Copper Sources and Management Strategies Clearinghouse

 

 

 

Copper Sources - P2/BMPs

Stormwater Runoff

Vehicle Brake Pads
Architectural Copper
Pool/Spa/Fountain Algaecides
Copper Pesticides
Industrial Copper Use
Soil Erosion
Mobile Cleaning
Vehicle Washing
Vehicle Services

Discharges to POTWs

Copper Piping Corrosion
Industrial Copper Use
Cooling Towers
Printing
Vehicle Services

Shoreline Activities

Marine Anti-fouling Coatings
Copper Algaecides
Site Source Control, Design, and Waste Management

 

 

 

Vehicle Washing

Washwater from vehicle and equipment cleaning washing activities performed outdoors or in areas where washwater flows onto the ground may convey toxic hydrocarbons and other organic compounds, oils and greases, nutrients, phosphates, heavy metals and suspended solids to stormwater runoff. Leaking coolant and motor oil which may have come in contact with copper-containing vehicle parts and brake pad debris near or on vehicles are potential sources of copper that can be mobilized and conveyed to storm drains during washing activities.

Stormwater Control Measures

Several best management practices may be implemented to reduce the impact of vehicle washing runoff:

  • Using a commercial car wash;
  • Washing vehicles on gravel, grass or other permeable surfaces;
  • Blocking off the storm drain during charity car wash events or using an insert to catch washwater;
  • Pumping soapy water from car washes into the sanitary sewer system or onto grass or landscaping to provide filtration;
  • Using hoses with nozzles that automatically turn off when left unattended;
  • Using only biodegradable soaps if soap is needed; and
  • Stenciling storm drains to help reinforce that vehicle washing activities can affect water quality.


Wastewater Control Measures

Wastewater from vehicle washing activities in outside areas would not normally be discharged to the sanitary sewer. A more desirable alternative would be to encourage vehicle washing in dedicated facilities that capture and recycle washwater, with a connection to the sanitary sewer. Municipalities typically require permits and pretreatment and monitoring for wastewater discharges to the sanitary sewer.


Best Management Practices

Best Management Practices information sources include:

California

  • CASQA - Vehicle and Equipment Cleaning - This comprehensive fact sheet developed by the California Stormwater Quality Association provides detailed procedures for preventing or reducing the discharge of pollutants to stormwater during vehicle and equipment cleaning.
  • Vehicle and Equipment Washing and Steam Cleaning - This three-page information sheet prepared by the City of Rancho Santa Margarita, California provides detailed best management practices for vehicle and equipment washing and steam cleaning. This information sheet is clear and concise and builds on the information provided within the CASQA- Vehicle and Equipment Cleaning fact sheet.

Other States

  • Motor Vehicle Maintenance - This four-page information sheet prepared by the University of Hawaii at Manoa provides pollution prevention measures to reduce the risks of water pollution from vehicle maintenance and washing activities. It provides risk assessment information describing what management practices contribute to water pollution.
  • Vehicle and Equipment Washwater and Discharges Best Management Practices Manual -This guidance manual prepared by the Washington State Department of Ecology discusses the environmental concerns over discharges from washing vehicles and equipment. In addition, it provides BMPs for the collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater generated by large/commercial vehicle/equipment washing operations and guidance on pollution prevention for common types of operations.

Stormwater Organizations

  • Pollution Prevention Fact Sheet: Car Washing - This three-page fact sheet prepared by the Stormwater Manager's Resource Center (www.stormwatercenter.net) provides comprehensive information on the implementation, limitations, effectiveness and cost of pollution prevention measures relating to car washing.

International

  • Environment Canterbury: Vehicle & Equipment Washing -This two-page pollution prevention action sheet prepared by Environment Canterbury, a regional council in New Zealand promoting sustainable management of natural and physical resources, identifies vehicle and equipment activities which cause land or water pollution and provides suggestions for conducting these activities in a legal and environmentally responsible manner.