RO Water Recycle Equipment for Auto Car Wash Industry

Wastewater management in the professional car wash industry has evolved dramatically in the last few decades.  The days of indiscriminately allowing car wash runoff to drain into the storm sewer have long past.  In fact, many municipalities today are requiring new car wash facilities to include reclaim as part of their operation.  Others, due to a lack of education, attempt to block new car wash facilities entirely.  Many car wash operations are faced with severe drought conditions, mandatory water use restrictions, sudden and huge increases in their water and sewer rates, six-digit water and sewer access fees, and even forced closings.  The Environmental Protection Agency, state pollution control agencies, and even local governments have sent a clear message that careless waste and reckless disposal of water in commercial and industrial applications will not be tolerated.  In many cases, water reclamation and re-use in the car wash industry has become mandatory.  In other cases, incorporating water recycling equipment into your car wash operation just makes sense…not just for ecological reasons, but for economic reasons as well.

This emphasis on water conservation and the concern over flammable wastes, detergents and chemicals that are flushed into sewer systems have increased awareness in the car wash industry about the benefits of water recycling equipment…benefits that can be enormous.  The most alluring benefit is the substantial long term savings in your utility rates through the reduction of your water consumption and sewer discharge.  In some cases, a car wash owner could save up to 80 percent on both his sewer and water bills by using water recycling equipment.

The return on investment (ROI) in a water reclamation system usually depends on local sewer and water rates, the purchase price and installation cost of the recycling equipment, as well as the volume of traffic that the wash facility handles.  Very busy car wash facilities may see a payback in less than a year while slower sites may take a few years.  New build car washes however, could see an immediate return on investment through the reduction of their water and sewer access fees (WAC/SAC charges.)  WAC/SAC fees for a new car wash facility sometimes exceed $100,000, so the decision to include reclaim in your operation could more than pay for itself immediately with a discount that could amount to tens of thousands of dollars.  The reduction or elimination of these impact fees is where a water recycling system would make the fastest and most immediate contribution to your operation.

Water restrictions in various localities are becoming more and more common with every passing year.  Hot summers and droughts this year and last have forced many commercial and industrial enterprises to restrict or eliminate high volume water consuming operations. In this scenario, not only does recycling and reusing conserve water and reduce operating costs, but it also gives a car wash owner a sense of security that they can continue to do business as usual…while competitors close up shop due to water restrictions.

Environmental concerns and water shortages across the globe have public awareness at an all-time high.  In response to this awareness, car wash operators can also use their water recycling efforts as a marketing tool by offering concerned consumers a way to help 'save the environment' without having to compromise on the desire to keep their pride and joy clean.

If you are a car wash operator looking for answers about water recycling equipment, reclaim friendly high pressure pumps, reverse osmosis and spot free rinse, log on to reclaimequip.com.