Anyone who owns or leases a vehicle knows that regular oil changes are essential. That dirty black oil is collected by your service garage and held for pick up by area companies that specialize in the disposal of liquid hazardous waste.
New engine oil replaces the old and your vehicle is good to go for several thousand kilometers before being changed again. Oil is considered to be a hazardous waste and as such there are special ways to dispose of it by businesses or individuals that use it.
Service stations use an oil interceptor which can be installed into the drain lines underneath the floor or outside. Interceptors separate the oil and other dirt and debris such as sand from the wastewater. Once separated, oil can be cleaned and recycled.
An oil interceptor may be out of sight for most people but it’s an essential part of everyday life for a wide variety of businesses. Oil interceptors can be found in marinas, aircraft hangers, bus depots, car washes, any place that uses commercial vehicles, manufacturing facilities, refineries, parking garages, anywhere mechanical work is being done and anywhere oil can be spilled, or leaked into the sanitary drain system.
Collecting it and keeping it out of the municipal wastewater system, septic systems and run-off areas is essential because it has the potential to do a lot of environmental damage.
The municipal wastewater system cannot treat oil which is a hazardous waste that requires specialized treatment and disposal to reduce its impact on the environment.
The municipal system treats wastewater from household drains for harmful bacteria and micro-organisms known as pathogens such as Salmonella, Typhoid, E-Coli, Hepatitis A & B, and Giardiasis also known as “beaver fever”.
The majority of wastewater is water and only about 1% is solid. Removal of the solids and disinfection before discharge is considered to be the basic concept of municipal wastewater treatment. If it isn’t treated it would severely affect the quality of the water and make it unsuitable for drinking, swimming, fishing, and other recreational activities as well as birds and wildlife. Individuals who use oil in a lawnmower or recreational vehicle can do their part by collecting it and taking it to the nearest Household Hazardous Waste Depot. Most municipalities have a place to dispose of hazardous waste which is free for residents.
Hazardous waste can run the gamut from engine oils, motor oil, and brake fluids, to gasoline as well as empty oil containers, oil filters, and cleaning products such as bleach and drain cleaners. The depot also accepts a long list of other items that are not related to oil. For a complete list, check with your local landfill site.
For businesses that use oil in their date-to-day operations, some companies specialize in the pickup of the oil, sediment, and other materials that have been separated by interceptors. Many of these companies can clean and recycle the oil and make it usable again.
Oil interceptors are installed inside or outside of a building. Some are located under the floor, where they are needed to clean floor areas, such as in an automotive service garage. They are installed into the drainage system, catching and separating the oil from solids into a separate oil storage tank.
Most tend to be installed indoors where they are a part of the drain system. There are multiple chambers to separate any sediment or solid debris and each has to be vented to the outside. Oil interceptors also have to be maintained and cleaned regularly.
For all your oil interceptor needs – from supply and installation to service and repair, call Plumbtech Plumbing.
