Vehicle Maintenance and Repair BMP
Education Initiative

Everyone has to take their car or truck to be maintained or repaired once in a while. The vehicles we depend on for getting around on a daily basis contain a wide variety of highly toxic substances, including gasoline, motor oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, anti-freeze and heavy metals. Unless the job is done carefully, maintenance work presents a high potential for pollution of local water resources. In addition to Environmental Protection Agency requirements, the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County have both passed ordinances prohibiting activities which result in stormwater pollution.

The RRSEP formed six teams to visit sixty local business establishments in late January and early February 2007 as part of an education initiative targeted to the vehicle maintenance and repair industry. Team members spoke to business managers, and presented them with a poster and a brochure with suggested best management practices. In addition,  each enterprise was invited to enroll in the Businesses for the Bay Program, which provides recognition to businesses in the Chesapeake Bay watershed that take steps to reduce waste and reduce the potential for water pollution.

Team members reported that most local businesses are aware of their responsibility to keep potential pollutants out of the stormdrain system, and have instituted good workplace practices with that purpose in mind. It is hoped that the education initiative not only served to remind businesses of their responsibilities, but also helped educate the public at large in the importance of preventing stormwater pollution.