Section 12. TRANSPORTATION WASTES
CHARACTERIZATION AND TREATMENT OF WASTEWATER
FROM ARMY VEHICLE WASHRACKS
L. P. Furland, Senior Environmental Engineer
Stanley Consultants
Atlanta, Georgia 30345
W. E. Schley, Principal Environmental Engineer
Stanley Consultants
Muscatine, Iowa 52761
INTRODUCTION
Fort Carson is located immediately south of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Fort is
occupied by the Fourth Infantry Division of the U.S. Army.
Presently, 45 vehicle washing facilities known as washracks discharge wastewater directly
into surface drainage ditches and streams. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and the Colorado Department of Health, Water Quality Control Commission, have
promulgated stringent effluent criteria which apply to washrack discharges. Major modifications of existing washrack facilities and operations will be required to comply with the
new effluent criteria.
Stanley Consultants was engaged by the Omaha District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
to conduct studies to determine the most desirable and cost-effective methods of achieving
compliance with effluent criteria.
In direction and performance of the studies and in design development, consideration
was given to:
1. application of research information previously developed by U.S. Army Construction
Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) including: (a) centralization of washrack
facilities, (b) methods of treatment of washrack effluent, (c) pollutant loads from
washing of various types of vehicles;
2. continued use of existing facilities, where feasible and cost-effective;
3. operational requirements and preferences of the tactical militaiy command and
Directorate of Facilities and Engineering (DFAE) at Fort Carson; and
4. generation of required research information not previously developed.
EXISTING WASHRACKS
There are presently 19 permanent and 26 temporary washracks at Fort Carson. The
temporary washracks will be gradually replaced by approximately 16 future permanent
washracks. The washracks are generally dispersed within an area of about 1.5 x 4 mi with
four isolated washracks located more than 3 mi from the preceding area.
Tracked vehicles (such as tanks and armored personnel carriers) and wheeled vehicles
(such as jeeps and trucks) are washed at the various washracks. Some washracks service
all types of vehicles, while some washracks service only specific types of vehicles. Washing
is done manually with hoses and low-pressure water (less than 80 psig). Solvent cleaners
and detergents are generally used    followed by clear water rinses. Quantities and types
of cleaners are unpredictable, since individual drivers are responsible for their assigned
vehicles and they often purchase their own cleaning agents locally.
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