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Subject:Re: Your Van might just need a flush....was Van runs hot in traffic jams
From:David Brodbeck
Date:Wed, 2 Apr 2003 11:20:24 -0500

On Wed, 2 Apr 2003, Bill Marshall wrote:

> How do you dispose of all the coolant-laced flushing water?
> I would assume that flushing it down the drain is environmentally
> bad, and running it down the storm sewers is WAY bad.  So,
> where does it go?

I'd always heard that pouring it into the sanitary sewer was okay, as the
processing done at sewage treatment plants will handle it.  If you're
unsure, call your local hazardous waste disposal agency and ask for
advice.  Most areas have one.

The storm drain is obviously bad because it usually drains directly into a
local lake or stream with no processing.  I'd do my best to collect all
the flush water, but if some of it escapes just dilute it heavily so local
wildlife doesn't get sick from drinking it.  Coolant is poisonous and
unfortunately tastes sweet.

David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'82 Diesel Westfalia
'94 Honda Civic Si