What’s THAT in my street gutter?? Property owners and tenants often need the help of service providers such as: Mobile Cleaning Services Contractors Landscapers Any pollutants that flow off of a property and down the street gutter are the responsibility of the property owner to clean up, even if it is caused by a contracted company or tenant. Mobile Cleaning Services Whether it be power washers, carpet cleaners, or mobile pet washers, your service must be able to capture wash water and dispose of it properly. Dirty water should never be allowed to drain off of driveways or flow down the street gutter, especially if it contains cleaning chemicals. Ask your mobile cleaning service if they capture their wash water and take it with them. Contractors Concrete work, painting, fence repair, or any work inside or outside your home produce waste. Contractors may want to wash out buckets, tools, brushes, or other utensils into the street gutter using a hose. These discharges are contaminated with a number of toxic chemicals that can pollute waterways and cause environmental damage. Ask your contractor how they contain waste and where tools will be cleaned. Landscapers Landscape materials such as dirt, compost, mulch, sod, sand, rock, and pavers often are stored in the street where they can erode in a storm event. When landscapers use the street, they should add controls downslope of material piles to keep them onsite. Never allow them to hose down a muddy driveway or sidewalk without sweeping first. Remember: Street gutters flow to waterways, so “Keep it clean Arvada!” Cleanup of pollutants might involve removing materials from the street gutter, or even contracting with a large vacuum truck to remove contaminants from storm pipes. Cleanup can be even more costly if the pollutants reach a waterway!