MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- California’s water pollution problem was not caused by toppled oil tankers or flowing industrial waste; it was the driveway-oil spills and household chemicals carried off by rainwater that caused the pollution we see today, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
In 2003, California’s State Water Resources Control Board passed a general permit restricting car washing to driveways only.
Camp Pendleton’s Stormwater Department was required to comply, but fought to maintain car washing for Marines raising money for the Corps’ Birthday Ball.
“We are building seven new car-washing stations across Camp Pendleton to help protect the environment and keep fundraising alive,” said Brian Y. Shin, Stormwater branch head, Assistant Chief of Staff Environmental Security, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. “We are the first in our region to build these stations, but everyone in the state is expected to adhere to these regulations.”
Construction on the stations has already begun and is expected to continue until next spring. Most of the work will be done underground with drainage systems and filters. Water access points will be more conveniently located and ample space for waiting vehicles will also be provided at the car-washing stations.
The seven stations will cost more than $500,000 and will be located in areas that fundraising has previously taken place in the past, said Shin.
The hope is that filters will catch harmful soaps and vehicle residue before they enter municipal sewage systems. This is to prevent pollution that might eventually enter local bodies of water, causing harm to the neighboring environment, he added.
The permit restricting car washing was initiated as a result of the Clean Water Act of 1972 and has improved the state’s and nation’s waters dramatically. Despite the progress, degraded water bodies still exist. Nationally, approximately 40 percent of the surveyed bodies of water are still impaired and did not meet water quality standards, according to the National Water Quality Inventory.
“Water is California’s most precious resource. It provides an essential lifeline that links agriculture, industry and the environment, according to the California Water Quality Monitoring Council’s 2008 recommendations. “With a growing population of more than 38 million and a limited supply of fresh water, the protection of water for beneficial uses is of paramount concern for all Californians.”
Although 70 percent of the earth is covered with water, only 3 percent of that water is fit for human consumption, according to the EPA. Failures in water pollution prevention result in lost biodiversity, higher temperatures, increased flooding and unsafe, unsanitary water.
“We are also building these car-washing stations in hopes of promoting water conservation and pollution awareness,” said Shin. “We need to get the word out and protect what we have.”
These stations will help both the environment and Marines raise the money needed for their Marine Corps Birthday Balls, said Kevin S. Goodell, Stormwater staff, AC/S Environmental Security, MCB.
“Ultimately, we are here to support the base and Pendleton’s mission,” he added.