At What Point does Reclaim Make Sense?

[bigleo48]

In another thread Robert Roman mentions that above $3/1000 gals of water, Reclaim System starts to make sense.

My cost (incl sewer) is about $3.25 per 1000 Gals and my wash uses about 4,000,000 gallons a year.

Sounds like I need to look into this?

 

[Earl Weiss]

Like may things there are variables to be considered. The cleaner you need the reclaim to be the more costly and complicated the system. If I recall you are a self serve guy. For tunnels you can do a partial reclaim using larger jets to re use and blast water at the initial stages for things like wheels and undercarriage and use fresh water for the rest. For SS, I don't know if partial reclaim is possible althought I met one guy who has a seperate function and seperate large hose for cutomers to use to get heavy mud off. They like it as does he.

 

[Greg Pack]

At 3.25 per thousand I would thank my lucky stars and not worry about reclaim. I am at 11.00/thousand and still won't use it.

My brief experience with reclaim quickly left me the impression that the tail was wagging the dog.

In case you press forward, ask these questions.

How much electricity will the system use? My power bill went down almost $200/month when I turned mine off.

Will the current chemicals I work with reclaim? if not, how much more will reclaim-compatible chemistry cost? Will it work as well as the chemistry I am using now.

 

[Dean Taylor]

As a reclaim system manufacturer, we tend to look at the total water and sewer cost per month to determine and estimate the ROI.

Typically, if you are paying over $1,000 for water and sewer, a good reclaim system can reduce that by around 70%-80%, and begin to justify itself.

$1,000 per month

Reduce by 70% = New bill $ 300 mo.

Savings= $700.00 a month

Reclaim System Lease Payment= $450 mo.

Bottom line increased by $250 mo.

If your monthly bills are over $1,000, that number goes way up!
Once the system is paid for, that number goes way up!

I have had car wash owner's tell me their reclaim system is the only thing keeping them in business.

Hope this helps.

Dean Taylor
CATEC