CLEAN WATER TIPS

It’s that time of year again...

Around this time of year, we start to notice the grease, oil, pollen, dirt and grime that collect on our cars over the winter and early spring. This is the time many of us pick up our hoses and soap buckets and give our vehicles a much-needed washing. It is great to have a clean, fresh start. However, it is important to keep in mind the impacts that “do it yourself” car washing has on our local waterways and environment. When we wash our cars at home, the wash water flows down driveways, parking lots, and streets to the stormwater system. The stormwater system discharges directly to rivers, lakes, and streams without treatment. Pollutants that accumulate on vehicles may include gasoline, residue from exhaust fumes, oil, grease or heavy metals. In addition, soaps that are used for car washing can contain pollutants, which affect water quality and aquatic life.

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Consider commercial car wash facilities!

Outdoor car washing can cause detergent-rich water to flow into storm drains. This water may contain high amounts of nutrients, metals and hydrocarbons, either washed off vehicles or part of the detergent itself. Most stormwater impacts from car washing are from residents, fleet management activities and charity car wash fundraisers that discharge polluted wash water into the storm drain system. Commercial car wash facilities minimize stormwater impacts and are safer than residential washing, as they often recycle their water or must treat their wash water before release into the sanitary sewer system. Residents who want to wash their own vehicles may not understand that nearby storm drains lead to local waterbodies, and that their washing activities are potentially harmful. 

The EPA notes that washwater generated from outdoor car washing may contain many types of contaminants, including large amounts of petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and nutrients. In addition, data provided by the International Carwash Association (ICA) representing wastewater discharged to publicly owned treatment works from various commercial facilities indicate a similar inventory of pollutants generated by car washing activity (ICA 2002). 

 

If washing at home...

• Use biodegradable, phosphate-free, water-based detergents.

• Limit the amount of detergent used.

• Wash cars in a driveway or yard, not in the street.

• Direct wash water to pervious areas, like grass or gravel.

• Use car wash kits to protect nearby storm drains​​

 

Source: EPA

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TENNESSEE LITTER LAWS

 

Section 39-14-503. (a) Mitigated criminal littering is littering in an amount less than or equal to five pounds (5 lbs.) in weight or seven and one-half (7.5) cubic feet in volume. 

• criminal littering is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00)

Section 39-14-504. (a) Criminal littering is littering in an amount more than five pounds (5 lbs.) in weight or seven and one-half (7.5) cubic feet in volume and less than or equal to ten pounds (10 Ibs.) in weight or fifteen (15) cubic feet in volume.

• littering is a Class B misdemeanor, up to a $500 fine

• In addition to the penalties established in this section, the court shall require a person convicted under this part to remove litter from the state or local highway system, public playgrounds, public parks or other appropriate public locations for not more than eighty (80) hours. The court, in its discretion, may also a person convicted under this section to work in a recycling center or other appropriate location for any stated period of time not to exceed eight (8) hours.

Section 39-14-505. (a) Aggravated criminal littering is littering:

• In an amount exceeding ten pounds (10 lbs.) in weight or fifteen (15) cubic feet in volume; or

• In any amount for any commercial purpose

•  Aggravated criminal littering is a Class A misdemeanor, except in the following circumstances, in which case it is a Class E felony, up to a $1,500 fine.

 

Tennessee Toll-Free Litter Hotline
1-877-8-LITTER PROVIDES MOTORISTS A WAY TO REPORT LITTER BUGS

Tennesseans who are tired of trash along state roadways now have a new tool to report litter bugs. The Tennessee Department of Transportation announced today a new toll-free litter hotline, 1-877-8-LITTER (877-854-8837). The litter hotline is part of the statewide anti-litter campaign. The hotline provides a way for Tennesseans to report people they witness littering along the state’s roadways, such as a person throwing a paper cup or cigarette butt out of a window, or an item falling from an unsecured load.

“The new toll-free litter hotline gives citizens the ability to Stop It,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “Now anyone who witnesses a person littering can report it and trigger action to improve the quality of the environment and the cleanliness of our roadways. Tennessee has some of the best roads in the nation. With everyone’s help, we can have some of the cleanest, too.”

Citizens who witness a litter bug in action can call 1-877-8-LITTER (877-854-8837). Callers will reach a recording that asks them to provide information about the vehicle. The information that will be requested includes:

• license plate number (Tennessee plates only)

• type and make of the vehicle

• day and time the incident occurred

• location where the incident occurred

• the type of item tossed or blown from the vehicle

TDOT will mail a letter to the registered owner of the vehicle along with a car trash bag or portable ashtray and other anti-litter information. The letter is a gentle reprimand reminding the recipient that littering is against the law and punishable by a fine of up to $1500.

 

Click here for more information.

https://nobodytrashestennessee.com/the-top-roadside-litter-laws-you-should-know-in-tennessee/