Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2007 10:43:20 -0600
Reply-To: Ben Cichowski <cichowski@MONTANA.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ben Cichowski <cichowski@MONTANA.EDU>
Subject: Re: How to properly dispose of coolant?
In-Reply-To: <470F8963.5020701@gmail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Hi Mike,
Thanks for mentioning the storm drains and the fact that you are not using
them. I'm an Environmental Engineer who makes EPA training products for
water quality. There were several good options I saw in replies, but as
indicated, a few that may not work for your area. Here's a list of steps
that might help.
1. Check with your city sewer dept, they may indeed have treatment in place
at their WW treatment plant that can deal with antifreeze chemicals...but
maybe not. If they do, they'll tell you that it is ok to flush down the
toilet. As long as they are set up for this, it is perfectly acceptable.
2. Check with your "city shops" or "public works" dept. Often, they have oil
and antifreeze recycling programs where you show proof of living in their
service area and can usually dump 5 gal of each at a time (limits places
like Jiffy Lube from using their services).
3. Walmart was another good option, sometimes they do offer this service as
someone mentioned. Though, being walmart, they may use those chemicals for
evil somewhere down the line (kidding). Many autoparts stores also have this
service available.
4. Just an end note, as you already stated, Storm Drains never lead to a
treatment (at least almost never in the US). Many towns are now putting nice
warnings on them to alert the community, but I have personally seen people
dumping stuff down them - NOT GOOD - they are for rain only.
Just wanted to add my 2 cents as this was an area I know a bit about. I
didn't want to be a listserv-leach by always asking for help and never
providing any. This is such a great service for information.
Cheers,
Ben
'88 Wolfsburg Weekender
On 10/12/07 8:49 AM, "Michael Elliott" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> Now that's the kind of handy tip that can only come from the experienced
> and generous people who make this list such a great resource.
>
> --
> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
> 71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
> 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
> KG6RCR
>
>
>
> On 10/12/2007 7:46 AM Mike Collum wrote:
>
>> Oh, and when I replace waterpumps, if I'm not changing the coolant at
>> the same time, I put flat bars on each side of the hoses and clamp them
>> off. I don't lose much coolant that way.
>>
>> Mike
>>
>>
>>
>> Mike Collum wrote:
>>> When I checked with my local waste water treatment authority they said
>>> to just flush it down the toilet. This doesn't apply to septic tanks,
>>> though.
>>>
>>> Also, I've seen other posts that say disposal via the city's sewage
>>> system is acceptable.
>>>
>>> Beyond that, you could talk with an auto or truck repair facility and
>>> see what they do.
>>>
>>> Mike
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Michael Elliott wrote:
>>>> I'll be replacing the water pump next week. I'll end up with a bucket of
>>>> coolant. The storm drains around here empty directly into the ocean. I
>>>> don't know how sewage treatment plants do with coolant dumped into them.
>>>> What's the responsible way to dispose of this stuff?
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
>>>> 71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
>>>> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
>>>> 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
>>>> KG6RCR
>>>>
>>
>