Environment

ACWA believes strongly in the highest environmental standards for the commercial vehicle cleaning industry.

The Association encourages its members to adopt environmentally friendly processes and habits that include:

• Sustainable water practices and use of the Water Rating Scheme

• Regulatory compliance with trade waste disposal

• Initiating energy efficient practices

Car washes use very little potable (mains drinking) water by using fine nozzles and high pressure hoses, linked wherever possible to recycling systems which reclaim the water from the automatic wash bays. Health and safety considerations limit the use of recycled water in most self-service bays. A normal car wash will use the same amount of water as 1 load of washing, 4 minutes of garden watering or a 5 minute shower.

The car wash Water Rating Scheme provides a structured self-assessment of water use, verified by an independent audit, to ensure compliance with strict water efficiency requirements. Water Saver 4 and 5 star signage is your guarantee that you are using a water efficient car wash.

All car washes have to comply with trade waste rules which direct all waste water through a triple interceptor and into the sewer system. The solid waste is regularly removed and disposed of by EPA licenced operators. This is your guarantee that no polluted water from the car wash ends up in our rivers or bays – as is so often the case when cars are washed at home.

Exchange of knowledge and ideas between ACWA members means that the most energy efficient practices are being implemented which not only saves money for the operator but ensures the lowest possible consumption of our resources.