BILL REQ. #:  H-3584.1 

Prefiled 01/08/10. Read first time 01/11/10.   Referred to Committee on Ecology & Parks.

     AN ACT Relating to providing better water quality during charitable car washes; adding a new section to chapter 90.48 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) Outdoor car washing has the potential to result in high loads of nutrients, metals, and hydrocarbons draining directly into Washington waters as a result of the detergent and chemical-rich water used to wash cars flowing into storm drains.
     (2) The legislature finds that vehicle washing activities affect local water quality and drinking water quality, and that the water from car washes and the chemicals in many detergents are harmful to fish and other aquatic life.
     (3) The legislature intends to make Washington waters cleaner and healthier by limiting the pollution from car washes from entering into watersheds.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 90.48 RCW to read as follows:
     Beginning January 1, 2011, all charity car wash fundraisers that do not use the facilities and premises of a commercial car wash facility must adhere to the following requirements:
     (1) Use only biodegradable soaps;
     (2) Wash all cars on gravel, grass, or other permeable surfaces;
     (3) Use hoses with nozzles that automatically turn off when left unattended;
     (4)(a) Block off all storm drains surrounding the premises during the charity car wash event; or
     (b) Use a storm drain insert on all storm drains surrounding the premises to catch car wash water during the charity car wash event; and
     (5)(a) Pump water from car washes into a sanitary sewer drain; or
     (b) If (a) of this subsection is not feasible, pump car wash water onto grass or landscaping to provide filtration.