There are no uniform protocols for managing waste wash water from bridges, nor are standard protocols available to the bridge painting industry for monitoring wash water quality. Some states have requirements that are very specific. For example, Ohio prohibits the discharge of any industrial waste water. Other states provide directions for washing bridges to remove surface contaminants but do not address performance with respect to water quality. When limited direction is provided by the state or regulating agency typically a “Best Management Practice” (BMP) is desired. This implies some latitude regarding water management; however, guidance criteria are generally lacking. A BMP should be practical and pragmatic. A determination of what a proper management strategy should be first requires some knowledge of the likely contaminants in the waste wash water. Then it is necessary to have practical water quality criteria to determine management alternatives.
