SAN CARLOS, Calif. — Officials with the San Mateo County Health System are urging residents to get their cars washed at commercial carwashes, according to the Daily Journal.
San Mateo County is now offering $5 discounts to residents to go to carwashes instead of washing their vehicles at home, stated the article.
The article continued that using a professional carwash can save around 150 gallons of water, which is the equivalent to 10 loads of dishes or three to four showers, and most carwashes use less than 20 gallons of water per car.
“Professional carwashes trap and recycle the water used,” reported the article. “Washing a car [on] the driveway or street sends pollutants like oil, grease, copper, nickel, zinc and soap running into storm drains, which go directly into local creeks, the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.”
Don Horsley, San Mateo County Supervisor recently gave a behind-the-scenes look at how a San Carlos carwash, Ducky’s Car Wash, saves water and prevents pollutants from entering the Bay, noted the article.
“Water is so vital to San Mateo County; it is indispensable in our daily lives and we have the good fortune to be surrounded by beautiful water on both sides,” said Horsley in a statement. “We all play a role in saving and protecting water now and for future generations, and we’re pleased to partner with 10 local carwashes that are committed to reducing water use and preventing pollution.”
You can find the article here.