Vehicle Maintenance

Automotive maintenance facilities are stormwater “hotspots,” which produce significant loads of hydrocarbons, trace metals, and other pollutants. Of all small-quantity generators of hazardous waste in the United States, the automotive repair industry has the highest number of generators and largest total amount of waste produced.

Common activities at maintenance shops that generate pollution include cleaning parts, changing vehicle fluids, and replacing and repairing equipment. In ultra-urban areas, the impacts of automotive maintenance practices are more pronounced due to the greater concentrations of vehicles and higher levels of impervious surface.

Minimize Impacts

The most effective way to minimize the impacts of automotive waste is to avoid producing it in the first place. To reduce liquid discharges to sewer and storm drains from automotive maintenance, shops should run “dry” whenever possible. To create a dry operation:

  • Whenever possible, do not use water for cleaning.
  • Clean up spills immediately.
  • Seal off floor drains that are connected to the sanitary or stormwater sewer system.
  • Hire a solvent service to supply parts-cleaning materials and to collect used solvent.

Facilities that are not able to eliminate discharges to the sanitary sewer system may be required to treat their wastewater prior to its release from the site. Structural treatment devices are available to pretreat wastes and prevent oils and grease from entering the sewer system. Such devices work by separating oil and solids from water through settling or filtration.

Table 1 lists some other ways to reduce environmental impacts from vehicle maintenance and repair. Contact your local government to find out how you can put these practices and others to work in your shop. Efficient practices can help your bottom line and the environment!

Table 1. Recommendations for Reducing the Stormwater Impacts of Automotive Maintenance

Pollution Prevention Method Suggested Activities
Waste Reduction
  • Minimize the number of solvents used to make recycling easier and to reduce hazardous waste management cost.
  • Do all liquid cleaning at a centralized station to ensure solvents and residues stay in one area.
  • Locate drip pans and draining boards so as to direct solvents back into solvent sink or holding tank for reuse.
Using Safer Alternatives
  • Use non-hazardous cleaners when possible.
  • Replace chlorinated organic solvents with non-chlorinated ones, such as kerosene or mineral spirits.
  • Purchase recycled engine oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, and hydraulic fluid to support the market of recycled products
Spill Clean-Up
  • Use little or no water to clean spills, leaks, and drips.
  • Rags should be used to clean small spills, dry absorbent material for larger spills, and a mop for general clean-up. Mop water can be disposed of via the sink or toilet to the sanitary sewer
Good Housekeeping
  • Reinforce proper disposal practices with both old and new employees.
  • Conduct maintenance work such as fluid changes indoors.
  • Update facility schematics to accurately reflect all plumbing connections.
  • Monitor parked vehicles closely for leaks. Place pans under leaks to collect fluids for proper disposal or recycling.
  • Promptly transfer used fluids to recycling drums or hazardous waste containers.
  • Do not pour liquid waste down floor drains, sinks, or outdoor storm drain inlets.
  • Obtain and use drain mats to cover drains in the event of a spill.
  • Store cracked batteries in leak proof secondary containers.
Parts Cleaning
  • Use detergent-based or water-based cleaning systems instead of organic solvent degreasers.
  • Steam cleaning and pressure washing may be used instead of solvent parts cleaning. Discharge wastewater generated from steam cleaning into a pretreatment structure.

Additional Resources

This handy, short brochure from San Mateo County (CA) lists some quick and easy ideas.

Magerr’s Auto Salvage has a sample stormwater pollution prevention plan, which is a great example of how auto facilities can proactively address stormwater pollution from their operations.

The City of Moreno Valley in California created this brochure to explain the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program to its businesses. (Most local governments in North Carolina are now also subject to NPDES under Phase I and Phase II of the Clean Water Act.)

Text modified from the Stormwater Managers’ Resource Center
http://www.stormwatercenter.net/