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New motor vehicle waste disposal wells are BANNED nationwide as of April 5, 2000.
Existing motor vehicle waste disposal wells MUST be closed by January 1, 2007.
What are Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Wells and Why are they Regulated?
A motor vehicle waste disposal well is a type of Class V injection well. Typically they are shallow disposal systems that receive or have received fluids from vehicular repair or maintenance activities, such as an auto body repair shop, automotive repair shop, new and used car dealership, specialty repair shop (e.g., transmission and muffler repair shop), or any area where vehicular repair work is performed. During normal vehicle repair and maintenance activities, vehicle fluids may drip or spill or otherwise enter floor drains or sinks in service areas. These fluids may include: engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, hydraulic fluid, antifreeze, chlorinated or non-chlorinated parts-cleaning solvents and degreasers. If your facility has an onsite disposal system (e.g., a dry well or septic system), these fluids can introduce various toxic chemicals into sources of drinking water.
PLEASE READ...
A motor vehicle waste disposal well is classified by the waste it receives (fluids from vehicular repair) and NOT by the construction of the shallow disposal system that receives the waste.
Examples of Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Wells
Generally, motor vehicle waste disposal wells are floor drains or sinks in service bays that are tied into a shallow disposal system. Most commonly, these shallow disposal systems are septic systems or drywells, but any underground system that receives motor vehicle waste would be considered a motor vehicle waste disposal well. A variety of names are used to describe shallow disposal systems including: cesspools, catchbasins, sink holes, underground vaults, or drain tanks to name a few.
Where are Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Wells in Operation?
In general, some of the potentially regulated businesses include:
How Do I Know If I Have a Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Well?
Answer the following questions to determine if you have a motor vehicle waste disposal well and if the new rule applies to you.
| Questions: | If Your Answer is Yes… | If Your Answer is No… |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Does your facility service motor vehicles? Examples: cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, powerboats, all terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, farm tractors and other machinery, construction machinery, trains, heliocopters, jet skis, and other vehicles. |
Go to Question 2. | You are not affected by the new rule. Stop here. |
| 2. Does your facility have floor drains or sinks in the vehicle service area? | Go to Question 3. | You are not affected by the new rule. Stop here. |
| 3. Are all of your floor drains and sinks connected to a municipal sewer? *(See note below) | You are not affected by the new rule. Stop here. | Go to Question 4. |
| 4. Are all of your floor drains and sinks connected to a holding tank, and is the waste in the holding tank disposed of off-site? *(See note below) | You are not affected by the new rule. Stop here. (However, you may be subject to other State or Federal disposal requirements.) | Go to Question 5. |
| 5. Are you discharging all of your motor vehicle service wastewater directly to surface water or onto land? *(See note below) | You are not affected by the new rule. Stop here. (However, you may be subject to other State or Federal disposal requirements.) | You may be disposing of motor vehicle service wastewater into a shallow disposal system such as a septic system or drywell and thus have a motor vehicle waste disposal well. |
*Note: Any building plans showing wastewater flow may reflect the intent of the architect and not necessarily the results of the builder. Also, they probably do not include any renovations since your shop was built. To be sure where your wastewater goes, use dye or smoke tests to help locate the discharge points for your floor drains and sinks. Your local health department or a plumber may be able to help you determine where your drain goes.
Source: http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw000/uic/class5/types_motorvehicles.html
The New Class V Rule Requirements for Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Wells?
The following discussion references the Utah Administrative Rules for the UIC Program and various sections of 40 CFR.
View documents regarding the New Class V Rule at this EPA website.
New motor vehicle waste disposal wells are banned nationwide as of April 5, 2000 (See 40CFR (§§) 144.84(b)(2), 144.85(c) and 144.88(b)(2)).
Existing motor vehicle waste disposal wells are banned statewide in Utah (R317-7-6.5(C)). Utah may waive the ban and allow owners and operators to obtain a permit. (§§ 144.85(b) and 144.88 (b)(1)).
What are the Closure Requirements for Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Wells?
In Utah, you must close your MVWD well in a "... manner that prevents the movement of fluid containing any contaminant into an underground sources of drinking water, if the presence of that contaminant may cause a violation of any primary drinking water regulation under 40CFR Part 141 or Utah Public Drinking Water Rules R309-100, or may otherwise adversely affect the health of persons." (R317-7-6.6(A)) (See also 40 CFR § 144.12)."
In closing your MVWD well, the owner or operator must:
What are the Post-Closure Alternatives for Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Wells?
Following well closure, consider one of the following suggestions for managing motor vehicle service wastewater:
If your floor drains are connected to your septic system, you are required to clean out the drains and the pipes running to the septic tank, seal them off using cement and have a licensed or certified septic service check the content of your septic tank to see if it needs to be pumped out to get rid of any contaminated sludge. You may be required to sample surrounding soils and ground water to insure there is no contamination. After this is done, the septic system can be used to manage wastewater from bathrooms.
What are the Requirements if I Choose to Keep my Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Well Open?
In Utah, you may apply for a waiver from the ban and continue using your well (R317-7-6.5(C)) (See also 40CFR §§144.84(b)(2), 144.87(a) and (c), and 144.88(b)(1)(ii)). To obtain a waiver, you must apply for a Class V UIC operating permit. All Utah Drinking Water Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), Utah Ground Water Quality Standards, and EPA Adult Lifetime Health Advisories must be met at the point of injection while the permit application is under review. (R317-7-6.5(C)(5)) Issuance of a permit will constitute a waiver of the MVWD well ban. Of course, if no waiver is granted, you must close the well.
If the Utah UIC Program grants you a waiver, your operating permit will require that (R317-7-6.5(C)(5))(See also 40CFR §144.88(b)(1)(iv)):
If your wastewater does not meet drinking water standards, you have two options:
This web page represents a modification of the following EPA website:
http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw000/uic/class5/types_motorvehicles.html
to reflect Utah UIC Administrative Rules and Requirements.
This page last updated on: 4 November 2009
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