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Water Containment Systems Tips
What is a Water Containment System?
Water containment systems are used to capture "fluid waste" and keep it from entering the water table, city sewer systems, or other easily polluted areas. In some cases, a water recovery system or containment system can be as simple as a flexible tube placed all around a particular area, combined with a vacuum system to suck up the water. This is effective for spills, one-off car wash fund raising events and other smaller applications. Depending on the laws in your area, you may need additional equipment such as a water recycle system that removes impurities and makes the water safe to discharge. Be sure to compare the product literature to EPA standards for water recovery to be sure you truly are in compliance with the law. A great place to start is at the EPA website for ground water and drinking water, at http://www.epa.gov/safewater. Water containment systems also come in more complex models which can be used in industrial applications. If you have a business and are worried about EPA compliance, your first step should be consulting with a water containment system dealer to get some advice based on the specific needs of your business.
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Water Recovery And State Law
Many states are taking a much tougher stance on waste water from car wash operations and "portable wash" operations. If you run a car wash business you could find yourself required by law to employ a water containment system at some point during the life of your business. Water recycle systems keep your waste water out of the water table, and are good for your bottom line.
Did you know that "water weep," the process of losing waste water down the drain, is one of the largest expenses connected to operating a car wash? Wash water recovery can cut your water expenses by allowing you to re-use much of the water in a day's operation. At the end of the day you may still be required to clean up what's left in your water containment system before discharging it into the city's sewers, using a water filtration system and related technology. Become familiar with your state's environmental laws to avoid hefty fines rising from unwitting violations of those laws.
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How Does a Water Recovery System Work?
A water recovery system is designed to contain and clean water to make it safe for discharge according to environmental laws. These are often sold as "closed systems" made to work together with a pressure washer system or other water application so the same water be re-used. This closed water recovery system begins with containment, using tubes or hoses that hug the ground to trap the dirty water. The water is sucked into a containment unit, cleaned, then released into a water tank which holds the water until it is reused. These closed water recovery systems can operate quite efficiently, processing up to 20 gallons per minute. Water recycling systems are environmentally-friendly in several ways, especially in drought-stricken areas such as Texas and California, where water conservation is a key issue.
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Water Recovery Systems
If you are in the market for a water recovery system, chances are some products online results turned up during your online research. Many of these products are aimed at those in the mobile detailer and car wash industry, and while seller claims are often accurate with regards to state laws governing water recycling systems, you may be better off making your purchase from a reputable dealer.
A company that specializes in selling water recovery systems can give you advice on your particular needs and for your specific application of a water containment system. Buying online through auction sites puts you at a disadvantage when it comes to customizing your purchase for your specific needs, especially where accessories are concerned. You also have the benefit of a full warranty and clear return policy from a dealer, where your options from an eBay seller may be more limited. When it comes to protecting yourself and your investment, the reputable dealer will always have the better deal, even if the water recycle system cost is slightly higher.
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What Should Not Go Into a Portable Water Recovery System
There are some jobs that are very wrong for portable water recovery systems. Toxic spills may be contained with the pipe or hose used to contain any spill, but don't allow toxic material to enter the recovery system's cleaning stage, unless specifically designed for toxic spills. A portable water recycling system may retain traces of those toxins, which can seep into otherwise clean water processed by your system. Toxic materials should have approved cleanup and disposal methods. Another situation to avoid with a portable water recovery system is cleanup of flammable liquids. The same rules apply to flammables as to toxic liquids, but with the added danger of a fire or explosion if the fumes are ignited by the system's motor. Water recycle systems should only be used to handle the jobs for which they are rated. Your instruction manual will explain the limits for your particular unit.
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Weep Recovery And Winter Freezes
Did you know that the right weep recovery system can prevent damage to your wash system and its users? Water recycle systems can send weep water through a wash system to prevent lines from freezing. Commercial car wash owners have learned that the key to using wash water recovery in this way is to put it on a timed interval system. This prevents the use of the water in the water recovery system for free instead of paying to use the system as intended. If you aren't running a commercial wash operation, but still need a weep recovery "no-freeze" solution for your facility, you can allow the water to continuously cycle through the system. Another water freezing issue comes with wet wash area flooring. Water containment systems can be built directly into your wash facility in such a way that wash water drains out of the wash area and doesn't accumulate on flooring. This prevents water from freezing outside the lines and causing a slip hazard. Ask your vendor what your options might be for such customized installation.
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Can I Mix And Match Vaccum Parts From One Machine to Another?
Water recovery systems come with vacuums, tanks and cleaning stages. If the vacuum stage of your water recycling or recovery system needs repairs, in some cases you can do a replacement with a compatible vacuum system. Be sure the pressure and air flow features of the vacuum match the needs of your water recovery system. It's very important to use a replacement vacuum that is sturdy enough to handle any continuous use. If your replacement isn't up to a long job, you could burn out the vacuum unit through overuse in your water containment system. Does your replacement vacuum have an automatic pump-out system? If not, remember that you may need to take frequent breaks to manually empty the machine.
