Section 256.70  Containment Area Management and Operations

a)         Precipitation accumulation shall never exceed a level that would impair the holding capacity of the containment area.  Such precipitation accumulation shall be removed from the containment area after each storm and shall be field applied at agronomic rates, used in a liquid mixing operation, or otherwise recycled or disposed of in accordance with this Part.  Precipitation accumulation from containment areas shall not be discharged from the containment area as surface runoff during the application season, except when the containment structure has been cleaned and rinsed of pesticides in compliance with subsection (b), and the discharge shall not cause either water quality violations pursuant to 35 Ill. Adm. Code, Subtitle C or a pesticide release pursuant to the Environmental Protection Act [415 ILCS 5]. Any pesticide laden residues, rinsates, and pesticide contaminated wash water that are to be land applied shall be handled in accordance with the products' labels.  Field application of diluted pesticide solutions is an acceptable use if the total annual application amounts of the pesticide do not exceed the pesticide label application rates.  Spills, rinsates and pesticide contaminated wash water may be used to make up the total spray mixture if the mixture does not exceed the pesticide label application rates. Pesticide, pesticide residues, rinsates, and pesticide contaminated wash water shall not be disposed of through storm sewers, sanitary sewer systems, public or private sewage treatment facilities or wells, waters of the State, nor to land, except as provided in this Section.

b)         Pesticide spills into containment areas shall be recovered promptly and the structure washed to remove pesticide contamination.  Proper cleaning shall include removal, washing and rinsing of material from the area, mud pits, sump pits and all interconnected pipes of structures.  These containment areas shall be washed with a biodegradable cleanser, triple rinsed with a high pressure hose and all standing water removed and disposed of as provided in subsection (a).

c)         Field washing of exterior surfaces of pesticide application equipment is acceptable at the site of the pesticide application provided no runoff from the site occurs.

d)         Spray application vehicles and equipment that are not cleaned shall be parked in the containment area or otherwise protected from precipitation so as to prevent the release of pesticide residues to the environment.

(Source:  Amended at 26 Ill. Reg. 8808, effective June 7, 2002)