ECAR Fact Sheet for Kansas
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

Wastewater is often generated by operations such as the rinsing of parts, and the washing down of engines or dirty tools. If water becomes mixed with oil, antifreeze, solvents, or other liquids, it is important that it be properly treated and contained prior to discharge. If your wastewater is currently just going down an unregulated drain, you've got a problem.  Even if your activities have gone unnoticed for years, there is an increasing chance that you will be inspected.  The federal EPA and the states are starting to look much more carefully at sources of water pollution that have so far remained unidentified, and they have (rightly or wrongly) decided that auto recyclers are a significant problem area.

There are a few basic rules to keep in mind.  The first is that wastewater from industrial discharges is usually handled by wastewater treatment plants, but you are usually required to conduct "pretreatment" of the discharge. The second is that the storm drains that carry rain and snow runoff from dismantling yards, roof downspouts, parking lots, and other surfaces typically go directly to open waterways, and must never be used for disposal.  It is important that all the employees at your yard are aware of these rules, and that they respect them.

You may 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.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) have prepared a guidance document to help auto recyclers manage wastewater." Much of that information is included in the fact sheet below. You can access the link to the Pollution Prevention for Auto Salvage Yards guidance document under Other Relevant Resources.

Regulations

This fact sheet addresses wastewater discharges other than stormwater, which is covered by a different fact sheet. Wastewater from salvage yards can be subdivided into two main types:

• "Sanitary wastewater" includes the water coming from lavatories/washrooms, showers, drinking fountains, etc.
• "Industrial wastewater" includes the water going into floor drains in areas such as dismantling, discharges from aqueous cleaning, water from steam cleaning or equipment wash down, water used for floor cleanup in dismantling areas (e.g., mop water), or water from any other sources where it comes into contact with dismantled parts or equipment.

In Kansas, sanitary wastewater from your lavatories, washrooms, showers, and drinking fountains can be sent to the city sanitary sewer, an approved lagoon, or to an on-site septic system.

Industrial wastewater includes the water going into floor drains from areas such as dismantling, water from steam cleaning and equipment wash down, mop water from floor cleaning, or water from any other sources where it comes into contact with dismantled parts or equipment. The best disposal option for your industrial wastewater, such as from your floor drains and shop sinks, is to send it to your city sanitary sewer system. Other industrial wastewater disposal options may be expensive, banned, or highly regulated.

Discharge to a POTW. City sanitary sewers or publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) are specifically designed to treat wastes from homes, not industrial wastewaters that can carry chemicals and heavy metals. Some industrial wastewater discharges to POTWs can disrupt the public sewer system operation.

Therefore, if you would like to discharge industrial wastewater to a POTW, you should contact the city to obtain a permit or written permission to discharge. Each city's POTW has its own set of parameters for contaminants it can treat without causing a failure of its system. A copy of the city's sewer use or wastewater ordinance will list those parameters.

Discharge to Waste Disposal Wells. See the ECAR Septic Tanks Fact Sheet for more information.

Discharge to Surface Waters. Any salvage yard that wants to discharge industrial wastewater on the surface to waters of the state needs to get a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit from KDHE. Examples of waters of the state include streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes, waterways, groundwater, and springs. If your floor drains lead to any waters of the state, you must have an NPDES discharge permit for this activity. You must apply to the KDHE at least 180 days before the proposed discharge. An NPDES permit must be obtained for every site where you intend to discharge to waters of the state.

Wastewater Lagoons. Wastewater lagoons that receive industrial wastewater and do not discharge because of evaporation, seepage, or irrigation are required to have a Kansas Water Pollution Control Permit and receive KDHE authorization prior to construction.

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

Kansas Water Quality Standards

NPDES Industrial Permit Notice of Intent Form

Federal Safe Drinking Water Act Requirements

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 your local POTW and KDHE 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 may 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 KDHE Bureau of Water at 785-296-5500.
2. To report a spill or leak, contact the KDHE 24-hour hotline at 785-296-1679.
3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the nearest regional office.

1. Stormwater
2. Septic Tanks and Disposal Wells

1. Stormwater permits: Questions and answers
2. End of the Line: The Facts on Stormwater for Salvage Yards
3. Environmental help available to Kansas salvage Yards
4. Frequently asked questions from salvage Yards operators
5. Pollution Prevention for Auto Salvage Yards
6. More frequently asked questions from salvage Yards
7. Change Your Approach to Waste and Improve Your Profits

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