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Table of Contents
Concrete Washout
After concrete has been placed at a construction site, the chutes of ready mixed concrete trucks and hoppers must be washed out to remove the remaining concrete before it hardens. This washout water can be extremely damaging to aquatic life if allowed to reach surface waters. Not only does it contain various toxic metals, it's also extremely caustic (pH ~12) and corrosive. The best best management practice objective is to collect and retain all washout water in leak proof containers and allow to evaporate, leaving only the hardened solids to be recycled. There are many different types of washout containers that can either be attached to individual trucks or located on the construction site for communal use. If a communal container is chosen, it must be sized and maintained to have adequate capacity at all times and should be placed in locations that provide convenient access to concrete trucks.
Washout Container Types
Chute Washout Box
Framed inlet protection has a rigid frame and attached fabric bag that sits completely below the inlet grate. Products are available for most standard sized curb and field inlets. This style is an improvement on Type-D inlet protection, with easier installation, more effective sediment trapping and less maintenance required.
