*FAQ's & Knowledge-base (Cy... - Question #46
How does runoff from car wash fundraisers harm the environment?
Stormwater, Clean Oceans, & Pollution Prevention
Water Quality Guidelines for Car Wash Fundraisers
 
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. 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. 

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.

For more information about the City's Stormwater Program, please call the City's Water Quality Manager at (714) 229-6740.
Created on Aug.  4, 2002 at  7:19 PM (PDT). Last updated by kgraham@cypressca.org on July 26, 2019 at  4:24 PM (PDT). Owned by cmcmahon@ci.cypress.ca.us.
Catherine McMahon
Kirsten Graham
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