Wastewater Disposal for Power Washers & Mobile Car Washes
Residents and businesses often use power washing to remove stains from buildings and surrounding property. Since power washing is typically performed outside, power washer operators must know about regulations regarding wastewater. The same regulations also apply to mobile car washes. Contact Austin Water's Utility Compliance Services Division at 512-972-1060, option 5, before beginning operations to confirm your disposal plan is compliant.
Storm Sewer Discharge Prohibited
Power washing and mobile car wash wastewater may not be discharged into the storm sewer if it contains pollutants or cleaning compounds and has not been treated before entering the environment. Applicable code is in Article 5 of Chapter 6-5 of the Austin City Code. Contact Austin Watershed Protection at 512-974-3500 for more information.
Sanitary Sewer Discharge
Power washing and mobile car wash wastewater may be discharged to the sanitary sewer under certain conditions. Wastewater must be collected and transported to a private fixed-site facility connected to the City's sanitary sewer collection system. Applicable code is in Chapter 15-10 of the Austin City Code (Wastewater Regulations).
To establish a private fixed-site facility, you must:
- Submit a Discharge Permit Application — all industrial wastewater discharges must be authorized by permit
- Ensure the facility has appropriate pretreatment such as a sand/oil interceptor or grit trap
- Allow Austin Water to determine whether a wastewater flow meter is required to facilitate billing for wastewater and surcharge fees
Other Disposal Options
Local landfills and centralized waste treatment facilities may also accept hauled liquid waste. Contact facility operators directly to confirm whether they can accept your waste type.
Prohibited Disposal Sites
Hauled industrial wastewater may not be disposed of at the City's Approved Receiving Station. It also may not be dumped into a cleanout, manhole or toilet at the site being cleaned unless that site is permitted by Austin Water and has an appropriately sized sand/oil interceptor.
Unauthorized discharge into the sanitary sewer system violates Chapter 15-10, is a Class C misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 per day per violation.