Since the passage of the Clean Water Act (CWA), the quality of our Nation’s waters has improved dramatically. Despite this progress, however, degraded waterbodies still exist. According to the 2000 National Water Quality Inventory (Inventory), a biennial summary of State surveys of water quality, approximately 40 percent of surveyed U.S. waterbodies are still impaired by pollution and do not meet water quality standards. A leading source of this impairment is polluted stormwater runoff. In fact, according to the Inventory, 13 percent of impaired rivers, 18 percent of impaired lake acres and 32 percent of impaired estuaries are affected by urban/suburban stormwater runoff.
Polluted stormwater discharges from Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) in urbanized areas are a concern because of the high concentration of pollutants found within these discharges. Concentrated development in urbanized areas substantially increases impervious surfaces, such as city streets, driveways, parking lots, and sidewalks, on which pollutants from concentrated human activities settle and remain until a storm event washes them into nearby storm drains. Common pollutants include pesticides, fertilizers, oils, salt, and leachate from traditional trash dumpsters.
Trash dumpsters are a large contributing culprit as often their lids are left open to the elements allowing precipitation to enter. This precipitation is able to filter through the trash and leach out through rusted holes within the dumpster. This ‘garbage juice’ then enters the storm sewer system where it then is discharged – often untreated – into local waterbodies. When left uncontrolled, these discharges can result in fish kills, the destruction of spawning and wildlife habitats, a loss in aesthetic value, and contamination of drinking water supplies and recreational waterways that can threaten public health.
The use of underground waste containers in lieu of dumpsters is one way to make an immediate impact in the reduction of harmful pollutants from being washed or dumped into an MS4. Underground containers have a history dating back to the 1980’s in Europe and have started to grow acceptance here in North America over the past few years. Although initially designed with other benefits in mind, compared to dumpsters, the underground waste container supports the MS4 initiative. The underground waste container facilities this through the design of its holding well and secure lid. The best examples of holding wells are those who utilize precast concrete. This is true since precast concrete is the material of choice within the water and sewer industry, the very material in which storm drains are made from. Additionally, the secure lid design ensures that the container is always closed and secured from the elements including rain and snow.
While underground waste containers are more efficient and aesthetically appealing than traditional dumpsters, at the same time reducing odors and deterring unwanted pests, underground waste containers also helps to keep dangerous and even deadly pollutants away from our nation’s waterbodies.
Brian Brandon is General Manager of Sutera USA LLC and can be reached at (864) 627-5036, ext. 222 or via e-mail at [email protected].