Certain Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Wells Banned

During normal vehicle repair and maintenance activities, vehicle fluids may drip or spill or otherwise enter floor drains or sinks in service areas. These fluids may include engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, hydraulic fluid, antifreeze, chlorinated or non-chlorinated parts-cleaning solvents and degreasers.

If your facility has an onsite disposal system (e.g., a dry well or septic system), these fluids can introduce various toxic chemicals into sources of drinking water.

Generally, motor vehicle waste disposal wells are floor drains or sinks in service bays that are tied into a shallow disposal system. Most commonly, these shallow disposal systems are septic systems or drywells, but any underground system that receives motor vehicle waste would be considered a motor vehicle waste disposal well.

A variety of names are used to describe shallow disposal systems including cesspools, catchbasins, sink holes, underground vaults or drain tanks, to name a few. A motor vehicle waste disposal well is a type of Class V injection well.

New motor vehicle waste disposal wells were banned nationwide as of April 5, 2000. Existing motor vehicle waste disposal wells were banned in ground water protection areas and other sensitive ground water areas. States or EPA may waive the ban and allow owners and operators to obtain a permit.

For more information, visit the U.S. EPA's Underground Injection Control Program Web site.