The Issue

The water from car washing contains oil, zinc, lead, copper, solvents and antifreeze. All of these enter the Sound – or bodies of water that lead to the Sound – when we wash our cars on the street, in our driveways or in a parking lot. Soaps are a significant problem and are harmful to fish and the aquatic insects they eat. Soaps contain surfactants, which are chemicals designed to coat dirt and grime so they don’t settle back onto your car. Surfactants also coat fish gills and prevent fish and aquatic insects from getting the oxygen they need.