Bay Friendly Carwash Program

What is the Bay Friendly Fundraiser Carwash Program?

The Bay Friendly Fundraiser Carwash Program (BFFCP) was inspired by the Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership to help facilitate fundraiser carwashes while protecting our ocean from pollution that can be carried in wastewater from car washing activities.

The Bay Friendly Fundraiser Carwash Program:

Provides outreach and education about the potential harmful effects caused by wastewater discharge from traditional fundraiser carwashes
Promotes bay friendly car washing solutions that help solve pollution problems while also supporting the activities of fundraising groups
Connects fundraising groups with BFFCP Partners that can help them hold bay friendly fundraiser carwashes
Helps keep our ocean healthy and pollution free

A Bay Friendly Fundraiser Carwash prevents wastewater discharges to storm drains, diverts the wastewater to the sanitary sewer system or to a landscaped area where it will not pollute our ocean. It’s that simple!

How Can a Carwash Pollute Our Ocean?

Soapy wastewater from a carwash typically flows along a parking lot or other paved surface into the storm drain system. From there, it enters our watersheds and ocean untreated where it can harm fish and other aquatic life.

All by itself, one carwash may not seem to contribute much pollution to our local waterways. But, collectively, wastewater from carwashes throughout the community can contribute significant amounts of harmful pollutants to our ocean.

Discharges of wastewater and/or other pollutants associated with carwashes to the storm drain system also are prohibited by federal, state, and local regulations. Therefore, fundraiser carwash activities must be conducted in a manner to prevent polluting our waterways.

Differences between Storm Drain & Sanitary Sewer Systems

Storm drain systems directly transport stormwater runoff (rain that doesn’t soak into the ground) and irrigation water from neighborhoods to our ocean, to help prevent flooding and safety hazards. It includes underground pipes, drain inlets, streets, gutters, roadside ditches, and retention basins. Virtually all outdoor drains lead to the storm drain system!

The water entering the storm drain system is not treated to remove pollutants. Stormwater flows through the storm drain system to our local waterways. Any pollutants that enter the storm drain system end up in our ocean and can harm the environment.

In contrast, sanitary sewer systems are designed to carry wastewater from residential, commercial, and industrial sources to a treatment plant where pollutants are removed before it is discharged.

Commercial carwash facilities dispose of their wastewater to the sanitary sewer system — that’s why we encourage groups to partner with a commercial carwash for their fundraising events!

Help protect our Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and local watersheds by keeping carwash wastewater from entering the storm drain system!

Did you know that soapy water from a carwash (with detergents, dirt, grease, and other toxic substances) may cause harm to fish and other aquatic life in our ocean?

Partners

Thank you to El Estero Car Wash in Monterey for being a BFFCP partner!

If you wish your local carwash was BFFCP partner, let us know through our contact form.

Please Note:

The Bay Friendly Fundraiser Carwash Program is limited to businesses located within the boundaries of Monterey County and its incorporated cities. However, we value the support and dedication of any business in preventing stormwater pollution; eligible businesses may participate in our program by applying for special courtesy listing as “Out Of County Program Affiliates.”

Still have questions? Contact us!

How to Hold a Bay Friendly Fundraiser Carwash

You can have a Bay Friendly Fundraiser Carwash by:

Work with a commercial carwash to host your fundraiser event at its facility. This option will ensure proper disposal of your wastewater to the sanitary sewer system with no effort on your part, conserves water, and may increase your profit.
Collaborate with a park, school, or other organization that can accommodate Bay Friendly Fundraiser Carwashes at their site.
Team up with a business, park, or other site that works with you to implement Bay Friendly Fundraiser Carwash measures to properly manage and dispose of your wastewater.
Follow the guidelines below when partnering with a commercial carwash facility is not feasible for your group.

Hold a meeting with all participants to explain proper procedures that must be followed during the carwash.
Choose a location where proper wastewater management can be feasibly practiced.
Consider how carwash wastewater will be managed during the fundraiser carwash event. There are two options:
- You may discharge the wastewater to landscaping, gravel or soil provided that there is enough surface area to completely absorb all the wastewater without creating runoff, it does not produce nuisance conditions (such as mosquito breeding grounds or excessive pooling), and you have the property owner’s permission.
- Contain, collect and properly dispose of all carwash wastewater.
Remove all trash and debris from the carwash area.

Use products labeled “non-toxic,” “phosphate-free,” and “biodegradable.” These products can be purchased at most large retail outlets. Please note, however, that even biodegradable and non-toxic soaps are harmful to aquatic life and water quality and must be kept out of the storm drain system.
Do not use acid-based wheel cleaners or engine degreasers.
Use a bucket of soapy water to re-soap rags or sponges throughout the carwash, rather than adding more soap directly to rags or sponges.
Wring sponges and rags into buckets - not onto the ground.
Conserve water and minimize the amount of wastewater you must manage - use a spray nozzle with an automatic shut off.
Always empty buckets of wastewater into the sanitary sewer system via sinks, toilets, or onto landscaped areas where wastewater will be absorbed.