Disposal of Mechanical Grease

What You Should Know About Waste Management Practices for Auto Repair Operations

Your business is important to the community and it plays an integral role in the economy of our city. As a business owner you have responsibilities to keep your establishment in compliance with many regulations.

The Environmental Services and Operations Departments also have responsibilities for maintaining and keeping up the City's sewage systems: 1,544 km of sanitary and storm sewers, 2 wastewater treatment plants and numerous pumping stations located throughout the City of Windsor. In order to work effectively, sewage systems need to be in proper working order from the drain to the City's treatment plants. There are numerous storm retention basins located throughout the city.

Normal sanitary waste can be handled without difficulty. However, waste oil and toxic and corrosive liquid wastes can damage sewer systems, put workers and the public at health risk, and kill micro organisms used in bio-treatment at the City's treatment plant. For this reason, these substances should be controlled at the source and not disposed of down the drain.

The City of Windsor needs everyone to do their part to maintain the sewer system so that repairs will not be disruptive to residents or businesses.

Auto repair establishments that generate waste oil are required to have an oil interceptor in working order and a waste oil tank for recycling. Proper disposal of waste auto antifreeze and gasoline is crucial.

Commercial establishments are regulated through municipal by-laws regarding proper disposal into sanitary or storm drains. To read the City of Windsor's Sewer Use By-law, visit By-laws Online.