We take care of your vehicles, but did you know that we also take care of the environment? Unfortunately, not all auto repair shops are as environmentally-responsible as we are. During and after oil changes, there tends to be too much improper disposal of used motor oil or other fluids. There are also to many  vehicles on the road leaking oil and fluids, which are running into the earth and the groundwater we count on. As National Groundwater Awareness Week continues March 10-16, we need to all jump on board to protect this vital resource and ensure that we do our part to reduce groundwater contamination and keep our drinking water safer, as well as the water we live near.

Used motor oil is just one of many groundwater contaminants that we must be aware of. Some of the major sources of these products are storage tanks, septic systems, hazardous waste sites, landfills, and the widespread use of road salts, fertilizers, pesticides, oils and other chemicals. They have a direct impact on our drinking water, as fifty percent of the United States population depends on groundwater for daily drinking water. Proper recycling will ensure that used motor oil does not make its way into local surface and groundwater resources. Should oil get into the environment, it can quickly pollute large amounts of water. In fact, just one gallon of motor oil can create an oil slick on surface water up to eight acres in size, contaminate one million gallons of freshwater (the equivalent of one year’s water supply for fifty people), and produce a four-acre area of soil unusable for planting for decades.

Proper disposal reduces the amount of motor oil in groundwater. The United States generates 1.3 billion gallons of used motor oil each year-approximately 13 percent of which is disposed of improperly. Improperly disposed of motor oil therefore could “potentially be a widespread source of MTBE in ground water.” At our auto repair shop, we view oil changes as a way that we can better protect our environment. We encourage you to be sure to pick an mechanic which will do the same. What we do with the used oil from our cars plays an important role in our needs for transportation with our desire for a clean and healthy environment today and for future generations.