City of Tacoma - Surface Water

Prevent Water Pollution - Cars

Here are a few easy tips to do your part. Your neighbors and the fish will thank you.

Car washing

Wash your car on your lawn or on gravel. Grass and gravel filter the dirt and soap out of the water and keep dirty runoff out of storm drains, which empty directly into streams, lakes and Commencement Bay. Don’t worry, the soap won’t hurt your lawn, but it will hurt the fish.
Use a nozzle on your hose to cut down on the amount of water you use.
Use soaps or detergents without phosphates. Phosphates remove oxygen from the water that fish need to survive.
Sweep driveways and street gutters before you wash your car to prevent dirt, leaves and trash from going into the gutter and storm drains.
If you use a commercial car wash – make sure they recycle the wash water. Car wash attendants at the station should know if they recycle their water.
Support fund-raising car washes that use Tacoma’s Clean Bay Car Wash kits. Look for the Clean Bay Car Wash logo.
If your fundraising group is planning a car wash in Tacoma request a Clean Bay Car Wash kit which includes plugs for the storm drain, a pump, hoses, extension cords, instructions and signs to promote your car wash. Reserve your Clean Bay Wash kit today.

Car Oil

If you see an oil or gas stain where you park your car, get the leak fixed. One-third of the state’s water pollution is caused by such chemicals as oil flowing into storm drains, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology.
Dispose of oil at approved free collection sites where it’s recycled. Many automotive parts stores and gas stations collect used oil, check the phone book for locations near you. City of Tacoma and Pierce County residents can recycle used motor oil at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at the Tacoma Landfill. Do not dump oil into the street, in the grass, down the storm drains, down your sink or in the garbage.

E-mail contact for this page: Community Relations