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 This
brochure is intended to explain the water quality issues regarding
the discharge of car wash water from fundraisers and the guidelines
to be followed when conducting these activities. Car wash fundraisers
are a popular means of raising money for worthwhile causes. However,
runoff from car wash fundraisers if not properly managed can negatively
impact the aquatic environment and degrade local waterways. When
conducting your fundraiser you should follow these guidelines in
order to prevent the wash water from entering the storm drains where
it flows untreated to the ocean.
How does runoff from car wash fundraisers harm
the environment?
During a car wash fundraiser, wash water containing
soap and detergent, residues from exhaust fumes, brake pads, gasoline
and motor oil washes off the cars, flows off the pavement and into
nearby stormdrains. Alone, one car wash fundraiser event may not
create a significant adverse environmental impact. But, collectively,
car wash fundraiser events can contribute significant amounts of
wash water to the storm drain system.
Before beginning your
car wash fundraiser:
• Hold a meeting with all participants to explain the proper
procedures that should be followed when conducting these activities.
• Remove all trash and debris from the
car washing area.
• Use only soaps, cleaners or detergents
labeled “non-toxic,” “phosphate free,” or “biodegradable.”
The safest products for the environment are
vegetable-based or citrus-based soaps.
• Do not use acid based wheel cleaners
or engine degreasers.
• Select a site where the wash water
can soak into grass, gravel, or be diverted to nearby landscaping.
This will allow the wash water to filter through the vegetation
and/or soil instead of flowing directly into a storm drain.
• If you select a site that drains into
a street, block off the storm drain with sandbags and either divert
the wash water to an area where the water can pool and evaporate
throughout the day or arrange to dispose of the wash water down
a sanitary sewer drain (with permission from the sanitation district).
• At the end of the day, remember to
properly dispose of sandbags.
During the car wash fundraiser:
• Shake car mats into a trash can or
vacuum them. Do not shake dirt from car mats directly onto the ground.
• Use a bucket of soapy water to resoap
rags or sponges throughout the wash rather than adding more soap
directly to rags or sponges.
• Wring sponges and wash rags into buckets,
not the ground.
• Conserve water by using a spray nozzel
with an automatic shut off and shutting off or kinking the hose
when not in use.
• Always empty buckets into the sanitary
sewer system (e.g. sinks or toilets).
After the car wash fundraiser:
• Remember to clean up. Have a volunteer
walk the perimeter of the site to pick up trash and debris and dispose
of it properly.
Before you allow anything to go into the gutter
or storm drain, stop and think. Storm drains do not go to the sewer,
they flow directly into channels and creeks, through wetlands and
to the ocean.
Remember, the ocean
begins at your front door.
This page has been prepared to inform residents
in Orange County of the guidelines recommended for car wash fundraiser
events in order to protect the water quality in storm drains, channels,
creeks, bays and ocean.
August 2002
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