Car Washes and Environmental Impacts in the Urban Area of João Lisboa

Water is a natural resource that is essential for human survival and has become an asset of high social and economic value. In João Lisboa over the years there have been several problems related to the consumption and waste of water resources arising from the activities carried out by car washes in the city’s urban perimeter. Thus, this study aimed to analyze car washes and their environmental impacts in the urban area of João Lisboa-MA. A qualitative, quantitative, descriptive and field approach was used, with the aim of proposing a treatment method and analyzing the feasibility of setting up a car wash with water treatment and reuse. Water was also collected for laboratory analysis to identify four elements: cadmium, copper, iron and chunbo. As a result, a large amount of waste and water contamination by these car washes was noted. Within the scope of environmental management, it is essential to integrate the public and private sectors in order to promote awareness, rights and duties of the company within the proposed legal aspects, as well as promoting the best use of water resources.