Washing your car on a paved driveway or in the street sends pollutants from your car (oil, grease, fuel, heavy metals,brake dust, surfactants, etc.) into our storm drains and directly into our rivers, lakes and wetlands. We also have a code in Bothell that makes it against the law to discharge any pollutants into the public drainage system (BMC 18.04.260). These pollutants include the soap and chemicals that are used to clean your vehicle - even biodegradable soaps. It's most eco-friendly to use a commercial car wash, a waterless car wash product, or wash over a permeable surface like grass or gravel that can absorb the water.
Learn more about car washing.