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Looking Glass River Watershed Management Plan - Greater ...

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Detergents are becoming a serious threat of contamination to storm water.<br />

Detergents are the soaps people use to wash their cars, which are carried to<br />

waterbodies through storm drains. Once detergents enter a water body they<br />

cause excessive algae growth. As the algae begin to decompose, it creates an<br />

oxygen-deficient environment. Detergents/soaps also alter the aquatic<br />

environment and destroy the mucus layer in fish that protects them from<br />

parasites. Washing vehicles on lawns or other pervious surfaces will help<br />

reduce the rate at which detergents enter the storm drain.<br />

Table 5-5 Detergents: Sources and Causes<br />

Sources<br />

Residential Car Washing<br />

Commercial Car Washing<br />

Cleaning Agents Used Outside<br />

Cause<br />

Lack of Buffer<br />

Poor Construction<br />

Poor Maintenance<br />

Lack of Ordinance<br />

Lack of Enforcement<br />

Lack of Buffer<br />

Poor Construction<br />

Poor Maintenance<br />

Lack of Ordinance<br />

Lack of Enforcement<br />

Photo Courtesy of Tetra Tech, 2005<br />

5-16 <strong>Looking</strong> <strong>Glass</strong> <strong>River</strong> <strong>Watershed</strong> April 2007

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