From September 16-20, 2024, communities, individuals, and businesses around the country joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to take action to reduce, eliminate or prevent pollution to our air, water, and land. This year’s theme was “Together we are one planet.” Whether you have been in business for decades or have just opened a shop, pollution prevention should be part of your daily business practices that involves everyone working together and being aware of your emergency plans. P2 Week is a great time to review those practices and make sure you are up to date with federal, state, and local regulations.
If your business is located within a Wellfield Protection Area, in Marion County, Indiana your business operations may be impacted by zoning codes (Section 742-204) and Marion County health ordinances. These local regulations help prevent pollution at the source and keep chemicals out of our drinking water.
Learn more about Marion County regulations and what is covered
If your businesses is covered, here are some things you could review each year during P2 week to help prevent groundwater pollution:
- Have you increased the size of liquids you store on site?
- Is your emergency response/spill prevention plan up to date?
- Is your spill kit stocked?
- Have you started using any new chemicals?
- Are is there any damage to your floors that could allow liquids to seep out?
- Are the labels on chemical containers still visible?
While the laws may feel overwhelming, there are many resources available to help you become compliant with Marion County wellfield regulations as well as other state and federal environmental protection laws.
For free, confidential help with Marion County wellfield regulations, contact us to get started on your assessment and learn how you may be eligible for free secondary containment to protect our drinking water.
For free confidential help with all environmental codes at any level, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management runs the Compliance and Technical Assistance program (https://www.in.gov/idem/ctap/). Staff with experience in all environmental regulatory program areas are ready to provide confidential technical compliance assistance on a wide array of environmental topics for any size business.
Staying current with water protection laws is not only good for the environment, but it’s also good business. Preventing pollution is cheaper than cleaning it up! As we go ahead together this year, let’s work together and make sure our business practices are up to date so everyone has access to clean, safe drinking water.
