What really happend in Houston, Texas

[Grime Busters]

Reported to me by a fellow compliant, environmentally responsible contractor:

Standard Parking hired a pressure washing company to clean 4 parking garages for a client in Houston. A pressure washer who had compliant equipment didn't get the jobs, a non compliant pressure washer did. The compliant pressure washer turned the non compliant pressure washer into EPA. EPA watched and filmed the pressure washer. All the wash water was flowing to the storm drain. At the end of the job, the workers shoveled all the solids (dirt, oil, grease, etc) that had dropped out of the wash water as it transversed across the surface and dumped into the storm drains. Standard Parking, the pressure washer and the customer were sued by EPA. This is when EPA put an emergency halt to all pressure washing activity in Houston for awhile.

Dozens of non compliant pressure washing contractors became enraged that the EPA and local authorities actually enforced the Clean Water Act regulations. They decided to hold a meeting with the local authorities, which, of course, didn't fair well for the contractors who refuse to act compliantly or do not have the capital to purchase the necessary reclamation and filtration systems.

As Jim Gamble stated back in 2008, the EPA and CWA enforcement would start spreading past California, and the naysayers attacked him back then.

Houston is just one of more than a dozen municipalities that are currently enforcing the CWA regulations, and many more will follow suit over the next couple years.

This will not only separate the professional, complaint contractors from the "splash and dash" lowballers out there, but will substantiate, finally, the costs per project that compliant contractors must charge.

 

[New Look]

Reported to me by a fellow compliant, environmentally responsible contractor:

Standard Parking hired a pressure washing company to clean 4 parking garages for a client in Houston. A pressure washer who had compliant equipment didn't get the jobs, a non compliant pressure washer did. The compliant pressure washer turned the non compliant pressure washer into EPA. EPA watched and filmed the pressure washer. All the wash water was flowing to the storm drain. At the end of the job, the workers shoveled all the solids (dirt, oil, grease, etc) that had dropped out of the wash water as it transversed across the surface and dumped into the storm drains. Standard Parking, the pressure washer and the customer were sued by EPA. This is when EPA put an emergency halt to all pressure washing activity in Houston for awhile.

Dozens of non compliant pressure washing contractors became enraged that the EPA and local authorities actually enforced the Clean Water Act regulations. They decided to hold a meeting with the local authorities, which, of course, didn't fair well for the contractors who refuse to act compliantly or do not have the capital to purchase the necessary reclamation and filtration systems.

As Jim Gamble stated back in 2008, the EPA and CWA enforcement would start spreading past California, and the naysayers attacked him back then.

Houston is just one of more than a dozen municipalities that are currently enforcing the CWA regulations, and many more will follow suit over the next couple years.

This will not only separate the professional, complaint contractors from the "splash and dash" lowballers out there, but will substantiate, finally, the costs per project that compliant contractors must charge.

So...no washing in Houston until further notice?? Seems odd

 

[Grime Busters]

No, actually washing in compliance is totally allowed. Read it all here:

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[New Look]

No, actually washing in compliance is totally allowed. Read it all here:

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ahh...I stand corrected!!

From what I am hearing is that even if you are in compliance, contractors are still getting stopped by the authorities and are getting tickets issued to them. If that is correct then I can understand why people are up in arms!

 

[Grime Busters]

Exactly the point of this thread Carlos. The "other side" is spreading rumors that PW contractors can no longer use hot water, can't wash, etc. Just posting the facts as I learn them.

 

[Doug Rucker]

Reported to me by a fellow compliant, environmentally responsible contractor:

Standard Parking hired a pressure washing company to clean 4 parking garages for a client in Houston. A pressure washer who had compliant equipment didn't get the jobs, a non compliant pressure washer did. The compliant pressure washer turned the non compliant pressure washer into EPA. EPA watched and filmed the pressure washer. All the wash water was flowing to the storm drain. At the end of the job, the workers shoveled all the solids (dirt, oil, grease, etc) that had dropped out of the wash water as it transversed across the surface and dumped into the storm drains. Standard Parking, the pressure washer and the customer were sued by EPA. This is when EPA put an emergency halt to all pressure washing activity in Houston for awhile.

Dozens of non compliant pressure washing contractors became enraged that the EPA and local authorities actually enforced the Clean Water Act regulations. They decided to hold a meeting with the local authorities, which, of course, didn't fair well for the contractors who refuse to act compliantly or do not have the capital to purchase the necessary reclamation and filtration systems.

As Jim Gamble stated back in 2008, the EPA and CWA enforcement would start spreading past California, and the naysayers attacked him back then.

Houston is just one of more than a dozen municipalities that are currently enforcing the CWA regulations, and many more will follow suit over the next couple years.

This will not only separate the professional, complaint contractors from the "splash and dash" lowballers out there, but will substantiate, finally, the costs per project that compliant contractors must charge.

Jim, Only problem in Houston is they ARE NOT enforcing the CWA. They have adopted there on set of BMP's, and do not even enforce that. Instead they have decided that every PWing company is "non compliant" whether they are "compliant" or not. I put the words in quotes as nobody in Houston really knows what compliant is anymore. Companies are getting ticketed even if they are using so called 'compliant" systems or not, and this even after having them certified and permitted by the City of Houston Health Department.

Imagine Jim, cleaning a shopping center parking lot here in Houston and you are relcaiming everything, yet an officer pulls up and writes you up. You explain that you are following the law, and he says, "GOOD you can explain it to the Judge, cause I am not really sure what the law is myself". Happens frequently in these parts.

Imagine being told you are a polluter if you use Hot Water, Chemicals, or anything else except cold water to clean anything. That's pretty much what we were told at the recent environmental seminar put on by the Major Offenders Division of the HPD.

City of Houston is NOT enforcing CWA, they are enforcing whatever they decide and make up on the spot is pollution on a daily basis and will bring in the revenue for a city on the verge of bankruptcy. That is what this all about, a revenue stream.

It's bad here Jim, real bad. So bad that "compliant" companys that invested thousands in compliant equipment are going out of business daily. There is absolutely no way for these compliant companies to be able to charge what they need to make a profit, based on what the HPD is requiring. If HPD were actually enforcing the CWA, they could. Property owners are flat out saying "I just won't have my property cleaned if it's gonna cost that much"

I could go on and on about how bad it is here but I'm sure you get the picture. We can only hope that other cities DO NOT follow suit.

Good news is many of us are trying to work with the City to educate them on the CWA and get the enforcement back to where it should be. Wish us luck.

I heard a couple weeks ago they are getting ready to go after Hood Cleaners now too. Seems they have found a way to produce some revenue from them too.

 

[Doug Rucker]

Exactly the point of this thread Carlos. The "other side" is spreading rumors that PW contractors can no longer use hot water, can't wash, etc. Just posting the facts as I learn them.

Jim, not sure who the "other side" is. But I heard it with my own ears.

 

[New Look]

Jim, not sure who the "other side" is. But I heard it with my own ears.

I tend to agree with Doug...I spoke with him the other day and it was a good chat, at least I think it was. Jim, I know your compassion runs deep when you refer to the "other side" but I think we all can agree that if people, no matter who they are, can get the officials to notice and listen....then that is a start.

Doug, relating to what is going on down there, as you described it above, is unbelievable but I am not surprised. I would have thought they would have reviewed the Ft.Worth BMP's and realized how silly they (Houston) look in trying to enforce something that most likely at every level of the Houston Govt there is a different interpretation of the CWA/BMP's Houston.

At the end of the day it is the contractors that suffer. Guys that wash at night are visible and easy game for the HPD as I would imagine they don't have a whole lot going on in the wee hours of the morning except to drive around to shopping centers to look for pressure washers trying to earn a living.

I mentioned this to a few individuals but I was visited also by a City Waste Water Control Officer here in my service area not to long ago. Totally caught me be surprised and thank goodness we were washing a pad that had a sewer drain. He was polite and cool and we spoke for at least 45 minutes. Though I did not have a reclaim (full loop) system to show him but I did have the necessary (wasn't pretty) things in place where he saw that we went the extra step to ensure that water did not make it or go down to a storm drain. If my memory serves me correct he mentioned that the City that he worked for is going to be hiring more "Wast Water Compliance Officers" as he cannot keep up with all the washers in this particular city that just let waste water run down the storm drain. I could only imagine that if I was in Houston and got stopped I probably would have been issued a ticket.

Even though Houston is under the "microscope" we as washers from other states should take notice as to what may or may not happen down there. Jim G. and many others in the industry have said that this is coming. Robert H. predicted this back when he was compiling the necessary data for the Fort Worth BMP's. I personally was involved in the Charlotte BMP's with Robert as was many others. Charlotte was receptive to hear concerns from contractors....sounds like Houston doesn't even want feed back from contractors such as Dough and others. If this is the case...it is wrong!!!

 

[Grime Busters]

I've received my information from two individual compliant companies in Texas, both have yet to receive a single complaint or violation. In fact both companies are swamped with work. I have been asked not to reveal the identities of the companies I refer to.

You can ask Jim, as in California different City's and Counties have their own regulations included in the CWA enforcement. My understanding is local and state environmental agencies can add additional regulations in line with the guidelines of the Federal CWA, but can not defer from the guidelines of the CWA. I could be off base on that statement, and will defer to Jim for the official statement.

One huge misunderstanding by some contractors who have spent a several thousand dollars on a "reclaim" system have actually purchased a vacuum system, which does not process the waste water in compliance and to acceptable thresholds for legal discharge. Hence these contractors will need to spend $1000's per project hiring licensed waste haulers, dumping permits and dumping fees to dispose of their untreated waste water.

An CWA compliant system can cost a contractor $50,000 to $100,000 or better, depending on the GPM capacity. I know for a fact that the EPA/CWA enforcement will continue to strengthen and gain momentum. What many other contractors besides myself have done over the past couple years was to listen to the forefront industry leaders and meet personally with different EPA/CWA authorities and prepare for the future. I'm afraid those that attempt to battle this issue are wasting precious time and energy.

Emission standards will be the next crippling blow to the average PW contractor. California's manufacturing standards took effect in 2010. Other states are under similar standards this year.

The EPA / CWA has affected almost every other industry in America. Which is even more puzzling when some in the PW business cry foul when the EPA/CWA finally has reached this industry. Plain and simple, it's all about $$$. The state and federal governments seek revenue, and the majority of PW contractors can not afford a several hundred thousand dollar capital investment.

Not saying you "can't fight city hall", just saying you'll end up wasting a lot of time, money and energy in your attempts.

 

[New Look]

I've received my information from two individual compliant companies in Texas, both have yet to receive a single complaint or violation. In fact both companies are swamped with work. I have been asked not to reveal the identities of the companies I refer to.

You can ask Jim, as in California different City's and Counties have their own regulations included in the CWA enforcement. My understanding is local and state environmental agencies can add additional regulations in line with the guidelines of the Federal CWA, but can not defer from the guidelines of the CWA. I could be off base on that statement, and will defer to Jim for the official statement.

One huge misunderstanding by some contractors who have spent a several thousand dollars on a "reclaim" system have actually purchased a vacuum system, which does not process the waste water in compliance and to acceptable thresholds for legal discharge. Hence these contractors will need to spend $1000's per project hiring licensed waste haulers, dumping permits and dumping fees to dispose of their untreated waste water.

An CWA compliant system can cost a contractor $50,000 to $100,000 or better, depending on the GPM capacity. I know for a fact that the EPA/CWA enforcement will continue to strengthen and gain momentum. What many other contractors besides myself have done over the past couple years was to listen to the forefront industry leaders and meet personally with different EPA/CWA authorities and prepare for the future. I'm afraid those that attempt to battle this issue are wasting precious time and energy.

Emission standards will be the next crippling blow to the average PW contractor. California's manufacturing standards took effect in 2010. Other states are under similar standards this year.

The EPA / CWA has affected almost every other industry in America. Which is even more puzzling when some in the PW business cry foul when the EPA/CWA finally has reached this industry. Plain and simple, it's all about $$$. The state and federal governments seek revenue, and the majority of PW contractors can not afford a several hundred thousand dollar capital investment.

Not saying you "can't fight city hall", just saying you'll end up wasting a lot of time, money and energy in your attempts.

Yep...as mentioned...this has been put out by many in the industry for a long time. I guess it's here.

 

[Doug Rucker]

Jim you mention these compliant companies are in Texas, are they in Houston? Not impotant but was just wondering and also don't really understand the need for them to ask that their name not be used, but oh well, to each his own I guess. Kinda makes you think they got something to hide. We are swamped with work right now as well, as everyone is I imagine at this time.

You are correct about the locals can add to and really make up anything they want as they have in Houston, just can't defer. I am not really sure why people keep posting those old Houston BMP's as they are not even recognized by the HPD anymore. There is virtually nothing in them that is current, yet and here is a funny thing, they kepp putting them in there packets for every environmental seminar they put on.

Let me clarify something so you know I know what I am talking about. In the City of Houston, to be a "compliant" contractor, before you can haul waste water, you must take your relclaim, vaccuum, closed loop, whatever it is, down to the City's Health Department and demonstrate your system to them. They will pour orange dyed water on the ground, and as long as your system does not allow the water to enter the drain, then you will recieve a permit, (after you have paid your 600.00 yearly and renewable permit fee of course) that allows you to haul waste water throughout the City of Houston City Limits. This is of course so that you can then haul it to one of ONLY 3 approved (by none other than the City of Houston) waste water sites, and dump your waste water. Does not matter if the waste water is at acceptable levels for discharge or is compliant or not. You just gotta have a permit to haul it. You must also file a manifest every 30 days with the city of Houston and pay $2.50 every month to file said manifest. You must file this manifest every month, which states the amount of waster water in gallons that you discharged at the City's approved sites, whether you hauled waste water for that given 30 day period or not. However, these are the exact contractors that are getting ticketed by HPD and HPD saying "tell it to the judge"

I just hung up the phone with a 'compliant' contractor not 5 minutes ago that recevied a ticket from the City Health Department for failure to file his manifest. He said he filed it, the city said he they never got it, so they fired off a ticket, with a fine of $400.00 attached, and a notice to appear in court. He has copies of every single manifest that he has filed with City for the last year. But all fo sudden they say they never received it and BAM, here's your ticket in the mail.

I will also tell you that the local EPA enforcement officer stood before us and told us that Power Washers are not even on the EPA's radar. They basically got bigger fish to fry. They leave that to the local authorites. So meeting with all the EPA/CWA people may be good, but it is your local governing authorities who better be getting the bulk of your time.

Hope I have been able to clear up some misconceptions about what is actually going on here in Houston.

 

[New Look]

Jim you mention these compliant companies are in Texas, are they in Houston? Not impotant but was just wondering and also don't really understand the need for them to ask that their name not be used, but oh well, to each his own I guess. Kinda makes you think they got something to hide. We are swamped with work right now as well, as everyone is I imagine at this time.

You are correct about the locals can add to and really make up anything they want as they have in Houston, just can't defer. I am not really sure why people keep posting those old Houston BMP's as they are not even recognized by the HPD anymore. There is virtually nothing in them that is current, yet and here is a funny thing, they kepp putting them in there packets for every environmental seminar they put on.

Let me clarify something so you know I know what I am talking about. In the City of Houston, to be a "compliant" contractor, before you can haul waste water, you must take your relclaim, vaccuum, closed loop, whatever it is, down to the City's Health Department and demonstrate your system to them. They will pour orange dyed water on the ground, and as long as your system does not allow the water to enter the drain, then you will recieve a permit, (after you have paid your 600.00 yearly and renewable permit fee of course) that allows you to haul waste water throughout the City of Houston City Limits. This is of course so that you can then haul it to one of ONLY 3 approved (by none other than the City of Houston) waste water sites, and dump your waste water. Does not matter if the waste water is at acceptable levels for discharge or is compliant or not. You just gotta have a permit to haul it. You must also file a manifest every 30 days with the city of Houston and pay $2.50 every month to file said manifest. You must file this manifest every month, which states the amount of waster water in gallons that you discharged at the City's approved sites, whether you hauled waste water for that given 30 day period or not. However, these are the exact contractors that are getting ticketed by HPD and HPD saying "tell it to the judge"

I just hung up the phone with a 'compliant' contractor not 5 minutes ago that recevied a ticket from the City Health Department for failure to file his manifest. He said he filed it, the city said he they never got it, so they fired off a ticket, with a fine of $400.00 attached, and a notice to appear in court. He has copies of every single manifest that he has filed with City for the last year. But all fo sudden they say they never received it and BAM, here's your ticket in the mail.

I will also tell you that the local EPA enforcement officer stood before us and told us that Power Washers are not even on the EPA's radar. They basically got bigger fish to fry. They leave that to the local authorites. So meeting with all the EPA/CWA people may be good, but it is your local governing authorities who better be getting the bulk of your time.

Hope I have been able to clear up some misconceptions about what is actually going on here in Houston.

Ouch...double ouch!!

We are required to take our rig down to the city/county and show them the 'goods as well to get on a preferred/compliant list but do not have to take the steps of filing a manifest and etc.

The guy I spoke to here said they (city) preferred that we dumped the waste water onsite ...meaning in a janitors closet.

 

[Clean County]

I will also tell you that the local EPA enforcement officer stood before us and told us that Power Washers are not even on the EPA's radar. They basically got bigger fish to fry. They leave that to the local authorites. So meeting with all the EPA/CWA people may be good, but it is your local governing authorities who better be getting the bulk of your time.

Hope I have been able to clear up some misconceptions about what is actually going on here in Houston.

Doug thats in line what I was talking about on a different bb. In law enforcement one of the ways to generate money for the state etc. is by writing tickets. Sometimes Grants are given thru the state that pays for Law Enforcement to go out there and write the neccessary tickets that the grants are based on. Its a money revenue stream. Its also based on laws that are on the books for that area. Yes it can be argued that these grants are given to protect the safety of the people. Thats a fair arguement. But a more compelling arguement is there given because they become a form of revenue stream for that area or state.

Look everyone would like to see nothing but clean water....lets make that distilled sterile water only go down a storm drain. But the reality of it all is that there are many other pollutant factors that are causing dirty water to go down the storm drains much more then cleaning with just "Hot water". The problem here is that in our industry we don't have the money to get the right people in there to help change some of these unrealistic laws but what we do have is people that are passionate enough to try and reason with these lawmakers so we can go back and Power wash without being considered a criminal. Robert Hinderliter is one who stands out. Running from the authorities and just avoiding the whole issue IMHO is a mistake because they aren't the experts in the Powerwashing business so they don't really know what the correct solutions are. Because of that they set rules that are unattainable for the majority in this business..... and guess what?? They end up driving out some of these business by causing them to go belly up. That alone is crippling. They put these people out of work and because of that its a reverse affect. Small businesses are the meat and potatoes of this country's income. The Wallmarts and the other Giants are not. Its the small businesses that employ the majority of the people and cripple that then the whole system collapses.

This is why this industry needs to unite..... but to many just wont or cant see that... so this industry gets crippled and it should not be like that.

 

[Doug Rucker]

Doug thats in line what I was talking about on a different bb. In law enforcement one of the ways to generate money for the state etc. is by writing tickets. Sometimes Grants are given thru the state that pays for Law Enforcement to go out there and write the neccessary tickets that the grants are based on. Its a money revenue stream. Its also based on laws that are on the books for that area. Yes it can be argued that these grants are given to protect the safety of the people. Thats a fair arguement. But a more compelling arguement is there given because they become a form of revenue stream for that area or state.

Look everyone would like to see nothing but clean water....lets make that distilled sterile water only go down a storm drain. But the reality of it all is that there are many other pollutant factors that are causing dirty water to go down the storm drains much more then cleaning with just "Hot water". The problem here is that in our industry we don't have the money to get the right people in there to help change some of these unrealistic laws but what we do have is people that are passionate enough to try and reason with these lawmakers so we can go back and Power wash without being considered a criminal. Robert Hinderliter is one who stands out. Running from the authorities and just avoiding the whole issue IMHO is a mistake because they aren't the experts in the Powerwashing business so they don't really know what the correct solutions are. Because of that they set rules that are unattainable for the majority in this business..... and guess what?? They end up driving out some of these business by causing them to go belly up. That alone is crippling. They put these people out of work and because of that its a reverse affect. Small businesses are the meat and potatoes of this country's income. The Wallmarts and the other Giants are not. Its the small businesses that employ the majority of the people and cripple that then the whole system collapses.

This is why this industry needs to unite..... but to many just wont or cant see that... so this industry gets crippled and it should not be like that.

Great points JOhn. I can tell you from my stand point, and others here in Houston, that It was great to see guys like Ron Musgraves, Robert Hinderlighter, Michael Tessarro, Chris Chappel, and others that came here for the last Enviro Seminar put on by the City. Ron, Chris, and Michael's eyes were really opened to what is going on here and all asked some very pointed questions and answers that were given by the City showed that the even Departments with in the City are not on the same page.

I can tell you that we are actually having some dialogue with the HPD, and to there credit they even admit there enforcement is flawed. As a contractor in Houston, I fee that we have the right people, people with the experience and knowledge to get some things done here, working on it. Won't get done overnight but it will get done, one way or the other.

John, your comments about Small business are spot on. And if all esle fails, (eductaing the HPD, working with them) and we can't get something changed, then that is the way we may have to atttack this. Guy Blackmon, made some suggestions on PWI that were some of the best ideas I have heard to date on how we may get this all changed.

 

[Doug Rucker]

Ouch...double ouch!!

We are required to take our rig down to the city/county and show them the 'goods as well to get on a preferred/compliant list but do not have to take the steps of filing a manifest and etc.

The guy I spoke to here said they (city) preferred that we dumped the waste water onsite ...meaning in a janitors closet.

Yep, that's the way it should be Carlos. Getting rid of the waste water on site.

 

[Grime Busters]

So far we have always process and legally discharged within full compliance into the sanitary sewer on-site. One exception was a 220,000 square foot project ($48,000) that we needed to hire licensed waste haulers because of the tons (literately) of failed sealer and slurry that was also removed, as part of our contract, from the scope of work. Licensed waste haulers are responsible for their own manifest's logging and record keeping.

All reclaim and filtration systems must be tested, reviewed and approved by local authorities before a permit will be issued to perform the project. Standard practice.

What I find bizarre and way beyond is the fact that Houston PD is involved in the enforcement. Never encountered a situation like that and not sure if I have ever heard reports of LEO's acting as environmental enforcement "authorities". Do not get me wrong, I have nothing but love and respect for ALL LEO's and the jobs they provide us on a daily basis. Just wondering how and under what authority they became EPA/CWA authorities. That is definitely one part of this issue I can understand the outrage. I am also grateful that Robert Hinderlighter is representing the industry. Robert is hands down the most respected and most educated individual the PW industry has ever had represent us, as a whole. If Robert can't make a difference down there in Houston, then, IMHO, it isn't going to happen.

To date the authorities we work with in several states and local municipalities have all been very responsive and respectful to our desires to be fully compliant and our custom equipment that exceeds all the current and future EPA/CWA regulations and requirements.

Texas is not a region we service, at least yet. But as demand grows, so will our companies reach and territories.

 

[Douglas Hicks]

12 or more years ago, one mis-informed FM decided fire extinguishers never needed to be inspected or serviced in Oregon. He knew for a fact that owners would service their own extinguishers, and so he decided to eliminate all requirements for extinguishers from the State. Of course he did not contact anyone in the industry. Some of us in hte business met him head on, with support from the manufactureres, NFPA, NAFED, insurance companies, and end users. We beat him and used the chance to develpe a professional org that now has a seat on the Fire Code Committee and whose voice is listened to. The State FM office has turned to us for information concernign regulation of fire extinguishers and suppression systems. We taxed ourselves and now can offer training opportunities and have increased the professionlism of our members.

This would be a good time for PW companies to form an org and get some input on the developoment and enforcement of the Clean Water rules. If you do not step up, then you have no right to complain.

 

[Doug Rucker]

12 or more years ago, one mis-informed FM decided fire extinguishers never needed to be inspected or serviced in Oregon. He knew for a fact that owners would service their own extinguishers, and so he decided to eliminate all requirements for extinguishers from the State. Of course he did not contact anyone in the industry. Some of us in hte business met him head on, with support from the manufactureres, NFPA, NAFED, insurance companies, and end users. We beat him and used the chance to develpe a professional org that now has a seat on the Fire Code Committee and whose voice is listened to. The State FM office has turned to us for information concernign regulation of fire extinguishers and suppression systems. We taxed ourselves and now can offer training opportunities and have increased the professionlism of our members.

This would be a good time for PW companies to form an org and get some input on the developoment and enforcement of the Clean Water rules. If you do not step up, then you have no right to complain.

My thoughts exactly Douglas. Actually is about time for a new generation to step up.

 

[AquaTech]

I found this entire thread interesting!!!

David D.

 

[Jim Gamble]

My thoughts exactly Douglas. Actually is about time for a new generation to step up.

Doug,

As Carlos said in the post above, we have to go down and " Show the goods " to different Dept's or agencies of the Gov. for true discharge and compliance of our Class II Waste, which in some cases can be hazardous. We need to furnish current design spec's in writing to prove that this thing actually will work within reason.

In years past, these permits can be $450 per year with up to $1,800+ for any lab test for heavy metals, petroleum and other materials. It is the cost of doing business and I have no problem with that, as long as everyone ( Meaning my competitors ) has to comply along with me. I simply put the fees associated with the discharge in the lower line of the invoice . I don't pay, the client does as I write that in our contract. So I really don't see the issue, that is, if that issue is applied to everyone equally....which it sounds like it is across the country.

You know, when I talked about filtration over at another BBS in 2008, I was bombarded with questions for months on end. In fact, those same individuals even went as far as to say I did not even have a filtration unit and that I was all talk. It took a member to actually touch one of our units to put those accusations finally to rest. I found out that those same individuals who was making all of that noise did not even own nor knew how to operate a filtration unit nor the procedures that goes along with full reclamation.


Since you seem to have allot of passion for the correct procedures of reasonable compliant regulations, and since a growing percentage of the country now requires some sort of filtration, including your location, I was wondering what type of filtration do you currently use? Being in Texas, and the fact that you are teaching newbies about the proper ways of pressure washing, I have yet to hear about your filtration system and that puzzles me why you do not elaborate in your threads about your filtration unit(s).

Could you please inform us in detail about your filtration unit and perhaps post a photo of you working the unit? I think you do decks and implementing a filtration unit for decks amazes me. Frankly, I would not know where to begin. This is something I and others can learn from you. Why you do not talk about it I will never know.

Anyway, from one reclaim-ist ( if that is a word) to another, I am curious about your current reclamation system and how you implement that type of procedures into your business/ marketing as well as your classroom setting for the newbies. With those strict laws, I can see you cashing in on the proper procedures where others cannot.