Eastern Washington
Stormwater Effectiveness Studies
Final Report
Mobile Contractor Illicit Discharge Education & Outreach
Effectiveness Study
Study Classification:
â–¡Structural BMP
ï‚£ Operational BMP
 Education & Outreach
Study Objective:
 Evaluate Effectiveness
ï‚£ Compare Effectiveness
Prepared By:
Jessica Shaw, Environmental Manager
Public Works Department
1350 McKittrick Street, Suite A
Wenatchee, WA 98801
509-888-3225
January 30, 2020
Final Report Public Information
The final report will be available on the regional Wenatchee Valley Stormwater Technical Advisory
Committee webpage hosted by the City of Wenatchee, www.wenatcheewa.gov/wvstac.
Final Report Author and Contact Information
Jessica Shaw, Environmental Manager
City of Wenatchee, Public Works Department
1350 McKittrick Street, Suite A
Wenatchee, WA 98801
509-888-3225
[email protected]
1.0
Background
Under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits for municipal stormwater
discharges, stormwater pollution prevention education and outreach programs are important
elements to educate businesses on best management practices and illicit. Mobile contractors
face many challenges in collecting, transporting, and disposing of wastewater compared to
other types of businesses. In 2016, a survey of eastern Washington Phase II communities found
that illicit discharge complaints were primarily generated from four types of mobile businesses:
painting contractors, carpet cleaners, concrete contractors, and food vendors. Given the variety
of mobile business and subsequently the different types of waste and wastewater management
needs, designing a program to meet the specific issues and types of wastewater generated is
challenging.
In 2010, the Dump Smart program, a stormwater education and outreach program designed for
mobile contractors, was implemented in the urban area of six eastern Washington
communities, including four jurisdictions in the Wenatchee Valley. The goal of this study was to
assess the effectiveness of the Dump Smart education and outreach program in eastern
Washington specifically for carpet cleaning contractors. Carpet cleaning businesses in
jurisdictions that participated in the Dump Smart education and outreach program were
surveyed as well as businesses in areas that did not participate in the Dump Smart program. A
separate survey of mobile contractor education and outreach and illicit discharges was also
conducted with the test and control jurisdictions.
The effectiveness of the program was evaluated based on the number of businesses who were
disposing of wastewater in accordance with the “Dump Smart Tips for Properly Handling Waste
Water when Carpet Cleaning” and how many businesses were carrying spill kits. Responses
from the test population were compared to the control population to determine if there was
any significant difference in the wastewater disposal practices and spill preparedness between
the two groups.
2.0 Study Method
Action Research was hired to conduct the surveys and provide the statistical analysis of the
results. All of the survey data was collected by the consultant. The standard operating
procedures, pre-notification mailings, and surveys used in this study can be found in Appendix
2.1 Pilot Surveys
Between February 13, 2019 and April 18, 2019, the pilot study was conducted in Pullman,
Washington to validate the surveys. The City of Wenatchee provided the contact information
for the local jurisdiction and the list of carpet cleaning contractors in Pullman, WA to Action
Research. The list was created by searching for carpet cleaning contractors on the internet.
The jurisdiction survey was conducted by Action Research through an email with a link to the
survey. To avoid being mistaken as a fraudulent email, the City of Wenatchee provided a pre-
notification email to the City of Pullman advising that the consultant would be sending the
jurisdiction survey via email. This was the only modification to the jurisdiction survey standard
operating procedure documented in the Mobile Contractor Illicit Discharge Education and
Outreach Effectiveness Study Quality Assurance Project Plan, Approved 10/30/2018 (QAPP).
Upon review of the pilot jurisdiction survey data, no additional changes were made to the
standard operating procedure nor the jurisdiction survey.
Action Research collected business survey data by phone in accordance with the standard
operating procedure provided in the QAPP. Following completion of the pilot business survey,
no changes were made to the survey. For the business survey standard operating procedure,
however, a pre-notification mailing was added. During the pilot study, one of the business
owners requested an email from the City of Wenatchee verifying the study before they would
disclose information.
2.2 Test and Control Area Surveys
Action Research used the same procedure and survey as in the pilot study to complete the
jurisdiction surveys between March 12, 2019 and April 16, 2019. The jurisdiction contact list
was again provided by the City of Wenatchee. The City sent out a pre-notification email on
March 12, 2019 and Action Research followed up with another email on March 14, 2019 that
included a link to the survey. The jurisdictions that received the survey included City of
Wenatchee, City of East Wenatchee, Chelan County, and Douglas County in the test area and
City of Kennewick, City of Richland, and City of West Richland in the control area. All of the
jurisdictions completed the survey.
For the business surveys, the City of Wenatchee prepared a list of mobile contractors in the test
area and the control area through an internet search. In the test area, which included
Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Chelan County, and Douglas County, 35 mobile carpet cleaning
businesses were identified. In the control area, which included Kennewick, Richland, and West
Richland, 48 businesses were found. Next, the City of Wenatchee and Action Research prepared
a pre-notification postcard that was mailed on June 12, 2019 to all of the businesses. Action
Research conducted the phone surveys between June 21, 2019 and July 24, 2019. During the
phone surveys, Action Research notified the City of Wenatchee that 17 of the business phone
numbers were either disconnected or incorrect. City staff reviewed the original list and verified
phone numbers. If alternate or corrected numbers were found, Action Research attempted to
contact the business again. Survey responses from nine businesses in the test area and seven
businesses in the control area were collected.
3.0 Results
Action Research summarized the results of the jurisdiction and business surveys in a report. The
final data package including the report and data collected during the surveys was received from
the consultant on August 26, 2019. The Action Research report and survey data can be found in
Appendix B.
3.1
Jurisdiction Results
All seven of the jurisdictions completed the survey. The results from the survey can be found in
the following two tables.
3.1.1 Jurisdiction Survey Responses
Jurisdiction:
In general, what education and outreach programs have
your jurisdiction implemented for illicit discharge
prevention?
For Mobile Businesses, what education and outreach
programs have your jurisdiction implemented for illicit
discharge prevention?
Have any education
and outreach efforts
targeted carpet
cleaning businesses
specifically?
Are illicit discharge
records from your
jurisdiction available
from 2007-2017?
Are illicit discharge
records from your
jurisdiction available
from 2011-2017?
City of East Wenatchee
IDDE training for staff, outreach materials for public via radio
advertisements, etc.
When an illicit discharge is found, the responsible party is
issued a handout that outlines proper wastewater disposal
procedures.
Yes
City of Richland
We contract with Franklin Conservation District to conduct
education and outreach at various community events and to
implement the Drain Rangers program in area schools. At each
of these events and lessons there is a portion of information
dedicated to IDDE.
None specifically target mobile businesses. However, our pre‐
treatment team at the wastewater treatment plant also
hands out brochures to businesses that addresses
stormwater and illicit discharge issues.
City of Wenatchee
For residential customers, the E&O programs included BMPs for
car washing, pet waste, lawn maintenance, snow & ice
management, and pool discharges. For commerical business,
the E&O program has included mobile contractor waste
disposal, erosion & sediment control, construction BMPs, pool
discharges, automotive operations, portable toilets, and car
washing. General IDDE information was provided to all
customers.
The City has implemented the Dump Smart program since
2011.
Yes
City of West Richland
As of right now, we have a booth at the fair, Home and Garden
Show. We also have information on our website and the
WRMC.
As of right now, we have a booth at the fair, Home and
Garden Show. We also have information on our website and
the WRMC.
City of Kennewick
Annual training for City employees, website spill reporting hot
line, flyers, booths at fair grounds, home and garden show,
Drain Rangers program in schools, discussions at developer
meetings.
Direct phone calls to carpet cleaners.
Yes
Chelan County
Mailings, advertisements, booth at Home Shows, direct contact,
website information, handouts at businesses
Same as above.
Douglas County
Flyers and newspaper information provided to the public.
Training for County staff on identifying and responding to illicit
discharges.
Commercial business BMP fliers (cooperatively with the
WVSTAC ‐Wenatchee Valley Stormwater Technical Advisory
Committee)
Yes
City of Pullman
Our IDDE outreach programs include: Stormwater best
management practices media distributed via website, news
media, radio PSAs and personal interaction with customers. 681
students reached in 2018 via elementary education
programming. Adopt‐a‐Stream program with 16 stream
segments. Annual Pullman Stream Cleanup, in 2018 – 252
community members in attendance. Stainless steel storm drain
medallions installed in key basins.
None specifically
Yes
3.1.2 Illicit Discharge Incidents Attributed to Mobile Carpet Cleaning Businesses
3.2
Business Results
Business Survey Attempt Results
Test
(35 Businesses Called)
Control
(48 Businesses Called)
Completed survey
Uses low moisture method, no water
Human contact, not completed
Voicemail only, eligible
Voicemail only, unknown eligibility
Central switchboard
Refusal
Cleaning company but not carpets
Sells carpet
No longer in business
Wrong number
Bad/disconnected number
Duplicate records
How long has your business been in area?
Test
Control
Less than 1 year
From 1 to 5 years
From 6 to 10 years
Over 10 years
Unknown
How many people work for your business (locally)?
Test
Control
From 1 to 5 people
From 6 to 10 people
From 11 to 19 people
20 or more people
Jurisdiction
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
City of East Wenatchee
City of Richland
City of Wenatchee
City of West Richland
City of Kennewick
Chelan County
Douglas County
Totals
What is the farthest you typically travel for a job?
Test
Control
From 1 to 10 miles
From 11 to 30 miles
From 31 to 50 miles
Over 50 miles
How many carpet cleaning vehicles do you have at your business?
Test
Control
1 vehicle
2 or 3 vehicles
4 or 5 vehicles
More than 5 vehicles
Do all of the vehicles have a spill kit in them?
Test
Control
Yes
Not sure
Note: All vehicles had collection tanks for the wastewater generated.
Do you dispose of the wastewater on the job site, off the job site, or both?
Test
Control
On-site
Off-site
Both
On-site Disposal locations
Each location in the following tables was mentioned by a different business.
Test
Disposes of in storm grates near client’s location
Depends on the site
If appropriate, grass area or house drain
Rarely at client’s location, only if they have appropriate means of
disposal
With permission, at client’s location if they have a gravel or dirt area
When far from home base, client’s location sewer system or RV dump
Control
Rarely, only if site has proper disposal means
If allowed, into client’s sewer system
Off-site disposal locations
Each location in the following tables was mentioned by a different business.
Test
A friend has a large property outside the city – disposes into a
landscaped canyon area
Drain at business location
House drain
With permission, at local carwash
Normal sewer drop, filtered to remove fuzz
Shop drain
Control
Filtered sewage connection at facility
At business dump station
RV park
Filtered drain at shop
Local dump site
RV drain at business
Has a large gravel pit – fibers are filtered out with screens
Have you heard of the Dump Smart program?
One business in the test group had heard of the Dump Smart program.
What is the best method to send information to you?
Test
Control
Mail
Email
Newsletter
Other: Flyer
Other: Telephone call
4.0 Discussion and Recommendations
The data was collected in accordance with the quality control procedures set forth in the QAPP
and was determined to be acceptable. The audit and data verification reports can be found in
Appendix C.
4.1 Discussion of Results
Of the 83 test and control businesses, only 16 businesses completed the survey. With the
limited number of results, the standard analysis for statistical differences could not be
performed. A key factor in the low results was the difficulty in contacting the mobile carpet
cleaners. Of the original list of 83 businesses, there were 20 wrong or bad/disconnected phone
numbers. Six of the businesses did not clean carpets and two were out of business. While
double-checking the list of phone numbers, it was found that different websites had different
numbers for the same business. Pictures of carpet cleaning vans also displayed different phone
numbers than what was advertised on their websites.
Despite the low number of results, the business survey did yield information about carpet
cleaning businesses in the test and control areas and the effectiveness of the Dump Smart
program. Most of the business (13 out of 16) responded that they had a spill kit in all of their
vehicles. The data collected on wastewater disposal practices was not as straightforward. For
the on-site disposal locations in the test area, two businesses responded that they discharged
the wastewater on the ground and one business responded that they discharged to the “storm
grate.” The Dump Smart Program education material guided carpet cleaners to discharge
wastewater to sewer or a septic system and states “Never dump waste water on the street, or
down storm drains, ditches, or other drainage pathways.” In the control area, one business
stated that they were discharging to sewer, and it was unclear where the other business was
disposing of the wastewater. With regards to the off-site disposal locations, the businesses in
both the test and control area…