Auto Salvage Yards: Compliance Resources

Air

• Industry-Specific Permits by Rule for Auto Salvage Yards
• De Minimis — determine if your site is covered under the De Minimis rule. (30 TAC 116.119).

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Water

• Am I a Public Water System? — If you have a private well, you may be a public water system.
• You're a Public Water System…Now What? (RG-496) In revision 2023 — A guide for rules and regulations that apply to public water systems, especially for those who may have recently learned they own a PWS.
• Permitting a Septic System — You must check with your local permitting authority, and you can use a septic system for toilet and kitchen wastewater only. Process water is prohibited.
• If you are connected to a sewer system, contact your local Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) before discharging to their system.
• If you are not connected to a POTW, you may containerize your wastewater for disposal, apply for an industrial re-use authorization, or apply for an individual permit.
• Instructions and Application to Use Industrial Reclaimed Water
• Industrial Wastewater Discharges: The Permit Process
• Assistance Tools for Industrial Stormwater General Permit
• Stormwater Permit Information
  • Example Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3) — Sample for an Auto Salvage Yard from the EPA.
    NOTE: This SWP3 does NOT contain all requirements by the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES), and should just be used as a reference.
  • EPA's Auto Salvage Fact Sheet (PDF)

• Industrial Wastewater and Stormwater Regulations

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Waste

• What to do with Used Oil, Batteries, Antifreeze, or Used Tires
  • Used Oil Recycling Program
  • The Used Oil Recycling Handbook (RG-325) — Guidance for Used Oil Handlers
  • Requirements for Used and Scrap Tire Generators (RG-513)
• What to do with Mercury Convenience Switches
• Industrial and Hazardous Waste Rules and Regulations for Small-Quantity Generators (RG-234)
• Waste Designation Decision Matrix
• Managing Paint and Paint-Related Waste under the Universal Waste Rule (RG-370)
• Managing Hazardous Waste as Universal Waste
• Hazardous and Industrial Waste-Am I Regulated?
• Nonhazardous Industrial Waste Storage, Treatment, or Disposal: Am I Regulated?

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Compliance Overview Tools

• Recovering Refrigerant at Salvage Yards –Guidance from the EPA.
• Automotive Recyclers Association
• Texas Automotive Recyclers Association
• Delinquent Fees

Small Business and Local Government Assistance

TCEQ's Small Business and Local Government Assistance section offers free, confidential help to small businesses and local governments working to follow state environmental regulations. Call us at (800) 447-2827 or visit our webpage at TexasEnviroHelp.org.