Important! No car washing at home in Washinton State ????

[PWRWGN1]

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/09/washington_may_wipe_out_drivew.html

I wonder if this will make a tour around the nation. One would think there should be more important things for the State of Washington to consider.
Any comments from the Washington State members? Is this just a flash in the pan so to speak?

 

[Patrick]

In 2002-2003, here in Colorado, we had similar restrictions to washing cars in driveways, but it had to do with water rationing at the time as we were in a drought.

As a matter of public policy, I can understand Washington state's logic here: Since the late 90's, the Feds have been stepping up the requirements for compliance with the Federal Clean Water Act (Originally adopted in 1971, I think). This requires local governments to manage all forms of stormwater runoff to be treated for water quality, precisely to improve the purity of water in the nation's major streams, rivers, lakes and coastlines.

Having said that, a lot of communities treat their runoff by capturing it in appropriately sized detention ponds, and holding it there long enough for heavy particles in the water to "fall out." This strategy works best in smaller communities experiencing new growth. Older, established cities have a larger problem if their infrastructure was put in place decades ago, but the idea of water quality detention was never contemplated, and never built into the design of storm sewers. So they face a costly retrofit of their infrastructure for compliance.

The sad fact is that restrictions like this tend to be enforced by neighbors turning one another in for violating the car wash restrictions.

 

[spikebot 81]

This is the first I've heard of the issue. Thats the dumbest thing yet. The little bit of road film and suds from washing a car in the driveway cant be that significant. Besides I,ve never seen my neighbors washing a car. I think most go to the car wash anyways. Good grief what next

 

[kenmack]

pollutants

I would suggest that the accumulated oil at any major intersection in Washington state far exceeds any oil from car washing in a 10 mile radius.
Nobody is doing any thing about road surface pollution.:confused
Hey let's put diapers on cars !!!!!

Use an enviro safe soap, and make sure you wipe off those large pools of oil that accumulate on your trunk and hood surface.otfl
I can not believe these pinheaded brainless reactionary legislators.ad

Be Careful Washington State,you'll become totally anal like Victoria British Columbia.They have a "no idle" bylaw.