Your Vehicles and Garage
Dripping gas and oil onto driveways, roads and
parking lots is a problem for streams in urban and suburban areas.
Handling gas, oil and grease and washing your car at home can flush
detergents and other contaminants into the storm drain system and directly
into our waters
Clean Storm Water Car Care Tips
- Keep your
automobiles well-tuned so that they are not dripping fluids or
emitting unnecessary fumes. Place a drip pan under your engine if
leaks are present.
- Service your car carefully.
- Dispose of used auto fluids
and batteries at designated drop-off and recycling locations. Many
retail auto stores offer used auto fluids and battery collection as
a service to their customers; contact your local retailer to find
out if they do. A partial list of businesses that collect waste oil
is posted on the
Maine Oil Recycling Program Directory.
- Avoid spilling gas on the
ground or in the water.
- If you do change oil at home,
use a drop cloth and immediately clean up any spills on the ground.
- Use a funnel to fill up fluids
(in cars, lawn mowers, snowmobiles, ATVs, etc.)
- Avoid topping off your fuel
tank to reduce the chance of spillage.
- Store and label gasoline
properly.
- Wash your vehicles so the
runoff goes to your lawn or at the car wash facility instead of your
driveway.