The City of Tumwater is proud to participate in the regional program -
Clean Cars, Clean Streams.
Charity carwashes are important fundraisers for worthy causes. Unfortunately, they can also cause environmental harm. Very often, groups hold charity car washes on parking lots, not realizing that the soapy water running into the storm drain may empty into nearby surface waters. Carwash water and the dirt it carries may be toxic to fish and other aquatic life. And since the time of year most carwashes are held is during the warmer months, this is a critical period for us to protect surface waters from any source of potential contamination.
Commercial Facilities
If you own or manage a facility at which community groups request to hold a carwash, call Dan Smith at (360) 754-4140 or send an e-mail for a free technical assistance visit. We would like to help make your site environmentally-friendly for carwashes. If your site has sufficient treatment, your facility will receive a window cling letting the public know your site manages wastewater in an environmentally-manner, and no further follow-up with the City is required. If your facility does not have the appropriate treatment, we have put together a package for your site as well, which will dispose of the water responsibly and provide acknowledgement to the community of your stewardship, and encourage motorists to stop in!
Community Groups
The City’s Water Resource staff would like to work with your group to ensure the runoff from your community carwash is managed in an environmentally friendly way. You can start by looking for facilities with the above “Clean Cars, Clean Streams” signs in the store window. If you are planning a community car wash, please contact these sites directly.
If there are other locations your group may wish to use, please contact us. We will visit the site and work with the facility manager to help manage the runoff in an environmentally friendly manner.
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