Niagara Car Wash Earth Day Tip
In recognition of Earth Day… There are many things we can do at home to prevent source water contamination.
Driveway automobile washing is one of the most common residential activities that pollutes surface water, streams, creeks and lakes.
Ways to help the environment:
• Take your car to commercial car washes designed to prevent
pollutant runoff from entering storm sewers.
• If you do wash your vehicle at home, be sure to use appropriate
cleansing agents, such as phosphate-free, biodegradable detergents.
Make sure that soaps, dirt and oil do not enter storm sewers.
Collect the wastewater using containment pads and pails. For more
information on car washing best practices, visit the RiverSafe
Carwash Campaign website at www.riversides.org/riversafe.
• Wash your car over a surface that will allow water to soak into the
Earth and groundwater, rather than running off into the street.
• Take used motor oil to the recycling center.
• To reduce air pollution emissions, use public transit, carpool, cycle
or walk.
To read the whole article visit www.Pollutionprobe.org/Reports/swpprimer.pdf
(page 58)