Car Wash Ban Goes Down the Drain

San Luis Obispo County officials have unanimously declared that residents may once again wash cars in driveways. Many residents have complained about not being able to do so since November, when the county Board of Superviors announced a proposed storm water protection law. Now, leaders have amended the law to allow for "incidental" and relatively harmless uses in unincorporated areas.

The original runoff reduction regulation was introduced as part of the county's Storm Water Pollution Prevention and Discharge Control Ordinance. Exceptions now include car washing, water-line flushing, landscape irrigation, uncontaminated pumped groundwater, springs and water from crawlspace pumps.

County Department of Public Works Environmental Program Manager Mark Hutchinson said public education is key to making the program work. Since March, he has visited various communities and presented on storm water runoff.

Source: sanluisobispo.com