Washdown Separator Tanks: A Cleaner Cleaning Environment
Atlantis Tanks’ new range of Washdown Separators represents a significant advancement in washdown water treatment. By helping businesses efficiently separate contaminants from their wash water, these tanks support environmental sustainability and compliance with regulatory standards.
What Is a Washdown Separator Tank?
A washdown separator is a specialised tank designed to treat wastewater generated from cleaning vehicles, plant and machinery. These tanks are used in facilities such as car valeting services, pressure wash stations, construction sites and sports facilities where heavy equipment and vehicles are regularly washed.
The primary function of a washdown separator is to separate and remove contaminants from the dirty wash water before it is discharged into the drainage system. This helps prevent pollutants like silt, oil, grease, and other debris from entering and potentially harming the environment.
Stricter Environmental Regulations Affecting Washdown Sites
In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the stringency of environmental regulations aimed at tackling groundwater and surface water pollution. This shift is largely in response to numerous instances of environmental damage caused by improper handling of wastewater from washdown sites. The UK Environment Agency has become particularly vigilant, enforcing stricter guidelines and imposing heavier fines on businesses that fail to comply with these standards.
Regulatory Drivers
The growing body of regulations reflects a global recognition of the critical need to protect water resources. Contaminated wash water from cleaning vehicles and heavy machinery often contains harmful substances such as oil, grease, heavy metals, and other pollutants. When these contaminants enter the drainage system untreated, they pose significant risks to human health and the environment.
Several documented cases have underscored the necessity for stringent regulations and the importance of using effective treatment systems like washdown separators:
Case Study 1: Boatyard, Plymouth
In 2015, a boatyard in Plymouth was fined for allowing contaminated wash water to enter the River Tamar. The company was cleaning boats without an appropriate containment and filtration system. The washdown water contained anti-fouling paint particles, oil and other pollutants harmful to the aquatic environment.
The Environment Agency intervened, and the company was required to install a proper washdown area with a separator tank to ensure that contaminants were captured and properly disposed of before the water was discharged.
Case Study 2: Plant Hire Company, Essex
In 2018, an Essex-based plant hire company faced significant fines after a routine inspection revealed that washdown water from cleaning heavy machinery was flowing directly into a nearby stream. The water contained high levels of silt and oil, leading to visible pollution and harm to the local aquatic life.
The company had to implement an emergency response plan to clean up the contamination and was mandated to install washdown separators to prevent future incidents. This case highlighted the critical importance of having appropriate water treatment systems in place to handle the runoff from cleaning heavy equipment.
Case Study 3: Quarrying Company, Lancashire
In 2016, a quarrying company in Lancashire was fined £120,000 for discharging contaminated wash water from their vehicle washdown area into a local brook. The water contained high levels of suspended solids, including silt and other particulate matter, which caused significant turbidity and harm to the aquatic ecosystem.
The Environment Agency’s investigation revealed that the company had not installed proper water treatment facilities, such as washdown separators, to handle the runoff. As part of the enforcement action, the company was required to upgrade its washdown infrastructure to include effective separation and treatment systems.
Key Features and Benefits of Washdown Separator Tanks
One of the standout features of washdown separators is their ability to retain petroleum products, which float to the surface of the wastewater. This is particularly beneficial in facilities where vehicles and equipment may have significant oil and grease deposits. By capturing these lighter-than-water contaminants, the tanks ensure that only cleaner water progresses into the drainage system. Run off must discharge into the foul water drainage systems with the appropriate consent to discharge from the receiving water authority. Surface water drainage is not permissible.
It’s important to note, however, that when detergents are used, the run-off may include dissolved oils and greases. In such cases, additional treatment may be required to achieve optimal water quality.
Expanding the Puratank® Brand
The introduction of washdown separators to the Atlantis Tanks range also aligns with our broader strategic goals. As a Puratank brand product, these tanks represent a significant expansion of our product range, catering to a wider array of environmental needs. They also reflect our commitment to providing innovative solutions that not only meet but exceed current environmental standards.
With increasing regulations aimed at reducing groundwater and surface water pollution, businesses are under more pressure than ever to ensure their practices are environmentally sound. Our washdown separators offer a practical solution to these challenges, enabling businesses to comply with regulations and contribute positively to environmental conservation.
Ideal Washdown Separator Applications
Washdown separators are used by a diverse target market. They are ideally suited for operators of pressure-washing facilities, including those servicing cars, trucks and heavy equipment. They are also beneficial for truck wheel washing systems, transport vehicle cleaning and even sports ground maintenance equipment. Essentially, any facility where vehicles and machinery are cleaned can benefit from the integration of these tanks into their operations.
How Washdown Separator Tanks Work
Silt and Sediment Separation
So, how exactly do these tanks work? The process is straightforward yet highly effective:
During washdown operations, dirty water drains into the separator tanks. Inside the tanks, the water undergoes a settling process where heavy particulates such as silt, sediments, dirt and road grime settle at the bottom. The tank’s design includes an outlet pipe with an elbow and a long downpipe, ensuring that the contaminated water level remains above the outlet pipe’s opening. This allows wastewater to flow out to the foul water drain while retaining sediments at the bottom, effectively preventing contaminants from entering the drainage system.
Hydrocarbon Separation
The tanks are also designed to handle light liquid hydrocarbon pollutants.
Since petroleum-based contaminants are lighter than water, they float on the surface. The internal structure of the tanks ensures that water is drawn from the middle layer, free from both silt at the bottom and oil at the top. This dual-action separation makes our washdown separators highly efficient in processing washdown water and ensuring that only the cleanest possible water is released into the drainage system.
Washdown vs. Oil Separators: The Differences
Despite their robust capabilities, it is crucial to recognise that washdown separators are not the same as oil separators or petrol interceptors.
- Oil & Petrol Separators / Interceptors These involve active filtering to absorb and retain oil and vehicle grease. They are best for locations or businesses where there is a much higher chance of petroleum products and oils reaching water courses e.g. garage forecourts, vehicle workshops and even retail car parks. All oil separators have the means to separate out silt before the water is filtered for oil. For high water volume applications, the oil separator could work in tandem with a washdown separator. The latter tank would retain most of the silty load before the water reaches the oil separator.
- Washdown separators are designed to remove silt and debris where there is lower incidence of free oils. For example, quarries are required by law to wash mud, gravel and soil from truck wheels before trucks can reach public roads. And yet in the washing process, they must not allow slit-laden, muddy water from entering nearby streams and rivers. Here there is less free oil to be captured. Another example, would include car wash and pressure hose businesses which dissolve most of the oil and grease through the use of detergents. Here, silt, brake dust and road grime must be removed before the dirty water enters the foul water drainage system on its way to municipal treatment.
Please Note The waste separated from vehicle washing and cleaning businesses can also be classified as ‘contaminated waste’. As such there is a duty of care to dispose/recycle this waste responsibly through a registered waste carrier to a suitably licensed facility.
The above distinction is a guide only. Readers are encouraged to check with their local water utility to identify whether the water output from the separator can enter the foul drain or be retained on site for later treatment.
Why Choose Washdown Separator Tanks from Atlantis?
At Atlantis Tanks, we pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive range of washdown separators, tailored to meet various needs.
- Our 19 washdown tanks range from a single 1800-litre unit to a double-staged tank with up to 20,000-litre capacity.
- We also provide bespoke solutions to suit specific site footprints and usage requirements, ensuring that our clients receive the most effective and cost-efficient systems for their operations.
- Manufactured from high-strength polyethylene using a rotational moulding process, our tanks are designed for durability and longevity, supported by a 12-year warranty.
- We also offer advanced accessories such as silt level alarms and hydrocarbon alarms, further enhancing the functionality and reliability of our systems.
For more information on washdown separators or the full range of Atlantis Tanks products, call 0330 999 1100 or email [email protected].
With our expertise and commitment to quality, we continue to lead the way in providing innovative solutions for a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future.
