Written by the Pro-Enviro Team
Serving Washington State and beyond with compliant spill response
For any vehicle fluid spill, proper spill response requires the right equipment, trained personnel, and a thorough cleanup process that protects both the environment and public safety.
Recently, the Pro-Enviro by FleetEasy responded to a significant coolant spill in Cheney, near Spokane, after a commercial welding truck experienced a major coolant system failure. What began as a vehicle breakdown quickly became a large-scale environmental cleanup project.
Here’s what happened and how we got the job done.
Spreading Coolant Spill at a Fuel Station & Parking Lot
When Pro-Enviro arrived on scene, crews found approximately 75 feet by 6 feet of asphalt contaminated with coolant. Fortunately, by the time we arrived, absorbent material had already been applied to help contain the spill. However, there was still a lot of work to do here!
Vehicle fluids often penetrate surface textures and can remain trapped within porous asphalt even after absorbent materials are removed. Simply sweeping up the visible contamination rarely addresses the full extent of the spill.
We met with the site supervisor, assessed the affected area, and developed a spill cleanup strategy designed to remove as much residual coolant contamination as possible.
The Spill Response Process
Environmental spill cleanup is often a multi-step process that requires both mechanical removal and chemical treatment. To begin, crews loaded specialized equipment, including a Bobcat sweeper, absorbent materials, and cleaning agents, before arriving on site.
The initial phase involved loosening and removing compacted absorbent material that had become embedded in the asphalt surface after being driven over by vehicles. Using the sweeper attachment, technicians collected the contaminated absorbent and prepared the surface for additional treatment.
There was also a catch basin drain nearby, and we ensured that absorbents were applied around its perimeter to prevent contamination.
We applied a specialized cleaning solution designed to break down residual coolant contamination that remained on the pavement. After allowing the cleaning agent time to work, crews applied fresh absorbent material across the affected area and then collected it with the sweeper.
This process was repeated multiple times to ensure contaminants were thoroughly removed from the asphalt surface. Finally, technicians completed detailed hand cleaning with push brooms, collected all contaminated materials, and secured the waste for proper disposal.
Why Coolant Spills Require Professional Cleanup
Many people assume coolant is relatively harmless compared to fuels or oils. However, coolant spills can create several environmental and safety concerns.
Coolant can still contaminate soil and drainage systems, and cause issues for catch basins and stormwater infrastructure if it isn’t contained quickly. In addition, it can pose risks to pets and wildlife as animals can be attracted to its sweet smell. Coolant is also slippery and can leave long-term stains on pavement.
Even when a spill does not reach waterways, like in this case, thorough cleanup is often necessary to restore the affected area and reduce environmental risk.
Spill Response Services Across Washington State
Commercial vehicle spills can happen anywhere, and we’ve dealt with them all! From truck stops and fuel stations to highways, warehouses, industrial sites, and customer facilities, we’ve helped customers clean up stressful oil, fuel, coolant and other fluid spills quickly and compliantly with regulations.
Pro-Enviro provides spill response services throughout Washington State, including:
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- Coolant spill cleanup
- Fuel spill response
- Oil and hydraulic fluid cleanup
- Fleet vehicle spill recovery
- Commercial vehicle incident response
- Storm drain protection
- Environmental remediation support
- Emergency spill containment
Our teams are available 24/7 to respond to spills, helping businesses protect their property, maintain compliance, and minimize operational disruptions. When your company needs professional spill response anywhere in Washington State, Pro-Enviro is ready to help.