Stormwater Quality Fact Sheet for Restaurants

The storm drain system is designed to collect stormwater  ‐rain and snow melt – and release it directly to Clear Creek ‐ untreated. Food waste, grease, cleaning solvents and chemicals mop water and trash from restaurant operations can be transported in stormwater as rain and snowmelt flow across surfaces before entering Clear Creek. Contaminants that enter the creek degrade the quality of our drinking water source and the quality of fish and wildlife habitats. Therefore, care must be taken to ensure that stormwater runoff does not jeopardize the quality of Clear Creek.   

The following is a list of possible Best Management Practices (BMPs) that are applicable to your business. Implementing BMPs and good housekeeping practices will help ensure a safe work environment and a cleaner water source for years to come.

  GOOD HOUSEKEEPING PRACTICES

• Avoid spilling onto floors or other surfaces through good housekeeping.
• Clean up spills immediately to minimize safety hazards and prevent spills from reaching a storm drain inlet.
• Use absorbent materials to clean small spills rather than hosing down the area. Remove the absorbent materials promptly and dispose of properly. 

CLEANING

• Keep outside areas (dumpsters, parking lots, etc.) free of trash and debris, and regularly clean them to prevent pollutant buildup.
• Control litter by sweeping and picking up trash on a regular basis.   9 Sweep up outside areas rather than washing them down.
• Do not dump mop water or wash floor mats or kitchen equipment outside. Pour mop water and wash water into the mop sink or floor drains. Take floor mats to a local car wash for cleaning.
• Whenever possible, purchase water based cleaning products.  Look for products labeled “nontoxic,” “non‐petroleum based,” “ammonia‐free,” “phosphate‐free,” “dye and perfume‐free,” or “readily biodegradable.”  

OIL AND GREASE

• Regularly inspect and clean out grease traps/interceptors.
• Always use proper oil and grease recycling receptacles. Never dump oil and grease wastes into storm drains or onto parking lots.
• Use care to avoid spills when taking used oil to the grease receptacle. 

Your success – and the quality of water in Clear Creek ‐ depends on an effective training program. 

For more information please contact the City of Wheat Ridge Stormwater Management Program.