Hospital Stormwater Management Best Practices

Stormwater runoff and water pollution are not unique challenges to hospitals. However, there are reasons why implementing stormwater management best practices for hospitals is more complex than for other operations. Here is what you need to know.

Spatial Considerations That Are Frequently at Odds With Managing Runoff

Hospitals are often located in densely populated urban areas with limited land for green infrastructure, such as retention ponds or bioswales. Even if space is available, a hospital administration must weigh its use for stormwater management against other priorities, such as parking lots, emergency access roads, and expansion needs.

Next, there is the actual hospital design that can complicate stormwater management. Large roofs, extensive paved areas, and multiple parking lots generate high runoff volumes. Flooding is common, and erosion is not far behind. On the other hand, hospitals must comply with local, state, and federal environmental regulations (e.g., the EPA’s NPDES permits), which may necessitate expensive upgrades. Make a mistake here, and your facility may be subject to extensive fines and costly repairs. Proactive maintenance is always a better option.

Unique Pollutants

Just as industrial properties have unique contamination problems, hospital runoff may contain pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, cleaning agents, pathogens, or radioactive materials. For this reason, these facilities frequently treat water that may be contaminated before discharge. Examples include chemical or ultraviolet treatment systems designed to kill pathogens before this water joins with runoff. Another consideration is standing water, which is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Around a hospital, an elevated mosquito population is dangerous and may become a public health hazard.

Implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Many hospitals are maximizing their spatial opportunities to manage stormwater. There are frequently underground detention systems that capture and slowly release runoff. In addition to structural BMPs, there are protocols to prevent pollution from daily operations. These protocols typically also cover preventing hazardous material spills from reaching storm drains.

Just as defining and elaborating on BMPs is vital, there must be space to adjust them to changing conditions. As climate change may affect local weather conditions, the size of your detention pond may no longer be sufficient. Similarly, you may need to adjust as the hospital expands and includes new specialties. For example, when a facility expands from inpatient surgery to also offer outpatient surgery, patient numbers and treatments will increase significantly. Without adjusting BMPs ahead of these changes, existing protocols quickly become inadequate.

Sometimes, BMP adjustments are necessary when surrounding companies or services change their setups. Examples include changes in landscaping, street sweeping, and delivery practices by the respective companies.

The Human Element of BMPs

Employee training and patient or visitor education are part and parcel of the best practices for stormwater management in hospitals. Staff members learn how to reduce pollution from daily activities. It also encourages responsible behaviors of workers, patients, and visitors. A good example is the proper disposal of chemicals and medications. There should also be a system for employees to notice water backups, clogged drains, and standing water and report them for immediate action.

Other examples of the human element are also best practices related to standard housekeeping. For example, HVAC professionals must be aware of any leaks their systems are experiencing. Similarly, facilities teams are at the forefront of eliminating trash and debris from entering storm drains in the first place. Mechanics in charge of machinery and vehicles must prevent oil and coolant spills that could combine with runoff during heavy rainfalls.

Maintaining Structural BMPs is a Team Effort

Routine maintenance of stormwater systems is crucial for proper and effective stormwater management.. A breakdown at any juncture can adversely affect stormwater systems, control measures, and subsequent water quality.

Also, remember that stormwater not dealt with creates dangers for foot traffic around the facility. Pedestrians may slip and fall due to standing water, entryways can become flooded, and emergency exits may not be suitable or provide immediate egress as needed. Also, contact with stagnant water directly conflicts with maintaining a sterile environment.

This is why almost any hospital stormwater management guide includes regularly scheduled maintenance, such as:

• Annual or biannual professional inspections of the entire stormwater management system.
• Catch basin and wet vault cleaning.
• Bioswale remediation.
• Oil-water separator cleaning, as well as asphalt and grout repair.
• Pipe jetting to remove any blockages that prevent stormwater from entering the system in the first place.

Dangers of Putting off Regular Maintenance Appointments

Best management practices dictate that regular maintenance is key to keeping stormwater systems functional and practical. However, administrators can lose sight of the needed maintenance that drainage systems require one or more system components malfunction, necessitating immediate inspections and repairs. In the meantime, there is the danger of polluted runoff entering lakes, streams, and groundwater. By extension, contaminated runoff endangers employees, patients, and visitors who come into contact with it in parking lots, walkways, and neighboring areas.

CatchAll Environmental is Your Trusted Partner for Your Hospital’s Stormwater BMPs

Do you have questions about your structural BMPs? Are you still defining your stormwater management best practices for hospitals, clinics, and surgery centers? Do you suspect your stormwater management components are not working sufficiently well to remove pollution?

Invite our technicians to visit your facility and do an in-depth inspection. We work with you to reduce runoff, maintain pipes, and undertake routine or much-needed catch basin cleaning. Our team helps you navigate compliance and ensure that your stormwater management system is effective.

Call us today to schedule an inspection!