Vehicle Pollution Prevention
Oils, dissolved metals (commonly found in vehicle fluids and cleaning wastes), cleaning solvents, and soaps can all too easily reach either storm drains or sanitary sewers, causing water pollution. Residents and businesses need to do what they can to keep these pollutants out of the environment.
Clean Bay Businesses
Clean Bay Business vehicle service shops and car washes practice "waste minimization" and keep pollutants out of both the storm drains and the sewers. In order to be recognized as a Clean Bay Business, a vehicle service shop must adopt special practices to prevent water pollution, such as:
- Closing all floor drains and sumps inside the shop
- Good housekeeping around the shop; minimizing the use of water when cleaning floors
- Catching leaks and spills promptly and cleaning up spills using "dry" cleanup methods
- Cleaning and washing parts in ways that reduce or eliminate fluids or rinse water entering the sewer
- Washing vehicles in ways that protect storm drains from soap, oil, and grease
- Storing batteries and hazardous substances safely
- Reusing or recycling vehicle fluids whenever possible
Clean Bay Auto Shops
Every year, the Regional Water Quality Control Plant evaluates vehicle service shops and car washes to determine whether they meet the Clean Bay Business standards.
Auto Parts Stores
Home vehicle maintenance may be a significant source of water pollution. Prevent pollution by following some simple procedures when working on your car. When you purchase fluids and parts for your car, you can pick up information on protecting the environment from local Clean Bay Business automobile parts stores. Auto parts stores become Clean Bay Businesses by agreeing to do all of the following:
- distribute brochures on "do-it-yourself" vehicle repair and on copper in brake pads
- ensure that employees are familiar with City literature so they can answer customer questions
- keep parking lots clean
