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Oil stains on your driveway and outdoor spills
of antifreeze, brake fluid, and other automotive fluids are easily carried
along the stormwater superhighway during a rainstorm. An oily sheen on
runoff from your driveway is a sure sign that you need to be more careful.
Pans, carpet scraps, and matting can catch drips. Routine maintenance can
prevent your car from leaking and help identify potential leaks. If you
change your own oil, be careful to avoid spills and collect waste oil for
recycling. The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service has a Help
the Environment by Recycling Oil (HERO) program in many counties. Every
county in North Carolina has at least one used motor oil collection site
available to its citizens. Store oily car parts and fluid containers where
rain and runoff cannot reach them. NEVER DUMP used oil, antifreeze, or
gasoline down a storm drain, in a ditch, or on the ground. These wastes will
end up in a nearby lake or stream, or they may pollute your drinking water.
Washing your car in the driveway creates runoff without the help of a rainstorm—your hose provides the water. The
dirty, soapy runoff drains directly into storm sewers, picking up oil and
other pollutants as it goes. If possible, try washing your car on the lawn.
Better yet, take it to a commercial car wash or spray booth that sends its
dirty water to a wastewater treatment plant. |
Which answer best describes how you handle
automotive wastes?
a. Oil drips and fluid spills are
cleaned up. Dirty car parts and other vehicle wastes are kept out of reach
of stormwater runoff.
b. Drips and spills
are not cleaned up. Car parts and other vehicle wastes are left on unpaved
areas outside.
c.
Used oil, antifreeze, and other wastes are dumped down the storm
sewer, in a ditch, or on the ground; OR do not know.
What
answer best describes how you wash your car?
a.
Cars and trucks are taken to a commercial car wash or spray booth
that sends its water to a wastewater treatment plant.
b.
Cars, trucks, or other vehicles are washed on a lawn or gravel drive.
c.
Cars, trucks, or other vehicles are washed on a driveway, street, or
other paved area; OR do not know.
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