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Questions?

Contact your nearest

DEQ regional office

or

DEQ's Pollution Prevention Program

Joanna Pierce

(208) 373-0146

or

Idaho Small Business Development Center:

Environmental Solutions Program

Joan Meitl

(208) 426-1839

toll-free: 1-800-225-3815

  

Environmental Assistance:

Auto Body Shops

Air Quality Regulations Need Help?
Hazardous Waste Regulations Industry-Specific Resources
Water Quality Regulations  
 
Auto body shops in Idaho are impacted by various environmental regulations depending on the activities conducted at the shop.
 
 Air Quality Regulations
Auto body shops can potentially emit air pollutants into the atmosphere and therefore may be regulated by state and federal regulations. Using paint spray booths, boilers, incinerators, solvents, and degreasers are all activities that may need to be permitted. Click here for more information on air quality permitting on this Web site.
 
 Hazardous Waste Regulations
Auto body shops typically generate hazardous wastes through the variety of services they offer. Used paints, solvents, batteries, and antifreeze are just a few examples of wastes that need to be handled and managed properly. Management of hazardous waste is regulated by a federal law called the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, which is administered by DEQ. The types and number of requirements that must be complied with is based on the quantity and type of waste generated. Click here to learn more about hazardous waste requirements in Idaho on this Web site.
 
 Water Quality Regulations

Auto body shops can have an impact on Idaho's surface and ground waters and may be subject to federal water quality standards and the National Pollutant Elimination Discharge System (NPDES) program. Under this program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the discharge of pollutants into any water body of the U.S., including storm water sewer systems. Depending on the activities and services provided, an auto body shop may need its own NPDES general permit for direct or indirect discharge. If the auto body shop is located within a city that has an NPDES permit, the shop may be subject to the city's pretreatment and storm water requirements.

Click here to learn more about NPDES permits (U.S. EPA Web Site).

 
 Need Help?
If you need assistance in determining which environmental regulations apply to your auto body shop, contact your nearest DEQ regional office or the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program at the Idaho Small Business Development Center.
 
 Industry-Specific Resources

 On DEQ's Web Site

Energy Conservation Tips for Vehicle Repair Shops
(DEQ Fact Sheet, May 2001: pdf 28 kb, 1 page)

Environmental Resources for Auto Refinishing Shops
(DEQ Fact Sheet, April 2007: pdf 28 kb, 1 page)
Pollution Prevention for Auto Refinishing Shops
(DEQ Fact Sheet, April 2007: pdf 34 kb, 2 pages)

Questions to Ask about Your Waste Storage Site

(DEQ Checklist, July 2003: pdf 72 kb, 1 page)

Water Conservation Tips for Vehicle Repair Shops
(DEQ Fact Sheet, May 2001: pdf 25 kb, 1 page)
 

 On Other Web Sites
CCAR-Green Link®, the National Automotive Environmental Compliance Assistance Center
EPA's Automotive Refinishing Partnership Web Site
Metal Finishing Performance Evaluation Checklist  (pdf on U.S. EPA Web Site)
National Metal Finishing Resource Center (Compliance Assistance Center)
Profile of the Metal Fabrication Industry: EPA Sector Notebooks

Solvent Alternatives Guide

A comprehensive guide to pollution prevention information on solvent and process alternatives for parts cleaning and degreasing compiled by the Surface Training Program and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.



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