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New information
The Spring 2013 Pollution Prevention Post is here! Prevent car wash pollution from entering the storm drains near your home. Find out how to get the 2013 car wash discount coupon! What's the Bag Deal? San Mateo County is joining many cities and counties across the country to encourage the use of reusable bags with a vision of a world with less plastic. Some fish from San Francisco Bay contain mercury and PCBs. Learn about how to be fish smart through these educational materials developed by the SF Bay Fish Project. Have left over paint in the house? Drop it off at one of the new sites taking back latex and oil based paint in San Mateo County. Make an appointment at our HHW collection facility to bring in chemicals and materials that are Too Toxic To Trash. The Our Water Our World helps you identify Less Toxic Pest Control products available for the home and garden in 20 partner stores across San Mateo County. Spanish-language Stormwater Brochure available Usted es la Solución para Prevenir la Contaminación del Agua que va a los Desagües
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Keep Car Wash Pollution out of the Storm Drain
Environmental Problems with Washing Cars at Home. When you wash your car in the driveway or street, contaminants such as oil, grease, and metals (copper, nickel and zinc) as well as the dirt and soap can flow into storm drains, which discharge directly into our local creeks, the San Francisco Bay, and Pacific Ocean, polluting our environment. The best option. Taking your car to a commercial car wash or spray booth is the best option as all of the dirty water is sent to a wastewater treatment plant. Not only do you reduce pollution, you will save water. A commercial car wash uses less water than you would at home. Wash your vehicle on the grass or gravel. If you wash your car or truck at home, wash it where the wash water can soak into grass, gravel or be diverted to nearby landscaping, away from the street and storm drains. Use rags to wipe brake dust off of wheels before washing. Minimize Cleaners. Reduce the amount of soap used. Wash your car with plain water, and use a hose nozzle with a trigger to save water. Use soaps, cleaners and detergents that are labeled phosphate free or biodegradable. Remember, any soap, even biodegradable, is not allowed to go into the storm drain, because even biodegradable soap depletes water of oxygen which harms aquatic life.. Pour your bucket of soapy water down the sink when you are done. The San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program has partnered with 15 car washes throughout San Mateo County to offer a Car Wash Discount Card valid for one-time use until December 31, 2014. You can get this discount coupon by emailing us your mailing address at pollutionprevention@smcgov.org or by calling (650) 372-6245. Download "The Bay" Brochure or "The Ocean" Brochure. The Participating San Mateo County Commercial Car Washes for 2013 are:
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Practice Good Car Care