Casey car owners are encouraged to use commercial car washes instead of washing their car in the driveway or street to avoid flushing soap, grime and oils down the stormwater drain and into the state’s waterways.
Environment Protection Authority acting chief executive Mark Rossiter said commercial car washes offer a responsible alternative, but said car owners should look around to find those which performed the best environmentally.
“Some allowed it to drain to the street, or did not dispose of it properly and the only thing we want going down our stormwater drains is rainwater,” he said.
“Spotting a good car wash is not hard.
“Telltale signs of bad ones include water escaping wash bays, automatic doors or equipment that doesn’t work properly, foamy water trailing to the street and generally appearing run down.”
Australian Car Wash Association (ACWA) president Neil Fox said modern car washes help stop pollutants like heavy metals and petrochemicals from entering the waterways.
“When you drive on the roads, your car is silently picking up a range of pollutants, from heavy metals like lead, petrochemical residues and oil,” he said.
“When you bring your vehicle to a purpose-built car wash, these toxins are removed during the washing process and carefully collected in settling pits, where they are then disposed of in strict accordance with regulations.
“Unlike driveway washing, modern car washes are equipped with advanced water recycling systems that ensure minimal water usage and waste collection pits.”
Mr Fox said commercial car washes are an environmentally responsible choice.
“They save water and prevent harmful chemicals from seeping into our waterways,” he said.
“Members of the Australian Car Wash Association are aware of the strict environmental regulations they operate under.
“However, we are always looking for ways to improve, and working with authorities like Environment Protection Authority is a way of achieving that.”
