UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY p A \ REGION 5 | 1 77 WEST JACKSON BOULEVARD V^'w/ CHICAGO, IL 60604-3590 PHONE (312) 886-1492 • FAX (312)886-4235 FACT SHEET What Is A Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Well? A motor vehicle waste disposal well is a type of Class V injection well. Typically they are shallow disposal systems that receive or have received fluids from motor vehicle repair or maintenance activities, such as those listed below or any area where motor vehicle repair work is performed. What Should I Know About Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Wells? During normal vehicle repair and maintenance activities, vehicle fluids may drip or spill or otherwise enter floor drains or sinks in service areas. These fluids may include: engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, hydraulic fluid, antifreeze, chlorinated or non-chlorinated parts-cleaning solvents and degreasers. If your facility has an onsite disposal system (for example, a dry well or septic system), these fluids can introduce various toxic chemicals into sources of drinking water. NOTE ... A motor vehicle waste disposal well is classified by the waste it receives (fluids from motor vehicle repair) and NOT by the construction of the shallow disposal system that receives the waste. Some potentially regulated businesses include • automotive service stations • transmission repair shops • car and truck rental agencies • light airplane maintenance facilities • farm machinery dealers • railroad maintenance facilities vehicle repair home businesses new and used car dealers auto body shops muffler repair shops truck stops boat yards Examples of Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Wells Septic System ------- 2 Generally, motor vehicle waste disposal wells are floor drains or sinks in service bays that are tied into a shallow disposal system. Most commonly, these shallow disposal systems are septic systems or drywells, but any underground system that receives motor vehicle waste would be considered a motor vehicle waste disposal well. They also may be known as cesspools, catchbasins, sink holes, underground vaults, or drain tanks. Definitions Class V refers to one of the five types of injection practices that States and the EPA regulate under the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program (40 CFR Section 144.80). A Septic system means a "well" that is used to discharge sanitary waste below the surface and is typically comprised of a septic tank and a subsurface fluid distribution system or disposal system. A Drywell means a well, other than an improved sinkhole or subsurface fluid distribution system, completed above the water table so that its bottom and sides are typically dry except when receiving fluids. What Are The New Class V Rule Requirements for Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Wells? The construction of new motor vehicle waste disposal wells was banned nationwide as of April 5, 2000 (40 CFR Sections 144.84(b)(2), 144.85(c) and 144.88(b)(2)). Existing motor vehicle waste disposal wells are banned in ground water protection areas and other sensitive ground water areas. States or EPA may waive the ban and allow owners and operators to obtain a permit. (40 CFR Sections 144.85(b) and 144.88 (b)(1)). Definitions Ground water protection areas are those areas that currently provide short term recharge of ground water to: 1) public drinking water wells that serve communities; and 2) other establishments that serve the same people every day (such as schools). States must conduct Source Water Assessments to delineate these areas and to identify all potential sources of contamination within these areas. (40 CFR Sectionl44.86). Other sensitive ground water areas are those areas outside of ground water protection areas that a State UIC Program has decided need additional protection from motor vehicle waste disposal wells. NOTE: In Region 5, the entire area of Indiana, Michigan and Indian Lands are considered as "other sensitive ground water areas". Minnesota has mapped other sensitive ground water areas based on their sensitivity to ground water contamination from motor vehicle waste disposal wells. ------- 3 To find out if your motor vehicle waste disposal well is located in a ground water protection or other sensitive ground water area: • Your State may notify you directly that you are in one of these areas, or • Your State may announce the location of these areas through newspapers, television, the Internet, or other means. • You can contact your State Program for Drinking Water Source Assessment and Protection Program. • Indiana: Ground Water Section, Department of Environmental Management, P.O. Box 615, Indianapolis, IN 46206-6015, (312) 308-3319, www.in.gov/idem/water/dwb/groundwater • Michigan: Ground Water Supply Section, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 30630, Lansing, MI 48909-8130, (517) 335-8312, www.michigan.gov/deq/1.1607.7-135-3313 3675 3693—CI.00.html • Minnesota: Drinking Water Protection Section, Department of Health, P.O. Box 64975, St. Paul, MN 55164-0975, (612) 215-0796, www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/water/swp NOTE... This section outlines the minimum Federal requirements for motor vehicle waste disposal wells. Some States may have more stringent requirements for these disposal well systems. For example: some States may ban motor vehicle waste disposal wells (not allowing owners or operators to apply for a waiver) while others may decide to apply the new motor vehicle waste disposal well requirements statewide, in which case, you must close your disposal wells or apply for a permit regardless of the location of your motor vehicle waste disposal well. Contact the appropriate State UIC Program to find out about these added requirements. If I'm In One Of These Areas, When Must I Comply? • In general, the compliance date for this new rule was between April 2001 and January 2005 for motor vehicle waste disposal wells located in ground water protection areas. • For wells located in sensitive ground water areas, the compliance date ranges from January 2004 to January 2008. • The schedule for you to meet the regulatory requirements varies from State to State. Contact the Region 5 UIC Program at (3 12) 886-1492. If I Want To Close My Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Well, What Are The Federal Requirements? The Federal minimum requirements for closure are that you must close your motor vehicle waste disposal well in a manner that prevents movement of contaminated fluids into underground sources of drinking water which may cause a violation of national drinking water standards or other health-based standards or may adversely affect public health (40 CFR Section 144.12). ------- 4 YOU MUST: 1. Notify the EPA UIC Program in writing 30 days prior to closure (40 CFR Section 144.88(b)(vii)). To do this you can fill out a pre-closure notification form and send this notification at least 30 days before physically closing the well. 2. Permanently plug or otherwise close the well in a way that ensures underground sources of drinking water are protected and is approved by the UIC Program (40 CFR Section 146.10 (b) and (c)). 3. Dispose or otherwise manage any soil, gravel, sludge, liquids, or other materials removed from or adjacent to your well according to all Federal, State, and local regulations and requirements (40 CFR Section 146.10 (b) and (c)). Prior to closing your well, contact the EPA UIC Program for guidance. Example: If your floor drains are connected to your septic system, you may be required to clean out the drains and the pipes running to the septic tank, seal them off using cement and have a licensed or certified septic service check the content of your septic tank to see if it needs to be pumped out to get rid of any contaminated sludge. You may be required to sample surrounding soils and ground water to insure there is no contamination. After this is done, the septic system can be used to manage wastewater from bathrooms. After I Close my Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Well, What Do I Do With My Motor Vehicle Waste? Motor vehicle service facilities generate a variety of wastes, some classified as hazardous. The following list of best management practices (BMPs) offers you ways to reduce the amount of waste you generate and waste disposal options more environmentally friendly than motor vehicle waste disposal wells. They come from various trade publications, manuals, and State guidance. This list is not exhaustive, nor are specific BMPs endorsed by the EPA. What are BMPs? BMPs are physical, structural, and managerial practices that, when used singly or in combination, decrease the potential for service facilities to pollute drinking water. What are the benefits of Using best management practices for waste handling will: BMPs? • save money by reducing and recycling wastes, • reduce regulatory record keeping and reporting, • protect public health and the health and safety of workers, • enhance public image, • decrease liability by lowering contamination potential, and • promote compliance with regulations to protect drinking water. ------- 5 Running a Dry Shop When used together, the following practices and equipment significantly lower the amount of water needed to clean shop floors. Minimizing wastewater promotes regulatory compliance and reduces environmental liability. Prevent spills from ever reaching the floor: • install drip pans and trays throughout the shop (under vehicles and wherever liquids are transferred), • use funnel drum covers to minimize spills when transferring liquids from one container to another, and • install bulk, pressurized, overhead fluid delivery systems (available from all major motor oil manufacturers) to reduce spills and increase work efficiency. Clean up spills immediately: • employees should carry rags so that small spills can be wiped dry when they occur, • clean with reusable cloth rags, rather than paper towels, and address commercial laundering concerns, • make sure spill cleanup equipment is well marked and easily available at all times, • use absorbent materials (pads, mats, hydrophobic mops, and floor sweeps) to remove medium-size or larger spills, and • wring out absorbed fluid into suitable containers for recycling or disposal, reuse absorbents as long as possible, and properly deal with spent absorbents. Keep floor clean and dry: • sweep floor with a broom every day to prevent unnecessary dirt and contaminant buildup, • use only a damp mop for general cleanups and after sweeping (do not generate excessive wash water), • never hose down work areas (this practice generates large quantities of contaminated wash water that must be disposed of properly), and • consider sealing shop floor with impervious materials such as epoxy or other suitable sealant for easier cleanups. Connecting Floor Drains to Holding Tanks or Sanitary Sewer Floor drains must be connected to a holding tank or sanitary sewer if it is not possible to eliminate them in vehicle service areas. Connecting floor drains to a holding tank (above-ground or underground): • holding tanks must not be able to overflow or drain into the subsurface • make sure the holding tank meets all federal, state, and local requirements, • monitor the fluid level and schedule regular pump-outs using licensed or certified waste haulers, and ------- 6 • check for leaks and drips on a regular basis. Connecting floor drains to a municipal sanitary sewer: • make sure the hookup is legal and approved by the local sewage treatment plant, • do not connect floor drains to a storm drain or storm sewer, and • discharge only allowable wastewater to the sanitary sewer. Training Your Employees and Yourself Well-trained employees generate less waste, resulting in a safer and more cost-effective shop. Educate employees about the benefits of preventing pollution on the shop floor. Provide training on: • good housekeeping practices (e.g., proper use, transfer, and storage of materials and wastes), • suitable spill prevention measures and correct use of spill cleanup equipment, • recycling procedures and storage of recyclable materials, • environmental and public health consequences of improper waste disposal (e.g., contamination of drinking water and creation of hazardous waste sites), and • how reduction of hazardous waste directly relates to job responsibility, performance reviews, and shop success. Make sure employees know about Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs): • indicate where MSDSs are located for products used in the shop (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that MSDSs be kept and made available to employees), • instruct employees on the content of MSDSs (fire and explosion potential, reactivity with other substances, health hazards, protective measures, spill procedures, and special precautions), and • have manufacturers or sales representatives provide training on the proper use of products and equipment. Provide refresher trainings to make sure employees keep good practices in mind and to inform employees of new regulatory requirements Effective Communication Place signs and posters in the shop area to remind employees about pollution prevention, spill avoidance and control procedures, and emergency response information. Stencil or post notices to remind employees: • to use the right containers or drums to store recyclable wastes, • to apply proper spill control methods to cleanup spills, • not to discard motor vehicle fluids into floor drains or work sinks unless connected to a holding tank or local sewer, and ------- 7 • not to allow motor vehicle fluids or floor wash water to enter storm drains (and pollute local waterways and ground water). Keeping Good Records Maintaining good records is important in order to track pollution prevention efforts and other benefits of using BMPs. Update facility plans to reflect: • current shop design (for example, elimination of all open floor drains), and • location of potential contamination and stormwater drainage areas (for use in developing a stormwater pollution prevention plan). Update permits to reflect: • changes in shop operation, and • changes in applicable federal, State, and local requirements. Maintain supply inventory, waste disposal, and recycling records to track: • materials used and savings linked to reduction of wastes, and • progress in efforts to prevent pollution. Need More Information? For more information, call EPA's Small Business Ombudsman Office at (800) 368-5888 or the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791. Also, depending on location, contact the appropriate State or regional EPA contacts. The BMP guides for pollution prevention and EPA regional contacts are available on the Region 5 UIC website at: www.epa.gov/r5water/uic/r5classv.htm or on associated web sites. What Are The New Federal Requirements If I Want to Keep My Well Open? The EPA Region 5 UIC Program may allow you to apply for a waiver from the ban and continue using your well (40 CFR Sectionsl44.84(b)(2), 144.87(a) and (c), and 144.88(b)(l)(ii)). In most cases, a waiver will take the form of a permit application. To apply for a permit, first contact the EPA Region 5 UIC Program. Whether or not a waiver will be granted will depend on specific Federal requirements and your particular situation. Of course, if no waiver is granted, you must still close the well by the deadline for closure in your area. If the EPA UIC Program grants you a waiver, you must follow the procedures outlined by the EPA Region. At a minimum, operating permits (40 CFR Section 144.88(b)(l)(iv)) will require that: • Waste fluids must meet National Primary Drinking Water Standards (Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs)) and other health-based standards at point of injection (40 CFR Sections 144.3 and 146.3). This means that shop wastewater, before it is discharged ------- 8 into the ground, must not exceed any MCL or other health-based standard. See EPA's MCL web page: http://www.epa.gov/OGWDW/mcl.html. • You must implement best management practices, as outlined in your permit, to minimize the discharge of contaminants into your shop wastewater. • You must conduct monitoring to characterize the quality of the injectate (wastewater being discharged into the ground) and sludge, both initially and on an ongoing basis, to ensure continued compliance with MCLs. Your State UIC Program will determine the frequency of monitoring as part of the operating permit. If your wastewater does not meet drinking water standards, you have two options: 1. Install new pretreatment equipment. Specific permission from the EPA Region will be necessary to extend a compliance deadline if it will take extra time to meet this requirement. 2. Close the well in accordance with the requirements and schedule specified by your EPA Region. NOTE . . . Remember, you are responsible for complying with the minimum Federal requirements for motor vehicle waste disposal wells. Failure to comply, may result in enforcement action, including penalties. ------- |