Washing cars in the Mainz city area is not strictly prohibited, but is of course only permitted in compliance with the relevant environmental regulations.

Cars may only be washed on paved surfaces with a connection to a sewage system!

Car washing usually contaminates the wash water, turning it into wastewater that must be discharged into the sewer system in accordance with the drainage regulations. According to water and soil protection regulations, any activities or omissions that could cause contamination of the soil, surface water, and groundwater (seepage of contaminated wash water) are prohibited and classified as administrative offenses.

This means that car washing may only be carried out on paved areas that are connected to the sewage system. Public roads usually drain into the sewage system, so car washing is permitted here.

In the case of separate sewer systems: car washing is not permitted!

Exceptions are urban areas where a separate sewer system is in place, through which rainwater collected on the streets is fed into a body of water or allowed to seep away via the rainwater sewer system.

If you are unsure, please check with Wirtschaftsbetrieb Mainz AöR in advance (phone: 06131/ 9715-437 or 06131/ 9715-438).

Engine washing and oil changes are only permitted in approved areas!

The best option is to use car washes!

We therefore generally recommend washing your car at designated car washes or in car wash tunnels. Many gas stations offer such facilities. For those who prefer to do it themselves and rely on their own standards of cleanliness, there are self-service car washes. Appropriate cleaning equipment (high-pressure cleaners) is available at these locations.

Approved and properly operated car washes and washing areas offer the following advantages:

• The car wash water is treated directly on site using a cleaning method tailored to the wastewater constituents, so that the pollutant load discharged to the municipal sewage treatment plant is kept as low as possible.

• In addition, water is saved through recirculation, and the separated oils, gasoline, and pollutants are disposed of separately.

• Reverse osmosis is used to produce salt-free water, which enables the washed car to be dried without leaving any stains.

Car wash facilities can be found in the Yellow Pages (under the keywords car care and/or car washes).

Environmental tip July 2006