part of the US Clean Water Act and mandates the utilization of Best Management Practices (BMP’s) on construction sites. Potential discharges into the storm drain systems from concrete work has become a priority of the federal and state EPA, water quality control officials, regional and local inspectors as well as a strategic target of the advocacy and environmental groups.

Paint Washout Systems (PWS) has addressed this serious challenge in keeping regulatory agencies and advocacy groups satisfied while protecting and balancing the interests of the paint and construction industry. PWS has developed a BMP that not only meets SWPPP guidelines, but also exceeds them. In doing this, PWS is making every effort to protect the paint and building industries and minimize regulatory fines and civil liabilities.

This Best Available Technology (BAT), patent-pending paint washout system is a portable, self-contained and watertight container that controls, captures and contains paint washout material.  This state-of-the-art, paint washout system includes several unique design features including, a watertight structure, grated work platform, high capacity and a cover to prevent trash and debris from being thrown inside.  The washout bin is capable of holding approximately 450 gallons of washout material; enough holding capacity to paint several houses.

This system and method allows trade personnel to easily washout paint equipment on site and facilitates easy off site recycling of the same paint washout materials and wastewater, while protecting the storm drain system from potential illegal discharges. The off site recycling component of the paint washwater creates an even more environmentally sound recycling application. This system replaces other outdated washout BMP’s, which are costly, unsightly and damaging to the environment since their containment value diminishes, do to inherently faulty material, over use and lack of maintenance.

PWS is currently being used by some of the largest residential and commercial builders in the country with tremendous success. PWS has assisted these builders in lowering their operational costs relating to paint washout containment, overall cleanliness of jobsites, maximizing operational efficiency and keeping them in compliance, while balancing the needs of the building industry. In many state and regional SWPPP seminars and training classes, good housekeeping is listed as a key BMP. The PWS offers more than good, but outstanding housekeeping.

If the definition of Best Management Practices truly means BEST in an effort to protect the environment, comply with regulatory guidelines and enable the concrete and building industries to minimize liabilities affordably… Paint Washout Systems is THE BMP and the ultimate Risk Management tool for paint washout containment!