Vehicle and Equipment Repair Maintenance

The vehicle and equipment maintenance and repair activities that can cause stormwater contamination include:

• Parts cleaning

• Shop cleanup

• Leaked/spilled fuel, oil, or other materials

• Replacement of fluids (oil, oil filters, hydraulic fluids, transmission fluid, and radiator fluid)

• Disposal of contaminated materials or process wastes, such as:

  • Greasy rags

  • Oil filters

  • Air filters

  • Batteries

  • Spent coolant, degreasers, etc.

• The appropriate BMPs for fleet maintenance at an industrial facility include:

  • Perform vehicle maintenance in an indoor garage if possible.

  • Create a designated area for vehicle maintenance outdoors and keep the area clean as if it were part of the shop floor.

  • Keep the vehicle and equipment maintenance yard clean and clear of debris. Use dry cleanup practices for all fuel/fluid leaks and spills.

• Do not hose off the area or wash with water as the runoff will cause an illegal discharge to the storm drain.

• Keep equipment clean so there is no buildup of grease and oil to be washed away when the equipment is exposed to rain.

• Keep drip pans or containers under the vehicles at all times during the maintenance to prevent the unexpected leaks and spills.

• Place drip pans under vehicles as soon as a leak is detected.

• Drain fluids from any retired vehicles kept onsite for scrap or parts to prevent the unexpected leaks and spills.

• Maintain the repair area’s storm drain inlet(s) with special care. Clean them on a regular schedule and also after large storms.

• Fit storm drains in the vehicle maintenance areas with filter inserts, for added protection.

Copyright @ January,2005 Prepared by Transportation Environmental Resource Center (TERC)