Last month, the Newtown transfer station began testing waste oil it received from residents after a contaminated batch cost the town $1,500 in fines.

Public Works Director Fred Hurley told The Newtown Bee on Wednesday, September 8, that the town is still taking waste oil, but it is no longer being put directly into the main 500-gallon tank. A sign on the door of the used engine oil shed informs residents that they must see an attendant before dumping any oil. There is a five quart per visit limit on the amount of oil a resident can dump.

When it is first received, oil is now put into a smaller 50 gallon drum where it is tested, and then moved into the 500 gallon drum if it is clean of contaminants such as brake fluid.

The new system was instituted after a failed test on the big tank last month cost the town $1,500.

“Test kits are cheap, but a failed test on the big tank can be expensive,” said Hurley. “The new system has been working flawlessly.”

Hurley said that taking the engine oil was an important part of what the transfer station does.

“The last thing we want is [engine oil] dumped into a storm drain or something,” Hurley said. “It’s important for the town to take it for proper disposal.”

Reporter Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.