Where to dump the dirty water?

[nooboob]

A thought ran across my mind while planning out my first detail.



Where can I dump my dirty water from the car wash?



I plan on using the 2 bucket method... So I`ll have a bucket with really dirty water and a bucket with dirty water+soap. I`ll be doing the washing and such on my own driveway.



I read some previous posts about how you can`t dump dirty water in the storm drain.... So should I just pour these buckets on my lawn? How would that affect the grass and such?



Or can I walk over to one of those sewer grates (the ones on top of the street with the checkered metal grate over a hole that looks like it goes about 10 feet down), and dump it down there?



I live in CA btw...

[crofa]

I�€™m not sure about the rules in Ca, but here in Maryland I�€™ve never heard of any such rule. It wouldn�€™t make any sense why you couldn�€™t dump the water in the street and let it run into the storm drains. I mean how dirty do you think the water is running down the street when it rains??? I would suspect it�€™s dirtier than the water in the two buckets. As for you dumping into �€œthose sewer grates (the ones on top of the street with the checkered metal grate over a hole that looks like it goes about 10 feet down),�€ Those are also storm drains. Sewer pipes are enclosed with solid steel manhole covers. The reason�€ if they weren�€™t sealed than the stench from all the crap would overtake everything. So, unless you can find something written in some city code not allowing you to pour out your two buckets, I would just dump the water in the street.

[BigAl3]

when i`m done with my wash water, i just dump it (on the dead grass patch`s ) and re-wash the inside of the bucket onto the lawn...

[Rob22315]

I water my newly planted oak with it.

[UncleWede]

Thanks for thinking about Cali. Wish I had an answer . . .

[ENVYMYZ]

Neighbors lawn.

[qwertydude]

You could also dump it in the toilet. That way if you`re really worried about contaminating the environment it will go through sewage treament.

[bookeem]

i will normally dump it in the street and with in 10 minutes the sun has dried it up, not contaminating anything, not killing mine or the neighbors grass etc..

[Gopher]

Are you legitimately concerned about disposing of a bucket of dirty water?

[BlueLibby04]

I dump it where ever Im standing on the moment. Usually right in the middle of the driveway or in the grass, which ever is closer.

[SpoiledMan]

Well dumping it in the street takes it to the ocean and feeds the fish. NOT WHAT WE WANT! I usually dump it in the grass with no ill effects. Dumping it into the street/storm drain is against the law in CA.

[dmw2692004]

When I am done, I just kick my buckets over and let them drain where ever they happen to be... I didnt know this was a huge issue.

[fueler]

its a huge issue here in San Diego. Storm drain water runs directly to the ocean with no treatment whatsoever. It really has a negative effect on our bay. If you get caught pouring dirty stuff (even car wash water) down a storm drain, it is a punishable offense. We have commercials that urge people to call it in if they see this happening.



Drain water gets treated so its OK to pour down a regular drain like in your garage sink.

[grippymonkey]

I always toss the extra water in the grass or water a few plants with it. At least it`s doing a second job.

[dmw2692004]

I always toss the extra water in the grass or water a few plants with it. At least it`s doing a second job.

Water with shampoo in it?



That miggghhhhtt not be good for them.