Car washes clean, but they also leave behind dirt, sludge, and wastewater, which is known as car wash sump waste, which contains detergents, oils, grease, and other pollutants. To help limit the effects of these car wash byproducts on the environment, this article suggests several best practices for the efficient handling of your car wash sump wastes. These best practices fit into 3 categories: wastewater management, sludge management, and system design and maintenance.
Wastewater Management
Proper wastewater management adheres to all federal, provincial, and municipal laws, rules and regulations that were put in place to keep aquatic ecosystems safe from pollutants and contaminants. As such, all car wash wastewater should be captured in drains that lead to your sump pump or sanitary sewers. Installing interceptor systems will help prevent oils and solids from entering the sanitary sewer or sump. A car wash water filtration and softening system will reduce the number of solids and decrease the need for detergents, all while reducing the spotting on the vehicles that use your car wash. A fourth best practice is to use biodegradable and phosphate-free soaps that comply with local water protection regulations and facilitate the wastewater treatment process.
Sludge Management
Car wash sludge is the byproduct of water and chemicals mixing with the dirt and other solid waste from the outside of the vehicles using your facility. Sludge collects in the pits discussed in the next section and can negatively affect the sump pump function. Therefore, sludge and debris should be removed from car wash pits regularly and transported to the appropriate facilities for treatment and/or disposal.
System Design and Maintenance
The pits for your car wash bays should be three-stage wedge pits that include a sediment pit, a skimmer sump, and an oil-water separator. These three stages remove various particles and contaminants from your wastewater. Weekly inspection of the pits and cleaning them when they are full (or as recommended by the manufacturer) will keep your car wash sump wastes to a minimum. Finally, incorporating berms, portable containment pads, and commercial wastewater collection systems also allows you to collect your car wash wastewater and dispose of it in accordance with water protection legislation instead of allowing it to enter into the local water supply.
Efficient Handling and Disposal
A common approach for managing car wash sump wastes in Edmonton involves solid-liquid separation followed by treatment and recycling or disposal of any waste. Regular testing and monitoring of car wash sump wastes are essential to ensure compliance with local regulations. A professional car wash sump waste removal company can help ensure that your car wash waste is handled responsibly and does not pose a threat to the environment.
Find Car Wash Sump Waste Services
If your car wash sump wastes need to be emptied and hauled away, call Alberta Liquid Waste Hauling in Edmonton. We have over 25 years of experience handling car wash sump waste in an efficient and environmentally responsible manner. Contact us for prompt and reliable service in Edmonton or anywhere throughout the province.
Commentaires