business/water question

[RockyBalboa]

I've tried Googling this but no luck, and I'm not sure who to call. Is a business that uses a water hose allowed to have the water run down into the street or would a trap need to be built? It's a car detailing business.

Thanks.

 

[accuratehorn]

I think it would be your city's local ordinance. In Austin, I am pretty sure you would be required to have a trap in the parking lot to capture the detergent used to wash cars, not just wash it into the storm sewers. Some of the regulations are city, some are by TCEQ. Both have departments where a person will come visit your site and advise you as to what regulations you should meet, and the visit will be confidential and not reported to anyone. You would be a "small quantity generator" for TCEQ purposes, probably wouldn't require much. Car washes all have to have the parking lot traps, but maybe it depends on how you detail the cars, and how much water you are using.