What's new
Car Wash Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Gal of Water/Car Industry Standards

hkim310

Member
Just trying to get an idea of which if you all keep track of the number of gallons of water / car you are using monthly/yearly for your car wash? Our annual water usage has steadily increased the last 3 years and just trying to get a better idea of what normal, good, and bad would be in terms of water usage in gallons/car.
 
Most operators think of water consumption in terms of efficiency instead of normal, good or bad because you can calculate directly how much water a conveyor system should be consuming.

Total water consumption per car is calculated as a function of conveyor speed (cars per hour), length in feet of each device that uses water, flow rate of each device using water (gallons per minute) and the total number of devices using water. Conveyor speed is calculated as a function of line operating speed and roller spacing (3’4” or 7’4”).

For example, 60’ conveyor, 60 CPH, 3’4” roller spacing, 5-touch friction module may use 39 gallons of fresh water per car. Add-on 8-nozzle wheel blaster and fresh water increases to 52 GPC. Add top blaster and mirror rinse and water consumption increases to 65 GPC. Add reclaim system for high pressure devices and fresh water consumption drops back 39 GPC.

So, my advice is to calculate how much water you should be using and then compare it to actual use to gauge where you stand.

Your supplier would be able to help you with the calculation.
 
Looks like I'm going to have to give Sonny's a call on Monday. Thanks for the insight Robert. We are currently using around 47 gal of water/car. Waxman, I wish we COULD drill a well here....haha
 
Back
Top