Pollution Prevention - Urban Watersheds: Geology, Contamination, and Sustainable Development - page 445

Spill kit

Drums protected inside specially designed outer
containers inside the facility

Proper
labels

No floor drains,
pits, trenches, or
unsealed cracks in
the concrete
surface

Drip pans

Protective
outer
containers

Epoxy coated
floor

FIGURE 13.4
Proper storage of drums containing liquid waste. (Photo by Daniel T. Rogers.)

• Modifying liquid waste storage areas. Figure 13.4 demonstrates one way to prop-
erly store liquid chemicals and substances prior to disposal. This storage method
for liquid wastes has multiple and redundant engineered systems to prevent a
release and contain a release if one does occur. These engineered systems include
• Storing liquid wastes inside and under a roof.
• Coating the floor with epoxy.
• Providing secondary containment if a release were to occur. In this example,
drip pans are located beneath each outer container.
• Locating the liquid waste storage area at a location without floor drains, sumps,
trenches, and pits.
• Using redundant storage containment. Sealed drums containing liquid wastes
are located inside the outer containers pictured in this example.
• Properly labeling the contents and potential hazards.

Figure 13.5 shows an example of an outdoor liquid waste storage area. A roof has been con-
structed and treated with an impervious surface so in the event of an accidental spill, the
liquid will not migrate beyond the containment structure or through the concrete surface.
This surface is shown in Figure 13.6.

• Sealing sumps, pits, trenches, floor drains, and liquid storage areas with an imper-
vious surface. In most instances, leaks will occur from structures composed of
concrete storing or conveying liquid wastes. Leaks can occur from seams, cracks,
or in some cases from the direct migration of liquid through the concrete sur-
face itself. These surfaces should be sealed to prevent a release to the subsurface.
Figure 13.7 is an example of a sealed floor drain; Figures 13.4 and 13.6 also repre-
sent sealed liquid storage areas.
• Providing secondary containment. Engineering redundant systems can effectively
prevent an uncontrolled release to the environment. Figure 13.8a is an example
of an aboveground storage tank (AST) containing diesel fuel with no secondary