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Average use of fresh water to wash a car is about 38 gallons per vehicle (gpv) in automatic bay and conveyor types and about 15 gallons in self-service bays. [35] Significantly less fresh water is needed in washes with reclaim water systems. Total estimated use of water in commercial car washes is about 2 percent of CII use.
The term "water reuse" is generally used interchangeably with terms such as wastewater reuse, water reclamation, and water recycling. A definition by the USEPA states: "Water reuse is the method of recycling treated wastewater for beneficial purposes, such as agricultural and landscape irrigation, industrial processes, toilet flushing, and groundwater replenishing (EPA, 2004)."
ACUA operates a vehicle wash powered by 100% renewable energy, which is open to public and private fleets for use. Solar panels heat the wash water and solar lighting illuminates the wash bay. 85% of the water used is recycled for future washes and recycled motor oil is used to heat the facility. [7]
The Biden administration announced $179 million for wastewater recycling projects, boosting plans to build the nation's largest plant in Southern California.
Additionally, water need not be treated to very high standards to be use in industrial applications, and this makes it an even more cost-effective solution. [12] West Basin Municipal Water District's Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility has been providing recycled water to industrial customers since 1995. [14]
Water efficiency is the practice of reducing water consumption by measuring the amount of water required for a particular purpose and is proportionate to the amount of essential water used. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Water efficiency differs from water conservation in that it focuses on reducing waste, not restricting use. [ 3 ]
After the government of China restricted imports of U.S. waste in 2017, prices fell. The Atlantic reports, for example, that one town which in the early 2000's could break even on recycling by selling it for $6/ton found that 15 years later it had to pay $125 a ton to recycle, versus $68 a ton to incinerate. [14]
Besides recycling water, it also reuses the heat of the water (which would otherwise be lost). [ 24 ] [ 25 ] Contrary to the popular view that the most effective way to save water is to curtail water-using behavior (e.g., by taking shorter showers), [ 26 ] experts suggest the most efficient way is replacing toilets and retrofitting washers; as ...