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Environmental Assistance for Small Businesses

Pollution Prevention for Businesses

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Locate an Environmental Contractor

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 Repair Shops

Air Quality Regulations Need Help?
Hazardous Waste Regulations Industry-Specific Resources
Water Quality Regulations  
 
Auto repair shops in Idaho are impacted by various environmental regulations depending on the activities conducted at the shop.
 
 Air Quality Regulations
Auto repair shops conduct several activities that can potentially emit air pollutants into the atmosphere and therefore may be regulated by state and federal regulations. Such activities can include the use of waste oil burners, boilers, and halogenated solvents. Click here to learn more about air quality regulations on this Web site.
 
 Hazardous Waste Regulations
Auto repair 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 the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), 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 for more information on hazardous waste regulations in Idaho on this Web site.
 
 Water Quality Regulations

Auto repair 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 repair shop may need its own NPDES general permit for direct or indirect discharge. If the auto repair 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 repair shop, contact your nearest DEQ regional office or the Small Business Environmental Solutions Program at the Idaho Small Business Development Center.
 
 Industry-Specific Resources

 On DEQ's Web Site

Pollution Prevention Case Studies:

Read about how these vehicle maintenance and repair facilities in Idaho have succeeded in minimizing waste and preventing pollution.

› Luper Brothers Automotive, Lewiston

› INEEL Big Shop, Idaho Falls

Energy Conservation Tips for Vehicle Repair Shops

(DEQ Fact Sheet, May 2001: pdf 28 kb, 1 page)

Mercury Switches in Autos: Information for the Auto Services Sector

(DEQ Fact Sheet, August 2005: pdf 45 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

Pollution Prevention for Auto Repair and Fleet Maintenance

(U.S. EPA Web Site)




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