ECAR Fact Sheet for Washington
Wastewater Discharges

Regulations
Self-Audit Checklist
Best Management Practices
Contacts
Related ECAR Fact Sheets
Other Relevant Resources

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

Wastewater is water that has been used for a purpose such as engine cleaning and will be disposed of. There are four options available for the disposal of washwater.

1. Zero discharge, or closed-loop water recycling;
2. Discharge to a municipal sewerage system;
3. Discharge to land or ground; and
4. (Not recommended): Discharge to surface water.

Of these options, zero discharge, or the use of water recycling systems is the preferred option and is strongly encouraged. If option 1 is not possible, all process wastewater should go to a sanitary sewer and not to any other type of drain. Check with your local sewage plant for information on discharge limits and to obtain a discharge permit if required or to find out where your drains lead.

Due to the high degree of treatment and extensive (and costly) monitoring that are required for discharges to a surface water body or storm sewer, this option is not recommended and will not be further addressed in this document. Such discharges must be authorized by a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit issued by Ecology. For more information, contact your closest Ecology Regional Office.

Zero Discharge, Closed-loop Water Recycling. A closed-loop system uses recycled water and has zero discharge. However, closed-loop water recycling systems may use chemicals to help remove solids from the waste. Systems that do use chemicals generate chemical sludge which must be handled safely and disposed of in a manner that will not cause pollution of the waters of the state. See the ECAR Hazardous Waste fact sheet. Also, the closed-loop recycling systems may have a reservoir to store the recycled water for reuse. It may be necessary to discard the reservoir water periodically as oil, grease, and other pollutants accumulate.

Discharges to a Municipal Sewerage System. Discharges to a municipal sewerage system receive treatment by the municipal treatment facility before they are finally discharged to the environment (rivers, lakes, sea water, or the land). Dischargers must obtain approval from the local sewer authority prior to discharge. Many local sewer authorities have limits on pollutant concentrations in the discharge that dischargers must meet. You may be required to treat wastewater to remove harmful contaminants (e.g. metals, chemicals, oils or grease) before it is discharged.

Discharges to the Ground. Discharges to the ground must be treated to prevent ground water pollution. See the Department of Ecology Washwater Guidance Manual for the recommended treatment BMPs for washwater generated by large commercial operations prior to discharge to the ground. A grassy ground surface can provide treatment for small and infrequent discharges. Regardless of the number and type of vehicle washing activity, all discharges to ground water must comply with state ground water standards (Chapter 173-200 WAC). In some areas of the state, such as those over sole source aquifers, discharge to ground may not be allowed or may require further controls. In those sensitive areas, closed-loop water recycling or other options would be necessary. For more information, contact your nearest Ecology office or local government.

Permits. State wastewater discharge permits are required for anyone who discharges waste materials from a commercial or industrial operation to ground or to a publicly-owned treatment plant, and or municipalities who discharge to ground. NPDES permits are required for anyone who discharges wastewater to, or has a significant potential to impact surface waters.

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

Guidance Document on Wastewater Discharge Permits for Washington State

Wastewater Permits

Water Quality Standards for Ground Waters of the State of Washington

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 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.

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 about Wastewater, contact the Department of Ecology's Water Quality Program at 1-800-663-6319.
2. To report a spill or leak, call
3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the nearest Ecology Regional Office.

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

1. Washwater Guidance Manual

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