You wouldn’t wash your car in the ocean… so why would you let your soap, grease and dirty water enter the storm drains?

When you wash your car at home, the water you use can flow off your driveway and into the street, picking up dirt, chemicals and trash along the way. Then this water runs into storm drains, where it flows untreated into our creeks, streams, harbors and the ocean.

Help protect the environment by using commercial car washes. If you must wash your car at home, use a nozzle to turn off the water when you’re not using the hose. Use biodegradable soap, and wash your car on grass or gravel to help absorb the water.

Most importantly, never let any trash, cleaning products or washwater enter the storm drains! Remember the Ocean begins at your front door.

For more information about automobile washing, click here.  For a public service announcement (sound), click here.

For more information on how you can help protect our environment, please visit www.ocwatersheds.com.