HomeMy Public PortalAboutParking Lot MaintenanceParking lot maintenance: Good for customers, good for the environment
CLEAN WATEP TIP
Did you know that street
sweeping not only keeps
our roads clean, but our
rivers, lakes, and streams,
too?
Regular sweeping of your parking lot improves aesthetics, while also keeping pollution out of our waterways. During a
storm, rain can carry trash, oil, grease, and even heavy metals across the parking lot and into the catch basin, where it
flows directly into our rivers and lakes. Remember, anything that goes into our storm sewer system will flow untreated
into the water we use for swimming, boating, fishing, and drinking.
Regular sweeping also reduces the need for and cost of catch basin cleaning and prolongs the life of your asphalt.
Some tips to keep in mind:
• Use dry cleaning methods (e.g., sweeping, vacuuming) to keep pollutants out of our catch basins and eventually
our waterways. Sweeping is the most efficient method for removing coarse particles, leaves, and trash.
• Determine the frequency of sweeping based on usage of space.
• Dispose of parking lot sweeping debris in a landfill.
• Provide plenty of trash cans. Empty trash on a regular basis to prevent spillage. Consider signs to discourage
littering.
• Clean out catch basins on a regular basis. Improperly maintained catch basins not only allow debris to reach our
streams, rivers, and oceans, but clogged catch basins can result in the ponding of water in your parking lot after
storms, negatively impacting your customers.
• Repair cracks and potholes right away.
Remember, your parking lot is the first thing your clients and potential customers see. Keep it clean, and keep our
waterways clean, too!
Source: Mystic River Watershed Association