At its Black Diamond facility, stormwater is directed to a vegetation pond and tapped for process needs. An important element of pollution prevention is good housekeeping habits, such as fixing leaks and storing chemicals securely. The measures need not be complicated. The company sweeps paved areas instead of hosing them down, in order to keep pollutants out of storm drains. Acid wash water used for outdoor stainless steel cleaning is captured, neutralized, then re-used, keeping it out of storm drains, reducing the company's water bill, and avoiding hazardous waste charges when the water is eventually disposed of.
Boatyards are a special case because of their proximity to the water.
Paints, solvents and other chemicals used in boat repair and maintenance have a straight shot to the water if not managed carefully. Wilson Marine was a company looking to set a clean operating standard when it invested in prevention measures at its Lake Union boatyard about a decade ago. PPRC is a non-profit organization that works with business and other sectors to catalyze pollution prevention. PPRC publishes a bimonthly newsletter, fact sheets, reference manuals, and technology reviews. An easy reference source of P2 information is the PPRC Web site .