Smart Car Wash Breaks Ground, Seeks LEED Certification

The Smart Car Wash broke ground in Woodbridge, Va., Dec. 2, marking a step forward in its quest for certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. LEED is a rating system from the U.S. Green Building Council that awards points to buildings that meet certain green-building criteria in categories like developing a sustainable site, water conservation, energy efficiency, building materials and indoor environmental quality.

“The carwash’s development team expects national visibility for its innovative use of green building techniques, commitment to environmental stewardship and high-quality design,” company officials said in a press release.

To achieve LEED certification, the carwash will recycle more than 90 percent of its wash water, reduce noise and light pollution, incorporate variable frequency drives on equipment to reduce power consumption by 50 percent, use “bio-friendly” chemicals, and eliminate the need for hydraulic devices which have some potential to contaminate the environment, the press release said.

The facility is expected to open next summer. A rendering of the carwash is viewable on the company's preliminary Web site.

“We’re very excited about this revolutionary project and see it as another step forward for recognition of LEED certification for all kinds of businesses,” said Tom Mawson, executive director, U.S. Green Building Council National Capital Region. “This carwash will be the first in the nation, if not the world, to be LEED certified.”

The Smart Car Wash also received federal recognition from U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., who introduced a congratulatory statement into the Congressional Record.

“Congress provided Recovery Act funding for Small Business Administration loan programs with the hope that entrepreneurs would have the opportunity to open their own small businesses and create jobs for their local economies,” Connolly said. “The Smart Car Wash LEED certified facility, financed by the SBA’s 504 lending program, does exactly that by creating new jobs, increasing the local tax base, and stimulating the Prince William County economy. I commend the Smart Car Wash team for their entrepreneurial spirit and environmental stewardship.”

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