ECAR Fact Sheet for Iowa
Wastewater Discharges

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

Vehicle salvage businesses generate wastewater during daily operations. Sources of wastewater include hot tank solutions and parts washers. These wastewaters may contain metals that can cause them to be hazardous or they may be corrosive hazardous wastes. They may also contain oils, greases, solvents and detergents.

You will almost certainly need separate permits both for stormwater runoff (see the ECAR Stormwater fact sheet) and for any industrial wastewater that you generate.  This page will give you an overview of how to handle your industrial wastewater.

Regulations

Most communities provide sewer collection and wastewater treatment facilities. If your business is connected to a sewer and treatment plant, contact them to explain the materials you wish to dispose of in the sewer system.

Pretreatment. You may need to pretreat the wastewater in some way before putting it in the sewer. For example, an oil/water separator or treatment for a particular contaminant may be required.  The used oil collected during pretreatment may be eligible for recycling with your used oil.

Hazardous Waste. In areas where a wastewater treatment facility is not available or cannot take your water, you must carefully manage the wastewater from your shop. Normally, hazardous wastes must be disposed of by shipping to a permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal (TSD) facility. See the ECAR Hazardous Waste Fact Sheet. If your wastewater is not hazardous, you can haul it to an approved wastewater treatment plant if the plant is willing to accept it.

Discharges to Waters of the State.  If your facility discharges industrial wastewater via a “point source” (such as a pipe, etc.) directly to waters of Iowa, you will be required to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issues these permits. Waters of state include (but are not limited to) ground water, storm drains, rivers, streams, lakes and ditches. NPDES permits can be either general or individual permits.

Disposal. If you cannot connect your shop to a wastewater treatment plant, you may be able to discharge domestic wastewater (water from restroom or kitchen facilities) to a septic system. You will still need to collect any industrial wastewater (water from parts washers, floor cleaning, etc.) and manage it as described above.

*Do not put your industrial wastewater down the drain unless you are connected to a sewer and treatment plant and have permission from the plant.

Links to the Regulations and Forms. Use the following links to view the regulations and permit forms pertaining to wastewater.

Iowa Wastewater Rules (Chapters 60 * 64) If you cannot access online, contact the Iowa DNR, NPDES Section.

Iowa Water Quality Standards – Effective June 16, 2004

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 wastewater management activities.

1. Does your facility discharge process wastewater? Are the discharges authorized by a permit? 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 NPDES permit to discharge to surface waters and may need a permit to discharge to your local sewer authority. Check with DNR to ensure you have the proper permits.
2. Have you performed the necessary pretreatment?  If you are discharging to a sewer system/treatment plant, you likely will have to perform pretreatment of your waste. Check with your local sewer authority.
3. Is oil or solvent discharged to the sewer? Federal and state laws prohibit the discharge of oil or flammable solvents to the sewer system. These are regulated wastes that must be properly disposed of.

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 wastewater management.

• Limit water use and the volume of water discharged through conservation methods and by reusing water whenever possible.
• Train employees to use water efficiently.
• Don’t use water for cleaning floors and equipment unless absolutely necessary. Use dry cleanup methods for spills.
• Post signs at all floor drains and sinks in industrial areas of your facility to discourage employees from using the drains to dispose of oil, other vehicle fluids, solvent, paint or similar liquids. Review these rules with your employees.
• Use only non-toxic soaps to clean floors and vehicles instead of hazardous materials.
• If you have floor drains at your facility that are not in use, consider having them capped or plugged to prevent misuse or accidental discharges.
• Prevent drips and spills from reaching the floor.
• Check your floor drains and make certain you know where they discharge.
• Setup and use a maintenance schedule for inspection and cleaning of floor drains, oil/water separators, traps, etc.
• Never have floor drains where hazardous materials are stored.
• If your wastewater is nonhazardous, you may want to purchase evaporating equipment to evaporate your wastewater. It should be noted that evaporators may require an air permit or registration, and evaporator bottoms may be considered a hazardous waste.
• Don’t use degreaser solvents to clean engines. Most engine degreasers are hazardous and should not be discharged to a POTW. Even if you use nonhazardous degreasers, the oil and grease concentration in the spent degreaser may exceed the limit allowed by your sewer authority.

Contacts

1. For more information, contact the Iowa Department of Natural Resources NPDES Section at 515-281-8693.
2. 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.
3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the Iowa DNR.

1. Stormwater
2. Septic Tanks and Disposal Wells

Other Relevant Resources

1. Iowa – Wastewater Operating Permits (NPDES)
2. IWRC’s Vehicle Maintenance Pollution Prevention Guide

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