Car Wash | Surface Water Management | Public Works & Utilities

Public Works & Utilities >> Surface Water Management >> Water Quality >> Car Wash

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When a car is washed on paved surfaces, like a driveway or parking lot, the soap, automotive fluids, oil, and roadway dirt goes straight into nearby storm drains. Water in storm drains flows directly to lakes, wetlands, streams, and Puget Sound with little or no treatment. Runoff from car washes is toxic to fish and other aquatic life.

The good news is you can have clean cars AND clean streams.

Residential Car Washing

•Car Wash Brochure

To wash your own car, you can:

Use a commercial car wash. Most reuse water several times before sending it to the sanitary sewer system. In the sewer system, the water is treated before it is discharged to Puget Sound.
Wash your car on a gravel or grassy area, or anyplace where the soapy water will soak into the ground and not go straight to a ditch or storm drain.
Use chlorine and phosphate free, biodegradable soap. However, even these soaps are harmful to aquatic life and water quality. Use soap sparingly.

Fundraising Car Wash

Car Wash Kit

Click Picture to Enlarge

•PSCWA Map

•Fish-friendly Fundraising Car Wash Flyer

•Fish-friendly Car Wash Kit Contents

•Fish-friendly Car Wash Kit Check-out Agreement

•Fish-friendly Car Wash Kit Check-out Locations

•Fish-friendly Car Wash Kit Resource List

•Fish-friendly Car Wash Kit Instructions

If you're planning a fundraising car wash, you can:

Sell car wash vouchers. The Puget Sound Car Wash Association (PSCWA) sells car wash coupons to groups for a nominal price. The coupons are printed with the group's name and re-sold for up to $8. The coupons are accepted at participating car wash locations around Puget Sound. See the attached map of participating car washes in and near Pierce County. Find out more at 1-800-509-WASH or www.charitycarwash.org.
Use a fish-friendly car wash kit. Car wash kits work by redirecting dirty water away from the storm drain. Pierce County Surface Water Management has free, easy-to-use car wash kits to loan out to organizations such as schools, clubs, churches, and other non-profit groups. Contact Teresa Lewis, at Pierce County Surface Water Management at (253) 798-2725 to reserve a kit for your next fundraising car wash.
Want to purchase or build your own car wash kit? See the attached car wash kit resources information.

Contact Information

Teresa Lewis
Education & Outreach Coordinator

253-798-2480