62-660.803. General Permit for Car Wash Systems

(1) Applicability.

(a) This rule authorizes a general permit for any person constructing or operating a car wash treatment, disposal, and recycle system, designed and operated in accordance with this rule, provided that all of the conditions of this rule are met.

(b) Any residential car wash, as defined below, discharging 4000 gallons or less of wastewater per week is exempt from the requirement to obtain this general permit or a Department industrial wastewater permit if all of the following requirements are met:

1. Wastewater is not discharged directly to surface waters or to ground waters through wells or sinkholes that allow direct contact with Class G-I or Class G-II ground waters as defined in Chapter 62-520, F.A.C.;

2. Best management practices (BMPs) are implemented to minimize run-off from, or run-on to, the site;

3. The facility maintains a 100 foot setback from public drinking water wells and a 75 foot setback from private drinking water wells;

4. The car wash discharges into:

a. A percolation system that incorporates a grassed swale or infiltration area capable of treating both the wastewater and the first half-inch of runoff from the impervious surface set aside for the car wash. Grit, oil or grease shall be prevented from leaving the retention area, and any trapped solids and oils shall be disposed of in accordance with subsection 62-660.803(4), F.A.C., or

b. An existing, permitted, stormwater treatment system, if the discharge will not violate any condition of the stormwater permit;

5. The wash equipment incorporates a method to determine wash water flows such as a meter or a non-reset type counter or similar device which measures the number of cycles and a control timer or similar device which limits the time of each cycle;

6. A sign is posted which contains, at a minimum, the following language: “NO ENGINE OR OUTBOARD MOTOR CLEANING OR REPAIRING, NO OIL CHANGING OR DUMPING, NO COOLANT FLUSHING”;

7. The owner of the facility notifies the Department in writing within 30 days of completion of construction that a car wash facility has been constructed pursuant to this exemption.

(c) Car washes that do not qualify for either a general permit or an exemption in accordance with this rule shall apply for an industrial wastewater permit or connect to a domestic wastewater treatment facility capable of treating the car wash wastewater.

(2) General Requirements.

(a) This general permit shall be subject to the general conditions of Rule 62-4.540, F.A.C.

(b) The permittee shall complete and submit DEP Form 62-660.900(5), Car Wash Recycle System General Permit Notification Form, effective 1-2-91, which is adopted and incorporated herein by reference, and required information 30 days before use of this general permit. This form may be obtained by contacting the appropriate district office or by writing the Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Facilities Planning and Regulation, 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS3535, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400.

(c) Within 30 days after construction is complete, the engineer of record or another registered professional engineer shall certify to the Department, using DEP Form 62-620.910(12), Notification of Completion of Construction, that the permitted construction is complete and usable and that it was done in accordance with the plans submitted to the Department except when minor deviations were necessary. These deviations and the reasons for them shall be described in detail.

(d) This general permit does not relieve the permittee of the responsibility for obtaining any other permits required by the Department or any other federal, state, or local agency.

(3) Definitions. Terms used in this rule shall have the meaning specified below.

(a) “Residential car wash” shall mean any facility located in a single-family or multi-family housing development, which is designed specifically for the purpose of vehicle washing.

(b) “Rinse water” for car wash recycle systems means the treated or fresh water sprayed on the car after washing.

(c) “Rollover car wash” means a car wash where the vehicle remains stationary while the washing, rinsing, waxing, and drying equipment passes over the car.

(d) “Spent process water” for car wash recycle systems means the water contained in the system (tanks, pumps, and piping) that is no longer suitable for use, because of the long-term build-up of salts or other contaminants.

(e) “Tunnel car wash” means a car wash where the vehicle is pulled through a building by conveyor or other means, passing through separate washing, rinsing, waxing, and drying areas.

(f) “Wand car wash” means a self-service car wash where the vehicle remains stationary and the car is washed using a high pressure stream of water from a hand-held wand.

(g) “Wash water” for car wash recycle systems means the water containing detergent used to remove dirt from the car.

(4) Prohibitions.

(a) This general permit shall not be valid for truck wash facilities.

(b) No engine degreasing solvents shall be used at the facility.

(c) No oil or engine coolant or other solid wastes shall be disposed of at the facility.

(d) There shall be no discharge of wastewaters from the treatment, disposal, or recycle system to surface waters.

(5) Specific Requirements.

(a) Spent process water shall be disposed of at a Department – permitted wastewater treatment facility or a pre-treatment facility connected to a Department – permitted wastewater treatment facility.

(b) Solids from sedimentation tanks and used filter material shall be disposed of at a Class I or II landfill authorized by the Department to accept solid wastes under Chapter 62-701, F.A.C.

(c) Any waste oil collected from oil/water separators shall be disposed of by a licensed used oil recycler in accordance with Chapter 62-710, F.A.C.

(d) Wand or rollover car wash systems using this general permit shall install and use a total recycle system that recycles both wash water and rinse water with no discharge of wastewater to waters of the state.

(e) All facilities that provide wax, add drying agents or other additives, or have water softening equipment shall install a total recycle system that recycles both wash water and rinse water, with no discharge of wastewater to waters of the state.

(6) Design Requirements. The car wash recycle system shall be designed and operated to prevent discharge to ground water and surface water except as described in paragraph (g) below.

(a) An oil/water separator shall be installed.

(b) A chlorination system shall be installed if the facility is creating an objectionable odor as defined in Rule 62-296.200, F.A.C.

(c) Recycling equipment, such as sedimentation tanks, filtration units, and pumps, shall have adequate capacity to handle maximum hourly flows based on expected usage and the size of the facility.

(d) Recycling equipment shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations to ensure proper operation.

(e) Overhangs or other devices shall be installed on buildings to prevent stormwater from entering the recycle system.

(f) Curbs around wash bays or tunnel entrances shall be installed or bays or tunnels shall be elevated to prevent stormwater from entering the recycle system.

(g) Partial Recycle Systems. A tunnel car wash or other car wash that separates wash and rinse water and recycles wash water may dispose of excess rinse water to an absorption field system, provided that the following conditions are met:

1. Only rinse water shall be disposed of in the absorption field system. Wash water is prohibited from disposal.

2. The discharge of rinse water shall not exceed 2000 gallons per day to the absorption field.

3. The rinse water shall be treated in a settling tank having a minimum detention time of 90 minutes based on the maximum discharge rate.

4. The absorption field shall be designed, sized, and installed in accordance with the technical standards and criteria for absorption fields contained in Chapter 64E-6, F.A.C.

Specific Authority 403.051, 403.814 FS. Law Implemented 120.55, 403.051, 403.061, 403.087, 403.088, 403.814 FS. History–New 1-2-91, Amended 4-22-93, 5-19-94, Formerly 17-660.803, Amended 12-24-96.