&EPA
U. S. Environmental Office of
Protection Agency Drinking Water
Region? January 1991
FEDERAL REGULATIONS
MAY AFFECT
YOUR AUTOMOTIVE
SERVICE
BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Fluids generated and disposed of by automotive service
related industries typically contain hazardous chemicals,
such as petroleum products, heavy metals and other
harmful compounds. Because disposal of these and
other wastes can contaminate ground water, the use of
certain disposal practices for these wastes are prohib-
ited. Those prohibited practices include the disposal of
these wastes into shallow wells, dry wells, pits, septic
systems, and cesspools.
If you operate an automotive service business disposing
of liquid wastes in this manner you must stop. If this
disposal practice is continued, your business could be
subject to enforcement under the Safe Drinking Water
Act. In addition, recent changes in Resource Conser-
vation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations classify
many constituants of these wastes as hazardous. Be-
cause of this, those facilities that continue to discharge
after March 29, 1991 may be considered as RCRA
regulated hazardous waste disposal units and subject to
additional enforcement consequences.
WILL YOU BE AFFECTED?
Q Do you dispose of gasoline, diesel fuel, waste oil,
antifreeze, degreasers, brake fluids, transmission
fluids, or other non-sanitary wastes into the ground
via a septic tank, dry well, cesspool, or catch basin?
If you answered yes - YOU MUST STOP YOUR
CURRENT METHOD OF DISPOSAL!
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WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
If you own or operate this type of disposal system you
should report your facility to EPA or the appropriate
state agency (listed at the end of this brochure) and
stop discharging. The continued use of shallow injec-
tion wells for the disposal of these types of wastes is
a violation of Federal law and subject to strict penal-
ties and enforcement action.
If you operate this kind of disposal system, you should
take the following steps:
1. Temporarily seal the floor drain(s) with a plug
or other device, unless the floor drain(s) are
needed to comply with State or local laws (if the
floor drains are required by law you should ensure
that automotive wastes are not allowed to enter
the septic system).
2. Route the liquid wastes to a tank or container for
proper accumulation and dispose of it in accor-
dance with all Federal, State and local laws. The
following are appropriate methods for clean up
and storage of typical waste streams from vehicle
maintenance:
Q Petroleum based fluids drained from vehicles,
including but not limited to used oil, transmission
fluid and brake fluid, should be collected and
placed in a Department of Transportation (DOT)
approved waste receptacle and recycled. Fluids
can also be disposed of in accordance with
Federal, State and local waste regulations.
Q Absorbents should be used to clean up minor
leaks and spills that occur during routine vehicle
maintenance. Used absorbents should be placed
in a DOT approved waste receptacle and disposed
of in accordance with Federal, State and local
waste regulations.
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Q Coolants that are drained from radiators should be
collected and recycled. Radiator flush water
should be disposed of in a municipal wastewater
system if your facility is connected to a waste
water treatmentfacility and if this type of disposal
is allowed. If your facility is not connected to a
waste water treatment facility, or the disposal of
these fluids is not allowed, radiator flush water
should be placed in a DOT approved waste recep-
tacle and disposed of off site in accordance with
Federal, State and local waste regulations.
Q Parts washing should be done in a self con-
tained, recirculating solvent sink. Spent solvent
should be recovered and replaced by the supplier.
When this option is not available, spent solvent
should be collected and placed in a DOT approved
waste receptacle and disposed of in accordance
with applicable Federal, State and local waste
regulations.
3. Design and use a plan to minimize and control
your automotive wastes. Waste minimization
programs can reduce your costs, liabilities, and
regulatory burdens, while protecting drinking
water supplies. Techniques that can help you
reduce the amount of hazardous waste you gener-
ate include:
• Waste separation and segregation
• Recycling
MORE INFORMATION
Owners and operators of automotive service related
industries are encouraged to contact their trade organi-
zation for current regulations and management prac-
tices for automotive service station wastes. You may
also contact EPA or State sources for additional
information.
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CONTACTS
in
EPA REGION?
(Iowa, Kansas, Missouri & Nebraska)
EPA Region 7
Kurt Hildebrandt
U.S. EPA
Underground Injection Control Section
726 Minnesota Avenue
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
Telephone: (913) 551-7413
IOWA
(Contact EPA Region 7)
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KANSAS
Mike Cochran or Susan Lytle
(913) 296-5560 (913) 296-5554
Underground Injection Control Coordinator
Kansas Dept. of Health & Environment
Bureau of Water
Forbes Field, Bldg. 740
Topeka, Kansas 66620
MISSOURI
Ken Deason, Chief
Underground Injection Control Unit
Division of Geology & Land Survey
Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 250
Rolla, Missouri 65401
Telephone: (314) 364-1752
NEBRASKA
Frank Mills
Permits/Licenses Section
Nebraska Dept. of Environmental Control
P.O. Box 94877
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509
Telephone: (402) 471-4700
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