Wash Wise! Carwashes & Water Conservation

Did you know that when you wash your car at a commercial carwash, you are doing something good for the Bow River? Unlike run-off from car washing on the street or driveway, which runs through storm sewers into the river untreated, run-off at commercial carwashes goes into the sanitary sewer system and is treated before re-entering the Bow River. That means car washing pollutants like soap, sediment, salts, oil, antifreeze, and metals like lead and arsenic have much less impact on water quality and fish habitat.

You can do even more to protect our water supply by considering water conservation when choosing a commercial carwash. There are several factors to look at when thinking about water conservation and washing your car:

• What type of carwash is it?
• Does the carwash reclaim and filter wash water for reuse?
• Is the facility well maintained?
• Is run-off water prevented from entering the storm sewers?
• Carwashes and wastewater concerns

What type of carwash is it?

Some styles of carwashes use more fresh water than others do to get your car clean. The following table shows the average amount of water car washes that don't recycle water use per vehicle:

Source: Water Conservation in the Professional Car Wash Industry (2000)

To put the amounts in perspective, the touchless wash uses the equivalent of 162 two-litre pop bottles to wash one car, the touch conveyor wash uses 125 pop bottles, the automatic bay wash uses 95 to 114 pop bottles, and the self-serve wash uses 28. The self-serve bay is the most water-efficient of the non-recycling carwashes.

Does the carwash reclaim and filter wash water for reuse?

Modern reclamation and filtering systems remove soap, chemicals and sediment from wash water for reuse in parts of the wash cycle. Depending on the type of recycling system, reclaiming and filtering wash water for reuse reduces the amount of fresh water needed by 50-60% in bay washes, 50-90% in conveyor touch washes, and 20-90% in conveyor touchless washes.

Car wash equipment and water reclamation technology are improving with increased demand for water efficiency. The climatic conditions in Calgary have limited the use of some reclamation systems that are used in warmer climates; however there are systems that operate successfully in Calgary. Existing car washes also face the difficulty of refitting existing buildings and equipment to work with newer system designs.

The most efficient filtration systems bring water usage below or equal to self-serve water use. Ask automatic carwash staff if their system filters and reuses water.

Is the facility well-maintained?

A lot of water can be wasted through leaks, incorrectly aimed nozzles, and continuously running sprayers; a well-maintained carwash minimizes these sources of water loss. Report leaks (including those in washroom facilities) and misdirected nozzles to carwash staff.

Automatic shut-off sprayers in self-serve bays should stop spraying water when the lever is released. Report malfunctioning sprayers to carwash staff.
Like other commercial buildings, carwashes can also save water by watering landscaped areas wisely, installing water-saving landscaping, and installing low-flow and low-flush fixtures in washrooms.

Is run-off water prevented from entering the storm sewers?

Water that escapes the carwash bay and enters the storm sewer system is not treated before re-entering the river and can't be reclaimed in water reclamation systems. Carwashes designed to capture water within the bay help protect the river system and allow more water to be reused rather than wasted. Automatic carwashes that dry cars well before they exit also keep water from the storm sewers by decreasing the amount of water that runs off cars as they drive away.
If you notice water running from the bay or off cars exiting automatic carwashes, notify carwash staff.

Carwashes and wastewater concerns

• Water at commercial carwashes runs into the City sanitary sewer system. A carwash is the place to remove debris like clay, dust, and soil from the exterior of your vehicle. It is not the place to drain or change engine fluids, dump chemicals, oil, septic tanks, or carpet-cleaning liquid waste. To learn about where to dispose of household chemicals, visit Household Hazardous Waste.
• The commercial carwash industry is aware of potential environmental effects of the detergents and waxes they use. Low phosphate, biodegradable, water-based cleaners are available, and vehicle wash best practices encourage "avoidance, elimination, or substitution of polluting products."
  (Source: CPPI Best Management Practices Vehicle Wash Operations, 2003)
• Commercial carwashes in Calgary must comply with Bylaw 24M96  (69 KB), which controls what kinds and quantities of waste are permitted to enter the wastewater treatment system. Higher than normal concentrations of contaminants like oil, grease, and sediments make wastewater harder to treat. Surcharges are applied to a carwash if wastewater contaminant concentrations exceed guidelines in the Bylaw.

Sources:
Brown, Chris, 2000, Water Conservation in the Professional Car Wash Industry  . International Carwash Association.
Canadian Petroleum Products Institute (CPPI), 2004. Best Management Practices Vehicle Wash Operations  . CPPI.
Oknich, Jen, 2002, The Perceived Environmental Impact of Car Washing  . Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District.