Home automotive maintenance can be a source of many pollutants in our creeks, streams and lakes. Oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, gasoline, diesel and other fluids often leak from cars onto parking areas like driveways and streets or are spilled during routine maintenance. Normal automobile use also creates copper and other heavy metal dust, which settles onto surfaces wherever vehicle exhaust exists. Stormwater runoff carries both metal dust and toxic fluids to these local waterways, where they can eventually become concentrated enough to disrupt aquatic ecosystems.

When repairing or maintaining vehicles at home follow these simple steps:

• Use a funnel and a drip pan when changing motor oil and all other automotive fluids
• Drain used oil filters into your oil pan for several hours before recycling the filters and oil
• If your vehicle leaks any fluid, put a towel or absorbent pad under it when parked
• Fix vehicle leaks immediately!
• Never hose off the driveway or street with water to “clean” a spill or leak
• Use commercial products designed to absorb automotive fluids or use old towels, kitty litter, sawdust or sand
• Sweep up used absorbent materials immediately and throw them in the trash
• Used motor oil from cars, trucks, boats, jet skis, motorcycles, farm equipment, and lawnmowers can be recycled and re-refined. Time to Recycle and Earth911 are resources for North Central Texas recycling options for residential, commercial and industrial customers.
• Save used oil, oil filters and other used automotive fluids and dispose of them at the next Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day event or bring them to theFt. Worth Environmental Collection Center
• All major vehicle maintenance and repair should be performed at a licensed and environmentally responsible auto repair facility.
• Remember, Oil and Water Don't Mix!

It is against the stormwater pollution ordinance to dump any automotive fluid into the storm drain system or any waterway!