[stuka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sean »

I think your lawn goes into groundwater, not the sewer system (so long as it doesn't spill over). Plus you soak your lawn. Totally redneck, but I'd do it.

That would probably be OK.

It's an infraction, so you can discovery the LAPD on all kinds of things and subpoena your witness (i.e. the busybody neighbor) at your trial. Most DA's would most likely go WTF and dismiss a tiny little car wash infraction ticket instead of wasting all kinds of city money to try to get a conviction for something like this.

I am sorry I don't have the neighbor's rant on youtube. He started going off on Monsanto, genetically modified food, and how bad soap and wax are for the environment, and how washing cars is akin to poisoning him because the soap has a smell that is bad for you. And yes, he drives a Prius, so I am sure us having thirsy German V8's probably offends his tree hugging sensibility.

If the liberal green nuts really cared, they would insist on sticking a waste water treatment plant at the end of the storm drain, no?

[latterlon]

Does your neighbor ever rant about the Discovery Channel?if so....

Sigh.....ecomentalists.

[nitrousgarage]

uh?? Can't wash your car at home?? Wow what next...

[TOGWT]

Environmental Friendly Car Care

California and Florida are more environmentally aware than most other states; this is due, to consumers in these states having a greater awareness of environmental issues, helped along, in California at least, by regulation
Practicing good car care means you are helping protect our lakes and streams. How does caring for your car affect our lakes and streams? Storm drains found in our streets and roadside ditches lead to our lakes and streams. So, if dirty water from washing our cars or motor fluids are dumped or washed into the storm drain, it pollutes our local waterways.

Here are some simple steps you can take to care for your car and help keep our water clean. Give them a try. A few simple changes can make a big difference

• Wash it on the grass. If you wash your car at home, consider washing it on the lawn. Or, if you can't use the lawn, try to direct the dirty water towards the lawn and away from the storm drain.
• Reduce the amount of soap you use.
• Keep your vehicle properly tuned and use the owner's manual to guide decisions about how often it is necessary to change fluids such as oil and antifreeze.
• Take advantage of business expertise. Consider taking your vehicle to the shop to have the oil and other fluids changed. These businesses have the ability to recycle the used materials and clean up accidental spills.
• Recycle. If you choose to change your oil and other fluids yourself, label the waste containers. Then, take them to your community's household hazardous waste collection day or to a business that accepts used oil. Never dump used oil, antifreeze, or other fluids on the ground or down the storm drain.
• Soak it up. Use kitty litter promptly to absorb small amounts of spilled vehicle fluids. Then sweep it into a bag and throw it in the trash.
• Do it under cover. Whenever possible, perform vehicle maintenance in a well-ventilated, but covered location (e.g., garage). This minimizes the potential for rainfall to wash those inevitable spills and drips into our lakes and streams. For more information – Semcog - SEMCOG

Containment Systems:

One should never assume that aqueous solutions can be disposed of untreated via the storm drainage system. Pending regulations are in place (Clean Water Act and Ground Water Pollution) to limit the amount of contaminated water that is allowed to be discharged into storm water systems (i.e. street vehicle washing)

It is an offence for anyone to cause or knowingly permit: the entry into surface waters or groundwater of solid waste matter, or of poisonous, noxious or polluting matter, or the discharge of trade and sewage effluent into surface waters or groundwater without prior consent from the Environmental Regulator)

A containment mat that will withstand the chemicals used in automobile, marine, and aviation washing and refinishing applications that would allow the water to be contained and then pumped into an optional holding tank preventing run-off contamination into rivers, lakes, bays and oceans, that will be in compliance with the discharge guidelines established by the Clean Water Act and the Environmental Protection Agency and other local regulations regarding wastewater runoff / containment may be the answer. Vacuboom