B9_STARBusinessRecognitionProgramSOP_signed

Title:
Version
Approvals
CITY OF
DURHAM
City of Durham, North Carolina
Department of Public Works
Stormwater and GIS Services
Water Quality Unit
Standard Operating Procedures for the Stormwater STAR
Business Recognition Program
1.0
Approved by: Date: 8 January 2021
Michelle Woolfolk, Water Quality Manager
Approved by:
Date: January 8, 2021
Paul Wiebke, Assistant Director for Stormwater & GIS Services
City of Durham, WQ Unit, STAR Business Recognition Program SOP, v. 1.0 DRAFT Page
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Revision Record
Revision Date Updated by Description of change
1.0 Emily Rhode
Distribution
Current copies of this approved SOP should be provided to the following positions with the City of
Durham Stormwater and GIS Services, Water Quality Unit:
• Water Quality Manager
• Assistant Water Quality Manager
Table of Contents
Title: Standard Operating Procedures for Implementing the Stormwater STAR Business Recognition
Program..........................................................................................................................................................1
Approvals..................................................................................................................................................1
RevisionRecord........................................................................................................................................ 2
Distribution............................................................................................................................................... 2
Tableof Contents..........................................................................................................................................2
Procedures....................................................................................................................................................3
Purposeand scope...................................................................................................................................3
Methodsummary.....................................................................................................................................3
Healthand safety warnings......................................................................................................................3
Personal protective equipment............................................................................................................3
Personnel qualifications and responsibilities...........................................................................................4
Materialsand supplies..............................................................................................................................4
Methods................................................................................................................................................... 5
ProgramEligibility................................................................................................................................5
Pollution Prevention Assessment.........................................................................................................5
GoalSetting..........................................................................................................................................5
Training................................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.5
Continued Program Participation.........................................................................................................5
Recognition........................................................................................................................................... 6
ProgramAssessment............................................................................................................................6
References...................................................................................................................................................7
Appendix......................................................................................................................................................8
Figures
No table of figures entries found.
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Procedures
Purpose and scope
The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to describe the methods used by the City of
Durham's Stormwater and GIS Services, Water Quality Unit (WQU) for:
• identifying businesses for the Stormwater STAR Business Program;
• recruiting businesses for the Stormwater STAR Business Program;
• guiding businesses through participation in the Stormwater STAR Business Program; and
• certifying a business as a Stormwater STAR Business.
Local businesses are the foundation of a strong and vibrant Durham and are an essential partner in the
protection of our clean water.
When businesses make simple changes and educate employees about stormwater pollution prevention,
they can greatly reduce the amount of pollution that reaches our waterways. Protecting stormwater is
not only good for water quality, it is also good for business's bottom line, improving employee morale,
increasing efficiency and maintaining a positive public image.
Methods Summary
Durham businesses will be invited to sign up to participate in the STAR business recognition program.
Once they sign up, they will take an assessment of their current pollution prevention practices and be
evaluated by the Pollution Prevention Coordinator (PPC) who will then make recommendations for
improvement. Businesses will form a core team (Green Team) who will be responsible for implementing
the STAR business program at their business. Using the recommendations of the PPC, the Green Team
will set two pollution prevention goals to achieve within the next twelve months.
Business Safety Procedures
The Pollution Prevention Coordinator will travel to various types of businesses in order to do
assessments and trainings for the STAR program. While it is not anticipated that there will be exposure
to hazardous materials or situations, it is imperative that all employees receive instruction and follow
safety precautions to prevent injury. For that reason, the following health and safety procedures are
included.
All employees should receive a copy of the Department of Public Work's Safety Operating Procedures
(City of Durham 2017) and current Safety Policies (City of Durham Employee Policies S-201— S-208)
upon hire. Any injuries or incidents should be documented and recorded in accordance with City and
Department policies. First priority should be to provide appropriate care (First Aid or emergency
treatment) to the injured employee; the second priority is to notify the appropriate supervisor. All
employees are expected to review and comply with all City procedures and policies.
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The PPC should request and obtain site safety procedures if there are any. The PPC should follow all site
safety procedures while on -site at a business.
Personal protective equipment
Personal protective equipment is required for staff visiting businesses that require PPE for their
employees. They may be modified based on current weather conditions, project requirements, and site -
specific conditions.
• Appropriate footwear -chest waders, hip boots, knee boots, or steel toe work boots. The
primary purpose of protective footwear is to protect feet from abrasions and crushing injuries.
• Long pants provide protection to the lower legs from abrasions and reduce the potential for
bites from ticks, insects, and snakes.
• Long gloves/gauntlets may be helpful under certain situations, such as during cold weather
work to reduce cold -related stress.
• A hat, such as a baseball cap or wide -brimmed hat, helps to shade the head and face, which
helps reduce the potential of sunburn and heat -related illnesses.
• Sunblock/sunscreen reduces the risk for sunburn.
• Insect repellent is important for preventing vector -borne diseases and reactions (including
allergic reactions). Mosquitoes and ticks are very prevalent in Durham and can be active at any
time of the year, and therefore insect repellent containing DEET or another proven chemical
repellent should be worn during all field activities. Staff should check themselves for ticks at the
end of each field day and document any embedded ticks found.
• Poison ivy pre- or post -exposure treatment is necessary for staff that are prone to allergic
reactions to poison ivy or other plants. Affected employees should minimize exposure whenever
possible and take steps to remove irritating plant oils from their skin and clothes as soon as
possible after exposure to reduce the risk of allergic reactions. Soap -and -water is often effective
for removal, though may not feasible under field conditions. There are commercial products
(such as Tecnu) that are more easily used under field conditions. All staff should be mindful of
transferring oils from their clothing to vehicle seats, etc., which can be a potential source of
exposure for other staff.
• First aid kits should be carried by all field staff during all fieldwork.
• High visibility vests or other clothing must be worn when working alongside roads, bridges, and
in the right-of-way.
• Orange safety cones should be used behind vehicles that are parked on the road or in the right-
of-way and the flashing warning lights on the City vehicle should be on to alert other traffic.
• Rain gear (jacket and pants) should be worn to keep staff dry and reduce risks of cold -related
illness.
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Personnel qualifications and responsibilities
Staff working with businesses should be familiar with the City stormwater ordinance and best practices
for stormwater pollution prevention as it applies to different types of businesses within the City. Staff
should familiarize themselves with each specific business before reaching out to the business to offer
guidance.
Supplies
Staff should refer to the Pollution Prevention outreach materials library within the Pollution Prevention
folder when choosing appropriate guidance for businesses. All outreach letters and assessment forms
are maintained and stored within the Pollution Prevention folder.
Methods
Program Eligibility
The program is open to any business in the City of Durham that is willing to take steps to protect our
local waterways. Businesses are invited to participate in the program via email or a letter. Businesses
may also sign up using an online form on the Stormwater web page.
Pollution Prevention Assessment
Once a business indicates that they would like to participate, the business either receives the
stormwater pollution prevention assessment form to complete or the Pollution Prevention Coordinator
may conduct an assessment using the assessment form (see Appendix 1). Guidance for completion is
available as needed. If a business indicates that they would like to receive more information before
agreeing to participation, they are contacted by the Pollution Prevention Coordinator.
The Pollution Prevention Coordinator will then analyze the results of the assessment and generate
individualized recommendations for the business to improve stormwater pollution prevention practices
Goal Setting
During this time, the business will also be responsible for assembling a Green Team, which will consist of
a group of employee champions that are responsible for the implementation of the STAR program
within their business.
Once the Green Team has been assembled, the team will meet with the Pollution Prevention
Coordinator to review the recommendations set forth by the Pollution Prevention Coordinator and
decide upon two goals that the business will work toward over the period of six months. These goals can
be based upon the given recommendations or can be original goals created by the Green Team.
If the PPC identifies any minimum requirements, e.g. ordinances, that are not currently being met, the
PPC will work with the business to quickly correct these issues.
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Once two goals have been set, the PPC will schedule a six-month follow up progress report due date to
assess the progress of the goals. At the six-month mark, the business will submit a progress report with
written and/or photo documentation of the steps that have been taken to reach the goal. This may
include a paragraph or two describing the steps that have been taken toward improvement and/or
photos or videos showing improvements.
At the six-month mark, the PPC will visit the business for a follow up meeting to assess progress toward
the goal and evaluate eligibility for designation as a Stormwater STAR Certified Business.
Figure 1 STAR Certification Timeline
Training
By the end of the first year, the business is required to provide documentation that stormwater
pollution prevention training has been conducted with Green Team employees. Documentation should
include the date of the training, what was presented, and names and signatures of employees who were
in attendance. A training video can be provided by the PPC or the business can request personalized
training conducted by the PPC
Continued Program Participation
At the one-year mark, businesses will be asked if they would like to continue participation in the
program. If they choose to continue to participate, the certification process will start over, but will
continue on a yearly cycle instead of a six-month cycle. Businesses will be asked to submit
documentation of continuing adherence to pollution prevention goals and will be encouraged to identify
new goals in addition to the original two.
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Recognition
Upon completion of the criteria for eligibility, the business will move to the next level of designation and
be recognized on the Stormwater & GIS Services website, Facebook page and newsletter as a Rising
STAR business. This indicates that the business is actively participating in the program but has not yet
achieved certification.
Businesses will be provided with a framed certificate of participation, a window decal that advertises
their participation in the program, and other branded materials such as pens. Participating businesses
will also have access to the PPC for trouble shooting, training materials and tips, and general information
regarding stormwater pollution prevention.
Program Assessment
Internally, the program itself will be evaluated for effectiveness on an ongoing basis and quarterly basis.
Criteria for effectiveness will include:
• the number of businesses that choose to participate initially
• the number of business that show measurable progress in reaching their goals
• the number of businesses that reach their goals
• the number of businesses that re -apply to the program after one year of participation
• the number of new businesses that apply to the program after the first year of implementation
References
City of Durham. 2017. Safety Operating Procedures. Department of Public Works. Durham, North
Carolina
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Appendix 1. Stormwater STAR Business Recognition Program Initial
Assessment
Please answer the following questions to the best of your knowledge. If you are unsure of how to
answer, check "Don't Know" or contact the Pollution Prevention Coordinator at [phone] 00295.
These questions are meant to get an overall picture of what improvements can be made at your
business. Our goal is to help you make positive changes in your practices wherever possible.
When you have completed the assessment, please save it and email it to
[e-mail] or mail it to:
Pollution Prevention Coordinator
Stormwater & GIS Services
101 City Hall Plaza
Durham, NC 27701
You will hear back from us shortly upon returning your assessment!
Your Name: Name of Business:
Type of Business:
Email Address:
Phone Number:
1. Does the stormwater from your business discharge directly to a pipe, ditch or stream?
2. Are key employees trained and educated on spill prevention and spill clean-up?
3. Are procedures for proper cleaning and wastewater disposal methods posted for employees to
see?
4. Are all catch basins and storm drains inspected annually to see if they have flows during dry
weather or have accumulated sediment and debris? If maintenance was required, please
describe if and how the maintenance was performed.

S. Does your business have any interior floor drains? If so, have you checked that they do not drain
to the stormwater system?
6. For material and equipment with the potential to pollute (e.g. chemicals containers, soil/mulch)
that are stored outside, are they covered to protect them from stormwater and stored over
secondary containment?
7. When floors are cleaned, mopped, or pressure washed at your business, does all mop and wash
water, carpet cleaning water, and waste water generated from cleaning floors go to the sanitary
sewer (usually via a mop sink)?
8. Is all waste water from powerwashing activities captured and disposed of according to City
ordinance?
9. Are trash and recycling dumpsters, as well as oil and grease collection containers strategically
placed away from storm drains? (Some facilities have drains that direct contaminated water
from these areas to the sanitary sewer)
10. Are grease traps inspected as often as they are being cleaned/serviced?
11. Are oil and grease collection containers checked daily for spills?
12. Are trash and recycling dumpsters checked annually for leaks?
13. Are trash and recycling dumpsters as well as oil and grease collection container lids kept closed
at all times?
14. Are procedures for proper grease disposal posted in your business for your employees to see?

15. Are storm drains on your property stenciled or stamped with a water protection message (for
example: "No dumping- drains to stream" or "Only rain down the drain")?
16. Has your business taken steps to ensure that lawns are fertilized with phosphorous -free
fertilizer and that landscaped areas are fertilized only if needed?
17. Are your landscapers instructed not to blow or sweep fertilizers, pesticides, grass clippings,
leaves, soil and mulch onto parking areas or streets (where they will eventually enter the storm
drain and contaminate water)?
18. Have you taken any steps to decrease the amount of impervious surface on your site by
replacing impervious paved areas with lawn, landscaping, or other pervious surfaces?
19. If you wash company vehicles or equipment on site, is the wash water being contained,
collected and disposed of according to City ordinance?
20. If and when your business vehicle maintenance happens on site, is it done under a covered area
and is the storm drain blocked off/otherwise protected in case of spills?
Signature:
Date:
Additional Comments/Questions: