Car Wash

[gomirage]

I am even not sure if this is the right forum. I am looking for some help on effluent discharge for car washing. Where can i have references regarding standards specially washing trucks that tranport food, are there any special regulations for that ?

Thanks

 

[orenda1168]

Gomirage:

The discharge regulations for vehicle wash effluents are in most cases put forth by the municipal waste treatment authority that will receive the effluent. These limits will most likely cover BOD, COD, and TSS, assuming there are no other contaminants of note, such as heavy metals, to be concerned about.

A properly designed and easily operated effluent treatment system prior to discharge to the receiving authority can eliminate the issue of meeting discharge limits.

 

[gomirage]

orenda:
Thanks for your reply. a document that can guide me in the design of the proper treatment system for food trucks is exactly what i need. i'm completely new to this.

 

[PEDARRIN2]

You might want to ask the local plumbing authority.

Unless there is something hazardous or like that, I do not think there is anything that would require any special waste treatment (if there are public sewers).

If there are not, then an on site treatment system (septic tank or similar) would be required. The local health department would have information about that. If this would be required, the health department would design the system.

 

[oxilume]

Gomirage;

First, as a former superintendent of a large wastewater treatment plant, I would issue you a permit based upon the following:
(1) Max daily flowrate (gallons per day)
(2) Oil & Grease (remember you are washing food trucks) I would require installation of a grease trap.
(3) BOD
(4) COD
(5) TSS
(6) pH
(7) TPH (total petroleum hydrocarbons)
(8) Chlorides and TDS
(9) Dissolved Oxygen
(10) Heavy metals
(11) Ammonia

Likewise, I would require some of the above parameters to be monitored online/realtime and installation of a SCADA system in order to monitor via a computer at the WWTP.

Many municipalities have begun to request car wash, truck wash racks, etc. to recycle their wastewater. In the long run you will be pushed in this direction. Likewise, by achieving zero discharge now, you are forgoing in future discharge limitations.