Is it illegal to wash my car in my driveway?

No, but professional car washes are better alternative for the environment. Not only do professional car washes recycle their water (important even when we aren't in a drought) but the soap, metals and dirt washed off the vehicle aren't washed into the storm drain as they would be if you wash in your driveway or on the street. If you must wash your car at home, park it on the grass where the soapy water can absorb into the ground. A little soap won't hurt your grass but if it enters a storm drain, it will flow untreated into the nearest creek or river where it degrades water quality and harms aquatic organisms. 

Show All Answers

1. Are sewers and storm drains the same thing?
2. What kind of pollutants are found in the storm drain system?
3. What is an illicit discharge?
4. What are source control and treatment control measures?
5. What are the cities, town and Napa County doing about illegal dumping and illicit discharges into storm drains?
6. Is it illegal to wash my car in my driveway?
7. Yard clippings and leaves are natural, so they don't cause problems if swept into storm drains, right?