CON-SERV RECLAMATION SYSTEM

The primary environmental considerations for car washing are:

Use of water supplies and energy are self-evident, since car washes are users of such resources. The professional car wash industry has made great strides in reducing its environmental footprint, a trend that will continue to accelerate due to regulation and consumer demand. Parke West Car Wash uses a water reclamation system to significantly reduce water usage and utilize a variety of energy usage reduction technologies.

Contamination of surface waters arises from the rinses discharging into storm drains, which in turn most commonly drain into rivers, lakes and bays. Chief pollutants in such wash-water include phosphates oil, grease and lead. This is almost exclusively an issue for home/driveway washing. Professional car washing is a "non-point source" of discharge that has the ability to capture these contaminants and have them undergo treatment before being released into sanitary systems.

Contamination of soil and groundwater is sometimes related to such surface runoff, but more importantly is associated with soil contamination from underground fuel tanks or auto servicing operations which commonly are ancillary uses of car wash sites - but not an issue for car washing itself.

For these reasons, state and local environmental groups (most notable being the Maryland Department of the Environment) have begun campaigns to encourage consumers to use professional car washes as opposed to driveway washing. Their recommendations include moving charity car wash fundraisers from driveways and parking lots to professional car washes.