Even with a mild winter I have noticed the roads covered with salt. I look at that and ask, Where does it go? The simple answer is into the cubs and gutters, into the gravel and grass and eventually into the rivers and streams. Here is what the EPA says about what we use:
In the presence of oxygen, these compounds react easily with organic matter and convert readily into sodium chloride (table salt) and calcium chloride (road salt). Widely used in disinfecting water supplies for nearly a century, the hypochlorites have been proven safe and practical to use.
In fresh water, the hypochlorites break down rapidly into non-toxic compounds when exposed to sunlight.
If we use only sodium hypochlorite without any detergents, then why is there such a big deal? I'm not saying we shouldn't be concerned with large amounts of run off but the EPA themselves say we are using a safe product that reverts back to table salt and rapidly breaks down into non toxic compounds.
Jeff Wible said
Jan 18, 2017
Because they can,..is the simple answer. But,..I think it's likely due to the time factor,..it does take some time for SH to break down into salt water,..and if we run SH into a "path" that will end up in a stream within even a few days,.then that is the issue I think? Also,..if there is a wreck,..and SH is spilled and goes into a stream,..same thing,..never gonna break down before it does damage.
Fortunately,.I've never had an issue,.never been called on by a nosey neighbor or stopped in any way. I've been working in places and have had EPA trucks drive by,...believe I look and see what they're doing,..Ha,Ha,...But never had an issue.
That's my take on it,..so to me,..they aren't "THAT' concerned. At least not here.
Storm drains,.."Only Rain Down The Drain" PERIOD!! It sets a guideline with no wiggle room,..for words like "large and small",...which are relative terms,..and runoff is hard to measure to any real standard.
Jeff
-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Wednesday 18th of January 2017 10:18:13 AM
Even with a mild winter I have noticed the roads covered with salt. I look at that and ask, Where does it go? The simple answer is into the cubs and gutters, into the gravel and grass and eventually into the rivers and streams. Here is what the EPA says about what we use:
In the presence of oxygen, these compounds react easily with organic matter and convert readily into sodium chloride (table salt) and calcium chloride (road salt). Widely used in disinfecting water supplies for nearly a century, the hypochlorites have been proven safe and practical to use.
In fresh water, the hypochlorites break down rapidly into non-toxic compounds when exposed to sunlight.
If we use only sodium hypochlorite without any detergents, then why is there such a big deal? I'm not saying we shouldn't be concerned with large amounts of run off but the EPA themselves say we are using a safe product that reverts back to table salt and rapidly breaks down into non toxic compounds.
Because they can,..is the simple answer. But,..I think it's likely due to the time factor,..it does take some time for SH to break down into salt water,..and if we run SH into a "path" that will end up in a stream within even a few days,.then that is the issue I think? Also,..if there is a wreck,..and SH is spilled and goes into a stream,..same thing,..never gonna break down before it does damage.
Fortunately,.I've never had an issue,.never been called on by a nosey neighbor or stopped in any way. I've been working in places and have had EPA trucks drive by,...believe I look and see what they're doing,..Ha,Ha,...But never had an issue.
That's my take on it,..so to me,..they aren't "THAT' concerned. At least not here.
Storm drains,.."Only Rain Down The Drain" PERIOD!! It sets a guideline with no wiggle room,..for words like "large and small",...which are relative terms,..and runoff is hard to measure to any real standard.
Jeff
-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Wednesday 18th of January 2017 10:18:13 AM