What's new

Reclaim system on a well/septic self serve wash?

KTM300

New member
Joined
May 4, 2012
Messages
17
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Emigrant, MT
My dad built our wash 15 years ago while I was in college. It is a two bay self serve next to our grocery store/gas station. We are in rural location, so we are on a well and septic tank system. He was a sold a Rowafil reclaim system. At the time I wasn't involved in any of the design decisions. I am now in charge of the car wash. Does it make sense to use a reclaim system when on a well and septic? I have no idea how much water we really use, because none of it is metered. We gross between $800-$1800 a month depending on the season, if that can give you an idea of our water use.
 

MEP001

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
16,665
Reaction score
3,946
Points
113
Location
Texas
If the well has a limited draw you might need it, otherwise I see no benefit and lots of potential issues.
 

Waxman

Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
6,050
Reaction score
1,695
Points
113
Location
Orange, MA
If well water is unlimited or you could utilize a cistern, I would not reclaim.
 

Eric H

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
1,297
Reaction score
753
Points
113
Location
Leominster, MA
I see no benefit and lots of potential issues.
I know there have been some reports of Legionnaires' disease caused by carwash reclaim systems. There was a significant outbreak in either New Zealand or Australia but I cannot find the article online. i did find a report of 2 people getting Legionnaires' disease in Italy this year that was blamed on a carwash.
IIRC, the incident in NZ/AU was at a SS only wash. My understanding was that the reclaim water droplets can enter the lungs of the customer in a SS but in an IBA the customer is protected because they are inside a car.
TO BE CLEAR, I'm not trying to claim that reclaim systems are dangerous, they are in wide use here in the US, but there may be issues or additional costs in trying to use reclaim in a SS.
 
Top