ECAR Fact Sheet for Ohio
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

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

An auto salvage business may generate process wastewater from equipment cleaning, car washing, paint spray bottles or other sources. Under Ohio EPA's regulations, options for handling wastewater include direct and indirect discharges.

Industrial Wastewater: Direct Discharges. Any discharge of industrial wastewater to "waters of the state" will require a discharge permit (NPDES) from Ohio EPA's Division of Surface Water. Examples of waters of the state include: streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes, watercourses, waterways, wells and springs. Wastewater discharges entering a conveyance system (like a ditch or storm sewer) that leads to a waterway may also require an NPDES permit.

You may also be required to treat wastewater to remove harmful contaminants (e.g. metals, chemicals, oils or grease) before it is discharged. If treatment is required, a separate permit is needed to construct wastewater treatment units, called a permit-to-install (or PTI). The PTI application is reviewed by Ohio EPA's Division of Surface Water. More information is available under the ECAR Stormwater fact sheet.

Industrial Wastewater: Indirect Discharges. Often, the local wastewater treatment plants (POTWs) are responsible for regulation the companies that discharge wastewater to them. A large POTW may be able to handle the wastewater from your business. However, even large wastewater treatment plants are not generally designed to handle sewage related wastes and wastewater. Because of this, the treatment plant may require you to conduct "pretreatment" (oil/water separation, removing solids, chemicals, etc.) before discharging your wastewater to them.

If you want to discharge industrial wastewater to a local POTW, you need to discuss these activities with the plant directly. Permission to discharge to the POTW and/or obtaining a permit may be necessary. If you are required to construct wastewater treatment or storage units, this activity requires a permit to install (PTI) from Ohio EPA.

Note: Ohio EPA's regulations prohibit the discharge of process wastewater into injection wells without a permit. Examples of injection wells include dry wells, drain fields, and cesspools. In addition, a septic tank, mound system or leaching line is defined as an injection well system. For more information, see the Septic Tanks and Disposal Wells Fact Sheet.

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

Ohio EPA's Wastewater Discharge Permit Process

Ohio EPA's Surface Water Permit-to-Install Permit Process

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 industrial 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 permit or written authorization for all industrial water discharges.
2. 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.
3. Does your facility discharge industrial wastewater to a septic tank? If yes, you must have permit. For more information see the Septic Tanks and Disposal Wells Fact Sheet.

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 information about water discharge permits, contact the Division of Surface Water at
   614-644-2034.
2. To report a spill/release or other pollution emergencies, contact the Emergency 24-hour Hotline at 1-800-282-9378

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

1. Floor Drains
2. Stormwater
3. Septic Tanks and Disposal Wells

Other Relevant Resources

1. Environmental Permitting Guide in Ohio
2. What Should I Know About Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Wells?

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