Water Responsible Truck Washes

Hi Melissa,

This is a new car/pet wash in North Vancouver, BC, Canada. You might want to see if they have plans to expand elsewhere. Their web site claims that they use all reclaimed water. http://www.easywash.com/

Emma "Melissa Freeman"

Hello, Mikaela,

I asked people on a pollution-prevention/cleaner production technical-assistance listserv, and they gave several suggestions about the truck-washing question. I separated the three different suggestions by asterisks (***).

*** The first person told me about a company near here in Seattle that just won an award for a system that can wash a car on five ounces of liquid! The man at the company posted a reply to her inquiry, which I have copied here. Award Story here: http://yosemite.epa.gov/R10/OI.NSF/B724CA698F6054798825705700693650/54D7 4DE0D99D8D598825727300617C29?OpenDocument

Doug Nafziger's post, here: As the only vehicle cleaning service provider in the region 3rd-party certified as "safe for the planet", and the only small business in the USA recognized as an EPA Water Efficiency Leader, I am confident our "truck wash system" would meet the requirements of water conservation/recycling and meet occupational health and safety requirements. Since 2003 we have cleaned all sorts of cars and trucks, and have frequently encountered unique scenarios in need of resolution. While I am unsure of all the subtle nuances "cattle and sheep saleyards" (and the not so subtle ones), I have spent time on the farm, so I can well imagine. I had never heard of a "B-Double", however Google explains: "Multi-Trailer-Combinations (MTCs) B-Trains eventually became known as B-Doubles in Australia". I take this to mean very large tandem semi trailers. Filled with cattle or sheep. Regardless of these uncertainties - and assuming they don't want the livestock cleaned too - we would be happy to help determine if we are capable of providing such services.

Thank you.
Doug Nafziger

CEO
Advanced Mobile, LLC
www.AdvancedMobileUSA.com
206.523.7951

**** From Ron Smith of Office of Compliance Assistance & Pollution Prevention at Ohio EPA: We have assisted several companies with this situation. There are a number of wash water capture, treatment and reuse systems. I believe the initial impetus for this technique may have been developed for military operations such as aircraft washing stations etc. Here are some example vendors and case studies-

Closed Loop Wash Rack Case Study http://p2library.nfesc.navy.mil/P2_Opportunity_Handbook/11_3.html

Danco Metal Surfacing Case Study
http://www.nmfrc.org/pdf/ro.htm

Water Efficiency: Water Management Options
http://www.p2pays.org/ref/04/03104.pdf

Riveer Company
233 Veterans Blvd
South Haven MI 49090
(269) 637-1997 
(888) 857-7304
Fax: (269) 637-0177
Email: [email protected]
http://www.cyclonator.com/

Pressure Island
3925 Bohannon Drive, Suite 100
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Toll Free: (888) DE-GREASE (334-7327)
Fax: (650) 780-9988
[email protected]
http://www.pressureisland.com

Hydro Engineering, Inc.
865 W. 2600 S.
Salt Lake City, UT 84119
(800) 247-8424
Fax: (801) 972-3265
Email: [email protected]
http://www.hydroblaster.com/HydrokleenWastewaterFiltration.htm
*Hydrobay indoor portable wash rack system
http://www.hydroblaster.com/3picsinsidewashbay.htm

CPR Systems
1400 South Main Street
South Bend, Indiana 46613
(800) 897-7515
Fax: (574) 233-3899
Cleaner Phosphoric Recycling Systems
http://www.cprsystemsonline.com/phosphatizing.html

*A CPR System recycles the wash water and reclaims the cleaner thus monitoring and record keeping of industrial wastewater discharge is not required. This system can reduce chemical consumption by 70 to 80 percent over typical wash water discharge methods.

*** A colleague of mine recommends this publication: Vehicle and Equipment Washwater Discharges Best Management Practices Manual

It can be downloaded here: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/95056.html

*** I will let you know if I receive any other responses.

Good luck!
Diana Ruth Olegre

Washington State
Department of Ecology
Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program
Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist
[email protected]
360-407-6609