When you wash your car on a compacted surface, the runoff containing soap, heavy metals, road grime, greases, and oils can enter the storm drains.

Unlike sanitary drains, storm drains usually run directly into creeks, ponds, lakes, and the Puget Sound. Untreated runoff destroys aquatic habitat, harms fish, and degrades water quality. Even biodegradable soaps may be harmful to fish!

If you are washing your car at home, find a grassy area that will soak up the runoff before it can reach a drain or ditch. Conserve water! Use a spray gun with flow restriction to minimize water volume and runoff. Empty your wash buckets into sinks or toilets. Car wash kits are also available through the City.

Instead of washing your car at home, use a commercial car wash facility. Commercial car wash facilities are required to send their runoff into the sanitary sewer where it is treated at a treatment plant. Commercial systems are also designed to use less water per car than the average car wash at home and also reuse their water several times before sending it to a treatment plant. For additional information see Washing your car at home.

The Puget Sound Car Wash Association (PSCWA) is a local organization that promotes water quality by offering tickets to qualifying non-profit organizations. These tickets can be sold to the public for a car wash at participating car wash facilities. The Elephant Car Wash is a participating member, located at 13855 1st Ave. S.

Please visit Charity Car Wash for more information or call (800) 509-9274. Charity car wash events can also use the car wash kits described below.