38_Municipal Vehicle Equipment Washing SOP

City of Greensboro — Municipal Vehicle/Equipment
Washing Standard Operating Procedures
Created by the City of Greensboro Stormwater Department in March, 2022 GREENSBORO
Introduction
The City of Greensboro (hereinafter referred to as the "City') utilizes various methods/procedures for the washing of its
vehicles and equipment. These methods have the potential to generate dry weather discharges contaminated with
sediment, detergents, oils, grease and heavy metals if done improperly. The impacts of these constituents discharging to
downstream waterbodies can include toxicity to living organisms, increased eutrophication, and reduced oxygen levels.
Therefore, properly addressing these non-stormwater sources using pollution prevention/good housekeeping practices
is an important component of a stormwater program to eliminate the impacts of these discharges.
Purpose & Scope
The City's National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the North Carolina Department of
Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) requires a description of "...measures that prevent or minimize contamination of the
stormwater runoff from all areas used for vehicle and equipment cleaning, including fire stations that have more than
three fire trucks and ambulance." (Part II. Section G 2(e)). This documents primary purpose is to describe these measures
referenced above. Additional goals of this document include:
• Providing City staff standardized washing procedures so that new employees can be properly trained; and
• Improve surface water quality by preventing/minimizing stormwater runoff contamination.
Document Review and Amendment
This document will be reviewed by the City of Greensboro Stormwater personnel once every five years in correlation
with the City's stormwater permit cycle. Updates to this document should be made as necessary and logged in Table 1.
Table 1 Document Review Log
Review
Reviewer
Alterations made

Overview
The City owns/operates a wide variety of vehicles and equipment including fleet vehicles, Fire Department vehicles,
buses, waste trucks, street sweepers, vacuum trucks, tractors, utility vehicles, lawnmowers, and other miscellaneous
equipment. Repairs on these items are conducted by either the Equipment Services Division, which is part of the
Financial and Administrative Services Department, or the division that operates them. However, it is the responsibility of
the division and/or the individuals operating the equipment to conduct the routine maintenance (i.e. washing). How the
washing of vehicles and equipment is performed differs across City departments but the following are the three main
categories:
• Departments provide vouchers allowing them to wash their vehicle at one of the commercial car wash facilities
within the City;
• Vehicles/equipment are washed indoors at City facilities where the wash water can be controlled; and
• Vehicles/equipment are washed outdoors.
Indoor Washing Guidelines
The cleaning of vehicles and equipment indoors were the wash water is either captured, or piped directly to the sanitary
system, is the preferred washing method due to the low likelihood of wash water contaminated stormwater runoff. The
following municipal facilities house indoor washing operations:
• J. Edward Kitchen Operations Center, 2305 Soabar Street, Greensboro, NC 27406 (managed by the Water
Resources)
• Hugh Medford Municipal Operations Center, 401 Patton Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27406 (managed by
Equipment Services)
• Greensboro Transit Agency, 223 W Meadowview Road, Greensboro, NC 27406 (managed by Greensboro Transit
Agency)
In addition to the facilities above, select fire stations across the City are also designed with floor drains piped to the
sanitary sewer system. While conducting washing procedures at these facilities, City staff still need to use proper
washing procedures in order to prevent wash water from entering the stormwater system. These procedures are listed
below:
• Ensure the vehicle/equipment is stationed entirely within the confines of the wash bay. No pre -rinsing or
washing should occur outside of these bays. This excess wash water and debris would likely run to the City's
stormwater system and/or nearby surface waters.
• Commence vehicle/equipment washing, avoiding the use of detergents. Where the use of detergents is
necessary, use products that do not contain regulated contaminants, are biodegradable, and phosphate free.*
• Check the vehicle/equipment for any noticeable leaks during washing procedures. Use the facilities available
containment equipment (drip pans, sorbent pads, oil-dri, etc.) to clean up the spill according to the spill
response procedures for that site.
• Remove the vehicle/equipment from the wash bay and use the hose and/or a broom and shovel to clean any
residual waste and debris from the wash area.
*Facilities that utilize oil water separators (specifically gravity type separators) in the wash bays should avoid the use of detergents all together. This is because
certain detergents can allow oils to bypass the separators.

City staff in charge of maintaining these wash bays should inspect the interior drains regularly for any signs of clogging.
Not only can this extend the life of the drainage system, but it can also insure that any pooled wash water does not
leave the wash bay. Should a facility have issues with wash water leaving the area, some form of filter media should be
installed in such a way that all drainage must flow through it before entering the City's stormwater system. This media
should be comprised of compost material that is designed specifically for the removal of petroleum and nutrients. This
structural Best Management Practice should be inspected regularly for efficacy and changed accordingly. Depending on
the type of equipment being washed at a facility, a maintenance plan may need to be instituted in order to clear built-up
sediment and debris upstream of the filter media.
Outdoor Washing Guidelines
Where indoor vehicle washing is not possible, it is permissible for washing practices to take place outdoors. When
conducting equipment washing outdoors, the most favorable option is to wash in an area that would allow for the
capture of wash water (i.e. water drains to a tight tank, plugged a drain, recycling system, etc.). However, due to site
construction or location, this cannot always be adhered to. In these situations, there are certain guidelines that should
be followed before outdoor equipment washing takes place:
• Locate an area that does not directly discharge to the City's stormwater conveyance system or surface waters
(away from ponds, drainage ditches, streams, stormwater inlets, etc.);
• Ensure the washing area is over a pervious surface (grass or gravel), promoting infiltration of the wash water and
minimizing the amount of runoff to adjacent surface water;
• When the only available washing location consists of impervious surfaces, efforts must be taken to prevent the
drainage entering the City's stormwater system. This can be accomplished by positioning a portable drain cover
over any nearby stormwater drain/inlet, allowing for the capture and removal of residual wash water.
• Utilize dry methods to remove as much debris as possible from the equipment in order to reduce the amount of
wash water generated;
• Ensure that some form of spill containment materials are present in the event that a spill should occur; and
• The use of detergents while washing vehicles/equipment outside is prohibited. In situations where the use of
detergent is necessary, the equipment should be taken to one of the City -owned indoor washing facilities.
This guidance should also be utilized by fire stations that do not have access to wash bays with drains plumbed to the
sanitary sewer, and/or have three or fewer fire trucks and ambulances. Equipment washing should only be conducted in
areas previously identified to have met the standards listed above. Once washing has been completed, City staff should
inspect the area and remove any residual sediment or debris.
Training
The City relies on department managers and section supervisors to share their specific washing procedures with new
employees. City staff are also required to watch the Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping Training Video. This video
outlines general good housekeeping procedures that can be used to prevent the contamination of stormwater runoff
during numerous operations, including vehicle washing. Additionally, facilities that are required to have a Stormwater
Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) hold trainings that cover site -specific pollution prevention tactics.

Relevant Documents
City of Greensboro Operations and Maintenance Plan
City of Greensboro Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping Training Video
Hugh Medford SWPPP
Greensboro Transit Agency SWPPP
White Street Landfill SWPPP