Each state in Australia has its own independent Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), but they all have a common objective. Each one aims to be an effective environmental regulator and an influential authority on environmental impacts. Their mission is to protect, restore and enhance their respective environments.
And so when it comes to making sure that pollutants from sites such as building and construction sites don’t find their way onto public roads or waterways, each EPA has strict regulations about washing sediment and other contaminants off the wheels and under bodies of trucks and other vehicles before they leave the site.
Truck wheel wash systems have been proven to be very effective in combating track-out of contaminants such as soil, mud, stones, clay, fertiliser, seeds, weeds and sludge onto public roads and into restricted areas. These systems use a number of methods to dislodge any build-up, including: high pressure water sprays; a wheel wash ‘bath’ whereby the movement of the truck through the water removes loose organic material; and shaker grids or rumble strips which help remove foreign matter from the tyres and under body before the vehicle enters the wheel wash.
Preventing contamination of public roads is an important consideration for organisations in a wide variety of industries including mining, construction, waste removal and landfill, power plants, quarrying, ready-mix cement, chemical and agricultural – and the legal requirements are to be taken seriously.
Avoiding track-out from outgoing vehicles is a key element of meeting those legal obligations, but it’s also imperative that the wheel wash system that you have in place or that you install is also EPA-compliant. Should you be considering installing a wheel wash system, be it a portable wheel wash system or a permanent fixture, or whether you already have an existing system in place, it’s important to make sure that all elements are legally compliant and comply with any onsite Occupational Health and Safety requirements. This could include anything from the waste water (which must not be discharged into the stormwater system at any time) to water recycling obligations – and you should always discuss your options with a qualified, experienced supplier, such as AccuWeigh.
We can advise on which system is best suited to your particular application, plus we are able to make any existing truck wash-bay EPA-compliant.
Each of the eight AccuWeigh branches around Australia has the experience and expertise to ensure that your organisation meets the EPA requirements for wheel washing.
For more information, read our Wheel Wash Systems FAQs here, or contact your closest branch to discuss your requirements.