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BMP SERIES: FUEL DISPENSING AND SERVICE STATIONS POLLUTION PREVENTION FOR FUEL DISPENSING AND SERVICE STATIONS Stormwater is any water that flows over the land surface and enters into storm drains. As water flows over city streets, parking lots and the urban landscape, it picks up pollutants and carries them into our waterbodies. Service stations, fuel storage and fuel dispensing operations can release wastewater that contains materials harmful to the environment. Spilled fuels and other contaminated runoff can contain heavy metals, toxic materials, and flammable oil and grease, all of which are very harmful to fish and aquatic life and must not be allowed to enter the storm drainage system. This is an important issue in Metro Vancouver as the storm drains (roadside and parking lot drains) are separate from the sanitary sewer and discharge, untreated, into local creeks and eventually into the Burrard Inlet. This integral network of watercourses provides natural habitat for fish, birds and other aquatic life. Any discharged contaminants can be toxic to these organisms and to our environment. This information sheet outlines best management practices (BMPs) that prevent pollution and protect water quality and our environment. Who Should Use This Information? Fuel Dispensing Operations Fuel Handlers Service Stations Mechanics Equipment Operators Vehicle Maintenance Workers Homeowners General Contractors Best Management Practices Planning + Preparation Why Should Fuel Dispensing Operations Use BMPs? As a fuel dispenser, you play a vital role in protecting public health and the environment. If not properly managed, fuelling vehicles and equipment outdoors can pollute stormwater runoff. The pollutants in fuel spills can destroy sensitive ecosystems and pollute recreational sites and our water supplies. While it may seem that your contribution to pollution is minor, the effect of chemicals and runoff from thousands of businesses really adds up. By implementing BMPs, you will: Protect and improve water quality Save money by reducing, reusing and recycling Be better able to comply with existing regulations Reduce potential liabilities and avoid penalties Offer environmentally friendly services to your customers Always read product and equipment labels and follow their directions for use. It’s a good idea to obtain and review Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) as well. Train yourself and any employees you have about proper fuel handling, fuel dispensing and waste handling techniques. Consider providing incentives for employees who practice proper or new pollution prevention techniques. Use the least hazardous products possible at all times. For construction and other projects requiring temporary Fast Fact fuelling, aim to make use of established, offIn addition to harming site fuelling stations aquatic life through whenever possible. If storm drains, fuels and not possible, then oils can also damage select a safe site for our sewer lines by fuel storage and creating flammable handling. The site conditions within should be centrally them! Fuels must located, away from therefore not be water, and with stable, discharged anywhere non-porous soils. Plan except to a licensed work so that hazardous waste equipment can be company! fuelled at the start or end of shifts. Keep all equipment well-maintained to prevent leaks. Perform frequent inspections for structural integrity and corrosion of equipment such as piping, valves, joints, welds, and tanks. Locate nearby storm drains, manholes, ditches, and creeks ahead of time. Design your site so that stormwater runoff from fuelling areas does not run to these locations. BMP Series: Fuel Dispensing and Service Stations Pave fuelling areas with concrete, rather than asphalt, and seal with impervious coatings to prevent any spilled fuel from penetrating the soil and groundwater. Grade the area with a 2 to 4 % slope to prevent stormwater ponding. Repair or replace any cracked or damaged concrete on a regular basis. Fuel Dispensing Fuelling areas for both temporary and permanent operations should be designed, covered and graded to minimize stormwater runoff and runon. Quick Tips Any remaining storm drainage from these Check where storm areas must be directed to an and sewer drains are emergency spill sump. located. Contact your Determine how you municipality for will deal with your specifications, though waste before you the general design start the job. involves containment Stock up on for a fuel spill of up absorbent materials to 1000 litres. and other clean-up Storm drainage should items. also be directed to an oil-water separator with a minimum retention time of two hours. This should be inspected and skimmed on a weekly basis and cleaned out immediately after any spill. The liquid levels in storage tanks must be measured and monitored regularly. If a gain in water or loss of fuel is detected, immediate corrective action must be taken and the Fire Chief must be notified. Use spigots, pumps or funnels when pouring fuels to prevent spills and releases. “Topping off” fuel tanks can cause spills. Post signs that discourage this practice and that encourage the reporting of any spills to staff members. Make sure shut-off valves on the fuel nozzles are working properly, and be sure to use overflow protection devices on tank systems to warn when the tank is full. Fit fuel dispensing equipment with “hold-open latches” (automatic shutoffs) and vapor recovery nozzles whenever possible. Remain with your equipment at all times while fuelling. When fuelling, use a drain pan or drop cloth under the nozzle to catch leaks. Above-ground fuel storage tanks must have at least one 80BC class fire extinguisher nearby. For service stations, do not allow customers to wash their vehicles, change their oil or work on their cars in your parking lot or fuelling area. Periodically clean up the fuelling area using dry methods, such as sweeping and absorbents. Avoid using water so that contaminants are not washed down to storm drains. All fuel storage tanks for marina operations must be located at least 4.5 metres horizontally from the annual high water mark. Waste Management Reduce, Reuse, Recycle • Buy only what you need. • Minimize waste and storage time by using a “first in, first out” strategy for any stored materials, so that old ones are used up before new ones are opened. • Reuse or recycle leftover products or give them to someone else who can use them. • Save energy by turning off lights and equipment when not in use. • For participating service stations, provide clearly marked containers for used antifreeze and oil recycling and ensure that the sign reminds people not to mix these fluids. • If you accept used oil filters, be sure to drain them for at least 24 hours before recycling, to remove residual oil. • Keep waste streams (e.g. used brake fluid and used oil) separate so that each product can be reused, recycled, or safely disposed of. • Purchase recycled products to support the market for recycled materials. Waste Disposal Quick Tips Dispose of all dry waste that was not Reduce use of in contact with fuel hazardous materials or auto fluid and replace them products into the with non-toxic garbage. alternatives. Dispose of all fuel waste (e.g. Reuse leftover absorbent pads or products whenever rags with fuel possible. contamination) as Recycle unwanted hazardous waste. materials at a local Tools and recycling depot. equipment must not be cleaned in any area where the wastewater would run to a storm drain. Fuels, auto fluids and solvents are considered hazardous waste and must not be allowed to enter any drain or any other part of any sewer system! All fuels and other hazardous chemicals must be disposed of at a hazardous waste facility. Storage + Spills Storage • Keep all product containers, fuel tanks and dumpsters closed and secured when not in use and be sure to protect them from exposure to rainfall, stormwater runon and runoff, vandalism, and animals. BMP Series: Fuel Dispensing and Service Stations • Keep storage and work areas clean and well organized. Keep all containers properly labeled. • Monitor the storage containers and fuelling areas on a regular basis. • Cap all floor drains located in storage areas so that spills cannot discharge into sanitary sewers or storm drains. • Avoid overfilling outdoor dumpsters or piling waste on the ground beside them. Spills • Develop a spill response plan. Take into account the layout of the site and the maximum volume of fuels or other liquids to be used. • Practice spill avoidance by anticipating and eliminating spill-causing situations. • Educate employees by implementing a Quick Tips hazardous materials training program. Identify appropriate • Stock up on spill waste storage areas. clean-up supplies. Train employees in spill Replenish as prevention and needed. response, and be sure • Whenever possible, to remind them of their use dry methods to important role in clean up spills, such preventing storm drain as sweeping or contamination. using absorbents. Report large or Absorbents are an hazardous spills to the excellent first choice Provincial Emergency for small fuel spills. Program. Never wash spilled fuels, solvents and other hazardous liquids down the drain! • Dispose of clean-up material properly. Depending on what was spilled, clean-up materials may be considered hazardous waste. • Do not use emulsifiers or dispersants on fuel spills, as these generally make things worse. • Report spill incidents immediately to the Provincial Emergency Program at 1-800-663-3456. All spills over 100 litres are required by law to be reported. For More Information: B.C. Recycling Hotline (604) RECYCLE (732-9253) For the nearest collection depot B.C. Provincial Emergency Program 1-800-663-3456 www.pep.bc.ca To report a large or hazardous spill Canadian Petroleum Products Institute (613) 232-3709 www.cppi.ca For industry-specific information Metro Vancouver (604) 432-6200 (Information Hotline) (604) 444-8401 (Water + Sewerage Emergency Line) www.gvrd.bc.ca Oversees all storm drain and sewer activity within the GVRD and Burrard Inlet B.C. Ministry of Environment (250) 387-1161 (Provincial Hotline) (604) 582-5200 (Lower Mainland Office) www.gov.bc.ca/env Creates and enforces water quality and pollution laws Burrard Inlet Environmental Action Program (604) 775-5756 www.bieapfremp.org For report information or any other questions Pollution Prevention for Fuel Dispensers and Service Stations Checklist Yes, I have: Identified the locations of the nearest storm and sewer drains Posted these best management practices in a central location Organized regular staff training sessions Checked the condition of all stored fuel products Developed a site layout to minimize and safely discharge fuelling area runoff Provided containment and spill clean-up equipment Prepared and posted a spill response plan REMEMBER! Storm drains are meant for storm run-off only and are protected by legislation. Contamination of the storm drainage system is an offence and may be prosecuted under local bylaws, the BC Environmental Management Act, or the Federal Fisheries Act.