ECAR Fact Sheet for New Jersey
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 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

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.

New Jersey's regulations on wastewater generally reflect those established under federal law. Sanitary wastewater can be discharged to a city sewer system, however, most local governments require businesses to obtain a discharge permit. Sanitary wastewater cannot be discharged to a stream, pond, or wetland without having a special permit. If you have questions regarding sanitary wastewater, contact your local sewer authority or the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Division of Water Quality.

Industrial wastewater is regulated differently than sanitary wastewater. If you combine sanitary and industrial wastewater, then the mixed wastewater is regulated like industrial wastewater. All industrial wastewater discharges are regulated by federal and state regulations and in most cases, also by local regulations.

Permits. A New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES) permit from NJ DEP is required to discharge industrial wastewater directly into surface water (like a stream or river) or groundwater. Most auto recyclers qualify for coverage under NJPDES General Permit NJ0107671. This permit authorizes the discharge of wastewater from facilities involved in the recycling of materials (including salvage yards and automobile junkyards- classified as SIC Code 5015 and 5093). Once you have determined that you need a permit, you should contact DEP to set up a preapplication meeting. This first step will save you time. You must also fill out a permit application form.

Some facilities do not discharge their wastewater directly into a surface water body, but discharge into a sanitary sewer system/sewage treatment plant. The wastewater is transported to a local agency's treatment plant where it is treated and usually discharged into a river or stream. These dischargers are known as "indirect users."

If your wastewater is not discharged into a surface water body like a stream or river, but rather to a sanitary sewer system/sewer treatment plant, you may need a permit if certain criteria apply. Click here to find out if you need a permit, or check with the DEP Division of Water Quality to determine your permit status.

Pretreatment. To meet the standards of your local sewer authority, you may need to install treatment equipment such as an oil/water separator to prevent oil and sludge from being discharged to the sewer. This is referred to as "pretreatment." In some cases, the skimmed oil can be managed with your used oil. See the ECAR Used Oil Fact Sheet. However, sludge collected by pretreatment equipment will have to be periodically removed and disposed of, possibly as a hazardous waste (you must make a hazardous waste determination). In most instances, wastewater will require some form of pretreatment prior to discharge into the sewer system.

There may be other restrictions, beyond pretreatment requirements, so you must check with local sewer authorities or contact DEP's Bureau of Pretreatment and Residuals.

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

New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES) General Permit for Salvage Yards

New Jersey Administrative Code NJPDES Requirements- NJAC 7:14A-21.2

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 NJPDES permit to discharge to surface waters and may need a permit to discharge to your local sewer authority. Check with DEP's Division of Water Quality 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 DEP Division of Water Quality at 609-292-4543.
2. For pretreatment information, contact DEP's Bureau of Pretreatment and Residuals at 609-633-3823.
3. To report a spill or leak, or to report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the NJDEP 24-Hour Hotline at 1-877*-WARNDEP (1-877-927-6337).

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

1. Stormwater
2. Septic Tanks and Disposal Wells

Other Relevant Resources

1. NJ DEP Water Permit Section

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