Collection: Containment-Pro® Products

Concrete washout refers to the water and slurry generated when cleaning concrete trucks, tools, mixers, and equipment after a pour. This waste contains highly alkaline compounds, heavy metals, and fine particulates that are toxic to soil, groundwater, and stormwater systems. Under the EPA's Clean Water Act and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), discharging concrete washout — or any construction-related wastewater — directly onto the ground or into storm drains is illegal. Proper containment is not optional; it is a federally required Best Management Practice (BMP) on virtually every regulated construction site.

Concrete washout containment is governed primarily by the EPA's NPDES Construction General Permit (CGP), which requires sites disturbing one acre or more to develop and follow a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The SWPPP must identify all sources of potential stormwater contamination — including concrete washout — and document the BMPs in place to prevent discharge. Many states also have their own stormwater regulations that exceed federal minimums, so requirements can vary by location. Inspectors and regulators specifically look for compliant washout containment during SWPPP audits.

Placement requirements vary by jurisdiction, but general EPA guidance and most state programs require washout containers to be located at least 50 feet from any storm drain inlet, open channel, or waterbody. Sites near sensitive areas — including wetlands, streams, or waters designated as "special waters" — may require setbacks of 200 feet or more. The container should also be positioned on stable, relatively flat ground, away from high-traffic vehicle areas to reduce the risk of accidental contact or tipping. Signage identifying the washout area is required under most SWPPP programs.

Containment-Pro® systems are designed for fast deployment with no special tools or equipment beyond a crane or lifting rig for positioning. Once the unit is placed, it's ready to use — no assembly, no anchoring, no waiting. Most crews can have the system operational in under 15 minutes from crane placement. This matters on active job sites where downtime between delivery and first pour is minimal. When the job wraps, the same unit can be craned out just as quickly, ready to be cleaned, serviced, and redeployed on the next project.

Sizing depends on the volume of concrete being poured and the number of truck washouts expected per day. As a general rule, each concrete truck generates approximately 10–15 gallons of washout water per cleaning. A small residential pour with one to two trucks per day can typically be served by a compact 3-foot system. Mid-size commercial work with regular pours benefits from a 5-foot unit. High-volume commercial sites, multi-truck operations, or jobs with limited pump-out access should use a 7-foot high-capacity system. Containment-Pro® product pages list exact dimensions and capacity ratings — or reach out and we'll help you size it correctly.

Containment-Pro® systems are designed for more than just concrete. Job site washout containment also applies to paint and coating residue, drywall and plaster slurry, stucco and mortar waste, adhesives and sealants, and other non-stormwater discharges from construction activities. The key regulatory standard is simple: if it comes off your tools or trucks and cannot be discharged onto the ground or into a drain, it needs proper containment. Always verify with your local regulatory authority which specific waste streams are covered under your site's SWPPP.

Penalties under the Clean Water Act for stormwater non-compliance can reach $10,000 per day, per violation under standard enforcement — and up to $25,000 per day for negligent violations. Penalties are assessed per incident, meaning multiple violations found in a single inspection can compound quickly. In addition to federal fines, state and local regulators may issue separate penalties, and repeated violations can result in stop-work orders, project delays, and long-term impacts on contractor licensing and bonding. The cost of a compliant washout system is negligible compared to even a single day of enforcement penalties.

Yes. EPA guidance and virtually all state SWPPP programs require washout containers to be watertight — any seepage or leakage directly into the ground constitutes an unauthorized discharge. This is why makeshift solutions like excavated pits lined with plastic sheeting frequently fail inspections. Plastic sheeting tears, punctures, and degrades under UV exposure, and pit walls can collapse. Containment-Pro® units are manufactured specifically for construction site use with leak-proof, load-rated construction that holds up under real job site conditions — not just in a controlled setting.

Collected washout slurry must be disposed of by a licensed waste hauler or at an approved concrete washout recycling facility — it cannot be dumped on-site, buried, or discharged to a storm drain. Many regions have concrete recycling programs where dried slurry is processed and repurposed as aggregate or fill material. The liquid portion (washout water) may require pH adjustment before disposal, as fresh concrete washout can have a pH above 12. Some municipalities allow discharge to the sanitary sewer with pre-authorization; check with your local water authority. Keep records of all disposal activities as documentation for your SWPPP file.

Yes — and this is one of the key advantages of a portable, above-ground containment system versus a dug pit. Containment-Pro® units include integrated hoisting straps rated to the unit's full working capacity, so they can be craned in and out as needed. As your job site evolves — pours shift locations, phases change, or work moves to a new area of the site — your washout system moves with it. No digging, no anchoring, no downtime. This is especially valuable on large commercial sites where the active work zone changes regularly throughout the project lifecycle.