Washing your car in the driveway is really bad for the oceans because all the dirt, grime, and oil washes to the ocean and pollutes the ocean waters.  Then the polluted water contaminates our fish, which eventually ends up in many human beings. 

When we home wash, the run-off water goes untreated into storm drains, and eventually ends up in rivers, streams and wetlands. The dirty water may contain soap, detergent, residue from exhaust frames, gasoline or motor oil. Car washing soap often contains phosphates, which spur the growth of algae. Excess algae, in addition to smelling bad and impacting water quality, uses oxygen needed by fish and other animals in the water.

Commercial car washes are required to drain wastewater into sewer systems, where the water is treated. For this reason, commercial car washes have less of an environmental impact than home-washing. Also, high pressure nozzles and pumps minimize water usage. The average home wash uses 80-140 gallons of water while the commercial average is 45 gallons.

Car washes recycle water and filter the water before dumping it.  So, either go to the do it yourself centers or full service car washes. You can also purchase waterless carwash kits from people like Lucky Earth.

reference link: http://www.enn.com/lifestyle/article/37579

3 Comments

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stiernan says:

I use Lucky Earth Car Waterless Car Wash.  not only does it avoid runoff, but it cleans and waxes in one step, saving me time and money.

posted 06/24/08 at 02:40 PM

 

jediwright says:

Besides, you don't want to contribute to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch issue...of floating plastic/trash covering an area now twice the size of the US!

http://greatpacificgarbagepatch.com/blog/

The plastic habit has got to end...to help combat this issue.

posted 03/12/08 at 01:20 AM

 

thecitizen says:

There are also key water savings from this solution.  Instead of the water washing down the driveway, into storm drains and out to sea, the water at a carwash stays in the system, is cleaned and then reused.

posted 10/06/07 at 11:27 AM

 

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