Residual wash water from mobile dog grooming is considered gray water and must therefore be properly managed to avoid contamination of groundwater. There are soap and biological issues with this water and therefore this should be taken into account when designing a BMP operating procedures manual and best handling practices for mobile canine groomers.
Why can’t I just drain my water into the gutter?
If you drain your sewage into the gutter, you are breaking the law as that water goes into a storm drain and into a river, stream, ocean, lake, or wildlife area. Therefore, you cannot do that as you are most likely in violation of your city’s NPDES permits.
What I recommend is pretty straightforward. Go to Wal-Mart or Sears / Kmart and buy a shop vacuum that sucks and pumps. They cost between $ 50.00 and $ 145.00 and this will help you with their correct discharge to the sanitary sewer system.
You need to connect the vacuum cleaner to the drain plug of the wash water holding tank and then connect it to the other outlet of the vacuum cleaner with a hose and take it into the house to the toilet, turn on the vacuum cleaner, open the drain and let your toilet float down. This is a good BMP for your small dog grooming business.
You should also inform your local municipal code enforcement that this is what you are doing; should be fine with that. I certainly hope this article is of interest and that it has prompted reflection. The goal is simple; to assist you in your quest to be the best in 2007. Thank you for reading my many articles on various topics that interest you.
