Method for cleaning up powder or other contaminants

Abstract

In one example, a method for substantially removing a contaminant from a contamination area includes converting a portion of a storm drain system into a temporary reservoir capable of holding a liquid by installing one or more plugs in the storm drain system, and using water to wash a substantial portion of the contaminant from the contamination area into the temporary reservoir. Next, the water and contaminant are transferred out of the temporary reservoir. The plugs are removed from the storm drain system after the temporary reservoir has been substantially emptied of water and contaminant.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for substantially removing a contaminant from a contamination area, comprising:
 converting a portion of a storm drain system into a temporary reservoir capable of holding a liquid by installing one or more plugs in the storm drain system;   using water to wash a substantial portion of the contaminant from the contamination area into the temporary reservoir;   transferring the water and contaminant out of the temporary reservoir; and   removing the one or more plugs from the storm drain system after the temporary reservoir has been substantially emptied of water and contaminant.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contaminant comprises a powder. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contaminant comprises dyed corn starch. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein transferring the water and contaminant out of the temporary reservoir comprises pumping the water and contaminant out of the temporary reservoir. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the temporary reservoir comprises the portion or portions of the storm drain system located between the one or more plugs and the contamination area. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein transferring the water and contaminant out of the temporary reservoir comprises transferring the water and contaminant to a disposal system. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contaminant comprises a natural, non-toxic material. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contaminant comprises a hazardous waste material. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contamination area comprises multiple portions of one or more streets and/or roads. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein converting a portion of a storm drain system into a temporary reservoir is performed prior to contamination of the contamination area. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein converting a portion of a storm drain system into a temporary reservoir is performed subsequent to contamination of the contamination area. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one of the one or more plugs comprises a flexible expandable waterproof object. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible expandable waterproof object is inflatable. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying a discoloring agent to the contaminant, wherein the discoloring agent is applied:
 to the contaminant prior to washing of the contaminant into the temporary reservoir; and/or   to any contaminant remaining in the contamination area after the washing.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the discoloring agent is a sodium-hypochlorite-based solution. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising cleaning the contamination area. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising washing the contamination area. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising rinsing the contamination area. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sweeping the contamination area. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising treating the contamination area with a sodium hypochlorite-based solution. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising pre-treating the contamination area with a brine solution. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising tethering one of the plugs.