If you use equipment that relies on compressed air, part of your regular compressor service should be getting rid of the condensate. As air is squeezed inside the tank, water condenses out of it, collects on the inside of the tank, and has to be drained regularly to keep it from building up, interfering with the correct air pressure, or coming out the nozzle of the compressor. However, you need to be aware of why you can't pour that condensate down the sink or on the ground and how to dispose of it properly.

Why Condensate From Compressor Service Isn't Good for the Environment

Most modern air compressors need lubrication to run correctly. The oil moves freely between compressor parts and often ends up inside the tank. When water collects there, it picks up traces of the oil from the air compressor. The drops of oil are too small to see, so the condensate usually looks like normal or dirty water. However, it still contains enough oil to harm plants, animals, and waterways. Not only that, but you can be fined for getting rid of your condensate this way, so be aware of any local, state, or national ordinances.

How to Dispose of Condensate Properly

First, the runoff from your air compressor's drain should pass through an oil-water separator. There are many different types, some of which affect the oil on a chemical level, while others use pressure or gravity to separate the different densities of material, or pass the water through a filter. Once the water has been separated, it can go to a foul drain to be disposed of.

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