For any car wash owner and/or operator, it is important to know what steps can be taken to save time and money. One effective way to save a lot of money in the long run is to drastically reduce your wash’s water and sewer costs through the purchase and installation of an efficient water reclaim or restoration system. With a number of different water recycling systems on the market, how do you know which one to choose? Consider the following factors when making any buying decisions. 

Wash Application Use

Not all car wash water reclaim and restoration systems are created equal. While most systems recycle used wash water to the point that it can be used on high-pressure applications, very few are able to restore water to the point that it can be used in all parts of the wash. If you are looking to maximize water recycling and efficiency at your car wash, look for systems that include an add-on capable of feeding used wash water through a reverse osmosis filtration system, generating spot-free rinse water. This will allow you to use recycled wash water in all parts of your wash, reducing your fresh water use drastically.

Maintenance Schedule

The amount and frequency of maintenance will depend significantly on the type of water recycling system that you choose for your car wash. For example, a reclaim system that uses a bag filtration method will require the filter to be changed on a regular, usually daily, basis. Water restoration systems that use hydrocyclones to separate out small particulates and aerobic microbes to consume chemical waste in the water will require less frequent maintenance, such as a weekly strainer basket check,the addition of nutrients to the system quarterly, plus an annual filter change. Systems that use ozone gas to remove chemicals from used wash water will require gas replenishment and replacement on a regular basis that is dependent on the amount of water recycled and the need for odor control. The amount of time and staff your wash has available for maintenance should be considered when choosing a water recycling system for your wash. 

Odor Control

Many water reclaim systems use ozone gas as a way to eliminate odor and to break down chemicals found in used wash water. Ozone gas is not only harmful to the microbes that naturally remove odor and chemicals from used wash water, it is also dangerous for the humans handling it. The EPA has found that ozone can cause health problems ranging for headaches to long-term lung damage to death. A water reclaim system that uses ozone gas can become toxic to those working with it if it malfunctions. In addition, as the ozone gas kills naturally-occuring microbes in used wash water, it generates additional odor issues. A water restoration system, on the other hand, that uses these naturally-occurring aerobic microbes to eliminate odor from the used wash water, is safe and effective, producing only odorless CO2 and H2O as byproducts.

 Cost

The cost of water reclaim and restoration systems can vary significantly depending on the system’s complexity and capabilities. When considering any water recycling system’s price, it is important to factor in the potential cost-savings as well. While a complete water restoration system may require a larger investment upfront, it will save you more money in water and sewer costs in the long run than a system that can only recycle water to the point that it can be used in high-pressure applications.

Before making a decision about water recycling at your car wash, talk to a water recycling system manufacturer to find out what type of reclaim or restoration system is the right fit for you. Whatever system you end up choosing, you will be taking a forward step in ensuring that your car wash not only saves water, but also money.