How to Be Water-Wise at Your Car Wash Using Simple Tips to Conserve Water
Whether you own a self-serve car wash or full-service car wash, one challenge you face is implementing new technologies that can help conserve water while still delivering exceptional wash results. In recent years, there have been many new advances made in water reclamation that can help reduce the amount of fresh water used per wash.
What can you do to cut down on how much water your car wash is using? Here are some simple tips to conserve water. Some of these you can start using right away to become a water-saving car wash too!
Tip #1: Reevaluate Your Car Wash Processes
Look for ways where you could save water and money. This one is made quite simple when you inspect your washing equipment on a regular basis. Look for leaking spray nozzles and wash brushes, leaking hoses, leaking hose fittings and connections, and other areas where water could be leaking.For instance, the USGS has a simple drip calculator you can use to find out how much water you are wasting. While the calculator is designed for homes, it will still give you an approximate idea of how much water your car wash could be wasting from dripping spray nozzles and wash brushes, as well as other water leaks.
For example, if you have five car wash bays and, in each bay, the spray nozzle is dripping 60 drips per minute, you are wasting approximately 28 gallons of water per day or 10,414 gallons per year.1
Additionally, take the time to evaluate your current wash system. What could you do to upgrade the system to reduce the amount of water used per wash cycle? Are there retrofit options that could reduce the costs to upgrade? Keep asking yourself questions about your wash system and what could be done to save water and use your answers to develop an appropriate action plan.
Tip #2: Explore Different Car Wash Equipment Options for Recycling Water
There are several different types of car wash equipment that can help reduce and recycle water at your car wash. One of the more popular options is to install a reverse osmosis filtration system. With this filtration system, it is possible to use recycled water for spot-free rinse cycles instead of using fresh water.
Let’s assume your spot-free rinse cycle uses five gallons of water. If you could save five gallons per wash, that could amount to a huge water reduction! To give you an idea of how much water we are talking about, take the average number of daily car washes and multiple that by 30 to see how much water you could save on average, every month.
For example, if you wash 100 vehicles every day, that’s 500 gallons a day or 15,000 gallons of water per month!
Another type of car wash water recycling equipment that is starting to be used is a multi-stage water reclamation system. This type of system captures all water that goes down car wash drains and moves it into a large storage tank.
Water is then pumped from the storage tank through a multi-stage filtration system. The first filter helps remove sand, dirt, clay, and other such solids from used car wash water. The next filter helps remove car wash soap and waxes from the water.
Next, the water needs to be treated by removing bacteria that can create odors like you commonly smell in larger cities where they reclaim used water and recycle it for watering vegetation. This is done by aerating the water.
Finally, the recycled and refreshed water is pumped into another storage tank, where it will be ready to use for the next car wash.
Please keep in mind, this is just a general overview of how car wash water reclamation systems work. There are several different types of systems and sizes, depending on your water-saving car wash needs and requirements.
Tip #3: Train Your Employees on Water-Saving Best Practices
Another way you can reduce water usage at your car wash and save money is by training your employees on water-saving best practices, such as:- Checking for leaks several times each day.
- Fixing leaks when they are discovered.
- Keeping car wash bays free from trash, waste, and other kinds of large debris to prevent getting into water reclamation systems.
- Inspecting and changing water filters as needed.
- For hand car wash operations, using a bucket with water and using a nozzle on the end of the hose to turn the water on and off.
Tip #4: Participate in the WaterSavers® Program
Another way to help you become a water-saving car wash is to participate in the WaterSavers® Program through the International Car Wash Association®. This program is designed for car wash owners around the world so they can promote their car wash businesses as being environmentally responsible.
The program outlines several easy steps car washes need to implement to participate in the program. For example, for full-service car washes on conveyor or roll-over washes, no more than 40 gallons of fresh water can be used per wash. For self-service car washes, the use of high-pressure wash nozzles and wash systems that use no more than three gallons of water per minute is required.
There are also other specific criteria car washes must satisfy. These items are a great starting point if you are not sure where to begin implementing water-saving features at your car wash too.
Benefits of Becoming a Water-Saving Car Wash
The main benefit you gain by conserving water will pay off in the form of savings on your water bills. With reduced water bills, you will have more money to reinvest in your car wash business to make continued improvements and enhancements to keep customers returning.A secondary benefit gained is being able to promote your business as being environmentally responsible in your community. People like supporting businesses that are doing what they can to help protect the environment and conserve natural resources.
Your actions could even encourage other car wash businesses in your area to also take steps to help reduce and conserve water. So, essentially, you could become a trend-setter in your area.
Upgrading to Water-Saving Car Wash Parts and Supplies
In most cases, you can retrofit your existing car wash equipment with water-saving car wash parts and supplies. If you are on a tight budget, this is a great starting point by replacing spray nozzles with water-saving ones to cut down on the amount of water used per wash cycle.
The next step, as your budget allows, is to invest in a reverse osmosis system that you can retrofit onto your existing spotless rinse cycle. Eventually, you will want to upgrade to a water reclamation system if you can afford it. You should also continue to practice the WaterSavers® water-saving criteria where you can, even if you do not participate in the program.
For all your car wash parts and supplies to help conserve water, as well as auto detailing supplies at wholesale prices, please feel free to shop online at Superior Car Wash Supply or contact us at 800-554-9274 for further assistance today!
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