Below are some tips that pressure washers and mobile vehicle detailers can use to reduce storm water pollution:

• Before pressure washing, pre-clean the area to be washed by removing trash, sediment, debris and oily spots.
   
• Determine if the job can be done adequately without detergents or chemicals.
   
• Never allow wash water containing detergents or chemicals to enter the storm drainage system.
   
• Plan before you work – figure out in which direction water will flow and what equipment will be needed to capture wash water runoff.
   
• Determine how you will dispose of wash water once it is collected.
   
• Before discharging collected wash water to the sanitary sewer system, contact Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities at (704) 336-4407 to find out about their rules and guidelines for disposal into their system.
   
• If you plan to dispose of wash water at a property other than your own, be sure to discuss your plans with the property owner and obtain their permission.
   
• Read the following publications. They provide detailed guidance about rules for pressure washing and mobile vehicle detailing.

Publications:

• CMSWS Mobile and Pressure Washing Guidance
• CMSWS Discharge and Disposal Guidance Table
• CMSWS Containment Collection/Filtering Products