Automotive Repair Code of Practice
What is the Automotive Repair Code of Practice?
The Automotive Repair Code of Practice is a regulation for managing the proper disposal and containment of automotive wastes such as petroleum products; also regulated are heavy metals and wastes such as grit and sand. It is a mandatory requirement for automotive and small engine repair businesses in the Region.
Automotive repair includes all collision and mechanical repair shops, boat motor repair shops, service stations, oil change, auto detailing and engine washing stations, vehicle dealerships and recycling operations.
Why are automotive repair wastes a concern in our environment?
If automotive repair wastes go down the drain into the sewer system, they can cause structural damage to the region's sewer system. Some are highly toxic, even in low concentrations, and can cause harm to our environment.
Prohibited and restricted automotive liquids and wastes which can cause problems include:
- Antifreeze
- Oil and oil filters
- Spent lead-acid batteries
- Brake fluid and carburetor cleaner
- Grease and other petroleum products
- Used tires and other solid wastes
Proper management of these wastes will help ensure protection of the environment, human health and structural integrity of the sewer system.
What can automotive repair businesses do?
Automotive shops that discharge non-domestic wastewater to the sanitary sewer system must follow the code of practice requirements to prevent the discharge of prohibited and restricted wastes into the sanitary sewer system.
- Install a properly sized oil-water separator (Schedule M Section 2.6 )
- Install a monitoring point ( Schedule M Sections 2.12 (a), (b) - 2.11)
- Properly maintain the oil-water separator (Schedule M Sections 2.12- 2.16)
- Keep complete maintenance records of oil-water separator ( Schedule M Section 5.0)
- Properly store and contain automotive liquids and wastes ( Schedule M Section 3.0)
- Have a spill response plan posted ( Schedule M Section 4.0)
- Waste from washrooms must not flow through treatment works.
OR
Automotive shops can disconnect their non-domestic drains from the sewer system and become a "dry shop".
- Properly store and contain automotive liquids and wastes ( Schedule M Section 3.0)
- Have a spill response plan posted ( Schedule M Section 4.0)
- Keep a record of automotive liquid and solid wastes that are picked-up for disposal
Create an Environmentally Sustainable Business
Spills response plans, employee education and proper handling of automotive wastes are important factors in keeping our receiving waters clean. The guide book for automotive repair contains details on these and other best management practices.
By reducing and disposing of waste in the proper manner, you can help protect our region's environment.
© Image courtesy of Dan Buczynski
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