Stormwater-Smart Auto Care Tips

This month in our Stormwater Smart Awareness series, we are focusing on the impact that car washing and auto care can have on our waterways.

If you have been following our blogs, you know that stormwater plays a major role in our waterway’s health and that residents and business owners play a crucial role in stormwater management. 

A Quick Review of Stormwater and Its Impacts:

In simple terms, you can think of stormwater as rain runoff that flows over the ground and collects pollutants before it flows directly into the creeks and Bays.

• What is the Stormwater Drain System? Our stormwater drain system was created to prevent flooding within communities and homes in Contra Costa.

• Where Does Stormwater Come From? Stormwater comes from water from rain or melting snow. It runs across lawns, driveways, construction sites, industrial facilities, and the streets. 

• Where Does it Go? Stormwater then enters a comprehensive network of storm drains, underground pipes, and channels, ultimately emptying into our local creeks, rivers, and the Bay. 

• What is the Concern? The stormwater water picks up whatever is in its path. This often means that stormwater carries a variety of pollutants like motor oil, soaps, pesticides, fertilizers, litter, pet waste, and other unhealthy items.  

The water and materials that enter the storm drain system enter directly into our local water bodies, including the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the San Francisco Bay, without being treated. ,

Unfortunately, because stormwater often carries pollutants, it can degrade water quality, harm aquatic life, and pose risks to human health. 

How Does Auto Care Relate to Stormwater?

You might not think that changing your oil or washing your car can have much impact, but these activities can significantly contribute to stormwater pollution. 

Oil, Antifreeze, and Auto Fluids: 

Oil leaks, antifreeze, and other auto fluids pose a significant danger to our waterways. They contain heavy metals and toxins that can harm fish and wildlife. When you change your oil at home, improper disposal of used oil can lead to it seeping into the ground or running off your driveway or street into storm drains.  In fact, the used oil from just one oil change (approximately 1 gallon) can contaminate a million gallons of our freshwater! That’s enough water to supply 50 people for one year.

Car Washing: 

Similarly, washing your car in your driveway can send soaps, oil, grease, grime, and chemicals directly into the stormwater system that leads into our waterways. 

Many soaps and detergents contain phosphates and other chemicals that can be toxic or harmful to fish and water quality. Additionally, the dirt and grease washed off your car often contain pollutants that degrade water quality.

So, Am I Not Supposed to Wash My Car or Change My Oil?

You don’t have to stop washing your car or changing your oil. But let’s do it in a way that keeps our waters clean.  

Being mindful of our actions, especially in activities like car maintenance, can make a big difference in preventing pollution and safeguarding our waterways.  

The key is to adopt simple practices that prevent auto fluids and car wash residue from entering the stormwater system. Here’s how:

What can I do? – Auto Care Tips for Stormwater Health

1. Under the Hood: Oil and Fluid Changes

• Use designated facilities for oil changes.
  • Proffessional facilities such as automitive maintenance shops or mechanics are equipped to capture and properly dispose of used oil, preventing contamination of waterways.
• If doing auto repair or oil changes at home:
  • Manage potential spills during maintenance repair work.
    • Use drip pans, absorbent mats, and drop cloths to contain any fluids that could leak when working on your car.
    •  When changing automotive fluids use a funnel to direct the flow and prevent spills.
  • Recycle used motor oil and auto fluids properly.
    • You can recycle used motor oil and filters.
    • To find a certified used oil collection site click HERE, or go to http://www.funnelhead.com/certified-oil.html.
    • Used motor oil can be re-refined into lubricating oils that meet the same API certification and specifications as new motor oil.
    • It takes 42 gallons of crude oil, but only one gallon of used oil, to produce 2 ½ quarts of new, high-quality lubricating oil.

• Safely discard additional auto products considered Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), including batteries, anti-freeze, brake fluid, etc. at no charge. 
  • To find HHW Facilities near you, Click HERE or go to https://www.cccleanwater.org/community/household-hazardous-waste
• NEVER:
  • Never pour used oil down any drain.
  • Never toss used oil on your driveway, street, or the ground.
  • Never dispose of oil in creeks, rivers, the Delta, or the Bay.
  • Never spread oil to suppress dust or kill weeds.

2. Vehicle Maintenance: 

• Regularly maintain your vehicle to prevent oil leaks and other fluid spills. 

3. Car Washing: Wash Wisely and Sud for Success

Wash your car at a car wash facility.

• It is best if you can take your car to a car wash business because they recycle and filter their water, or it drains into the sanitary sewer system and gets treated. 
• Professional car washes are legally required to drain into sewer systems where the water is treated before being reused.
• Although it might cost more than washing at home, taking your car to a car wash saves water and prevents harmful chemicals from entering storm drains and reaching our waterbodies. 

If you can’t take your car to a car wash facility:

• Use biodegradable or natural-based soaps that are phosphate-free.
• Wash on a grassy or gravel surface.
• This allows the water to naturally filter and soak into the ground rather than runoff into the street and our storm drains.
• Use a hose nozzle and trigger to reduce the water required to wash your vehicle.

If you are doing a carwash fundraiser – plan ahead!

• Contact the local municipality to check if charity car washing events are legal in your area.
• Contact CCCWP at 925-313-2350 to reserve a free car washing kit.
• These kits include pumps, extension cords, and hoses which allow you to safely discharge the water into a vegetated area or a sanitary hookup.
• See our brochure specifically on Car Wash Fundraising in Contra Costa.

For All:  

• Move Your Car for Street Sweeping.
  • To view the schedule for your neighborhood, visit your city/town or County webpage.

But I am Just a Resident or Small Business Owner; Can I Really Have Any Effect on Stormwater?

YES! Residents and business owners like you can play a major role in stormwater management by helping to reduce the pollutants that run into our stormwater drains.

Clean water is crucial for our well-being and economy in Contra Costa.  It provides opportunities for fishing, swimming, commerce and enhances the beauty of our surroundings.  As many of you know, the Delta and San Francisco Bay are a critical source of our drinking water.  We all benefit from clean water, and every one of us can play a major impact in improving stormwater quality.

By becoming Stormwater Smart and being mindful of how we care for our cars, each of us can truly make a difference in protecting Contra Costa County’s beautiful waterways and helping to ensure cleaner water. Simple actions like proper oil disposal and mindful car washing can have a big impact. Let’s work together to keep our stormwater system clean and our waterways healthy.

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