Vehicle Maintenance Activities

Along with reducing vehicle tailpipe emissions through regular inspections, there are other vehicle maintenance activities that can help reduce stormwater runoff pollution. Unfortunately, when these activities—including changing vehicle oil and other fluids, car washing, and storage and disposal methods—are not practiced correctly, it can contribute to runoff contamination.¹

Examples of best practices for vehicle maintenance to minimize runoff and stormwater pollution include:¹,²,³,⁴,⁵,⁶,⁷,⁸
-Immediately repair any fluid leaks such as oil, antifreeze, etc.
-Use drip pans and funnels to prevent spills and leaks
-Immediately clean up any spills with an absorbent material (preferably not with water)
-Minimize the number of solvents used
-Use non-toxic, non-hazardous cleaning products
-Wash vehicles at a designated car wash, or in the lawn instead of a driveway
-Properly store and dispose of waste materials at designated locations
-Never dump anything directly into storm drains, drainage ditches, or groundwater

How it Helps

Improper vehicle maintenance activities can generate waste that ends up on streets, driveways, and other surfaces that is eventually carried off by rainwater into the storm drain system and pollutes lakes, streams, and rivers.²,⁸ This has severe environmental and ecological impacts, such as destroying natural habitats for fish and wildlife and contributing to flooding or water shortages. It is estimated that used motor oil is the single largest source of oil pollution, and only one quart of used oil poured down a storm drain can contaminate one million gallons of water.⁹

Implementing

Education:

Pollution permits and policies cannot prevent all runoff from improper vehicle maintenance activities, as it is mostly up to community members altering individual activities to reduce stormwater pollution.² Therefore, the general public should be thoroughly educated on how their actions can reduce runoff and prevent widespread ecosystem contamination. Many of the vehicle maintenance-related activities are easy to adopt, but many car owners and repair shops may be unaware how their current actions are contributing to the problem.

Spill Prevention and Cleanup Plans:

Vehicle maintenance and car wash facilities should have specific response plans regarding procedures in the case of spills or leaks. All employees should be well aware of the outlined procedures and be ready to adopt them when the incident arises. Local governments, wastewater treatment plans, and local health departments can help provide guidance regarding the development of response plans, the identification of disposal sites, and other helpful information.

Examples

1) Construction Site Activities: Stormwater Best Management Practice

Although vehicle maintenance activities should occur in specific locations to minimize the possibility of stormwater contamination, it is sometimes necessary for them to occur on construction sites.³ Fortunately, there are a number of ways for construction site operators to ensure that these actions are carried out in the safest ways possible. For example, construction vehicles and equipment should be inspected daily and regularly repaired to prevent leaks and spills. Construction staff should properly dispose of all used chemicals and materials, as well as be ready to implement procedures outlined in spill cleanup plans. Additionally, construction vehicle washing should only occur in designed wash areas with specific cleaners.

https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-11/bmp-vehicle-maintenance-and-washing-areas-at-construction-sites.pdf