The Environmental Control Section (ECS) receives business license change requests from the Revenue Division. ECS will sort through the requests to determine if a business needs an inspection. Some inspections for a business license require only a phone call, while others may require an on-site inspection. Any business that may have waste or fresh products on-site (such as oil, antifreeze, solvents, photo processing/x-ray chemicals, acids, alkalis, etc.), or may wish to discharge process waste to the sanitary sewer system will require an on-site inspection by an ECS Officer.

    After the initial inspection, an Environmental Control Permit may be required. The ECS Officer will issue the permit containing discharge requirements and stormwater regulations for the City of Sparks.

    If you have any questions concerning the above information, call the ECS office at 861-4152 to speak with an ECS Officer.

 

The ECS reviews plans for industrial and business construction in the City of Sparks and some Washoe County locations. Sanitary sewer, storm drains, pretreatment devices, chemical storage and containment are some of the issues ECS are interested in. Here are a few tips to speed up the plan check process:

 

1. All pretreatment devices are approved through ECS. Sand/oil separators, grease interceptors, floor drains, and trench drains are all pretreatment issues. Proper sizing of these units are one of the biggest problems ECS faces when checking plans. The City of Sparks Municipal Code Title 13 requires the minimum size sand/oil separator be 1,000 gallons. Sizing of a grease interceptor is calculated using the Uniform Plumbing Code Appendix H with the Sparks minimum size requirement of 750 gallons. Plans that are submitted without proper sizing calculations will be held or returned for revision. Floor drains may be required to discharge into a sand/oil separator or grease interceptor instead of a direct sanitary sewer connection. Dumpster/grease rendering pads are also approved through ECS. All grease rendering pads are required to discharge through a pretreatment device (grease interceptor). ECS now requires a trench drain across the front of the pads instead of the center drain previously allowed. This allows for better cleaning without washing debris into the storm sewer system.

 

2. Secondary containment for some fresh and waste products may be required by ECS. Incompatible materials stored near floor drains may require secondary containment. Secondary containment must be able to hold 110% of the largest vessel stored inside the containment. Drains are not allowed in any containment area. Outside containment areas may be required to have a cover installed to prevent storm water run-off.

 

3. Wash/steam pads for equipment are also required to discharge into a pretreatment device (sand/oil separator). The pads shall be large enough to prevent overspray onto the surrounding area.

 

4. Monitoring sites may be required for some businesses. These sites allow ECS Officers to periodically sample industrial users to insure that wastewater discharges meet SMC Title 13 discharge limitations.

 

5. Plan review and ECS Officers attend plan review sessions at City Works. At this time, work sheets for the various items listed above can be obtained from the ECS Officer.

 

For additional information, or copies of the work sheets mentioned above, please call the Environmental Control Section @ 861-4152 or visit the website at www.tmwrf.com

 

 

PERMIT SERVICES - 431 PRATER WAY - SPARKS, NV 89431 - P: (775) 353-2306