The “dirt” on carwash fundraisers Published June 24, 2011 By Renae Fischer 14th Civil Engineering Squadron COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Car wash fundraisers are big part of the summer months. Whether you're raising money for a sports team, disaster relief effort or organizational functions, car washes seem like an easy and inexpensive way to do so. All you need are soap, access to water and some willing volunteers. Unfortunately, car washes can also be harmful to the environment. Car wash fundraisers are usually held in parking lots where the water enters the storm drain. The water that enters a storm drain doesn't go to a wastewater treatment facility where it is cleaned. Instead the car wash water containing soaps, oils and grease and heavy metals empties into local creeks, streams and rivers. We use these same waterways to fish, swim and even as a source of drinking water. For these reasons, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality prohibits Columbus Air Force Base from releasing car wash water in the storm drains. Allowing water that contains these pollutants to leave the base can result in a notice of violation from the state of Mississippi issued directly to the wing commander. Violations of the Clean Water Act could also result in monetary fines, up to $32,000 per day! You would need to wash a lot of cars to raise enough money to pay this fine. If you're still interested in hosting a carwash, the 14th Civil Engineering, Environmental Element, can help you plan an environmentally-friendly carwash fundraiser. We will assist you in selecting a location where carwash water will not enter storm drains and an eco-friendly or phosphate-free soap. Responsible use of water resources must also be considered. Outfitting hoses with spray nozzles that have an "off" option and using buckets will help reduce water usage. For more information on carwash fundraisers, contact Kim Davis, CAFB Storm Water Program Manager, at 434-7955.