Partners For A Clean Environment

Most people do not realize that washing cars in their driveway or in the street means all the soap and pollutants are eventually washing to our creeks and rivers through nearby stormdrains.  The Keep it Clean Partnership (KICP) is currently working to educate the public about the harmful effects car washing has on our creeks, and encourage the public to instead use commercial car washes.

Commercial car washes have drains that go to the sanitary sewer, instead of the stormdrains, and therefore divert the soaps, gasoline, oil, and other pollutants from car washing away from our creeks.  Some local car washes have partnered with the KICP by posting our " Thank you" sign at their car wash, as well as offering to host car wash fundraisers on site.

Car washes who are interested in joining our partnership are asked to follow these best management practices for stormwater protection at their facility:

1. Good Housekeeping.  Keep outdoor areas neat and tidy.  Do not dump any liquids or other materials outside.  Materials that are no longer contained in a pipe, tank or other container are considered to be “threatened discharged” to stormwater unless they are actively being cleaned up.
2. Being Prepared.  Keep a spill response kit at or near each fueling area and make sure staff has received training on spill cleanup procedures.
3. Material Storage.  Secondary containment must be provided for any liquids stored outside.  Do not allow loading/unloading near a storm drain (protect the storm drains by berming or covering if this is not possible). Maintain an inventory of all chemicals onsite.  Properly dispose of products when they are longer used or if the container is compromised.  Be sure all chemicals are stored with compatible materials.
4. Secondary Containment.  Do not drain water that has accumulated in secondary containments unless you are sure that the water has not been contaminated.
5. Vehicle Washing.  Regular maintenance of sand/oil separator in designated carwash areas will ensure proper drainage.  If drains in a carwash area become clogged, it should not be used until the issue is resolved.
6. Spill Cleanup.  Use only “dry” cleanup methods to manage spills.  Remember to cleanup the residual contaminants such as absorbents and dispose of them properly. .
7. Map it.  Maintain a map of your property, identifying directions of stormwater flow and storm drains on or near your facility.

Self-service car washes participating in the KICP program include:

Boulder

Bubble Brush Car Wash, 6590 Odell Pl

Buffs Wash, 1905 3rd St

Coyote Car Wash, 4501 Broadway

Coyote Car Wash, 3087 28th St

Self-Wash, 5500 Arapahoe Ave

 Longmont

Atomic Car Wash, 60 E. 9th Ave

Carousel Car Wash, 500 21st Ave

Diagonal Center Car Wash, 1445 Nelson Rd

Hover Car Wash, Hover

Louisville

Atomic Car Wash,  450 W Dahlia

Lafayette

Baseline Car Wash, 810 W Baseline Rd

Erie

Coal Creek Car Wash, 700 Austin  Ave

Lyons

St. Vrain DIY, 455 Main Street, Lyons