MS4 fact sheet - Vehicle Washing
Contents
Vehicle Washing
Vehicle fleet wash water management
MS4 vehicle washing involves the removal of dust and dirt from the exterior of trucks, boats and other vehicles, as well as the cleaning of cargo areas and engines and other mechanical parts. Washing of vehicles and equipment generates oil, grease, sediment and metals in the wash water as well as degreasing solvents, cleaning solutions and detergents used in the cleaning operations.
The impacts of these constituents discharging to downstream water bodies include increased biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), increased temperature and acidity, and reduced oxygen levels. These environmental effects cause potentially fatal physiological disorders and reduced immune status in aquatic fish and other organisms.
The EPA considers wash water to be a non-stormwater discharge (i.e. illicit discharge); therefore, wash water from a facility must be directed to a sanitary sewer or treated on-site prior to discharge. MS4s often own and maintain their own fleet of vehicles that may include cars, tractors, trucks, parks equipment, and other types of vehicles. This fact sheet provides guidance on techniques to reduce water pollution from the washing of MS4 vehicle fleets applicable to MS4 SWPPPs.
Benefits / Pollution Reduction
Appropriate vehicle wash water treatment and disposal helps to maintain the clarity, temperature and oxygen levels of downstream water bodies by keeping associated pollutants out of storm drains.
Program Development & Implementation
Programs designed to manage vehicle wash water include a combination of the elements identified below. The program elements implemented are dependent on the MS4’s access and authority to discharge to sanitary sewer, available resources, and size of staff and vehicle fleet.
Contracting Vehicle Washing Services
Properly maintained commercial washing and steam cleaning businesses are usually better equipped to handle wash waters and are permitted to discharge wash water to the sanitary sewer system. Negotiate with commercial car washes and steam cleaning businesses to handle fleet