Washing cars in driveways and on the street can send soap, grease, copper from brakepads, and other heavy metals to gutters which flow to local creeks and the Bay. Soaps and detergents, even biodegradable products, are lethal to fish and other aquatic animals in relatively small doses. Here are tips to wash your car the "Clean Bay" way: 

• Take your car to a commercial car wash. Commercial (including coin-operated) car washes send water to the sewage treatment plant where it is “cleaned” before being discharged to a waterway. 
• Support charity car washes that are environmentally safe. Such car washes plug nearby storm drains, use minimal amounts of water,  and divert water to the sanitary sewer or nearby landscape.  (If your organization is planning a car wash, check with your municipal or county stormwater program for best practices and kits.)

If you must wash your car at home:

• Wash your vehicle on a permeable surface like grass or dirt where the ground can act as a filter.
• Use soap sparingly (if you must use it at all) and pour your bucket of soapy water in the sink – not in the street where it can enter a storm drain. Most storm drains lead directly to local creeks and ultimately the Bay.
• Equip your hose with a “trigger” nozzle to save water. In some water districts, this may be required and punishable by fine.