RiverSafe Carwash

The RiverSafe Carwash Campaign is a RiverSides’ campaign that took place in 2003/2004 to prevent harmful pollution of lakes and rivers that results from home car washing.

Washing a car in the driveway or parking load leads to a polluted lake or river. Carwash run-off that includes motor oil, toxic detergents and other chemicals degrades water quality. It threatens river habitat and the entire food chain, including fish, insects, frogs, mollusks and other species that eat them.

In 2003, RiverSides launched the RiverSafe Carwash Campaign to reduce pollution of our lakes and rivers from home car washing by educating about the environmental dangers associated with this activity , by offering a set of alternatives as well as by advocating for stronger regulations and laws that specifically address all non-point source run-off, including car washing on residential properties.

In addition, RiverSides offered a RiverSafe Carwash kit for rent to local charities wishing to hold an environmentally friendly carwash. The RiverSafe Carwash kit prevents discharge of carwash pollutants into the sewers that empty into lakes and rivers.

While the campaign is officially over, the information presented here is made available for educational purposes on car washing risks and solutions.