Reasons to use a professional car wash
	Selecting the proper wash
	Environmental information
	Detailing
	Frequently Asked Questions
	Starting a Car Wash Business
	Links

Environmental Information
1. Environment Matters
2. Environmental Issues
3. Important Facts

Home Car Washing Wastes Water and Leads to Water Pollution
Most people who wash their cars at home don't realize where the contaminated water goes or how much is wasted. Home car washing releases contaminated water directly into the environment or into storm drains intended for rainwater. This causes pollution in our rivers, lakes and streams. Also, engineering studies show that a 5/8" hose running at 50 pounds per square inch uses 10 gallons of water per minute compared to washing your car at a self-serve car wash for only 11.1 gallons.

Consider the alternatives of professional car washing:
	Average flow rate wash and rinse: 3GPM (gallons per minute)
	Average flow rate per-soak foaming brush and tire & engine cleaning: 0.6 GPM
	Average time for washing and rinsing vehicle: 2.6 minutes
	Average time for pre-soak, foaming brush and tire & engine: 5.3 minutes
	Average water used for wash and rise: 7.9 gallons
	Average water used for others: 3.2 gallons

We have learned our lessons about polluting the environment. We disposed of trash by burning it in open areas until environmental concern decreased this form of pollution. It's time to recognize that home car washing is another serious pollution but it can be eliminated simply by using professional car washes.

Professional Car Washes Use Water Safely and Efficiently
The Clean Water Act requires professional car washes to pipe their dirty water to water treatment facilities or into state-approved drainage facilities designed to protect the environment. Automatic and self-serve car washes also use water efficient equipment such as computer controlled systems and high-pressure nozzles and pumps, allowing them to clean cars thoroughly while conserving water.

10 Tips to Save Water
Let's not take our water supply for granted. It is important to follow guidelines so we can have the water we need and want, when we need and want it.
The International Carwash Association offers 10 ways to save water and money at the same time. Your professional car wash operator is happy to share this knowledge with you and remind you that one of the ways to save both water and money, as well as protect your car's finish, is to patron a professional car wash frequently.

1. Check all your faucets for drips. By completely turning off faucets and reducing
    your amount of water used for tooth brushing, hand washing and shaving, you will
    help reduce your personal water consumption.

2. Install flow restrictors and other conservation devices on showers and faucets. These water     savers are available in most hardware, grocery and discount stores.

3. Use your automatic washing machine and dish washer only for full loads.
    You will make the  most of the water used.

4. In removing rust-causing salt from your car, use a professional car wash.
    Automatic and self-serve car washing uses far less water than the home
    wash that may result in wasted water, needlessly running hoses and tipping buckets.

5. Take shorter showers. Long, hot showers can waste up to ten gallons
    for each unused minute.

6. Place plastic bottles in your toilet tank. Fill them with water to weigh them down,
    placing them away from operating mechanisms. In the average home, this action
    can easily save ten or more gallons of water per day.

7. Check for leaks in your household pipes, hoses, faucets and couplings. These
    can be found by thoroughly examining your pipes and plumbing systems. It's less
    expensive to fix than to continue paying for wasted water.

8. Instead of hosing, use a sweeper or broom to clean the garage, driveway,
    floors or sidewalk.

9. Keep a bottle of drinking water in your refrigerator. This is important
    to avoid wasteful running of tap water to cool it off for drinking.

10. Teach your children the facts of water usage. Practicing the tips
    listed here will help us have enough water for future generations.

BACK TO TOP

Environment Matters
http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/envirom/carwash.htm

Washing the car

Cars that are washed in the street can pollute our rivers and harbors. The soapy water that runs off the car into the gutters goes into the storm water system. Storm water, unlike the water, which enters the sewers, does not undergo treatment before it is discharged into our waterways. Any pollutants in storm water end up in our lakes, rivers, harbors and oceans. Polluting waterways in this way is a breach of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 and may result in a $750 fine for individuals or a $1500 fine for corporations.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) receives enquiries from car owners who are concerned that they may be fined for washing their cars on the street. Car owners also want to know how to wash their cars in ways, which minimize the impact on the environment.
The EPA believes that a combination of education and 'best practice' is generally more appropriate than fines, so this leaflet contains information for members of the community about the impact that washing a car has on the environment, and about their legal obligations.

How big is the problem?
The waste water that runs off a car when it is washed contains a range of substances that may pollute the environment. These include soaps and detergents, mud, rubber and grease.
If these substances enter the storm water system, they will eventually find their way into our lakes, rivers, harbors and oceans - wherever the storm water discharges.
There are approximately 3.2 million vehicles registered in NSW. If every vehicle was washed once a month with 40 litres of water (5 buckets), over 1500 million litres of polluted water could enter the storm water system every year.

Where to wash your car
1. Try to wash your car on a grassy area to minimize the runoff. However,
    if this grassy area is on a nature strip, make sure you are not causing any
    disruption or inconvenience to pedestrians, as this is an offence against
    regulations administered by local councils.

2. Wash your car in the driveway if it drains onto a lawn or garden area,
    but avoid using the driveway if the water runs into a street or drain.

3. Always ensure the area where you wash your car does not drain into the
    storm water system, including the drains in the street.

4. If you have no suitable area to wash your car, look for an alternative location
    - perhaps your friends or neighbors have a suitable area you can use.

5. Some service stations provide an area for car washing, where runoff water
    is treated to remove pollutants before it goes into the sewer.

When you wash your car
1. Use a trigger hose - or even better, a bucket - to save water.

2. Use detergents and soaps sparingly. Better still, just use plain water,
    a coarse sponge and a little elbow grease.

3. Dispose of waste water onto a garden or lawn.

4. Consider washing your car only once a month.

Commercial car washes
Commercial car wash premises treat wastewater before disposing of it in the sewer. But remember, a commercial car wash uses far more hot water and soap than hand washing. There are also some newer commercial car washes which clean, recycle and reuse water in their 'do it yourself' car wash bays. These systems use much less water than standard car wash premises and all wastewater is treated before disposal. Check whether your car wash company recycles its water. Car wash companies are listed in the Yellow Pages under motorcar & truck cleaning services.

BACK TO TOP

Environmental Issues
http://ci.fort-worth.tx.us/DEM/carwash.htm

Washing your car at home not only uses more gallons of water than a commercial car wash, but it also can introduce soap, oil, and engine grime to the environment.

HOW? The dirty water and soap that come off your car at home usually flow down the driveway, into a curb inlet or gutter, and end up in a nearby creek or river. Curb inlets are designed to drain rainwater from the streets to prevent flooding. This water does not go to a water treatment facility to be cleaned. By using a commercial car wash, the soap and dirty water enter a filter system, which removes grit and oil. The water then flows through the sanitary sewer to a treatment facility where the water is cleansed.

Did You Know?
Fort Worth's Environmental Management Department has found that the most common pollutant in our storm drains and neighborhood creeks is detergent.

What Are We Doing?
We are telling people that pollutants like detergent, oil, and pesticides don't belong in storm drains. The City of Fort Worth has placed plaques similar on many curb inlets throughout the city. If your group would like to participate in a fish plaque project, call 871-5451.

What Can You Do?
Take your car to a commercial car wash. The chemicals are filtered and sent to a water treatment facility for cleaning. If you must wash your car at home: try using just water and a rag use only minimal amounts of soap - a little goes a long way use a spray release nozzle for your hose to reduce water use and runoff into the street wash your car on the lawn - your yard acts as a sponge and prevents soapy water from flowing down the curb.

Try using water and a rag

Use only minimal amounts of soap - a little goes a long way

Use a spray release nozzle for your hose to reduce water use and run off into the street

wash your car on the lawn - your yard acts as a sponge and prevents soapy water
   from flowing down the curb.

BACK TO TOP

Professional Carwashes Are The Environment's Best Friends
By taking your vehicle to one of the many professional carwash facilities you are helping to preserve one of our country's most valued assets - the environment.

Some Important Facts

BACK TO TOP

Images Auto Spa Find Services Find Products Car Care Info FAQ Contact Coupons Advertise Home