| Many people enjoy washing their vehicles at home, providing a watering ban is not in effect. If you are washing your vehicle on your driveway or street, all of the wash water runs down a curb and into the nearest storm drain which leads right into a river or stream. Soap and detergents can impair waterways with ingredients such as phosphorus and other harsh cleaning chemicals. The remaining rinse water usually contains pollutants such as oils and grease, suspended solids, heavy metals, and other toxic substances. This problem can be especially be harmful if a vehicle is washed on the pavement.
The next time you wash your vehicle at home, think of all of the pollutants that collect on your vehicle causing it to be dirty. Collected dust particles from dirt, brake wear, engine leaks and other sources that collect on your car or truck’s surface will wash into nearby waterways.
If you must wash off your vehicle, consider doing it on a part of your yard where the grass and/or soil can serve as a natural filter to absorb pollutants. The area that you select to clean your vehicle on is important. Find a grass, gravel, or porous area that will absorb the wash water rather than carrying it to a storm drain.
Remember these the next time you decide not to wash a vehicle at a commercial facility:
- Use environmentally safe products that will not harm the environment.
- Water with soap will not be treated if dumped down a storm drain.
- Prepare a way for water to be collected and possibly be used.
- Use low-volume or pressure to reduce over spraying and wasting water.
- Only pressure wash when water can be collected.
- Consider using rain barrels to collect rainwater that could be reused to wash vehicles.
- Wash a vehicle when needed rather than as a "once a week" activity.
Did you know?
All commercial car wash facilities in metro Atlanta are required to meet state guidelines to prevent water pollution. |
