Jun 09, 2008 ../pictures/thumbnails/00157-LeakingOil-tn.jpg When your car's leaking oil on the street, remember it's not just leaking oil on the street.

Homeowners and Stormwater - Further Reading

How to Prevent Pollution From Your Vehicle

Leaking oil goes from car to street and is washed from the street into the storm drain, and into our lakes, streams and waterways. Now imagine the number of cars in the area and you can imagine the amount of oil that finds its way from leaky gaskets in our water. So please, fix oil leaks.

Fix leaking vehicles.

Why?

Clean water is of vital importance for our health, economy, and environment. It exists in very limited suppy. We all benefit from clean water — and all of us have a role in keeping our lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater clean.

What Is the Problem?

The current number one water pollution problem comes from diffuse or "nonpoint sources" like cars leaking oil, fertilizers washing off of fields, lawns, and gardens, and failing septic systems. Making small changes to ordinary activities around the home, like repairing leaks and properly disposing of oil, can make a difference.

What Can You Do?

• Check your car or truck for drips and oil leaks regularly and fix them promptly. Keep your vehicle tuned to reduce oil use.
• Use ground cloths or drip pans under your vehicle if you have leaks or are doing engine work. Clean up spills immediately and properly dispose of cleanup materials.
• Collect all used oil in containers with tight-fitting lids. Old plastic jugs are excellent for this purpose.
• Do not mix waste oil with gasoline, solvents or other engine fluids. This contaminates the oil which may be reused, increases the volume of the waste, and may form a more hazardous chemical.
• Never dump motor oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid or other engine fluids into road gutters, down the storm drain or catch basin, on the ground or into a ditch.
• Recycle used motor oil. Many auto supply stores, car care centers, and gas stations will accept used oil. The Elkhart County Solid Waste Management District has hazardous waste collection days where used oil can be brought for proper disposal. For dates, call (574) 293-2269.
• Recycling just one gallon of used oil can generate enough electricity to run the average household for almost 24 hours.