| Car Washing
Outdoor car washing results in large amounts of dirt, road grime, oil, and heavy metals in runoff. When the soapy water used to wash the car runs off driveways to streets, they can enter storm drains that flow to streams and ultimately to the ocean, usually without being treated.
This is the best option to keep harmful chemicals from entering our streams and the ocean. Commercial car wash water is recycled and sent to the wastewater plant for treatment.
When washing your car at home, wash it on your lawn or a pervious surface, so the wash water can soak into the ground and pollutants will be filtered out.
If you wash your car in a driveway or City street, use water and phosphorous-free soap sparingly with a bucket, sponge, and nozzle on the end of your hose to conserve water and minimize the amount of phosphates entering storm drains, streams and the ocean. Excess phosphates decrease water quality and harm aquatic life.
Fundraising Car Washes
Make your fundraising car wash watershed friendly!
- Sell commercial car wash coupons from local carwash companies. This allows you to sell tickets any time of year, expand fundraising beyond one event, and doesn’t leave you dependent on the weather.
- Conduct fundraising events at locations with designated wash areas to:
- Infiltrate runoff into soil, surface, e.g. gravel, grass, permeable surface
- Retain/detain runoff, e.g. plug or collect wash water
- Filter runoff slowly through vegetation, e.g. native plants, trees
- Pump harmful wash water to the sewer system (owner requires City and County of Honolulu permit)
- Remember to use water and phosphorous-free soap sparingly with a bucket, sponge and nozzle on the end of a hose to conserve water and minimize the amount of phosphates entering storm drains, streams and the ocean
Car Maintenance
Safe Disposal of Chemicals
Never pour vehicle waste, including oil and antifreeze, into storm drains. Recycle your waste oil. A best practice is to have your oil changed by a shop that recycles their waste oil. If you change your own oil, use an “oil change box”. Change your oil away from storm drains and have old rags or other absorbent materials available to respond in case of a spill. Recycle your antifreeze/coolant. A best practice is to go to a shop that recycles their coolants. Used coolants should not be flushed down the drain because they contain pollutants that may cause problems for wastewater treatment plants. Check your radiator hoses when changing your oil and inspect your car at the first sign of a coolant leak.
Fix Leaks
Fix oil leaks right away. In the short term, place drip pans or cardboard under your car to prevent oil from reaching our streams. Clean up leaks or spills promptly, using dry absorbent materials and a broom. Do not wash down garage or driveway surfaces into a storm drain.
Give Your Car a Break
Reduce the time and money you spend on car maintenance by leaving your car at home more often. Carpool with a friend, take the bus, walk or bike to work at least once a week.
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