ECAR Fact Sheet for Iowa
Septic
Tanks and Disposal Wells
Regulations
Self-Audit Checklist
Best Management Practices
Contacts
Related ECAR Fact Sheets
Other Relevant Resources
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The
following fact sheet was prepared by the ECAR Center staff. Once
prepared, each ECAR Center fact sheet undergoes a review process
with the applicable state environmental agency(ies). You can check
on the status of the review process here.
Please read the disclaimer on the status page. While we have tried
to present a summary of the essential information on this topic,
you should be aware that other items, such as local regulations,
may apply to you.
What You Need to Know
There
is a simple rule for determining when it is OK to put industrial
wastewater into a septic system - never. You can dispose of
"sanitary wastes" from ordinary lavatory use or hand washing
in a septic field only if the wastewater has not been contaminated
with any water from an industrial operation.
The
Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) has prepared a guidance document
to help auto recyclers manage septic tanks. Much of that information
is included in the fact sheet below. You can access the link to
IWRC's Vehicle Maintenance Pollution Prevention Guide under Other
Relevant Resources.
Regulations
This
fact sheet explains the regulations applicable to septic tanks or
other forms of disposal wells used at auto recycling facilities
for disposal of vehicle fluids or industrial wastewater. These methods
of disposal are referred to as "motor vehicle waste disposal
wells." They are regulated under federal and state Underground
Injection Control (UIC) regulations that protect drinking water
supplies.
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. A variety of names
are used to describe shallow disposal systems including: cesspools,
catch basins, sink holes, underground vaults, or drain tanks, to
name a few.
Automotive
recyclers must adhere to the following federal rules for motor vehicle
waste disposal wells:
- New motor vehicle waste disposal wells are banned nationwide
as of April 5, 2000.
- Existing motor vehicle waste disposal wells are banned
in ground water protection areas and other sensitive ground water
areas. States have until January 1, 2004, to delineate other sensitive
ground water areas, unless they apply and receive an extension
of up to one year to complete this task (by January 1, 2005).
States or EPA may waive the ban and allow owners and operators
to obtain a permit. However, their use will eventually be phased
out (no later than Jan. 1, 2008).
The
only permissible use for septic systems is disposal of sanitary
sewage, which includes the water coming from lavatories/washrooms,
showers, drinking fountains, etc.
Industrial
wastewater, which could include spent parts washer cleaners, both
solvents and aqueous cleaners, and other types of industrial wastewater,
should never be discharged to a septic system. If that is not possible,
the water can be collected in a holding tank and hauled to the nearest
wastewater treatment plant (if the water is non-hazardous and the
treatment plant will accept it.)
Links
to the Regulations and Forms. Use the following links to view the regulations and permit forms pertaining
to septic tanks.
Iowa
Water Quality Standards - Effective June 16, 2004
Federal Rules for
Class V Wells
Federal Rules for
Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Wells
Class V Well Pre-Closure
Notification Form
Self-Audit
Checklist
When
an inspector comes to your facility, there are certain things he
or she checks to see if you are in compliance with environmental
regulations. It makes good sense for you to perform a "self-audit"
and catch and correct problems before they result in penalties.
Also, there are some compliance incentives associated with self-audits
(see Audit
Policy Page).
Use
the following list to audit your septic tank or underground well.
- Does your facility discharge vehicle fluids or
related industrial wastewater to a septic tank or similar system?
Does a permit authorize the discharges? Check all uses of water and steam within the industrial
areas of your facility. Determine where wastewater is generated
and discharged. You must have a permit or written authorization
for all industrial wastewater discharges. Use of a septic tank
or similar system is not a viable option.
Best
Management Practices (BMPs)
Most
regulations tell you what you have to do to be in compliance, but
they don't explain how to do it. That's where "best management
practices" come into play. BMPs are proven methods that
help you to get into compliance and stay there. The following BMPs
are recommended for septic tank management.
- Check your sinks and floor drains in the shop to make
certain you know where they discharge.
- Cap or plug any floor drains connected to a septic tank.
- Do not put other fluids like oil, solvents, paints or
chemicals into a floor drain. This could contaminate your property
and expose you to large fines and clean up costs.
- Think about installing an emergency shut-off on the
drain pipes to prevent accidental spills from entering the sewer.
- Train employees on the importance of preventing any
vehicle fluids or other industrial wastes from entering a septic
tank or well.
- Post signs at sinks connected to your septic tank system
to remind employees not to discard any wastes into the sink.
Contacts
- For more information, contact the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources Water Supply Division at 515-725-0359.
- To
report a spill or leak, call the Iowa hotline at 515-281-8694
as soon as possible but not later than 6 hours after the onset
or discovery of the spill or leak. If the release involves EPA-regulated
material and the amount released is above EPA reportable quantities,
it must also be reported to the National Response Center at 800-424-8802
within 15 minutes.
- To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact
the Iowa DNR.
Related
ECAR Fact Sheets
- Floor Drains
- Stormwater
- Wastewater
Other
Relevant Resources
- What
Should I Know About Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Wells?
- IWRC's Vehicle Maintenance Pollution Prevention
Guide
- Automotive Products Disposal Directory
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