Do the Right Thing
Mobile detailers can no longer ignore water-runoff laws
By Prentice St. Clair
It wasn’t long ago that mobile detailers gave little thought to the water runoff resulting from their operations. Lately, however, mobile operators are faced with increasing pressure from local enforcement efforts and from carwash groups.
In this article, I’ll talk about the origins of the concern over runoff, the current state of enforcement of runoff regulations and what mobile detailers need to do to continue to operate legally.
The story begins with the issuance of the Clean Water Act of 1973, which mandated that water running into natural water courses and bodies like streams, rivers, lakes and oceans, would be free of contamination. The federal regulation did not mandate exactly how this was to be accomplished, other than suggesting the responsibility of enforcement was on the state and local levels. Thus began many years of nonaction. The regulation was in place, but nobody really understood what to do about it. Local authorities were not given specific instructions on what to enforce or how to enforce the regulation, so very little was accomplished. In the last 10 years or so, however, several things have occurred to increase local involvement in the area of runoff containment.
General awareness has greatly increased regarding the contamination of natural water sources due to careless dumping into storm drains as well as seemingly innocent runoff from such activities as hosing down a driveway. Additionally, federal regulators have begun to demand, through the issuance of substantial fines, that local municipalities reduce the amount of pollution that enters natural water courses.
The problem
In some cities, the storm drains are connected to the sewer system, so there is not as much problem with runoff. But even in these areas, excessive contamination into the storm drains can tax the capability of the water-treatment systems down line.
In other cities, like San Diego, the storm drains are not connected to the sewer system and everything that goes down the street eventually ends up in a local river or the ocean. In fact, it is common knowledge among local beachgoers that you should stay out of the ocean for at least three days after it rains because of the contamination that builds up near the shore from the runoff that makes its way from the streets via the storm-drain system.
Local enforcement of the Clean Water Act in San Diego has greatly increased in the last five years. Mike Henley of Royal Mobile Detailing in San Diego recently experienced a run-in with a water cop of sorts. He was approached by a City of San Diego code compliance officer who, while on another call, happened to notice him washing a car in a nearby office park. Even though Henley was using a vacuum berm, the officer basically told him he could not wash a car there. He was issued a verbal warning.
Other detailers have told me that in some neighborhoods they have actually seen water police patrolling the streets in white pickups looking for violators. San Diego also advertises through TV, radio and billboards. There is even a toll-free hotline number that citizens can call to report violators. In short, San Diego has created an enforcement program that is recognized as exemplary across the country.
Moreover, organizations like the Western Carwash Association have created advertising campaigns that inform the carwash customer of the importance of patronizing operations that reclaim and recycle water. The campaign is designed to discourage the consumer from choosing other washing options like carwashes that do not recycle, mobile washers who let runoff go down the storm drain and home washing.
Thus, what used to be no problem—washing a car wherever you like—has now become a potentially major concern for the mobile detailer.
Solutions
The mobile detailer who relies on the capability of washing cars on a mobile basis must begin to pursue options to avoid clashing with the law. Operators have several options to explore:
- Purchasing water-containment technology
- Utilizing carwashes
- Instituting customer pre-wash requirements
- Using a low-water wash technique
- Using a waterless wash technique
Water-containment
Some operators already have a significant investment in washing equipment that might include a pressure washer, hoses, clean water tanks and a trailer or van to carry it all. For these operators, it probably makes the most sense to make a moderately reasonable additional investment in water-containment technology. There are several types of equipment to control and collect water runoff. The two main types are complete containment systems and runoff collection systems.
The wash mat is a typical example of a complete containment system. It consists of a thick rectangular mat of vinyl with a foam “dam” built into all four sides to contain water. One simply rolls out the mat onto a flat area, and then the vehicle can be driven right onto the mat. If the mat is placed correctly, one corner will be lower than all the others and the water will collect in that area. You can use a sump pump to pump the water into a dirty-water tank.
A wash mat will range in price from $1,000 to $2,000. Some are sold as part of a system that includes the tank and the pump. Others are just the mat itself, to which you add your own pumping and storage equipment.
There are some things to think about when considering using a wash mat. Even with the best effort, a rolled-up mat will require a storage area that roughly equals a 4-by 2-foot box (not including the area required for a dirty-water tank.) There will be some extra set-up and take-down time required with a wash mat, (about 15 minutes on each end). You will also need to find a legal place to dump the collected dirty water. Small amounts can be pumped into the toilet, which then goes into the sewer system. Be aware, however, that in most municipalities, this activity is illegal. You may be able to negotiate a reasonable dumping price with a local carwash operator who has a water-treatment system in place.
Even with the drawbacks associated with a wash mat, it has the obvious advantage of eliminating any problems with runoff violations. It will also add to your image—you can market the fact that you take extensive extra precautions for the environment. That is, let your customers know that you are a “green” or environmentally friendly company. And certainly with the extra effort and equipment required, it is reasonable to charge more than the competition that does not use water-containment technology.
I have also seen a complete washing trailer that is designed so you can drive the vehicle up onto the trailer, which is more or less a complete washing station including all needed washing equipment and water-containment capability. This is obviously a very expensive option, between $20,000 to $30,000, but it is something to consider if washing will be a big part of your business. Be aware that this is a relatively new technology and, from what I’ve heard, not all the kinks have been worked out. Just make sure that if you go this route you have a good warranty in place.
Another form of water-containment technology is the water boom or berm. This is a relatively simple solution. The boom, which is a few feet long, is essentially a porous tube that is connected on one end to a wet-dry vacuum hose. The boom is placed at a low point where all of the water runoff is collecting (e.g., in the culvert at the side of the street), and, with the aid of a powerful wet-dry vac, sucks the water away before it can get to the storm drain.
The berm itself runs about $100 to $300, depending on the size and model you get. Then, you must factor in the cost of the vacuum. If you are washing one vehicle at a time, you may be able to get away with using a large wet-dry vacuum. You’ll have to empty it after every wash. Otherwise, you will need a water-collection system that includes the vacuum and a dirty-water tank. Unfortunately, some municipalities do not accept the berm as a complete solution to the runoff problem. The claim is that the water, cleaners and oil that dry up on the ground under the vehicle will later be re-activated during the next rainfall, and then run into the storm drain.
One last important consideration here—if you perform engine bay cleaning on a mobile basis, you will have to have a complete containment system in areas that have strict runoff regulation enforcement. If they catch you rinsing an engine, you are likely to incur the maximum fine, skipping the verbal warning, wrist-slapping and written warnings altogether.
Using carwashes
If the cost or inconvenience of water-containment systems is too much for you, consider using a complete washing system and water-containment system that is already in place—your local carwash. The time that it takes you to drive the customer’s vehicle to the carwash, wait for the service and bring it back is probably equal to that of setting up your own mobile-washing and water-containment equipment.
At an automatic carwash, all you really need is a basic wash (e.g., the least expensive one). All of the extras like dressing and vacuuming are things you will take care of during your detailing. If you frequent a particular wash often, you may be able to negotiate a frequent-washer discount with the manager. You may also be able to use coupons that are available to the consumer or pre-pay programs that save you a lot of money in the long run. Another great carwash option is the self-serve wash. A few dollars’ worth of quarters and your prepwash is done.
After using the carwash, you continue with your standard detailing process. You may have to spend a bit of extra time and chemicals on the wheels and lower areas that did not come as clean as they usually do during a detailer’s prep wash. But considering the benefit of not having to worry about runoff, this is time well spent.
Customer pre-wash
Some detailers keep it really simple by requiring that the customer have the vehicle washed just before the detail appointment. The advantage for the operator is that he stays completely out of the washing business. The disadvantage is that it represents a potential inconvenience for the customer. There is a predominant perception that mobile detailing includes the wash. You can overcome this, however, by reducing the cost of your detail to reflect the fact that the vehicle is already clean when you arrive.
Low-water washing
Vehicles that are washed on a regular basis in climates that have little precipitation can be washed with a bucket of water, a chemical sprayer full of water and a chamois. This also works great in the confines of a parking garage where the blasting overspray of a pressure washer or the runoff from a garden hose is not acceptable. The low-water wash only works on vehicles that are not muddy and are only slightly soiled and mostly just dusty.
Waterless techniques
There are a few products on the market that claim the vehicle can be washed using no water at all. Essentially, a liquid detailing chemical is sprayed on the surface of the vehicle, emulsifying any light dirt or dust, which is then wiped away with a clean towel. The concept works great for regular washing of vehicles that are only dusty. It’s great for collector’s, museum or showcase vehicles that never or rarely see the outside world. But it will not work for the pickup that drives through the snow every day.
In climates like the Southwest, operators can make a great living wiping down vehicles once a week with a dry-wash product, which also leaves behind some protection on the painted surfaces of the vehicle.
What if?
Let’s say your are busy washing a vehicle and a person who looks like an official drives up and asks you what you are doing. It’s bound to happen to all of us at one time or another. The most important thing to remember is to smile and not be defensive. You are probably talking with someone who has some authority to write you up, so you’d better be friendly. Remember, code-enforcement personnel are people just like us, and if you come off with an attitude, they will probably take it personally. This will eliminate any chance of negotiating a warning.
Ask questions like, “How can I be of help?” and “What do I need to do to be in compliance?” Show a genuine interest in complying with the law and ask for help. Say something like, “Thanks so much for letting me know that something’s wrong. I certainly want to be in compliance with any regulations that might apply to my business. I’m just not fully aware of what they are. Can you help me understand or tell me where I can get more information?”
If you take a cooperative stance and show a sincere appreciation for the official’s duty, you may likely get off with just a warning, which gives you a chance to re-group and figure out which of the options discussed here make the most sense for your business.
It is almost guaranteed that if you are operating a mobile detailing business, you will have to deal with runoff-containment regulations. You can be proactive and create a system or situation that avoids runoff altogether, or you can take your chances and wait for someone to point the finger at you. Either way, you need to start investigating your options and the local enforcement policy so that you are prepared.
