Secondary Containment

Businesses within the City of Redmond's Wellhead Protection Zones 1 and 2 are REQUIRED to have hazardous materials and deleterious substances in secondary containment. Secondary containment is a container to catch spills or leaks from the original container. Secondary containment or equivalent best management practices will be required for combined quantities of hazardous materials or deleterious substances greater than or equal to 20 gallons liquid or 200 pounds solid.

Any containers, drums, or above ground storage tanks containing hazardous materials or deleterious substances should be put into secondary containment to catch possible spills. For example the secondary container can be a portable plastic tub, metal drum, pallet with a containerized base, or bermed concrete pad with a coating compatible with the stored products (bare concrete is NOT sufficient). As you set up your own secondary containment system, follow these guidelines:

• Review and revise existing material handling and storage processes to minimize any leaks of products, wastes, liquids or solids out of the system to the soil, ground water, or surface water at any time.
• Use secondary containers capable of collecting releases and accumulated products, wastes, liquids or solids until the collected material is removed.
• Use separate secondary containers for hazardous materials that are incompatible.
• Secondary containment should have the capacity to hold 110 percent of the volume of the largest primary container.
  • If the facility has fire sprinklers the secondary containment capacity needs to hold 110 percent of the volume of the largest primary container and 20 minutes of sprinkler water.
• If located outdoors cover the secondary containment area to keep water out.
• Make sure secondary containers are constructed with materials that are compatible with the products or wastes held in the primary container.
• Do not allow accumulation of other fluids, such as rain water, inside the secondary containment, drain immediately.
• Conduct analytical testing of water or other fluids, if required, to determine proper disposal.

Resources to Minimize Fiscal and Environmental Liability

• Local codes: All businesses that use hazardous materials should be aware of local fire codes. There may be additional fire, storm water, or other local and city ordinances that apply to you. Contact appropriate agencies.
•  Reducing the amount of waste you produce and store reduces your potential liability and cost.
  • For proper waste disposal refer to the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program (LHWMP) in King County.
  • Small businesses may qualify to take part in LHWMPs Pilot Project to dispose of hazardous waste at Household Hazardous Waste Facilities in King County.
• Oil/water separators are not designed to manage spilled hazardous materials.
• Incompatible substances: Substances that produce heat, pressure, fire, violent reaction or toxic fumes and gases when mixed are considered incompatible. Do not put material into a container that previously held an incompatible substance.
• Fire hazards: Ignitable/flammable wastes have a flash point of less than 140 degrees F. You may need special flammable storage lockers for these materials. For detailed information on these wastes, refer to WAC 173-303-090 and your local fire department or district.

Businesses can help keep Redmond safe, healthy and clean by evaluating their hazardous material handling process today. In efforts to protect our fragile drinking water aquifer and streams the Wellhead Protection Program recommends all business within the City of Redmond regardless of Wellhead Protection Zone designation follow these guidelines. 

Definitions
Deleterious Substances
Include, but are not limited to, chemical and microbial substances that are not classified as hazardous materials under RCDG 20A.20.080, whether the substances are in usable or waste condition, that have the potential to pose a significant groundwater hazard, or for which monitoring requirements or treatment-based standards are enforced under Chapter 246-290 WAC (Ord. 2180).

Hazardous Materials
Any hazardous waste, hazardous substance, dangerous waste, or extremely hazardous waste that is a physical or health hazard as defined and classified in Chapter 70.105 RCW and Chapter 173-303 WAC, whether the materials are in usable or waste condition. Hazardous materials shall also include petroleum or petroleum products that are in a liquid phase at ambient temperatures, including any waste oils or sludges. (Ord. 2180).