Is the Sludge from Car Wash Pits Hazardous?

As dirt and debris gets washed off cars in self-service bays, auto-rollover car washes, and tunnel washes, sludge starts to build up in the pits of different car washes.

One question people ask is whether this sludge is dangerous or not?

Typically, no…

First of all, the buildup of odor-causing toxins and debris results from vehicles being washed in the same spot over and over again. That washed off dirt and grease ends up collecting in the pits, which are hollowed out areas in the floor.

In terms of the sludge being dangerous or not, Professional Carwashing & Detailing states that it typically isn’t hazardous. Most of the car washes tested over the past couple of years haven’t contained large enough amounts of toxins or foreign substances to be deemed hazardous.

Andy Pazz explains on this site, “the Environmental Protection Agency (EPI) and the DEQ are primarily concerned with high levels of petroleum hydrocarbons. If the petroleum hydrocarbons are over the acceptable level then they can easily be controlled with the introduction of enzyme/bacteria that consume and eliminate the waste by turning it into harmless carbon dioxide and water.”

But it has the potential

However, even though the sludge isn’t always dangerous, it still has the potential to harm the environment and people removing it. Because the dirt and debris can possibly contain substances like mercury and arsenic, all sludge has to be tested since local landfills don’t allow certain materials to be dumped.

Waste management compliance unit supervisor at NDEQ, Jeff Edwards, said, “Most of the time this is non-hazardous material, but it has the potential.” Rapid City Journal also stated that, “Benzene from gasoline, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, mercury, lead, selenium and more could all be present at dangerous levels depending on the type of vehicles the car wash or other business is servicing.”

Let the experts handle it

All in all, the sludge removed from car wash pits usually isn’t hazardous but does have the potential to be dangerous and should be handled by experts who can take it to a licensed facility.

At Pit Crew, we don’t just dump the debris — we destroy it. We value protecting the environment and ensuring your safety, so it’s our job to efficiently and properly dispose of sludge to keep your bays clean and your customers satisfied.

If you want to know more about what sludge contains and whether it’s hazardous, reach out to us today! We’re always here to answer any of your questions.