Installation of Water Recycling Systems at New and Renovated Car Washes
Kathryn Leidahl (author) & Jonathan Rosenbloom (editor)INTRODUCTION
Water scarcity has become an epidemic, making efforts for water conservation vital for the health and safety of citizens.[1] Vehicle washing is an intensive water-use process which creates wastewater littered with harsh detergents and chemicals.[2] Water scarcity as well as increasing water prices have incentivized many local governments to require all new or renovated car washes to install water recycling systems to promote water conservation.[3] Water recycling utilizes water treatment systems to clean and process contaminated wastewater for reuse in a facility.[4] A traditional, automated car wash uses about 43 gallons of water for each vehicle compared to self-serve washes, which average 15 gallons per vehicle.[5] Implementing water recycling systems in automated car washes may cut water use down to about 28 gallons per wash (for use of such recycled water see the brief, Recycled Water Irrigation Systems for New Developments).[6]
Ordinances requiring water recycling systems in all new and renovated car washes may need to consider the existing plumbing infrastructure before implementing a recycling system requirement. Not all traditional plumbing designs are suited to accommodate a water recycling system. New plumbing may be needed before using a water recycling system.[7] Some local governments have factored the costs associated with new plumbing into incentives and promotions concerning recycled water systems in car washes.[8]
EFFECTS
Water recycling systems help alleviate the harm and dangers associated with water scarcity in a community.[9] Recycle systems decrease the amount of water deviated from wildlife ecosystems, which protects animals and plants.[10] Recycled water can also be supplemented back into wildlife zones which do not have enough water to survive.[11] Additionally, having a recycling water system in car washes decreases the amount of pollution released in the surrounding wildlife areas, oceans, rivers, and lakes.[12]
With the demand for water constantly increasing, incorporating water recycling systems into car washes can also reduce the amount of energy and greenhouses gasses emitted in the treatment and transportation of water.[13] Local water recycling systems can also decrease the amount of water extracted, treated, and transported to reach communities.[14] Although a water recycling system utilizes energy, the amount of energy needed is less per gallon than transporting or treating water off site.[15] For individual car wash owners, water recycling systems can reduce water costs and sewer costs.[16]
EXAMPLES
Chesapeake, VA
Chesapeake, Virginia requires all new car washes to install a water recycling system in their facilities.[17] The installed system must be approved by the Director of Public Utilities and the operator must obtain a plumbing permit from the Department of Inspections before installing the system.[18] All existing car washes must install a water recycling system no later than one year after the passage of the ordinance.[19] Additionally, the water recycling system must be used at all times of operation.[20]
To view the provision see Chesapeake, VA Code of Ordinances § 78-59 (2018).
San Marcos, TX
San Marcos, Texas adopted a water conservation ordinance which mandates all new automatic car washes must install a water recycling system.[21] Ultra-low flow spray nozzles may also be use as well as alternative sources of water with no more than fifty-five gallons of water used per vehicle.[22] Self-service car washes must utilize spray nozzles with a flow rate of three gallons per minute.[23]
To view the provision see San Marcos, TX Code of Ordinances § 14-121 (2015).
Lawton, OK
Lawton, Oklahoma requires all new car wash facilities to install a water recycling system which reuses a minimum of 50 percent of the wastewater.[24] If an existing car wash is permitted for remodeling and the cost of said remodeling is greater than 50 percent of the existing value of the facility, the car wash is required to install a water recycling system which also reuses a minimum of 50 percent of the wastewater.[25] The installed water recycling systems are separated from the City’s potable water system by a prevention device which must be approved by the City engineer.[26] Additionally, the water recycling system requirement does not apply to temporary car wash operations hosted by a nonprofit organization.[27]
To view the provision see Lawton, OK Code of Ordinances § 6-1-5-198 (2015).
Arvada, CO
Arvada, Colorado conditions the approval of a permit to enlarge a service line, replace more than 50 percent of the gross square footage of the car wash, or expand more than 50 percent of the gross square footage of the car wash on the installation of a water recycling system.[28] The water recycling system must recycle a minimum of 50 percent of the water utilized.[29]
To view the provision see Arvada, CO Code of Ordinances § 102-108 (2003).
ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES
Fuquay-Varina, NC Code of Ordinances § 9-1255(aa)(4)(A) (2018) (requiring car wash facilities to utilize a minimum of 80% water recycling system).
Newport News, VA Code of Ordinances § 42-91(b) (2005) (requiring all car washes in operation after Aug. 13, 2002 to utilize a water recycling system or, if unable to install a water recycling system, to utilize water from an alternate source).
Titusville, FL Land Development Code § 28-108(7)(a) (2019) (approving only car wash facilities with water recycling systems).
Greenacres, FL Code of Ordinances §16-499(30)(l) (2019) (requiring car wash facilities to use 90 percent water recycling system and to use 100 percent of the wastewater).
Southampton, VA Code of Ordinances § 16-260 (b) (1995) (requiring all new car washes to install a water recycling system and requiring all existing car washes to be equipped with a system not later than one year from May 23, 1995).
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Chris Brown, Water Use in the Professional Car Wash Industry, International Carwash Association, (Sept., 2002), https://perma.cc/TQH7-M9TQ (reporting water usage from automatic, self-service, and conveyer car washes and recommendations for more sustainable operating procedures for car washes across the world).
CITATIONS
[1] Rafael Zaneti, Ramiro Etchepare, & Jorge Rubio, More Enviornmentally Friendly Vehicle Washes: Water Reclamation, Journal of Cleaner Production, (Aug., 2011), https://perma.cc/VD8R-Q5MC.
[2] Id. at 115.
[3] See id.
[4] Id. at 116.
[5] Chris Brown, Water Use in the Professional Car Wash Industry, International Carwash Association, (Sep., 2002), https://perma.cc/8M5T-LB55.
[6] Id. at 41.
[7] Id.
[8] Id.
[9] The Many Benefits of Water Recycling, M.W Watermark, https://perma.cc/XWT9-X4PT (last visited Aug. 5, 2019).
[10] Id.
[11] Id.
[12] Environmental Protection Agency, Water Reuse and Recycling: Community and Environmental Benefits, https://perma.cc/4ZVY-58K7 (last visited Aug. 5, 2019).
[13] The Many Benefits of Water Recycling, supra note 9.
[14] Id.
[15] Environmental Protection Agency, supra note 12.
[16] Bob Lye, A Brief Guide to Greywater Recycling Systems, Washing Equipment of Texas, (May, 2017), https://perma.cc/WCT7-AFQW.
[17] Chesapeake, VA, Code of Ordinances § 78-59 (2018).
[18] Id.
[19] Id.
[20] See id.
[21] San Marcos, TX Code of Ordinances § 14-121 (2015).
[22] Id. at (b).
[23] Id. at (c).
[24] Lawton, OK Code of Ordinances § 6-1-5-198 (2015).
[25] Id.
[26] Id. at (B).
[27] Id. at (C).
[28] Arvada, CO Code of Ordinances § 102-108 (2003).
[29] Id. at (c).