Why are they bad for water quality?

One of the most threatening and widespread contaminates of storm water is soaps resulting from the washing of cars. Carried to local waterbodies after entering storm drains, soaps cause excessive algae to grow, ultimately starving the water of oxygen when the algae begins to decompose. Additionally, soaps destroy the mucus layer in fish, which protects them from harmful parasites, and alters the aquatic environment.

What can we do to reduce or prevent storm water pollution?

There are many simple things we can do to prevent storm water pollution and help protect the water quality of our local waterbodies, although the number of pollutants might seem overwhelming. By incorporating simple, daily changes in our routine or activities, preventing storm water pollution will not seem like such a dramatic change to our lifestyle.

Try having your car washed at a commercial car wash rather than washing it yourself at home. Commercial car washes reuse wash water and discharge the water to the sanitary sewer system. Not only do they protect storm water by not discharging soaps into the street, they help us conserve water.

If washing your car at home, do not let the hose continuously flow. Try using a spray nozzle that controls the water flow only when you need it.

Use bio-degradable or environmentally friendly soaps instead of harsh detergents.

Using only a bucket filled with soapy water will help to limit the amount of soap and water that runs into the street.

Try washing your car on a grassy area or other previous surface. Allowing the water to percolate into the ground will help prevent the water from entering the streets and storm drains.

Community groups interested in hosting charity carwashes are no longer allowed to have the wash water enter storm drains. Instead, community groups should consider either hosting their car washes on a pervious surface, like in a park, or working out a deal with a commercial car wash facility to option a portion of the proceeds. For more information, a program has been established for groups interested in teaming up with an established car washing business.

What do the laws say about soaps and detergents?

It is still permitted to wash your personal vehicle at home, yet voluntarily limiting the amount of soap and water used will prevent the government from banning residential car washing altogether. If we prove that people can wash their cars and still protect water quality, there will be no need to ban car washing in the future. Charity car washes, however, are illegal if the water runs into a storm drain.