When you wash a car in the driveway or street, wash water flows into storm drains and directly to local waterways – along with dirt, emissions, and soap. You can avoid this by using a commercial car wash, where systems direct wash water to the local wastewater treatment facility and oil, grease, detergent, sand, and grime are removed.

If you wash your car at home, use biodegradable soap, wash it on your lawn or on other unpaved areas. This keeps runoff out of the storm drain and ditches. Dispose of leftover wash water in the toilet, sink, or other area that goes to a water treatment plant.

From time to time, we’ve all noticed an oily sheen on water in streets and parking lots; it’s the result of small leaks, accumulated residues, and fuel overfills from our cars. When a vehicle is maintained, fewer leaks spill onto streets and highways spill onto streets and highways and fewer contaminants enter our waterways.

Well all know that air quality is affected by vehicle emissions, but did you know emissions can also affect water quality? Tiny particles from tail pipes settle on roadways, wash into storm sewer systems, and then flow into rivers and streams. Their impact may seem smalls, but when you consider all the vehicles traveling on our roads, the impact is clear.

Street sweeping can minimize the impact of this pollution, but rain and melting snow still carry contaminants to storm sewers. One way we can reduce this pollution is to drive less. Plan trips so you can accomplish several tasks at once. Use public transportation. Even better, walk or ride your bike.