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‘What made me bring this up?’: Man washes a car. Then he realizes it’s illegal in his state
Yahoo • • nation
Key Points:
- California mobile car detailer Kadin Jimenez was warned by a water meter worker that washing cars and allowing runoff into streets is illegal under drought-era water conservation laws still in effect.
- The law prohibits discharge of wash water into storm drains, not car washing itself, with fines up to $500 per day statewide, though local fines may be higher.
- Product chemistry does not exempt runoff from restrictions; only rainwater is legally allowed to enter storm drains, as runoff contains pollutants harmful to waterways.
- Enforcement is challenging and rarely targets individual mobile detailers, but regulations aim to prevent toxic stormwater pollution flowing untreated into local water bodies.
- Public opinion is divided, with some disregarding the rules and others highlighting environmental concerns and perceived enforcement inconsistencies.
