Automobiles
With over 15,000 people living in the Lake Whatcom watershed, many automobiles travel the roads in and out of the watershed on a daily basis. In addition, many people who don't live in the watershed, visit the lake for recreational and other purposes throughout the year. With all these cars comes additional impacts on water quality. Although it is not always easily seen, cars emit, deposit, and transport various pollutants as they move throughout the watershed. A number of these pollutants can be transported to streams and the lake itself by stormwater runoff.
Car Part Potential Pollutants
- Air Conditioning System - CFC’s
- ABS (anti-lock brakes) - Mercury
- Auto Bodies - Iron, grease, dirt, paint
- Brake and Clutch Linings - Wear
And tear releases Asbestos, cadmium, copper, lead, manganese, zinc, tire rubber - Convenience Lighting (hood and trunk switches) -Mercury
- Engines - Chromium, copper, nickel, oil, antifreeze (ethylene glycol)
- Exhaust - PCB’s, phosphorus, zinc
- Tires - rubber, sediment
Check out the ways you can help to reduce the affects of automobiles and other motorized vehicles on water quality in watershed streams and Lake Whatcom.
