Welcome to Parramatta. Click here to return to the home page
Welcome to Parramatta. Click here to return to the home page Sitemap Publications Forms Facilities Hire Facilities Hire Contacts
- - - -
-
Tuesday 24 November 04:35PM
Search

Environment

To select this option please click on the link to the right Environment
To select this option please click on the link to the right Environment FAQs

Health and Food safety

   Site navigation
To select this option please click on the link to the right Arts & Entertainment
To select this option please click on the link to the right Business
To select this option please click on the link to the right Business
Papers
To select this option please click on the link to the right Community
Information
To select this option please click on the link to the right Community Services
To select this option please click on the link to the right Council
To select this option please click on the link to the right Development
To select this option please click on the link to the right Employment
To select this option please click on the link to the right Environment & Health
To select this option please click on the link to the right Events calendar
To select this option please click on the link to the right Food Safety
To select this option please click on the link to the right FAQs
To select this option please click on the link to the right Heritage Centre
To select this option please click on the link to the right Home
To select this option please click on the link to the right Library
To select this option please click on the link to the right Major events
To select this option please click on the link to the right Parks
To select this option please click on the link to the right Parrakidsmatta
To select this option please click on the link to the right Pay Rates
online
To select this option please click on the link to the right Publications
To select this option please click on the link to the right Riverside
Theatres
To select this option please click on the link to the right Tourism
-

Resident information - Washing the car

Cars that are washed in the street pollute our rivers and harbours. The soapy water that runs off the car into the street gutters goes into the stormwater system. Stormwater, unlike the water which enters the sewers, does not undergo treatment before it is discharged into our waterways.

Can I be fined?

Yes. Any pollutants in stormwater end up in our lakes, rivers, harbours and oceans. Polluting waterways in this way is a breach of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act, 1997 and may result in a $750 fine.

How big is the problem?

The wastewater that runs off a car when it is washed contains a range of substances that may pollute the environment. These include soaps and detergents, mud, rubber and grease.

If these substances enter the stormwater system, they will eventually find their way into our lakes, rivers, harbours and oceans - wherever the stormwater discharges, in Parramatta's case Parramatta River and ultimately Sydney Harbour.

There are approximately 3.2 million vehicles registered in NSW. If every vehicle was washed once a month with 40 litres of water (5 buckets), over 1500 million litres of polluted water could enter the stormwater system every year.

Where to wash your car

  1. Try to wash your car on a grassy area to minimise the runoff. However, if this grassy area is on a nature strip, make sure you are not causing any disruption or inconvenience to pedestrians as this is an offence against regulations administered by local councils.
  2. Wash your car in the driveway if it drains onto a lawn or garden area, but avoid using the driveway if the water runs into a street or drain.
  3. Always ensure the area where you wash your car does not drain into the stormwater system, including the drains in the street.
  4. If you have no suitable area to wash your car, look for an alternative location - perhaps your friends or neighbours have a suitable area you can use.
  5. Some service stations provide an area for car washing, where runoff water is treated to remove pollutants before it goes into the sewer.

When you wash your car

  • Use a trigger hose - or even better, a bucket - to save water.
  • Use detergents and soaps sparingly. Better still, just use plain water, a coarse sponge and a little elbow grease.
  • Dispose of wastewater onto a garden or lawn.
  • Consider washing your car only once a month.

For more information contact Council's Environment & Health Unit on 9806 5000 or the EPA on 131 555 or at http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au.

-
- - - -
- - - Home | Sitemap | Publications | Forms | Facilities Hire | Contacts | Advertising | Copyright | Disclaimer  
© 2005 Parramatta City Council. All Rights Reserved. Parramatta City Council