Wastewater and Floor Drain Sludge 6-1 (a) Wastewater From Vehicle Maintenance Facilities n Vehicle and Floor Washwater –Wastewater contains soaps, grease, oil, possibly solvents, fuel and antifreeze. n Floor Drains –Some drains empty to the city sewer –Some drains empty to the storm sewer –Some drains empty to a ditch or other outdoor location

Wastewater and Floor Drain Sludge 6-1 (b) Wastewater From Vehicle Maintenance Facilities n City Sewer/Sanitary Sewer –Empties to a municipal wastewater treatment plant –Treated, tested and discharged to a body of water n Storm Drain –Empties to a ditch, nearby stream or other body of water >>>>>>>Untreated !!!

Wastewater and Floor Drain Sludge 6-1 (c) Wastewater From Vehicle Maintenance Facilities n Septic System and Drain Fields –On-site septic tank systems for domestic waste only –Not designed to treat industrial waste –Empties to drain field, leach bed and eventually to surface/ground water –Efficiency of waste treatment variable.

Wastewater and Floor Drain Sludge 6-2 (a) Wastewater Disposal n Best option is to discharge to the city sewer. n Industrial discharges should be approved by the local wastewater treatment plant authority. –Check for prohibitions on discharges n Remove solids and oils before discharge. –Sump in the floor drain -- solids settle, oil floats

Wastewater and Floor Drain Sludge 6-2 (b) Wastewater Disposal –Oil skimmed off -- put into the used oil drum. – Settled solids called sump sludge or floor drain sludge. »Possibly contaminated with oil, lubricants, antifreeze, fuel, cleaners, and solvents. n Never discharge industrial wastewater (even vehicle washwater) to storm drains or directly outdoors.

Wastewater and Floor Drain Sludge 6-2 (c) Wastewater Disposal –May contaminate surface water and groundwater. –Is a violation of federal and state law. n Do not discharge industrial wastewater to a septic system. –Septic systems are designed for domestic sewage only

Wastewater and Floor Drain Sludge 6-2 (d) Wastewater Disposal –Industrial discharges may kill necessary bacteria in the septic tank and/or cause overloading. n Never discharge hazardous waste to a septic system. –This is illegal disposal and could result in expensive groundwater contamination and liability problems.

Wastewater and Floor Drain Sludge 6-3 (a) Wastewater Pollution Prevention n Replace hazardous cleaners with mild soaps to clean floors and vehicles. –Read product MSDS prior to purchasing to eliminate corrosive or toxic cleaners. n Stop drips and spills from reaching the floor - use drip pans and good housekeeping. n Clean spills immediately, using a dedicated mop and bucket or launderable rags

Wastewater and Floor Drain Sludge 6-3 (b) Wastewater Pollution Prevention n Never clean spills by hosing them down with water. n Do work in areas without floor drains, or seal drains temporarily during work. n Seal drains permanently to prevent spills from contaminating wastewater. n Store hazardous wastes and hazardous materials away from drains or seal drains.

Wastewater and Floor Drain Sludge 6-4 Water Conservation n Save water in vehicle cleaning by: –Dry floor cleaning methods -- sweeping and vacuuming. –Using water efficiently »Shut faucets off when not using the water. »Install pressure-increasing, water-saving devices on faucets. »Collect water in a holding tank and reuse it for preliminary cleaning.

Wastewater and Floor Drain Sludge 6-5 (a) Floor Drain Sludge Management n Sludge may contain -- dirt, oil, gas, solvents, antifreeze etc.. – Sludge is potentially hazardous and must be laboratory tested. n Do not spread sump sludge directly on the ground (landspreading) –May cause surface and groundwater pollution –Testing & monitoring required to landspread

Wastewater and Floor Drain Sludge 6-5 (b) Floor Drain Sludge Management n Hazardous sludge must be disposed of by a hazardous waste management company. n Nonhazardous sludge can be managed in one of the following ways: –Send dried sludge to a landfill with proper permits (in Iowa - SWA) –Disposed of by a sump cleaning company.

Wastewater & Floor Drain Sludge 6-6 (a) Floor Drain Sludge Pollution Prevention n Same steps as Pollution Prevention for Wastewater!! –Use only mild soaps for floors and vehicles. –Read product MSDS - don’t buy corrosive or toxic cleaners. –Use drip pans and good housekeeping. –Clean spills immediately »with reusable materials

Wastewater & Floor Drain Sludge 6-6 (b) Floor Drain Sludge Pollution Prevention –Never clean spills by hosing them down with water. –Do work in areas without floor drains, or seal drains temporarily during work. –Seal drains permanently to prevent spills from contaminating wastewater. –Store hazardous wastes and hazardous materials away from drains or seal drains.